Wounded Legacy Chapter 17

Reaching the top had been hard work and Sam's horse was exhausted, her sides heaving with every breath. Sam was breathing almost as hard, as she got off and loosened the saddle. Tying the horse to a low hanging limb, Sam sat down and leaned against the tree. Her legs were shaking so hard from holding on so tight, she couldn't relax, so she started taking deep long breaths. Finally she relaxed and laid back against the tree and looked around her. Leaning over and peering around the tree, she could look down the mountain and see how far they had come. Everything below her was a carpet of green tree tops. She couldn't even make out the trail they had traveled on. She wished that she hadn't been in such a hurry and had brought some water with them, the horse needed a drink badly and so did she. Trying to see through the densely wooded area, Sam tried to find an animal trail that might lead them to water. Unsure of where it would lead, she started to follow a path that she found, leading her horse through the tangle of brush.

The terrain wasn't as steep as the one they had come up and that gave Sam hope that water would be near. The path ended suddenly and Sam didn't know which direction to move in. The brush was so thick, it was too much work to make her way through it, so she turned around and headed back to the trail. Tired and thirsty, Sam had no choice but start back down the mountain. It was much slower going on foot, sliding in some places to keeping the horse from taking off in a run was hard. Sam had to keep the horse in tow or it could fall and get hurt, dragging her with it. She and the horse kept a slow but steady pace down the mountain, finally reaching the bottom where they had begun. Tears began to fall down her cheeks, when she saw Jericho riding toward her. She sat down and waited for him to come to her, with her head in her hands.

Not saying a word, he helped her onto the four wheeler and tied the horse behind it. He headed towards home, going slow enough so the horse could walk. Once at the barn, Jericho took the horse into the barn, to feed and water it. "I'll do that Jericho." Sam told him, feeling it was her responsibility. He handed her the reins and went into the house to tell Robbie they were back. Robbie was waiting at the door with Lily, "Is she alright, Jericho?" He smiled, "She will be. She's not hurt." Robbie sat across the table from him, "Jericho, what was she doing, I thought you would never get back! She's been gone for hours." Sam walked in before he could answer. "I'm ok, Mom. I just needed to go for a ride." Jericho smiled at her with his head tucked to the side, "A thinking ride?" She nodded, "Sorta." Sam didn't know the whole answer yet, and she was too tired to try and explain it now. Lily had not said a word and had gone back to cutting out her sugar cookies, with her little mouth set in thin line.

"Hi Lil, sorry if I worried all of you. I didn't mean to be gone so long." Sam told her, leaning down to see her face. Lily jerked her head around to Sam, "I was worried! You shouldn't leave me like that." Sam saw the worry and fear in her face and picked her up. "I didn't leave you Lil, I just needed to ride. That's all." Sam told her softly. Lily looked into her eyes and began to understand what Sam meant by, ride. She nodded to her and hugged her. Sam put her down and got a cup of coffee. When she turned around, they were all staring at her, "What? I'm fine! Thank you Jericho, I'm truly grateful you were there for me." she told him quietly. He nodded in a way that told her she needn't explain further, he understood, as though he may have been in her shoes, at some time in his own life. Jericho seemed to be able to read Sam better than her family.

After a shower and lunch, Sam began to feel like her old self again. She found Jericho in the barn, putting a mare in a stall. "What's up?" she asked. Jericho closed the stall door, "She seems a little skittish, think she might be getting ready to foal tonight. Just want to keep an eye on her. Maybe I should lock you in there with her." He grinned and glanced at Sam. "I'm sorry Jericho, I just needed to think..or something. I shouldn't have taken off that way though. I've never been up Lonely Mountain before..I don't even know why I went today." she told him. Jericho put his arm around her shoulder, "You are wondering where you are headed. I think maybe, you need someone in your life now Sam. It's certainly time. You try to be made of solid stone..but you're really all soft..like a woman."
Sam laughed, "I am a woman! Don't I seem like one?" He just shook his head, "You need to answer that one, not me." He left the barn and got in his truck, heading to town, leaving Sam to wonder just what she had been feeling.

Everything she put her hand to for the rest of the day seemed to frustrate her, so she gave up and went in the house. Nobody in the kitchen gave her a strange feeling, as she reached for the coffee. She could hear Lily and Robbie in the family room and went in to see what they were up to. Robbie had Lily in her lap showing her the family album, and telling her about each picture. Sam smiled and wished she had a picture of them, the way they were now. Reaching for her phone, she realized it wasn't in her pocket. She went and checked her jacket, it wasn't there either. Still standing with her hand on her jacket,  her head bent down, she tried to think where she might have left it. Suddenly it dawned on her, it probably fell out of her pocket while she half crawled down the mountain. Darn! She would have make a trip to the mall to get another one. Sam hated the mall and avoided it, if it were at all possible.

Robbie came into the kitchen and asked her if something was wrong, the way she was standing with her hand on her jacket. "Lost my phone." Sam told her. The door opened and she almost got squished into the coats hanging behind it, as Matt came in. "Oh, sorry Sam. I just wanted to tell you, they are calling for a little snow tomorrow, so I put out extra hay today, just in case." "Thanks Matt. Well, if it might snow, I guess I ought to go get a phone tonight." she said, almost to herself. "I'm heading to the mall. You can ride with me if you want." Matt said. Sam was shocked by his offer, "I..ah..ok. What time are you leaving?" He looked at her and said, "Now." Sam got flustered by his answer and just stared at him. "Ok, can you watch Lil, Mom?" "Sure hon, what about dinner?" Robbie asked innocently.

