Chapter 23
Sam paced back and forth, watching the large grandfather clock tick. She was
so stinking bored she thought she might die of boredom. Sam paused to glance out
the window. Jake led Kit's mustang around the corral. Walk, trot, canter. Dad
and Pepper were fixing the barn door, and Gram was watering her tomatoes. She
wanted to go outside and do something, even if it meant mucking out stalls, but
Dad had disagreed. "You take it easy today. Stay inside and watch Cody." But
Cody was taking his morning nap and Sam didn't know when he'd wake up.
"I guess I'll check my email." she said outloud. "I never do."
Sam had to turn on the whole computer, so that took quite some time. Finally,
Sam had gotten into her email and twenty new messages were awaiting her.
Scanning through them, she didn't see much. There was an email from Darrell with
a stupid chicken joke. One was from Jen back in April asking if she needed math
help. The most recent one was from...Ryan Slocum. She frowned and opened it
up.
Subject: Goodbye
From: Ryan E. Slocum
To: Samantha Forster : Time sent at: 7:00; 6-20-08
Dear Samantha-
I do not know if you will read this e-mail, but I am writing it anyway. My
father will be in jail for about five years. I was planning on taking over the
ranch, but now that the Kenworthys' have changed their mind, I am moving back to
England to be with my mum and Rachel. I was very disappointed when Jed put down
the offer of marriage and the idea of Harmony Ranch. I do assume, that Jennifer
told you? I realize it was a mistake, but please tell Jen that I am sorry. (I do
not have an e-mail address from her) If she would be willing to forgive me, I
would gratefully stay in Nevada. My plane leaves at 11:00 on Saturday morning
the 21st. Thank you for befriending me as I moved here from England one and a
half years back. Please tell Jennifer that I will miss her and the ranch. I just
want you to know this, Samantha, that I am not like my father or sister.
Condolences to you and Jennifer,
Yours truly-
Ryan E. Slocum
My cellular phone number is: (342) 411-7543
Sam stared at the screen for a full two minutes. Ryan proposed to Jen? That
was ridiculous! Jen was barely fifteen, anyway. She would have waited until she
was out of college to marry, right? But Jed had told Ryan no...wait, did Jen
even have a choice in the matter? Sam didn't know. Plus Darrell and Jen were
like, almost dating. And the other week at Memorial Day, Jen had said Ryan was a
jerk. Sam didn't waste time thinking any more. She disconnected the internet and
dialed Diamond K Ranch.
"Hello?" Lila answered in her thick Texas accent. "This is Diamond K.."
"Hi." Sam said. "May I talk to Jen?"
"Actually, honey, Jenny's not here. She's out with Darrell ridin', but I can
tell her you tried to call."
Sam considered that, but she changed her mind. "I got this e-mail from Ryan
Slocum-" she started. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to be telling Lila.
"Yes?" Lila asked, proceeding Sam on.
"-And it said something about marriage, that Ryan proposed to Jen, and I kind
of wanted to know if it was true."
Lila was quiet for a moment. "Jed wouldn't allow it. Jen never really said
yes or no, but we wouldn't have it."
"I don't really want to sound nosy," Sam said, "But is she going out with
Darrell?"
Lila laughed. "I don't know, really. It's hard to tell with teenagers. I can
ask her."
"No, that's fine. I hope you don't really think I'm intruding in on your
family." Sam said sheepishly.
"Honey, that's just fine. If Ryan Slocum sent you an e-mail and you had no
clue if it was true, go right ahead and ask."
"He's leaving today to go back to England." Sam told Lila. "He gave me his
cell phone number, just in case. It's 342-411-7543."
Sam said goodbye and hung up the phone. She connected the internet again and
read a few more emails. She even got an email from Jake saying:
Subject: Hey brat
From: Jake E To: a brat ()
Time sent at: 9:15 pm; 6-1-08
Hey brat. im just tryin' out ur email address. Mine is . I probly
won't go on it, but i m just sending it in case. i hate it. it's worse than
talkin' on the phone. -jake
She laughed, and sent one back.
Subject: READ THIS! I AM DYING!
From: SAM
To: know-it-all ()
Time sent at: 10:05 am; 6-21
im not dying, i just felt like writing that. i am bored. what's up? i am
very tired, zzzzzzzzz. i think i'll email Darby, at least she checks her email.
LOL.
talking on the phone must not be as hard as it once was, U SAID BYE LAST
NITE! :) i was so honored i almost fainted. hehehehe...
c u 2 nite.
-sam
Sam giggled as she typed the email to Jake. She clicked send, and closed the
email screen.