Chapter 2

Sam looked up at Jake and smiled, "Okay, if you say so," Sam said.

Jake smiled his tomcat grin. Sam laughed nervously and shook her head. She headed over to the corral. She climbed up the railings and peered in. The giraffe patterned horse was galloping around in circles inside the corral. "So, give me her stats."

Jake climbed the side of the corral and stood next to her. "She's four years old, a wild mustang that was taken off the range 'bout two weeks ago. Apparently, she got out of her paddock at this place called Mustang Monument. Six hundred something mustangs rescued by Madeline Pickens. Anyway, she's trouble; watch out," and with that, he slid off of the fence.

Now Sam was stuck with a horse she didn't have time for. "Thanks a lot, Jake," she whispered.

She watched and waited until the horse slowed down. The horse stopped and looked at Sam. Slowly, Sam put one leg over the side of the corral. Then, she put the second leg over. She rested her hands on the top rail and lowered herself down. Her legs slid out from underneath her and thudded to the ground. The horse spooked and almost crashed into the rail, but then swerved and came to a stop. The mare snorted and reared up. Sam scrambled up the corral side. "Yup, she's trouble," Sam chuckled.

She tried again but this time, the horse charged at her. "Damn you, Jake."

Sam slammed the front door with a big sigh. She put her hat on the hook and clomped into the kitchen. Her dad and Brynna turned around in shock. Her dad grunted and shook his head. Plunking down in a seat at the table, Sam put her head in her hands. She had tried multiple times to get near the temperamental mare. Each was a more embarrassing failure than the last. The mare had tried to bite, kick, rear, and charge her. Her dad put his coffee down and turned to look at her. "We need to talk," he said in his gruff voice and with a small signal over his hand.

He went into the lounge and Sam followed. They sat down on the couch. Her dad cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck. "Sam, are you crazy!? That horse could kill you! I saw you with it. It's dangerous!"

Sam looked at him in astonishment. Was he crazy? "You let me train Blackie when I was eleven! I think I can handle this horse."

Her dad looked even angrier. "Yeah, and you got hurt! I don't want to risk it again!"

Sam shook her head in disbelief. "I've grown up. I know what I'm doing. If I need help I'll ask Jake. Just-" Sam rose her voice, "Let me make my own decisions please," She stormed off to her bedroom.

Slamming her door behind her, she fell on her bed with frustration. She heard footsteps come up to her door. There was a soft knock, "Sam, please let me in," her dad pleaded.

Sam made a very un-lady like grunt and rolled over so that her back was to the door. "Go away," she whispered.

Her dad sighed and went down stairs.

Sam opened her eyes. Moonlight flooded her room. She looked out the window at the desert view. It shimmered under the moonlight. She turned over and looked at her alarm clock. It flashed the time, 4:57. She might as well get up now.

5:30 wasn't long away and she wouldn't be able to fall asleep in that time. She slid out of bed and walked down stairs.

She turned on the light in the kitchen and jumped when she almost stepped on Blaze! The dog yelped and stood up.

He had a betrayed expression on his face. She hadn't even stepped on the dog! Sam smiled and shook her head. Walking over the stove, she picked up the kettle. She filled it enough for a cup of coffee and put it on the stove. Putting the gas on, she ignited it with the spark button. She walked over to the pantry and got the instant coffee and sugar. Grabbing a cup of the hook on the wall and the milk from the fridge, she headed over to the table. She mindlessly made the coffee. She was brought back to reality when the kettle whistled. She quickly turned it off as to not wake anyone up.

Too late. Cody began to cry upstairs, and she heard Brynna get up to sooth the baby. Pouring hot water into her mug, she saw her dad come down the stairs.

She sat down at the table and her dad went through the same process she had just finished. Slowly the rest of the family came down the stairs. Soon, it was breakfast time. After breakfast, Sam walked out to the horse. She leaned on the corral rail thinking about the best way to work with her.

"What ya thinkin" about Brat?" Jake asked.

Sam whipped around and slapped his arm, "How many times do I have to tell you, don't sneak up on me!"

Jake just smiled and said, "Skitterish as a mouse, you are."

Sam glared at him, but a smile crept onto her face. Suddenly, she thought of something she needed to ask Jake. "Jake, what's her name?" Sam gestured toward the giraffe patterned horse.

"Oh yeah, um I think its Safari."

Sam instantly knew the connection. She looked at the horses coat color and laughed. "Cheesy."

Authors Note; First of all, the kettle thing. At my house we don't have an electric jug so that's how we make coffees and teas and hot chocolates. And second of all, thank you to my wonderful beta-reader The Narnian Phantom Stallion who is very busy but still takes the time out of her day to read and edit my story. And the last thing is; do you guys want chapters that are shorter+more frequent+less time consuming, or chapters that are longer+less updated+more informal+slightly better quality. Please comment or DM me.