Two years later 17 year old Samantha Forster ran out her door and down the steps towards the barn. A horse whinnied from the 10-acre pasture.
"One second Ace, I'm coming." Sam called running into the barn. Before she met Jake out at War Drum Flats, Sam had to sweep the feed room floor. Sam grabbed the broom, and quickly, but throughly. After she finished, Sam grabbed her tack, and slugged it out to the pasture. Ace was waiting at at the gate. Sam lead him out of the pasture, and pulled the bridle over his head, and halter. Sam held the reins as she threw the saddle on Ace's back and tightened the cinch. Then she pulled her hat onto her head and swung into the saddle. Ace chomped on the bit, excited to be off.
"Come on boy. Let's go." Sam turned Ace towards the bridge, and the bay gelding broke into a lope as soon as they crossed it.
As they galloped past the Phantom's hideaway Sam remembered how since they had brought him home from the rustler's, he hadn't let anyone, not even Sam into his valley. He feared all, even his beloved Sam.
Soon Sam saw a black horse and rider standing by the small lake left in the middle of War Drum Flats.
"Jake!" Sam called as she rode closer. Ace slowed as they approached the duo, and Ace watched the mare from his brown eyes. Witch had her ears back, and her teeth bared. Jake easily held her under control. The mare wouldn't attack unless Jake let up on his steady hand.
"Sam." Jake grunted, watching Sam from under his Stetson.
"So what did you want?" Sam asked. When Jake had called, and bluntly asked her to meet him, Sam had wondered why.
"Cuz I wanted to tell ya. I've decided to go to college. Only for a year though." Jake said. He watched Sam's reaction from beneath his Stetson. He knew that she had been a little sad when he had first said he decided to go to college. Then after she had been kidnapped Jake had put it off. He couldn't let her go knowing it could happen again. But since the white stud hadn't been around in a while, Jake thought she would be okay, and next year she would head off to college too.
"Oh Jake. I figured that's what you wanted to say. I'm sad, but I know I'd be sadder if it was me that was keeping you from going." Sam sighed. She knew this day would come eventually. She had hoped he would wait until next year when she went too, but I guess this was what he wanted.
"I know. You will watch Witch while I'm gone right." It was more of a statment than a request. Right from the start Sam had said she would watch the crabby black mare.
"Yes. Why wouldn't I?" Sam always figured she would watch the mare. She figured she was the only one Jake trusted with her.
"I donno. Don't baby her." Jake mumbled. He knew when he first decided to go away to college Sam had threatened to put floweres in Witch's mane and tail. Though he thought Witch would probably kick Sam into the next century. That was the only thing that worried him. That Witch would hurt her. Even though Sam had a way with horses, Witch could and would still put her in her place.
"I won't Jake. Now are we gonna ride or not?Dad's expecting us." Sam asked. She turned Ace, and he played with the bit in his mouth, knowing he was about to run.
"Yup." Jake said turned Witch. The cranky mare lunged forward into a gallop with the slightest touch of Jake's hand. Ace exploded into a gallop behind them. The small bay mustang kept up to the black quarter horse, but he couldn't pass her. They galloped across War Drum Flats, back towards River Bend Ranch. Only when the ranch came into view did they slow to cross the bridge.
As they stopped at the hitching rail, they both dismounted and tied their horses in silence. No one said a word as they cleaned their horses, and turned them out into the corral near the barn. Since Tempest was out with the pasture horses, and Sunny was with the Phantom, the corral was empty.
"Jake." Wyatt said as they walked into the kitchen and sat down. "Did you tell Sam?" Jake said sitting down, and watching Wyatt with his 'mustang eyes'.
"I told her half. Figured you wanna be around for the rest. In case she trys to kill me." Jake gave a half smile as Sam glared at both of them. Even in her 17th year Sam was still inpatient.
"Tell me!" she whined.
"Samantha. Well see since I'm going away, your gonna have to break the horses." Jake said. Both Wyatt and Jake knew Sam hated the way they broke in horses.
"Good now I can do it my way." Sam said crossing her arms and grinning.
"Nope. Sam your doing it my way. I'm your boss now." Wyatt said looking at his daughter.
"Too bad. I'm not doing it. My way or no way." Sam hissed. She glared at her father and he glared back. Sam forgot that Jake was even in the room.
"Fine." Wyatt said. Sam almost gasped. She had never won a stare off between her and her dad. Jake grunted and Sam turned to look at him.
"What!?" She asked.
"Nothin'." Jake grumbled. He stood and in two swift steps he grabbed his jacket and Stetson off the coat rack. He motioned with a nod of his head that Sam was to follow. Sam rolled her eyes, and followed her almost 20 year old best friend out the door. Jake walked towards the barn, and continued to walk down the aisle and into an empty stall. Sam rolled her eyes, and followed him.
"What?" She asked glaring at him. She couldn't see his eyes since they were beneath his Stetson, and his face showed no emotion.
"Brat, I'm leavin tomorrow." Jake said. He watched her beneath his hat, as her face changed abruptly.
"Why didn't you tell me." Sam glared at him. She could feel tears welling in her eyes, but she told herself not to cry.
"Figured you would feel better if I told ya the day before." Jake said rubbing the back of his neck. He knew Sam was upset. He hated to see her upset.
"Oh Jake. I..I..I can't do it. I can't let you think that I don't care. Jake. I don't want you to go." Sam felt the tears start to roll down her face. She threw herself at him, in a huge hug.
"Sam." Jake said right before she hugged him. Jake's body seemed to take over his brain. He wrapped his arms around her waist, and held onto her as she started to cry. Jake could feel her whole body shaking. Sam pulled back suddenly. Jake looked at her from beneath his hat. Her face was red, her eyes puffy. Jake leaned forward slightly, his hands still on her waist. He had never felt this way with another girl. Sure he had dated a handful, but Sam could flip his heart in an instant. Before Sam could do anything, Jake kissed her.