Well peeps I took the song out of this chapter. Changed my mind, didn't want it in there. The next chapter won't have any songs in it either. But the chapter after the next will. If that makes any sense. Back to the story.

Chapter Nine

The day after the night of the party Sam sat cross-legged on the floor, teaching Kenna how to twirl the ribbon around for Cougar. The old cat played like he was a kitten again, enjoying the attention he didn't usually get. He meowed and would pounce for the ribbon, only to have it jerked out of reach by Kenna. When Cougar would look at the ribbon in wonder, amazed that he couldn't catch it, Kenna would laugh in delight.

When Sam was convinced Kenna knew how to do it without falling victim to one of Cougar's pounces or scratches, she got up and left the living room for the kitchen. Gram was making coffee, Dad had already ridden out and now that Bryanna's due date drew near, she usually slept later than the rest. "Mornin' Gram." Sam kissed her grandmother's cheek before sinking into the kitchen chair.

"Good Morning, Dear." Gram replied without looking up from the pot of coffee she was currently heating up.

"Oh how I wish I could have some of that." Bryanna said coming down the kitchen stairs, still braiding her hair. "It smells wonderful."

Gram tsked her tongue. "No matter how wonderful it smells you cannot have any coffee. It's not good for the baby."

"I know." Bryanna sank down into the chair next to Sam.

"Are you alright, Bryanna?" Sam asked, looking at her stepmother closely. "You look a little pale."

Bryanna gave a weak laugh and patted her stomach, round with pregnancy. "Baby Noah is determined to come out early, and with complications at that."

Sam was instantly worried. "Complications?"

"Seems I can't have a normal labor. Always gotta do things the hard way. The babies must have the Forster stubborn streak." Bryanna paused when she saw how worried Sam was. "It'll be fine, honey. I'm going in for a check up today. Chances are, they'll tell me the baby needs a few more weeks to develop before it's safe to come out. Then they'll have to perform another c-section, since Noah seems to want to give them trouble."

Sam didn't understand half of what Bryanna said, but she didn't sound worried. "I'll take your word on it." She said getting up and walking out the door.

Sam went straight to the barn. She had just finished grooming and saddling Ace and was leading him out of the barn so they could go on a quick ride, when she heard a truck pull in the ranchyard. Sam didn't recognize the car, but she recognized the driver. Perfect. Simply perfect. Sam thought. Sam would always welcome the two passengers who had just climbed out of the pickup, but she didn't see why the driver should even be allowed to lay eyes on her ranch.

Darrell and especially Jake were always welcome at her ranch and in her life. But Dani didn't have business here. Sam forced a smile on her lips and after tying Ace to the hitching post, walked over to greet them.

"Thanks D." Jake said, kissing Dani's cheek.

Dani turned her head so the kiss meant for her cheek was instead delivered onto her lips. Jake gave a small chuckle and kissed her longer.

"Burns you up doesn't it?" Darrell came up from behind Sam.

Sam jumped four feet in the air. "Are you trying to scare me half to death?"

"Well I was going for scaring you to death, but half to death will have to do." Darrell laughed as Sam punched him. "Do you get mad when you see any girl making out with their boyfriend's or only when their making out with Jake?"

Sam didn't answer right away. "I'm not mad." She insisted.

Darrell laughed again. "You've got smoke coming out of your ears Sammy. I know you like him. Everyone does. Except him. And Dani, but she doesn't know much."

Sam managed a laugh. At least she wasn't the only one who didn't like Dani.

"Let's talk on the porch." Sam followed Darrell to the front porch and took a seat next to him. "You want some advice, Sammy?"

Sam laughed. "No, but you're going to give it to me anyway."

"Yes, I am." Darrell said. "But before I do that, I'm gonna ask you –Why do you even like Jake?"

Sam sighed and decided she might as well tell Darrell. He already knew anyway. "Darrell, I just do. He's hot and funny. I love the way I feel when I'm around him. And he…" Sam trailed off. "I don't really know. He's just got a certain something. Besides, he's hot and did I mention hot?" Sam laughed again. "Why am I even telling you all this? It's not like he'll ever like me anyway." Sam finished quietly, staring at the ground.

"You don't know that, Sammy." Darrell said a bit slyly.

Sam looked up. "Are you trying to tell me Jake likes me?"

Darrell shrugged. "Don't know." He lied. "But you never know."

Sam sighed. "He doesn't. I'm sure."

Darrell fought the urge to throw his hands up in exasperation. Is everyone so blind? How can she not see he's just as crazy for her as she is for him? Darrell shook his head. Do I have to do everything myself?

Darrell would take matters into his own hands if he had too, but he'd prefer if they work it out themselves. "You never know." He repeated.

Sam got up and was about to walk away when Darrell called her back. "Sammy?"

Sam turned to face him. "Yea?"

"What does Jen think of me?"

Sam laughed out loud. She knew what he meant, but decided to take advantage of the moment. "What ever could you mean?"

Darrell squirmed uncomfortably. "Does she like me?"

Sam laughed again and quoted Darrell. "You never know."

"Darrell." Dani called from beside the truck. "Let's go."

"Where're you goin'?" Sam asked him.

Darrell shrugged. "Don't know. Jake wanted a ride over here 'cuz his brothers had the truck. Dani gave offered to drive him. I just came along for the ride."

