Happy New Year everyone. I didn't post this yesterday, but I just ran out of time. I would like to thank the support from all my readers. I would like dedicate this to Save Danny69 and for her actual horse named Shadow that died. I hope you guys enjoy it even though it is on the short side. The next chapter will be about Danny. The italic part is Sam's dream.
Disclaimer: I don't own DP, even if this is an AU. I do own Michael and Tyler...and whatever other ranch hands I add in there.
The sun streamed through the window lighting up the face of the seventeen year old Samantha Manson. Her raven hair covered the pillow. She wanted to wake up, but her dreams kept her captive. The same dreams kept haunting her for the past couple months.
The rain fell as seven year old Samantha watched lighting flash. Screams could be heard from downstairs.
"We can't send her to boarding school." She cringed at the thought of it. She didn't want to go to another school. She had friends at her school right now. What would she tell them?"
"Do what you want with the girl, I'm out of here." She heard her father yell. She ran out of her room when she heard the front door slam. Her feet hurried as fast as they could down the staircase.
"Dad."
"Sam, don't." Sam ignored her mother's warning.
"Sam, come back here." Sam didn't listen, but instead charged out into the pouring rain.
"Daddy." The father figure ignored her cry, and kept walking towards the taxi that was waiting.
"Daddy wait, I'm coming with you."
"Sammy, you can't come."
"But"-
"I'm sorry."
"Dad."
"Forgive me Sammy." Sam's heart dropped when the car door closed as the driver took his bags to place them in the trunk. Sam wouldn't give up hope just yet, so she ran to the car.
"Dad." She banged on the window. He gave his daughter a sad glance. He mouthed the words good-by before the car started to leave the driveway. Sam took after him, but she couldn't keep up to the speed of the car. Her left foot tripped making her body crash to the ground. Mud quickly overtook the hideous pink dress her mother made her war.
"Dad." Her tears started to mix with the rain that was falling.
"Samantha Elizabeth Manson." She cringed at her full name. She stood up completely soaked; one side from the mud the other from the rain.
"Samantha, come here this instant." The little girl obeyed out of hear, not want. She wanted to stay in the rain and just let the rain take her. She was forced to sit there and listen to her mother's scolding about the dress being new, and her being irresponsible by going out there. Sam waited till she was done, and ran up the carpeted stairway.
Sam eyes hot open as feeling returned to her body. It was morning.
"Sammy, darling, breakfast is ready."
"Ok grandma, I'll be right down." The elderly lady smiled and nodded her head. Sam glanced at the clock; 8 A.M. It was going to be a long day.
Sam picked up the piece of toast out of the toaster, and headed for the door.
"Sam, wait."
"I have to get started on the stables."
"Sit down Sam." Sam's smile fell when she saw the concern look on her face.
"What's wrong?"
"Your mother is very sick."
"So."
"Sam, they said she won't live much longer."
"Good Riddance." She stood up and headed towards the door for a second time that day.
"Samantha, how can you say such things about your mother?"
"Cause she isn't my mother, she might be the women who gave birth to me, but she will never be my mother."
"Sam."
"Am I interrupting something?" A timid voice cut in.
"No." Sam answered dryly.
"Jazz, what are you doing here, is it Saturday already?" The red head offered a small smile towards Sam. Jazz being the smartest person in the class had agreed to tutor Sam on the weekends in the classes her Grandmother taught her. The old lady gave her a stern look telling her that they would talk about the subject of her mother later.
"Jazz, we just finished making breakfast, would you like any?"
"No, thanks, I've already eaten." She said after Sam sent her a death glare. Sam wanted to get out of the watch of her Grandmother, and Jazz knew it.
"Come on Sam, let's study outside." A smirk fell onto the younger girl's lips. She knew exactly why Jazz wanted to study outside, and it wasn't because of the glare she had sent her. Jazz was practically head over heels in love with one of the ranch hands named Michael. Although despite anything that Jazz aid, Sam was still convinced it was a puppy dog love that would eventually die. Sam had grown up with most of them, so it was a little weird hearing her friends refer to them as being "hott." Little did Jazz know Michael liked her too. Sam knew this, and on occasions would use it for her advantage. She had already pre-arranged everything.
