sorry that this update took so long:( I actually took a really long time to write. I had testing, graduations, parties, and loads of events. hope ya'll enjoy it!:)
"Happy birthday brat" I said as I saw Sam. "Thanks jake!" She smiled as she tacked Ace. "What's your plans for today? I thought you already sold the colt you just trained? Dad got you ridin fence?"
"Nah. Decided to stop over for your birthday. Plus, I had to give you something. " reaching into my saddle bag I grabbed the package and handed it to her.
She unwrapped the book carefully, then read the cover aloud. "Mustangs for Brats" the cover was originally "mustangs for dummies", but I scratched it out and put brat for a personal touch. I also added something in the back that I hope she wouldn't find until later. Much later.
Knowing her, she's much too busy to read a whole book in less than two months so I think I'm good for a while. I hope.
"Thanks jake. I will definitely find time to read a little every few days." She gave me a one armed hug, much to my dismay, and went to put the book upstairs. She came back out and my curiosity got the best of me.
"Where you headin?"
"No where in particular. Just riding out. Maybe see some mustangs.." Her voiced trailed off. Mustangs, meaning the phantom. I was about to tell her to stay away from the darn stallion, but it was her birthday and I was NOT going to ruin her birthday. "Just be careful okay?" She nodded and I could tell she was pleased with my restraint. She mounted ace and started at a trot. "See you tomorrow jake!",she called over her shoulder.
Tomorrow? What was tomorrow again..? Oh! That's right, I promised Preston I would start training faith, the blind filly, under a saddle. Great. At least Sam will be there...
—
"She's doing great. Really trusting for her condition. " I told Preston as I dismounted faith. "She'll be a great horse." Sam chimed in.
We waved our good-byes and mounted up to head back to riverbend. We raced, which I won, and soon arrived.
"Come on brat, just reach over and rub her neck. " she started to, but was hesitant. "She isn't gonna eat you with me on her back Sam. If I wanted to be mean, I could hop off as soon as you got close, but I really don't feel like cleanin blood off my tack today." She rubbed witch's ebony neck and smiled. "You know jake, I'm quite surprised she let me this close even with you on her back!"
I chuckled and dismounted slowly, giving Sam enough Time to get out of the way of witch's teeth. We went inside and Sam darted up the stairs. That's weird. Oh well grace Cooked chilli... I washed up and went to watch the news with Wyatt before dinner.
" jake, please go upstairs and tell Sam that suppers ready. " grace said. I nodded and climbed the stairs.
"Brat," I said while softly knocking on her bedroom door," dinners ready." "Okay! I heard her reply. I heard the sound of a drawer closing, then she came out and we went downstairs to dinner. Wonder what she was doing..?
The next morning, I woke up and did my chores early. When I walked inside mom already had breakfast on the table and half was gone.
"Bryan, you owe me ten bucks! I win!"
Quinn laughed as he mocked his twin. Those two will never grow up I guess.."fine." Bryan grumbled and pulled out his wallet. "I thought I told you two to stop betting with each other for money?" Mom reprimanded. "What'd they bet on today?" I asked her, not really sure if I wanted to know.
"You. Bryan said that you were probably still sleeping,whereas Quinn said you got up early and did chores before breakfast" "no no no mom, I also said WHY jakey got up earlier to do his chores.." Mom gave him a look that said " you're dead." "Quinn, why would that be..?" Quinn smiled a devilish smile,"we all know your just excited to go see Sammy. "
My face slammed shut. Free of any emotion. They all noticed the difference and besides a few mean looks from Nate and Bryan to Quinn, breakfast was silent. It's true though; I do enjoy being with Sam, but it's really bad to throw it in my face like Quinn does. I get the feeling that he has some feelings for her. But this IS Quinn and he changes girls every two weeks. Whatever he feels for her, I am not very concerned, he'll lose interest soon. After breakfast, I saddled witch and rode over to riverbend.
When I got there I noticed Sam in the ranch yard. I walked witch towards Sam and witch didn't hesitate. She knew what I wanted to do.
When witch was close enough to Sam, I held my hand out to her. She looked hesitant, but didn't argue. I pulled her up in front of me and kicked witch into a trot. We went around the ranch yard for a few minutes before I handed Sam the reins and slid off of the mare. As soon as my feet reached solid ground, witch threw a tantrum and Sam started sliding around. She held her own for a total of maybe 5 seconds before witch half-reared and Sam slid backwards out of the saddle and landed in the dirt on her butt. I tried hard not to laugh, knowing Sam would be mad, but a chuckle still escaped. Her cheeks turned rosy and I know she didn't like falling in front of me. I gave her my special smile mostly reserved for her. "I guess witch says today isn't a good day to practice, guess we can call it quits. "
"But jake, isn't it bad to give in to a horse's fit?" I just shrugged, and she gave up, knowing I ended the conversation. She stalked off into the barn.
