Chapter 3
Gram was able to tell that Sam had been crying when she and Jake came into camp together later.
"What's wrong, honey?" Gram asked Sam. Gram flicked a look at Jake who was taking the saddle off of his horse.
"A cow died," Sam murmured.
"I'm sorry Sam," Gram gave her a hug. "Unfortunately, that's part of ranching sometimes."
"I hate ranching," Sam sneered.
"Ranching allows you to ride that horse," Gram reminded her. "It puts a roof over your head also."
"I don't care," Sam snapped, undoing the cinch on George.
Gram tsked her tongue and left, shaking her head as she went.
"Ranchin' didn't kill that cow, Brat," Jake told her. "Kit did everything he could to save her and the calf."
Sam sighed and looked at him.
"I know," Sam responded.
"Here, let me get your saddle down for you," Jake put his saddle on the ground and pulled Sam's off of George's back. "You turn them loose and I'll carry this for you."
"Thanks," Sam murmured. She unbuckled George's bridle and turned him loose into the remuda. Then she did the same for Jake's horse.
Together the two youngsters went towards camp. Sam pulled back the door of the tent she shared with Gram and Jake put her tack just inside the door.
"I'll see you at dinner," he told her and continued on to the tent he shared with his brothers.
Sam headed for the campfire.
"I'm sorry, Gram," Sam apologized for acting like a brat.
"I understand, honey," Gram gave her a hug. "It's hard sometimes."
Sam nodded.
The noise factor increased as Dad, Luke and the other Ely boys rode in. Despite the loss of the cow and calf the boys were teasing each other about something.
"Could you get the plates for me out of the chuck wagon, Samantha?" Gram asked.
Sam turned and hurried towards the van. She reached up on her tiptoes to open the side door then grabbed a stack of plates. Sam hurried back and handed them to Gram before heading back for another stack.
By the time she had them all, everyone was already there and starting to put food on their plates. She put the last stack where she had put the others and then got in line.
"You can get in front of me, Sammy," Adam turned and waved her forward.
"Not fair," Quinn complained.
Sam grinned up at him as she passed him in line.
"Hey Jakey, Sammy's got a new boyfriend," Bryan told his youngest brother as Jake walked by with a full plate. Jake gave him a dirty look.
"Guess he doesn't care," Quinn laughed. "Poor Sammy's just been broken up with and she doesn't even know it."
"Replaced by a plate of food," Bryan laughed with his twin.
Sam ignored them both. She was used to them teasing her about Jake being her boyfriend. As if an eight year old could have a boyfriend!
"Hey, Sammy," Kit greeted her when they had all gotten their food and sat down.
Sam smiled at him as she ate.
"I'm sorry you had to see that," Kit told her.
Sam nodded with a frown.
"I hear you get to come with us this year on our camping trip," Kit said.
Sam nodded this time with a smile.
"Sure you're ready for it, Sammy?" Nate asked.
"Why?" Sam wondered.
"We don't use tents," Jake reminded her. "Plus we catch our food."
"Like fish, right?" Sam asked.
"Fish, rabbit, whatever we can," Quinn said.
Sam gulped. "Rabbits?"
"Cute little fuzzy bunnies," Quinn teased.
"Stop," Jake muttered at Quinn, seeing Sam was about to start crying again.
Quinn gave him an amusing look.
"We rarely catch rabbits," Jake told her. "Mostly fish."
"Berries too," Adam said.
"I'm sure we can do without rabbit for once," Kit put in, glaring at Quinn.
"What if it rains?" Sam wondered.
All six of the Elys shrugged.
"You get wet, huh?" Sam answered her own question.
"It rarely rains in July," Jake pointed out.
"Okay," Sam gave her own shrug. "It sounds like fun."