'3, 2, 1.' She mentally counted down.
"Hey Jazz, hey Sam." The blonde haired green eyed ranch hand approached them.
"Hi Michael." Jazz managed to say while trying to hide her blushing cheeks.
"I wanted to go for a ride, and was wondering if you two wanted to come."
"I can't Michael, I have to clean out Shadow's pen, but I'm sure Jazz would love to come with you." His eyes sparkled.
"How about it Jazz?"
"Sure, I would love"- Sudden realization hit her of what she was actually there for.
"But I have"-
"We can work on that tomorrow."
"Thanks Sam." Jazz gave a small squeal before heading off with Michael. Sam watched them go, a small smile on her face. They would be gone for most of the day, if she knew Michael. She felt bad for Jazz, it was ironic that honest was the best policy for her, and yet she fell for a liar. Jazz just had to be careful on what she believed. That was only one of the reasons that Sam Manson, didn't believe in love. It wasn't that she had anything against the couples who said they were in love. Heck, she even had a boyfriend, but it was just certain events in her life that brought her to the conclusion that love didn't exist.
She walked through the stables. Most of the horses were out in the fields, but some horses were kept in the stables. She whistled lowly drawing Shadow's head out of the stall.
"Hey girl." She stroked the horse's head.
"I bet you're happy that your stall gets clean today." The horse neighed.
"You might be happy, but you have no idea how hard it is to take care of you."
"Are you talking to her again?" Came a familiar voice behind her. Her body was encircled by a pair of two strong arms. A smile and feelings of joy filled her body; it was Tyler, her boyfriend.
"Why yes I am, do you have a problem with it?" She asked in a cocky tone. Tyler laughed.
"No, but I swear one day that horse will steal you away before I get a chance to."
"You know that won't happen." She reassured him. She kissed his lips lightly and stared into his brown eyes.
"I don't know you talk more to the horse than you do me." He joked. She slapped him lightly and started her work.
"So do you want to do anything today?"
"I can't I have to clean out the stables. They aren't going to clean themselves." He grabbed her hand.
"Can't you get someone else to do it?"
"No, my grandma will find out." He pulled her closer. She rested her head on his shoulder.
"Have you guys ever heard the phrase, get a room?" A voice shocked both of them.
"Hey Val." Sam rolled her eyes at her comment.
"Are you two behaving?"
"If we weren't what would you do about it?" He wiggled his eyebrows at her as Sam slapped him. He rubbed his arm lightly.
"I was only kidding."
"You better be." Sam growled.
"Can I steal your girlfriend for a minute?"
"Sure." Val tugged her away, and secured the area. She didn't know what the ranch hands would think of the information.
"We're getting a new ranch hand."
"Val, how did you find this out?"
"Your Grandmother."
"Why didn't she tell me?" She glared at Val.
"Wait, where are you getting with this?"
"I'm just saying I might spend some more time at the ranch."
"Why is this one any different from any other ranch hand?" Sam asked.
"Because he isn't choosing to come here, he's being forced."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"I have to go." Val said after looking at her watch.
"Great, just great." Sam muttered as she headed back to the stables.
"Like I needed surprises in my life right now."
"Is everything alright?" Her boyfriend had diligently been awaiting her return.
"Fine, we're just getting a new ranch hand." She saw his eyes narrow.
"Is there anything wrong?" She asked. To be honest he didn't like the fact that they were getting a new hand. All the workers knew to keep their mitts of his Sam. Now this guy is coming and who knows what would happen. One thing was for sure, he wasn't going to loose her to a new hand. He planned to make more frequent stops to the ranch from then on.
Again, I'm sorry it's so short. I'm sorry that the section with Valerie is kind of vague. I'll edit it tomorrow or really soon. Once again I hope you enjoyed it. Reviews give inspiration.
-RGT-