It almost seemed to Sam that Ace sensed the importance of this ride. He allowed Sam to saddle him without any protest, and the moment she was mounted, took off at a gallop towards Gold Dust ranch. As soon as she reached the stables, Sam dismounted and left Ace ground-tied, walking inside. Jen saw her and smiled. The redness in her eyes showed Sam her friend had been crying.

"What happened, Jen?" Sam asked quietly as she approached.

"I should have listened to you about Ryan." Jen's voice was even softer, and she looked into Hotspot's stall, where the mare stood next to Shy Boots, looking extremely tired.

"Jen, did he…?" Sam let the question hang in the air, and Jen laughed bitterly.

"No." Jen let out a long sigh. "He dumped be because I wouldn't." She shook her head.

Sam rolled her eyes. "He's a jerk, Jen, you can do so much better."

Jen smiled. "Yeah, that's what I told him, and he left looking very angry." She shrugged, as though it didn't matter. "But that's not the main reason I called you."

Sam frowned. This week was beginning to become the stuff worthy of Oprah. "There's WORSE news?" She asked sullenly.

Jen motioned to Hotspot. "The Phantom was around here earlier. I think he wants his mare back."

"Of course he does, but he'll give up after a while." Sam said, although she sounded uncertain.

"Sam, you might want to go talk to your dad." Jen said softly, resting one arm on her friend's shoulder. "There's been another killing. Linc Slocum and my dad found the bull, but they haven't told Wyatt yet. You might want to come to some sort of agreement with him before news of this reaches him."

Sam tossed her hands in the air, groaning in frustration. "What is going on?" She snarled loudly.

Jen made a small hum of sympathy. "Go talk to Wyatt." She said, starting back to her house.

Sam sighed and leaned against Hotspot's stall. Dr. Scott had splinted the mare's foreleg, but she was still favoring it whenever she could.

"Samantha," A richly accented voice from the stable's doorway caused her to turn, filled with a sudden fury. Before she had a chance to yell at Ryan, he was speaking in hushed tones. "My father wants that stallion deported, and he's been killing your father's bulls to frame him."

Sam stood there, glaring at Ryan. "Why in the world should I believe you?" She growled.

Ryan's gaze fell to the stable floor. Guilt shadowed his face. "You have plenty of reason to be skeptical. But with the bulls dying, you can bet your father would be willing enough to go shoot your stallion himself." He folded his arms and turned away, starting back towards his house.

Sam groaned and sank to the floor of the stables. Hotspot nickered softly, and Sam smiled as an idea came to her. She stood and rushed back outside, vaulting onto Ace's back and riding back towards home. As La Charla came into view, she saw a glimpse of black from the corner of her eye and turned her head to see Jake riding towards River Bend. She slowed Ace and Witch fell into step beside him. Deciding not to say anything social, Sam began rattling off her idea.

"Linc Slocum is the one who has been killing dad's cattle. I was thinking I could put up a fence at the entrance to the Phantom's secret valley once he's inside and tell my dad, but no one else-well except you obviously, since I just told you- and the next time one of the cattle gets killed, it will be obvious the Phantom is innocent." Proud of herself, Sam looked to Jake for a reaction. Surprise, surprise, his face looked impassive, unreadable.

"That sounds like a long shot." He said quietly.

Sam sighed. Still hadn't changed. Well, except the whole kissing her thing, he was still emotionless Jake.

"Do you think it will work?" Sam asked, unable to hide her eagerness.

Jake was silent for several moments before answering. "It should work, but if any mares or foals get stuck outside the fence you want to build, they'll most likely get killed."

Sam scowled. "I'd make sure they were all inside." She muttered, letting Ace fall back into a trot. Witch matched his pace easily. "What are you doing going this way?" She asked, wondering why she hadn't asked before.

Jake smirked slightly. "Did you know you were failing math again?" He asked.

Sam's scowl intensified. "Yes." She muttered as River Bend came into view.

"Well, fortunately for you, so does Brynna." The grin was wide on Jake's face as they rode over the bridge.

((One of my shorter chapters, but I thought it settled some things. R&R please.))