Free Samantha and the Cowboy by Lorraine Heath Page B

sign the papers giving his permission for Matt to enlist. But Matt always thought he’d gained his real education after that.
    â€œMatt, you promised to tell me how the ranch got its name,” the kid reminded him.
    He’d hoped Sam would have forgotten his promise, but he should have known better. The kid was as tenacious as a starving dog gnawing on a bone.
    What could it hurt to tell the story?
    â€œWell, legend has it that the original owner’s wife grew so lonely living on the ranch that her heart broke. She moved back east. And her leaving made the owner’s heart break.”
    â€œWhy didn’t he go after her?” Sam asked.
    â€œSaid he loved her too much to see her unhappy, but his heart was never the same after that.”
    â€œI don’t much like that story,” Sam said.
    Matt didn’t either. Like Sam, Matt never had understood why his grandfather hadn’t hightailed after his grandmother and convinced her to return to Texas with him. He’d also never understood why she’d left her son behind.
    â€œMatt, is it all right if I sing a song to the cows that has words?” Sam asked.
    â€œSure, kid. Just keep it low and soothing. We don’twant to make the cows skittish.”
    The words to “Amazing Grace” began to float on the breeze. Sam had a nice voice, a youthful sound that reminded him of so many drummer boys, singing at night, searching for the courage to march into battle the next day.
    But there was an innocence to Sam’s singing that was like a balm to Matt’s aching heart. Touched him. Made him glad that he’d offered his help to the boy.
    He knew Jake was watching him closely. Jake had ordered him to ride drag so he could make a point: on this drive at least, Matt was no better than any of the trail hands. He was to follow orders or he’d be sent packing.
    Matt was grateful that Sam seemed to be a hard worker. Together maybe they could ease their way back into Jake’s good graces.
    Matt didn’t much like admitting that Sam’s singing touched him as much as it seemed to calm the cows. Sam’s eagerness to learn and please reminded Matt too much of himself at a much younger age.
    He was glad Sam hadn’t gone off to war. Sometimes he wished he hadn’t, either.
    The hours passed slowly and uneventfully. Eventually, in the distance, Matt saw the riders approaching—the next group who would keep an eye on the slumbering herd.
    â€œAll right, kid,” he said quietly. “Time for us to head back in.”
    In the moonlight, he could see the kid’s tired smile.
    â€œDon’t think I’ll have any trouble going to sleep this time,” Sam murmured.
    Matt knew he couldn’t make the same claim. He hadn’t had an easy sleep since he’d left for the war.

CHAPTER NINE
    The clanging of iron against iron brought Sam awake with a jolt. Every muscle and bone in her body ached; her head throbbed. Her swollen eyes felt gritty. Although she’d slept hard, she hadn’t slept long enough to dream.
    She squinted through the darkness. The sun wasn’t even up yet. Why did she have to be?
    Rolling over, she crushed her hat against her face.
    â€œCome on, kid,” Matt urged.
    â€œGo away,” she grumbled.
    He leaned near and she could feel his breath skimming along the nape of her neck, sending delicious shivers skittering down her spine. Why was her body reacting to his nearness in these strange ways?
    Nothing like this constant awareness had ever happened to her before. It was almost as frightening as being on this cattle drive, moving farther and farther away from home, away from the familiar.
    Because where Matt was concerned, her thoughts and feelings were definitely not familiar.
    â€œIf you don’t get up, the other fellas are likely to haulyou to the river and toss you in,” he warned.
    She sat up so fast that she bumped him with her