Chapter 10

"Does he actually think…," Sam said to Jake.

"Where were you?" Jake asked, cutting her off.

"I went for a ride," Sam told him.

"All night?" Jake lifted an eyebrow at her.

"Are you my father now?" Sam snapped.

"No, but because I told your father I would come find you is the only reason the whole camp wasn't out as a search party instead of wrangling cattle," Jake answered. "He was pretty worried."

Sam sighed and nodded.

"I'm sorry," she flicked her eyes to his.

Jake gave her a nod. He gazed at Slocum's retreating back then back down at Sam. Witch shifted under him.

"Come on, we better get back," he said.

Witch started walking forward and Sam urged Ace up next to them. For once the big black mare didn't pin back her ears and try to bite Ace.

"Do you remember the Phantom?" Sam asked suddenly, surprising Jake.

"'Course," Jake responded. "Especially when I had part of my leg bit off by him."

Sam had forgotten that. Of course, she forgot a lot since her accident.

"I saw him," Sam looked up at him.

"I'm sure it's not the same horse," Jake said.

"No, I'm sure it's not," Sam agreed.

Jake heard something in her voice and looked into her eyes.

"It's Blackie," Sam blurted out.

Jake reined in Witch in surprise. Sam stopped Ace next to him and nodded.

"Are you sure?" Jake asked.

"Positive," Sam told him. "I was sorta horsenapped last night. He and Ace took off with me."

"To where?" Jake challenged.

Sam remained still. Even though she knew Jake could track where she had been, she wasn't going to come right out and tell him.

"You know I could turn around and find out within minutes," Jake warned her.

"I know, but you won't," Sam looked up at him.

"That sure?" Jake gave a harsh laugh.

"Yes I'm sure," Sam told him. If he wanted to be friends with her he wouldn't. Sam figured this was a defining moment in their redeveloping friendship.

"Good thing I'm too busy," Jake said. He nudged Witch forward again.

Sam gave a sigh of relief and followed him.

"If Blackie is the Phantom, there are a couple of things you need to know," Jake glanced down at her.

"What's that?"

"He has a large scar on his neck," Jake told her. "Slocum put it there."

"What!"

"Slocum wants nothing more than the Phantom as a trophy," Jake went on. "He tried to hire me to track him. He won't stop at anything to get him, including using you as bait."

Sam was furious but just nodded.

Then she realized that Jake hadn't continued.

"What else?" she asked. "You said a couple of things."

Jake pulled up Witch again and Sam actually flinched at the look he gave her.

"I will not let that horse hurt you again," Jake practically growled. "I will stick to you like glue if I have to, but he will not hurt you again."

Sam gasped.

"Who do you think you are?" Sam yelled at him, causing Witch to pin back her ears.

Besides the person who loves you? Jake thought to himself. He didn't nor would he say that out loud. Neither of them was ready for that. They might never be ready for that declaration.

"Like glue," Jake repeated, before spurring Witch into a lope away from her.