Chapter 4

Ty pulls off to the side of the roadway, stopping just short of the entrance to gravel road which stretches down to the place he once thought of as his only real home. Looking off to his right, he can see the ranch in the distance and it doesn't appear to have changed at all. His heart is pounding as he tries to convince himself, "I can do this. I've been through worse. I'm sure he'll understand if he's willing to listen." Taking a deep breath, he puts his truck back in gear, pulls forward and turns, leaving a trail of dust behind him.

...

Lisa is washing the morning's dishes while Jack is sitting at the kitchen table drinking a cup of coffee and reading the morning newspaper. It's part of his routine after completing his early morning chores. Suddenly he hears a faint gasp and looks over at Lisa who's staring out the window. Curiously he asks, "What is it?"

Not moving from the sink, she turns her head away from the window momentarily as she motions to Jack to join her. "I think you'll want see this...you're not going to believe it!"

Quickly taking off his reading glasses as he drops his newspaper, Jack steps hurriedly over to join her as she points out the window. "Well, I'll be damn!" Before Lisa can say anything, Jack is already headed for the door. She yells out to him, "You're boots!" Out the door he rushes, not wasting any time to stop and put is boots back on.

Jack is standing at the foot of the path leading to the porch which divides the fence spanning across the front of the house. As Ty parks his truck, he can clearly see the look on Jack's face as he stands there with his arms crossed in front of him like he's guarding the entrance of his domain. "This is beginning to look like a mistake." He thinks to himself. "But I've come this far, so I might as well take whatever medicine he wants to dish out and get it over with."

Keeping his eyes on Jack as he exits his truck, Ty notices that the perturbed look on his face turns to a sudden and unexpected look of delight. Before Ty can close the truck door, Jack rushes over and gives him a momentary hug while patting him on the back at the same time. Stepping back, but still holding Ty's shoulders at arms length, the look on Jack's face changes again to one of disfavor as he says, "Well, it is morning, but you're about 5 years late!"

"Sorry about that, Jack"

Now trying desperately not to smile, Jack replies, "Sorry? Sorry doesn't cut it! I'm so mad at you!"

"I know and a don't blame you one bit. I would be mad too. So mad that I would kick my butt so far down the road I would be crapping in Montana!"

"You got that right...only further...all the way to Texas!"

Removing one hand from Ty's shoulder and sliding the other around behind him as he moves to Ty's side, Jack says, "Come on in the house, there's someone I want you to meet."

"You mean Lisa? She's been watching us from the kitchen window. I know, Jack. She's your wife. Caleb told me."

As Jack begins to guide Ty to the house, he says, "Caleb? Wait until I get my hands on that guy! He promised to tell me if he ever heard from you."

"Hold on, Jack. He had no idea I was back. As a matter of fact I hadn't spoken to him until I surprised him by showing up at his place last night."

"Alright then. Come on in and we'll talk over a cup of coffee. You have a lot of explaining to do."

"I know I do and coffee sounds good. You would think after all these years Caleb would have learned by now how to make a decent pot of coffee. The one he made this morning was terrible."

"So you stayed there last night?"

"Yeah, I was in no condition to drive."

As Ty walks through the door, he's met immediately by Lisa who wraps her arms around him, giving him a warm hug. "My, you look good...and just as handsome as ever!"

Still smiling from the surprisingly warm reception he's receiving, Ty replies jokingly, "Careful, your husband is standing right here."

"So you know?"

"Yeah...I do. Caleb brought me up to speed on everything last night after I pulled in. By the way, Congradulations!

"Thank you, Ty. Have a seat and I'll get you a cup of coffee. I'm sure you both have a lot to talk about."

"Thank you, Lisa."

"As Ty takes a seat with Jack at the kitchen table, Lisa preempts Jack by asking, "So, what brings you back?"

"I'm going to be helping out at the clinic while Scott is on vacation."

Jack asks, "So, your still a vet assistant? I thought Scott was looking for another vet to cover for him?"

"He is...well, he was. I'm it...its Dr. Borden now. I've been a vet for almost a year."

"With a huge smile, Jack exclaims, "That's great! You have no idea how happy I am to hear that! It's one of the things I was worried about." Jack then reminds him, "That doesn't change anything though...I'm still mad at you!...and Scott now too! I'm going to have to have a talk with him. He should have told me weeks ago when he mention he was looking for a vet to fill in for him."

