Chapter 35
Sam rode between Jake and Nate as they went out to the range. Quinn had to give her a leg up since she wasn't tall enough to reach Rocky's stirrups. Jake had watched, a thoughtful look on his face.
"How do you guys decide on which ones are going?" Sam asked.
"Going to McDonalds?" Quinn raised an eyebrow and Sam sucked in a breath. Bryan's face flashed before her and she had to turn away.
"Basically the same way everyone does it," Jake wondered at what had gotten her upset.
"Oh," Sam murmured, still not looking at anyone.
The three Elys met each others' eyes and shrugged.
"So are you going with us tonight Jakey?" Nate asked him a bit later.
Jake groaned to himself and gave Nate a look.
Sam picked her head up to look at them.
"Is that a no?" Quinn wondered.
"I'm going," Jake mumbled.
Sam was about to ask where, but bit it off. Yes he was her husband, but he wasn't under any obligation to tell her where he was going. The marriage was for the benefit of her and Bryan's unborn child. It wasn't really a marriage.
She kept her head down as they rode through the herds, Jake determining which cow or calf to send off. Then one of them would mark it with spray paint. They would come back in a few days and round them up on the trucks.
Still Sam didn't say anything. She heard Quinn and Nate joking around, but Jake was quiet which didn't surprise Sam. He was usually quiet.
When they had gone through all the Three Ponies' herds, they turned for home. Chip was prancing under his rider, picking up Quinn's excitement.
"I get dibs on the shower first," Quinn said with a laugh.
"You should go last since it takes you the longest," Jake complained.
"You just want to go first," Quinn joked.
"It does take him the least amount of time to get ready," Nate pointed out.
Sam saw Jake rub the back of his neck. Sam looked down in front of her, missing the look that Nate sent her way. Nate raised an eyebrow at Jake who shook his head, surprising Nate.
"Let's run, huh?" Quinn gave Chip his head and the chocolate brown gelding exploded into a gallop.
"He must want to see Debi pretty bad," Nate laughed, then gave a whoop and let out his Appy Bramble.
Sam felt Jake's gaze before he gave Witch a bit more rein and the big black mare started to lope towards home. Sam was in no hurry since she would be staying home by herself, apparently, but let Rocky follow Witch.
She dismounted in the Three Ponies ranch yard and yanked the saddle off the overo paint. Sam started to carry it towards the barn when Jake stopped her, taking the saddle from her.
"No carrying saddles," he reminded her.
"Fine," Sam snapped. Jake raised an eyebrow at her temper before taking Rocky's and Witch's saddles to the barn.
Sam took the bridles off of the two horses and stalked towards the barn, barely missing Jake as he was coming out.
"Excuse me," Sam muttered waiting for him to go by before she went in. Nate was right behind her, bringing in Bramble's tack.
"Gosh she's starting to sound like a wife already," Quinn teased.
"Shut up," Jake told him, knowing Sam could probably hear them.
"Of course, being your wife, she probably wouldn't like it if she knew that you're seeing Devon tonight, huh?" Quinn went on.
Sam froze just inside the barn. Nate almost ran into her but he was able to get around her. A stab of pain went through her. They were all going out on dates. Sam's date was dead. The pain of his loss hit her again full force. She bit her lip to keep from blubbering and quickly put the bridles in their spots before hurrying out of the barn. Nate watched her go before putting his tack away and coming out.
She muttered a thank you to Jake who had put Rocky in the pasture for her and started trotting towards the house.
"Way to go, moron," Nate gave Quinn a shove. "She heard every word."
"Well it's not like you two are really married," Quinn said to Jake.
"We're really married," Jake told him.
"Yeah but you're not really married," Quinn said, emphasizing what he meant.
"No," Jake shook his head. "Still, I don't want to rub her face into the fact that I'm going out without her."
"Jake, she has to know that you, uh, have needs," Quinn looked at his younger brother. "I mean, if you aren't getting it at home, you have to get it somewhere. I know I would."
"Now there's a surprise," Jake muttered, heading for the house.