"Kinda made it feel like it was my duty." Jake said.
"You didn't say much about meeting Sammie Jo's teacher the other day. How did that go?"
"It wasn't her teacher. It was the counselor. And you won't believe who it is, either."
"Uh Oh, who was it?"
"Samantha Wilson, well…no, Samantha Courtland now, but she used to be a Wilson. You remember, the girl I used to pick on all the time…'cause she was stuck up."
"Oh yeah, her, well, I'll be. So how'd she turn out?" Cal asked as he put the game pieces back in the box.
"She's a living doll. Her and her mother moved back here, bought the old Turner house. You see her mom's real sick, had cancer." Jake said finding a piece of the game and handing it to his dad.
"Oh, that's a shame. I bet I know her too…"
"I'm sure you probably do. She lived here a long time ago."
"Small world isn't it?" Cal chuckled. "So what kind of trouble was Sammie Jo in?"
"Ah, not much dad. Seems she's been match making and they caught her at it. Clay's in on it too. But I think my little talk with her straightened her out."
"I don't know. That kind of thing is inbred. She takes right after Emma." Cal chuckled. "Who'd she hook you up with?"
"Me? No one. It was a couple of teachers at her school, seems she caused a little problem, but I managed to smooth things over with the counselor." Jake smiled to himself, thinking about Samantha and wondering why she had been so secretive.
"I was surprised to see Sam, I mean Samantha there. But then, again, I'm not. She was always smart."
"Well, tell her hello for me, and invite her to the wedding."
"I'll do it, if I see her again. I'm not in the habit of bumping into teachers though dad." Jake chuckled.
"Sammie Jo is matching making big time, huh? That's worse. She should start at home," Cal mumbled and walked off.
"Yeah…well. Pumpkin are you about ready?" Jake called down the hallway.
"Just one more minute, Uncle Jake," Sammie Jo cried out.
"Have a nice time son," Cal called as he passed him, and strolled down the hallway. He kissed his grandchildren on the top of the head and went into his bedroom.
Sammie Jo waltzed out of her room wearing lipstick, and Jake almost said something, but decided it was definitely time to shut up. After all, Sammie Jo was growing up, and there wasn't a thing he could do about that.
"Do I look alright, Uncle Jake?" Sammie Jo asked.
"Perfect," Jake smiled, and took her hand. "Let's go get 'em."
But as he was about to mount the bike, Sammie Jo pulled at his arm, "We can't go on that, tonight, Uncle Jake. My dress….."
"Oh…yeah, I guess you're right. Hang on. I'll get the keys to the truck from Dad." Jake spun around and went into the house again.
*****
The school gym was deserted when they arrived, but the supplies were all sitting there waiting for Jake to do something with.
Jake glanced at Sammie Jo, then the lights. "Guess I better get started. You want to show me how they usually string these?"
Sammie Jo looked at him as though he had grown two heads, "I don't know. I thought you knew…."
"Well….I can use my imagination…I guess." Jake saw the ladder and checked the rafters. "Sammie Jo, can you hand me those lights, now," he asked as he climbed the ladder and began making fasteners for them.
But it wasn't Sammie Jo who handed him the lights. It was Samantha Courtland.
He looked down at her and smiled. She looked good enough to eat. She had worn a soft white blouse and a pair of jeans that clearly showed off her figure. Something inside him heated up. He might not be as much a cowboy as his brothers, but he did like that comfortable look in a woman.
He tried to ignore what the site of her did to his libido; after all, he couldn't remember reacting to another woman like that in a lot of years.
Her cheeks pinked, "Sammie Jo is in a beautiful dress and I don't think it's appropriate for climbing ladders."
"Thanks, I hadn't thought of that. How come you are here?" He asked.
"I'm chaperoning the affair, and usually they need help with the decorating, and have very little. So I came early. They said someone was suppose to be here yesterday but couldn’t' make it."
"That would have been me, guilty as charged. I had a sick cow to tend to."
