Hi guys,

We've had rain in Australia! Our dam is full now and the paddocks are starting to go green! The drought is far from over but it's a start!

In reply to a review left on my previous chapter, yeah I know you guys probably hoped Lisa would be in contact with Clint when she was away and get custody of the girl but the whole plot of this part of the story is that she can't on her own... (no more spoilers) I can't make it easy though, or I'd have no story at all lol

There's another four chapters of this part of the story till it's finished then the second part starts. Let's just say, it's going to get tense and dramitc again *chuckles evily* and I can't wait! Enjoy the calm before the storm guys because the journey is going to be rough!

Chapter 30

Amy looked down at Ty's hat in her hands as she got dressed to go out with Caleb. Why hadn't he contacted her? Where was he? She thought he would have at least sent some kind of word as to where he was. She jumped as a knock sounded on the door, quickly hiding his hat under a scarf on her bedside table then turned to her Grandpa. 'Hey.'

'You got a minute?' He asked softly, walking into her room.

'Yeah, sure.' She sat down on her bed, wondering what it was that he had to say.

'I recognise this is gonna be a hard birthday for you with your mom not here to see it. Just wanted to make sure you're okay.'

'I am, I guess.'

'Good.'

'It's not just mom you know.' Amy admitted. 'It's been a weird few months.'

'I know it has. I know.' He knew what she was talking about. A particular boy who hadn't been heard from since he had left. 'Anyway, you keep an eye on that cowboy tonight.'

She chuckled. 'I will.'

'Can't trust them, not a one. So, what do you think about this dude ranch thing?'

'I don't like the idea much either, but Lou seems pretty set on it. And hey, maybe if she doesn't do this she'll come up with an idea that's even worse.'

Jack laughed. 'Yeh, probably.' He noticed Ty's hat on her bedside table, but decided not to mention it. 'You better not keep that cowboy waiting.'

'I guess not.'

'I'll leave you to it then.'

'Okay.' Amy sighed after he left, picking up Ty's hat again. Holding it for a moment, she looked at it then placed it into the wardrobe. Ty wasn't coming back, she'd better just accept that fact. Grabbing her phone off the table, she headed out into the living room. 'Well, I'm off.'

'You look great Amy.' Lou complemented as she turned to her. 'Have fun.'

'See you Amy.' Jessie grinned from where Lisa was doing something with her hair. 'Don't be too annoying to Caleb.'

Amy laughed. 'Me? Annoying? Never.' She gave Jack a kiss on the cheek. 'Bye Grandpa.'

'Don't forget your coat, it's still chilly this time of year.'

'I won't Grandpa.' She hurried to the door, grabbing her coat off the rack and headed out to where Caleb was waiting with his truck. 'Man, I thought they'd never let me leave.'

Caleb laughed. 'Hop in. Want to drop by Maggie's and get a milkshake first?'

'Sure. Let's do it.'

'I thought she'd never leave.' Jessie exclaimed as the truck rolled down the drive. 'So, what's first on the agenda?'

'Finishing your hair first Missy.' Lisa laughed at her eagerness. 'I'm almost done.'

Lou grabbed her list off the table. 'Well, dad should be showing up shortly-'

'Good, there's something I want to talk to you and him about.' Jack cut her off. 'But what can I do now?'

'Start clearing some room, move the chairs and that back.'

'Alright, I'm on it.'

'There we go.' Lisa placed the last bobby pin in to hold the girls bun in place. 'All finished.'

'Thanks Lisa.' Jessie got up, pushing the chair she had been sitting on back against the wall. 'What do you want us to do Lou?'

'You two could go start on the food. There's some salads that need to be thrown together, sandwiches that need to be made-' She looked at Jessie. 'And don't forget to ice the cupcakes.'

'I wouldn't. Come on Lisa, you can do the salads and sandwiches while I do the fun stuff.'

Lisa laughed as she glanced over at Jack. 'Someone's given me my marching orders. Coming Jess.'

'I head that Lisa.' Jessie teased as she grabbed the icing sugar and cocoa from the cupboard, smiling cheekily at her as the woman came into the kitchen. She glanced out the window as she heard a truck arriving. 'Looks like Tim's here.'

