Chapter 20
Jake was quiet as he walked home with Quinn and Bryan from the bus stop. He was thinking about Sam again and his thoughts about her being his brat.
When had he gotten possessive about her?
Sure, she was probably his best friend but she certainly wasn't his. He wasn't even ten years old and he was thinking that Sam was his?
Jake glanced at his brothers as they walked. This wasn't something he could discus with either of them. Maybe Kit. Even then, he'd be embarrassed.
He shook his head slightly.
"No, you don't want to go riding?" Bryan asked him.
"What?" Jake yelped.
"Earth to Jakey," Quinn waved his hand in front of Jake's face. "Where you at little brother?"
"Just thinkin' about some things," Jake murmured.
"I asked if you wanted to go riding later," Bryan told him.
"Sure," Jake nodded.
"I'll lay some tracks for you if you want," Bryan offered.
"Great, thanks," Jake responded.
"I'll go, but after I check on the mare," Quinn said. One of the Three Ponies mares was in foal and the foal had been promised to Quinn. He hoped it would be born near his and Bryan's birthdays on May twentieth.
When they reached home, the three boys broke into a run. Quinn turned towards the twenty acre pasture to check on the pregnant mare. She came to the fence when he whistled for her. He let himself into the pasture and ran his hands over her.
Jake and Bryan hurried to the house. If they got their few chores done before Mom or Dad got home then they could go riding until dinner. If Mom or Dad got home before they were gone, then their parent would either assign them more chores, make them do their homework early or just not let them go. The boys had learned to quickly drop off their backpacks, do their chores and get out.
Jake had his coat and backpack off before he reached the front door. He knew Bryan was right behind him as he ran down the hallway to his room. He pulled off his good boots and had his school jeans off right after.
He took a chance by just tossing his jeans on his bed, but he did it hoping Mom didn't see them. She'd give him a lecture about putting away his clothes.
He'd put them away later. Right now, he just wanted to get his chores done and go riding.
Riding was the most important thing in Jake's life. There was no doubt of that to him. His family, Sam and his friends came after though he'd never tell any of them that.
Jake was out of his school jeans and into jeans he could play in, shoving his feet into his scuffed boots. He was already heading back outside to complete his chores when he passed Quinn in the kitchen.
"Wow, you're quick today," Quinn told him.
"I want to get out there," Jake responded, grabbing a coat, putting on his black Stetson and running out to the barn. He had three stalls to clean before he could leave.
Jake almost attacked the stalls in his hurry to get them done. Even if Bryan didn't lay tracks for him, Jake wanted to saddle his horse and ride until it was time for dinner.
He knew where one of the local wild horse herds hung out and he liked to spend time just observing them. By doing so, he felt it helped him in his endeavor of becoming a horse trainer. Jake thought that if you didn't understand horse behavior, then you shouldn't be training them.