Chapter 35

Sam gave a cowgirl yell as soon as they were out of the building. She raised a fist in the air and couldn't help the yell as it escaped from her lips. Both Dad and Uncle Bob smiled at her. Dad looked as if he would have liked to join in.

"I'll come by for you to sign the papers in the next day or two," Uncle Bob told Dad. "I'm serious about filing against Linc."

Dad nodded. "You figure out what to do and I'll sign them. As long as he cannot take our ranch, I'm up for anything."

"He cannot take your ranch," Uncle Bob assured him. "However, you could take his."

"And give it back to the Kenworthys," Sam's voice rose with excitement.

"Hold on, Sam," Dad urged her. "That's a nice dream, but still a dream."

"It could happen," Sam insisted, looking at Uncle Bob.

"It could," Uncle Bob agreed. "Depends on how much of his wealth is tied up into it. If he cannot pay my fees or the defamation judgment, when we win, then the court would take it out of his ranch."

Sam felt like jumping up and down. She needed to call Jen. She needed to call Jake.

"Not a word to Jen about this, Sam," Dad told her. "I don't want to get their hopes up. It might not happen."

Sam sighed but nodded.

"Good," Uncle Bob smiled at both of them. "I'll see you in a few days."

"Thanks Bob," Dad held out his hand. Uncle Bob shook it.

"You're welcome," Uncle Bob told him. "Darrell swore this young lady was worth the chance and he was certainly right."

Sam simply hugged Darrell's uncle.

Dad and Sam got in their truck and both were in a daze as Dad drove towards River Bend.

"Are you as stunned as me?" Sam asked.

"Stunned is a good word," Dad answered. "Relief would be another."

Sam agreed. She did feel relief. She felt the overwhelming need to hear Jake's voice too. She had to tell him that he was safe. It was important to her that Jake knew he was safe.

For once it was Sam protecting Jake rather than the other way around. She felt the tears threatening her again, but this time they were tears of happiness. Linc Slocum had lost. Sam had won. Jake had won. They had won together.

When Dad pulled into River Bend, Sam hurried towards the house. She quickly told Gram and Brynna what had happened, but left most of the retelling to Dad.

"I need to get out of these clothes," Sam made the excuse and headed for her room. She shut the door behind her and flopped down on her bed. She fished out her phone and dialed.

"Hey," Jake's warm voice rumbled in her ear.

"We won," Sam said simply, all the emotion in her voice.

"Great news," Jake told her. "Why are you crying, sweetheart?"

"I love you," Sam managed to say through her tears.

"I adore you, Brat," Jake responded. "Everything's going to be all right now. I'm sorry for putting you through this."

"Stop," Sam said.

"I wish I could have been there for you," Jake murmured.

"You were," Sam reminded him. "I know you were."

They were silent for a few moments, both thinking of the other.

"I love you," they both said at the same time. They laughed, but it just showed how in tune they were to each other. It showed how perfect for each other they were.

As they talked, both looked towards the future when they would be together all the time. Neither could wait, both wanting it to come as quickly as possible.

© 2008 - LB

Characters © - Terri Farley