They didn't go see the steer. Mainly for the same reason they hadn't wanted to see the steer the first time. Sam and Jack neither one wanted to get into an explanation on the differences between steers and bulls, which could lead to other discussions that they didn't want to get into with Gina, either.
Instead, with one arm holding the monkey and the other holding Jaffer's leash almost negligently since Jaffer didn't need much guidance, Jack led the others aimlessly along the various stands that were selling things. All kinds of things, from jewelry to toys, coats to T- shirts and even one stand where the woman was selling figurines carved from volcanic ash that had petrified. There were all sorts of things, and Jack tried to take his mind off his conversation with Madam Xara by buying outrageously priced presents for the girls.
Sam was fairly certain something was bothering him, although he was trying to hide it. He wasn't quite as cheerful as he'd been earlier, and his conversation with the two of them was forced. When she asked if he was tired, though – a sure way to let him out of staying at the carnival any longer in case he wanted to leave – he simply shook his head and said he was fine.
"I'm not ready to go yet, Sam." He'd told her. "Unless you're bored?"
"With you here to keep me occupied?" She shook her head and smiled. "No. I just thought if you wanted to go..."
"Nah, it's still early." Jack put Jaffer's leash in the same hand that was holding the monkey and slipped his arm around her waist. "I think we should drop the stuffed animals off at the truck, and then come back and look through the barns. What do you think, Gina?"
Since she was a girl, and like most girls she was madly in love with horses, Gina was all for that. Sam agreed, although she wasn't quite so enthusiastic. She liked horses, but she wouldn't have minded more rides, or even another go round with the games. Who knew how many stuffed animals she could end up with? It was two to one, though, and they dropped off the stuffed critters and went to the barns.
The carnival was also hosting 4-H showings on all things from horses to cows to rabbits and chickens, so there were plenty of animals for them to look at. They avoided the petting zoo, only because of Jaffer, who was already a distraction for every kid that walked past them. In the petting zoo, he'd be the main attraction, and they'd never get to leave. They looked at the horses, who watched Jaffer suspiciously, looked at cows who watched them all calmly, completely unflappable, and ooohed and aweeed over the bunnies and chickens – although Jack was thinking that chicken didn't sound all that bad. He didn't mention this aloud, though, figuring it probably wasn't the best time to mention it, while Gina was sticking her finger through the bars of a cage that held a large handful of downy chicks.
In the end it was Gina who gave up first. Too many different kinds of carnival food and too much walking around finally did her in. Her stomach was just a little upset, she complained, and her feet were sore and tired. She was ready to call it a day. Sam and Jack agreed, and they headed for the exit, the girl between them holding onto their hands and jabbering about how much fun she had, even though she was tired.
"Do you want to come in, Jack?"
They had just pulled up to the street that Sam lived on, and Jack was just coming around to open the passenger door to let Carter and Gina out of the truck. Jaffer jumped out as well, and headed for the front door, followed by Gina, who was holding the huge stuffed polar bear in her arms.
Jack shook his head, leaning against the truck as he watched Jaffer trip Gina in the soft grass of Sam's front yard and then pin her down so he could slobber on her. The little girl was gigging uncontrollably. Apparently her neck was as ticklish as Jack's when it came to that dog tongue.
"I'm going to head for home, Sam." He told her, handing over the stuffed black lab she'd won. As much as Jack liked it, he had the real thing. And the real thing would undoubtedly chew up the stuffed one, if given a chance. "It's been a long day."
He would come to the door just long enough to make sure they were both in and that there wasn't anything out of order in her house – like someone caught inside after breaking in or something. It hadn't happened before, but it was habit for Jack to check, and Sam knew it.
"Are you all right?" She asked, leaning against the truck as well. "You seem a bit distracted."
"I'm fine." He smiled, and leaned over to steal a kiss, then took her hand and led her over to the door, passing Gina, who was completely flattened by Jaffer. The black lab was sprawled on the girl, and since he weighed more than she did, she had very little hope of getting up without some help. It didn't help that she was still laughing too hard to focus her thoughts on how to save herself.
"Let her up, Jaffer," Jack said, smiling.
The black lab rolled off Gina and came romping over to Sam and Jack. He wasn't tired at all! He was more than ready to go play. Or to eat, if that's what they had in mind. Sam reached down and rubbed his ears, letting Jack unlock the door for her while she paid attention to Jaffer – who'd been very good at the carnival and definitely deserved some praise for his behavior.
"Are you staying, Jack?" Gina asked, running over as well, tired feet apparently forgotten.
"Nah." He pulled her into a hug as Jaffer slipped past them all and into Sam's house, taking a quick look around with sharp eyes and nose, looking for anything that didn't belong – and coincidentally, any cheeseburgers or other misplaced food items that might be plotting and needed to be taken care of before they had a chance to rise up and take over the world. "I'm going to go home and hit the hay."
"Awwww..." She gave him her best pouting puppy face, and Jack smiled. He saw that look all the time. "You don't want to stay? Even for a few minutes?"
He cupped her face in his palms and leaned over and pressed his lips against her forehead. And blew a raspberry. She giggled and struggled to get free and after a moment, he let her.
"We're going to go home. You and Sam can have the whole night to yourselves so you can do your hair, and whatever else you want to do."
"See you in the morning?" Sam asked.
Jack nodded. "Come find me, if I don't come find you first. Jaffer! Let's go, little man!"
There was a thump from somewhere in the quiet house – probably Sam's bedroom – and a crash as something fell on the floor and broke. Jack winced, and Sam sighed and rolled her eyes. A moment later the black lab came tearing out of Sam's front door, heading straight for the truck without stopping to say goodbye. With any luck, they'd be long gone before Sam discovered the broken lamp that had somehow been knocked over while he was sniffing the little box of mints Carter had left on the stand next to it.
"If whatever it is is unfixable, I'll buy you a new one," Jack promised. This wasn't really all that uncommon.
"I'll hold you to that." She kissed him softly; not at all upset about whatever it was that could be broken. Her house had long since been Jaffer- proofed, and she knew she hadn't left anything too valuable lying around. So whatever the black lab had broken, it wasn't irreplaceable.
"Night, Jack!" Gina said, hugging him.
"Night, sweetheart." He dropped a kiss against her cheek, and touched Sam's arm for just a moment, then turned and headed down the walk towards Jaffer, who was waiting for Jack to open the door for him. Jack looked at his watch as Jaffer jumped up into the seat Sam had just vacated. Plenty of time. He pulled the big stuffed monkey out of the back of the truck and put it in the jump seat behind his seat, and started the truck. He had a stop he wanted to make, first.