Chapter 1:
Sam looked down at her small hand clasped in Jakes huge one, as they walked toward Kit. Her mind was whirling. What did this mean? Did it mean anything? Oh god, did he like her? Did she like him? She felt him looking down at her, looking at their hands. She looked up into his mustang eyes, seeing the questions there she blushed. Was he thinking the same thing she was? Was he wondering what she was thinking or worried she was reading too much into this? Oh no, what if she was. Her blushed deepened; before she could turn away she saw Jake face break out into a grin. Oh god, what did that mean? She glanced around the bon fire party, Brynna and Gram had knowing smiles on their faces while they glanced between Jake and her, he father was staring at them with an unreadable expression on his face. A few other people were glancing their way, with small smiles on their faces. Jen was too consumed by Ryan and her dancing to notice yet. Sam dreaded that conversation. She looked back at Jake to find his gaze burring while he watched her.
Jake was watching Sam after he took her hand. He was hoping she would figure out what he was trying to tell her without having to talk. Talking never worked for him. She sort of had a panicked look about her. She was looking down at their hands, when she looked back up to see him she blushed. A look passed across her shocked face that made Jake grin. Her blushed deepened. God, she was so cute when she blushed like that, Jake thought. He watched as she looked at the people around them, Brynna and her grandmother looked like they just won a bet, her father, Wyatt, was giving them a look that reminded Jake he would have to talk to him soon, a talk that could make or break Jake. Sam was turning her back to him, their eyes met, he knew his were burning with feeling and she seemed to notice, as her face became even redder, he chuckled. He now knew it was going to take more than holding her hand to tell her how he felt about her.
"C'mon, Brat" he said, still chuckling, "Sounds like Kit wants to talk to me."
"Maybe because you're going around telling people his business." Sam replied softly.
Jake looked at her. Was she taking Kits side? No, it didn't look like it. He wished he could hear what she was thinking. "Well he can't be too surprised that I told you. I tell you everything Brat, one way or another, and he knows it.
Sam had a faint, slightly bewildered smile on her face. If she was reading Jake right, he might be trying to tell her he liked her. If he was, did she like him? She thought she did. He was handsome, and they had a great easy friendship and she couldn't imagine a life without him there. She never recognized this feeling as anything more than friendship, but now, looking at it that way, it made plenty of sense. Her smile grew wider. Dare she hope?
Jake watched as Sams smile grew bigger. He loved to see her smile. It made his heart soften and he wanted to pull her into a hug. He thought back to when he figured out he had feelings for her. The entire time they were growing up she just seemed to be that tag-a-long kid he watched out for. He hadn't noticed how protective and even possessive he had become of her. When she came back from San Francisco she looked so different. Not the little girl who would follow him around and threaten him when he teased her. Well, she still did that. Short punk hair cut, black clothes and still skinny as a wet weasel, she was older and looked more like a woman. He couldn't help but notice. His friend Darrell had kept noticing too. Jake hadn't liked Darrell flirting with Sam, he didn't understand why at the time, but after feeling the jealousy he'd had toward Kit, he finally was starting to. Watching Sam climb up that cliff side without a rope, with every chance of her falling and dying, the fear coursing through him, he finally understood completely the feelings he had for her. He liked Samantha Anne Forster. Who'd been his best friend since as long as he could remember. He didn't know if he loved her like that yet, but her knew he liked her. A lot. Enough to lay a claim to her so that no one else could. And he was going to tell her tonight. He just hoped he would get the words right, and that maybe she felt the same. He tightened his hand on hers and looked at her briefly before they reached Kit and the others. What he saw made him blush deeply.
Sam had been glancing from Jake to the group of people they were walking towards; Jake was deep in thought, with a small sort of smile playing about his lips. What was he thinking, she thought? Was it about her? She hadn't seen that smile on his face before, so she wasn't sure what it meant. She looked back at Kit and the others, wondering if they knew what that smile meant, Quinn was grinning widely at their clasped hands, Adam was looking at Jake laughing while clapping Bryan on the back and pointing at them. As Bryan looked at them his eyes widened and his face broke into a huge grin to match Quinns. She saw Jake glance at her and felt his hand squeeze hers. Then he looked at his brothers and she saw his face darken from a blush. She bit back a giggle. She saw Nate and Kit stop talking and follow Adams finger as well to see what was so funny. Their faces lit up.
"Oh my god, FINALLY!" Kit and Nate yelled in unison. Sam's blush reached a whole new shade of red.
"We've been waiting years for this to finally happen!" Bryan managed to get out around his laughter.
"Shut up.." Jake mumbled. His eyes were on the ground and he was rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. His face was so dark Sam couldn't hold back he giggle any longer.
"Jake, you're blushing," Sam giggled.
"Shut up Brat." Jake mumbled again giving her a look that made her burst out laughing. Man, why did his brothers have to make such a big deal. He glanced around the bonfire. A lot of people were looking. His face burned, he didn't think it was possible that it could get any hotter.
"So Kit, what's this I hear about you going to Hawaii?" Sam asked, trying to change the subject from them. She knew the brothers were going to tease them mercilessly for the next ten years. She felt her face growing warmer. She wondered if they would date and even last a long time. She couldn't lose Jake. Or their friendship. Her hand tightened on Jakes unconsciously. He looked at her, his face questioning. She tried to keep the concern in her face from showing.
