A/N: I know I said I'd post 2 chapters a day but the next one needs to be by itself so you'll have to wait until tomorrow night. Sorry. Thanks to my reviewers, I appreciate each one!

Trust Me

The next few weeks went by slowly for both Jen and Jethro. Jenny concentrated on her riding lessons and doing some updating to the buildings and grounds. Business was good with all the boarding stalls full and students on a waiting list for both individual and group riding lessons. Jenny was busy planning some group events for the fall and looking forward to possibly building an additional barn for more boarding space. Sam was a delight and made going home something to look forward to each night. He seemed to be growing right before her eyes and she tried to cherish each moment she had with him. The only negative in Jenny's world was the virtual absence of Jethro. He came to the stables to ride occasionally but not as often as he had before he learned about Sam. They were still friendly when they saw each other but he didn't hang around to watch her teach and he certainly didn't stick around for drinks after closing time. And, he didn't bring her coffee on Saturday morning anymore.

As for Jethro, the weeks were filled with work and the boat much like they had been before Jenny Sheppard came into his life. He spent an entire week chasing a killer all over Virginia and Maryland then the next week looking for a missing Marine. Work was the only thing that kept him from losing his mind because he missed Jen terribly. In the weeks after he met Sam, Jethro spent his free time in his basement brooding over the fact that he had chosen to give up a promising liaison with a beautiful redhead. He questioned himself all the time about his decision to stop seeing Jen simply because she was a mother. He still thought it was the right thing to do but that didn't make it any easier to swallow.

Summer would officially be over the next weekend when Labor Day arrived. Jethro's team was not on call and he had been promised nothing would interfere with that save the beginning of WWIII. He decided to take Nellie and go camping for a couple of days to unwind and maybe get Jenny off his mind for good. He had no idea how he would accomplish that but he was in need of some solitude that did not include a boat in a musty basement. He was at the stables early on Saturday morning and found David working in the barn.

"Good morning my friend. You've been kinda scarce around here lately."

"Work has been crazy. Too many bad guys out there."

Jethro dropped his gear outside Nellie's stall and led her outside to get her saddled. He wondered where Jen was but didn't want to ask. David came out and stood next to the fence where Jethro had tied Nellie.

"I thought maybe it had something to do with Jenny."

"Why would it?"

"Because you haven't been around to see her much. You were spending a lot of time out here until that Saturday you met Sam."

"She told you about that?"

"I was here when you left remember? I saw you two leaving. It's none of my business but you should know she's been pretty mopey around here since then."

"I didn't really need to know that."

"You do if you're the cause of it."

"What makes you think I'm the cause of how Jen feels?"

"Come on Gunny, it's me, your old bunkmate. I saw the two of you together. I'm not blind or stupid. You're taken with her; or at least you were. What happened? Sam scare you off?"

Jethro shook his head and gave his friend a tired smile. "No, he didn't scare me off. He's great. Very cute kid, very sweet baby. You know me, David. I'm not someone Jenny needs to get attached to. More importantly, Sam shouldn't get attached to me. I have a very bad track record with relationships and I don't want Sam or Jenny for that matter to be hurt when things go south as they inevitably do for me."

David watched Jethro tie on his bedroll and saddle bags. He had known Jethro for a long time and they had been through some nasty stuff together in the Corps. He knew about Shannon and Kelly and the three ex-wives. In his mind, Jethro was just exactly what Jenny and Sam needed but he understood why his friend was reluctant to pursue that. He was a good man and he probably honestly believed he would screw up the relationship and hurt them. David knew Jethro would do anything to avoid that.

"Listen my friend, I know all your ex-wives and believe me Jenny Sheppard is not at all like any of them. She's smart and independent and she can handle you with one hand tied behind her back. And, she's crazy about you Jethro. I don't understand it but there it is."

"What the hell do you know about it?"

"Hey, she talks to Sue and Sue talks to me. In fact, Sue talks to me quite a bit but that's another story for another time. I'm just giving you something to think about while you're out there sleeping on the cold ground tonight. Don't write this off, Jethro. You'd be making a big mistake if you do."

"Don't you have something to do besides give me dating advice?" Jethro tried his glare on David but it was a half-hearted attempt and failed miserably. Besides, David wasn't the least bit afraid of Jethro.

"Sure do. You and Nellie have fun and you think about what I said."

"Yeah, I'll do that. I don't plan to be back until Monday morning so don't look for me until then."

"Okay, be safe my friend."

Jethro watched David walk back into the barn then he untied Nellie and swung up into the saddle. As he rode past the corral headed for the trail he liked he saw Jen's vehicle pull into the parking lot. He hesitated for a moment then kept going into the woods.

Jethro loved being outdoors and he especially enjoyed exploring the little bit of wilderness this area provided in the midst of so many people. He loved his job of course, but sometimes all the traffic, vehicular and human, that went with the DC area got on his nerves. Being away from all that even for a couple of days was worth the mild discomfort of sleeping on the ground. It wasn't like he hadn't slept in much worse places in his career. At least there wasn't sand blowing into everything and the stench of oil fires clogging the air as there had been in Kuwait. It had taken years for him to get that smell out of his memory banks. That was a world away today. Today he was enjoying warm weather and clear skies and blessed silence.

