Chapter 14 Sam
sam
If I didn’t think about the kisses I shared with Jude, I didn’t have panic attacks. The past week I had tried to be confident, but inside I was panicking that I was fucking up our friendship. How did you say no to your best friend that you had been in love with forever?
Jude was usually quite reserved and sometimes I could get him to break through his shell and break loose, but the way he acted at the bar and at my home, I had never seen him so bold.
The way he grabbed me for a kiss shocked me, but it was also how I had dreamed of us getting together so many times.
It was a fantasy I had indulged in throughout college, but as the years went by, I buried it because I knew he would never see me that way.
It was hard to believe that he kissed me as we walked home and then on my fucking bed, and then when we had dinner with Forest. Now all I could think of was when was the next time I'd get to kiss him and possibly do more.
I also feared the moment he came to his senses and realized that this was too much for him.
I think I was overthinking for everyone.
The cool September air felt good as I drove back to Sterling Ridge.
I stayed in Monroe for a lot longer than I had normally done.
My physical therapist suggested swimming to ease me into working out more and after talking with Forest and Jude, I knew I was too scared to push myself to do anything.
So, I started to implement some exercise to get back into shape and fuck, had I missed having a goal and purpose.
The sun was setting as I made it back home.
My entire body ached as I got out of the car, but I felt good about it.
I took a shower, reheated the meal I had from yesterday, chicken and rice, yay.
That was the only drawback to playing hockey.
As much as you wanted to eat like shit you couldn’t, you had to balance it out with a good diet and sometimes it really fucking sucked.
Who wants to say no to dessert?
I sat down on the sofa looking through my streaming services to find some reality TV to make me feel better about my chaotic life.
I was halfway through my meal when Jude’s name popped up on my phone.
My phone buzzed as I stared at it, thinking the worst. This was it, the call where he told me that it was all a mistake and that we had to stop what we were doing. I guess it was better now than later.
“Hey,” I answered.
“Sam,” he said out of breath.
“What’s wrong, Jude?” I sat up instantly.
“Still remember how to ride a horse?” he asked as I heard yelling in the background.
“Yeah, we went riding last summer?” I got up and headed to my room.
“Think your knee can handle it?”
“Yeah, as long as I’m not getting off and on a lot, why?” I asked, grabbing a pair of jeans.
“The fires in the west are heading this way,” he said. “They changed course this afternoon. Theo wants the herd moved and we need help.”
“I’m on my way,” I said, putting the phone on speaker, so I could change. “Which barn do I meet you at?”
“The old one,” he said, a little muffled. “Forest will meet you there.”
“What about you?”
“Theo and I are heading out west to see how close the fires are and to see our best course of action,” he said as someone started speaking. “I gotta go.”
“Please be safe,” I said before I heard the click of the line.
Fuck. My heart raced as I thought about Forest and him being so close to the fires, but I knew he’d be safe. This is what he did for a living.
I threw on jeans, my boots and a shirt before putting away my food and hopping in the car. The town was quiet as I rushed to the ranch, and it made me feel uneasy. Did anyone know the danger that lay to the west?
Turning down the street to go to Theo’s old house I parked, getting out quickly and was greeted by Sadie. “Hello, beautiful.” I gave her love before walking to the barn.
Atlas, Colt, Iris and Forest were getting the horses ready as I walked up.
“Hey, thanks for coming,” Colt said.
“Of course,” I said, nodding at Forest before hugging Atlas and Iris.
“It’s good to see you,” he said. How is your knee doing? Are you sure this is, ok?”
“I’m ok, Atlas,” I said, clapping his shoulder.
“Hey sweetheart.” Iris gave me a big hug. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you on a horse.”
“It’s like riding a bike.” I hugged her tight.
I felt Forest's eyes on me, but for some reason I felt shy around Colt, Iris, and Atlas.
“Alright, tonight is simple, we move the herd further southeast,” Colt said.
“Atlas and I will lead the herd. Iris and Webber, can help Forest bring up the rear and catch any stragglers," he said, looking at all of us. “Sadie is coming to help us and if we need anything, radio it in.”
“Ok,” I said, getting nervous.
“You’re going to ride Jude’s horse,” Forest said, bringing a horse to me. “He’s the calmest of the bunch and he’ll be good for you since it's been a while since you've ridden.”
I nodded, running my hand up and down his neck. “Hello Flynn Ryder.”
“Oh, good; you know him?” he asked.