I went into the house to get a drink of water and went outside to find her loping over the bridge on ace. I untied witch from the hitching post and set out at a trot and tracked ace's prints. After following the prints for a mile or so, I realized where Sam planned on going. Kicking witch into a gallop, I headed to the secret valley.
When I got to the valley wall, Sam and ace were no where in sight. I figured she was probably already inside. So, I dismounted witch and walked to the ledge where I helped her out of the valley right after the avalanche. I peered down to find her talking to the stud. She whispered something into his ear,his secret name I presume, and he nuzzled at her hair. I was surprised at his gentleness with her. He made a gesturing motion with his head towards his back. I saw her smooth her hands over her lost colts back as she got ready to mount. I shuffled my feet on the ledge and dislodged a few pebbles. They rained down and one made contact with her head. She looked up at me and I said "I don't think so Brat".
"Jake, you haven't been home all day."mom said at dinner.
"I went to sam's to practice her with witch, then went for a ride. " Quinn snickered but I didn't care because I was being very cautious to not let my feelings show on my face. Bryan gave him a look, but he rolled his eyes.
The next morning, I did my chores,after breakfast this time, and set out for riverbend. I went into the barn to get the new mare I was working with, but heard Sam's footsteps. I hurried and climbed up to the hay loft and hid behind a bale. I heard her slip into a stall. Probably Tempests. She was whispering sweet nothing's to her filly. I crept to the edge of the loft and looked down at her. She was writing in some book. A journal! I read the first paragraph but felt guilty, so I hopped down and scared her. She jumped and I have her my grin. "How much did you read!?" She yelped. "Relax brat, I only read the first few sentences. Only like a paragraph." "You better not be lying", she tried to glare at me but burst out in giggles. "See ya later Brat, gotta go work with StarFire" i said as I got the mare out of her stall and tacked her up. Star was a good mare, but when her rider would use a bit on her, she wouldn't trot. She would completely skip that gait and go into a smooth lope. With a hackamore, she was fine. Her trot was actually really smooth, but most riders use a bridle for more control over the horse. As we got in the round pin, star knew what we were doing. She walked at a nice pace, but when I gave the signal to trot, she went straight to a lope. I gently pulled back on the reins, but she stopped completely. I kicked her up, she walked, then a lope, tug on the reins, stop. Repeated for over an hour. Finally, she had gotten tired of the pattern and finally went into a jerky trot. It was reluctant, but she did it. I kept her at a trot for a few circles, then dismounted. I cooled her down, then put her in her stall and started for home on witch.
After dinner, I went into my room a was reading college brochures when I heard a soft knock on the door. "Come in" I called.
"Hey jakey, can we talk?" Nate asked as he shut the door behind him. "Um sure
I guess. What's up?"
"You still likin Sammy, lil brother?"
"Same as always Nate. What's it matter now?"
"Just over heard Quinn tellin Bryan that he's plannin on tellin Jen bout his feelings for Sam. We all know jens gonna tell Sammy..better start ownin up to your feelings jakey, or you just might miss your chance."
Nates always been the brother I'm closest to. Quinn's close to Bryan, I'm close to Nate, and kits gone in the rodeo circuit. I feel pretty comfortable with talkin to Nate, and that says a lot.
"Does he seriously like her? Or is this a week thing?"I asked cautiously.
"To be honest jakey, I don't know."
The next morning, I got up and did my chores at a normal time. I was NOT letting Quinn know how hard I was trying to get to Sam before him. This was ridiculous, I know, considering Quinn wasn't actually going to riverbend, but I couldn't help feeling like I had to get to her first.
After breakfast, I quickly tacked witch and rode over to riverbend. Sam was just finishing her chores as I loped over the bridge.
"Morning jake" her voice tinkled from the chicken coop. I touched the brim of my hat as a reply and she came out.
"Lemme get the eggs to gram and then ill give another go on witch." At least she sounded optimistic about this.
Soon she was up on witch, and just as soon, witch tried her best to get her off. She needn't try too hard.
Sam slide down, and landed in a cloud of dust. I thought she'd just hop back up like yesterday, but she stayed down.
"Sam! Sam are you alright? Sam.?" I rushed over, but she still didn't move. "Brat! I'm sorry Sam. It's okay you'll be okay.!" I was talking to myself more than to her as I checked her limbs to make sure they weren't broken.