'Great.' Lou walked through the kitchen. 'I'll go help him bring the stuff in.'

Jack walked into the kitchen after her, going over to Jessie. 'Those cupcakes look good.'

'Hey, you'll have to wait till later.' She shooed him off as he tried to grab a cupcake. 'I don't want them all gone before the party starts.'

'Looks like you've been told Jack.' Lisa remarked, cutting up cheese for the sandwiches. 'But I got one.'

'Oh you did, did you?' Jack walked over to her, planting a kiss on her cheek and stealing a piece of cheese. 'That's unfair.'

'You two.' Jessie chuckled. 'Fine, here you go Jack. Wouldn't want you thinking I've got favourites.'

'Thanks Jessie.' He grabbed the cupcake she offered him, then turned to Lou and Tim as they walked in. 'I've come to a decision about this dude ranch that you want to build.'

'We're listening.' Lou placed the decorations she was holding down and walked over to him. 'Yes?'

'First of all, this is still my six hundred acres and those cabins of yours have to be built somewhere where I can't see them from anywhere.'

'Deal.'

'Great.' Tim interjected. 'What's number two?'

'Number two-' He replied. 'Is that you will never ask me to take a group of city slickers on a trail ride.'

'Well, Lou's trying to make this a success, Jack.'

'Thank you, Grandpa.' Lou gave him a hug. 'You won't regret this.'

'Oh yeah. I might.'

'Thanks dad.' Tim got a hug too from her.

'Congratulations, Honey.'

'Okay, back to business.' Lou turned to Lisa and Jessie. 'You two have it handled here?'

'Yes, yes.' Lisa finished placing the sandwiches on a platter, then turned to the salads. 'You about done Jessie?'

'Yep.' She placed the spatula that she had finished licking back into the bowl, then turned to Lisa. 'Do I need to wash my face again?'

Lisa looked up at her and laughed, Tim, Lou and Jack all chuckling. 'You most definitely do. Go on, I'll rinse the bowl.'

'I think you managed to get more on your face then on the cupcakes.' Tim remarked as she hurried to the bathroom. 'Icing goes on the cupcakes, just so you know.'

'She's a larrican, that's for sure.' Lou looked down at her list. 'She loves being in the kitchen.'

'I remember when you used to help your mom in the kitchen on the rare occasion that she cooked.' Jack passed Lisa the rest of the stuff that needed rinsing. 'And you looked like Jessie more then once.'

'I'm sure.' Her cheeks started to go red. 'Okay, dad. You and Grandpa can get to work putting the decorations around the living room. Lisa, once you've finished in here, can you help?'

'Sure.'

'Great.'

'Okie doki.' Jessie walked back into the kitchen as the others walked out. 'What do you want me to do now?'

'Well, I think everything in here is under control.' She placed the last of the utensils into the dishwasher then glanced up at the time. 'Go change Jessie, I'll go give them a hand.'

'Alright.' Going into the guest room where she had placed her stuff, she climbed over Mallory's junk to get to the bag the dress was in. Mallory had already claimed the room long before, having spent plenty of nights there since Heartland was her second home. Pushing some clothes left on the floor from Mallory aside, she changed out of her shirt and jeans into the dress Lisa had given her.

Looking into the mirror, it was like she was looking at a different person. The girl looking at her from the glass wasn't her as she knew herself any more. This girl looked cared for, and she was surprised at how much she had changed in the time she'd been at Heartland. She was putting weight on, now she didn't look like a walking skeleton anymore and in her eyes there was a new look. A glint of life.

Hearing another couple of cars pulling up, she walked over to the window and glanced out. There were quite a few people gathering and more arriving, and a chill ran over her. She quickly pushed her fears aside though, and turned away from the window to grab her sketch pad and put the final touches on the drawing she was doing for Amy.

A knock sounded on the door and she glanced up. 'Come in.'

'Just wanted to give you this.' Lou said, handing her a photo frame. 'I forgot to give it to you earlier.'

'Thanks.' She took the frame, placing it on the bed then held up the drawing. 'What do you think?'