Matt answered, "We'll pick up a pizza and bring it back here, you've fed me enough, it's my turn to do something. We shouldn't be long." Sam shrugged her shoulders and they left, leaving Robbie to wonder how that happened. True to his word, they were back before Lily had time to finish her drawing she had made for Sam. It was a picture of Sam, falling off a horse. Jericho laughed when he saw it. Lily must be just a little put out, that Sam had gone with Matt and not taken her with them, he thought. But when she saw the pizza's and bread sticks, she softened up and ran to get plates for the pizza. "I love pizza!" she said to Matt. "I thought you might like this tonight, Lily." he said to her. It wasn't long until Lily was back to her old self, with sauce on her fingers. Sam looked around the table and admired the way Matt brought Lily out of her tiff.

"Matt, do you have brothers and sisters?" Sam asked. He shook his head no, although a slight shadow seemed to cross over him, Sam noticed. Matt was in a hurry to leave after supper, it seemed to Sam. She couldn't help herself and asked, "Got a late date, Matt?" He turned to her as he put on his coat, "Nope, got some horses to check on at home. Goodnight." After he was gone, Sam couldn't help but wonder what made her say such a thing to him. Before she had time to think about it too much, Jericho came to the door and told her another mare was ready to deliver. She got all her gear and headed to the barn.

Jericho had her in the stall and she seemed nervous, but not in distress. "Do you think she is going to have a problem, Jericho?" she asked him. He rubbed his hand down the mare's roan colored coat, "Twins." Sam felt the mare the same way that he had, "Yea, I think you're right. But she seems pretty calm, considering." Sam said. Jericho nodded, "Better call Ned. She won't be able to have both of them. You told me who the sire was for these foals, and his babies are always large. Two of them will be too much for her." Sam had forgotten who the sire, was and agreed with Jericho, calling Ned. No answer, but she left a message. Jericho had left the stall and was out in the passageway, making a lot of noise. When Sam poked her head out to see what he was doing, she realized that he was putting up a tent. Sam laughed and went out to help him. "What is this for?" she asked.

Jericho looked at her, "A heater and a cot! We are going to take turns sleeping tonight and this will feel good later. Remember the snow they are calling for? Gonna get a lot colder."He said with a grimace. Sam could see now that he was worried, as they worked together to set up the tent. She went in to get some blankets and pillows. Stacking them on the cots, she heard voices and went out to see. Ned and Matt were walking toward her. Surprised, she said, "Where did you two come from?" Ned smiled, "I got your message and just headed on over, I was at Matt's. He has two mares getting close, but they won't deliver tonight. So, he offered to ride over with me, you know Sam.. to help?" She smacked Ned lightly on the arm, "Thanks, both of you. Jericho says it will be twins, I think so too."

Ned went into the stall to checked the mare. He looked over his shoulder at Jericho, "Yep, twins." He didn't look his usual happy self either, and that concerned Sam. "Why the look?" she asked him. Ned smiled, "Gonna be a long night." Sam nodded, "I'll get the extra coffee pot and hook it up out here." She went into the house and Robbie helped her get everything together. She knew what they would need, from years of helping Luke the same way. "Lily went to bed early, she wants to come out to the barn before school, in the morning." Robbie told her.

Jericho had started a kerosene heater and pulled out the lawn chairs when she got back out to the barn. Matt had pulled over a trunk to set up the coffee on. He reached out to help unload her arms, almost dropping the bag of cups. Sam laughed, "Now that would have been a disaster, Mom tried to send styrofoam cups, but I insisted on real ones. She would have spanked me, if I had broken them all." Matt laughed too and helped her get the coffee started. Ned stood up, "I'm gonna stretch out for awhile, ok with you Sam?" She nodded and sat in the chair he had left. "Well, I guess all of us shouldn't lose sleep, why don't you go rack up in the tack room Jericho. I'll wake you when it's my turn." she told him. He nodded and took off as Matt sat in the chair beside Sam, "If I doze off, just hit me." Sam looked over at him and he pulled his cap down over his eyes. "Now wait a minute!" she said as she knocked the cap off his head. "Oops! I didn't mean to do that, sorry." she laughed.

Matt picked up his cap and said, "Fine, I'll stay awake with you. What time is it?" Sam looked at her watch, "Ten." "Aww, long night ahead." Matt moaned as he slid down in the chair and propped his feet on the trunk. "You're gonna have to tell me stories, Sam, to keep me awake." She smiled, "Why don't you tell me one, like about when you were growing up on the ranch." "Nooo, too sad to tell. Don't want to go there." he answered. Sam was silenced by his words, wondering if she really had hit a nerve. Matt glanced over at her, as she frowned down at her hands. "Ok, I lost my little brother when I was twelve and it makes me sad to talk about it. He had leukemia and it wasn't pretty, to watch him shrink into a little skeleton. I was all grown up after that. Both our childhood's died the day he did."

