Chapter 7

A/N. + disclaimer, I don't own The Phantom Stallion. Bold dialogue is directly from the book, so I don't own that either. Also due to reader request there will be no more cursing.

Previously: That's when I accepted my feels for Sam weren't just a crush or even hormones. My overprotectiveness wasn't brotherly regard, nor was it guilt from the accident (at least not entirely). My desire to keep other guys away from her wasn't only to protect her, but to keep her for myself. I wasn't concerned with her well-being more than anyone else's simply because she was my best friend. I liked Sam, I really liked her. I think I might love her, but it's too soon to admit that even to myself. We haven't even gone on a date; I haven't even told her I like her yet.

The moment of my grand epiphany was cut short when my grandpa suddenly said "I want to show you a horse."

I know Sam always accuses me of reading her mind, but this time I think she read mine. I was just thinking: why in the world would Grandpa want to show her a horse when she squeaked out "Me?" She glanced at me really quickly, but I was too busy staring down my grandpa to acknowledge her. My family seemed to have an obsession with trying to get Sam and me together. It normally didn't bother me that much since their plans tended to be to try to throw us together as much as possible (my mom) or make inappropriate references (my brothers). I spent most of my free time with Sam anyway and most of the references went right over Sam's head. But, my Grandpa was more cunning than them and with my recent discovered feelings, I wasn't sure I was up to spending so much time with Sam. Especially in such a remote location as Monument Lake, far removed from any worry of interruptions or discovery; we could do almost anything up there and no one would know. Plus it was a pretty romantic spot, if I was going to say something to Sam that would be a nice place to do it. But would Sam want me to? Was she ready for a serious relationship? Was I? I knew if I started anything with Sam it'd be serious, heck I was already having stray thoughts about marriage. I couldn't image not having her in my life. I wasn't sure I could tell her.

Grandpa nodded catching my attention and continued, "The horse is for Jake. She's running free on tribal lands and he will catch her." That was something I knew I could do. I glanced at Sam and saw her faced was flushed. Her eyes were slightly larger than normal and shining. She was fidgeting a bit, sure signs she was excited. I couldn't imagine never seeing her like this again. Never seeing her smiling up at me or setting her jaw and digging her heels in about something. I don't know what I'd do if I never saw her spitting mad again. Her face flushed, breathing erratic, fist clenched and focused entirely on me. Suddenly I knew the answer to my question, I couldn't tell her. I couldn't risk our friendship. I missed two years with her because of my stupidity I wouldn't miss any more. I came to my decision with a resigned smile.

Seemly unaware of the monumental decision I just made Sam asks "Where is she?"

"One finger of tribal land stretches east between Lost Canyon and Arroyo Azul, on the other side of the mountains there's a high desert lake." I answered.

"Monument Lake, isn't that it?" Sam questions. I was surprised she remembered. She hadn't been there since we were little kids. Grandpa nods and response,

"That's home to the tribe's horses" I pictured the horses, half-wild running by the lake, the bright, blue, water a splash of color in the otherwise varying shades of brown and tan that is the desert. Sam would love it. It really would be a perfect place to make a move on her, but I couldn't risk it. I promised myself I would make sure no other guy brought her there and tried anything. I couldn't help but long for the days when the thought of going to the lake with Sam revolved around simple enjoyment instead of frustrated romance. I'd be thinking of ways to push her in the lake without getting in trouble instead, of way Icould steal a few kisses, without jeopardize our whole friendship.

"Has she been ridden before?" Sam asks snapping my attention back to the conversation.

Grandpa answers "Not successfully" I could sense Sam's impish delight and remembered our reunion from her return from San Frisco was preceded by me being bucked off a horse I was training. So half in jest I drawled out the beginning of the old saying,

"Ain't a horse that can't be rode," Sam finished it,

"Ain't a cowboy that can't be throwed."

Grandpa smiled and announced "Jake will catch her and run her in the race."

Surprised I said, "I will? The race is soon. If I caught her tomorrow, even counting in spring vacation which would help, I'd only have two weeks to work with her." I was good but I didn't think I was that good.

"What do you do that's hard?" Grandpa asked. I started to respond when he stopped me with a slight shake of his head. "Think before you speak, then tell me what you do that's so hard you're not sure you can succeed?"

I really thought about it and realized the answer was not much. I could get good grades by studying and paying attention in class. I did well in track simply by being dedicated and sticking with training. Same went for working with horses. Time and patience did most of the work. The only thing I wasn't sure I could do was get Sam to date me, so I chickened out. Not being one for chatter I gave grandpa the short answer, "Not that much"

He nodded sagely, like he knew that was going to be my answer. Then took the wise man act, a little too far continuing "Before I pass over, I want to know my son's sons can handle the heart-busting days that will come." Though I'll admit the last part tripped me up a little bit. Grandpa had a tendency to give you a cryptic warning that only made sense after you've done what he was warning you against. I couldn't help but wondering if he was warning me against pursuing Sam "heart-busting" was one of my main concerns. He didn't give me a lot of time to decipher any hidden meaning. Turning to Sam, he said, "We'll come for you at five o' clock."

Sam's eyes widened and she gasped, "In the morning?" She looked so cute. No, I mean amusing I corrected myself, that any deeper thoughts fled my mind.

"In the morning." Grandpa confirmed also hiding his amusement.