By the time Sam and Jen reached Gold Dust, Hotspot was back in her stall and Ace was ground tied outside the stable. Jake stood by the little gelding, hat's brim pulled low over his eyes. Despite his Stetson, Sam could tell there was something troubling him. Linc Slocum was visible just outside the mansion, going inside. Frowning, Sam dismounted just as she began to sense Witch getting irritable. The mare snorted as Jake took the quarter horse's reins. Jen led Silly into the stable and Sam was about to follow her when Jake grasped her arm. "Meet me tonight, at the river. Linc's going to kill your stallion." He whispered in her ear, then mounted Witch and rode towards home.

Staring after him in bewilderment, Sam shook her head, then followed Jen into the barn. The moment she was inside, she saw Jen was not alone. Ryan's arms were wrapped around her friend, and they seemed glued together at the lips. "Oh geez." Sam muttered, turning away. Jen pulled away from Ryan, blushing furiously. "Sam, listen-" She started to speak, but Sam cut her off.

"No, Jen, come on! You know why you shouldn't be with this jerk!" She said angrily.

Jen looked slightly bewildered. "It's not-"

"Don't try to defend him!" Sam's voice was rising.

"Samantha, you don't understand." Ryan's accented voice had never made Sam feel quite this sick.

"I don't want to even look at you, let alone listen to your lies." Sam spat, storming back outside.

"Sam! Quit being such an idiot! You're just jealous that you don't have what we have!" Jen shouted, moving after her.

Furious, Sam mounted Ace and rode at a gallop towards River Bend, her gelding's hooves tearing up the ground. All Sam could think about was getting farther away from Gold Dust. By the time River Bend came into view, her vision was blurred with tears.

"Sam! Where have you been? You've been gone for over three hours-" Brynna's lecturing tone was suddenly cut off. Standing by Penny with her pregnant stomach held before her in an obviously proud manner, she hardly looked threatening, although the moment she saw the wetness on Sam's cheeks, her glare softened into a look of sympathy.

"What's wrong?" She whispered.

"Jen...She won't listen to me, and Ryan won't..." Sam shook her head and dismounted. Brynna took Ace's reins.

"Go on inside, i'll take care of him for you." She said softly. Sam thanked her stepmother with a hug and rushed inside.

---

Later that night, Sam crept downstairs to speak to Dad. Brynna had already gone to bed, feeling strangely tired. Gram had suspected that Brynna might be close to giving birth, and had suggested she rest.

"Be careful, Sam." Dad said quietly, not looking up from the mug of coffee he held between his palms. Sam knew that was as good of a blessing as she was going to get, and hugged him. "And I want you to take Ace, not Tank." He added. Sam frowned, wondering how he had known, but said nothing, merely nodding as she rushed outside and mounted the small gelding.

Twenty minutes later, Sam made out the figure of Jake, riding Chip and holding a bunch of orange netting under one arm. A feeling of warmth spread from her heart to her entire body and she found herself smiling.

"Come on, i've already found the Phantom's herd. There only a few minutes west of here." Jake said, falling into place beside Sam as they rode at a trot in that direction.

The Phantom apparently had a new lead mare. His silvery white pelt glimmered in the moonlight, but it was not he who circled the other horses, it was a small dun with a star on her forehead. The herd was moving in the direction of the valley, but stopped once they reached the small pond before heading up the hill. Jake and Sam pulled their horses to a stop.

"Jake," Sam said quietly, and he turned to face her, still keeping the stallion in the corner of his vision. "Please, let me do this alone. No one else has seen his valley..." Her voice faded as the herd began moving once more.

Jake, never failing to surprise her, leaned over and pulled her close in a hug. "Be careful, Sam." He whispered, his breath fluttering on her neck. She felt a shiver ripple through her body as she leaned back and took the fence and staple gun.

Sam whispered to Ace and moved forward after the stallion and his herd. They vanished into the darkness, and after a few minutes, had reached the entrance to the valley, the cave's mouth seemed welcoming.

Dismounting Ace and leaving him ground-tied, Sam waited for the last of the mares to clear the cave's entrance. The Phantom stopped at the mouth of the cave, deep brown eyes surveying Sam. "Zanzibar." She whispered, reaching a trembling hand towards his forehead. He tossed his head, avoiding her touch, then trotted after his herd.

Sighing, Sam turned and stapled both sides of the fence into place, before ducking under it and finishing it. She could duck back under after she made sure the pass wasn't blocked. It wasn't, and she could make out the shapes of the mares and yearlings down in the valley, smiling, she turned around, only to see a figure standing in the mouth of the cave. "Jake?" She whispered.

Jake stood beside Chip, frowning as he saw a pair of headlights in the distance. Suddenly, they were extinguished, just as they reached the place Sam had vanished. In a flash, he recognized the champagne jeep. "Slocum." He growled, vaulting onto Chip's back.

"Hello, Samantha." Linc Slocum's voice was the one that echoed to her, malice lacing each word.

((Finally updated! Sorry for the wait! Read and review, as always!))