He pulled his cap back down and a thin line replaced the lips that Sam could barely see now. She was so shocked by his admission, she didn't know whether to respond or apologise for asking. She stayed silent and reached for the coffee pot..
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　

Wounded Legacy Chapter 16

 Chapter 16

Sam was amazed and it showed on her face as she shook hands with Aggie Baldwin, meeting her for the first time. The woman was a few years older than Jake, Sam already knew that, but she was strikingly beautiful, which truly surprised her. Jake had told her that she had an Indian heritage, and it showed with the dark, almost black hair that fell around her shoulders and the huge black eyes that looked into Sam's now, with such open honesty. She wore a leather jacket, fitted to her slender figure like a glove and jeans with suede boots, that looked as worn as Sam's. Her boots, with their much worn appearance, allowed Sam to feel a little less intimidated by this tall gorgeous woman. Sam always felt like her clothes were too tight and didn't suit her at all, as she sat beside Aggie, wishing she could have worn something else tonight, pulling her jacket closer around her.

Robbie was openly shocked by Aggie's looks. She was the kind of woman that made every head in the restaurant turn, when she walked in, like today. They had agreed to meet for dinner, Jake wanted them to meet Aggie in a neutral setting, without a ranch as the host for it, theirs or Aggie's. After the initial introductions, the waiter took their drink orders and Sam heard the deep melodic tone in her voice. She could just imagine that Aggie would have a beautiful singing voice too. Sam seemed to be watching a movie, instead of participating in the evening around her. She was glad that Lily had gone with Jericho to the steakhouse for dinner. Jericho had suggested that Lily meet her later and not be there for this first meeting. Sam was really grateful now, because she wanted to hear everything this woman said. Jericho wanted Sam to feel able to talk, without having to watch what she said, when he had made the offer. Sam was very glad now that Jericho was so intuitive about her feelings and caring of Lily's too.

Aggie was telling Robbie the history of their ranch, but Sam barely heard a word. She was watching Jake, as he leaned back in his chair, more comfortable than she had ever seen him. A twinkle in his eye, told Sam that he cared a great deal for this woman. She made herself sit up straight an start to pay attention. "Sam, Jake tells me you used to do quite a bit of Barrel Racing, do you still race?" Aggie asked her. Sam shook her head no, "Used to, is the right word. Too old, I hurt my back during a race and have to be careful how much stress I put on it now." Aggie leaned in closer to her, "Me too! I'm older than you, so we wouldn't have ridden in the same race class, but I bet we were at some of the same ones." Sam realized that Aggie was trying to draw her into the conversation and find a common ground that she would feel more comfortable talking about. That was ok with Sam, she admired Aggie's ability to see how people were feeling and try to ease the situation for them. She didn't happen to own the same conversational quality however, she struggled in situations like this one and wished that she could eat in the kitchen.

Jake laughed, "I remember being so jealous of Sam's riding ability. She could always out ride me, even when she was tiny." Sam looked at him, "I never knew that Jake." He nodded, "Don't worry Sis, I am quite comfortable riding for work and nothing else, these days. I love a truck!" They all laughed, knowing that he did love his truck. Sam had never seen Jake drive a car. "What about Lily, are you going to teach her to race?" Jake asked. Sam hadn't given any thought to that possibility at all, it was a dangerous sport. "No. I don't think she even knows about racing." Sam said quietly. Robbie took note of Sam's quietness, "See what it feels like to think your child might in danger?" she said softly. Sam smiled, "It's a unique feeling, I have to admit. How do you let a kid try new stuff and stay sane, Mom?" Robbie laughed, "You don't have fingernails, I'll tell you that much!"
Aggie laughed with them, but Jake was silent. That worried Sam a little, he should have at least smiled, she thought. Robbie noticed it too and she knew why Jake didn't appreciate her little joke. Jake had not participated in groups as a kid, he was too much to handle for coaches or organizations, always fighting with his team mates. Sam had joined anything she could, excelling at most of them and Robbie had always known that this was a sore spot with Jake. He looked at Sam and said, "I used to be jealous of everything. These days..I just feel content." He reached over and took Aggie's hand. She smiled at him as though they were alone in the room. "I'm glad Jake. You deserve some quiet time." Sam told him from her heart. Jake looked over at her in surprise, understanding exactly what she had meant, but didn't say anything.

As she sat there at the table with this small group of people, her family, Sam realized that she really didn't hold any animosity toward Jake. This shocked her a bit, since she had always been afraid of what he would do next. And.. she actually envied his relationship with Aggie a little, although, she didn't have the time or the inclination to find an adult relationship now. Lily would be all that she needed. The evening ended and they all said goodbye in the parking lot and Sam and Robbie headed home.
"Well, what did you think of her?" Robbie asked. "I thought she was absolutely beautiful." Sam responded. Robbie laughed, "I know. But what about..her and Jake?" Sam glanced over at her, "They seem to be in sync. She responded to his every move, quite gracefully, actually." Robbie thought about the way Sam had put it and said, "Sam, are you wishing you had a special someone?" She laughed, "No Mom, I'm really not. I am very satisfied the way things are. I still have a lot to learn about being a mom, I don't think I could handle any other relationships now."
Robbie was a little saddened by this, but she understood. Poor Sam, she had so much on her shoulders to deal with, now that Luke was gone. Robbie stared out into the darkness, thinking of Luke now, they had been in sync too, for many years, it was hard to think about never having that again.

