Chapter 26

"I think it's obvious that Samantha had nothing to do with your stallion's death, Linc," Heck Ballard said.

"I still think she's involved," Linc stated.

"Linc, neighborliness only goes so far," Gram reprimanded him.

"I don't appreciate your accusing Sam of something she's incapable of doing," Bryan stood up. Quinn stood up next to his twin.

"Boys," Heck made a calming motion with his hands.

"I didn't kill your horse," Sam said softly. "I couldn't kill a horse."

"Everyone knows how softhearted Sam is about animals, horses in particular," Quinn put in.

Gram, Bryan and Sheriff Ballard all nodded.

"Anyone who knows her, anyway," Bryan raised an eyebrow in Linc's direction.

"How do we know you didn't do it to collect the insurance and then come up with a plot to blame Sammy?" Quinn asked.

"Now wait a minute…." Linc started to bluster.

"No, you wait a minute," Bryan took a step towards the other man.

"You both wait a minute," Heck got between them.

Sam thought Linc looked relieved.

"I didn't kill your horse," Sam looked Linc in the eye. "If he's dead, I didn't do it."

"I believe you, Sam," Heck said.

He and Sam exchanged nods.

"Then I think it best you and Linc go, Heck," Gram suggested.

"Sorry to bother you," Heck responded.

"This isn't over," Linc sneered at Sam. Both Bryan and Quinn went after him. Sam grabbed one of the Elys and Gram grabbed the other. Neither let go until they heard the front door shut behind Linc and Sheriff Ballard.

"Lands, that man tests a body," Gram grumbled. She gave the other three a exasperated look and went upstairs.

Bryan and Quinn sat back down with Sam on the couch.

"You know who did it," Sam murmured.

"Yeah," Bryan nodded and Quinn did too.

"That's what got you two arguing," it wasn't a question from Quinn.

"Yes," Sam told him. "I told him I didn't approve of it."

"He did it for you," Bryan defended his brother.

"I know he said that," Sam shook her head. "He did it for himself. He felt he had to defend me and the horse suffered for it."

"Sammy, that horse almost killed you," Quinn said softly.

"You didn't see you laying there afterwards," Bryan told her. "We did."

Quinn nodded.

"It almost killed us," Bryan continued.

"Can you imagine how Jake felt?" Quinn asked. "Your first accident and your being sent away did things to him, Sammy. You don't know how bad it was."

Quinn and Bryan both looked like they shuddered.

"We thought he would do something to himself," Bryan went on.

"Jake?" Sam scoffed.

"He loved you even then," Quinn said. "When you were sent away he cried for days. Jake would kill us if he knew we were telling you this."

"All he had after you left was that horse of his," Bryan told her and she could see the pain in his eyes as he thought about his youngest brother during that time.

"He shut everything out except that mare," Quinn broke in.

Bryan nodded. "Then when you were due to come back…"

"He had hope again," Quinn finished. "He loves you, Sammy."

"He always has," Bryan said. "Of course he's gonna do what he can so you don't get hurt and sent away again. He wouldn't survive again."

Sam sighed. "I do love him. I hate what he did, but I do love him.

Bryan put his arm around and kissed the top of her head.

"Then give him a chance," Quinn said.

"I'll think about it, but I'm not sure," Sam said honestly.

"Just think about it then," Bryan told her. Sam nodded.