Read Online Untamed by Terri Farley - Free Book Online Page B

paused in her walnut chopping to smile at them.
    â€œHello, Jake,” Gram said, then peered inside the oven to check the cookies that were already baking. “Thanks for seeing Sam home.”
    Gram didn’t glance at the clock, but the fact that she didn’t start filling Jake full of food reminded Sam it was getting late and tomorrow was school.
    Jake rubbed the back of his neck. He only did that when he felt awkward. She still had a chance to drive him out of here.
    â€œYeah Jake, thanks,” Sam said. “See you tomor—”
    â€œUnless you’d like to sit for a minute and wait for this first batch of cookies to be done,” Gram offered.
    Traitor! Sam thought. Gram just couldn’t resist feeding people.
    â€œOkay,” Jake said. He’d barely lowered himself into a chair when the door between the kitchen and living room swung open.
    â€œWasn’t that Sam? Oh. Hi, Jake.”
    Brynna wasn’t in her robe yet, but her hair hung loose and Dad was right behind her, wearing his socks, without boots.
    â€œJake,” Dad said, nodding.
    Jake shifted in discomfort. His cheeks flushed such a dark red, anyone would have thought Dad had forgotten his pants!
    Good. Maybe he’d leave after all, Sam thought.
    But he didn’t. Jake was determined to stay and humiliate her, no matter what.
    Gram leaned past Sam to place a plate of warm cookies on the table. She patted Sam’s shoulder as she straightened, then took a quick, surprised breath.
    â€œWhat’s this?” Gram said, looking at Sam’s temple.
    Oh my gosh. Had it swollen? Bruised?
    â€œJust a little bump.” Sam struggled to sound casual. “No big deal.”
    â€œWhat happened out there, Jake?” Dad didn’t say it like an accusation, either. It was more like Jake had been the adult in charge.
    â€œOh, it’s nice of you to ask him , instead of trusting your own daughter!”
    â€œ Did something happen?” Brynna asked Sam.
    Her stepmother’s expression flashed between guilt for letting Sam go and professional interest. But at least she wasn’t addressing her question to Jake.
    â€œNo trouble with the horses,” Sam began, but then Jake interrupted.
    â€œShe knocked her head against the window—”
    â€œBut I’m okay!”
    â€œâ€”when I hit a rut, running from headlights.”
    â€œDid that Caleb do something crazy?” Dad’svoice was as low and threatening as Blaze when he growled.
    â€œNo,” Jake admitted.
    Of course, now Jake decided to clam up. He lifted his hand a fraction of an inch off the table, gesturing at Sam.
    â€œSamantha?” Dad asked.
    She had no choice, so she tried to get everything out without taking a second breath.
    â€œToday when Jen and I were riding out there, just looking for New Moon, we saw some pronghorn mixed in with the Phantom’s herd and then all of a sudden, this guy stands up—I don’t know if it was Caleb Sawyer, it could’ve been, I think it was—and he tried to shoot the Phantom.”
    â€œThe Phantom’s band was over at Snake Head Peak?” Brynna asked.
    Dad’s head whipped around to send Brynna a look. He seemed to be saying, You’re as bad as she is .
    â€œI mean,” Brynna amended her statement, “what were you doing over at Snake Head Peak? Moon’s territory was Aspen Creek, and Phantom usually doesn’t hang out there.”
    Dad set his jaw so hard that Sam heard his teeth grind against each other.
    He pushed his chair back so hard it screeched, then strode to the door and opened it.
    â€œThanks for stoppin’ by,” he told Jake. “I’ll take it from here.”
    â€œWhat?” Sam yelped. Was she some problem to be shepherded from one male to the next? She looked to Brynna and Gram for help, but neither said a word.
    â€œLet me get this straight.” Dad’s voice was so quiet, Sam had to lean