Sam thought about Aggie and Jake as she went about her chores the next morning, the way they seemed to know each other's thoughts and were in agreement. It somehow put a new light on the subject of relationships for Sam. Jericho drove up to the corral and called her over. "I sent Matt down to the low grounds to check for a break in the fence, seems we had a few cows out last night. Danny called this morning, he got 'em back in, but didn't see where they got out." Sam grimaced at the thought of finding a hole in the fence, it was a lot of territory to cover. "Maybe I better take a horse and go with him." she said. Jericho laughed, "Sam, he is capable of doing the job on his own. You don't trust anything, do you? He has the four wheeler and can find the hole and fix it. I trust him." Sam was offended at first, until she saw that Jericho was holding back his laughter. "I do to trust people!" she said loudly. "I trust you Jericho."

Sam watched him as he walked to the house, thinking how lucky she had been to find him for the ranch. It seemed as if he had been there forever and she counted on him the same way she had counted on her father. Jericho was different though, he made her think about the things she did and the way she did them, and why. Sometimes he knew what she was thinking before she did and that made her feel uncomfortable. Her phone rang, bringing her back to the present, it was Matt and he needed help. He had found the place in the fence and it was a long break, the cows were finding it too, so he needed someone to hold the cows back while he repaired the fence. Sam got on the other four wheeler and took off down the lane that would lead her to where Matt was waiting.
When she got there he was slowly riding back and fourth keeping the cows away from the broken fence. It seemed to be a game to them, darting back and fourth, to try and find a way around Matt. Cow were the most curious creatures ever born. They loved to seek out new grass, not because they were hungry though. Simply because it was new ground to discover. Matt waved, laughing at the game he was playing. Sam noticed that he wasn't the least bit out of sorts with the situation, and that seemed strange to her. Jake would have...she stopped that thought, because it no longer applied to him. Taking her bike close to his, they moved the cows far enough away so they wouldn't be so interested in the other side of the fence, their neighbors land, until they could get it fixed. Sam worked beside Matt and they made quicker work of the repair together, than had he been alone.

When they had finished and were back at the house for lunch, Matt told Sam he had some ideas about the fencing. Jericho was interested in his thoughts and they spent the entire time, talking about how to change the fencing down there. Sam had gotten her back up, because they didn't include her in the conversation.
Not that she had to be included in everything, they just made it seem like a "man thing", which always got her feminist side stirred up. Sam worked just as hard as they did and she wanted to be included in plans or ideas. She got up and stomped down to the barn, saddling her horse in her anger. Sam always rode when she needed to work out a problem.
For some unknown reason, Sam ended up riding up to Lonely Mountain. The trail was hard going, it hadn't been traveled in some time. Sam was determined to reach the top, she had never been all the way there before. Almost getting brushed off her horse from a limb didn't even stop her, she seemed to be on a mission and pushed her horse up the steep incline, giving no thought to coming back down....
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　

Wounded Legacy Chapter 15

 Chapter 15

Jericho had to be taken to the doctor later in the morning and Robbie offered to take him. Sam had some work to do and all the feeding without his help, so she got started as soon as it was light. One of the tractors wouldn't start and Sam had to take the four wheeler out to the other barn and drive that one back, making her morning last forever. When she finally parked the tractor and headed into the house for coffee, her mother and Jericho had come home.
"So, how did it go, you gonna live?" she said as she patted Jericho on the back. "Oh yea, the doctor said I had a real professional cleaning done on the cut." he laughed. Robbie glared at him, "The doctor said you need to rest it for at least 24 hours. That means, propped up in the recliner, and since I told him I would make sure you did exactly what you were supposed to, I'll see to it that you do!" Jericho groaned in protest, "It's just a little cut Robbie. Sam needs my help." "Oh no! I need you well, more than I need you today. The tractor won't start again, but I've finished all the feeding, I went down and got the other one. I guess I need to call Logan and see if he can come out and take a look at it. We can't make it through the winter without a reliable tractor." she told him emphatically. "I can get it started tomorrow Sam, it just takes a little patience." Jericho told her.

Sam put her hands on her hips, "Logan will get a call." Jericho huffed and sniffed for a few minutes and then fell asleep in the recliner. Robbie smiled, "Sam, he's as hard headed as you." Sam agreed and headed back out to check on the new mother and foal, finding Ned already out in the barn with them. "Hey there, thought you would be sleeping in today." Sam called out to him. "Yea, right. I had just laid down when I got another call after I left here. I'm starting to feel it too. Had another foal to pull over at your neighbors." he replied. "Look, why don't you go in the house and rest for awhile. You can crawl into my bed, it hasn't been slept in either." Sam laughed. Ned glanced over at her, "That's right, make fun of me. See if I come running out in the middle of the night again for you." Sam laughed and patted him on the back. "Jericho is in the recliner, sound asleep." Ned laughed, "That figures, while we're out here working. Come on, let's go make some noise."
They headed into the house for coffee, but Ned didn't wake Jericho, he knew that he was tired too. "Robbie, you make the best coffee in the world. I needed this. You got a sandwich laying around anywhere? After I leave here, I have to go check on a cow." Ned told her. Robbie made him a sandwich and he took it with him, to eat on the way to his next stop.
"You know Sam, Ned sure is a nice man." Robbie said, as she wiped the table. Sam looked over at her mother, "Yea, he sure is. A pretty good doc too." She waited for her mother to continue, but Robbie took the hint and stayed quiet. Sam got up and told her mom she was going to take a nap and went up to her room to rest for a little while.

