Hey all, I know I still have my other story, but I can't think of how to do anything w/ it right now and came up w/ this story. Enjoy!

Summary: Wyatt never met Brynna and Jake's dad goes missing. How will the events unfold? Just R&R!! Rated T for language and possibly other stuff.

Crossing Paths

Ch. 1- Locked Doors

Samantha Forster was taking care of her mustang Ace after the long cattle drive. A lot had happened over the past week and Sam wasn't happy about all of it. Things in her life were unfolding and she couldn't control them. She saw Jake coming towards her with his hands in his jean pockets and recalled some of the things that happened.

Flashback

Sam was untacking Ace after a long day. Jake walked towards her, "Hey Sam, have you seen my dad?"

"No why?"

"I haven't seen him all day and I need to talk to him about some of the cattle we lost today on the Playa," said Jake still looking around for Luke Ely.

"I haven't seen him either. Have you asked my dad yet?"

"Yea, he hasn't seen him either. I'm gonna tack Witch up and go look for him. I'm worried."

"Alright, I'll come with you," Jake opened his mouth in protest, "Don't you say a word Jake Ely, I'm coming with you. My dad's probably worried too. Well, worried isn't exactly the right word, but you know what I mean. Especially with how thin the Playa was today." Jake shrugged his shoulders and walked to the corral to catch Witch.

A few minutes later Sam and Jake jogged out of camp to retrace some of the path they had covered that day. They rode for an hour and still hadn't seen any sign of Luke or his horse. They agreed to turn back and hoped that he had come back to camp. They rode the whole way in silence. As they got close to camp they heard crying and hurried voices. Sam and Jake looked at each other before urging their horses to gallop the rest of the way.

When they pulled their horses to a stop and ground tied them they found all the cowboys rushing around and Wyatt sitting with his arm around Maxine, Jake's mom, who was sobbing quietly. Wyatt saw Jake, "Did you find him?" Jake shook his head and his mom began to shake with sobs. "Oh ... no!" Wyatt tried to comfort her, but the crying continued. She shook with uncontrollable sobs. Sam looked at Jake and saw his eyes tearing up, though he quickly blinked them away. She walked to him and embraced him. And to her surprise he returned it. Sam could feel Jake trembling. "Jake, I'm so sorry."

Sam could hear his voice shaking with emotion as he whispered, "There's nothing to be sorry for yet. We're gonna find him."

End Flashback

Sam shook her head to rid it of the awful memory, but Jake's words played in her head over and over. He stopped next to her. For a few minutes they both stood their till Sam broke the silence. "Any word yet?" Jake shook his head slowly. Sam hung her head before walking to him and hugging him. He again returned it and they stood there for a few minutes till Wyatt walked out of the house. "Are either of you hungry?" They broke apart before Jake shook his head, but Sam nodded. Jake sighed, "I guess I could eat something." The two went inside and found a seat among Wyatt, Grace, Maxine, and the rest of the Ely brothers. They all ate in silence and the Ely brothers all walked out to the bunk house where they would sleep until the situation was resolved.

Jake was the last to go out the door and Sam caught him before he disappeared into the bunk house with his brothers. "Jake, are you sure you're okay?"

Jake looked at her with cold 'mustang eyes', "I'm as okay as I can be brat. My dad is missing and we have no idea where he is." Sam nodded in understanding, but felt a little hurt by Jake's tone. He saw her hurt expression. "I'm sorry Sam. It's just…. really hard."

Sam nodded, "I know Jake. I've lost someone too, remember?"

Jake nodded soberly, "Goodnight Sam." He turned and disappeared through the bunkhouse door.

Jake's POV

I opened the door and took off my shirt and threw it across the room not caring if I woke my brothers up before climbing into one of the bunk beds. I couldn't stop thinking about how much had happened since the beginning of the cattle drive. My dad is missing and there's nothing I can do about it. My mom is suddenly husbandless, and me and my brothers fatherless. I feel like a kid again…. a powerless kid. For the first time since Sam's accident, I'm powerless to do anything. I closed my eyes and tried to sleep, but it was hours before it finally came.

Sam's POV

I walked into my room and threw myself on the bed thinking about everything that had happened. I didn't even change, I just laid there… silently thinking. Even though Jake doesn't think I do, I kinda know what he's going through. I wish he'd let me help him. He locks himself in his own little world and won't let anyone in. Even me… His best friend… We've been best friends forever and he still shuts me out. We've helped each other through anything and everything. I love him like a brother, and maybe more... Ok, where did that come from? I shook the thought out of my head. I couldn't complicate things for Jake by suddenly deciding to like him. I just wouldn't do it… No matter how much I secretly like him… Still, I wish he'd let me help. I'm his best friend and it's sooooo hard to watch him like this.

AN: Well, there it is. What do you think? I know it's a lot to throw at you in one chapter. But that's how it came out! Please press the little button now and make me happy! Kat/Ponypuss

PS. With Should I? I think I'm gonna take the last chapter and make that a new story and start a sequel. Not sure yet and I've been really busy, so we'll see.