All day Saturday Jethro wandered in the forest not paying much attention to where he was going. He had no concern about getting lost because he had been over every mile of this area many times in the last few years. This day he was looking for a new campsite as far into the woods as he could go. Finally, in the late afternoon he found the perfect spot; sheltered but with enough open ground to safely have a fire. He tethered Nellie to a tree where she could nibble on some grass. Then he gathered some stones to contain a fire pit. Next he found some kindling and cut up a dead log for the fire.

Sunday was clear and warm and Jethro spent the morning relaxing and hiking near his campsite. After a day in the saddle it felt good to stretch his legs. He tried not to think about anything but his immediate surroundings and enjoying the day but thoughts of Jen kept creeping in to distract him. He could close his eyes and see her very clearly; her lovely red hair, beautiful green eyes framed by thick lashes and her great figure in riding pants and a tee shirt. She was a beautiful package and Jethro couldn't help but think about how she'd look unwrapped. The brief touches they'd shared had given him just enough contact to know he would enjoy getting very close to her. But. . .what about Sam? What about his propensity to screw up every single relationship he'd had since Shannon died? As happy as he was to be rid of each of his wives when the time came, he still regretted the hurt he had caused them. He didn't want to do that to Jen and Sam.

About 2:00 Jethro cleaned up the campsite, saddled Nellie and rode off in search of another place to spend the night.

He decided to keep moving away from the direction of the stables and about two hours later he found the spot he was looking for. He set up camp and spent the evening and night in blessed solitude. Lying on his back looking at the stars Jethro decided two things. First he was going to call his father when he got home. He wanted to put their differences behind them and get back to where he knew they needed to be. This was something he had promised himself he would do right after Jasper was killed and he decided he had put it off long enough.

Second he was going to talk to Jen. He had given up trying to convince himself he didn't want to see her again. He had given lots of thought to what David had said and he agreed Jen was nothing at all like his ex's. He told himself they could go slowly and if things didn't work out Sam wouldn't have to get hurt. If he and Jen started out being honest with each other then maybe when she realized he wasn't the right one for her she wouldn't be so hurt. Of course that scenario didn't seem too good for him but Jethro was prepared for that ending. It was the only one he'd ever had.

Monday morning Jethro woke up with the sun and realized he was hungry and much in need of a hot shower. Eating granola bars and packaged meals was just barely okay when he was a young Marine but now that he was not young anymore two days of that was enough. After some barely warm coffee he doused the fire and got ready to head home. He made sure all the coals were out, threw some dirt on the fire and was soon headed to the stables. He spent a few minutes at the edge of the forest getting his bearings then pointed Nellie in the right direction. He figured he would be back in time for lunch and was hoping to find Jen in the office. He didn't take into account that he hadn't bathed or shaved in three days; he was just focused on getting back and finding out if she was still interested.

Jen wasn't in the office when he got back. David said she had called saying Sam wasn't feeling well and she needed to stay home with him because her housekeeper was out of town for the week. There were no classes because of the holiday so David was able to handle the feeding of the horses and helping any owners who came out to ride. Jethro was disappointed but when he got a look at himself in the bathroom mirror he realized maybe it was a good thing Jen wasn't there. He gave Nellie a good brushing and some extra feed then took time to talk to David before heading home.

"Do you know what's wrong with Sam?"

"Jenny said he was just congested and fussy. I guess her housekeeper is gone to a family wedding in North Carolina so Jenny was planning to bring Sam with her but decided to stay home. I'm sure he's okay."

"I guess she probably took him to a doctor."

"I'm sure she knows what to do Jethro. Give any thought to what I told you?"

"Yeah, I did. Maybe you're right. Jen's sure nothing like my ex's. You think she'd be interested in going to dinner sometime?"

"Very much so. You know, Jethro, you don't have to marry her; you could just take her out every now and then. You know, date her for a while. See how it goes. Do I really need to go over all this with you?"

"No, you don't. I think I can handle it from here but it's good to know I can come to you if I have questions. Now, what did you want to tell me about you and Sue?"

"Don't recall saying I wanted to tell you anything, my friend. But I will tell you that I'm taking her out to dinner tonight. She's a very impressive lady and I like her."

"Good for you. And good for her too. Well, I've been in these clothes long enough so I'm heading home."

"See ya, Gunny."

Jethro stopped at Five Guys on the way home for a burger and fries. The fries were almost gone by the time he pulled into his driveway. After devouring the hamburger and washing it all down with a beer, Jethro took a long, hot shower. Then he grabbed another beer and the phone and went to sit on the back deck and call his father. He knew the number by heart of course, it had been the family's phone number since they first got a phone. As he punched in the number he found himself just a little bit nervous. When he heard his father's deep voice for the first time in so many years he found it hard to speak. His father had said 'hello' for the second time before Jethro finally found his voice.

"Hello, dad."

"Leroy? Son, are you alright?"

"Yeah, dad I'm okay. How are you?"

"I'm just fine. I'm just so surprised to hear your voice. It's been such a long time."

"I know and I'm sorry about that."

"Me too."

They talked for almost an hour and when he said goodbye Jethro found he didn't want to hang up. He put the phone down and rubbed his hands over his face, wiping away the tears that had managed to escape. He had promised to go home and see his dad first chance he got; and to call again next weekend. As he made his way to the basement to work on his boat Jethro felt better, lighter and calmer than he had in many years.