Thanks to all reviwers! :] Makes my day each time! Anyways, here is another chapter! I just wanted to ask about length... this is the first multi chapter story i have written, so what is a good length for chapters? This is a bit longer than the last one, so I hope its enjoyed!

It was all his fault. Why did she have to fall in love with her best friend? With the one person she knew would never lover her back. Sam closed her eyes to the glare of the mid day sun as she walked Tempest to the river that gave her home its name. River Bend Ranch. Which ran directly across from his ranch. An easy ride for anyone, Jake usually ended up at her home sometime during the day, whether to work with her father or to see how things were going, he always seemed to be there.

Which was why Sam was nervous as she tread lightly in her boots, hoping not to stir up the dust that would rise with each of her steps. She was nervous because she knew that Jake would be here soon, or sometime relatively soon. She had just finished her chores, which meant that he had most likely also finished his. And when he finished at his house, he would come over to hers. And whenever he was around she would get nervous and her palms would become sticky, yearning for his fingers to softly caress hers.

Tempest pulled on the lead line, demanding Sam's attention. Her black felt ears were tipped in the direction of the bridge, and she nickered and pranced, alerting Sam to the presence of the very person she was just thinking about. She watched as he walked his mare, Witch, over the bridge, and listened to the familiar way that her hooves collided with the well-worn wood. His eyes looked up and caught hers, holding them while he brought Witch to a slow halt directly beside her and Tempest.

"Brat." Was his greeting, said in his usual stoic manner. "Jake." She replied, hoping to get him to talk first. He smiled when he saw how Tempest was reacting to his arrival, or rather to the arrival of Witch. She was stretching her nose and flaring her dainty nostrils as witch completely ignored her. Sam, in turn smiled as Tempest sneezed and turned back to the direction of the river, where she was hoping to go. They both looked at the horses with eyes that betrayed their hearts, gently and filled with love.

"How's she doing?" Jake asked quietly a few seconds, as if not wanting to interrupt the comfortable silence that had bloomed between them.

"She's been cribbing, and trying to bite Ace, but I figured she is just bored, so I'm going to take her to the river for a little bit of play time."

Jake nodded and turned witch to face the main yard, saying "Maybe I'll join you later? I have to see what Wyatt wants me to do." Sam blinked twice and nodded, although Jake had turned back and couldn't see. This prospect intrigued her, as she knew that the river had water, and water usual led to water fights, which were definitely a way to flirt. Jan had been pushing Sam to flirt more with Jake, to test the waters she had said. And Sam wanted to do just that.

But how? It was Jake, her best friend, and the boy she loved. She didn't know how to flirt if her life depended on it. Her lips pursed as she considered this, and Tempest whinnied, letting Sam know that she was impatient to get to the river. Sam gave in, saying, "Learn some manners!" and laughing as she led her filly into the cool refreshing waters.


Jake turned back to Wyatt, trying to listen to what he said. He had been distracted by the sound of Sam and Tempest playing in the water. Her laugh, which was hearty, swelled his own heart with love and made him happy. "Jake?" Wyatt's voice brought him back into the barn "Jake, I just need you to check the far fence and then you can go. But I'm sure Gram has food for you, so just stay for lunch."

"Yes sir. I'll get right on that" Jake responded without meeting Wyatt's eyes. Wyatt smiled as he realized what was capturing Jake's attention. Sam and her little black filly were in the river, splashing and making a ruckus.

Wyatt had seen this coming from a mile away. His daughter was growing up into a very beautiful woman, and Jake was bound to notice. What Wyatt was wondering ran along the lines of when they would both stop being so darn stubborn and tell each other that they were in love. Wyatt hoped it happened soon, for he seriously was sick of the way that they would act around each other, like embarrassed school children. But he also knew that the day that Jake confessed his love would be the day that Sam would realize that his love was forever. He watched as Jake almost walked into the barn door because he was watching Sam. Wyatt laughed and shook his head at the ways of love.


A/N: I kinda want to lead into them confessing their love... I love stories that build up, so there you go! haha