Chapter 7

Jake turned Rocky in the other direction for a few laps. Nate and Quinn had gotten their horses out of the pasture and tacked them up while they waited.

"You can stop now," Sam's voice sounded urgent in front of him.

"What's wrong?" Jake's voice sounded concerned from behind her.

Oh gosh, how could she tell him her bladder was killing her? Darn Bryan's son and his constant kicking of her bladder.

"Nothing that, uh, going inside, uh…," Sam stammered and Jake smiled behind her, glad once again that he was a man. He hid the smile when she glanced back at him.

"Stay on him for a second," Jake told her as he got down. He ground tied the paint gelding before holding out his arms to Sam.

She looked down at his arms, then into his eyes, down at his mouth, then up again at his eyes before looking at his arms once again. Sam slid into them and they tightened around her as he held her.

Sam couldn't stop her hand from touching his cheek. She fought against leaning in and kissing him. Jake seemed to know it as he put her feet on the ground.

Her legs were wobbly and she ended up falling into him, his arms coming out to hold her up. She nodded at him when she got control of her legs and he slowly let go of her until she was standing on her own.

"Thank you," she looked up at him with a smile on her face.

Jake almost groaned. She was killing him.

"You're welcome," he said instead. "Promise me you won't try and ride alone."

He could tell she didn't like him telling her what to do.

"Brat, you have to have this baby," Jake reminded her under his breath.

Sam sighed and nodded.

"You're right," she said softly. "I do. Having Bryan's baby is worth any boredom I have to go through to get there. I promise."

Jake nodded and led Rocky to the pasture before turning the gelding loose and going in to catch Witch. Sam watched him, then happened to glance over at Quinn and Nate. Both had insufferable grins on their faces. She put her hands on her hips.

"What?" she demanded.

"Oh nothin'," Nate shook his head, but the grin didn't leave his face.

She glanced at Quinn and he had the gall to wink at her. Sam bit back a snort.

"Well, since I don't have anything else to do but watch my stomach get larger, I'll head in now," Sam complained.

"See you later, Sammy," Quinn called to her.

"Bye Sammy," Nate said.

"Bye guys," Sam waved. She hesitated before heading towards the house and looked at Jake as he was saddling his mare. He glanced over his shoulder at her, their eyes locking for a moment before Sam almost shook herself and left them.

Quinn barely waited for Sam to enter the house before he started in on Jake.

"Nice dance there, Jakey."

"What are you talking about?" Jake gave him a look as he swung up on Witch.

"The little dance you and Sammy are doing," Quinn said.

"I have no clue to what you are rambling about," Jake sniffed.

"Sure you don't," Nate laughed, riding Bramble next to Witch.

"I wasn't sure which one of you was finally just going to do it and kiss the other," Quinn teased.

"She's in love with Bryan," Jake bit out.

"Maybe, but she wants to kiss you," Nate pointed out.

Jake looked over at him and Nate nodded.

"Just grab her and do it," Quinn urged him.

Jake wasn't so sure. Even though Adam and now Nate and Quinn were telling him the same thing, he was reluctant until she gave him more signs that she was ready to kiss him. He didn't want to damage their relationship by pushing her.