"Bye Darrell." Sam gave him a one armed hug. "And thanks for your completely useless advice."

Darrell laughed and returned the hug. "Anytime, Sammy, anytime."

He jogged over to where Dani was waiting by the truck. Sam made her way towards Jake. He was sitting on the rock where they had first kissed. Sam sucked in a breath. She knew it was silly, but she really didn't want to talk to Jake in that spot. A lot of emotions were there. But she certainly wasn't going to tell him to move. Instead she squared her shoulders and sat down next to him. "What's up?"

"I saw you talkin' to Darrell." Jake's voice bubbled with curiosity.

"Yea." Sam said slowly. "So?"

"What about?"

"Nothing." Like I'm gonna tell you. Sam added silently.

"It was something." Jake insisted.

"Why do you have to be so curious?" Sam teased.

Jake shrugged and gave a small smile. "It's in my blood."

Sam knew Jake would pester her until she told him something. But that didn't mean she had to tell him the full truth. "Darrell was giving me some advice."

"I thought that was what Jen was for."

Sam laughed. "I needed guy advice."

Jake pretended to be offended. "So you went to Darrell." He said a bit slowly. "Instead of me." He cocked his head and looked at her. "I'm hurt."

Sam laughed again then added seriously. "You were a bit busy."

Jake looked a bit shocked for a moment before he said just as seriously as Sam had. "I'm never to busy for you."

Sam's skin shivered. Did he always have to be so good to her? She was so shocked and breathless she didn't say anything.

Jake spoke up again. "What was the advice about?"

Sam was still in shock so she wasn't really sure what she was saying. "The guy I like." Then Sam realized what she had said. She winced inwardly. Smooth. Just tell him everything. She hadn't really told him much, but it was more than what she wanted to say.

"Ah." Jake said as if she'd just told him every little detail. "Robby."

What? Sam wondered what the heck he was talking about. Then she remembered. Jake thought she was dating Robby and so it made sense that he thought she liked Robby. Things would've been fine if she hadn't said what she had next. "Just because I'm dating him doesn't mean he's the guy I like."

No you didn't. Sam suddenly felt nauseous. You did not just say that. Sam felt like crying. What was she going to do now?

Jake didn't even try to hide his shock. He wanted to ask her what she meant, but he knew. He was with Dani, but was wild about Sam. "So," He began. "Who is, it if not Robby?" When Sam didn't answer, he began to think. Jake would know when he guessed it right, because of the way Sam would react. Think. He shouldn't care this much, but he did. Who would she being talking to Darrell about? "Oh. My God." Jake said jumping up. "Tell me it is not Darrell." he began pacing back and forth.

Sam wondered why he cared so much. 'You never know…' 'You never know…' Darrell's voice repeated over and over again in her head. "Why do you care so much?"

Jake threw his hands up in the air. "It is Darrell. No way." He continued to pace. I cannot believe it. Sam likes Darrell and I like Sam. This is wrong. I'm going to kill him.

Jake was spazzing. Completely spazzing. And Sam was getting panicky by the way he was acting. "It's not Darrell." She whispered quietly.

Jake halted. "What?"

Sam snapped then. "It's not Darrell!" Sam shouted, jumping up and facing Jake. "God, Jake don't you see? I'm crazy about you! Not Darrell. Certainty not Robby. You. I like you."

Jake's eye grew wide and his mouth opened slightly. Before either one knew what was happening, Jake rushed forwards, closing the space between them. He placed a hand on either side of her cheek and kissed her. Hard. It wasn't the quick, brief kiss like the one he had given her two years ago. It was a real kiss. Sam melted into Jake as he ran his tongue across her lips. Sam's lips parted and she gave him the permission he so desperately wanted. The kiss was heating up, when…

(If I were a mean author, I'd it there, but b/c I'm so grateful you're even reading it, let alone reviewing, I'll keep going.)

"Hello, Mrs. Forster. Is Jake here?"

Lightning fast, Sam and Jake pulled apart. Sam looked around; a bit panicky. When she saw Dani heading towards them, Sam took off towards the barn.

"Sam. Wait-" Jake reached out in the direction she had gone, but didn't follow. Instead he sighed and turned to face his girlfriend. "Dani." It came out close to a growl.

"C'mon, honey." Dani tied intertwined her arm with his. "I want to show you the new foal at my ranch."

Jake felt sick. With one last glance and the barn, he got in the truck and drove away with Dani.

Sam sobbed into Ace's mane. Her arms encircled his neck and she let the tears fall freely. She wasn't sure why she was crying; she just felt like crying. She should be happy, shouldn't she? Jake Ely had just kissed her; why wasn't she estatic? Because he didn't come after me. Sam thought grimly. He had kissed her, and he'd meant it too. You didn't kiss someone like that without not having feelings for them. But still, it hadn't meant anything. Jake had still went with Dani. Chose Dani over Sam. Sam's body shaked violently in silent sobs. Jake had hurt her, not purposely, but he had. Badly. It hadn't been the kiss that made her feel this way. The kiss had been perfect. Sam's heart was broken because Jake had kissed her; but didn't care enough about her to follow her.

I will on the other hand, leave it at that. Review and tell me exactly what you thought of it. I already have chapter, what are we on now anyway, ten? Typed up. So the faster you review, the sooner I update!