'That looks amazing.' She replied. 'You did an awesome job on it.'

'I hope Amy likes it.' Placing the drawing into the photo frame, she grabbed the wrapping paper and quickly wrapped it up. 'I'll give it to her after the party.'

'Okay.' Lou glanced back towards the living room. 'I better get back out there and finish getting everything ready. Nice dress by the way.'

'Thank you.' She blushed as she turned away, Lou heading out back to where everyone else was. Placing the wrapped up present in the bag the dress had come in, she hid it at the back and headed for the door. She could hear lots of voices, and she closed her eyes as she swallowed hard. She could do this. Walking out with resolve, she headed over to Lisa, bypassing all the people who were helping to finish decorating. 'There's a lot of people here.'

Lisa chuckled as she patted the seat next to her. 'Yes, there is.'

'I haven't ever seen so many people in one room.'

'I've seen way more.'

'That doesn't help Lisa.' She elbowed her teasingly. 'I'm not used to being near so many people.'

'You look gorgeous Jessie.' Jack interrupted as he walked over. 'That dress suits you.'

'Thanks Jack.'

'Can I have everyone's attention please?' Lou's voice shouted over everyone and the room turned dead silent so you could hear a pin drop. 'That's better. I want to thank everyone for coming, and for helping us celebrate Amy's birthday-'

'They're back!' Mallory exclaimed from her post at the window. 'You want me to go now Lou?'

'Yep.' Lou quickly flipped off the light switch. 'Go. Everyone ready?' She motioned for them all to come over near the doorway. 'Quiet guys.'

'Mallory, what is it?' Amy asked as she followed her into the house. 'What's going on?'

'SURPRISE!' Everyone shouted at once as Lou turned the lights back on, a look of total shock on Amy's face as they began to clap and she laughed in amazement. 'Happy birthday, Honey.' Jack said as he walked forward, giving her a hug.

'Thank you.' Amy turned to Caleb who was standing behind her now, knowing now why he had 'left' his wallet behind. 'You knew!'

'Happy birthday.' Soraya gave her a hug and Amy laughed.

'And you did too! I am so mad at you!'

'You know I can keep a secret.'

'Did you do all this?' Amy asked Lou as she walked over to her. 'This is incredible.'

'Everyone helped, including Jessie. You didn't leave me much time to get everything ready.' She playfully punched her arm. 'We were trying to get you out so we could get this done.'

'Yeh, and you just weren't getting the hint.' Jessie added, walking over to them. 'Happy birthday Amy, and no, the cupcakes aren't for Lisa.'

'Oh, you little devil.' She teased. 'You lied like a trooper.'

'Only so I didn't spoil your surprise.' She glanced over at Mallory. 'But I was sure she was going to let slip.'

'I wouldn't do something like that.' Mallory protested. 'But it was hard not to say anything.' She glanced over at her mom and dad, and walked over to them.

'You all ready hon?' Her mom asked as she handed him his guitar.

'Yeh, I'm all set. I'm a little bit nervous, though.'

'Oh, your going to be fine.'

Mallory rolled her eyes as her dad whispered something into her mother's ear. 'Oh, my gosh. Get a room.'

'You just play.' Her mom pushed him away.

'Relax Sweetheart.' He sat down on his chair and winked at Mallory. 'Your daddy's going to sing for his supper now.'

'Oh, and the humiliation never ends.'

'Happy Birthday Amy, from all of us.' He said, then started to sing.

Mallory listened to him for a little bit, then headed over to Jack, interrupting his conversation with Jessie. 'Can you please put a CD on?'

'Come on Mallory, your dad's not half bad.'

'I don't mind him.' Jessie replied, tapping to the rhythm of the song with her foot. 'He could be worse.'

'Your not helping Jessie.' She rolled her eyes. 'He's totally gross. Jack, we need to talk.' She grabbed a piece of paper from her pocket and handed it to him.

'What's this?'

'A contract. Outlining all the things I promise not to do. Like I won't be a bother, I won't talk all the time. And I won't eat as much. Please let me stay.' She begged. 'You'll have to sign right here.'

'You can stay Mallory, if it's okay with your parents.'

