Chapter 2:

The sharp Doctor looked up from his clipboard and smiled softly at Jake. "He's going to be fine, he sustained a small bump to the head but miraculously there's no internal damage," he said. "His mother saved his life."

Jake let out a sigh as he stared back at a fragile Sam who sat in the waiting room, dazed. Cody was going to be alright. He looked back at the doctor, "Thank goodness," he mumbled.

The doctor could see the stress in the young mans face although he tried hard to hide it. He cleared his voice, "I would like to keep him overnight just for observation of course but I'd say by tomorrow afternoon he can go home." He stared behind Jake's shoulder at the boy's sister who sat waiting in distress. "Son," he said catching Jake's eye, "take her home and let her rest. She's in traumatic shock. The boy will be okay here, I can guarantee he's in safe hands."

Jake nodded, taking the doctors word. He walked back to Sam and could see the fear in her eyes.

Sam stood up hesitantly as Jake approached. Please, she begged in her mind, let him be okay. Silently he nodded at her, Sam understanding the meaning without him having to speak. That's how they always communicated, their friendship had it's own language without words. She let out a huge sigh as she put her hands on her head. She cried. She cried for the sadness of her parents and Gram. She cried for the life they left behind.

Jake motioned for her to sit down as they did she leaned into his chest and sobbed. Jake put his arm around her and pulled her close. "He's going to be okay," he whispered in her ear. Sam kept crying and Jake knew she grieving the lives lost and the life saved at the same time. Moments later Maxine walked into the waiting room. She saw Jake and Sam sitting close together as Jake caught her eye. She approached them, her eyes red with crying as well.

Jake repeated what the doctor had told him to his mother.

"Sam," she said placing a hand on the young girls. "I'm-I'm so sorry this happened." Sam didn't glance up from Jake's t-shirt she was soaking with her tears. She huddled in his chest, wanting to escape this nightmare. This couldn't be real.

Jake saw Maxine's worried look and began to nudge Sam gently until she looked up at him. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying so much, her hair hung wet from the rain. Gone was the happy-go-lucky girl he had saw hours ago at her graduation. His heart ached for her.

"We need to get you home to rest," he began.

She pulled back from him. "I'm not leaving my brother!" she growled, looking longingly at Jake and Maxine. "I can't he's all I have left!"

Maxine looked at Jake who was staring sadly at Sam. She could tell both Sam and Jake were tired from the day they were having, Sam from her grief over her family and Jake from sticking by her side, not leaving her for a minute.

"Why don't you guys go on home to rest, even if it's for a few hours." she suggested. Sam opened her mouth to protest but not before Maxine finished "I'll stay here, just in case there's any news with Cody."

Sam didn't want to leave but felt more comfortable knowing someone she trusted was here. She was getting tired but she was heartbroken. She couldn't sleep with all the thoughts running through her head. Her parents where dead! Her Grandmother gone. No one would be home. Home, she thought. It would never be the same. Did she want to go back there? To so many memories that would cause her pain? She squirmed in her chair.

"I guess that would be okay," she said shyly. Jake silently thanked his mother as they slowly made their way out of the hospital and to the truck. The car ride home was silent. Sam deep in thought of sorrow. She tensed as they pulled onto her road. Without taking his eyes off the road Jake reached over and held Sam's hand. Still in her daze she squeezed his hand back and looked over at him.

"I know you're scared," he said softly. "It's going to be okay."

Sam kept staring at him, her eyes sore from all the tears she had cried. He had always knew what she was thinking and how to comfort her. She gulped as they bumped over the bridge and Jake rolled into the driveway. The sky was turning dark into night and the horses in the 10 acre pasture pricked up their ears at the sound of the vehicle. Ace neighed longingly at them and it broke Sam's heart. She saw the ranch hands Dallas, Pepper, and Ross come out of the bunk house with sadden looks. Jake or the Ely's must have called to tell them the terrible news. The little white farmhouse that always looked so bright and cheerful now brought coldness to her heart. There was no Gram in there baking her famous pecan peanut butter cookies, no Brynna hushing a fussy baby, and certainly no Wyatt settling to his favorite rocker to watch TV after a long days work on the range.

"I can't do this," she whispered. Jake squeezed her hand back and met her with his gentle "Mustang Eyes".

"You are the strongest girl I know, Samantha Anne," he said reassuring her. "You can get through this, I know it's going to be rough but you have to promise me you'll keep fighting, for your brother's sake at least." Or for me, please Brat, he thought. I can't loose you too.

Jake was right, she thought. She took a deep breath and stepped out of the truck, shaking. She still felt sick to her stomach as she walked up to the porch. Jake stepped off to the side to talk to the hands while he gave Sam some privacy. They mumbled their cowboy way of sorrow's to each other, all confused as to how this could have happened and all so fast.

Sam couldn't breath as she entered the kitchen. All was quiet but in her head she could hear her Gram's oven going off and the sound of the TV in the next room, as if all were still right. All the memories came flooding back, surrounding and drowning her into a dark depression. Everything had been fine this morning, the house full of chatter and laughs. Now all was silent except for the hum of the refrigerator. She collapsed on the couch and cried for thirty minutes until she heard Jake knock the dirt off his boots before stepping inside. She rubbed her face, she was a mess. Jake entered the living room and sat by her. He rubbed the back of his neck, unsure of what to say. Sam sniffled as she tried to control her sobbing. Her eyes were half open, from being both swollen and exhausted.

