Chapter 14
"I hear you had fun today," Jake told her on the phone later.
"I always have fun with your brothers," Sam reminded him with a laugh.
"Yeah, I know," Jake grumbled.
"Now come on," Sam cajoled him. "You know I have more fun with you."
"I know," Jake chuckled. "I wish I was there."
"I wish you were here too," Sam sighed.
"I'm talking about the cattle missing," Jake laughed.
"Jake!" Sam yelped and he laughed harder. "You're rotten."
"Me?" Jake asked, pretending to be shocked.
"I'd hit you if you were here," Sam told him.
"I have no doubt of it sweetheart," Jake laughed. Sam couldn't help the smile. She loved it when he laughed, even if she were the reason.
"Gosh, I miss you," Sam sighed.
"I crossed off another day," Jake reminded her.
"I know, but it's still not enough," Sam said.
"We'll have three days together," Jake responded.
"Parts of three days," Sam corrected. "Between our two ranches, we'll be busy."
"We'll see each other," Jake promised. "Though if this cattle stealing is still going on, I might be tracking."
"I'll come with you," Sam rushed to say.
"I might be camping out on the range as I track," Jake cautioned.
"You won't keep me warm at night?" Sam's voice became low and to Jake, very seductive. He groaned.
"Dammit, Brat," he growled out.
She heard his breath rush in and out as he tried to keep himself under control. Finally, he sighed.
"Sorry," Sam murmured.
"It's not your fault," Jake assured her. "I want you so badly all the time, it's hard for me sometimes."
Sam snorted and Jake chuckled.
"That's not what I meant, but yeah it is," he told her.
"We'll have a good reunion even if we're freezing out on the range," Sam said.
"I do love you, sweetheart," Jake was still chuckling.
"I love you bunches," Sam told him.
"I know you do and it keeps me going sometimes," Jake told her. "I miss not seeing you everyday." Sam bit her lip. "I think except for the two years you were gone, we saw each other everyday."
"Just about," Sam agreed.
"I miss that," Jake confessed. "I didn't realize how much you were part of my life, even though I loved you, until I was gone."
He heard Sam choke back a sob.
"Don't cry, baby," Jake's voice was a caress. "I hate your tears. Please don't cry. We'll be together soon."
"I adore you, Jake Ely," Sam managed to tell him through her tears.
"The feeling is quite mutual, Brat," Jake murmured. He decided to change the subject and hope it would end her tears.
"What are you doing this weekend?" Jake asked.
"Going out with Bryan, Quinn and Jen," Sam told him, wiping her tears with her hand. He heard her sniffle.
"Oh yeah, that's right," his voice lacked any enthusiasm and she laughed. "Where are you going?"
"Prolly a club," Sam answered. "After dinner, of course."
"Maybe Bryan won't be attracted to Jen," Jake sounded way too hopeful for Sam.
"Hey, she's my best friend," Sam reminded him.
"Just remember he's vulnerable," Jake said.
"I'm not going to lock them in a room together," Sam snapped. "Bryan's a big boy. If he's not interested, he won't act on it."
"Okay," Jake sighed.
"I'm not forcing them," Sam told him.
"I know," Jake murmured. "So you'll be hanging with Quinn?"
"Yeah," Sam bit out a laugh. "Prolly fighting off the women if they recognize statue boy."
"Statue boy?" Jake choked out.
"That's what I call him," Sam giggled.
Jake burst out laughing. "That's perfect."
"Jake, you have no idea what a sensation this exhibit is," Sam told him.
"Nor do I want to," Jake responded.
Sam just knew he shuddered and she giggled again.