Mind Games

Ty grows more attached to Redbud Hollow but admits that he needs more space than Leona’s small house provides. He struggles to sort through her belongings, burdened by the emotional weight of her love and memories. One day, he and Bray visit Thea with a bouquet of wildflowers. As they explore her home, Bray notices sketches of characters from the Endon series. Thea admits that she based Tye on Ty. Nervously, she worries that he’ll find it strange, but Ty is flattered and tells her about his experiences with “creepy” fans as a point of comparison.

He insists that Thea keep the vase holding the flowers. He gifted it to Leona when he was a child. Overwhelmed, Thea tears up and admits that the day marks the anniversary of her parents’ deaths. Ty comforts her and apologizes for showing up unexpectedly. Thea reassures him that his piano playing and visit helped her through the day. When Ty asks how her parents died, Thea tells him that they were murdered. Before leaving, Ty invites her to get pizza sometime.

That night, Thea deliberately removes her charm bags and invites Riggs into her dreams. She builds Perilous Island, a dangerous dreamscape filled with traps, predators, and erupting volcanoes. She challenges Riggs to reach Sanctuary Island, but he initially refuses to play the game. While Thea uses her knowledge to navigate the world she created, Riggs dies repeatedly. As the volcano erupts, she escapes, leaving him trapped and wounded. She warns him to stay out of her mind before waking up.

Although exhausted, Thea feels victorious. She replaces the charm bags and sleeps peacefully.

Ty and Bray visit Lucy’s farm. Bray races ahead to greet unfamiliar animals, causing Ty to panic. Lucy introduces Bray to the cows and sends Ty inside, where he finds Thea and Rem making soap and candles. Ty admits that he’s struggling to build a playset for Bray and asks for a contractor recommendation.

Instead, Rem and Thea offer to help. Lucy watches Bray while they assist Ty. Midway through construction, Lucy brings lunch. By evening, the playset is complete, and Bray loves it. Ty invites them to dinner, but only Thea joins. Over pizza, Ty and Thea talk about family. She’s surprised to learn that Ty’s family lacks musical talent, despite his gifts.

Maddy arrives at the restaurant, complaining about her day at the clinic. She joins them, followed by her boyfriend, Arlo. Ty enjoys the friendly, small-town energy and considers staying in Redbud Hollow long term.

Later that night, after putting Bray to bed, Ty reflects on the evening. Seeing Thea’s light still on gives him comfort.

July brings peace, and Riggs remains quiet. Ty hosts a cookout for Thea, Rem, and Lucy. They discuss Lucy’s mother, who now lives in Atlanta, Georgia, and Bray mentions that his mother is in heaven. After dinner, Lucy plays the banjo, and Ty joins in with his guitar. When Thea harmonizes with Lucy’s singing, Ty is visibly impressed.

Rem later urges Thea to pursue Ty, confirming that he’s single. Ty and Lucy switch instruments, and when Rem and Lucy leave, Ty convinces Thea to stay for one last song. They perform one of Code Red’s romantic ballads and share a kiss afterward. Thea awkwardly thanks him and leaves, flustered but happy.

The next day, Maddy drops by. Thea talks with her about the kiss with Ty and the psychological “mind game” with Riggs. Maddy reveals that she dropped her nephew and Gracie’s son off at Ty’s house so that Bray could meet other kids. She then announces that she’s moving in with Arlo, possibly ruining her plan of avoiding marriage until she’s 35.

Rain keeps Thea inside for two days, and she reflects on the potential risks and rewards of dating Ty. Eventually, she walks to Lucy’s and finds Ty playing guitar on his porch.

They talk, and Ty opens up about Bray’s mother, Starla, a former roadie. Starla left Ty with Bray when he was 18 months old, shortly before she died of cancer. Although Ty’s family accepted Bray, they disapprove of Ty’s career path and wish that he would settle into a more “respectable” lifestyle. Just as Ty and Thea are about to kiss, Bray wakes. Thea takes him to see Lucy, giving Ty some quiet time to work.

At Lucy’s, Thea talks about Ty and worries that he’ll reject her psychic gift. Lucy sympathizes, noting how sad it is that Ty’s parents still struggle to accept who he is.

A neighbor, Nadine, arrives with her two children, interrupting their conversation. Nadine is pregnant, and her husband hit her. Lucy and Thea help her, using their psychic abilities to confirm her abuse and support her emotionally.

When Ty picks up Bray, the boy carries a basket full of vegetables. Ty offers to cook dinner and invites Thea to help. She agrees, and they share another kiss. Ty makes his feelings clear: He wants more than friendship.

Bray walks in on them kissing but reacts with amusement. They cook, eat together, and keep connecting emotionally and physically. After dinner, Thea heads home, feeling joyful and optimistic.

However, that night, Riggs uses Thea’s emotional openness to sneak into her dreams. They hurl insults at each other. Thea vows to end their connection once and for all.