Chapter 35
Sam and Jake ran into Jen and Ryan while they were out. Ryan and Jen were coming out of the restaurant while Jake and Sam were just going in. Sam and Jen met each others' eyes hoping that the two guys didn't get nasty.
"Ely," Ryan said in what Sam thought was a condescending tone.
Jake stiffened, but didn't reply.
"Sam, you got your cast off," Jen gushed and Sam smiled knowing what her friend was doing.
"Today," Sam held out her leg. She was wearing capri pants and happy to be able to show off her legs again.
Jake saw Ryan look down at Sam's legs and became angry when he thought Ryan looked too long. He felt Sam's hand slip into his and he let out the breath he hadn't realized he was holding. My gosh, how did she always know? He gave her hand a quick squeeze.
"Just to warn you, my father plans on seeking litigation about that stallion," Ryan was saying, drawing Jake's and Sam's attention back to Ryan.
"What?" Sam yelped.
"He's convinced you had something to do with the death of his stallion," Ryan was watching Sam as he talked.
"Ryan," Jen tried to distract him.
"I'm not sure I agree with him, but I thought you should know," Ryan continued in his clipped British accent.
"I told him I thought it was ridiculous," Jen said. "When were you supposed to have killed him? You had broken bones and not able to ride."
"It is ridiculous," Sam spat. "I didn't kill his horse or anyone else's horse."
"The courts will decide," Ryan shrugged and Sam wanted to slug him.
Jake wanted to pound his arrogant face in. Jen could see it on both of their faces.
"We better go," she tugged on Ryan's hand.
It seemed like Ryan realized what the looks on Jake's and Sam's faces meant.
"Yes, I suppose we should," he said and let Jen pull him away from the other couple.
"I can't believe that fool," Sam muttered.
"I'm sorry, Brat," Jake sighed. "I'll go to the sheriff and admit to it."
"No, you will not," Sam told him. "Let's get inside so Ryan can't overhear us."
The two of them went inside the restaurant and waited to be seated before continuing the conversation.
"Linc can't prove a thing against you," Sam said, making sure nobody else was listening to them.
"As far as we know," Jake answered.
"He'd go after you Jake if he knew," Sam shook her head. "Let him come after me. We can prove that I was injured and not riding. You'll be in the clear."
She looked up at Jake, surprised by what she saw in his face. She had never seen that expression before. Sam tilted her head at him.
"What?" she asked, just as the waitress came to take their drink order.
Jake shook his head slightly, warning her not to say anything until they were alone again.
They placed their drink orders, then Sam looked at Jake again.
"What?"
Jake swallowed loudly and looked away before looking back at her. He rubbed the back of his neck and Sam waited him out.
"I'm awed," Jake shrugged then as if he couldn't think of the right words.
"Why are you awed?" Sam teased. "Because I was actually able to get all the hair off my leg?"
Jake smiled briefly knowing she was trying to lighten everything up.
"You know why," Jake's voice was a caress.
Sam sighed.
"You've protected me my whole life," it was Sam's turn to shrug. "I'll do anything to return the favor."
The two of them stared at each other until the waitress came back and placed their drinks in front of them.
"Are you ready to order?" she asked them.
They placed their orders and the waitress left them again.
"I can't let you…," Jake began, his eyes almost black in his face as he looked at her.
"Oh be quiet," Sam broke in.
Jake's jaw dropped. Then he snorted. Sam giggled.
Jake took a drink of his soda.
"Jake, you would do it if the circumstances were reversed," Sam reasoned.
"You don't approve of what I did," Jake reminded her.
"No, but I love you and support you even when you're wrong," Sam shrugged.
Jake snorted again.
"You will not tell anyone that it was you," Sam pointed her finger at him.
"My gosh, you are forceful sometimes," Jake's mouth twitched.
"Will you listen?" Sam asked.
She could see the warring in Jake's face. Her gaze locked on his, narrowing her eyes at him.
"Are you trying to hypnotize me?" Jake almost burst out laughing.
"Is it working?" Sam wondered, her lips quirking.
His own lips twitched.
"You hypnotize me every time you look at me, Brat," he told her.
Sam felt the wetness in her eyes at his declaration.
"I love you and will protect you when I can," Sam wiped her eyes.
Jake simply nodded, overwhelmed.