"Don't be mad at him, Jack. It's my fault. I told him to keep quite about it or the deal was off. We haven't spoken since I left and he didn't know I was a Vet until we ran into each other at a conference earlier this month. Anyway, I'm sure he would have told you about me anyway if I had turned him down."

Lisa hands Ty a cup of coffee and freshens Jack's, saying, "I'm going to let you two to talk privately. I have some things to do around the house."

"No need to, Lisa. Take a seat and join us."

Not wanting at this point to open any old wounds as to why Ty left, especially in front of Lisa, Jack suggests to Ty, "Since Caleb already brought you up to speed about everything around here, let's skip all that. Just give Lisa and me the highlights about what you've been up to. Then we'll go for a walk. I think there's someone you would like to see in the barn."

"Amy?" Ty says with an unsettled look. "I thought..."

"No, it's not Amy. I wouldn't do that to you...you know, spring her on you like that."

"Thanks Jack, Scott told me she was at some horse clinic up by Edmonton. I'm a little embarrassed to say because it sounds cowardly, but it's why I timed this like I did. I wanted to spend a little time with you first and then have you break the news to her. I even asked Caleb to keep his mouth shut about it. Amy and I didn't part amicably and..."

"Jack knods and says, "That's putting it lightly."

"I just thought it would be easier for Amy if you broke the news to her. I didn't want to shock her and...

"I get it Ty...you don't need to say anything else. I understand why you would want to do it that way and I commend you for it. She's not due back until early tomorrow afternoon, so I'll take care of it."

"Thanks Jack, I was hoping you would understand." Needing to change the subject, Ty asks, "By the way, where's everyone else?"

"Lou took Katie to nursery school on her way to the diner and Georgie is in school."

Jack pauses in thought for a moment and then says, "Okay, I have an idea. Where are you staying, because..."

"Don't say it, Jack. I know what you're thinking. I've got Scott's couch for a few days until he leaves and then I'm house sitting for him until he gets back."

"I wasn't going to suggest the loft. I was thinking you could stay at the dude ranch. There's one cabin available."

"Thanks anyway, but I'll be fine on Scott's couch."

"Okay, if you say so. It was just a thought...so, tell us...where have you been and what have you been doing all this time?"

Ty briefly and cautiously explains almost everything that went on in his life since he left.

While Ty is talking, Jack listens closely. He can't get over how much Ty has changed. He's looks so much more mature and speaks eloquently with confidence. A vast difference from the young man he took under his wing years ago. As Jack continues to listen, he catches onto what Ty is doing. True to Lisa's nature, she tries to pry deeper with her questions. Questions that Ty obviously is uncomfortable answering. Just as Ty did with Caleb, he changes the subject quickly or answers vaguely when posed with what he considers too personal a question, causing Jack to think to himself, "Seems like something is bothering him, maybe he still has some hurt in him. Can it still be about Amy after all this time?"

"...Well, we're happy you're back, even if it's only for a month." Lisa says kindly.

"Thank you, Lisa."

Jack pushes himself back from the table. "C'mon Ty...there's this fella out in the barn who'll be happy to see you."

"You mean Harley? You still have him?"

"Yup..."

Ty knows very well that it's an excuse for Jack to spend some time alone with him. He's certain Jack has many questions he hasn't yet answered and there are things he has to explain to Jack that should only be heard by him.

As Ty gets up, Lisa suggests, "You know Ty, it's Jack's birthday tomorrow and we're having a family dinner for him. Why don't you join us?"

"That's an excellent idea! It'll give you a chance to see the rest of the family and there's nothing I would like better to celebrate it."

"I don't know...I mean, I have all this catching up I need to do at the clinic and all."

Jack won't take no for an answer, "It is my birthday and I don't think you really want to disappoint me when I'm celebrating a milestone like that!"

Lisa adds, "You might as well give in right now, Ty. He's not going to take no for an answer."

"Yeah...I know. I've been there before. Okay Jack...tomorrow night. I'll be here."

"Good...lets go see Harley."

...

Stepping away from Harley's stall, Jack says to Ty, "C'mon in the office for a bit so we can talk privately. I'm guessing there's a few things you wanted to say that you didn't feel comfortable saying in front of Lisa."

