1

As she walked down the hallway she knew when she walked through the looming doors ahead, her freedom and life would be taken away. Samantha Anne Schroeder was a beautiful girl, she had long blond hair, that today was in a bun. Her eyes were blue and she was very thin. Her mother told her that was a good thing, but Sam didn't care. She was a very petite person, with small hands and feet. She hated that, small hands and feet weren't good for running or climbing trees, which she had to stop doing when she met Mr. Bedford. The sound of her fathers breathing woke her from her trance , it made her want to scream! His feet fell heavy against the floor making loud thumps with each step. The door was so close now that she could reach out and touch it, her father stopped.

"Sam, I know you don't like this, but he is a good man. He can take care of you better than that boy ever could." he paused knowing that whatever he said, nothing would change her mind. "I am doing this for your own good."

He pushed open the large wooden doors and they walked in, the music started. She didn't want to look up, but she had to. To the left of her she saw her mother and her sisters. Her sister Carie was crying. She was a very small girl for her age, she was 14 and barley 5 feet tall. Her hair was a brown color, like her mother's and she was...well she wasn't fat, but she wasn't very skinny either. Her other sister, Elizabeth, was smiling, her blond curls shining in the candle light. She got those from there father, she also got her bright blue eyes from him. Elizabeth thought this was good for her too. She was 19 and engaged to someone she loved...She got to choose who she married, Sam had to marry for the good of the family. She looked up to her mother, her eyes were shining. She was so proud of her daughter, Sam wanted to kill her. This was all her fault, she introduced Sam to Mr. Bedford in the first place.

They were getting closer to the altar and Sam struggled to push back the tears she felt forming. She looked to her right and saw Mr. Bedford, I mean John's family. His mother gave her a look of hate and his father just looked flat out drunk. She turned her head from them, she couldn't think of that right now. She had to control herself, if she didn't she might scream. She looked ahead, her head held high. He was standing on the left, waiting. His smile penetrated her like a knife cutting into butter. He was a tall man, age 23, not terribly old compared to her, she was after all only 17. He was slender and built very well. He was a handsome man, that wasn't the problem, the problem was him! He was so awful! The way he looked at her made her want to shrink down into the ground and die! He thought he was smart, when he probably couldn't count to ten. He was so conceited too! He had no charm and he wasn't very romantic either, he tried though, she knew that. But...he would never be Lance. Nobody would ever be like Lance...She couldn't think of that, no!

Her father let go of her arm, Sam walked up to her future husband and took his hand. He was smiling at her again with that look, she wanted to run, but she couldn't, she smiled back as best as she could, turning to the priest. As the priest began to speak she felt the hot sting of tears coming again. She felt them begin to roll down her cheeks, she couldn't help it! She didn't want to be here, she didn't want John either. She wanted Lance! She needed him, and she knew he needed her! The priest was about to finish talking and she felt John pick up her hand. The rest of the ceremony was a blur, her head was spinning, this was all wrong! This should have been Lance by her side, not some man she barley knew!

The ceremony was over, she was married now. Her mother came to her side and hugged her.

"Oh Sam! Cheer up, this is going to be the best thing that ever happened to you! Now smile! You wouldn't want to have your husband see you in tears now would you?" she asked as she and her sisters fussed over her.

It was time to leave, Sam and John were going to their new home in Brookshire, three miles away from her family...and Lance. John helped her into the carriage and turned to her father,

"Don't worry Mr. Schroeder, I will take good care of your daughter!" he waved to the crowd one last time, then disappeared into the carriage. He chose a to sit next the Sam.

He took a hold of her hand and kissed it, "We're married!" he said happily as though the thought was unbelievable. "I shall make you very, very happy Sam, I hope you believe that."

"Yes, John. I do." she said flatly trying to avoid his eyes.

"Oh, darling, I know you miss your family. " he said, thinking he knew what was bothering her. "You can have them visit anytime you like!" he said moving closer. "Of coarse after the honeymoon." he began to kiss her neck and she didn't know what to do.

"When are we going to get there?" she said pushing him away from her. She tried to compose herself so she didn't start to cry again. "It's getting very late and I am very tired."

After saying that he didn't move for her again, he just said, "In a minute or two, I can see it from here." he pointed out the window and Sam saw the largest house she had ever laid eyes on. It was almost a castle! It was made of stones and there was a large garden on the side, she saw stables and a large lake. Beyond the lake there was a small hill with a large willow at the top. She was sure that would have been a good tree to climb, but dismissed the thought, remembering what her mother had told her before. She was a woman now, women do not climb trees, especially married women.