"You don't have to stay, you know," she started. Jake just looked down at her and saw a beautiful but sad delicate girl. I can't leave you alone, he thought. He just wanted to scoop her up in his arms but held back the urge. She was probably wanting some space from him after the day they had.

"Hey," Jake said softly. "Why don't I run you a bubble bath before I go out and help the guys feed the horses." he suggested. Sam's face flushed.

"How could I forget about the animals?" she screeched, her sad eyes widening. Even after everything that had happened she still had a responsibility she committed to the animals.

Jake held up his hands in defense, "Brat, just breath. It's okay, the hands and I will take care of it." He slowly backed out of the room and went upstairs leaving Sam on the couch, hugging her sides. She heard him moving about then heard the water running. He came back downstairs and leaned against the door frame.

"You ready?" he asked. Sam just nodded, not looking at him. She got up and slowly made her way to the stairs. Jake let her be as he exited the house and went out to the barn. Sam watched him go from her bedroom window. She laid out some fresh pajamas in her room and made her way to the bathroom. Stripping down she laid out a towel on the sink and got in the tub. The bubbles covered her body, filling her scenes with the smell of Lavender. She sighed and leaned her head back, resting against the wall. Silent tears fell from her eyes for 10 minutes before she sunk down further in the tub. She held her breath and slipped under the warm water. Why, she thought, why couldn't you take me with them? Why was God punishing her? She couldn't do this, she couldn't live without her family, she didn't know how to. Her breath was shortening now as she struggled under the water. Was there any point to stay here on this earth without them? What was so great she had to live for now?

As if by answer she felt vibrations and shouting. She pulled herself out from under the water, gasping for air, crying.

"Samantha!" Jake called outside banging on the door, "Are you alright?"

"I'm okay," she lied quietly, sniffling. She heard Jake hesitate, before finally he said "You sure, Brat? Do you need anything?" Sam was getting out of the tub. "If you don't mind, could you start some tea?" She asked. She hadn't eaten all day, only the eggs and bacon Gram had cooked her for breakfast at 5 am which felt like a lifetime ago. But she still felt stick to her stomach. Maybe some tea would help. Plus this would give her an excuse to let Jake out of an awkward situation seeing her in her towel exiting the bathroom. Once she heard him go back downstairs she darted to her room. She put on some flannel pajama shorts and an oversized t-shirt she got from a rodeo years ago. When she went downstairs she found Jake in the kitchen sitting in his normal spot at the table. Sam walked over, grabbed a cup from the cabinet, and poured her tea.

"Thank you," she said silently as she sipped the tea. "Not just for this Jake, for everything you've done for me today. For sticking by my side and never leaving me…" Her voice faded off, lost in thought.

She just doesn't know how beautiful she is, thought Jake. Even in her pajamas, her skin was tanned from the summer sun and her long hair was drying in loose auburn waves. He noticed how the shorts hugged her hips, curving in places Jake hadn't noticed before. She was no longer the little girl who teased him to race her across the playa. This girl was now a woman in front of his eyes. Her green eyes started at him intently, still sad but he could read how grateful she was for him.

Jake got up to leave and just shrugged at her thanks. He brushed it off as no big deal but knew she would do the same for him if he was in the same boat. "I unplugged the phone for awhile, it was ringing off the hook. When you're ready, tomorrow we need to talk about, uh, the arrangements for the funerals and such." He rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortable in the moment. Sam only nodded and started at the floor. Jake turned to leave when he heard her small squeak.

"Stay," she pleaded. He stopped in the front door frame and looked over his shoulder. Her bangs hid half her face but she looked so small in that moment Jake would do anything for this girl. She was his Brat. She always would be. She was broken and needed him.

"Just till you fall asleep," he said turning around walking back through the kitchen.

Sam rolled her eyes, "I'm only going to try to nap, I have to get back to the hospital to check up on Cody." She turned off the kitchen light and went into the living room, Jake following close by. She grabbed a blanket and laid on the couch.

Jake knew she was so exhausted she wouldn't make it back to the hospital tonight and he wasn't going to wake her and make her go either. He texted his mom to see how Cody was doing. A few seconds later she replied back saying he was still good, nothing new, and he was still coming home tomorrow as planned. Luke had brought her an overnight bag and she planned on staying at the hospital so Sam could rest at home. Jake gave a small smile. His mother always knew how to help the most in all situations. He would be forever grateful for her nurturing. A few minutes later Sam nodded off to sleep. Jake watched her sleep for thirty minutes, thinking about the day's events. It had been the worst day ever. He was sadden knowing she was heartbroken and there was nothing he could do. He got up and walked over to Sam, sleeping peacefully under the blanket. She had fought sleep all day and had finally accepted it as it loomed over her. Jake scooped her up, blanket and all, and carried her up the steps. The house was all quiet as he laid her in the bed and tucked her in. She rolled over, eyes still closed, and grabbed his hand as he turned to go.

"Stay" she said again. "Don't ever leave me." Jake froze, still holding her hand. She pulled him down into her bed as he grumbled and got under the covers with her. Sam pressed her back against his chest and wrapped his arms around her, feeling safe and protected. She drifted off to sleep, unable to control her urge to stay awake.

Jake felt uncomfortable, expecting Wyatt to burst in any moment and ask what he was doing in bed with his daughter. But he knew Wyatt was gone, forever, and now someone had to protect his little girl. He smelled her fresh shampoo as he rested his chin on top of her head. She fit perfectly into his arms, as if made for him. He felt himself relax. "Never, Brat." He whispered. "I'll never leave you," he promised.