Waking up just as the bus pulled away, Sam couldn't quite focus on what time it was. The sound of the bus made her conscious of something, but she couldn't arouse herself enough to...Lily! The bus was dropping Lily off after school! Sam started to throw her legs out from under the blanket, but they got tangled in it and she fell onto the floor. Fully awake after that, she managed to stand up and head down the stairs, just as Lily walked through the door. "Hi Sam, what's wrong with your hair?" she asked. Sam laughed and started to run her hands through the blond curls that never liked to stay in one place anyway. "How was your day, hon?" Sam asked, while she got out the milk and poured a glass for each of them. "Ahh, it was ok. I have homework!" she answered with disgust. Sam laughed, "Well, what's wrong with that? I thought you liked homework."

Lily looked at her for a long moment, "I don't like math. It's boring, I like reading best." Sam looked at her, "I used to feel the same way, so I understand how you feel today." Lily waited for her to continue and try to change her mind about math, but Sam opened the paper and didn't continue. Lily just stared at her, but Sam wouldn't bite. She wanted Lily to ask the question about why she doesn't hate math anymore, so that it would seem to be her idea. Lily decided to drop the subject however, leaving Sam with nowhere to go. Sam laughed at her backfired method, of teaching Lily to explore things she didn't really like, she would have to work harder at this mom thing.

"Did Nana go to Selena's without me?" Lily asked. Sam looked out the window and saw that Robbie's car was gone, "I don't know honey..where is Jericho.." Lily heard the car coming in before Sam and ran to the door, "It's Nana, here they come." Jericho came in first, followed by Robbie with grocery bags. "We decided to go pick up a few things while you were resting Sam. It took longer than I thought it would, so I'm glad you were up for Lily." Sam couldn't quite get herself awake and decided to go check on the mare and foal, hoping the cold air would give her some energy.
Jericho came out of the barn just as Sam got to the door. "The mare is doing fine Sam, I just checked on both of them. Think I'll let her out in the paddock tomorrow, she needs some exercise." Jericho told her. "How's your leg feeling?" she asked. Before he could answer, they noticed a car pulling in at the house. Jericho told Sam to go see who it was, he needed to drive out to the low grounds and check the cows before nightfall. Sam walked in the kitchen to find a strange woman seated at the table with her mother. "Hi honey, this is Nancy Delong, Jake's therapist." Robbie told her. Sam shook her hand and nodded, not saying a word. "I came by hoping to see you both. I''ve been working with Jake for some time now..and I really need your help to continue working with him."

Sam took this information in and felt as though the woman was blaming them somehow for Jake's problems, immediately getting her back up. She went over and got a cup of coffee and leaned against the counter, not joining them at the table. Robbie's lips tightened, realizing that Sam wasn't ready for this woman to come in and tell them what to do. "Sam, she just meant that, well..that Jake is ready for our input." Sam nodded, still not speaking and taking an aloof attitude. The woman took offense at Sam's attitude, "Well, I can see why Jake has problems." She stood up to leave and looked over at Sam, as if her words had dared Sam to comply with her wishes. Sam didn't move a muscle, she sent daggers to the woman through her piercing blue eyes.

"Well, this was a waste of my time!" the therapist shouted. "Now wait, please Miss Delong. Let me talk to Sam." Robbie quickly said to her, trying to keep her from leaving. The woman stopped and held her head up high with an arch in her neck, as if trying to intimidate Sam. A tearful Robbie had never seen Sam so tight lipped and unmovable. "Sam! Can you please be nice?" Robbie said to her.

"Please Sam?" she said again. Sam sat her cup on the sink and went over to the table and sat down. "Miss Delong, if you think I can be intimidated by anything you have to say, you are sadly mistaken. Now, I told Mom I would be willing to come and talk with you. What I don't understand is, why are you so impatient? You do realize that your visit and bad attitude have affected my thinking on the subject, don't you?" Sam told her in no uncertain terms. Robbie bent her head down and folded her hands, "Sam, please."
"What's you hurry Miss Delong?" Sam continued. The woman appeared on the verge of tears, "Well, this is a waste of time. Jake has more problems than I thought, he has you for a sister!" She burst into full fledged tears and ran out the door. Robbie was trying to get her wits about her and looked at Sam, "Now look what you've done!" As soon as the words came out of her mouth, she knew that she had said those words to Sam before, many times. Sam just looked at her, with no emotion. Robbie sat down and took a deep breath, "I'm sorry Sam. I just realized how many times I've said those words to you, with Jake always at the base of them. Sam, what just happened here?"

