Chapter 36:

The big paint loped fluid circles around Jake in the corral as Sam watched from the barn. She didn't want to disrupt his training with Banjo but she couldn't help but to sneak a peak. When Jake worked with horses it was mesmerizing. Even the most stubborn or wild horse would listen and respond to the shy cowboy's cues.

Banjo was finally starting to act like his old ways thanks to Jake's consistent training and reassurance. Some things still startled him every so often but his weight was increasing as well as his curiosity. He often greeted Sam in the barn with a nicker and she could feel his gaze when she cleaned tack the morning prior.

Minutes later a Dodge dually coasted across the bridge and into the yard. Sam stayed in the barn, brushing Ace. Ever since Ryan pulled his cattle stealing stunt last month she was on edge about strangers near Darton and the ranch. Sam recalled loosing her hearing after calling Jen later that day to explain all that had happened. She could tell her best friend was sad, heartbroken, but more so disappointed in Ryan's actions.

The man dressed in clean cowboy attire and placed his hat on his head. Sam watch him stroll to the corral where Jake was working Banjo. Eventually he slowed Banjo down to a walk then a stop. He rubbed the horse gently on the forehead then clipped a lead rope to his rope halter. Sam watched as Banjo gave the stranger a glance with hesitation but followed Jake obediently out of the corral and stopped next to the man.

Mud scrubbed off Ace while Sam brushed his hindquarters and peeked over the little pony to see what was going on. Jake and the man conversed normally for a few minutes then Sam saw Jake rub the back of his neck nervously. Was this a new client who was seeking out Jakes help, she wondered. Surely he would not be shy about that, he took on two or three clients a month and was never this shy.

The two men shook hands and the clean cut cowboy headed back to his truck. Sam waited impatiently for Jake to slowly walk Banjo back to the barn while the Dodge started up then bumped back across the bridge.

When he did, he ensured the horse was tucked quietly into his stall then he began to help her brush Ace down.

After what felt like five quiet minutes Sam couldn't take it anymore. "Who was that?" she asked curiously.

Jake shrugged it off as no one important, "Some guy…"

Sam waited, and waited. "…and? What did he want?" Why was he acting so awkward?

Jake said it so quietly Sam barely heard him, "He invited me to host a horsemanship clinic in Elko."

She instantly almost dropped her brush in surprise then tried to catch his eyes. But Jake was too focused on Ace.

"A clinic?" Sam repeated, "Jake that's amazing! Your own clinic?"

Jake shrugged and picked the burrs from Ace's long black tail. "There will be other trainers there, too, not just me. Ain't no big deal, Brat," he insisted.

"Yes it is," replied back Sam with excitement in her voice. "This is your chance to teach others the great methods you use. Even some of the Native American tips you taught me."

Jake didn't look too convinced as moved around her and headed to the tack room and came back with her saddle pad and roping saddle. Wordlessly, he saddled Ace and pulled up the girth tight.

When he got done Sam gently touched his strong forearm and caught his dark mustang eyes.

"This is a good thing," she told him softly, "What are you scared of?"

"Not scared," he insisted & rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I don't do big crowds."

Sam grabbed his large hands in hers and pulled herself closer to him.

"You'll do great," she urged. "The crowd won't be just anybody, it'll be horseman like you wanting to learn your techniques for colt starting and problem solving."

Jake shook his head in doubt, "I can't leave you here, it's too close to branding season and there's plenty to do.."

Sam giggled at her husband, he hardly ever rambled.

"We'll be okay," she assured him. "We can hold down the fort and I've got the ranch hands here to help me. There will be nothing to worry about, except at how much I'll miss you every minute of the day."

A small white smile flashed across the shadow of Jake's dark face. "I'll miss you too, Brat. Are you sure I should do this?"

"More than sure," Sam insisted, "I'm positive. You'll be a great teacher. The world deserves to have more horse trainers like you. You have a gift, it's time the world knows it."

Jake pulled her closer and kissed her softly on the lips. "I knew there was a reason I married you," he joked. "Fine, I'll go. But I don't like the thought of leaving you here."

Sam slowly pulled away from him to grab her bridle. "Trust me, we can handle it."

Jake kicked the barn floor with the toe of his boot sheepishly before saying, "If you're so set on me goin' you haven't even heard the best part yet."

Sam spun around to catch Jake's bait.

"He wants me to bring some Mustangs to help be an advocate for wild horse adoptions," he said.

Wow! Could this moment get any better? First Jake gets to host a clinic teaching his passion, horse training the soft way and he gets to use mustangs as his examples. Once people see how well Jake can work with any horse and how well Mustangs can be used for versatile disciplines hopefully more people will provide great homes to mustangs currently in holding pens by the BLM. It was more than she cold hope for but more importantly she was proud of that cowboy she called her husband. Sharing his gift would be a shy move for him but she knew once his nerves called down he would be in his element, just him analyzing a horse moving around the corral.

Jake chuckled at her smiling face, lost in thought. "I know, your heart is melting."

Sam playfully slapped his arm then made up by giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. "This is an amazing accomplishment, you should be proud of yourself. I know I am."