Ty finished packing the last of his overnight bag. Grabbing his cowboy hat and meeting Jack downstairs. "You're late." He shouted at him tossing a lead line at him. "Get Romeo tacked up."
"Okay." Ty reponsed. It'd been a rough few days between him and Amy. He completely understood her decision but he couldn't hide the sting it left. The last thing he wanted was to fight but keeping his distance from her was probably starting to become obvious. Not exactly what either wanted. But Amy's look as she came in the barn was as cold as it had been all week. Looking at him like some sort of stranger.
Just as he was going to say her name Jack spoke instead. "What is with you too?" He pointed his thumb toward Amy as she left.
"Honestly, I don't know. We kinda got into a disagreement over you know what. And now we aren't talking."
"You know what? What?" He repeated turning up his nose. His confusion written all over his face.
"Are heading out today before the sun sets?" Tim said glancing between Jack and Ty.
"Yup. Any minute now." Jack said turning his attention to Tim who looked suspicious.
"Okay. Great." Tim however kept his gaze on Ty trying to read him.
Jack exchanged another glance at Ty before leading his horse out of the barn to follow after Tim. For once he had a point. They really needed to get moving if they wanted any progress at all before having to find a spot to camp overnight.
Ty fastened the saddle checking it over quickly before mounting and joining the others. The others being a few of Tim's friends, Jack and Caleb and of course Amy.
"Partner up." Jack shouted as he lead the small crew toward the field. "We have about a 2 hours ride ahead of us."
Ty sighed. He wasn't going to lie. The idea of this trip sounded great before. When he got to spend time with Amy. But now his butt hurt already at the thought of hours ahead of him. Not to mention he hadn't ridden all week so his muscles were already protecting the movement. Amy had partnered with Caleb by the time he got himself mentally prepared. He sighed again. This whole thing was stupid. Was he wrong to be excited? And want to share the news. Was he wrong in being disappointed at Amy who wanted to keep it their secret? Was he in the wrong for wanting to share the news with them? Cause Amy has seemed to think so.
"You okay?" Tim asked startling him.
"Uh, yeah."
"You sure?" He raised an eyebrow.
"I am great. It's just been a while since I've done one of these. And that one didn't exactly go well." He laughed.
"Totally understand. But you got this." He patted him on the back.
Ty began to fear the worst. They were partners. But upon looking ahead of him he noticed another guy riding back a bit alone. Assumingly Tim's partner leaving him with Jack. He sighed relieved. "Is there something you wanted?"
"No, just wondering what you and Jack were talking about. Looked pretty important."
"Nope, nothing special." Ty shrugged. He got a glimpse of Amy who had turned right around to see too what was going on. Clearly afraid he was going to spill he beans or her dad had caught on.
Caleb glanced over his shoulder. "Your dad isn't going to hurt him, you know."
"Yeah, no. Of course." She said drawing her attention back to Caleb.

After what felt like an eternity they finally stopped. "Alright, this looks like a good spot" Jack shouted. Dismounting everyone began to unpack their things for the night. Tim jumping into action to take over. Ty volunteered to get firewood with Caleb just to avoid any awkward moments with Amy or anyone else. "Hey, man. Congratulations." He said as they walked further into the wooded area.
Ty glanced back to make sure they weren't in earshot. Caleb catching the nervous look. "Thanks."
"I didn't realize it was a secret." He looked over at where Amy had begun to pitch the tent.
"It's not. Or it is. I can't keep up." He bend down to grab another piece of wood. "Was she like this when you two?"
"Secretive? No."
"Oh..." Ty's disappointment on full display.
"Look man, I'm sure she has a reason. Or..." Caleb at a loss for words.
"It's okay. I guess I'm just insecure."
"Sorry man."
"She's so much better then me. I don't deserve her. Hell, I feel like a stole her from you."
"Listen, I wasn't pleased but we just weren't a good fit. We were just hoping the engagement would fix all that. We were wrong. She loves you. I've seen the way she looks at you." Ty nodded as Caleb walked back to the campsite with the wood.

Sleeping assignments were handed out as the bunch finished their meal. The sun had set over an hour ago and their biggest task was ahead of them come morning. Jack clapped his hands the first to stand. "I'm hitting the hay, best you all do the same shortly." He shot Amy a half smile. It had been more then obvious to him that for some reason she and Ty had avoided each other all day. Both had been so excited looking forward to this cattle drive. Instead Amy had paired off with Caleb.
Amy smiled back at him. "I'll be right there, Grandpa." There was a sadness in her voice Ty couldn't deny. It made him feel sad for her. None of this was his fault exactly. However, he couldn't help but feel that some of it was about him in general. The person he was or seemed born to be no matter how hard he tried. His mother was an alcoholic and his father a gambler. His stepfather was no better but added abuse to the messed up mix. How exactly was a child to turn out with all that running through their vains. Ty looked up as a hand touched his shoulder. Glancing around the camp fire Amy had disappeared. It was Caleb who was trying to get his attention now.
"Roomies?" He asked with his toothy smile. Ty just nodded. It's not like anyone else was rushing to ask him. And he really didn't want to spend the night with Tim.

It was Caleb who broke the silence first. Ty looked up from adjusting his sleeping bag.
"What's up with you today? I'm know your no ray of sunshine but..." He trailed off.
"What do you mean? I'm...fine." He hesitated to find the right word. Was he fine? Not exactly. After all he had no idea where Amy stood regarding their love.
"Fine? Okay." He shook his head not believing a single word.
"It's just...Amy."
"I kinda noticed." He sat down next to Ty.
"I don't understand. We were so in love. She just kinda froze. Put a pause on everything."
"She pulling away?" Caleb asked raising an eyebrow.
"Kinda. Acting like everything's fine when it's clearly not."
"Is that why you proposed?"
"No, I asked her weeks ago."
Caleb looked confused. "She said yes?"
"Yeah, why?"
"I don't know what's going on with her but if she said yes then she means it. She loves you and wants to spend the rest of her life with you."
"This coming from you?" Ty asked skeptical. "Didn't you believe the same?"
"I did. But she didn't say yes the first time."
Ty looked up surprised. "What? Really?"
Caleb nodded. "I had to ask twice. I figured she just needed time."
"Time for what?"
"To be ready. To be okay with that choice."
"What do you mean? I seen you two. She loved you."
"Not really. We shared the same interests, the same hobbies. But at the end of the day I was never her future. She couldn't see it either. But she settled." He looked away sad. "As hard as I tried she was never going to be truly happy with me."
"I'm sorry man."
"She said yes, and she meant it. You have nothing to worry about." He smiled before settling into his sleeping bag.