The carriage turned and they began to make there way towards the house, castle, or whatever it was. When they arrived at the front doors John helped her out and there was a line of servants waiting for them.

"Welcome to Bedford Manor. " He said smiling. "These are your servants." he pointed to two girls, they barley looked 13.

"Hello ma'am, I'm Missy." said the first girl, who politely curtsied.

"Hello ma'am, My name is Jenny." said the second who also curtsied.

"Nice to meet you." she said smiling at them.

John escorted her to the front room, it was very large. There was a staircase at both sides, they had red carpeting all the way up and fancy banisters. In between them was a large fountain. The water sparkled from light that came from a large crystal chandelier that rested at the top of the stairs. The floor was tiled, the tiles were blue and white squares, the floor sparkled. John led her up the stairs into a hallway that went both left, right, and forward. They went forward. This hallway was full of more chandeliers and a lot of pictures, she guessed they were of John's family. At the end of the hallway was a large wooden door, they stopped in front of it.

"This is our room." he said as he swung the door open to reveal a very large, very fancy room. The floors were carpeted in a dark blue color. There were fancy wooden tables and chairs made of velvet strewn across the room in all directions. In the center of the room there was a large bed, a canopy bed. It was the biggest bed she had ever seen. There was a velvet comforter on top of it that was a deep purple color. She walked over to it amazed at the size and beauty.

"Do you like it? It was a gift from Uncle Albert." she turned around quickly, she had forgotten that he was there.

"Yes, I do! It's magnificent!" she said turning back to the bed. Then a thought came to her, this was their bed! It was for the two of them! Her heart sank and she sat down on the nearest chair.

"You look exhausted! I'll have Missy draw you a bath." he said leaving the room, she was thankful of that. A half our later Missy came into the bathroom, with more water.

"Thank you Missy." Sam said sinking into the warm water, it was of little comfort, but it helped. "How old are you?"

"13 ma'am." she said with her head down as she dumped the water into the bathtub.

"Call me Sam!" she said smiling, "And look at me, we don't need to have a servant/master relationship."

"In all respects ma'am we do. That is what we are." Missy said as she left Sam feeling more lonely than she had ever been in her entire life.

Sam stayed in the tub as long as she could, she knew that when she got out she would have to go to bed and John would be waiting for her. She waited as long as she could then got out. She wrapped her robe around her tightly and stepped out into her room. John was sitting in a chair smoking a cigar and reading a book. Sam rushed to the bed and pulled the covers up to her neck, she was so scared she didn't know what to do. She looked away from him, then heard him coming towards her. She turned to him quickly and sat up.

"Get away from me!" she screamed causing him to jump back. "Just stay away!"

He was so shocked he didn't know what to do. "Baby, what's wrong?" he said walking towards her.

"Don't move another inch! Get away from me!" she screamed again inching her way back more on the bed. "Please don't move another inch!" she begged.

John smiled, "She's nervous, that's all" he thought to himself, "Come on," he said moving closer to her. "It's OK, I wont hurt you..." as he moved closer Sam moved farther back.

"Please, I can't!" she said crying now."

"Damn it Sam!" he yelled, causing her to jump. "God! We're married!" he stopped and looked at her, she was shaking. "Fine! God, here I'll sleep on the couch! Is that going to make you happy?" he screamed. Sam nodded her head. John grabbed a blanket from a trunk and plopped onto the couch in a huff and started to sleep.

Sam shrunk into the bed and tried to control her tears. She wasn't sure how she had gotten here, she had never expected anything like this! Everything had happened so fast. She had only met John two months ago, they where engaged a month and a half later. The wedding was set up so quickly that Sam couldn't even invite her close friends. Sam hadn't gotten the proposal from John. John had asked her father, and her father had said yes. He didn't even ask her! When Sam found out she was so angry, it was her life and she should be able to make her own decisions. Sam's father hadn't seen it that way. He felt that this was the best thing for her he didn't care that Sam wanted to marry John, he was just a boy to him. Not to Sam, she went to her mother but her mother wouldn't listen to her cries. The decision had been made. And now, here she was...

Sam looked over to the couch where John was sleeping, she couldn't keep doing what she did that night. He got so angry, Sam thought he was going to hit her...maybe worse. Thank the lord he didn't. With that thought Sam fell asleep.

2

The next few nights Sam refused John like she had done the first night. By the fifth night John was fed up with Sam, he wasn't going to take it anymore.

