Chapter 28

                                    

                                          
Jaelyn sighs it seems everyone is avoiding her. Her brothers, Brooke, Tyson, even his sisters are avoiding her. What the heck is going on? Deciding it is useless to try and talk to them she heads to the barn. The one place she knows she can find someone that won't avoid her. 
                          
She heads to the pens in the back to get Cobalt and take him to the arena. Just as she vaults onto his back Chelsea comes out of the barn. "Hey! Jaelyn, that is awesome, Tyson wasn't kidding when he said you and your horse are amazing. Do you do tricks and stuff on him?" 
                          
Jaelyn can tell that Chelsea is a little bit too hyper and jumpy than she should be, even with being scared of horses, but she decides to shrug it off as nothing. "Yeah sometimes I do." 
                          
"That it great! What kind of tricks?" 
                          
Jaelyn smiles. "Well come on in the arena and I'll show you."
                          
"Wait! No no no no, you can't go in there."
                          
Jaelyn looks at her strangely. "I need to blow off steam and this is how I do it. My barn, my rules." 
                          
Chelsea once again tries to keep her from going in the barn, but finally gives up and quickly calls Tyson. 
                          
"Hello?" 
                          
"Tyson you better be ready she's coming in no matter what I just said." 
                          
He chuckles lightly. "Typical Jaelyn. Yeah I'm ready."  Just as he hangs up he sees her riding through the wide gate. He can't hide his smile as her eyes grow big and happy tears roll down her cheeks. How he knows they are happy tears is beyond his knowledge. Slowly he steps out of the shadows and into her line of view. 
                          
"What do you think?" 
                          
She slides off of Cobalt's back and jumps into his waiting arms. "I love it, Superman!"
                          
He smiles and kisses her forehead. "I'm glad, little cactus." 
                          
As he sets her back on her feet she can see through the smile. Something is wrong. She stares into his eyes a moment before speaking. "Superman, what's wrong?"
                          
He shakes his head. "Nothings wrong."
                          
"Then what's bothering you?" 
                          
He sighs and leads her over to the mounting block to sit. "Uh, Dr. Haze came and talked to me. He wants me to take over his practice in about a year when he retires." 
                          
A look of surprise lights up her face. "Super man! That's great." 
                          
He genuinely smiles. "Yeah it's just that means I would be on call all the time and probably be gone a lot." 
                          
She shrugs. "Tyson, that's what vets do they go at a moments notice. And besides you would be here. It wouldn't be a six hour drive just to see you."
                          
He nods. "That's true." 
                          
They talk for a while longer before going to join the rest of the people to eat and play games. Jaelyn really wanted to tell everyone what great news Tyson has but they agreed not to tell everyone until he has made a decision. 
                          
His mind swirled with thoughts. Yes this is where he wants to be. Yes he wants to put roots down here. And yes this is what he has dreamed of, but what about 'Jae and Ty time'? That is important especially if his plan rolls out like he's thinking. He sighs. This is too much to think about with a lot of people buzzing around him. 
                          
He pushes it out of his mind and wraps an arm around Jaelyn. She looks up at him and smiles. Chuckling slightly he nods. "Yeah I'm fine." 
                          
She smiles brightly. "Good. I like it when you're happy and not weighted down with thoughts." 
                          
He laughs. "Weighted down? Ha! I'm. Ever weighted down." 
                          
She scoffs good naturedly and pats him on the back. "Riggghht, like never."
                          
"Let's go get food."
***
                          
Later into the evening, as he watches Jaelyn joke with Brooke Tyson decides it's now or never. He spots Benjamin and heads in that direction. "Mr. Maxwell?" 
                          
"Tyson, hey!" 
                          
He smiles and shakes the older man's hand. "I, uh, was wondering if I could talk to you."
                          
"Yeah of course. How about we walk down to the dirt tank?" 
                          
Tyson nods nervously. Come on! Tyson, breath and stop sweating buckets. This is not that big of a deal. Who are you kidding this is the biggest deal of your life, Tyson Reed! He takes a deep breath and looks towards Benjamin. "So I was wanting  to talk to you about Jaelyn." 
                          
The older man nods. 
                          
Tyson swallows hard convincing himself to continue with his plan. "I, um, I really love your daughter and admire her special qualities. I want your  permission to ask her to become Mrs. Reed."
                          
Mr. Maxwell stops and turns to look at him. "Tyson, you know I think you are a very respectable man. I know you would take very good care of her and make her happy." He pauses making Tyson's heart beat even faster. "Yes, Tyson, you have my permission to ask Jaelyn to be your wife."