Heartland: My Journey

Chapter #2

I looked at the phone.  I slowly pocketed it.  'To you both'.  Who's both?  Who was that on the phone?

"I gotta go.  Can you turn the horses out?" I quickly rushed by Caleb, but he held onto my arm.

"Chick, what was that?" He asked.  "You look like you were just threatened.  What happened?"

"I'm fine.  I'm good," I said.  I wrenched my arm back and made my way into the house.  I walked through the walkways until I got to Amy's door.  I lightly tapped on it.

"Come in," she groggily said.

I opened the door in a rush and pulled the blankets off Amy.  "Come on.  I need to talk to you.  Not here, too many people.  I'll grab the horses."

I turned and left, going to saddle up Spirit and Spartan.  As I grabbed my saddle from the saddle wall, someone's hand came down on my shoulder.  I looked back and saw Ty.

"Hey," I smiled, forcingly.

"Hey, are you okay?  You look spooked," Ty said, his smile dropping from his face.

"Not really, no.  I just got this weird call.  I can't tell who it is, or whether it's a threat or not," I said.

Ty's expression turned from worry to fear.  "What did the call say?"

"'Chick, I'm coming home.  To you both'," I repeated.  "It's a weird thing to say.  The only person I can think of with that voice is. . ."

"My mom," Ty and I both said at the same time.

"Tyler?" I asked.  I touched his face.

"Cassie," Ty said.  He wrapped his arms around me.  "How. . .?"

I hugged him tightly.  "Ty, was that our mom?" I asked.  "What happened to you?  Why don't I remember you?"

"You're not thinking hard enough," he said.  He pulled away, keeping his hands on my shoulders.  "Think.  There were many times when we would play together.  When dad would take us out together."

"I can't remember," I said, tears cing from my eyes.  I put my head on his shoulder.  I felt Ty's arms wrap around my back.  I sobbed into his shoulder for a few minutes.  "I'm glad I found you, Ty."

He nodded.  "I know." He pulled away.  "Now, I'll finish your chores for today.  Go for a ride with Amy.  Behave.  Don't cause trouble.  I'll be here to put you in line."

I nodded.  "Thank you," I said.  I squeezed his hand and picked up my saddle.  I swung it over Spirit and tightened up the straps.

"Hey," Amy said walking into the barn.  She grabbed her saddle and threw it over Spartan.  "What's this about?"

"I can't talk about it right now.  But it's about my parents. . . And my brother," I said.  I put the halter onto my buckskin horse and took the reins in front of me.  I held the bit in front of Spirit's mouth and he gladly took it.  I put my foot in my stirrup and flung myself onto the saddle.  Amy was ready right after me.

I kicked Spirit in the sides moderately hard so he would start a canter.  We got out of the barn door when Caleb walked directly in front of us.  Spirit whinnied and reared, throwing me off of his back.  I landed hard on my side.

"Chick!" Amy called.  She turned Spartan and went after my horse.  "Caleb, help her!"

He nodded.  "Chick, are you okay?" He asked, kneeling down beside me.  "Don't try to get up just yet." He handed me my hat.

"Thanks," I said slowly.  "Yeah, I'm fine.  Don't worry." I slowly got up with the help of Caleb's arm.  I steady and smiled at Caleb.  "Next time, don't walk in front of my horse."