Chapter 12

The following morning, Jack walks into the barn while Amy is mucking out the stalls.

"Amy, I noticed we're getting low on West Nile vaccine and its getting close to that time to vaccinate the horses again, so I'm going to pickup some more. Is there anything you need in town while I'm there?"

"Once I'm done here, I don't mind picking it up for you, grandpa. Besides, I already told Lou that I would pick up a few things she needs for dinner tonight."

Okay...sounds good. There's plenty of work that needs to be done around here today and it's going to take me more time than I planned since your dad is a no show again."

"Yeah, I think he knows I'm mad at him and that's why he hasn't been coming around. He's probably waiting until I cool off, but that's not going to happen any time soon."

"I don't know what's gotten into him lately. Something must be bugging him because his B.S. factor has been way off the chart."

"You think maybe it has something to do with Casey? She has been out of town for a while."

"Actually, I think it might have to do with Shane. Not only has he been constantly moaning about the cost of running Big River, but he's been complaining more than usual about keeping up his end of supporting him."

"I hope he hasn't gotten himself into any trouble with one of his money making ideas again."

"I wouldn't be surprised if that were so, but the last thing I'm going to do is bring it up. I've already heard enough about his problems."

Jack changes the subject, "So...how's it coming along with that horse Ty brought by? I was watching you working with him for a while yesterday and it looked like you were starting to make some headway."

"Yeah, I have. I think he's beginning to trust me and hopefully that'll continue so I'll be able to saddle him soon..."

...

"Hey Cassandra...I came by to pick up some West Nile. By the way, would Ty happen to be around? I thought while I was here I'd let him know how I'm doing with that abandoned horse."

"You haven't given him a name yet?"

"No not yet. Ty told me I could name him once he's fixed and I already have one in mind."

"And it is?"

"I'm not going to say just yet, so I don't jinx it...is he around?"

"Sorry Amy, but he took off for a few hours. He said he had some business to attend to in Calgary."

"Business in Calgary?" She asks wondering what it might be.

"Yeah...we have a light schedule this morning, so he asked if I would cover for him."

Taking advantage of the opportunity, she decides to ask, "Since he's not here, do you mind if I ask you a question about him?"

"No...not at all. What is it?"

"I was wondering...has he said anything lately about taking that job in Vancouver?"

"Not really, although I think he's still leaning towards taking it. I hope he'll decide to stay though."

Surprised by the insinuation that Ty might stay, Amy asks, "You're hoping he'll stay? I didn't know that was an option."

"I guess I shouldn't have said anything. I wasn't suppose to and Ty will probably kill me if he found out."

"So there's a possibility then?"

"You have to promise not to say anything about it to him."

"I promise."

"Yeah, there is a chance he might stay. Before Scott left, he discussed with him the possibility of staying on after he returned. He told Ty to think about it and give him an answer when he gets back. From what I understand too, Scott even suggested he think about partnering up with him."

Now, even more surprised by the revelation, Amy inquires further, "I remember Ty saying something about work equity in order to eventually buy into that partnership in Vancouver, so I guess Scott offered him the same thing? I mean, since it's an expensive initial investment."

"It is, but Ty can afford it."

"What makes you say that?"

"Well, before Ty left this morning, I was looking for a file in the office. I thought I found it lying on the desk, but when I opened it, it turned out to contain his bank statements. I didn't have time to look at it closely because I heard him walking down the hall, but from what I briefly saw, it looked like he had not only enough to invest as a partner, but start his own vet clinic if he wanted. I was going to snoop after he left, but he took the file with him."

Amy thinks to herself. "That explains why he said he made-up most of what he told dad. He knew all along that he was going to buy into that business, but where did he get the money?"

"Do you have any idea where he would have gotten that much money?"

"The only thing I can imagine is that it came from an inheritance since I overheard him and Scott talking about his father passing away."

"His dad passed away? He never said anything to me about it."

"I'm not surprised. We've talked around the office, but he never wants to talk about anything too personal."

"Yeah...I know what you mean."

"Why would he do his banking in Calgary though when we have a bank here."

"From what I saw, they were large banks that probably have offices across Canada"

"There was more than one?"

"Two that I noticed..."

...

Heading back to the ranch, Amy thinks about everything Cassandra told her, Ty's dad passing away, the money he somehow managed to accrue, along with Scott's offer to him. Foremost in her mind, she's worried how she will feel should Ty decided to leave, knowing he had the opportunity to stay.

...

Jack is working in the barn when Tim walks in. "Hey Jack."

Jack continues with his chores, trying not to show how aggravated he is by Tim's sudden appearance. He replies, "So, Tim, I see you finally decided to show your face around here."

"What do you mean by that?" Tim asks in a gruff tone.

