Ty sat up with a jolt, his dream so vivid. Rubbing his eyes, he squinted at the sunshine coming through the trailer windows. Picking up his phone, he looked at the date displayed on the screen.
Sinking back into the pillows, he wished his dream was real, but unfortunately, Amy was still in a coma and he would graduate from vet school today without her by his side. He sighed. It had been over two years since her accident, and he was still waiting and hoping she would wake up.
He tried to picture his life without Amy in it. But he couldn't. All the plans they'd talked about after they were married were still so fresh in his mind: working together to heal the physical and emotional scars of the horses that came into their care, even starting a clinic of their own someday.
What was he going to do after graduating vet school? It was hard without her. She was the reason he'd wanted to be a vet, but now he wasn't sure. What if she never woke up? Would he still want to be a vet?
Maybe he should take some time for himself after graduation. Consider his options, and even move on. But could he make a new life without her?
…..
It had been almost a year since Amy had woken up from her coma and come home. Things at Heartland were beginning to get back to normal. She was doing okay, learning to adjust to her life after losing so much time. But her life wasn't the same for some reason. She couldn't remember why, but she had this feeling that something or someone was missing.
No one mentioned his name. He was no longer around, having said his goodbyes. Amy didn't seem to recall him or her life with him in it. So, everyone felt it was best to just leave well enough alone.
She put all her efforts into building her client base back up, turning Heartland back into the horse rescue it had been before her accident and helping to support the ranch and ease the burden for her aging grandfather.
It was just her, Jack, and Lisa living on the ranch now. Lou had moved to New York, Georgie was off at college, and Katie split her time between the big city and the coast.
Nights were the hardest for her. When she was alone in her room, her memories cloudy. Not all the pieces had fallen into place after the coma, and she could sense that a big piece of her life was still missing. If only she could remember.
Pulling the picture from the desk drawer, she looked at his green eyes. He was so handsome and had that bad boy look with his leather jacket and devilish grin. Who was he? Why didn't she remember him?
….
Ty was at a vet clinic in BC working. He'd decided it was time to put his degree to work. He liked it and was getting used to the area. He'd made a few friends and was living with one of them now. He liked her, but it was nothing serious. He felt his phone vibrate, smiling as he saw her face on the screen.
"Hey, what a nice surprise," he said.
Her voice was strained. "Ty, can you come home?"
"Now? You know I'm at work, right?" He felt bad that he had to put her off.
"Yeah. I was hoping we could talk, but I guess it can wait." She disconnected the call before he had a chance to say goodbye.
He thought about calling her back but figured it could wait until he got home. Besides, he got caught up with an emergency and forgot all about her call.
He tried calling her on his way home, but she didn't answer. Pulling into the complex, he noticed her car was gone. Making his way up to the apartment, he called out her name.
But she wasn't there and neither were her belongings. Walking out to the kitchen, his eyes fell on the mail sitting on the counter. On the top of the pile was a letter with the return address of Heartland, Alberta CA.
His heart skipped a beat. Why was he getting mail from Heartland after all this time?
Taking the letter, he stared at it for a while, flipping it back and forth between his hands. Finally, he walked over to the couch, sitting down. He took a couple of deep breaths, wondering if he should even open the letter. It had been a long time since he'd had any contact with the Bartlett's, and he wasn't sure he wanted to put his heart through that again.
It took him a long time to get over the guilt, still feeling as though he had deserted her. But he had to move on, to make something of his life. Jack had assured him that Amy would have wanted him to.
He flipped the letter over, noticing the postmark date and the many forwarding addresses. It had taken almost a year for it to find its way to him. Thinking back, that would have been a couple of months after he'd left Heartland.
After graduating, he had taken some time to travel—to think about what he wanted to do with his life, now that Amy was no longer a part of it. He had lost himself, spending a lot of his nights in bars, drinking and playing pool. He could have had a lot of one night stands too. But he couldn't do that to her.
He still loved her and probably always would. Amy knew him better than anyone; she was the only person he'd ever let see the real Ty Borden. God, what if something had happened to her?
He opened the letter, pulling the contents from the envelope. He unfolded the page and started reading.
Ty,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and at peace with yourself. I know it was a difficult decision to make to leave, but it was for the best. You needed a fresh start, and I hope you've found it.
You asked me to keep you informed concerning Amy's status, and I'm keeping my promise.
Ty, Amy woke up two months after you left. I didn't write this letter for several weeks because of the circumstances concerning her memory. I'm sorry, Ty, but Amy has never mentioned you or asked about you. She doesn't appear to remember anything about you or your time here at Heartland or your relationship.