Lily stood in the doorway to the family room and stared at Robbie, unsure if she should comfort Sam or not. "Mom, we can't let this..come between us anymore. Call Jake and let's find out what the heck he expects of us." Sam told her. "Tell him to come over as soon as he can." Robbie closed her eyes, wishing she didn't have to do this. Jake would be upset with them and that could mean he would get angry. "No Sam, I don't think that's what needs to happen right now. I am going to her office tomorrow and find out what's going on." Robbie told her. Sam thought about it for a moment and nodded, letting Robbie know that she agreed with her after all. Robbie laid her hands over Sam's, "I'm so sorry honey. I heard myself, for the first time. I realize though, you have heard those words many times." Sam smiled at her and looked over at Lily, "It's all good honey, come on over."

The next day as Robbie left Miss Delong's office, she felt better than she had in years, about Jake. As she got in the car, she began to laugh. It wasn't really funny, but that poor homely woman had fallen in love with Jake, and Robbie couldn't help herself. Jake had been a lot of things and had many a woman in his life, but this poor girl had fallen hard, with no hope of Jake returning her feelings. Robbie stopped by Selena's before she headed home and told her about her findings. Selena laughed with Robbie, "I guess she was hoping to get you and Sam on her side, to help her hook him." Selena said. Robbie nodded, "That's pretty much the way I took what she had to say, poor thing. Jake might think highly of her talents as a therapist, but that's all." On her way home, Robbie decided that she didn't need to convey everything to Sam, just the high points.

Pulling into the ranch, Robbie saw Jake's truck, parked in front of the barn and began to worry. It was an odd time of day for him to be away from his own ranch. Robbie headed into the house and made coffee, thinking about the things the therapist had told her about Jake's condition and how she wished that Luke was here to help her understand all of this. Jake had actually undergone testing through another doctor to find the cause of his lifelong problems. She told Robbie that the meds had proven to be a miracle for Jake. Robbie was brought out of her thoughts by Jake coming in the door.

"Hi mom. Where is Sam? I didn't see her anywhere around." Jake said, in a friendly manner. Robbie found herself again amazed at his demeanor, "I don't know, I just got home." Jake looked around the kitchen for grocery bags, since that was about the only place Robbie ever went. Not seeing any he asked her where she had gone. Robbie wasn't sure how to answer him, she didn't want to make a situation that would cause him to not continue with therapy. "I had a little trip to make, you know I help Selena out most days." she said innocently. Jake nodded, not thinking any more about it. "Mom, I had a talk with Aggie about Tommy. She's pretty understanding about the situation and wants to keep him on the ranch, but she also wants to protect herself. So, she is talking to her lawyer today to find out how she can proceed, safely." Robbie noticed that Jake's voice sounded almost affectionate, "That's good. I would hate to see him sent away somewhere."
Sam and Jericho walked in the door, "Hi Jake, anything wrong?" Sam asked. He shook his head no and nodded to Jericho, "No, I just wanted you to know that Aggie is talking to her lawyer about Tommy. She wants him to stay on the ranch, if possible. I just thought you and Lily would want to know that we are trying."

Sam smiled, "We?" She looked at him with a grin. Jake grinned back at her and turned red, "Yea, we. Aggie and I are...trying to see where we are headed." He looked at Sam for her reaction, as if it were important to him. "Good." she said. Jake was disappointed, he wanted her to ask what he meant, so he could tell her that he planned to marry Aggie. Robbie saw the disappointment and asked, "So you.. care for this woman, Jake?" He looked up to Sam waiting for his response, "I do, more than I thought I ever would. We are talking about...getting married." Sam's mouth fell open, "What? You, married?" She laughed then and said, "I think that's just what you need Jake, a reason."
Robbie didn't get what she meant, but Jake did, "You need to be looking in that direction too Sis, what about Ned?" Sam grinned, "Ned is quite taken I hear and..I couldn't be happier for him. We have always been friends, that's all. Besides I already have all the "reason" I need, Lily."
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　

Wounded Legacy Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Lily got off the bus and came running down the lane and into the house. Sam was sitting at the table waiting for her, "Hi honey, how was school today?" Lily dropped her book bag and hugged Sam, "Perfect!" Sam laughed, "Well now, I don't think I ever had a perfect day at school. Tell me about it." Lily went to the fridge and got a juice, sticking the straw in it and taking a drink before telling Sam, " Lisa invited me to a pajama party on Friday night. It's her birthday and we are having hamburgers and french fries and..." she stopped to catch her breath. "And lots of fun things."
Sam laughed at her excitement, "That does sound like fun. Do you have her phone number, so I can call her mom?" Lily nodded and reached into her pocket for the crumpled up paper, that had been a cute invitation. Sam read it and tried to figure out if she knew the people.

