SAM

Mended fences

The week flew by quickly, things were still a little odd between Sam and Jane but Sam knowing her time here would end soon, had a better disposition and just enjoyed the visit. Bryan felt relaxed and at home. The men rode together, worked, and joked. Sometimes Sam joined them making Steve and her father-in-law laugh with stories about Bryan's accidents at the ranch bringing a scowl to his face making him retaliate, by telling them something outrageous she had done or that he had heard she had done making both men hurt in laughter.

Steve watched his wife's reticence toward Sam with understanding, his father was overwhelmed with his brother's wife as he, having never met a woman like her. He caught himself smiling a couple of times as Jane's eyes burned with jealousy when he commented about something Sam had done.

Sam aware of Jane's discomfort, praised her cooking and how pretty something or other she had done was, while scolding Steve with her eyes.

Bryan knowing better than both what was happening only smiled as he watched the scene play around him. Steve was really enjoying this undue attention from his wife who had never before showed her feelings. Bryan controlled his urge to laugh when Jane grabbed Steve's arm possessively and when she stood so close to Steve that Bryan could see a small fire smoldering in his brother's eyes. He mentioned it to his mother who was shocked at her older son's behavior, so out of character with him.

Sandra watched them closely and saw just what Bryan had told her. Steve sat across from Sam every night and looked enraptured at her while she spoke.

Jane just sat looking at her husband's fascinated stare feeling the urge to smack the look from his face.

Bryan sat back observing the whole scene in amusement expecting his brother's downfall, any day now, knowing Sam was on to him.

"I think you should take Jane riding with you sometime and teach her about the ranch, she might surprise you." Sam said with an innocent tone laced with sweetness that made Bryan stare knowing she was about to pull Steve's chair from under him.

Steve looked surprised, losing his dreamy stare, suddenly paying attention to what was being said. "Jane? Why--she is too delicate. I mean--" Steve started then broke off, immediately knowing he had gone down the wrong path.

Sam's eyebrows shot up a lazy half smile adorned her face, "Delicate? So what am I? A mule?"

Bryan Sr. stifled his laughter as he watched his son's face turn crimson.

Sam knowing Steve was at loss for words pushed on. "And here I thought you found me to be enticing, enchanting, feminine, while all the while you really believe I'm crude and ordinary!" She complained a hurt look crossing her face. Sam sighed loudly and turning to Bryan winked and made her face even sadder. Bryan looked down trying not to laugh.

Sandra couldn't look at her husband who was trying to look outraged, without breaking up.

Jane watched her husband, feeling sorry for him, but pleased that he considered her as something more precious than Sam.

"Sam --" Steve started, "You are different! Sandra was brought up to be gentile and ladylike and--" God! He kept saying the wrong things! Frustrated he clammed his jaw shut.

"Oh shut up! At the rate you are going I am going to be dirt by the end of your apology!" Sam exclaimed giving a dazzling smile.

The three who were trying to keep a straight face broke down into laughter when they saw his blush deepen even more.

"Sam! That was cruel!" Jane accused, eyes flashing in anger.

"Yes I know," Sam replied controlling her laughter, "But it will teach him not to pit us against each other for the purpose of nursing his pride. You see Jane he neither finds me fascinating nor beautiful, nor delicate. What fascinates him is you, and the fact that in one week you have shown him without shyness how much you love him. Now it's time he stopped torturing you and me with his fake fascination. I liked him better when he was just being Steve."

Steve's mouth dropped looking at the people around him. His good nature didn't let anger take over his embarrassment at being caught at his game. He hugged his wife laughing and said, "I loved to see you jealous of another woman, showing you cared for me."

Sandra extricated herself from his hold and smiling at him while she ran her hands through his brown hair pulling it away from his face said with all the emotion she felt "I don't care for you... I love you!" Steve forgetting those around him crushed his wife to him kissing her with a passion that embarrassed the same people who a few minutes ago had been laughing at him. Not caring what anyone thought he took his wife in his arms and without so much as a word left the dining room.

"Well that takes care of that!" Sam said breaking the silence that had fallen over the table.

"Oh Sam you are terrible!" Sandra exploded laughter tingeing her words.

"Did you see his face?" Bryan Sr. said laughing.

Bryan was quiet, watching his wife. Again she had in her outrageous way brought them all together and broken the final ice. He looked at her until his gaze made her look back. Her eyes where slanted in laughter the golden flecks dancing in the gray eyes. She glowed in happiness, her breasts heaving as she tried to regain her breath.

"What's wrong?" Sam asked watching his quiet face.

"It's nothing." Bryan said smiling at her, his eyes filled with gentleness.

Sandra and Bryan Sr. left knowing Bryan wanted to be alone with Sam.

"I'll take care of the boys." Sandra whispered as she walked by Sam. The younger woman looked up at her and smiled her gratitude.

Her father-in-law tussled her hair as he walked by her laughing at his son's frown.

Sam turned to look at her husband wondering if she had offended him. She sighed, she had felt so happy, having him mad at her made her lose all her enthusiasm over her victory in one blow.

"Is there somewhere we can talk?" Bryan asked her.

Sam's face spread in a smile as she answered. "The library or the den, take your pick." Getting up from her chair she went around the table to meet him.

"The den-- I have less than honest plans for you." He said as he embraced her pulling her into his lap.

"Rats! I thought I could get a shot of whiskey after such a splendid performance." She teased kissing his ears.

Bryan threw his head back in laughter. Sam smiled loving the sound of it. He got up setting her on the floor and taking her hand in his took her not to the den but to their room where she knew his less than honest plans would make her melt.

Thanking heaven for his coming into her life, and for the children they shared she walked beside her husband knowing they would always be together no matter what.