Chapter 26:

Smitten with joy, Sam rode quietly next to Jake back to the ranch in the dark. Quite a few times she would sneak a look at him, still trying to process the idea that he loved her. Jake caught her staring and all Sam could see was his bright white smile against the darkness.

Steering Ace she pondered some more. How did she get so lucky to have this man in her life? Jake was always there for her, no matter what. His support and guidance physically carried her since the accident and she would be forever grateful to have him in her life. He didn't just like her as a best friend nor a wife, he really loved her. Loved. Jake Ely loved her. And she loved him back. She wasn't sure when she realized she loved him, but living with him and being closer everyday recently opened her eyes. The more she thought about it the more she realized he gave her butterflies constantly by doing little things. His lazy tom cat grin got her every time and she hated to admit it but his protectiveness could be cute every now and then.

"How long?" she asked him out loud. She blushed when he stared over at her questionably.

"How long have you known you loved me?" continued Sam.

Jake shrugged and rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I've always liked you, Brat. Even when you were a pesky fly at four years old."

Sam waited. And waited. "And?" she urged.

He chuckled back, "Around the time of the avalanche." He looked over and his mustang eyes blended into the dark. "I though I'd lost you buried under that snow forever. Damn near gave me a heart attack when I saw you climbing up that mountain."

Now it was her turn to chuckle at the memory. She would never forget the scared look on Jake's face when he hauled her to the top. He looked like he'd seen a ghost.

"I knew from that moment on no matter how horse crazy you were," he continued, "I'd be crazy for you."

Sam smiled to herself, over the moon at how sweet Jake could be.

"Your turn," he bluntly said.

Biting her lip in nervousness, Sam gripped Ace's reins tight. When did she realize she loved Jake? She was quiet as she thought back over the years.

"I think the avalanche started it," she admitted "But when you went away to school it felt like some things were left unspoken."

Jake nodded in agreement and rode along, listening.

"It was the accident," continued Sam. "You spent the whole day and night with me and never left my side. Even in my darkest days you were there next to me, telling me it would be alright when I was convinced it wouldn't be."

She looked over and tried to meet his eyes but it was too dark. "I didn't know it, but I loved you then."

Jake rode Witch closer until they were butting knees. He reached over and held her hand as they crossed over the bridge into the ranch. Sam knew in her heart no more words were needed to be spoken out loud, they both loved each other deeply by their silent language. She was surprised at how Jake spoke up first to admit his love for her. They both were equally shy and it must have taken a lot of gut for him to tell her these feelings he'd been holding back. Even with the cold night wind hitting her face she felt warm at his touch.

They silently untracked their horses and walked and hand and hand back to the house. Most of their company was gone except Maxine and Quinn. Sam and Jake walked into the the living room to find Quinn holding a sleeping Cody in his arms wrapped in a blanket. Quinn gave them his typical daredevil smile at the sight he was giving them.

"Sorry, Jake, I think you've been replaced," chuckled Maxine as she slipped her coat on.

Jake's lips twitched up into a small smile as Quinn quietly handed Cody over to his brother.

"Take care of this one," he said to Jake. "He's going to be a handful like me one day."

Sam rolled her eyes playing along and thanked both of them for coming to the party. Maxine hugged them each goodbye and gave Cody a kiss on the forehead as he slept.

"Happy Birthday, Baby Bear," Quinn said ruffling Jake's hair before dashing out reach. He smiled back at Jake, knowing there was nothing he could do back since he had Cody in his arms. Jake swore under his breath.

"Still younger than you'll ever be," Jake mumbled back.

After the taunting was over both Ely's left and Sam gave a sigh of relief. What an overwhelming and emotional day, she thought. She had cooked, cleaned, hosted Jake's party, and discovered not only did Jake plan on adopting Cody but also that he loved her. Jake loved her. She had to repeat it to herself a million times in the last hour to believe it was true. All those small moments leading up to this proved to her there was a connection there, stronger than their friendship. Would this new revelation test their trust and relationship they had with one another?

On cue of the bad thoughts creeping in the back of her mind, Jake snuck his arm around her waist and pulled her close against his chest. In one arm he held a sleeping Cody and in another he held a small Sam. She hugged him back and rested her head against him.

"Everything's going to be alright, Brat," he whispered to only her.

She bit her bottom lip and looked up to meet his dark eyes. "I know it will be, I have you," replied Sam.

"Forever," he said, kissing the top of her forehead.

"I love you," she whispered to him softly.

"I love you more," he replied back.

Sam looked at Cody sleeping peacefully in Jake's arm. She looked back at Jake and all over again she was overcome at how handsome he was. How did she get so lucky to have him in her life? Sam could only think of one word to describe it as they held each other there in the living room and she felt comforted by the warmth; blessed.