Chapter 30

Sam took a shower and then napped off and on that day. She anticipated Jake coming back over once he was done at Three Ponies and she changed into a pair of clean pajamas too.

She was feeling much better by later in the day and told Gram so.

"You look better," Gram told her.

"I am better," Sam responded. "My throat isn't as sore as it had been, even this morning."

"That's good, honey," Gram said with a smile.

"Jake's good medicine for me," Sam returned her smile.

"It seems so," Gram agreed.

Gram didn't tell Sam that she had talked to Maxine that morning. Jake's mom had waited until her sons had gone out to do the fencing before calling.

"Hi Grace," Maxine greeted Sam's grandmother.

"Maxine," Gram returned. "I hope you weren't worried about Jake not coming home last night."

"No, I figured he was there," Maxine told her. "He didn't get himself into trouble did he?"

"No," Gram assured her. "They slept on the couch together last night. Very innocently. Wyatt was a bit surprised to see him there this morning, but he got over it when I explained that nothing happened between them."

"They adore each other," Maxine said.

"Yes they do," Gram agreed. "Just as we had hoped someday they would."

"It sure took them long enough, huh?" Maxine laughed.

"I wasn't too sure they'd make it there for awhile," Gram laughed along with Jake's mom.

"I know Jake's unhappy being so far away from Samantha," Maxine said.

"Sam's miserable," Gram responded. "I think though it will be good for the two of them. They'll both develop away from each other and be even stronger."

"I agree," Maxine murmured.

"I've worried for awhile that Sam was too dependant on Jake," Gram went on. "He was always there for her, which is good, but she needs to be able to stand on her own too."

"Yes," Maxine agreed. "I think this separation is good for them too.

"I hope they wait until they're both done with college to get married though," Gram said.

"I'm not sure they will," Maxine responded.

"I'm not sure they will either, but I hope they will," Gram replied. "I know it was Louise's dream for Sam to graduate from college someday."

Maxine didn't say anything. She knew her son and knew without asking him that he'd want to marry Samantha as soon as he was done with school. Not that he was selfish, but he wouldn't want to live without her any longer than that. It would be up to Sam to tell him he would have to wait.

Maxine had no doubt that her son and Sam would end up married. Even without Mac having the vision years ago, she had always felt Jake and Sam were connected and destined to be together as more than friends.

When Jake went back to River Bend that evening, he was surprised at how good Sam looked. She looked well rested and had a bit of color back in her cheeks. He couldn't help the smile as he looked at her.

Sam was sitting on the couch in the living room in a pair of sweats. She turned to look at him as he leaned against the doorjamb, watching her.

"You look better," he told her.

"I feel better," Sam smiled. "You do wonders."

"I doubt that," Jake rubbed the back of his neck.

"Stop arguing with me," Sam sassed him with a grin. "Come here, I need to kiss you."

"You have cooties," Jake reminded her as he went in and sat next to her.

"I can kiss you elsewhere besides your mouth," Sam told him.