"Yeah, think it's time for me to branch out and get out there working for real," Kit was saying while her mind went off on a tangent. She focused on Kit again. "We all know Jake would be the one to take over Three Ponies, and I can't do the rodeo anymore, so my friend Pani offered me a job on a ranch in Hawaii. I took it and I'll be leaving soon."
Jake felt Sams hand tighten in his, he looked at her wondering what was wrong. He saw worry and concern flit across her face. Then she focused on Kit again and her face seemed to blank out. Jakes curiosity grew. He tugged on her hand, wanting to lead her to the barn.
Sam felt Jake tugging her hand somewhere; she looked at him, confused. Kit broke off whatever he was saying to give them a curious look. Jake seemed oblivious to this. He just kept tugging her. She apologized to Kit and went with Jake.
Jake led them to the barn, ignoring Sams apology to his brother and the snickers the others were giving them. He needed to talk to Sam badly. He couldn't wait any longer to tell her how he felt about her. He was going away to college in the fall and he wanted to spend as much time with her as possible before that. If she felt that way back that is, his nervousness grew with each step he took toward the barn. He really hoped she felt the same way. He was sure she did, her face and body language seemed to be saying that. But he could be reading her wrong. It wouldn't be the first time he screwed up with her. Her accident was still fresh in his mind. Seeing her lying there in the dirt, her head bleeding and her chest barely moving still haunted him. Part of him still blamed himself. And knowing her and her recklessness he wanted to be with her even more, terrified of losing her forever. He glanced behind him at Sam, her face was a mixture of confusion and.. nervousness? So did she feel the same? He was about to find out.
Sam was being pulled toward the barn by Jake so quickly she had to trot to keep up with him. She was confused, nervous and slightly giddy. Jake liked her? The way he'd been acting seemed to tell her that, but Jake was hard to read. Maybe he was mad not embarrassed by how his brothers acted. She was worried now. She hoped he wasn't mad. She really didn't like when Jake was mad. She felt so lost when he wouldn't speak to her after all that stuff with Kit. She bit her lip. She was about to find out what this was about.
They walked into the barn, Jake slowing down. He brought her into an empty stall so that if someone came if they could hide easier. He really didn't want to be interrupted or embarrassed any more tonight. He grabbed Sams other hand and entwined their fingers together. He looked at her, her face was down, staring at the groun
"Hey, Brat, look at me." Jake said softly. Her head slowly came up, her light brown eyes questioning, she was still blushing profusely. "I need to tell you something."
Sam stared into Jakes deep brown eyes. His voice was lower and deeper than she had ever heard. He had a look in his eyes she'd only seen when she was crying. She soon realized his face was only inches from hers. Her eyes flicked down to his lips for a split second before coming back to his. His mouth twitched, he resisted smirking, which was good. Otherwise she might've socked him in the arm. If she could get her hand free.
"Really, and what would that be?" Sams voice came out small and nervous sounding. Damn! Why did her voice have to betray her feelings?
Jake smiled at her voice. Then he realized she was waiting for him to reply. His mouth went dry. Now he was supposed to tell her how he felt. Well shoot, how was he going to do this? Sam watched his eyes, she giggled when he seemed to be lost for words. He smiled when she giggled. He just got an idea. Not very many words needed.
"Well, I don't really know how to say it.. Not really.. so.. maybe, I could show you?" Jake said softly watching her face carefully. Then he brought his face down slowly, his lips softly brushing against hers. Sams eyes widened. Her confusion disappeared and was replaced with astonishment. When Jake opened his eyes to gauge her reaction he chuckled softly.
"Y-you just… kissed me." She stated with surprise. He eyes were locked onto his, she was filled with surprise and she was oddly giddy. She wanted him to kiss her again.
"Yes, Brat, I did." He laughed softly, watching her eyes. " You okay with that or should I not do it again?" he tensed suddenly, worried she'd say the later.
Sam felt Jake tense and she smiled softly.
"No, you can do that anytime you want." She giggled, letting go of his hands and sliding them around his neck, bringing herself closer to him.
Jake smiled, feeling the relief wash over his body, he relaxed and bent his head again to kiss Sam. This time it wasn't just a brush against the lips,. He was trying to tell her everything he felt for her into that one kiss. Their mouths moved together as if they were made to kiss each other. He wrapped one arm around her waist and brought her against him, she sighed, his other hand came up to bury itself in her auburn hair. He couldn't believe how good it felt to kiss Sam.
Sam couldn't believe Jacob Ely was kissing her. He was so shy, she was amazed that this was happening. She sighed as she felt him press her against him. Her fingers slid through his black hair. This was really happening. She couldn't believe it. She laughed against his mouth as he pressed her against one of the stalls wall. He took his hands away from her body to brace them on both sides of her shoulders. She pulled back a little to look at him.
"Brat…" she heard him growl softly.
"C'mon Jake, it's our first kiss. We can't get too carried away.." she murmured against his neck. "People are probably looking for us anyways."
"Mmmmm, I guess you're right… for once, " Jake mumbled while kissing her jaw."Maybe we should go back, I need to talk to your father any-"
Jake broke off when he heard a low whistle a few feet from him. He and Sams heads jerked up and looked towards the door of the stall they were in. what they saw made both of their faces burn.