uthor's Note: I'm so sorry I let this linger unfinished for so long. I've had this chapter outlined for months, but neither my muse or my real life would cooperate with me in writing it. On the rare occasions I did find to write, my muse demanded I work on my Iron Man/Spiderman story. Not to mention, my muse didn't like anything I'd outlined and went in a totally different direction as I wrote. I hope this last chapter is at least satisfying.

Thank you to everyone who posted reviews and comments - both about the story itself and asking me to update it. Knowing my readers were enjoying the story actually helped to get my muse active.

CHAPTER 9

Sammy and Leah had settled into their seats on the train. During the hour since they'd left the station on their way back to their last year of school. They were chatting about the events of their summer spent in Four Corners.

"I still can't believe Michael let you get away with that," Leah said.

"If JD and Casey hadn't shown up when they did, I don't think I would have." Sammy smiled at the memory from their picnic at the pond with Michael Langdon. "It really was an accident, you know."

"If you say so." Leah giggled. "I don't think Michael believed you when you tried to convince him of that."

Two weeks prior . . .

Michael Langdon glanced up as he tied three horses to the hitching post in front of the Larabee house. His horse had a picnic basket packed by the hotel restaurant tied behind its saddle. Another horse, the one Chris Larabee kept for Sammy's use, was carrying an old blanket. The third horse was one Michael had borrowed from the livery for Leah's use.

He had been surprised when Sammy had accepted his invitation to a picnic at the pond. Leah was going as their chaperone. Michael knew that this outing would be one of his few chances to court Sammy before she returned to school back east, and he'd not wanted to miss out on it.

As he glanced up, he wasn't surprised to see Chris Larabee sitting in a rocking chair by the front door. The man set aside the large knife he'd been sharpening. He stood and moved to the open doorway, where he said something Michael couldn't quite hear, before taking his seat and resuming sharpening the knife. Michael swallowed hard at the implied threat posed by that lethally sharp metal.

"Sammy and Leah should be out shortly," Chris said. "I don't suppose I have to tell you to treat those girls like the ladies they are?"

"No, sir, you don't," Michael replied, his voice strong.

He was saved from having to make further conversation when Sammy and Leah came out of the house. Sammy was dressed in the loose fitting denim pants and shirt she preferred while riding. Leah hadn't gotten used to the idea of wearing britches, so she'd opted for a split riding skirt.

She headed for her horse and allowed Michael to help her mount while Sammy went over to where Chris sat, still sharpening his knife. She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "You really didn't have to do that," she said, nodding toward the knife in his hand.

"I'll be the judge of that," Chris replied. He was proud of the young woman standing beside him, but it was still his duty to protect her. "Be careful." Sammy grinned then turned on her heel and made her way over to her horse. She ignored Michael's offer and climbed into the saddle without assistance.

The three riders carried on a friendly banter as they made their way to the pond. Once there, they wasted no time laying out the picnic. They enjoyed the fried chicken and potato salad supplied by the restaurant. It wasn't until they were dining on grapes and cheese that the food fight started. Leah made a sarcastic comment regarding Sammy's tendency to cause trouble with their house mother, and Sammy retaliated by throwing a grape at her friend. Soon, pieces of fruit and cheese were flying back and forth as the two young women began laughing, enjoying their game.

"Why are we wasting this on each other?" Sammy asked her friend as she tried to stop laughing and catch her breath.

"Good question," Leah replied.

With a grin, Sammy pulled the open basket toward her. She dug through the remaining dishes before she found a piece of chocolate case. Before he realized what she was planning to do, Sammy grinned mischievously and smashed the cake into Michael's face.

"Oh, you're going to pay for that," Michael growled as he wiped cake off his face with a cloth napkin. He stood and quickly pulled Sammy to her feet and over his shoulder. He slapped her upturned backside hard as he made his way toward the pond.

Sammy yelped at impact of Michael's hand on her backside. She was already regretting what she'd done. She should have known he wouldn't have found it as amusing as she did. "No, don't," she pleaded when she realized what Michael intended.

He stopped at the edge of the water. "Give me one reason why I shouldn't," he demanded.

"Because I'm sorry." Her apology was ruined by the giggle that escaped her.

"Really? You're going to laugh at a time like this?" He bounced her one his shoulder in an imitation of the movement he would make to toss her in the water.

"Please, I really am sorry." Sammy really didn't want to get wet.

Michael bounced her once again and grinned when she let out a short scream of protest. "Well, I suppose I could be a gentleman about this and let it go." He bent to set Sammy back on her feet. He straightened and started to turn to make his way back to the blanket, and the next thing he knew was landing in the water.

As he broke the surface of the water he heard both Sammy and Leah laughing hysterically.

He climbed out of the water and stalked toward the two, intending to exact his revenge - both girls would be as wet as he was before he was through.

"It was an accident, I promise," Sammy said on a laugh as she backed away from the approaching man.

"Funny, I don't believe you," Michael stated as he lunged for Sammy, his intended first victim. She dodged away, not realizing that Michael's lung was a ruse. He quickly caught her. Grasping her wrist, he began dragging her toward the pond with the intention of tossing her in.

The sound of horses approaching caused him to pause. Sammy took advantage of his momentary distraction to pull her wrist out of his grasp. She quickly moved back toward the blanket, putting some distance between them.

She shot a smug grin in Michael's direction as soon as she recognized the two riders heading in their direction. "You don't know how glad I am to see you," she said as JD and Casey rode into the clearing. The look Michael shot her clearly said that while she might have won that particular battle, the war had only just begun.

Present day . . .

Leah grinned at the memory. Unfortunately for Michael, he hadn't had the opportunity to carry out his threat before they'd left to return to school. She wondered just how long his memory was and whether he'd still be in Four Corners the next time Sammy returned home.

"I do have to say," Leah said as she settled back in her seat, "my summer spent in Four Corners was a lot more interesting than it would have been at home. I just hope Chris didn't write my father about some of the things I did." She could only imagine how her father would react if he learned of her misdeeds - the ones known and unknown. .

*** The End ***