Chapter 35
"I'm not sure he's awake, Samantha," Maxine told the young woman when she came to see Jake.
Sam sighed.
"He's awake," Nate said coming into the kitchen to get something to drink. "Barely but he's got his eyes open."
"Go ahead, Sam," Maxine smiled. "Even if he's asleep he'll know you're there and appreciate it."
"Thanks, Mrs. Ely," Sam shrugged off her coat and hung it up on the coat rack near the door then strode through the kitchen to the family room. She smiled briefly at the rest of the family before focusing on Jake.
"Hey," he greeted her but she could see he was pretty out of it. He was dressed in a pair of GBC sweats.
"I won't stay I just wanted to see how you were," Sam told him.
"Sit, Sam," Jake's dad pointed to the couch. "If you're here, maybe he'll quit moaning and I can actually hear the TV."
Bryan, Quinn and even Jake snorted.
"I haven't been moaning," Jake stated.
"Much," Luke finished, causing them all to snort again.
Jake moved his legs and Sam sat down. She brought his legs back up so they were over her lap. The two smiled at each other before Jake shut his eyes. It didn't take him long before he fell asleep.
"He's sleeping?" Maxine asked coming into the family room.
"He took one look at Sammy and passed out," Quinn teased. The family and Sam laughed.
Sam stuck her tongue out at Quinn.
"That's the most peaceful he's looked since he's been home," Maxine looked at Jake before sitting in the chair near her husband. She looked at Sam. "He's not the best patient."
"No, I wouldn't think he would be," Sam laughed. The two women exchanged a smile.
"I saw Jed at Clara's today," Luke looked away from the TV for a moment. "Seems that idiot Slocum's stallion got loose."
"Luke," Maxine scolded her husband.
"Should I lie?" Luke asked, the amusement evident on his face.
"We all know he's an idiot, Mom," Nate said.
"Dad's not saying anything everyone else in the county hasn't already said," Bryan shrugged.
"That's for sure," Sam muttered under her breath.
Quinn, who was sitting closest to Sam heard her and snorted. Sam jerked up her head and the two grinned at each other.
"Shame, Sammy," he said quietly. Sam choked back a giggle. She stole a look at Jake, hoping she hadn't woken him up. She hadn't. He looked like he had passed out, but he did look peaceful as he slept.
Sam felt the love she had for him tighten up in her chest. She hated that he felt sick, but she would be with him as much as she could and hoped she brought him some comfort as he had done for her.
Jake was asleep the whole time she was there. She really didn't mind. She just liked being with him and touching him.
Several times she saw Maxine or one of the other members of the family glance over at her and Jake. Sam imagined she looked funny sitting there on the couch with Jake's legs on her lap. She didn't care. She was happy he was home and she sighed in contentment.