Sparked by the question and the sound of Tim's attitude, Jack responds, "You know exactly what I mean and where do you get off thinking you can just swoop in here and take those rescue horses? Did you really think that Amy wouldn't be p.o.'ed with you for not checking with her first?"

"Listen, Jack, you know as well as I that when it comes to rehoming horses she drags her feet."

"Yeah, well, she just wants to make sure that they're going to a good home. Somewhere they'll fit in considering what they're going to be used for and I happen to agree."

"They are going to good homes...where is she anyway?"

"She went into town about an hour ago..."

Amy pulls up to the ranch house and, noticing Tim's truck parked near the round pen, all her thoughts about Ty immediately fall by the wayside. With anger steadily growing within her, she slams the truck door closed and heads directly to the barn.

Jack's conversation with Tim is interrupted by Amy's voice angrily calling out, "Dad!"

"...Uh-oh...you're in for it now. I've got work to do, so I'm going to leave you to deal with her on your own."

"I could use a little backup here, Jack."

"Backup from me? Not on you life. You made the mess, so you're the one who's going to have to clean it up."

As Amy walks closer to the barn, Jack walks out the back leaving Tim to face Amy's wrath.

Preempting what he knows Amy is going to say, he begins to plea in a conciliatory manner as she walks into the barn, "Now listen Amy..."

Before Tim can finish, Amy interrupts, "No!...you listen! You had no right taking those horses! This is my business, not yours! I'm tired of you deciding for yourself how I should be running it...and what did you think you were doing trying to push that job with Jesse on me at dinner the other night? Do you have any idea how it made me feel...I'm not a kid anymore and I can make my own decisions without you interfering! I'm not going to stand for it anymore!"

"Honey..."

"Don't honey me...I don't want to hear your excuses!"

"But..it's a good deal. Jesse told me about the partnership. It's perfect for you."

"No, it's not! It's not what I want. I want to go back to what I use to do."

"You still can though...that's the beauty of the deal he's offering."

"You just don't get it do you."

Realizing he's getting no where trying to convince her to accept Jesse's offer, Tim changes his tone, "Get it?... Does this have to do with Ty?"

Standing her ground, Amy replies, "That's none of your business either!"

"Okay...so you won't listen to me...your dad, but you're going to let Ty influence your decision? He doesn't even know what he's going to do next. Don't be foolish about this...it's a very good deal."

"Nothing Ty's said has anything to do with my decision. As a matter of fact, we've never even talked about it."

"Is it about Jesse then? I know over the years our family hasn't always gotten along with the Stanton's, but that was Val and Ashley. Jesse is nothing like them."

"That has nothing to do with it either."

"Then what is it? Why won't you give him the answer he wants to hear?"

"Haven't you been listening?...Its not what I want to do! Why are you pushing this so hard?"

"Because I know this is right for you."

"Right for me or do you mean right for you, so you can feel good about yourself. That's what it's always been about, hasn't it? How you feel about yourself. You don't care what I want...only what you want, thinking you know what's best for me!"

"It's not like that! I'm only thinking of you and your reputation...the security you'll have for the future along with the money you'll be making..."

Amy interrupts, "I don't care about that! I can do just fine here on my own!"

Wanting the last word, Tim replies in gradually increasing volume as he storms out of the barn, "Think about it, Amy. If you pass on this opportunity, you'll be making a big mistake. He's offering you everything you've wanted and more. Take the offer!"

Visibly frustrated, Amy walks into the office and plops herself down behind the desk.

Jack, having overheard some of what they were arguing about, is angry with Tim and wants to go after him. He feels more compelled; however, to see how Amy is doing. After slowly walking into the barn, he appears in the doorway to the office. "So, I guess that didn't go very well."

Having calmed down some, Amy replies, "You know dad. I said my piece and I don't think it made a bit of difference. I don't think he even listened."

"Said?...Yelled is more like it. I think the cattle even heard it."

"Sorry about that."

"No need to apologize. I think it's time I have a talk with him, but I think I'll wait until he calms down some and me too for that matter."

After a brief moment of silence without Amy responding, Jack turns to leave, saying, "Well, I better get back to work."

With her thoughts going back to what she learned about Ty, Amy seizes the opportunity to question Jack further about his conversation with him. "Grandpa, when you and Ty spoke that day...you know...before you told me what he said, did he tell you about his dad passing away and that Scott offered him an opportunity to stay on at the clinic after he returns?"

Surprised by the question, Jack turns back and takes a seat just inside the door across from her.

"You heard about that?"

"Yeah...Cassandra told me when I went to pick up the vaccines"

"Actually, he didn't tell me until we talked again later at the clinic."

