SAM

The Willows

George sat across the table from Sam and Harry, he watched as his foreman scratched the side of his head a sign that he was troubled by what was happening. He listened carefully as Harry explained the events of the night before and tugged at his chin.

"I think Sam is right, Henry is dangerous-- keep our men armed, tell them I want no accidents. Harry you come with me to the sheriff's office," he rose from his chair, "Sam you take care of our guest, show him Cecile's place."

Sam rose and stood beside him, she chose her words carefully knowing her father hated someone questioning his authority. "Father...I think it would be better if I stayed here, specially if both you and Harry are going to be away most of the day,just in case." George cupped her chin knowing where her mind had gone, he leaned to kiss her forehead, "Henry won't be back, do me this favor. When you get to Cecile's have one of the girls tending the house pack some things for her to stay here. Make sure you let Lou know about the situation and give him my instructions". He put a hand on her shoulders and squeezed.

Sam nodded, "sure father. Whatever you say, just please be careful, both of you!" She walked with them to the door and watched them head to the stables, she looked around and asked Ann to inform Bryan they would meet at the stables when he wanted to leave. She took the road down to the stables and there told the men of her father's orders. They all voiced their hope to be the one to find Henry. Sam was joking with them when one of the men moved his head to indicate they had company. She turned to find Bryan standing behind her. She tilted her hat and smiled.

"Good day Mr. Terrence, boys this is Mr. Terrence, he is looking into buying up Cecile's land so he might just become our neighbor."

Bryan nodded and stretched out his had to shake theirs. He asked them a few questions regarding the grasses and water locations, rain patterns and other details regarding the land and climate.

Sam stood to the side leaning on the fence one foot on the first board, he was a rancher alright, he knew what to ask. The men were warming up to him feeling so at ease they started sharing outrageous stories, some of them included her. She smiled openly as Dan told the story of her ride across a mud puddle when she refused to let go of the lasso that was attached to the horns of the bull.

Bryan looked at her, surprised and a little put off, this girl was crazy as a fox!

At that moment Sam turned and lost the smile catching his expression. She cursed under her breath, and turned toward a black gelding standing off to the side. She mounted worried she had insulted the man again.

" Let's move if you want to see Cecile's spread," she told him as she waited for him to mount his horse.

The land they crossed was beautiful, the land was not flat but sloped into valleys and hills peppered with trees that gave shade and small streams, as they moved Sam spoke to him about the dry season, details of the land and where water could be found, and anything she thought would interest the man. Running out of things to say she turned to him and asked, " any questions?"

" not regarding the land, would you mind answering a few personal ones?" Bryan asked

Sam shook her head, "yes, I mind, I don't particularly like it, no offense."

"None taken, just curious to know why you want to be mistaken for a boy."

Sam reigned in her horse, and waited until he did the same. She pulled one leg out of the stirrup and placed it over the horn where she rested her elbow on her knee and placed her face on her hand, "think about this," she said nudging her horse so that she almost touched the man, "would we be riding here,like this, alone, if I looked like Cecile? All grace and delicacy?" Sam's eyebrows rose and an impish smile spread on her face as she watched Bryan's face change as her words sunk, and he pulled back.