"Oh, so you came early today. I see. Well, I'll have to leave in a few minutes, to change. Fridays they let us wear jeans, so it just happens I'm dressed for this occasion." Samantha explained, her breath hitching at his intense glance.
Had she known he would be here? Nah…she wasn't interested in him.
And he wasn't interested in her. He planted that thought in his head firmly.
He tried concentrating on hanging the lights, but it was too no avail. His eyes kept straying to Samantha who was untangling a mass of lights on the floor. She was sitting with one leg tucked under her, the other outstretched as she tried to untangle the mess before her. He liked the way she fumbled with them but kept on as though determined to accomplish the task.
Jake was staring. He couldn't seem to stop himself. It was kinda odd, him staring at her so, but not many women really caught his attention these days. There was just something about Samantha.
Aggravated with himself for even thinking along those lines, he busied himself again with the lights. Determined not to allow himself a good look, he strung them as far as he could, and then climbed down to move the ladder. Samantha didn't seem to pay him much attention and that rankled him. He was all geared for flirting a little.
But, for all he knew she was engaged or something.
"It's Laurie Beth I should be worrying about," he muttered, not realizing that Samantha was right beneath him, and heard every word.
"Sounds like you should have brought her…" She snickered.
"I don't think so."
"Sounds like she's pretty important…" Samantha went on.
How did she get away with asking questions, when it was he that needed answers?
"No, she's just a friend," he snapped.
Samantha's smile faded and she retreated again to the floor. He bit his lip. Why had he spoken aloud? And he'd snapped Samantha's head off to boot. Not that he wanted her attention, but….heck…he did. He had heated up the moment he saw her and it was useless not to admit. He never got that way around Laurie Beth. So what was the difference? They were both just women, weren't they? Still, Laurie Beth kept reminding him to take the bar exam and start working for Williams and Dun law firm in Peaceful, like she was. Laurie Beth was an intellectual, and he enjoyed her company, but she lacked any real sex appeal. Perhaps that was the difference. Not only that but the law firm in Sweetwater had already written Jake and offered a beginning partnership. Laurie Beth and Jake talked about law all the time, probably why he didn't feel a commitment coming on. That was one way to turn him off fast.
He finished stringing the lights Samantha had handed him and went down again to move the ladder.
This time it was she who approached him, "So why isn't Laurie Beth with you, tonight? I mean it isn't against the rules to bring a guest."
He frowned.
"She's not from around here. And she'd rather talk politics than dance, anyway."
"Oh, that's too bad. I guess she lives too far away?" Samantha asked.
"A little, and I didn't ask her either," he said, determined to ask the next question himself.
Samantha quieted.
"So…why isn't someone with you?" He asked trying to best her.
Samantha's glance fell. She turned away and muttered something under her breath.
"What?" he demanded, as though he had every right.
"I said I'm not involved with anyone right now. I haven't been here long enough to start dating anyone. I haven't been divorced that long."
"From where?" Jake asked, ignoring the fact that his niece was now staring at the two of them in wonder.
"Jus
t a little north of the Double Bow Ranch," she quipped, not looking at him as she continued her task.
"Ah, so you live close to Rusty and Hannah."
"Yes, I know Rusty, but I've known Hannah even longer. I only went two years of high school here, we moved west and went to school with Hannah my junior and senior year."
"Small world isn't it."
"Yes," she replied casting him a quick smirk.
When they both turned to Sammie Jo and stared, she acted nervous, "Well, I guess I'll run over to Jackie's house and see if she's about ready, it's just a few blocks away. Is that okay, I mean, you don't really need me, now that Ms. Courtland is here to help."
Jake meant to stall her plans, but Samantha nodded, "Sure, run along honey, we'll be fine."
"Be back here by six," Jake instructed.
"I will, see ya," she waved and smiled as she turned to leave.
A silence filled the air, and with it a new tension. Jake felt uncomfortable. He was being turned on by a woman he knew wasn't for him, and for no other reason than she was here and he could look at her, talk to her and be with her. Be with her! Woah! Flirt, maybe, but not be with!