I know this is going to be devastating news, considering how much you loved her. But hopefully you've moved on and will find or have already found that someone who makes you happy.
Please take care, and if you can manage to keep in touch, I would love to hear from you. But I understand if it's too painful.
Jack
The tears ran down his face. He was ecstatic that she was awake but heartbroken she had no memory of him, or the time they'd spent together. What was he supposed to do now?
Could he live with himself knowing that she was awake and at Heartland—the only place that ever felt like home to him? How would he handle it if he returned and there was no connection this time between them? Could he walk away from her a second time?
His mind was spinning, his heart telling him he had to try. He'd found his true love once; maybe his luck would hold out and love would find its way back to him. He would never know if he didn't try.
He couldn't sleep, tossing and turning all night. After finally getting up, he went out to the kitchen, getting a class of water, and turned to walk over to the couch. As he walked by the counter, he noticed a note lying next to the pile of mail.
The rent is paid up till the end of the month, so the place is yours if you choose to stay. Take care of yourself. Maybe our paths will cross again someday, Ty. I hope you find what you're looking for. Kelly
He checked his phone for the date. It was the twentieth of the month. He had ten days to decide what he was going to do.
Placing a call, he made plans to head back to Hudson. He knew this wasn't going to be easy, but he couldn't live with himself if he didn't give it a try.
He loved Amy more than he thought it was possible to love another human being. So, he was willing to put his heart on the line for her.
The day came when he said his goodbyes to everyone at the clinic and headed down the road for the long trip back to Hudson. He would keep in touch with Caleb, letting him know when he was going to arrive so his friend could work on his request.
He was counting on Caleb to find him the right horse, and with some good old- fashioned Borden charm, who knows, maybe he could win her heart again.
He'd called Jack to let him in on the plan, hoping that Jack would go along with it. Jack voiced his concerns for Ty, knowing the young man was putting his heart out on a limb. But Ty assured him he knew the risk and was willing to take it. Jack finally agreed.
The one thing no one knew about was the picture Amy had hidden in her drawer.
…
Amy was working in the round pen when a truck pulled up to the barn. She wasn't expecting anyone and didn't recognize the truck. She took a moment to check out the man who stepped out of the truck.
He was more her age and had short dark hair with a slender build. But he filled out his jeans rather nicely. Amy scolded herself for that thought. His back was to her, so she couldn't see his face. He walked toward the barn, not even giving her nod.
She continued to work with the horse, but her mind was still on the guy in the barn. Who was he, and what did he want?
Jack and Ty talked for several minutes, happy to see one another again, but keeping their voices low.
Amy was putting the horse back in his stall when she heard Jack and the stranger leave the office and walk to the house. She'd hoped to meet him, but it appeared his business at Heartland was with Jack. She tidied up the barn aisle and made sure all the horses had water before heading over to the house.
As she entered the house, she heard her grandpa, Lisa, and the stranger talking in the living room. Sitting on the bench, she removed her boots and washed her hands before making her way to the fridge to grab a bottle of water.
"Amy, is that you?" her grandfather asked. "Come into the living room; I have someone I'd like you to meet."
Amy walked around the end of the couch as the young man stood up.
"Amy, this is Dr. Ty Borden. Ty, this is my granddaughter, Amy Fleming. Dr. Borden is going to be the new vet in Hudson."
His green eyes held her focus, his smile showing off his dimples. She stood staring for what seemed like an eternity until she caught herself. "Dr. Borden, it's nice to meet you." Extending her hand.
Ty smiled, taking her hand and catching the fact that she was staring at him. "Please, call me Ty. It's nice to meet you, Amy."
Their eyes locked. Jack stood quietly for a few moments, watching the interaction between the two. Finally, he cleared his throat.
Ty let her hand drop, but his eyes held hers for a moment longer before breaking the connection. He turned to shake Jack's hand and said he needed to be on his way. Jack walked him out to the door and said his goodbyes.
Coming back into the room, Jack found Amy still standing, looking out toward the kitchen and the back door. Jack sat down next to Lisa, patting her hand, and said, "Seems like a nice guy, that Dr. Borden." Lisa nodded, watching Amy.
"What did you think, Amy?" Jack asked.
Amy suddenly became aware of her grandfather talking and looked at him blankly. "What did you say, Grandpa?"
"Dr. Borden—Ty—seems like a nice guy."
Amy nodded. "Yeah." Her mind wasn't on the conversation at all. She turned and headed for her bedroom. Closing the door, she went to the desk and pulled the picture from the drawer.
It was a much younger picture, but the green eyes were the same.
"Dr. Ty Borden."