Chapter 2

"How was chemistry?" Jen asked her later in one of the lounges on campus.

"Tough," Sam sighed, sitting down next to her friend. "I can't believe how tougher it is than high school chemistry."

"Yeah, isn't it great?" Jen grinned and Sam stuck her tongue out at her friend. "Do you have enough Jake stuff on today?"

Sam laughed, putting her hand on her turtle necklace and then on the turtle earrings she was wearing.

"It brings me comfort," Sam shrugged.

"It's not enough that you have that gorgeous ring?" Jen teased.

Sam held out her left hand to look at the engagement ring that Jake had given her. The three diamonds shone in the overhead lights.

"Who knew Jake Ely had such good taste," Jen continued to tease.

"Hey, watch it," Sam warned her friend with a smile.

They both looked up startled as a guy sitting at the next table turned to look at them.

"Did one of you say you knew a Jake Ely?" he asked.

Sam and Jen looked at the blond man.

"We both do," Jen ventured to say.

"I have a cousin named Jake Ely," the guy told them. "I haven't seen him since I was like thirteen since he doesn't live near me."

"This Jake lives in Nevada," Sam said.

"My cousin Jake lives in Nevada," the guy responded.

Sam met Jen's eyes, neither of them believing him. They were sure he was trying to pick one of them up.

"Really," Jen mused, signaling Sam with her eyes that it might be time to leave. Sam gave a nod in understanding, starting to gather her things.

"My aunt married an Indian," the guy went on, stopping Sam and Jen in their tracks.

"Really," Jen said again.

"What's your aunt's name?" Sam couldn't help but ask.

"Maxine," the guy responded.

Sam sat back heavily in her chair. There was no way this guy could know Jake's mom's name if it weren't true.

"Wow," Jen murmured.

"I was a bit shocked when I heard one of you mention a Jake Ely," the guy said. "There can't be too many of them in the world."

"No," Sam shook her head. "I'm Samantha and this is my friend Jen."

"Hi Samantha, hi Jen," he stuck out his hand. "I'm Eric O'Callahan."

"Irish?" Jen asked, shaking his outstretched hand.

"Yes," Eric nodded. "My father Rory is Maxine's brother."

Sam met Jen's eyes again.

"You're still not sure you believe me," Eric laughed softly.

"Well it is pretty farfetched that we'd come to California and meet Jake's cousin," Jen responded.

"Maxine is from California," Sam said. "I guess it would be pretty easily checked."

She pulled out her cell phone and started to dial.

"You're calling Aunt Maxine?" Eric asked with a grin.

"No, I'm sure she's still at school," Sam flicked a glance at him. "I'm calling Cousin Jake."

Jen snorted and Eric glanced at her with an amused look in his eyes.

"Hey Jake," Sam said in her phone when she reached his voice mail. "Call me when you get this, okay? I need to ask you about someone." Sam hung up, but started dialing again immediately.

"Who are you calling?" Jen asked. "Not statue boy."

"No not statue boy," Sam laughed. "Statue boy's twin."

"Who is statue boy?" Eric looked confused.

"One of Jake's brothers," Jen told him. "Long story."