His mind and body were racing in unison. But the look on Samantha's face told him he wouldn't get very far. He had to back off.
He climbed up the ladder once more and waited till she brought him the lights.
"So, you plannin' on stayin' in Sweetwater?"
"As long as I have a job, yes. And as I said before my mother is ill, I won't leave her…"
"Is your job unstable or something?"
"No, not really, I mean, I tried to find work back home, but there was nothing available, so I applied here and got the counseling job. I wanted to teach originally, but the positions were full here. It does give me a little more off time though to be with my mom."
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked about that." Jake could have kicked himself for asking so many questions.
"It's okay, really. Most everyone in town knows about her illness."
"Is she going to be all right?"
"For a while…she's in remission they think, and I hope."
"Is that good or bad?" He could see the hurt in her eyes and how she was trying to shield herself from tears. He felt like comforting her, but she probably wouldn't welcome his arms. They were still practically strangers. Well, that wasn't true either. She wasn't a stranger, but she constantly tried to act like one.
He remembered the time when his father was so sick, when Sammie Jo had first come to the 4 Bar None ranch, such a long time ago. He remembered how worried he had been, it was one reason he had stayed on so long to help at the ranch. He just couldn't bring himself to leave his father yet. But Sammie Jo had taken care of that for him. Without her, Cal would never have been on the mend.
"Are you…going with anyone, engaged maybe?" he asked out of the blue and could have bit his tongue off for asking.
"No. A lot of the people I grew up with are gone now. It seems I've been either too new in town, or too old." She said quite finally. "And like I said, my divorce is barely final."
"No boyfriends then?"
"I guess you find that strange?" she added watching his expressions change.
"A little, I mean, such an attractive woman."
"It always comes to that doesn't it?"
"What?" he asked feeling as though he was on the defense suddenly.
"What a woman looks like. Not her mind, not what she is deep inside, but what she looks like on the outside. Men buy the package, that's why years down the road, they are divorced and alone." Samantha's cheeks pinked and she turned away, as though to ignore him.
Jake stood there on the ladder staring down at her, as though he couldn't quite believe the conversation had gone so badly. He called her attractive and she bit his head off. He didn't understand.
She always used to ignore him, and now she was doing it again. It rankled.
Jake shook his head to clear it. The lady obviously didn't want to engage in conversation with him, so why should he bother. Only he was curious about her. He had actually liked her all those years ago because she was so smart and different from most of the other girls he knew. But when she snubbed him back then, he shrugged and told himself she was too young for him anyway, since she was two years younger. They only had one high school year together, although he remembered seeing her, since she was a very young girl. Now the years were no longer important, and she still snubbed him. Obviously she had some pre-formed ideas about him, that were incorrect, but he didn't know how to set her straight, or even if he should try.
"I merely offered a compliment," he returned moments later.
"Maybe you should reserve those for Laurie Beth," she taunted.
"Yeah, maybe I should." He replied drily. He went back to work stringing the lights. She kept untangling them for him, and then she would climb the ladder half way, hand them to him and go back down, without another word and without looking at him.
The silence was unbearable.
"You know," he said as he came off the ladder for the last time, and looked straight at her. "I think we've gotten off on a bad foot here, and I'd like to amend that, if I could."
Samantha looked up from her task and saw the seriousness in his face. Startled, she blushed and then nodded, reaching out her hand, "Truce?"
"Truce!"
*****
Samantha took a quick shower, not because she needed one, but because her temperature had gone up two notches since being with Jake Travers. It was beyond silly to be that attracted to the man. She felt pulled to him, as if destiny were trying to tell her this was Mr. Right. But there was no Mr. Right for her and she had to learn that. Four years ago, she'd been married, and happy, she thought. But she hadn't realized how married to his work, he was. Being a policeman was Pete's life; Still, that wasn't all of it. He hadn't wanted children either, something they neglected to talk about before marriage because he always shied away from it. The fact that they couldn't have a child together, left her forlorn, until she finally faced the truth, their marriage was doomed.
