Chapter 27
Jake didn't mention anything on their way home, but he caught Sam's eyes a few times. When the bus let them off at their stop he let his brothers go on ahead and he grabbed Sam's arm, making her wait.
"Do you want to tell me now?" Jake asked.
Sam shook her head. How do you tell a boy that you feel plain? That you'll never be as cute as some of those other girls that it seemed boys were attracted to more than they could ever be to her.
Boys just wouldn't understand, even Jake.
"I'll come by later and we'll ride," Jake said, not waiting for Sam to respond before he ran after his brothers. Quinn and Bryan turned to see him running after them and they took off running. Jake caught them easily.
Sam had to smile. Jake sure was fast when he ran. He could run for a long time too compared to most guys his age or even a bit older like his brothers.
Gram had sugar cookies waiting for Sam when she walked in the door. Sam grabbed a one and scooted a chair over so she could get a glass down from the cupboard. Then she pulled the chair back and got out the milk.
Sam dipped one of the cookies in the milk and took a bite. She moaned. This was exactly what she had needed after feeling so plain and ugly all day. Not that the cookies and milk made her feel pretty, but they helped her to feel better emotionally.
"That you, Samantha?" Gram called from her room.
"Yes, Gram," Sam returned. "I'm having cookies."
Gram came in wiping her hands on her apron. "How was your day, dear?"
Sam tried not to frown. "Fine."
Gram tilted her head at her granddaughter, but let it pass. "Will you collect the eggs for me and feed the chickens?"
"Yes, Gram," Sam nodded. She finished a cookie and drank the rest of her milk before heading up to her room to change out of the clothes she had worn to school.
She rushed back down the stairs to put her feet into her riding boots which were near the front door.
"If you go riding, wear a coat," Gram told her.
"Okay," Sam agreed and ran out to do her chores.
She was just about done when Jake rode in over the bridge. Sam couldn't stop the frown as she remembered what had upset her today.
Jake saw the frown and wondered what was going on with her. He was determined to ask her as they rode.
"Hey," Jake rode up close to her as she stood in the ranch yard.
"Hey," Sam said to him. "I need to feed the chickens."
"Go ahead, I'll saddle George for you," Jake told her.
Surprised, Sam nodded and went into the barn to get the chicken feed. She heard Jake's shrill whistle as he went into the pasture to catch her horse.
They crossed paths as Sam came out of the barn with the chicken feed and Jake went in to get George's tack. Jake pretended to stick his foot out to trip her and Sam punched his arm.
"Not nice, Brat," Jake teased. "I may put a burr under your saddle."
"Nah, you'd never do that to George," Sam laughed.
Jake laughed, knowing she was right. She knew him too well.