Hi This is my second PS fanfic...and I hope it's better than Juniper Breeze! That was kind of like practice for me, I don't know if I'll still update it or not. This story I'm making it more about the horses rather than Sam and Jake romance. That doesn't mean I won't have Jake in the story a lot, he's one of my favorte characters :-D. And I might have them do something in the middle or toward the end..;)
Okay here is Sam's Choice.
"Woohoo! Go Ace! That's a good horse!"
Ace stood contently in the middle of the arena, flicking his black pointed ears toward his applausing audience, oblivious to the fact that a little happy girl was standing on top of his back.
Samantha Forster sat perched on the top rail of the fence across the other side of the arena. She wore her usual red tank top and white shorts, sipping her ice cold Dr. pepper. Usually Gram wouldn't let her have soda, but since today was so hot and she was in such a good mood, she let Sam slide.
Sam smiled as her pal, Jake Ely, lifted Tiffany gently off her horse's bay back. Clapping her hands and grinning ear to ear, the 5 year old girl was kind of cute. With her black hair twisted in two braids, jeans, boots and a cowboy hat, Tiffany looked just like a little mini cowgirl.
Just last Summer, Amelia's grandmother gave Sam a call asking if Ace could be sold to them for three thousand dollars as a therapy horse to a program for disabled kids. After seeing a picture of Ace rearing, his hooves just inches away from a little girl's head, on the front page of her newspaper, Amelia's grandmother called Sam back telling her she thought Ace would be way too dangerous and that she didn't want him anymore.
As happy as she was that her horse wasn't going to be sold, Sam's dad, Wyatt, and her stepmother, Brynna, were appalled that someone would call their daughter's horse too dangerous to be around little kids. They just never really showed they cared until, of course, Spring Break.
Ace gave a tiny buck of joy, happy at all the attention he was getting. Sam, Wyatt, Brynna, Gram, and Jake all held their breath until Tiffany let out a squeal of delight and started clapping her hands.
"Wow, I can't believe how good Ace was!" Brynna said, as all of them, except for Sam, walked toward the center of the arena.
"Couldn't believe it either, 'til that last part," Wyatt said, chuckling.
"Yeah," Gram agreed. "Ace really is a good horse. He just needs a little bit more improvement, don't you, boy?" She scratched the gelding's forehead. As if he was telling her he agreed, Ace bobbed his head up and down, revealing his white star, which was usually hidden underneath his shaggy black mane.
"Well, Jake, I have to say, you have done wonders with this horse right here," Wyatt spoke, giving Ace a pat on the shoulder.
Jake shrugged. "It's only Ace."
Wyatt laughed. "I know son I was joking," He said, grabbing money from his pocket. "Here ya go," He said, handing Jake twenty dollars. He turned and looked at Ace. "This horse has been through a lot, the good and the bad. Treats Sam like his own. Though I have to say, all of us were very impressed when Tiffany was standing on his back. He didn't even know what was going on," Wyatt said, shaking his head and chuckling.
"And we are all very grateful that you were willing to do this," Gram said, smiling and shaking Jake's hand. Jake nodded and said, "No problem."
"BOO!"
Sam gasped and almost fell off the rail at the sound of Jen's voice.
"Oh my god, don't do that to me ever again!" Sam said, putting her hand on he heart. "You scared me half to death!"
Jen laughed as she jumped up onto the rail and sat beside Sam.
"You know, that's something Jake would do," Sam pointed out to her friend.
Jen grinned and pushed back her glasses. "Yeah well, I rode over here, tied Silly to the hitching post, and you still didn't notice me. I guess I found it the right time to be silly myself!"
Sam and Jen both laughed.
"So...I was thinking maybe if you'd wanna go for a ride? It's a really nice day," Jen said, readjusting her pink shorts.
Sam agreed. "Sure, in a minute. Hey Jake!" Sam shouted, waving her hands. He nodded and didn't even look up. Grabbing Ace's reins lazily from off the ground and walking over to her and Jen, Jake obviously knew what she wanted before she could even say anything else.
Jake and Sam had been friendly enemies ever since they were Tiffany's age. Maybe even younger than that. Now, he knew her way too well.
Jake walked up, leading Ace, wearing his lazy tomcat grin. Sam sighed and rolled her eyes. Here he goes, Sam thought.
"Here's your horse."
"Thanks," Sam snapped, snatching the reins.
Sam and Jen both looked at each other when Jake just stood there looking at Sam with his eyebrows slightly raised.
"Um..what?" Jen asked slowly.