“Yeah, I’ve ridden him before,” I said, looking over at him.
“Good, then just follow my lead and we should be fine,” he said reassuringly. “Sadie will help with a lot of the herding too. We will watch out for stragglers and the mommas and babies. There’s five of us so it should be fairly easy.”
“Ok,” I said again.
“Don’t be nervous,” he said as he got on his horse. “We move in a zig-zag pattern behind the herd or we’ll be next to them making sure we don't lose any.”
I lifted my good leg up, worried about getting on the horse, but my good leg was still working just fine and I got on the horse with ease. Forest grinned at me as I got comfortable on the saddle. My face grew red from his attention.
“Good job, Peaches,” he murmured.
I rolled my eyes, hating that nickname, but oddly feeling it grow on me a little.
“Y’all ready?” Colt asked.
We all agreed.
Colt and Atlas rode out first with Iris.
Forest and I right behind them. We found the herd within twenty minutes and moved them quickly.
The smoke was slightly thicker here, but not by much and I wondered how much closer Jude and Theo were to the fire.
My gut didn’t feel right about this, and every instinct told me to go find Jude and bring him back to me.
We worked in silence as we rode south. It amazed me the amount of land Theo owned. The last time I had seen the herd it wasn't this big, and I was glad he was doing so well.
“Colt, what's the status of the herd?” Theo’s voice came through the radio.
“We are almost there,” he said. “What’s the status of the fire?”
“Bring the herd to a halt and call me back,” he said.
“Roger,” Colt said.
He whistled loudly as Forest motioned for me to follow him as we worked together to slow the herd down. It was nerve-wracking because at one point, I kept thinking one of the cows was going to run against my leg, but Flynn Ryder was more intuitive than I gave him credit for.
The cows started grazing immediately and Colt called Theo back.
“Are you close to the shed?” Theo asked.
“We just passed it,” Colt said.
“Stop the herd there,” he said. “Any volunteers to stay at the shed tonight? The fire isn’t looking good. It could either come from the west or southwest and we need to keep a watch tonight.”
“I’ll stay, boss,” Forest responded.
I was already nervous about Jude and now Forest was going to be here alone?
“I can stay with him,” I said.
Atlas and Colt looked over at me with their eyebrows raised as Iris looked amused.
“Two people watching is better than one, especially if we need to move the herd quickly,” I said, feeling nervous from their attention.
“You’re right,” Forest said. “Thank you.”
“Webber said he’d stay with Forest too, just in case they need to move the herd,” Colt said.
“Thank you, Webber, but you don’t have to,” Theo said immediately.
“I don’t mind,” I replied back.
“It’s a good idea and at least someone is up at all times,” Colt said.
The line was quiet. “Ok, you’re right,” he said. “One of us will bring you back some water and food. Be careful and call us if you need anything.”
“Roger that,” Forest said.
We rode back the way we came, and I tried to remember if I saw a cabin. I was mistaken when Theo said shed, he really meant shed. It wasn’t bigger than twelve by twelve, and I thought it looked like something that housed tools.
“We will bring something for you guys and if you can think of anything before one of us comes back, let us know,” Colt said, as Forest and I got off our horses.
“Theo and I will keep an eye on the fire; I’m sure Jude will also keep an ear out from local fire departments too. That way none of us are blindsided,” Colt said.
“Sounds good,” Forest said, taking Flynn Ryder from me. “Have we discussed a fire line?”
“I’m sure Jude and Theo have,” Colt said. “Here take the gun and an extra radio.”
He handed both to me.
“Thanks for doing this,” Atlas said. “Give us a call no matter what, ok?”
“Gotcha,” I said. “I’m glad I can help.”
“Yeah, thank you,” Colt said.
“Alright, quit lingering, get back home to your wifey,” Forest said then turned towards Iris. “And go make some money.”
Colt chuckled. “Alright, but seriously, thank you. Be safe.”
“Yeah and don’t have too much fun!” Iris grinned.
They rode away and Forest opened the door to our home for the night.
I expected a dilapidated interior with a rickety bed, but I was wrong.
It was a homey little studio. A wood-burning stove was in the center back wall of the room with cabinets and a small table.
The bed looked like a queen and there was even a small sofa.
“Holy shit,” I said.
“I know it's not much, Peaches. I know slumming it with me—”
“Oh, shut up,” I snapped, walking further into the room. “Do you stay here often?”
“I’ve only stayed here a few times,” he said, opening the windows.
It was a little stuffy inside.