'Thank you Jack!'

He rolled his eyes as she hugged him. 'Guess it's my days to make the ladies happy.'

Jessie nudged him as a boy came over to talk to Mallory. 'Oh well, I guess you won't be bored with Mallory around once I'm gone.'

'Trust me.' He chuckled. 'With Mallory around, I'm going to be wishing it was you staying. Excuse me.' He looked over at Lisa. 'I'm going to take Lisa for a dance.'

'Yeh, go on. Abandon me.' She teased as he took off, then smiled as she watched them. If only things could be-, she shook her head. There was no point wishing for something that wouldn't happen.

'Hi.'

Jessie jumped as she turned to see the boy who had been talking to Mallory behind her. 'Oh, hi. You startled me.'

'I'm Jake.' He gave her a handshake. 'I haven't seen you before. How do you know Amy?'

'I'm Jessie.' She introduced herself with a shy smile. 'Yeh, I haven't been here long. Jack sort of took me in a couple months back.'

'Oh, so you're the girl I heard was living here.'

'That's me. I'm here for the time being anyway.'

'Would you like a drink?'

'Um, yeh, sure.' She nodded and he walked over to where the drinks were and got her a cup of cordial. 'Thanks.'

'Your welcome.'

Jessie glanced over at Mallory, then back at him. 'So, are you Mallory's friend?'

'Sorta, when she's not running away from me.'

'Oh, I see.' She chuckled. Young love. Though she could never see the attraction boys had for girls her age. She preferred her horse to boys. 'Well, keep trying Jake. I'm sure she'll come around.'

'Thanks. Excuse me.'

Jessie couldn't help smiling as the young cowboy headed back over to try again. She could see he was persistent, goodness knew he would need to be around her. Sighing, she looked around. She couldn't see Lisa and guessed she was off somewhere talking, then she spotted Jack and walked over to him. 'Jake seems nice.'

Jack chuckled. 'He sure has a thing for Mallory, that kid.'

'I can see that.'

'Hey, Jack.' Charlie interrupted, walking over with his wife to shake his hand. 'You sure throw a great party.'

'Well, Lou does.' Jack replied. 'She's the organiser in the family.'

'Thanks for letting me play, it's always good to rehearse in front of a crowd.' He looked at his wife. 'Right, Jess?'

'Beats the shower.'

Jack laughed.

'And Jack, we have to tell you how grateful we are.'

'Grateful?'

'Yeah, you're letting Mallory stay here for the whole summer.'

'It is so wonderful that she is with people that we know and love.' Jess added. 'Not strangers, you know.'

Jack saw the look Jessie gave him, a look of total amusement as she tried not to laugh. 'Well, I just-'

'She told us all about it last night.'

'Last night?'

'Yeh, she is so happy. She adores you.'

Jack glanced back at Mallory, who promptly took off with Jake. 'She's a good kid, and we're happy to have her stay.'

'Thanks Jack.' Jess looked down at the girl as her husband took off to get some food. 'You must be Jessica, Mallory has said a lot about you.'

'Has she now?' Jessie glanced over at Mallory and Jake dancing. 'I wonder how much of its true.'

She laughed. 'Yeh, Mallory has got the ability to stretch the truth. Excuse me, I better go grab something to eat.'

'Stretch the truth? Mallory?' Jessie looked up at Jack as she chuckled in mock horror. 'Never.'

'Yeh.' He glanced over at her. 'I-' He was interrupted by the phone ringing. 'I better go get that.'

'Mmhmm.' She nodded as he left, wondering what she should do next.

'You look a little lost Jessie.' Amy cocommented as she walked over to her. 'Come on, you can meet a couple of my friends if you want.'

'Okay, if you say so.'

'Ashley, Soraya, I want you to meet Jessie.' She led the girl over to them. 'Jessie, Ashley, Soraya.'

'Hi.'

'Hi Jessie, Amy's told me about you.' Soraya replied. 'You really have a mustang stallion as your horse?'

'Yeh, his name is Warrior.' Jessie watched Amy leave out of the corner of her eye to get some food. 'He's actually a mustang thoroughbred cross though.'

'Wow, exciting.'

