Chapter 10
Even though Flick wasn't on roundup, Linc Slocum was. Sam couldn't stand the man and she didn't trust him a bit. Whenever he was around, she felt that he was watching her as if she'd lead him to the Phantom. Even if they weren't on the same nighthawking shifts, he'd somehow show up on hers and try to engage her in conversation.
Luckily Jake saw and understood what was going on and always managed to stay close to Sam when Linc was around. Linc would smirk and the two friends could hear the man mutter nasty things about their relationship under his breath. Sam would blush and Jake would look like he wanted to smash Linc's face in. Jake's brothers were always on the shifts with Sam and Jake and kept Jake from actually doing it.
"Why is Linc on roundup and not Jen?" Bryan asked Sam.
Sam was riding drag and Bryan had come back to keep her company for awhile. They both knew he was also keeping Linc away from her.
"Jen's mom likes to go visit relatives while the men are gone," Sam told him. "She doesn't want to go alone so she drags Jen along."
"I bet Jen likes that, huh?" Bryan said.
"Not much," Sam responded. "I think she'd rather do roundup even with Linc along rather than visit relatives."
"Who wouldn't?" Bryan laughed and Sam laughed along with him. Even though this was only her second roundup since being back, she wouldn't trade it for much.
They saw Jake coming towards them on Witch. He looked surprised to see Bryan with her and for a moment, Sam thought Jake would turn his mare around and leave. She felt Bryan glance at her and she could tell by his expression he had thought so too. Gosh, Jake Ely was weird sometimes.
"Hey," Jake said as he turned his mare to walk with them. "I didn't realize you had company."
"Yeah, you know I can't talk to more than one person at a time," Sam retorted. She heard Bryan snort.
"Funny," Jake told her.
He made Sam feel bad.
"Sorry," Sam murmured.
Jake's eyes met hers. "It's okay, Brat," he said, emphasizing the nickname.
Bryan snorted again.
Both Jake and Sam gave him a look. Bryan only looked more amused.
"I'll let you two work this out," Bryan told them, pulling Rocky back and loping off. They could hear his chuckle as he rode away.
"I am sorry," Sam looked over at Jake.
"It's okay," he said again, not using the nickname this time.
Sam's mouth quirked and Jake gave her a lopsided grin.
"Hey, do you want to go and water the horses with me this evening?" Jake asked.
"Sure," Sam responded.
"Maybe we could go wading in the water while we're there," Jake suggested.
"Jake Ely, every once in awhile you do have a brilliant idea," Sam laughed.
"Good to know," Jake laughed with her. The two smiled at each other, looking forward to cooling off in the water.