Chapter 7
Jake didn't sleep much that night and so he went back to the hospital and snuck into Sam's room. He sat in the chair next to her bed, watching the machines as they beeped, showing her vital signs. He knew enough to know that she was doing well.
He held her hand as she slept and shut his own eyes. Now that he knew she was okay, he relaxed and was able to get a few hours sleep.
"Jake?" Sam's tired voice woke him.
"Hey," he smiled at her, not letting go of her hand.
"Is it that late already?" Sam wondered.
"No," he shook his head. "I couldn't sleep last night so I snuck in."
Sam snorted. "Guess I'm the lucky one to have a stealthy boyfriend, huh?"
Jake smiled briefly. Sam tilted her head at him wondering what was going on.
"Do you remember what I asked you when I was home for Christmas?" Jake asked.
Sam blushed.
Jake was startled and then he started to laugh.
"You asked me a lot of things then," Sam reminded him as she giggled.
"Brat, you are priceless," Jake managed to say.
"Maybe you need to be more specific?" Sam wondered and Jake continued to laugh.
"I needed that," he said a few minutes later. He shook his head at her and she gave him a saucy grin.
"I do love you, Samantha Anne," Jake told her. "However, I asked you to marry me if you remember."
"Oh yeah," Sam smiled. Then she frowned. "You're not taking it back now are you?" Her heart rate increased and the beeps came more often.
"What?" Jake asked, surprised. "Of course not."
He saw her relax and her heart rate dropped back to normal. Jake dug the ring out of his pocket and held it between his thumb and index finger and wiggled it.
"Jake!" Sam dared to breathe. It was a three stoned diamond ring and it was so beautiful it took Sam's breath away. Her eyes flew to his and he met them. "It's too much."
"Will you shush?" Jake rolled his eyes and let out a longsuffering sigh.
Sam raised her eyebrows at him and he grinned.
"It's not too much," he argued. "I used some of the reward from Slocum."
Sam looked at him. "You found that stallion already?"
Jake's face changed so quickly Sam was shocked and a little bit afraid. The ice in his eyes scared her. Then it was gone.
"No," he said between clenched teeth. He let out a breath. "I meant for the mare."
"Oh," Sam said.
"Will you accept my ring?" Jake asked, his voice once again soft and caressing. "I want to marry you, Brat."
"I'm already going to marry you, Jake," Sam reminded him. "But yes, I will accept your ring if giving me a ring makes you feel better."
She held out her left hand to her and he slipped it on her finger. He entwined his fingers with hers afterwards and turned her hand and kissed her palm. They looked at each other for a few minutes exchanging many messages of love between them.
"Good thing it was my right arm I broke, huh?" Sam teased. She almost gasped at the iciness in Jake's eyes before he blanked them out again. "What's wrong, Jake?"
"Nothin'," Jake assured her. "I'm just glad you're all right and agreed to be my wife."
"Jake, I agreed months ago," Sam said. "Are you afraid I'll change my mind?"
"No," Jake shook his head. "Or I hope not."
He saw the concern in her eyes.
"I just feel it's time," he shrugged.
"Okay," Sam watched him carefully, not exactly believing his reasons. "I do love my ring though."
"I love you," Jake countered.