Chapter 11
Sam rode George into the Three Ponies yard. It was a Saturday and even though it was winter, it was a bright, sunny day. She had wanted to see the mare that was pregnant with Jake's foal.
Princess Kitty, the mare pregnant with the foal that would belong to Sam, was nice and round. Sam was getting really excited and hoped that her foal would be a good one. She had asked Jake if he would help her train it and he had told her that he would.
"Hey Sammy," Bryan came out of the barn as Sam pulled George up.
"What's Jake doing?" Sam looked into the round pen, seeing Jake with the horse that his dad had bought for Kit to practice riding broncs. Everyone had thought the horse wouldn't make a good saddle horse.
"He's been training it," Bryan told her, pride for his brother in his voice. "Dad said he could have any money he made when he sold it."
"Wow," Sam had had no idea that Jake was doing this.
"Hey Brat," Jake's eyes flicked to hers when she dismounted from George to look through the rails of the pen.
"You didn't tell me," Sam sounded hurt.
She looked up and waved as Bryan said goodbye to her and started towards the house.
"Hang on," Jake told her, turning back to the horse.
He sent the horse around the pen again with a flick of the long line he was holding. The horse loped around, Jake turning with him as he did. Sam saw the horse cock an ear in Jake's direction before lowering his head and making licking motions with his lips. She was fascinated with how the horse was reacting and wanted to ask Jake about it.
Jake quit sending the horse and turned his back. Sam put her hand to her mouth to stifle a gasp, hoping that the horse wouldn't trample her friend now that his back was turned. Instead, the horse stopped and then turned in Jake's direction, slowly walking up to him to stop behind him.
Jake turned his body slightly and rubbed the horse's neck. Sam could hear him murmuring to the horse, but not the words he used. Finally, Jake left the horse to come out of the pen and join Sam.
"Wow, that was great," Sam grabbed his arm in excitement.
"Thanks," Jake rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment, but she knew he liked her praise.
"Why didn't you tell me you were training him?" Sam asked.
"Because if I failed, I didn't want to hear about it," Jake said honestly.
"I wouldn't make fun of you," Sam was hurt.
Jake met her eyes and nodded slowly.
"Will you be able to ride him?" Sam wondered.
"Soon," Jake nodded.
"Will you keep him?" Sam was full of questions today.
"Nah," Jake shook his head. "I'll have Fancy's foal to train."
"What's his name?" Sam asked.
"Banjo," Jake answered.
"He's a nice horse," Sam murmured, smiling up at him. Jake nodded.
"Can I see your mare?" Sam asked. "Kitty is really big."
"Fancy is too," Jake left the long line draped over the railing and together the two friends went into the barn.
Jake pushed a hay bale closer to the stall so Sam could climb up and look inside.
"She's big too," Sam agreed after looking at the big Quarter Horse mare. "Wouldn't it be cool if they had their foals on the same day?"
Jake nodded.
"You're still going to help me train mine, right?" Sam asked him.
"Yeah, I told you I would," Jake sounded irritated.
Sam tilted her head at him, but he wasn't looking at her. In fact, Jake seemed to look everywhere but at her.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothin," Jake denied, his voice cracking slightly. He ducked his head and Sam understood. His voice was doing the up and down thing that his brothers' voices had done.
Jake was embarrassed. His voice had just started doing that and he was humiliated that it had happened in front of Sam.
"Wanna go for a ride?" Sam asked.
Jake's eyes met hers. He didn't see any humor or amusement in them at all. He sighed quietly in relief.
"Sure," Jake murmured.
Sam gave him a brilliant smile as he went to get his tack for his horse.