Chapter 29
"I've missed you, Brat," Jake murmured to her. She felt him kiss her temple.
"I've missed you too," Sam's voice caught.
"Why are you crying?" Jake asked.
"I didn't think you loved me anymore," Sam's voice was weak.
"Am I dead?" Jake asked her softly.
Sam shook her head.
"That's the only way I'd stop loving you," Jake declared to her. "Even then I'd love you in death. Nothing will make me stop loving you, Brat. Don't you know that by now?"
He had to smile when her crying became more pronounced. Jake could feel the wetness against his shirt. He pulled back from her, taking her face between his hands. His lips met hers once, twice, before he wrapped his arms around her again.
"We argued," Sam managed to say.
"So?" Jake chuckled. "We've been arguing our whole lives. So what?"
Sam sniffled.
"Can you come out for a little while?" Jake asked her, looking towards the living room where her family was.
Sam pulled back from him and turned her head. "I'm going out with Jake!" she shouted. She heard Jake snort.
"Just remember you have school tomorrow," Dad shouted back.
"I will," Sam shouted in response. She looked up into Jake's face and he was grinning. She couldn't help kissing his grinning mouth. His lips were soft under hers.
"Come on and get your coat," Jake told her, leading her towards the porch where her coat was. He helped her put on her coat and opened the front door, waving her through first, then shutting the door behind them. His hand reached for hers as they walked towards his truck.
"Where are we going?" Sam asked.
"Somewhere that we can talk?" Jake raised an eyebrow in question.
Sam nodded and smiled at him when he opened the passenger door for her. Jake went around to the driver's side and started the truck. He buckled his seatbelt and glanced over to make sure hers was done as well. He pulled out and turned towards Alkali.
"How about the road near Lost Canyon?" Jake asked.
"Okay," Sam told him. She felt shy with him for some reason. Sam looked out the window.
She felt his glance on her as he drove. Sam looked over at him, catching him watching her.
"Have I told you lately how beautiful you are?" Jake asked her.
Sam flushed with pleasure, but she shook her head.
"You are," Jake insisted.
Sam smiled softly at him and he saw the color in her cheeks, making her even more beautiful to him. He looked away quickly as they reached their destination. Jake parked the truck, turning off the engine.
"Don't you think it will get cold?" Sam asked.
"If you get cold, it will give me an excuse to keep you warm," Jake responded.
"I'm cold," Sam took off her seatbelt and crawled over the console to sit in his lap.
"All part of my plan," Jake wrapped his arms around her, bringing her into his chest. She tucked her head under his chin. Both of them sighed at the same time. Sam felt Jake's smile as he kissed the top of her head.
"I thought you had come to break up with me," Sam was honest with him.
Jake gave a deep sigh. "I've been really busy trying to finish up before the break. Every time I wanted to call you, I found more work to do and by the time I was done, it was too late to call."
"You've never not called or something before," Sam said.
"I was angry," Jake admitted.
"I figured," Sam murmured.
"Breaking up with you never crossed my mind though," Jake assured her. "Like I told you, as long as I'm breathing I will love you. I might be angry with you, but I will still love you. That will never change. You're as much a part of me as my arm or my leg."
"Those can be cut off," Sam told him. Jake snorted.
"Okay, you're as much a part of me as my heart," Jake said. "Brat, you are my heart. Don't you know that by now? My gosh, how can you not know that?"
Sam shook her head slightly.
Jake sighed again. Sam knew he was getting exasperated with her but she wanted to clear the air with him.
"Why are you shaking your head?" Jake asked. "You don't think it's true?"
"No," Sam looked up at him. "I do know it, but sometimes I get afraid you'll find something better."
"Samantha Anne," Jake gave a longsuffering sigh. "There is nothing better for me."
His mouth touched hers. Sam's hand came up to tangle in his black hair as she answered his kiss. It quickly heated up, their tongues touching, dancing as Sam whimpered and moved closer to him.
Jake's hand stroked her back, cupping her butt, loving the feel of the roundness in his hand. Sam moved on his lap, trying to straddle his lap.
"No, Brat," Jake broke off the kiss.
Sam was gasping out her breath, surprised he had broken it off.
"I won't make love to you in the truck," Jake shook his head.
"Why the heck not?" Sam panted.
Jake's mouth twitched. "Comfort."
Sam snorted. "Will you take me to town, then?"
"Not tonight," Jake shook his head again. "You still have school tomorrow."
Sam sighed. "Okay." She tucked herself under his chin again. Then she picked up her head.
"Tomorrow?" Sam asked.
"I'll take you to town tomorrow," Jake promised. "Have Jen drive you to school and I'll pick you up."
"Okay," Sam tucked under his chin. Jake smiled softly against her head.
"Why did it take you a couple of days to come see me?" Sam had to ask.
"I was out trying to track whoever it is taking our cattle," Jake responded.
"Did you find anything?" Sam wondered.
"I don't think it's Linc stealing the cattle," he told her.
She lifted her head to look at him.
"Oh, he might be behind it, but he's not doing it," Jake said.
"He hired someone?"
"If he's behind it," Jake nodded.
"You don't think so?" Sam wondered.
"I'm trying to have an open mind until we can prove it one way or another," Jake replied.
"He's guilty," Sam huffed.
"That's what I love about you Brat," Jake chuckled as she put her head back down under his chin. "You keep an open mind."
Sam giggled softly and Jake tightened his arms on her.