"Nothin," Jake said, still staring at Sam like he was expecting her to say something.
What did he want her to say? She had already said thanks. Wasn't that enough?
Suddenly, Sam knew what she had to do.
Sam jumped off the rail, making Jake step back a few steps. Jen watched in amusement.
Sam sighed. "Sorry. I know that you've been coming here every day after school to make Ace better around kids, when you also have chores, homework, and your horse to worry about too," Sam said, her hands perched on her hips. She took them off when she realized she looked bratty.
"And I've been acting like a total...," Sam paused, searching for the right word. "A total brat, as you would call it."
Sam looked at the end of the arena from the corner of her eye, watching her dad. She hoped she had been loud enough so he could hear what she was saying. These past few days, Dad had gotten mad at her for being too mean to Jake, and he told her to to "grow up", or else he would have to double her chores.
Finally when dad looked their way, Sam took a deep breath. Stepping closer, Sam wrapped her arms around Jake and hugged him. She could have sworn she heard Jen gasp in surprise. After that, she definitely heard giggles coming from her friend.
Is this even worth it? This is like... kind of awkward, Sam thought. Yes, it is. I'm only doing this so I don't have to do those stupid extra chores.
Jake stepped away, pushing Sam back.
"Brat, what you said was enough!" Jake exclaimed, walking away from her. As he shuffled off, Sam saw his head shake and he looked back at her, rolling his eyes.
Sam turned so fast, her auburn hair went everywhere. She glared at her dad, who was now standing closer to her, laughing and looking proud.
Sam clenched her fists together. This had been going on for weeks and she couldn't take it any longer.
"Arghhhh! Dad! How come people always think I'm the one who's making everything worse, when really, it's someone else? Like maybe Jake? Huh? Oh, but I bet you could never imagine Jake being mean or doing something wrong, because everyone thinks "Oh, Jake is sooo mature and soo responsible", but Dad, I'm sorry to be the one to break it to you and the whole world, but he's NOT!"
Angry, Sam turned around and stormed out of the arena, slamming the gate behind her.
Oh no I forgot Ace, Sam remembered. Reluctantly, Sam slowly opened the gate when she bumped into Jen. Gladly, she was holding Ace's reins and by the look of her face, she looked like she was holding in a huge laugh.
Sam shook her head. "Oh, hey Jen. Look, I really don't know what that was about, okay?" Sam said. "I've just been getting so fed up with my dad and Jake lately I couldn't stand it any longer! Ughh," Sam groaned, running her hand through her auburn hair.
Jen led Ace out of the arena and closed the gate. "Sam, it's okay," She said, laughing. "I actually found it to be quite amusing."
Sam smiled. Jen was a really good friend. She knew how to cheer her up better than anyone else.
"So...now that that little episode is over..do you still feel up to riding?" Jen asked hopefully.
Sam nodded. "Yep. In fact, I think I need to get away from this place for a little while. At least away from some certain people," Sam said, glancing at dad and Jake who were on the porch, talking to Brynna and Gram. Tiffany had already left.
"Well then, let's get your horse groomed and," Jen broke off, examining him, "tack him up in a bigger saddle."
Sam laughed and tilted her head back to take a better look at her horse. "You know..why don't we just ride bareback? We haven't done that in a while," Sam said, stroking Ace's neck.
"And that sounds like loads of fun." Jen handed Sam Ace's reins and untied Silly from the hitching post. Silly bobbed her head up and down and stomped her foot hard on the ground, anxious to get moving.
Sam and Jen had slowed down to a walk by the time they got to the lake. Their horses' necks were sweaty and breathing hard from miles of racing across the playa.
Sam kept Ace reined in as he sipped from the cool water. Her horse was smart, and she hadn't forgotten the time when he went into the middle of the lake and refused to come out. And that's when Jake had "accidentally" roped her which then made her come crashing down into the lake, which was totally embarrassing.
Sam shook the thought away.
Jen and Silly were on the other side. Jen looked kind of like she was struggling to keep Silly where she was too. But Sam knew her best friend was a much better rider than her. She probably wouldn't have a problem.
"Hey, what day is it again? Wednesday or Thursday?" Jen asked.
It was Thursday. Wasn't it? No, Wednesday.
"I'm pretty sure it's Wednesday," Sam said, still not sure.
Jen nodded slowly. "Oh. That means we have..two and a half days to complete that book report for english class."
Oh yeah, Sam thought. the book report. Shoot, I haven't even started it yet. I've been so busy watching Ace's lessons.
"Great. Jen, have you started yours yet?" Sam asked, hoping she hadn't.