"You're right Jack. I see you haven't lost your ability to read me."

"I could read you like a book most of the time. You forget, I was your age once too. You were a lot like me when I was younger...stubborn, pig headed, stupid..."

Ty grins briefly and says, "Okay, I get it."

Both taking a seat in the office, Jack begins the conversation, "I'm sorry I was so hard on you that day. I should have known better. I always tried to stay out of whatever happen to be going on between you and Amy, but in that paticular case I felt I had to do something because you were skipping out on school and all. I know I pushed you too hard and I've regretted that for a long time."

"No need to apologize, Jack. It's me who owes you an apology. What you said to me that day turned out for the best and was probably the best advice you ever gave me. Leaving forced me to grow up and learn to stand on my own two feet. I left for all the wrong reasons though and I should have at least let you know that I was okay. I'm truly sorry about that. Like I told Caleb, I needed to make a clean break from here and then, after time, life got in the way.

I thought about having this conversation with you for a while. I need you to know that I have nothing but the highest respect for you...always have. So, you deserve nothing less than the honest truth about what happened, why I left, and why I never called.

The truth is, after you left me at that intersection, I gave what you said to me a lot of thought. Then I made up my mind that I would return to the loft, but only if it wouldn't be a problem for Amy. She was going to be the final deciding factor..."

Ty describes the events of that night and what was going through his mind.

"...I was pretty screwed up Jack, I felt lost, like I had no control over anything. It felt like I was spiraling and being drawn down into a dark place, becoming someone I didn't want to be. I was afraid I might do something stupid, so I felt the only alternative I had was to leave."

Jack didn't want to interrupt, but he had to ask, "You mean stupid like in beating the crap out of that fella Chase?"

"Pretty much...I punched him out once before, but I didn't think I could control myself if I did it again."

"I heard about that...Caleb told me years ago right after that yahoo showed up here with his wife. He told me it was Chase who ran Mrs. Bell off the road and I don't blame you for punching him out. I would have had a difficult time not doing it myself if I knew."

"Yeah, Caleb told me all about him showing up...anyway, after some time, I finally got over everything and thought of calling, but I knew if I had, I would have packed up and return as quickly as I had left. I couldn't do that. I didn't want to be the charity case in the loft or just another hired hand."

"You were never that! I thought..we all thought of you as family and we still do!"

"Thanks, I appreciate you saying that. You and everyone else here were the only family I really had and I feel grateful for that."

Ty continues after a brief pause, "I had something to prove to myself and I needed to know that I could make it on my own."

"I appreciate you're honesty. You're back now and that's what's important, even though it's only temporary. You did very well for yourself considering and I can't describe how proud I am of you."

"Actually, you played a big part in what I was able to accomplish. Mostly though, I did it for myself. I had a lot of time to think and focus on what I wanted. I never would have worked as hard or graduated as early if I had stayed here. There were too many...let's just say distractions."

"You mean Amy?"

Ty doesn't answer, so Jack asks, "You said something about life getting in the way. I'm sure it wasn't a bed of roses for you the whole time you were gone and I get this feeling that something happened that you haven't mentioned."

"You're right Jack, it wasn't easy, especially at first. There..." Ty catches himself and stops. After an uncomfortable pause during which he tries not to show any emotion, he continues, "There were some difficult times, but I survived."

Jack was hoping Ty would share everything with him, but obviously he was holding something back. "You were about to say something. Care to talk about it?"

"It's not important. Some other time...maybe."

Remembering the mistake he had made before by pushing too hard and not wanting to make that same mistake again, Jack backs off. "Fine...Remember though that I'm always willing to listen any time you want to talk. Now, since you're only back for a short time, I'll expect to hear from you occasionally after you leave and I don't mean once every 5 years...got it!

"Definitely...not a problem. I would like that."

"So, you never said what you're going to do once Scott gets back. I suppose you're going to head back to your job in Montana?"

"Maybe not..I've recieved several offers ever since I graduated and one recently from a classmate of mine. When we graduated, he went to work at his dad's vet clinic in Vancouver. His dad wants to retire in a few years, so he asked me if I'd be interested in working there and then become his partner in the business after his dad retires. It's a very tempting offer and I'll be close to my mom who's living there."

