"Wha-" Sam paused. "Why-" Sam cut off again. "You know what, would it just be easier if I said who, what, where, when, why and how!" Sam exclaimed.

After she realized what she had just said, Sam felt her cheeks redden and shrunk down lower in the grass. "Uh..you don't have to answer that last part."

Jake blushed too. "Well..what do you mean who?" Jake asked, then shook his head and went on, "It was about two weeks ago. You know the rest."

Sam glared at Jake, knowing he was making it hard for her. "You forgot why," Sam said flatly.

Jake rubbed his neck and sighed. "I don't know, maybe.." Jake cut off.

"Maybe...what?" Sam asked. Maybe he did because he thought my dad would change his mind about firing him, Sam thought. But her theory would change soon.

"Stand up," Jake said, nodding at her.

For some reason, it felt like something hard was holding Sam down and wouldn't let her up. It was also making it hard to breath. Feeling helpless, Sam looked left where the river was running. For a second the sound of water splashing together calmed her down.

"C'mon, get up." Jake grabbed her arm and pulled her up before she could get away.

"What are y-"

"It's okay."

Jake held her hands in his and stared into her eyes, a look she'd never seen before on him. Sam knew what was coming, and she didn't like it, and she would've wiggled free from his grip if his eyes weren't locked onto hers, making her freeze. Only her nervous trembling made her not freeze completely.

I'm gonna be here for you baby

He was leaning in. Before Sam knew it, they were kissing. She leaned back, reluctant at first. After all, this was Jake, who was like..a brother to her. But despite how weird and messed up the whole situation was, a wonderful sensation came over her, and she wanted it to last forever.

I'll be a man of my own word

Suddenly Jake pulled her in so close their bodiestouched. Sam's gasp got cut off by Jake's lips on hers.

Speak the language in a voice that you have never heard

This time, Sam let him. Jake's fingers which were laced in hers tightened, as if to reassure her, for she was still trembling a little. A few seconds passed and she tried to pull loose from his grip, because she had an urge to touch his cheek, but he didn't let her yet.

And I'm gonna love you

Like nobody loves you

And I'll earn your trust making memories of us

Finally they let go and just stared at each other for a long time, breathing heavily. Jake gently brushed a strand of auburn hair out of her eyes and she smiled, still processing what they had just done. And how it felt.

As soon as they stopped, they kissed again, this time more passionately.

I wanna honor your mother

And I wanna learn from your pa

I wanna steal your attention like a bad outlaw

I wanna stand out in a crowd for you

A man among men

I wanna make your world better than it's ever been

They were almost down now by the river. But, being the responsible one, Jake knew it was time to stop.

Uh oh, what do I do now? Sam wondered. She felt like looking down. Instead she laughed.

Jake smiled. "What?"

"Nothing, it's just-that felt so..not how I thought it would," Sam managed, still laughing.

Jake nodded. He knew she was still young, and didn't know much about love. Although he didn't either. But he knew this was love. She might just think it was a simple crush.

But he was going to college soon, and he needed to show her they we're meant for each other before he went off, and she possibly found someone else. This had seemed like exactly the right time, and man was Sam right. It had felt amazing. Way more amazing than he had expected.

"Hey Ace," Sam crooned, reaching out a hand to the ground-tied gelding. He gave it a short sniff then went back to grazing.

"Shoot. Gram still thinks I'm doing work." Sam moaned, laying back in the grass.

"Better get you back there quick," Jake said, standing up and brushing off grass. "Witch."

Obedient to her master, the black mare trotted up, her lead rope trailing behind. Jake leaped on her back. "C'mon Sam, get up."

Sam moaned again and this time stood up and slowly got on Ace. Forcing herself to avoid Jake's eyes, she gently kicked her horse into a steady lope.

When they got to the bridge they separated. Jake looked back over his shoulder once more and smiled, then kicked Witch into a jog toward home.

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

Sam lifted her head up and realized it had turned cool after she had turned Ace out and was heading to the two-story ranch house. She would have felt totally relaxed and would have rested if Gram wasn't inside wondering where the heck she was.

There, tipped over on the ground near the chickens, lay the egg basket. Sam picked it up and went inside.

"Where were you?"

Startled, Sam jumped and turned around to see Gram walking stiffly down the stairs. She didn't sound happy.

"Samantha?"

"I..," Sam started, setting down the basket, "I went to Jake's because he was sad about his brothers and I wanted to cheer him up."

Secretly, Sam crossed her fingers and waited, knowing she was bad at lying.

Gram nodded slowly, not sure whether she was or not. "Sam..did he come to you first?"

"..Yes."

Gram tsked her tongue. "Ooh..Then he only wanted to be with you."

"What?" Sam asked.

Gram went on, "He kissed you behind a bush while his brothers were being taken away to a hospital, Sam, while you couldn't remember anything. If your dad didn't stop him, who knows what he could have done with you? He was taking advantage of you, Sam. You didn't have your memory. How dare he try that again to you!"

"Wait, just..wait," Sam snapped. "You think he was taking advantage of me? Gram, this is Jake we're talking about, not someone like Darrell! He was probably more comfortable kissing me when I couldn't remember anything because then it wouldn't be so embarrassing. I don't know, all I'm saying is that he wouldn't do that to me. He wouldn't do that to anyone. I thought you said you didn't agree with dad when he interrupted us?"

"That was before Jake snatched you away from the chores you were supposed to be doing to mess with you again. I know teenagers, Sam."

Sam shook her head. She felt like she was about to cry.

"No, Gram," Sam said, her voice choked up, "You don't."

Trying her best not to cry, Sam ran up the stairs and locked herself in her room.

As she lay there on her bed, Sam thought about how messed up their argument was when she had lied in the first place, about going over to Jake's. What had really happened, Sam thought, had been almost like a dream. And she had never realized she liked Jake until that moment, when he had pulled her up close to his body and she just stared up into those mustang eyes, like everything else had vanished and it was just them.

And the kiss, Sam thought as she smiled to herself, the kiss was perfect. Even though it was weird for her at first, since they had known each other all their lives and fought often like siblings, she was almost positive that her and Jake were meant to be together. Even though she was still processing the weirdness of it all.

She liked how crazy it felt. To kiss Jake.

Laughing once more, Sam turned her head around and noticed the note laying there on the floor.

"If Jake didn't write it..who did?" Sam wondered, picking it up. It was written in blue pen. Often times that was very useful to know in the mystery books Sam read, but obviously not now.

Suddenly a whole bunch of people came running across her mind: Rachel, Ryan, Linc Slocum, Jen, Darrell, Jake's brothers...

"I've gotta call Jen," Sam said to herself, dialing her number on the phone.

"Hello?" Jen's voice said on the other line.

"Hi, Jen? There's this note.."

Did you like it?

I was hesitant for a while updating it cause i wanted this chapter to be really good. :)

SongMaking Memories of Us by Keith Urban (one of my favorite songs. if you've never heard it, listen to it. now!)

Please review!

Sorry I said I would update it sooner but I forgot i had family coming out.