Jen nodded. "Yep. Why? Have you?" Jen asked, looking at her with a "You better have" look.
"umm...no," Sam said, making an innocent look.
"Samantha Ann Forster!" Jen exclaimed. "What would your dad say about that? And aren't you the expert in english class? The one who always gets A's? What's been up?"
Sam shrugged. "I guess I've just been a little paranoid. I mean, my parents chose Jake to teach Ace to be gentle instead of me, and I've been watching Jake and seeing if he does anything bad. I mean, I know he wouldn't, but I don't know-"
Jen broke her off. "How come you're so mad at Jake lately?" She asked. "I mean, I know you guys fight all the time, but still, I've never seen you actually this fed up with him."
Sam rolled her yes. She didn't feel like talking about it.
"Come on, Jen. We should probably go so I can start on that stupid report," Sam said, moving Ace out of the lake. Reluctantly, the gelding obeyed and his legs splashed out one by one.
Jen agreed and both of them were walking side by side when they reached the highway. Suddenly, a familiar beige cadillac pulled over to them and the driver rolled down his window. Jen flashed Sam a look, who was focused on the window going down, muttering bad things under her breath.
Linc Slocum was a person who no one enjoyed being around. Unfortunately, his neighbors had no choice but to be neighborly and see him almost every day.
"Jen," Linc nodded. "Miss Forster," Linc said, grinning his commercial tooth smile. Forcing a fake smile, Sam tried not to grimace at his nickname for her.
"Hey Mr. Slocum," Sam said politely. But Linc didn't seem to be listening to her. Instead, his eyes were focused on Ace.
"Samantha, you know my niece Tiffany, right? Young, black hair..in fact, she was just at your ranch having her lesson on your horse here," Linc said, nodding at Ace. When he let out his hand, letting him sniff it, Ace snorted and backed away cautiously. Sam bent down toward her horse's ears and whispered,"You're a smart boy." Of course, she said it quietly enough so Linc couldn't hear.
Jen spoke up. "Yeah, I remember her.." Jen looked at Sam, who was still talking to Ace.
"Hey Sam! You remember Tiffany, Linc's niece, don't you?"
Sam looked up right away and suddenly remembered. "Oh yeah, that little girl? Funny..I never knew she was your niece." Really, she didn't. Like usual, she had been the last to know.
Linc nodded. "Well, now you know. Anyway, my niece told me how good Ace is. She goes on and on about the lessons and, heh, get this," Linc said, shifting impatiently in his seat. "She even told me that your horse is her favorite horse in the whole gosh darn world," He said, chuckling. He looked Ace over again and raised an eyebrow.
"Guess it doesn't take a lot to make a little one so darn happy," Linc said, shaking his head.
Sam frowned. Ace was a great horse. He was one of her favorite horses in the world, too. Why was that so funny to him? And, Sam thought, He just dissed my horse. How dare he.
Jen noticed Sam's red face and the anger building up inside of her.
"Okay, Linc, go on," Jen demanded, looking at Sam sympathetically.
Right then, A horse's sharp neigh rang through the air. Sam was pretty sure it wasn't that far away, and she could hear the sound of hooves loping toward them. Suddenly letting her eyes focus, Sam just realized how dark it had gotten.
Linc cleared his throat. "Well you know how darling Tiffany is. Err...She's turning six on Saturday, and you know what that means. Party!" Linc said cheerfully, waving his hands up in the air.
Jen and Sam looked at each other with their eyebrows slightly raised. Linc was just weird sometimes.
"She's having it over at her house in Reno and she said, so dearly, 'Uncle Linc, may Ace please be used at my party for giving my friends pony rides?' Linc said, looking at Sam and holding his breath.
Sam hesitated. "Err..pony rides?" She echoed.
Linc was mean to her horse just a few minutes ago. He was responsible for the Phantom's scar, when his hunting dogs got loose, his horse being badly treated, and, Sam thought, Linc Slocum was the most ignorant and selfish, childish western wannabe man Sam and everybody else had probably ever met. Why would she ever do a favor as big as that for him? Especially when Ace was involved? And the fact that he just laughed in her horse's face and thought he was good for nothing? And now he expected her to say yes to letting Ace come to Reno with him and his niece and let him be a little "party pony"?
Linc Slocum would have had to do something totally and unexpectedly nice right this moment to get her to say yes, because right now, Sam was positive nothing and no one could make her say yes.
How was it? Review and please tell me what I can do to make it better or what you liked about it thanks! I'll probably update next on saturday or sunday. :)