Figuring that this is as good a time as any to talk with Amy about Ty and something he decides he needs to reveal, Jack continues, "Since I have you alone, I think we should talk about a few things. I'm about to do something I don't like doing. I'm going to break a promise. When I made that promise, I did so with the hope of keeping you from getting hurt. I can see that there's more than a possibility of that happening now."

"What is it grandpa?"

"Lou told me and I can see for myself how you feel about Ty, so I think the only way now of preventing or softening the hurt is to tell you what Ty told me. I'm aware you heard about Sarah and I know about her too. Ty talked about her when he told me about his dad and Scott's offer."

"Is it true that he was going to ask her to marry him that night she died?"

"That I don't know. Ty didn't say. All I know is that he loved her and was planning to ask her to marry him. Amy, since I know how you feel about Ty, I need you to understand something...Sarah will always be a part of Ty's life. As time goes by, I'm sure he won't think about her as often as he might right now, but he'll never completely forget about her. She will always be there somewhere. It's like your grandmother and me. I love Lisa very much and can't imagine not being with her, but that doesn't mean I've forgotten about your grandmother. I'll always love her and keep her memory in a special place in my heart. If you can't accept that with Ty then I suggest you walk away now, before getting too involved."

"I understand, grandpa. I know she'll always be there in his memories and I can accept that."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes...I am. I love him. I lost him once and, now that he's back, I don't want to lose him again."

"That might be more difficult than you think. I hope, just as you do, that Ty will decided to accept Scott's offer and stay, but he has some things he has to work out on his own. Mainly, he has to figure out how he really feels about you. I suspect there might still be something there, otherwise I doubt he would even entertain Scott's offer. He might not be ready just yet to admit it to himself since there's this road block. After everything that's happened, he has this belief that he in a relationship isn't something that will ever workout for him."

"He said that to you?"

"Yes...he did, but not in quite those words. I tried talking to him about that, but I don't know if it did any good. I think he's just afraid of being hurt again."

"I think so too and I want to let him know that I won't do that to him ever again.

"I'm just worried you'll be hurt again should he decide to take that job in Vancouver."

"I know and I love you for that, but I have to at least try."

Amy pauses briefly and then continues, "I have another question, grandpa. Something that doesn't make any sense to me. Cassandra told me that she overheard Ty and Scott talking about his father passing away. She also told me that she accidentally discovered that Ty had more than enough money to buy into a partnership with him. Did he ever say anything about that to you...where that money came from? Cassandra thought it was an inheritance from his father, but we both know his father would never have that kind of money...he would have gambled it away."

"Ty did say that part of Scott's offer might include a discussion of a partnership, but he never said anything about money."

"From everything we know so far, I don't see how he could have saved that much money."

"The only one who knows is Ty and he's not one to talk about something like that unless he feels he has no other choice. I wouldn't concern myself about it too much though. Ty has faults just like all of us, but I don't believe for a moment that he has anything other than a reasonable explanation."

"I want...I mean I do believe that, but anything could have happened during the time he was away and he hasn't been all that straightforward about that part of his life. I was just wondering because Cassandra made it sound like it was a lot of money."

"You didn't ask her how much it was?...that doesn't sound like you."

"I didn't want to pry too much. I already got myself into a little bit of trouble with Ty over doing that and..."

Jack interrupts, "I understand and, like I said, I wouldn't concern myself with it. I'm sure if Ty decides to stay, he'll say something and explain it at some point."

"So...now I have to ask you something. Have you decided yet what you're going to do about Jesse?"

"I have...I'm turning him down. He gave me a copy of his plans to look at for part of the expansion at Briar Ridge, but I'm going to return them tomorrow morning and tell him I have no interest in his offer."...

...

That evening, while alone together before going to bed, Lisa comments to Jack, "Boy, Georgie was sure excited about going with Ty to the clinic tomorrow. I can't remember the last time she went to bed so early."

"I know what you mean. She's been talking about it all week. What time is he coming by to pick her up?"

"Ty called and said that he had to go by the clinic for a few minutes first and then he would swing by at about 9:00 a.m. to pick her up."

"Good...she should have all her chores done by then."

Jack pauses for a moment before continuing, "Listen, Lisa, there's something I need to talk to you about...actually, it's something I should tell you. I should have told you earlier, but I made a promise."

"I thought something was on you're mind. You were pretty quiet all evening."

"Yeah, about that...Seeing that some people can't keep things to themselves and now that includes me, it's probably only a matter of time before everyone knows. I'm going to tell you now because I imagine that at some point Amy might come to you for advice and I don't want you to be caught by surprise. The key thing to remember is...Amy comes to you...not the other way around."

"Okay, Jack...I get it, so what is it I should know?"...

...

To be continued...