Chapter 25

Jake had stood with Dawn watching Bryan dance with Jen.

"Are you okay?" Dawn asked, tucking her hand into his. Jake gave it a squeeze.

"Yeah," Jake nodded, looking down at her.

"Does she bring back bad memories?" Dawn wondered.

Jake snorted. "Yeah and not just because of her. Jen and I have never gotten along."

"Her name was Sam?" Dawn inquired, looking up him.

"How did you find that out?" Jake wondered.

"Cricket mentioned her name," Dawn told him.

"Yeah, that was her name," Jake sighed, meeting her eyes. "She's in my past, Dawn. You don't have to worry about her."

"Are you sure?" Dawn almost whispered.

"Yes, I'm sure," Jake assured her.

"Good," Dawn's eyes flicked to his full mouth.

Jake almost groaned, filled with his need.

Dawn saw it in his eyes, but didn't say anything. She was feeling like she was almost buzzing with wanting him. She knew he was shy and she was wondering how she could let him know, without just coming out and telling him so, that she was ready to make love to him.

Jake thought he saw the invitation in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not much of a dancer," Jake apologized to her.

"That's okay," Dawn shrugged. "You looked miserable dancing with Cara's sister."

"That obvious, huh?" Jake chuckled.

"To me it was," Dawn laughed softly.

"Most everyone else has seen me at all the weddings and know how I feel about dancing," Jake grinned.

"Yet they still keep asking you to stand up in their weddings," Dawn teased.

"My brothers like to torture me," Jake joked.

"All siblings like to torture each other," Dawn said.

"That's true," Jake nodded. He saw Bryan hug Jen at the end of the dance. He had seen the two of them talking and couldn't help but wonder if it were about her. Jake wasn't about to ask.

Any feelings he had for her were gone. The only woman he cared about was the one who had her hand tucked so trustingly in his.

Dawn saw him glance at Bryan and Jen, then down at her.

"I don't care about her anymore," Jake assured her.

Dawn nodded slowly. She leaned in, pressing her mouth briefly against his.

"Get a room," Jen sneered as she walked by.

Jake almost snarled out a response, but stopped when he felt Dawn's hand on his arm.

He met her eyes and nodded, taking a deep breath and letting it out.

A bit later, people were leaving the wedding reception. Mac came to stand by Jake and Dawn before leaving for home.

"You're not staying at the hotel, Grandfather?" Jake asked.

"At my age, I prefer my own bed," Mac responded. "It's not too far of a drive."

Mac looked down at Dawn. "It was good to see you again, Dawn."

"Thank you sir," Dawn smiled at Jake's grandfather.

Mac's eyes flicked to Jake's and he nodded slightly at his grandson.

"I will see you again soon," Mac told her. "Have Jake bring you to the reservation for our last powwow of the season. My grandsons are dancing and drumming."

"You drum?" Dawn asked Jake.

"You didn't ask if he was dancing," Mac's eyes twinkled as he grinned.

"I knew better," Dawn laughed as Jake chuckled.

"No, I don't drum," Jake shook his head. "Basically I just go and watch."

"My brother drums," Dawn told Mac.

"It's good for young men to remember their roots," Mac's eyebrow rose at Jake.

"I'm only half Shoshone," Jake reminded the elder man.

"Dawn is only half Ute, but her brother drums," Mac retorted.

"I can't win," Jake shook his head.

You are winning, Mac thought. He could see the difference in Jake. He looked alive again. Mac knew from talking confidentially with Jen that Samantha wasn't faring as well.

Mac hadn't told Jake, but he had dreamt of Sam. He had felt her pain, felt her sorrow. He was worried about her, just as Jen was. Samantha's future was bleak from what Mac had seen. He hoped she made it through all that was coming for her.

His dreams of Jake had been lighter and Mac knew that Jake was finding love again with Dawn. There will be a new dawn, Mac had told him, when Jake was at his lowest. Mac could see where Jake could end up marrying this young woman at his side.

"You two have a good night," Mac hugged them both and left.

"I like your grandfather," Dawn told Jake.

"He likes you too," Jake responded.

"Do you like me?" Dawn asked coyly.

"Yeah, I do," Jake met her eyes. "If you're ready to leave, I'll drive you to the hotel and your room."

"I'm ready," Dawn told him.