Disclaimer: I don't own Phantom Stallion and Bold dialog is from the book, so I don't own that either

I grabbed my black Stetson on my way out and pulled it low on my head, so it cast my face in shadow. I grabbed a halter and lead rope from the barn and headed towards the pasture. I whistled loudly and my big, black, Quarter horse mare, Witch trotted toward the gate. I slipped the halter on and clipped on the lead rope, Witch just stood there, something she wouldn't do for anyone but me. I lead her to the barn and quickly tacked her up. I really didn't have any place I needed to go so I just let Witch pick the direction. I wasn't too surprised when she headed down the familiar trail towards Riverbend. I did go there every day, to see Sam. I meant to work, I quickly corrected myself. Sam and I were just friends; I didn't need to see my friends every day. It didn't mean anything that the first thing I normally did when I got there was look for her. I didn't need to see her, just to prove it I wouldn't look for her when I got there.

When I finally got there my decision didn't really mean anything because, Silly Jen's palomino and Mrs. Allen's truck were there. If Jen was there it meant she and Sam were going for a ride. I'd see Sam on her way to the barn, no need to find her. I rode up to the hitching post and tied Witch next to Silly. I took longer the normal to drop her bit and loosen her girth. There wasn't anything I needed to do. I glanced around the ranch yard my eyes fell to the half-finished bunkhouse. It was something to do. I started to cut some lumber, choosing to use the hand saw over the electric. I needed the exertion, I was still mad about the Indian initiation thing and confused about how I felt about Sam. I had sawed a few boards and just started a new one when I heard the kitchen door open up, and Sam, Jen and Mrs. Allen walk out. They talked for a bit, then Mrs. Allen left and Sam went to the corral to get Ace.

I watched her walk away through my hair. I told myself I was watching her to make sure she didn't get hurt. It didn't matter that she probable walked Ace to and from the corral at least 6 or 7 times a day. Accidents happen, I was just being cautious. There was no way I was watching her because I liked the way her baggy T-shirt made her look tinier then she actually was, or how its dark green color brought out the reddish color of her auburn hair. It certainly wasn't because I liked the way her jeans hugged her, uh lower body. So while I watched her tack up, it was just to make sure Ace didn't spook or shy, I knew it wasn't likely but it was possible. It was impossible that I was checking Sam out. I almost had myself convinced I was just looking out for her, I mean she's was only a kid, when she lifted her arms up to put on the saddle. The action pulled her shirt a little tighter to her a body. Just a few minutes ago I had thought the baggy shirt looked good, now I thought a tighter shirt might be better. For the few moments it was pulled tight, well let's just say I was wrong Sam wasn't a kid anymore and she had the body to prove it.

Despite my best intentions to forget what I just saw and think of Sam as my just my best friend, I couldn't help but wish she'd wear a tighter shirt now and then. Before I had a chance to picture anything, Sam leaned forward and kissed Ace on the nose. That led to pictures of Sam in a tight shirt kissing me. When I pictured Sam's face in my mind her lips were a soft pink, full and very inviting. I flipped my hair out of my face so I could have an unobstructed view of Sam. There was no way Sam's lips looked that good. It had to be my imagination, teenage hormones or something. Sam was looking out at the Calico Mountains, not the best view to look at her lips. Not that I was complaining Sam looked good in profile, pretty, really pretty, beautiful even. How could I not have noticed how attractive she was? She turned to Jen and asked her a question. In spite of the distance I could still see her lips did look that good. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Jen nod towards me. I immediately started sawing vigorously, my now unbound hair swinging with each stroke.

I could feel their eyes on me, but what I did next had nothing to do with that. Maybe I was just hot, the sun was out after all, or maybe the shirt was hampering my movements. I didn't do it because Sam was watching and I knew most girls thought I had a nice body. Whatever the reason, I dropped the saw, shrugged out of my flannel shirt and flung it toward a stump. Now in only a white t-shirt and jeans, I quickly got back to work, so I could gauge Sam's reaction. I looked through my hair so she wouldn't know I was looking. I was getting kind of excited, I looked good right? Girls always said I had nice arms, and my mom said I looked good in white, something about it offsetting my dark skin, I think. So I watched for Sam's reaction with some anticipation. She shivered. I didn't expect her to suddenly throw herself in my arms or anything dramatic like that, but I expected more of a reaction then, that. I sawed faster. I didn't care if Sam thought I was attractive, because I didn't think she was attractive. She was my best friend, more like a little sister than anything else. I glanced up just to show myself it was only my imagination, Sam wasn't actually hot. I was rewarded with a nice view of Sam's behind as she swung up on Ace. She was definitely hot. What was I thinking? This was Sam, my shadow, the annoying little brat that would probably never let me live down this Indian initiation. The Indian initiation thing, I had forgotten about that. I thought my life was way too complicated. So I did something simple I worked.