I gathered her in my arms and ran to the house calling for Wyatt. Thank heavens he and the hands haven't ridden out yet.
"Jake! What happened?" Worry was evident on Wyatt's face. As I set her down on the couch, I gave him a rundown on what happened.
"Think she should go to the hospital?" I asked Wyatt.
"Nah. Go on upstairs wash up, and make sure you stay for lunch. I'm about to ride out, bein lates better than not goin out. "
I nodded and went upstairs to wash up. It wasn't near lunch time yet, but I figured Sam needs the day off, and I've been working hard. I think I deserved a movie day.
When I went downstairs Sam was sitting up. "Brat, you okay?" I asked rubbing the back of my neck. She could've been seriously hurt and I should've never let her get on witch, but I did. I felt ashamed, guilty.
Suddenly, Sam stood up chin held high,"jake, I'm fine!" She stomped her Foot in defiance as she spoke,"but I bet this'll teach you to never read my diary over my shoulder ever again!"
I was surprised. She wasn't hurt, she was acting hurt all along! That BRAT!
Instead of being mad that she scared me, I nodded and walked to the kitchen. Wyatt's chuckling didn't make me feel any better either.
The next day, my off day from riverbend, mom dragged me on a shopping trip in darton. Not the way Id wanna spend my day, but It had to be done.
After shopping for two hours, we had lunch, and headed home. I did the afternoon chores and washed up for dinner.
At dinner, Quinn looked like a scheming child. He looked like he did something mischievous. Mom finally asked him why he seemed so satisfied.
"Well mom, if you must know, I told a certain special girl's bestfriend how I felt about her. I just know she'll tell her friend." He grinned, obviously enjoying me squirming.
Mom turned kind of red and dad looked uneasy. "And Quinn,"mom started,"is this girl Sam, and the friend Jennifer kenworthy?"
Quinn looked down at his plate, trying to look humble. He failed and his grin gave him away. Mom didn't say another word, but shot him nasty looks.
I kept my face straight. Careful not to look like I care. Truthfully, I just hope Sam won't fall for Quinn's charm. But I'm more than likely kidding myself. What girl doesn't fall for Quinn? The ones who he ignores, that's who. And he definitely does not ignore Sam when he's around her.
The next day, I got up at my normal time, so not to call attention to myself. I ate breakfast quickly and quietly, then caught witch and headed to riverbend for work.
After working with StarFire until lunch, I worked with Sam and Witch.
"Okay Sam, you got her mind in the right frame. Put your heels down and sit deeper." Witch gave some half-hearted bucks. I could tell Sams confidence was dropping. "Don't let her intimidate you. You know horses Brat, and your good with them. Don't put up with her tantrum. " she responded by nodding and pulling the black Stetson on her head lower.
Finally witch settled down. They're doing much better, but I still wouldn't leave Sam alone with Witch.
"Your doing great brat."I smiled.
She beamed and replied"thanks jake. She is a handful though. By the way Where were you yesterday? I didn't see you on the range or anything.?"
"Ugh. Don't remind me. My mom made me go shopping" I frowned and she chuckled. "Shopping for what?" "Just things ill need for college" she raised an eyebrow,"getting started early dont you think?" I walked witch towards the river, and sat on a rock. Sam sat next to me.
"Moms idea. Says its better to get everything I need before people start buying everything. I don't really get It." She nodded in understanding. "She says we'll slowly get everything I need for my dorm this year. Little by little. I can't believe my senior years about start. To be honest I'm kinda scared." She looked kinda shocked. "Jake? Scared of senior year? Or scared of how quickly college is coming up?"
I chuckled a low chuckle, "both? I don't know. I just feel like I'm not ready to leave the ranch."
She looked me in the eye and said,"jake, your definitely ready. You've worked hard. Your ready."
I smiled. "I'm really gonna miss you brat. No matter what kind of stunts you pull me into." She giggled and lightly punched me on the shoulder. "Have you decided on a college yet?"
"No, not yet. Though I'm still looking. I'm trying to stay as close as home as possible. What about you? How do you feel about going into tenth grade?" Beside the rock we were sitting on, witch pulled at her reins. I gave her a stern look and she settled down. Mares..
"I think I'm ready. Kinda nervous, but in a good way" she looked up and gasped. "Oh! I gotta go jake! I'm meeting Jen for a short ride! See you tomorrow!" I faked a smile, like I didn't know what that ride was gonna be about. "Bye Sam. " she jogged off to tack up ace and I mounted witch. I looked back at Sam, then kicked witch into a smooth lope towards home.