Chapter 12
Sam was the first to see the navy Avalanche parked in front of the barn when they came back. She squealed, causing Witch to shy, then half-rear under her.
"Careful, Sammy," Nate cautioned her.
"Did you know he was coming home today?" Sam asked Jake's brothers, fighting to get the mare under control.
"No," Bryan shook his head.
They heard the front door open and Jake strode across the yard towards them. He only had eyes for Sam. His brothers noticed and rolled their eyes at each other.
Sam dismounted, glancing shyly at Jake as he came closer. She kept a death grip on Witch's reins. The black mare tugged on her reins to get to her master. Jake ran a hand down her neck and gave her an absent pat, his eyes still on Sam as he did so.
"Hey," he greeted her.
"Hi," Sam almost whispered, not sure how she was supposed to react. She knew how she wanted to react, but didn't know about Jake.
"Witch looks good," Jake mentioned, causing more eye rolling from his brothers.
"If we turn our backs, will you just kiss her and get it over with?" Bryan asked.
Jake colored, toeing his boot in the dirt. Sam felt her cheeks grow warm from her own blush.
Nate, Bryan and Quinn did just that and Sam stepped closer to Jake. Her mouth met his briefly and the two smiled at each other.
"There now isn't that better?" Quinn teased. Nate snorted when Jake colored again.
"Honestly Jakey," Nate laughed, shaking his head at his youngest brother.
Sam turned back to Witch.
"I'll get her saddle," Jake offered.
"Thanks," Sam smiled at him. Together they stripped his mare of her tack and Jake started into the barn while Sam turned the black horse loose into the pasture. She then followed Jake into the barn. Nate, Bryan and Quinn exchanged knowing looks and grins.
Sam felt the arm around her as he pulled her to him, his lips finding hers. Her arms wrapped around his neck as she stood on her tiptoes to reach him. Jake lifted her up until her feet were dangling off the ground as they kissed.
"I missed you," Jake murmured against her mouth.
"I missed you too," Sam nibbled his bottom lip.
They heard one of Jake's brothers clear his throat before they came into the barn. Sam and Jake broke apart, much to the amusement of Nate, Bryan and Quinn.
"Gosh Jakey, just kiss her," Bryan sounded disgusted. Nate and Quinn snorted.
"I did," Jake told him, putting his arm around Sam's shoulder.
"Well okay then," Bryan grinned.
Together the five of them started towards the house. Jake's hand grasped Sam's as they walked. Sam smiled at him as she squeezed his hand.
"Hi Samantha," Maxine greeted her.
"Hi Mrs. Ely," Sam noticed Jake's mom looked down at their joined hands and smiled.
"Are you staying for dinner?" Maxine asked.
"Nah, we're going into town," Jake answered, surprising no one.
"If we are, then I should get home and change," Sam looked down at what she was wearing."
"Wear that sweater you wore to the dance, Sammy," Quinn told her.
"Why?" Sam asked, suspiciously.
"I bet Jake will like it," Quinn shrugged and Sam blushed.
"You boys quit teasing her," Maxine said.
"She's used to it, Mom," Bryan went to the refrigerator and got himself a soda.
Maxine rolled her eyes. Sam grinned as her sons snorted.
"I better get home," Sam told Jake who nodded.
"I'll walk you out," Jake held the door open for her.
"Bye," Sam waved at the other Elys before heading out the door, smiling up at Jake.
"He's gonna kiss her," Quinn predicted, going to look out the window.
"Quinn Anthony Ely, you peeping Tom!" Maxine pulled him away from the window. "Give them some privacy."
Bryan and Nate burst out laughing.