'Ashley.' Soraya elbowed her then looked back at the girl. 'Ashley has a firm belief that mustangs are good for nothing. According to her, all horses are if they don't have bloodlines or cost a fortune.'

'Oh, Warrior has bloodlines alright.' She could tell that Ashley was a bully as soon as she spoke. She didn't go through all that crap in her life to let a bully get to her though. 'The vet did a check on him and his dam was a racehorse who was in the money more then once.'

'And Warrior has plenty of speed alright.' Amy joined back in on the conversation. 'I saw Jessie run him today, and if he was on the track I'd place my money on him.'

'Of course you would.'

Amy rolled her eyes at Ashley and decided to change the conversation. 'So, Soraya, how's rodeo practice coming?'

'Yeh, good.' She nodded. 'Lou offered to sponsor me, so all I have to do is show up and look good.'

'Oh, my God. Soraya, are you kidding me?' Ashley figured out what they were talking about. 'The Hudson Rodeo Queen? I mean, the next thing you know, you'll be barrel racing. Well, you've got the big hair for it.' She saw the look she gave her. 'Kidding. Oh, there's mister Odell-icious. Excuse me.'

'What's the go with her?' Jessie asked as Ashley left. 'What's the Hudson Rodeo Queen anyway?'

'That's just Ashley, and the Hudson Rodeo Queen is a competition.' Amy explained. 'Soraya is going to be great at it.'

'Thanks.' Soraya looked at her gratefully

'I'm going to go find Lisa. It was nice meeting you Soraya.' Jessie left the conversation, heading over to where Lisa was sitting near the fireplace. 'Hey.'

'Hey Jessie.' Lisa looked up as the girl sat down next to her. 'Are you enjoying yourself?'

'Yeh, a party's not too bad.' She admitted. 'Have you seen Jack though? I haven't seen him for ages.'

'No, maybe Lou sent him to get something. He'll be back soon.'

'Hmmm.' She yawned, then glanced over at the time as some people began to leave. 'I think I'm ready for bed.'

Lisa laughed as the girl leaned against her. 'All tuckered out already hey?'

'Yeh, something like that.' She yawned again as she closed her eyes. 'I'm going to catch a catnap.'

'Okay honey.' She chuckled, wondering how the girl could sleep with the ruckus going on. Slowly, the minutes ticked by and she began to wonder where Jack was as the last of the guests left and Lou began to clean up. 'Do you want a hand Lou?'

Lou looked over and smiled as she saw Jessie asleep on Lisa. 'No, I've got it handled. Besides, I think someone's claimed you as her bed.'

'Yeh, I better wake her up but I don't want to.' She kissed the girls head gently. 'She's having a really good sleep.'

Jessie woke up with a start as the door slammed, her heart pounding as Amy stormed through, Jack following her. Sleepingly, she raised her eyebrows. 'Wonder what's going on there.'

Mallory walked in. 'Ty's back.'

Jessie knocked softly at Amy's door, holding the present in her hand. Hearing Amy say it was okay to come in, she walked in and closed the door behind her. 'Amy, are you okay?'

'Yeh, I'm fine.' She pulled the clips out of her hair and placed them on the dresser. 'What's up?'

'I have something for your birthday.' She walked over and handed it to her. 'I didn't want to place it with the other presents, I wanted to give it to you myself.'

'Awe, thanks Jessie. You didn't have to.' Carefully, she pulled off the wrapping paper to reveal a picture frame with a drawing of her and her mom. 'Oh, Jess.'

'Lou said the picture I drew that off was your favourite.' Jessie sat down on the bed beside her. 'I hope you like it.'

'Like it?' Amy questioned as she ran her fingers over the glass. 'I love it Jessie. Thank you so much.'

'Your welcome Amy.' She placed her hand on hers, an unspoken promise going to her that if she needed to talk she would be there. 'I best be getting to bed. Happy birthday Amy.'

'Night Jess.' She looked down at the picture again as the girl walked out and closed the door, then placed it on her bedside table and stood up. Ty was walking over to the mustang, the stallion walking over to him and sniffing him. Turning, she flicked out the light and went to bed.. .