Chapter 36
Spring had come to the high desert of Nevada and the people and animals of the area were happy to see it. While it hadn't been a snowy winter, it had been cold.
The mare was getting closer to foaling and Quinn was getting more excited. In fact, all the boys were getting excited.
Bryan had gotten his yearling. It was a black and white overo Paint gelding that he had named Rocky. He had seen him at the auction and had wanted him immediately. He hadn't said anything to his father or grandfather, but had been beside himself when the two men had seen the Paint and went to take a closer look.
Bryan had tried to pretend nonchalance as the two men had asked the owner of the gelding to bring the horse out for a closer look. Even when Grandfather had looked to Bryan for a reaction, Bryan hadn't given anything away. He wondered if Grandfather hadn't known anyway. Grandfather had a knack of looking past the obvious to get to the truth of the matter. Bryan would have bet that Grandfather knew he had wanted that yearling.
Bryan had been so proud and happy when he had unloaded that loud Paint yearling from the trailer. Even his mother had exclaimed over the gelding.
Jake had looked over the horse when Bryan had taken him out of the trailer and knew without putting his hands on the horse that Bryan had gotten himself a superb one.
The yearling's conformation was almost perfect. Long sloping shoulders, a short back and big powerful hindquarters. He was everything that Jake hoped his foal would be.
When Bryan had caught his eye, Jake had nodded. Bryan then had looked to Kit who had also nodded and told Bryan what a great horse he had gotten.
The family realized that Kit knew horses, but they also knew that Jake would end up a better horseman than even Kit by the time Jake was Kit's age. There was just something about Jake and horses that was magic. They all knew it and the rest of the county would know it soon.
Sam had loved Rocky. He was a sweet horse who came to nuzzle her reddish-brown hair when she had gone into the pasture to see him. Sam had laughed at the warm hay breath of the yearling and she had spoken softly to him as she reached out to stroke his black and white shoulder.
"He has the coolest patches," Sam had said. "I love pintos."
"Paint," Jake had said immediately.
"Paint?" Sam turned to look at him. "Not a pinto?"
Jake shook his head. "Pinto is a color. Paint is a breed. He's double registered with the Paint Horse Association and the Quarter Horse Association."
Sam had given him a confused look.
"Paint," Jake had snorted, his tomcat grin spreading across his full mouth.
"Whatever," Sam rolled her eyes. Jake was showing off again. They both knew it.
"Buzz buzz," Jake teased.
"Oh, shut up," Sam retorted. "It was just a dream."
"Just a dream?" Jake yelped, but he was still teasing. "It's never just a dream to an Indian, Brat. We call them visions."
"Since when do you care that you're Indian?" Sam wondered.
"Of course I care," Jake pretended he was insulted.
Sam rolled his eyes. She gave Rocky a final pat and left the pasture with Jake.
"Can I see the mare?" Sam asked.
"Sure," Jake nodded and they went into the barn to see the mare that would have Quinn's foal.
"She's so pretty," Sam said as she smooched to the mare.
Jake rolled his eyes. Sam was being girly again.
"She's not pretty," Jake corrected.
"Then what is she?" Sam challenged.
Jake was surprised into silence as he thought about it. He looked at the mare. Since it was a mare, he couldn't say handsome. Beautiful wasn't a word he'd normally use. He'd pull out his tongue before he ever used the word gorgeous. He guessed she was pretty, but he sure as heck wasn't going to admit that to Sam. So he shrugged.
"Ha!" Sam crowed. "Admit it, I'm right. She is pretty."
"Why are you here taggin' along, anyway," Jake asked. "Buzz, buzz."
"Is that the best you got, Jake?" Sam punched his arm.
Jake's mouth twitched. He grabbed her, tacking her into a pile of straw. Sam was fighting him before they hit the ground and both of them were laughing. He pinned her down and started tickling her. Sam started screaming. The mare left the barn to go to her outside pasture due to the noise the two of them were making.
Jake's face was an inch from hers as he tickled her, laughing down at her.
"Say it," he urged her.
"Never," Sam tried to buck him off, but he wouldn't budge.
"Say it," Jake continued to tickle her.
"You're fat," Sam shouted, causing Jake to laugh harder.
"Come on, say it," Jake told her, leaning over her.
Sam raised her face and kissed him. The suddenness of it surprised Jake. He pulled his head back, looking down at her. Jake sat looking at Sam with a stunned expression for a second before he bent his head and kissed her back.
It wasn't the first time that they had kissed, but it had been awhile since the first one. This one lasted a few seconds longer than their first kiss.
They looked shocked at each other afterwards, but neither thought it was unpleasant.
"Uncle," Sam whispered.
"I just found a way to shut you up," Jake gave her one of his smug, tomcat grins. Then he laughed, flinching as Sam punched his arm.