Robbie had gone to Selena's house early today. They had baby furniture being delivered and needed her to let them in and show them where to put it. Sam got Lily a snack and then said, "Lil, I have some news for you." Lily looked up at with her bright eyes full of joy, "What? Is it another party?" "No, it's not another party. I found your brother Tommy." Sam told her, quietly waiting for her reaction. Lily's eyes got big and she flew into Sam's waiting arms. Pulling back from Sam, she asked, "Can I see him?" Sam smiled and told her the plan. Lily was so excited she didn't know what to do first. "I wish Nana was here, we could make some cookies for him, as a present." Lily said clasping her hands together. Sam laughed, "Well, if you'll help me, I'll help you to make cookies. I haven't made cookies since before I left for college."
Lily didn't bat an eye, as she proceeded to get all the ingredients together and lay them out on the island. She was so excited she dropped both of the cookie sheets and they made such a clatter she giggled and did it again. "Ok, that'll do with the noise, kiddo." Sam laughed. Lily laughed and clanged them together one more time, just for fun.
They were just taking the cookies out of the oven when Jake walked in the door, with Tommy behind him. He looked to Sam to be sure it was alright to come in. "Come on in. Lily has made cookies for you." Sam told them as she realized she hadn't told Lily that Jake would be bringing Tommy to the ranch. Lily was frozen in her chair at the sink, not looking at Tommy, but at Jake. Her little hands began to shake and Sam went and picked her up. "Lil, you can take Tommy up and show him your room." She didn't need any more encouragement as she took Tommy's hand and skirted around Jake, not wanting to get too near. Tommy noticed this and furrowed his brow, wondering why she didn't like Jake.

"You're early." Sam told Jake. "Sorry, I thought this would be a good time for them. I can leave Sam." he said. "No, you don't have to leave yet. I guess this will be a good time for me to get the information I need from you. The therapists number? A deal's a deal." She told him. Jake reached in his pocket and got her card out, handing it to Sam. She took it and looked at it, "Coffee?" Jake nodded and went to the pot, helping himself. "Sam, I'm really sorry I scared Lily so bad. Do you think I could try again with her?" Sam sat down across from him at the table, "Well, it will take some time Jake. You can't force the issue with her. She's pretty bright, when it's time for the next step, she will let you know. Bringing Tommy back to her is the right direction, a really good first step." Jake took a deep breath and put his head in his hands, "I'm thirty three Sam, and I've wasted most of those years. I just want to change so many things. I was going to wait and let Doc tell you and Mom this part, but maybe you need to know now."

Sam found that she wanted to hear what he had to say. His voice was so different than she had ever heard it, as if he were in pain. "Ok." Jake cleared his throat, "I have a brain disorder. If it had been diagnosed when I was a kid, things around here would have been different. Taking this medicine has changed my whole way of thinking and feeling. Doc figured it out real quick and sent me to the right folks for a diagnosis. My brain kinda goes on overload, real quick. That's why I was always angry. I know it doesn't change any of the bad things I did, but somehow, it helps me to deal with it now. Knowing, I'm not just the bad seed."

Neither of them had heard Robbie come in the door. She stood there and gasped as she heard the words come from Jake. Jake turned to see his mom and got up and hugged her. Sam was shaken at this, she had never seen Jake hug anyone.
Through her tears, Robbie asked, "Is it.." she couldn't finish. She thought he was dying. Jake laughed, "No Mom, it's not like that. It's a condition, not a disease."
Robbie sighed with relief, "Oh thank goodness." Sam couldn't believe the sound of Jake's laughter. It wasn't him at all, someone new had taken over his body, someone she didn't know at all. Still wary, Sam decided to test Jake's meds. "Jake, what do you think we should do about Tommy?" she asked. Jake sat back down and took a breath, "Well, I talked to Aggie about him this afternoon. At first she was really upset, you know, thinking she could get in trouble for having him on the ranch, underage and all. But she agreed to wait before she calls the authorities. He's a great worker, kinda quiet."

"Why wait?" Sam asked. Jake looked shocked by her words, "Well..I thought..with Lily, you might want to take him in." Now it was Sam's turn to be shocked, "Me? Jake, I'm still learning everyday how to care for Lily, I can't handle any more than I already have on my plate. But, I want him taken care of properly. I want what's best for him.. for Lily's sake." Sam was close to tears and Robbie took her hand. "Honey, nobody has to make a decision tonight. It's enough for now, that Lily knows he is safe." Jake got up, "If you need me to come get him later, I will." Robbie was unaware of their agreement and said, "No, Jake, you stay for supper too." Sam sent him a look and nodded to him that it would be ok with her. She didn't want her mom upset tonight.
Lily took Tommy out to the barn to show him Munch, Sam thought this might be a good time for her to go out with them and get to know Tommy a bit. "Do you have a special horse at the ranch Tommy?" she asked. He shook his head no. Sam realized that she had come out too soon, he wasn't ready to trust her. "Well, you two come on back in soon, supper will be ready." she told them and left. Back in the kitchen and helping Robbie with supper, Jake told her to be patient with him. Sam couldn't believe what she was hearing from Jake, of all people.

Jericho came in the door and hung his hat on the rack, nodding to everyone. Jake looked uncomfortable and Sam didn't know how to break the ice that had suddenly formed in the room as she helped her mother with the meal. "Chill setting in for tonight, I brought some wood up for the fireplace." Jericho told Robbie. "Thank you Jericho, a fire would feel good tonight." Sam told him. "I'll go start it for you Mom."Jake said, needing to leave the room. Jericho settled himself at the table with his paper, as if it were quite usual to have Jake there at suppertime. Lily and Tommy came in the door, bringing a swish of cold air with them. He cheeks were bright red from the cold and the happiness she felt from finally being reunited with her brother. Jericho grabbed her up in his lap and blew on her cheeks, she laughed with delight as Tommy watched from the doorway. Jake called to him to help with the wood and they went into the family room.

