Despite the coldness of the night, Sam shivered. He was standing there, brown eyes intently watching her every move. Quietly as she could, Sam closed the door to the ranch house, stepped off the porch and walked five, slow steps toward him. After all, it was 1:00 am, and if anyone found out where she was instead of in her bed dozing off, she would surely be grounded.

White as a ghost, the Phantom stood on her side of the river, his gleaming coat in contrast to the dark night. As Sam walked closer and closer to the wonderful stallion her heart beat so fast she thought it might explode. There were two reasons for it: one, the phantom never came this close to the ranch, and she was excited to get to see him again, especially this close up. Two, if he was this close it had to mean something was wrong, and he was trying to ask her for help.

"Zanzibar," Sam whispered when she was now two feet away from her old horse. His breath on her hand made it tingle. Sam observed every single flinch the stallion made, starting with his ears, which were pointed forward in curiosity, all the way down to his hind legs. Set down with firmness and strength, to Sam it looked like he wasn't planning on bolting anytime soon, which showed how much he trusted her.

At first, Sam thought he was going to quietly nicker in response, like he usually did, but the way he fiercely threw up his head, swished his tail and stomped his fore leg told her otherwise. Then, with that as a warning, he let out a sharp neigh.

"No, Zanzibar!" Sam cried, but kept her voice soft. There was no doubt that his sudden outburst woke everyone in her house.

Just as she thought, the porch light turned on immediately. Sam squinted, but could only make out her dad's angry silhouette as he stormed off the porch walking stiffly and tiredly toward her. Sam felt a sudden whirl of wind beside her.

When Sam looked at the Phantom again she gasped. Instead of him, it was Jake, standing right where the Phantom had just seconds ago. He was looking at her with some kind of sadness in his eyes.

"What is is, Jake?" Sam whispered. When she looked up into Jake's eyes, she knew something bad was going to happen. His eyes told her that it wasn't just going to be grounding, and when her Dad stopped in front of them and their eyes met, Sam read Jake's eyes and knew it had something to do with Dad.

Knowing that, Sam looked at her dad resentfully too.

"Sorry Jake," Dad said, putting his hand on Jake's shoulder. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to fire you."

What! Nooooo-

"OOOOO!"

"Sam! Goodness, what is it?"

Breathing hard, Sam lay upright in her bed, looking at Gram in horror. A few seconds later her face loosened.

"Oh good, it was just a dream."

Gram tsked her tongue. "Another nightmare, huh?"

Sam nodded, pulling her legs up to her chest. "Yeah, only this one was different. Way different." Sam thought of her recent nightmares, and how in all of them replayed the night when Ricardo got loose and kicked her, causing her to lose her memory.

"Really?" Gram asked. "What was it about this time?"

Sam would have told her if she wasn't so tired. "I'm going back to bed. But I promise you'll know in the morning."

Gram gave a sympathetic nod, turned off the lights and closed the door. Hugging her pillow, Sam shivered in the dark, feeling more alone than ever.

-----------------

"Lands, Sam, now I know you're gonna keep complaining to me about how unfair it is but now that Jake doesn't work here anymore, you're really gonna have to start working harder."

Sam moaned. Was this how someone should treat her after she had just woken up? All she planned to do was eat breakfast and head out but no. One of the bad things about Gram was that she never quit nagging when there was something needing to be done.

"Sam! Did you hear what your Gram just asked?" Brynna scolded.

"Yes, I did, and I'll get on those extra chores right away," Sam said through gritted teeth.

Before Gram had been nagging at her, Sam had told them about her nightmare. It didn't make Sam happier when they informed her that Jake had been fired when her memory had been lost. Fortunately, they didn't agree with her dad's actions, and said they might be able to convince him to apologize to Jake and re-hire him.

As Sam worked away on collecting the hens' eggs suddenly she wondered why her Dad had fired Jake in the first place. Gram and Brynna hadn't told her that part. They looked embarrassed by even talking about the whole situation.

As much as she hated to admit it, Sam missed Jake. She missed it when she could always look out her window, or walk outside and always see him working away with the horses. Now it was all different because of her dad.

Sam smiled when she remembered the song she used to sing right after her mom died. It kind of fit with Jake too.

I miss you

I miss you're smile

And I still shed a tear

Every once in a while

And even though we're different now

You're still here somehow

My heart won't let you go

And I need you to know

I miss you

Sam was still singing the last words to the song when she heard hooves crossing the bridge.

Her spirits lifted when she saw it was Jake, but for some reason he held a finger to his lip signaling for her to be quiet.

"What?" Sam mouthed. For some reason when he did that she felt angry, like he was trying to be the boss.

Jake waved a hand toward him signaling her to come over there.

Rolling her eyes, Sam dropped the basket and ran over until Witch backed away scared. "What is it?"

"Hurry and get on Ace. We're goin' for a ride."

"Oh and what makes you so sure?" Sam hissed, folding her arms stubbornly.

"Because, brat, we have to talk and if you're dad sees me here he'll kick me off," Jake said impatiently.

"My dad isn't that mean," Sam snapped, then tilted her head. "But I'm not either. I'll go get Ace and I might as well ride bareback."

Time rolled by as Sam tied Ace, put on his bridle and finally mounted. She didn't know where they were off to, or why, but Jake was her friend and he needed her help. Or at least she thought he did.

Sam and Jake rode in silence. Sam could feel the tension in the air and whenever she glanced at Jake, curiosity bubbled up inside her, wondering what was so important. Though she also felt sort of nervous because it might be something bad. As her nerves transmitted down the reigns, Ace threw up his head, tugging on the bit. Sam shortened the reigns and he slowed down to a hammering trot. "Ow," Sam cried, breaking the silence.

"What?" Jake asked immediately, his eyes clouded with concern.

Sam's brows furrowed, confused that he would care. "Nothing."

On they went, enjoying the colorful leaves of Fall scattered around the ground and fresh smell of morning. When Jake finally stopped, Sam smiled.

"How did you know this is one of my favorite places?"

Jake shrugged. "I didn't."

They hopped off their horses and stood there, gazing at the beautiful river. But Sam couldn't keep still long for she knew Jake was hiding something. She eyed him and he rubbed his neck in discomfort.

"That night when your dad fired me and you couldn't remember anything...well, something else happened too."

"Oh, I already know about your brothers. Gram told me. I'm so sorry," Sam said sympathetically.

Jake laughed uncomfortably. "No, it's not that. Something else happened. Something I should've told you days ago."

Puzzlement came over her. Suddenly a sick feeling came over her and she thought of all the bad things that had been going on. "Jake, you're scaring me...just say it."

Setting his jaw, Jake looked the most serious she had ever seen him in her life. The most nervous, too.

Finally after ten seconds of looking around and clearing his throat, Jake finally said, "When I was with you at my ranch, behind a bush, watching my injured brothers in secret," Jake said nervously, "The reason why you're dad fired me is because we kissed, Sam."

...DUN DUN DUN...

The next chapter will be up probably by Thursday, maybe sooner. :)

Please review!

Oh and the song is by Miley Cyrus from Hannah Montana. I like that show and the song. :)