Chapter 25

Summer came to the high desert of Nevada and Sam turned five years old. It had been almost a year since the loss of her mother and Sam didn't think of her much. She was still too young to understand the loss and those in her life tried to make sure she felt well loved.

Gram tried to spend a lot of time with her during the day. Dad was busy with the ranch, but he tried to include Sam sometimes and spent time with her at night, always making sure he tucked her into bed and read a horse story to her.

Mrs. Ely became like a mother to her. Sam spent a lot of time at Three Ponies, especially on the weekends. Then she and Mrs. Ely would bake cookies and Sam would hang out with the whole family. Even Mr. Ely treated her like one of his own. He was a stern man, just like Dad was, but he always had a smile for her.

Sam was excited since Dad had told her that she could go with him and Gram on roundup this year. The two adults had talked about it, not sure if Sam was really old enough, but with her mother gone there was no one to watch Sam while Dad and Gram were gone for two weeks.

Mrs. Ely offered to watch Samantha since she never went on roundup with her husband and sons, but Dad decided that Sam should go along. It wouldn't hurt her to start learning the ways of the ranch. Plus, it would help her with her riding.

Sam had a growth spurt during the winter and Dad decided that Sugar was now too small for Sam. She had cried at the prospect of not riding her pony any more and had hugged the pony goodbye as they got ready to leave for roundup. Dad had promised her a surprise once they reached Black Rock where they started to gather the cattle for the drive.

Sam rode in the truck between Dad and Dallas on the trip. Dad was pulling the horse trailer with the River Bend horses inside. Gram was following in a big white van like the Elys' that served as the chuck wagon while on the roundup. Gram would pitch the tents and cook the food.

Sam was excited to be sleeping in a tent. She had never done it before. Jake had rolled his eyes when she told him how excited she was, telling her what a baby she was and that he had slept in tents a lot. Jake liked to pretend he was so much older and more experienced than she was at times that she just wanted to hit him.

When Dad had pulled up to where they would start, Sam peeked over the dashboard and saw that the Elys were already there. They were in the process of taking their horses out of the trailer.

Sam watched as each boy tied a horse to the ring on the side of the trailer, choosing which horses they would ride first. She was surprised when Jake tied a bright sorrel with a wide blaze and two front white socks to the side of the trailer. Why wasn't he riding George?

She crawled over the seat after Dallas got out of the truck and ran towards Jake.

"Careful, Brat," Jake told her, glancing at her over his shoulder.

Sam had quit trying to convince him that she wasn't a brat and most of the time ignored the nickname.

"Why aren't you riding George?" Sam asked as she stopped and then walked the few feet between them.

Jake shrugged and turned away from her. She thought she saw a grin on his face but she when looked closer, it was gone.

"What's her name?" Sam reached up towards the sorrel.

"His name is Duke," Jake told her. "He's gonna be insulted you thought he was a girl."

"I'm sorry, Duke," Sam cooed to the horse who dropped his head down to snuffle at her. "He likes me."

"Sam?" she heard Dad's voice and turned. He had hold of the reins of George. "Think maybe you might want to get acquainted with your new horse?"

"Mine?" she shrieked, startling Duke who snorted in alarm. Jake touched the horse to quiet it and gave Sam a dirty look.

"George is mine?" Sam asked in disbelief.

"If you keep shouting, I'll take him back," Jake warned her. Sam stuck out her tongue at him and went towards Dad to see George.

"Do you like him?" Dad asked.

"I love him," Sam answered, hugging the horse's chest. Jake rolled his eyes as he threw a saddle up on Duke's back.

"He's still a little big for you, but you'll grow into him," Dad told her.

"Yes!" Sam couldn't hide her excitement.

"Come on, I'll lift you up," Dad grabbed her under her arms and put her George's back. Sam felt so tall for the first time in her life.

"Lookin' like a cowgirl, Sammy," Bryan said as he swung up into the saddle.

Dad plunked a Stetson on her head and Sam felt like a cowgirl.

"Thanks, Daddy," Sam hugged her father.

"You're welcome, sweetheart," Dad hugged her back, grateful that he could do this for her. She had been through so much the past year and she had been a brave little girl.