Sam let out a breath, as though she had been holding onto it too long. Jericho smiled and glanced at her. "It's all good Sam." he told her quietly. Sam tried to smile, but she couldn't quite pull it off. Her nerves were getting the best of her, trying to make her way around the kitchen with Jake and Jericho almost in the same room together. She was so afraid that Jake would say something hateful to Jericho, she was shaking. Robbie called them all to the table as she laid the roast on the table. Jake was the first one to sit, right across from Jericho. Lily went around to the side where Jericho was sitting and climbed up beside him. Robbie sat down and motioned to Sam to sit beside Tommy. "Well, this is nice. I just love to cook for family." Robbie said to them all, smiling a smile that invited them all to do the same.

Sam had to laugh, "Ok, let's dig in! Tommy, you're going to love those special creamed potatoes, my Mom makes the best in the world." Jericho nodded, "She sure does." As everyone filled their plates, conversation turned to "please pass and thank you" quickly lifting the heaviness from the room. Tommy actually smiled when he tasted the roast, "Man, this is really good." Jake laughed, "Tommy is used to the ranch cook. He makes the food filling, but it lacks a certain..spice." Tommy laughed and nodded with Jake. Lily was so thrilled to have Tommy back, she forgot about Jake for awhile and enjoyed the talk that began around the table. Sam even relaxed and joined in the conversation occasionally too.

Jake and Tommy left soon after the meal was over, saying they had an early day coming up in the morning. Lily climbed up in Jericho's lap and watched T.V. until bath time. Sam went out to the barn to check on a mare that was soon to foal. She sat on a bale and wept finding herself alone finally, the events of the evening had taken it's toll on her nerves. Drying her tears and telling herself to grow up, she went back in the house and told Jericho the mare was close and they would have to take turns checking on her through the night. "You get some rest tonight Sam, I'll check on her and let you know if I need any help." he told her as he left. He was still staying in the tack room for the time being. The cabin would be ready as soon as the inspector gave his approval, but it would be another week before he could come and look at it. Sam was worried that it would be too cold for him out in the barn and took a small heater out to him.

Jericho smiled, "Thanks Sam, but I'll be fine. I bought an electric blanket the last time I went to town, it was on sale." Sam laughed, "You're something else Jericho. Have I told you how glad I am you are here with us?" she asked him. He just nodded, "I know. I know. Get some rest Sam, we may have to call Ned and get him out of bed tonight, I have a bad feeling about this one." Sam had the same feeling, the mare seemed way to edgy for her liking. She decided to give Ned a call early with a heads up and made the call as soon as she got to the house. Ned assured her he would come out as soon as she needed him.
Two hours later, Sam's phone rang. She knew it would be Jericho and jumped out of bed as she answered. The mare was in trouble sooner than they had expected. She called Ned as she headed out the door. A strong cold wind hit her in the face and she turned away from it as she made her way to the barn. Glad to be inside from the wind, she ran to the stall and found Jericho trying to calm the mare. It took both of them to calm her and she seemed to feel better with Sam's hand on her neck, talking to her. Sam could see that the foal was coming in a breach position and wished that Ned would hurry. The horse knew too, that she was in trouble, her eyes showing the concern of a mother, worried about her foal were wide and darted from side to side with fear. Sam was doing all that she could to try and calm her, when she fell down. One of her hooves hit Jericho in the shin and he fell too. Sam let go of her hold on the horse and helped Jericho up and out of the way of her thrashing legs and hooves. Pulling up his pant leg, the cut was ugly and Sam ran to the tack room for bandages.

Ned came in the barn as she was running back to the stall, "Thank goodness. Jericho got cut on the leg." she told him. Ned took a look at Jericho before the horse. "Sam, take these scissors and cut off the pants." he told her. She cut off the pants, revealing a deep cut in Jericho's leg. Ned took out antiseptic and bandages out of his bag and cleaned the wound, wrapping it neatly with gauze. "Jericho, how long since you've had tetanus shot?" Jericho raised his eyebrows, telling Ned that he never had. "You better get one tomorrow, ok?" Ned told him. "Don't worry, I'll take him to the doctor myself." Sam told them both. Ned then turned to the mare. He first checked to be sure the foal was still alive, it was and he began the procedure to deliver it, with Sam helping. They didn't need any heat in the barn, because by the time they were done, they were sweating and quite warm. The mother and foal were resting nicely, side by side as they left the barn.

"Ned, thank you. I think we would have lost them both without your help tonight." Sam told him as they sat in the kitchen with a much needed cup of coffee. Ned smiled, "That's my job Sam. I'm always glad too, when I can save one of 'em. I hate to see one die, if I can prevent it. I'm just glad not too many of them need my help. I hope Jericho won't have too much trouble with that leg." Sam nodded in agreement, "Well, I guess this night is shot as far as sleep goes. Are you hungry?" she asked him. Ned grinned, "I'm always hungry." Robbie walked into the kitchen as he spoke and said, "Well, I guess we'll have breakfast a little early today. How's the mare?" She started pulling ham and eggs out and Sam grinned, "She'll be fine, so will the little filly." Sam was grateful her mother had decided to fix the food, she didn't think she had the energy.