Even when he was shot, nearly killed, he wouldn't give it up for her. She felt she'd done everything to save their marriage, but as the papers were being signed she noticed the great relief in his eyes, and knew it was the best thing to do. A year later he had married his detective partner and they were very happy.
Tears welled in her eyes. Jake wasn't Pete, and his job wasn't exactly high profile for getting shot, but she wondered how much he loved his work. "I've got to quit fretting about Jake. I've tried marriage and it didn't work out. Everyone isn't meant to be as happy as Hannah and Rusty."
But all the talking to herself in the world wouldn't make her thoughts stay away from Jake Travers. He was the Sheriff of a small town, a family man if Sammie Jo were an example. Not at all like her estranged ex-husband. Even so, he did have someone, someone named, Laurie Beth.
Sobbing she went back to the sink and wet a washrag and washed her face. She'd reapply her make-up once she quit crying. She wasn't even sure why she was crying.
But she couldn't fool herself. Jake looked so good. His hair was still a wayward kind of brown with sprinkles of gray, his eyes crinkled when he smiled. He looked as though he laughed a lot.
Looking into the mirror she saw a few lines forming around her own eyes, more wrinkles when she smiled. She sighed and reapplied her make-up.
"Going to the dance, dear?" her mother called form the doorway.
"Yes, Mom. Can I get you anything before I leave?" She felt so guilty leaving her mother even for one night, but it would only be one night.
"No dear, don't fret over me. I'll be fine. Enjoy yourself. It will do me a world of good, seeing you happy again."
"Happy? I'm not unhappy, mother," she turned to look at her.
The woman she adored the most in life, was going through such a hell, and she wished she could make things easier on her.
"Maybe, but a woman your age shoul
d be out and enjoying herself more."
"You always did spoil me. Why don't you come with me? You might really enjoy it."
Her mother smiled sagely, "I doubt that, all that loud music. I'm afraid I'm not up to that. Don't you worry; Mrs. Cargile is coming over to play chess with me…"
"Oh wonderful…" Samantha felt relieved. "I remember her, she used to be a beauty operator. Remember, she did my first perm."
"That's right she did. She had to give that job up, too much hair spray, bad for the lungs."
"I'm so glad you are getting out a little and finding your friends again." Samantha smoothed her mother's hair and kissed her on the cheek.
"Now, you just run along and have some fun."
*****
The dance lights were twinkling, as the kids began to mingle. They weren't dancing, but Jake figured it had to be because they really didn't know how. He watched several of them, trying to keep the beat of the music, but no one ventured out on the floor yet.
He headed for the punch bowl. He'd get a cup and go sit against the wall, where he used to sit when he was a kid and watch the others.
The minute Samantha walked in he felt her presence. His eyes found her long before she found him. She was lovely. Mature cleavage awakened him, in that outfit. She looked so different, from the women he knew, sophisticated, and yet almost plain, beautiful, nonetheless.
Trying to get his mind off the new counselor he went over to his niece, "May I have this dance?"
"Uncle Jake! Of course," Sammie Jo smiled brightly.
Jake led her across the room as they danced to the music. It was a slower dance, but not the kind to hug, thank goodness. Jake wasn't even sure why he had to dance with Sammie Jo, except it kept him from asking Samantha for a while.
Sammie Jo stumbled once, but Jake acted as though he didn't notice. He led her all the way and she began to relax. In fact, now that they were dancing, several others joined them on the floor.
"This is fun," Sammie Jo smiled. "I've never slow danced before."
"I'm just glad it isn't one of those fast ones, I couldn't keep up," Jake laughed.
"You're a great dancer, Uncle Jake. So…do you like Mrs. Courtland?"
Why oh why did she have to bring her up? He'd been putting her out of his mind for the past fifteen seconds, why did Sammie Jo have to reinsert her?
Along Came Love Page 5
