Jake's Life revised Chapter 1, a phantom stallion fanfic

Chapter 1

Samantha Foster was sitting under the willow by the river while taking a break from weeding her Gram's garden in the Nevada summer heat. She decided to dip her feet in the cool water as she relaxed and looked around the yard of her home, the Riverbend Ranch. She took in the beauty of the place where she wanted to live for the rest of her life. She turned her head toward the playa and saw a movement in the distance. As she tried to figure out what it was, she ruled out the possibility of it being a mustang, because it was too dangerous and hot for one to be out in the open at this time of day. As it gradually came closer she saw it was a horse and rider.

Sam knew even from the distance that it was Jake Ely, but the horse wasn't his usual mount, a black quarter horse mare with an attitude. While the pair were getting closer, Sam noticed the horse Jake was ridding was taller and stockier. 'Possibly part draft,' Sam thought. When Jake and the horse came closer Sam saw that the horse was in a lathered sweat. Jake headed the horse toward the bridge, but the second the horse's hooves touched the bridge it spooked at the hollow sound.

To Sam the next few minuets seemed like hours. As if in slow motion, Sam saw the horse rear up and Jake throw himself onto its neck in attempt to force it back down. The horse didn't seem to notice as she balanced precariously on her back legs for a couple of seconds. Then, to Sam's horror, the horse started falling over backwards. To her it looked like Jake would end up underneath the frightened horse. To her relief, Jake bailed off before that happened.

Not bothering with her shoes, Sam started running toward the bridge. When she got there, Jake was up and moving out of the way of the large horse, who was struggling to get up. When it managed to get up, Jake moved to get the reigns and the horse shied away, showing the whites of her eyes. Jake waited a moment before trying again. This time the horse stood still, but still showed the whites of her eyes. Jake paid no attention to Sam as he talked in a low soothing voice to the frightened animal. Slowly he moved forward to the animal's neck, his hand outstretched. When his hand made contact, the horse flinched but stood its ground.

Sam knew not to talk until Jake spoke first, in case the horse spooked again at the sound of her voice. After a few minutes, Jake turned around and spoke to Sam. "Hey Brat," then seeing her bare feet and the dirt covering her from obviously weeding Gram's garden, added, "did the radishes eat your shoes?"

"Very funny, Jake Ely. You would think that after that experience you'd start saying nice things," Samantha retorted. Jake just smirked. Trying to be mad at Jake only lasted until the horse beside him snorted. "Whose horse is that?" Sam blurted, and then started rattling off more questions. "Are you okay? What's the horse's name? Is the horse okay? Why are you here?"

It took Jake a few seconds to figure out what Sam said. Then he decided to be smart and answer in order of her questions and uncharacteristically fast. "A friend's, fine, Hazel, yes, because."

Sam just glared. "Okay I get it, I talk too fast," Sam said, mad that Jake was being rude and sarcastic. At a more normal speed she asked, "Which friend?"

"You don't know her," answered Jake, before he led Hazel over the bridge toward the hitching post. This time Hazel didn't act up. At the hitching post Jake unsaddled Hazel and took the tack into the tack room. Sam followed him.

Her head was trying to comprehend what Jake had just said 'You don't know her.' So, trying to piece everything together, Sam asked, "Why are you here, and don't tell me 'because' (using air quotes) for it's not a reason."

"Okay, I'm here because I'm staying over for awhile, and so is the owner of Hazel, her boyfriend and Darrel."

Sam just stared at Jake like he grew another head. "She has a boyfriend?" was all she could say.

Not picking up on Sam's bewilderment Jake answered, "Yeah, she does, and because there's so many of us the guys are gonna stay in the bunk house and Serena, that's her name, is gonna stay with you in your room."

Sam was still trying to comprehend what Jake just said. She would have to share a room with this girl named Serena and she has a boyfriend. That means she's not dating Jake, YES! "Hold it, you can't just come here and expect to be allowed to stay without permission."

"Whoa there Brat, calm down. I did ask permission and Wyatt and Bryanna said yes. So don't get all worked up," Jake stated. To himself he thought, 'Wow something is really bothering her today. This will be fun.' Jake grabbed Hazel's reigns and stated toward the ten acre pasture.

"Now what are you doing?" Sam demanded.

"I'm putting her in the ten acre pasture with the other horses. She needs to calm down and settle in. Then Serena or I will look her over and see if she's alright."

"Oh," was all Sam could say as she watched Jake lead Hazel into the pasture and take the bridle off.

After Jake closed the gate he headed toward the bunk house while starting to undo his chinks. It was only then Sam realized that Jake was wearing a long sleeve shirt with pearl snaps in addition to leather gloves and the chinks. Some of his hair had come lose from the leather tie at the back of his neck. It wasn't until then that Sam realized the only reason Jake would dress in that hot of clothing in this summer Nevada heat was that he was expecting trouble.

When they reached the bunk house Jake went inside while Sam petted Blaze, the ranch dog. When Jake reappeared he had on a white T-shirt and his hair was once again tamed back into its tie. Because she couldn't resist picking on Jake, like he did to her all the time, Sam blurted, "Well this is an improvement from the (once again using air quotes) 'look at what the cat dragged in' look from earlier."

"Well at least it's better than your haircut," responded Jake, before heading toward the house. He heard Sam catch up to him and follow. 'She's probably fuming,' Jake thought as he went inside to get the truck keys from the counter. As he walked out he almost ran into Sam.

She didn't look too mad, so he headed to the truck and got in. When he started up the truck Sam was by the window asking, "Where are you going with our truck?'

"To get Witch," Jake answered as if it were obvious. Then Jake backed the truck toward the horse trailer. When the truck and trailer were aligned Jake got out and hooked them up. Before he got back into the truck, he turned to Sam and said, "Darrel will be here after he's done with work and Serena will be here shortly. I don't know if her boyfriend is coming with her or if he's coming later." Then Jake got in the truck and drove over the bridge toward Three Ponies, his family's ranch. Sam then realized that her shoes were still by the river.

Sam headed toward the river to retrieve her shoes. Then she headed toward the ten acre pasture to see how Hazel was settling in. When she reached it, she saw that most of the horses didn't seem fazed by her. Her own bay mustang, Ace, and the albino, Popcorn, were grazing next to Hazel. Ace seemed happy to have a new friend to protect him from the others.

Sam was so engrossed by the peaceful sight of the horses she didn't hear the truck and trailer pull over the bridge until Blaze started barking. Thinking it was Jake, Sam turned around, but was surprised to see it wasn't anyone she knew.