So I lied, this chapter was up way later. I ended up getting my wisdom teeth out and then I went on vacation! Hope you enjoy this one, it's pretty big for 2 characters ;)

The next morning only TJ was home for and Amy had left to check out a pregnant mare in Calgary before dawn and Lyndy had left to help Tim with herding the cattle. TJ normally loved doing that too, but he had a guest coming over at nine which meant he couldn't go.

After clearing away his dishes and brushing his teeth, TJ sighed as he saw on the clock that it was only half past eight. He decided to go out to the barn, where he knew his thoughts would be lost in the hay and horse smell.

However when he got out there, it was already occupied. "Auntie?" TJ said, tilting his head in surprise towards Lou who was coming down the loft stairs with a suitcase in hand.

"Oh hey TJ, glad I caught you. I texted your mom but she hasn't responded. Mitch just called and said that there's some problem with Maggie's in New York, so I'm flying out there right now. Katie's staying until Friday though," Lou patted down her messy barn hair. "Tell Amy thanks for having me and that Katie's plane ticket will be mailed immediately after I get home!" Lou called over her shoulder, leaving the barn in a rush, and her sudden departure made TJ's head spin. He had barely heard what she had said, and wondered if he'd be able to remember it all for his mom when she got home.

"Katie?" TJ peered into the office. He thought he saw movement then realized it was just an open window blowing papers around.

Laughing to himself about thinking there was someone there, TJ closed the window and rearranged his dad's papers. Then he started brushing Arlo. Despite being raised around horses Esme wasn't a fan of getting on top of one. She had recently decided to put that fear behind her and TJ had offered to show her the basics.

"Hello? Is anybody home?" The sound of tires on gravel squeaked to a halt as TJ poked his head out of the barn to see Cass and Caleb crossing over from their truck.

"Hey TJ!" Cass smiled and hugged her godson. She and Caleb were TJ's godparents, as well as the guardians of all three kids in case something happened to Amy and Ty. Out of the three, Cass and Caleb saw the most of TJ, mainly because of his friendship with their daughter, Esme.

"Hi." TJ smiled back and gave Caleb a fist-bump. He looked around for Esme, but he didn't see her behind Cass or leaping out of the truck.

Suddenly, two hands clasped over his eyes. "Surprise!" a voice shouted into his ear.

TJ knew immediately that it was Esme. Despite her quiet nature, she sure knew how to have fun! It was one of the things he liked best about her. "Good one Ezzy," he said, turning around to face the nine year-old.

"Aww, I thought I actually got you for once!" Esme laughed.

"In your dreams!" TJ took the moment of pause to look at his friend. He hadn't seen her in a week or so, since she and her dad had been on the rodeo circuit for a few competitions. Esme was a total horse fan, and loved to watch. It had been a tradition over the years that Esme would go with her dad for a few competitions each year. It was a highlight for both father and daughter, and TJ loved her hear about her adventures afterwards.

The only change in TJ's friend was the fact Esme's hair was back to being short. She had tried to grow it out a few months prior, but it got all tangled in some tree branches when they'd been exploring a week ago and she needed to have it cut to remove the leaves and twigs. Esme didn't mind; she preferred shorter hair because it was easier to maintain.

"So we'll come back at four? Is that okay TJ?" She wasn't concerned that it seemed like Amy was out; these two were the most responsible kids in the world. Beside Lyndy of course, who was allowed to do lots more than a typical eleven year-old by themselves.

"That's great! See you guys later!" TJ and Esme waved, as Cass and Caleb drove off for a rare day by themselves.

"So what did you want to do first?" TJ asked his guest.

"I thought you were going to teach me to ride?" Esme looked at her friend, slightly confused.

"Oh right!" TJ smacked the palm of his hand to his forehead. He had just started brushing Arlo before their truck pulled up! How could he be so forgetful?

"Shall we tack up?" Esme made a move for Arlo's saddle, struggling with the weight.

"Yeah, then we can go to the circle pen." TJ nodded. It took longer to tack up than normal, but that's because the two of them were talking non-stop. And surely, when Amy drove in a while later, it would strike a little memory between her and her husband.

Amy had driven in with her husband to Calgary, only to find that the pregnant mare was fine. So they turned around and after dropping Ty off at the vet clinic to take over for Cass, she headed home to keep an eye on Lily. She had gone out with Casey earlier that day, but was going to return home around lunch. So Amy drove straight to Big River where her dad lived, and grabbed Lily. Then she headed home to Heartland.

