Sam was feeling guilty, because she really didn't want to go through all the hoops it would take, for Lily to race. Lily was so ready to take on new things, the same way that Sam had been, leaving her feeling obligated to be the same kind of parent that her father had been to her. Sam felt as though she had weights on her shoulders today, as she climbed into the tractor. Before she could start it, Jericho came out the barn and waved to her. She went into the barn to find Matt and Jericho with the new bay foal. "Think he's sick Sam, look at the way his head is down, he hasn't moved all day." Sam went over to him and knelt beside him, he turned away, but didn't try to get up. "Better call Ned now." she said. "If he hasn't nursed today, that's a bad sign." She checked the mother, seeing that she still needed nursing.
Ned got there just as they sat down to lunch, "Howdy folks, good I'm just in time." Robbie smiled and reached for a plate, "Now, was that planned Ned?" He laughed, "Well Robbie, I know you almost always have soup for lunch when it gets cold, and I needed some good homemade food. I've been on the road so much this week, I haven't had time to cook." Sam laughed, "Ned! You don't cook, not even eggs. I've seen you live off of sandwiches, remember?"
He tucked his head down, "Sounded good though, didn't it?" Robbie gave him a shove, "You know you are welcome anytime, Ned." Sam leaned over to him, "Your vocabulary seems to have settled right into the area, howdy? City boys don't normally use that term, but I have to admit, I like it on you." Ned didn't even look up, he was enjoying the soup and homemade biscuits. After lunch they went to see the Bay. Ned took some blood and gave him a shot of electrolytes. That would sometimes be all that was needed. "I'll get the results from the blood back as soon as possible, Sam. Keep an eye on him and call me if he gets any worse." Ned told them as he left to go on another call.
Jericho put his arm around Sam's shoulders, "I sure would hate for something to happen to him, just when you are deciding to let Lily have him, to race." Sam pulled away and looked at him, "I never said..ok, maybe I am. She is a natural on a horse..." Jericho smiled and went back to the house, leaving Sam to think a little longer on the racing dilemma. As she headed towards the house, Robbie was waving to her to hurry. "Sam, Selena has gone into labor. I am heading to the hospital now. I'll call you as soon as we know anything." Robbie told her, with a worried look. Sam stood on the porch until her mother was out of sight, thinking about Tim. She hadn't seen him at all lately, or anyone for that matter. She pulled out her phone to call Jake, but thought better of it, her mom would do that. Looking at the clock, she decided to just do some book work until Lily got home from school. Falling behind in that was not on her agenda, so this would give her enough time to catch up.
Two hours later, Lily and Jericho came in the door and Sam put her work away. She needed to spend some time with Lily today, since her mom wasn't home. "Sam! We have to go to the hospital to see the baby!" Lily cried out as soon as she came in. "Whoa there girl! The baby hasn't been born yet, it will be awhile. Besides, Mom will call when there is any news." Sam told her. "Oh darn." Lily pouted. She was ready to go and be a part of everything. "I thought you and I might take a little ride today." Sam told her. Her eyes widened, nodding her head with glee. Jericho joined in with, "Think I might just ride along too." Sam looked at him, a little curiously. "Any particular reason?" He just smiled, "Nope."
As they entered the low grounds through the gate, Sam realized that Jericho had a rifle with him. She hadn't noticed it until his horse turned in her direction. This was unusual, so there must be a reason. Sam nodded toward the gun without saying anything, Jericho shrugged his shoulders, telling her it was just in case. Sam immediately became more aware of their surroundings, on the look out for anything that could cause the horses to spook. "Lily, sometimes the horses will jump out the way of a shadow this time of day, so be ready." she told her calmly. Lily smiled as if Sam was being silly. As they rode side by side, with Jericho in front of them, Sam was nervous. Her horse seemed to be too, but Munch was unaware that there was any reason to be nervous, happy to be with Lily.
Checking the fences and the cows, while they were there, Sam noticed prints in the snow that were still lingering in the pasture. "Jericho?" He nodded to her, that he was aware of the paw prints. Sam looked at them more closely, a big cat was in the area. Sam put her horse closer to Lily, "Sam, move over, you are in our way." Lily said. Sam reached out and took Munch's bridle in her hand, with a tight grip. She could feel something was wrong, watching Jericho take the rifle out of the pouch, at the ready. Keeping a close eye along the woods, that ran down the side of the pasture, they slowly made a turn to go back home. The light was beginning to fade, creating shadows. Jericho held up his hand for them to stop, looking ahead beyond the cattle. Sam followed the direction of his gaze, seeing the cat creeping toward the cows.
Suddenly, two cows felt the presence of an intruder, alerting the others. The ones that were farther away began to come towards the intruder, slowly at first, then they began to run at the cat. The cat turned and began to run directly at Sam. The horses felt the danger and began to prance, wanting to run, Sam holding tight to Munch, "Hold on to the saddle horn Lil." Lily did as she was told, with fear in her eyes. "Sam, what's wrong with Munch?" "Hush!" Sam told her curtly. Munch finally caught sight of the cat, backing into Sam's horse to hide from it. Lily almost slid out of her saddle, as Sam reached over and pulled her over onto her horse and held her with one arm, while trying to keep both horses under control. Lily looked over Sam's shoulder and saw the cat heading straight for them. She held on tighter to Sam, not taking her eyes off the cat.
"Let the horse go Sam!" Jericho shouted to her. "Let him go!" Sam knew that she had to let him go, she was so afraid he would head for the woods, where the cat would have better access to him. She let him go. Munch headed straight for Jericho, dancing behind his horse and getting in the way. Sam's horse was well trained, straining against the desire to run, but obeying every command that Sam's touch gave it. His eyes were wide with his head pulled back, all his senses alerted to the sight of the cat. Sam glanced over at Jericho, aiming the rifle, he had gotten off his horse and was crouched on the ground.
The rifle fired, it's cracking sound sending Jericho's horse in the air, pulling him over to the ground. He quickly rolled over and aimed again, firing three times. Sam's horse was trying to rear while he backed away, but she held him in check, allowing him to back up only a few feet. Munch had taken off toward the barn, with the first shot. Sam saw Jericho stand up and pull his horse to him, then she saw the cat, lying in the snow. The cows, curious creatures that they are, were running toward them, surrounding the cat and sniffing the ground close to it. Sam rode to Jericho, "Nice shooting."
Noticing that Jericho wasn't smiling, she said, "You ok?" He smiled and nodded, "Too close for comfort. I almost lost the shot, I had the reins wrapped around my arm." Sam nodded, "I couldn't see if you did or not, but I thought so when I saw you roll over. Thank you Jericho. You knew he was here, didn't you?" Sam asked him, without judgement. He nodded, "Matt caught sight of him a few days ago. That's why I came with you."
They headed back to the ranch, Lily happily riding with Sam, since Munch had gone straight home. She was standing by the gate when they got back, waiting to be unsaddled and given her oats. Lily could undo the cinch, but she wasn't quite tall enough to heave the saddle down from Munch's back yet. Sam let her hold one side, while they toted it in the barn, making it more difficult for Sam, but making Lily happy to help. Lily ran to the house for hot chocolate, anxious to tell Robbie of their adventure. Sam stood, looking beyond the barn for signs of predators, lurking around. Where there was one cat, there would be two or more. An eerie feeling passed over her, a chill..surrounded her, not from the cold.
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