"How is she by the way?"

"She's doing pretty good, but that's another long story. I'll tell you about it some other time. Right now I need to get to the clinic or Scott will think I bailed on him."

Jack reminds Ty, "Don't you bail out on me. I'll see you tomorrow night, right?"

"Yeah, Jack...I'll be there, but if it's going to be a problem for Amy then just give me a call. I'll understand. I wouldn't want to spoil your dinner. I'll write down my cell number for you..."

...

As soon as Jack walks back into the house, Lisa asks, "How do you think Amy's going to take the news that Ty is back?"

"Good question...I don't know. Obviously it'll come as a shock to her."

"We should break the news to her gently as soon as she gets back, so she's prepared when Ty walks in the door."

"That's a thought, but you saw how Ty reacted when he thought she was here. I had the feeling he might come up with an excuse to leave. I'm afraid Amy might do something like that if she knows Ty is coming for dinner...find some cockamamie reason not to be here."

"But it's your birthday, Jack. She wouldn't miss out on that."

"Maybe not, but I don't want to take the chance. Those two need to meet sooner or later and it might as well be sooner. We shouldn't say anything to Lou either, she might let it slip."

"Okay, if you say so, but I still think we should tell her, besides you told Ty you would break the news to her."

"I did...I just didn't say how. Lisa, please...don't say anything. I know what I'm doing. It's like removing a band aid. If you pull it slowly it hurts more than just ripping it off."

"Fine, I won't, but you're the one who's going to take the heat for this and you're the one who might need a few band aids tomorrow night!"

...

During the drive to the clinic, Ty wonders how Amy will react when she hears he's back. Like he told Jack, he didn't want to just suddenly reappear and surprise her like with Caleb and Jack. It's why he timed showing up at Heartland the way he did. He was sure Jack would know how to break the news to her so she would be prepared when they finally crossed paths.

Since his initial hesitation to accept the dinner invitation, he now looks forward with cautious optimism to meeting the rest of the family, "So far so good...I just hope Amy doesn't read too much into this...and Tim...I'm sure he'll be there. From what Caleb told me he hasn't changed. I have to remember he can be a jerk sometimes. I can't lose it...I'll just handle him the way I learned to handle people like that."

...

About an hour after Ty had left, Lou comes racing into the house calling out loudly in excitement, "Grandpa!...Lisa!"

Jack rushes into the kitchen followed by lisa and asks, "What? What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong...I just need to tell you something right away."

"Geez...you just about gave me a heart attack!"

"That's not funny grandpa."

Already suspecting from her obvious demeanor what Lou wants to tell them, Jack asks, "Okay...so what's so important you can't wait to tell us?"

"You'll never guess who I saw drive by in his truck just as I was walking out of the diner!...C'mon, guess!"

Certain now that she knows Ty is back, Jack answers. "You saw Ty."

With a deflated look caused by the sudden realization that her exciting news apparently wasn't news at all, Lou asks, "You already knew? How did you know?...it looked like he had just pulled into town with his motorcycle in the back of his truck."

"He stopped by here this morning and Lisa and I talked with him for awhile. You didn't call your sister and say anything to her yet did you?"

"I was, but I decided to tell you first...why?"

Its just that we invited him over for dinner tomorrow night and we..." Jack glances briefly over at Lisa, who glares back at him. "rather, I thought it was probably best if she didn't know until he arrived. I'm thinking that if she knows ahead of time then she might find an excuse not to be here for dinner."

Pausing in thought for a moment, Lou then agrees, "I think you're right grandpa. You know how she always seems to find a reason to skip those dates set up for her. She might try something like that again since we don't know exactly how she'll react to the news."

"But it's not a date, Lou. It's just Jack's birthday dinner." Lisa offers as a counter point.

Lou counters, "Just the same...I think we should err on the side of caution here."

Lisa won't give in easily, reminding Jack and asking, "You told Ty you wouldn't suddenly spring Amy on him, so why would you even consider doing that to her?"

"You have a point. I'll tell you what...we have until tomorrow to decide how to handle this, so let's sleep on it. In the meantime, no one says anything to anyone, especially Tim!"

Lou's takes Jack by the arm and says, "Come sit with me grandpa. I want you to tell me everything Ty said..."

To be continued...