It was when she was pulling into the roundabout driveway, that she noticed her son sitting on the edge of the circle pen and his horse Arlo in the center with Esme O'dell on his back. Pausing just past the pen, she watched with her window down as her son coached the young girl how to ride. It made Amy remember when she had helped teach Ty how to ride, with the help of Mallory Wells. She remembered how funny Ty looked on the horse and that's also when she first felt any sort of real feeling for her future husband. Maybe that's what TJ was trying to feel. She had told her kids that story many times, and it brought back how distant she and Ty had been back then. If they saw a glimpse of where they'd be now, her fifteen year-old self would have probably backed away and laughed. But it was true, and twenty years later they had three beautiful children, a strong marriage, and great friends. The only thing that was missing was the rest of their extended family.

Amy didn't want to disturb her son and his friend, so she and Lily walked into the house, and decided to get some lunch. It wasn't until she saw some blonde hair out of the living room window, that Lily also noticed the extra car in the driveway. Amy thought she knew the car from somewhere, but she couldn't place it, and neither could Lily. So who was over at Heartland?

When Amy was reminiscing about Ty, Katie was feeling a whole different set of emotions. She had woken up to hear TJ and his friend heading out for a lesson in the ring so she took her time getting dressed and going to the main house for a bite to eat. But when she reached the house, it wasn't empty like she thought it was. No, there was someone else there. And it turned out to be the last person she'd expect to be there.

"Brick?" Katie almost dropped the jacket she was holding. She looked around to see if Jenn had come too, but there was no sign of the blonde woman who ran Maggie's and the Dude Ranch in Hudson.

"Hey Katie." Brick jammed his hands into his pockets, looking sheepish. "I just wanted to know why you seemed so distant from me at dinner last night."

Katie was taken aback. He noticed her odd behaviour of all things last night? Then driven over to ask her about it instead of picking up the phone like a regular person? "Uh, it was nothing."

"I think that you and I both know that's a lie." Brick took a step closer towards Katie and she backed up, startled. Brick realized he was being a bit forward, so he gave her some space.

"How about we go outside?" Katie made a move for the screen door. She didn't want anyone to see her with Brick and start gossiping. There was really no such thing as privacy at Heartland.

"Okay." Brick held the door open for Katie, who scuttled to the back porch and out of sight from the driveway. Brick followed in a confused silence. "Why are we back here?" he asked.

"No reason." Katie cringed as she heard how lame her excuse sounded. "I just wanted to have a chance to talk without interruptions," she quickly added.

"Fair enough." Brick looked at the ground, then up at Katie's face.

"So what did you want to say?" Katie knew she sounded rude, but it was all she could do to not run away. Not that she didn't like Brick, but anyone could see that he liked her and Katie tried to hide the fact that she liked him back. It was just too complicated; the two of them had been friends since Jenn had taken over running the Dude Ranch and Maggie's over ten years ago. But back then feelings were nothing more than a silly kiss at Christmas. Now, anything they felt counted for something. Like it was a step into their future.

Brick's eyes searched her face. "Okay, look. I think I know what's bothering you. You like me, but you're not willing to admit it because you think it'll mess up the friendship we already have. Am I right?" Katie's eyebrows rise. Brick's statement was dead on; how did her know her so well?

"Maybe," was all Katie could muster. Brick almost knew her better than she knew herself. It was scary in a way.

"But Katie, we've been friends since my dad died eleven years ago! We've always been there for each other, just like Georgie and Wyatt. And look where they ended up! So, can't we at least try? C'mon, go out on a date with me once. If it doesn't work out, I'll forget I even asked and we'll stay friends no matter what. But if it does…" Brick trailed off, staring at the ground.

Katie could see sense in his words. She knew he'd stay true and stay friends if their romantic feelings didn't work out. But what if it did? Then what? Katie lived in New York of all places! So visits would be limited and would a long-distance relationship work? Those were all questions that no one had the answer to. Or if there was an answer, it wasn't very promising. Her mom and dad had tried long-distance and it ended with divorce.

Yet Katie knew it was worth a try. She and Brick were young, and marriage had to come before divorce. What's the worst that could happen? If anything, it would be a learning curve. If things didn't work out, they'd still be friends at least. So Katie went against all her previous thoughts and did something she didn't know if she'd regret.

"One date, Brick. That'll decide if what we have is something special or not." Katie looked up at him, as he was tall and she was short.

"Once is enough for me." Brick leaned closer to Katie and she stood on her tippy toes to reach him. His lips brushed hers, and it was then that Katie knew this was a smart choice. She liked the feel of his lips against hers and wanted more. From the shine in brick's eyes, it seemed as though he was going to grant her wish. But then there was a tap on the window and Lily was looking at them with a silly grin on her face. Brick looked at Katie and laughed. Maybe it was for the best, that Brick had asked her out, before the unthinkable happened. Because if the question had been asked any later, everyone would be too damaged to give a straight answer.

I'm going to stop guessing when the next chapter will be out, but hopefully soon! Also there's 20 chapters left...

find me on tumblr at thedefinitionofendgame. thanks for reading!