John walked into their room and shut the door. The room was dark, there was a small glow of light coming from the fire place, but other than that the room was dark. He walked over to the bed where Sam was sitting quietly, looking at him with fear in her eyes. They both knew that she couldn't keep this up.

John stared at her for a few more minutes then stepped forward and sat on the bed. Sam made a noise and was about to speak, John covered her mouth. She tried to get it off her mouth but her wouldn't let go.

"Sam!" he said with a tone that told her to beware. "Don't make me hurt you! Are you going to cooperate?" Sam thought for a minute, she didn't know what to do. He was scaring her. She nodded beginning to cry. He let go of her mouth slowly, then smiled.

"There now, let's make this easy." after he said this Sam slapped him in the face. John turned to her, his face looked so fierce it made Sam shake. He grabbed her roughly and kissed her pushing her onto the bed. His grip was hard on her hands.

"How did this happen?" she thought to herself. "A few months ago I was happy, I was with Lance!" the thought of Lance made her want to cry. The only thing that made her get through that night was the thought of Lance, she thought of him when John kissed her. She thought of him even as he entered her and the pains began. If she hadn't been thinking of Lance she didn't think that she would have been able to get through that, not ever, she would have completely broken. But now everything was clear as ever, she knew she could never see him again, or could she? Yes! She would find some way! She vowed to herself that she would find a way to get him to her, or her to him, she had to and she would!

3

Weeks past and Sam stayed in her room, John had gotten worried and sent for the doctor. The doctor said that she was just homesick so John sent for her sisters. When they arrived Sam was sitting in a chair staring out at the garden below her.

"Sam!" Carie screamed as she ran to her sister.

"Carie!" Sam screamed as she jumped off of her chair and flew into her arms. They hugged for a long time, crying and laughing. Sam was so happy to see her sister all of her problems seemed to drain from her head. "You came!"

"Of coarse I did!" she said as she sat down next to her sister, happily looking into her eyes. "Why wouldn't I?"

"I don't know! I am just so happy!" she looked around and noticed that Elizabeth was missing. "Where is Lizzy?"

"She couldn't come this time, she is sick." Carie said lowering her head. "It's nothing to worry about it's just a cold, she'll be fine." she said looking back up to Sam and sighing happily. "You have such a beautiful home!" she said squeezing her sisters hand.

"Yes! Isn't it just lovely!" Sam said with tears forming in her eyes. "I...I love it!" she said as she began to sob into her hands.

"Sam!? What's wrong?" Carie said lifting her sisters head up.

"Everything! Everything is wrong! I am living here with a gross pig of a man, when I could be living with a wonderful man in a small house in town!" she said screaming as she stood up.

"Sam! Not that boy again! You're married, you need to get him out of your mind." she said pulling Sam down onto the couch again.

"How can you forget someone you love!" she said weeping again. "I love him Carie! Why can't anyone see that?"

"Oh! Sam!" she said putting her arm around her sister. "We see that, but he his poor, John is rich and handsome!"

"If you like him so much why didn't you marry him!" she screamed into Carie's face.

"Well, you can't do anything about it!" Carie snapped back at her, "And if I were you I would forget him, because you have a great life here! Better than any of us will have!" Carie said standing up, "I thought you were smarter than this, you can't have Lance!"

"Oh! But I can!" Sam said standing up next to her sister with excitement on her face.

"What? Now you're just talking crazy!"

"No! I'm not! I listen to John all the time! He needs a hand to work in the stable, if I can get Lance here then-"

"I would just stop talking now!" Carie cut in. "You are being foolish! I will forget everything you just said. I am going to leave now Sam, I hope you get better. I really do, but your being foolish!" she said as she left the room in a huff, leaving Sam behind her crying on the couch.

4

The next few days Sam spent her time in the garden, wandering through the flowers hoping to find a little happiness in her life. John was away on a business trip, looking for more workers. Sam could only hope that he went to town and found Lance. But how would Lance know where to go? She had to find an outside link to him, but nothing came to her. That morning after her bath Missy came in to help her get dressed.

“What are you going to wear today Miss? Missy said walking to Sam’s closet.

“The blue one.” Sam said sitting down on the bed. “The one with the lace trim” She added as Missy walked out holding her dress. She set the dress onto the bed next to Sam and helped her with her strays.

“Not to tight!” Sam said as Missy loosed her grip on the strings.

“Sorry ma’am.”

“No need to be sorry, Missy.” Sam said distressed. She wanted a friend so bad, but Missy never liked to talk to her. “Missy?” Sam said turning to her.

“Yes, ma’am?” Missy said worried she had done something wrong.

“Will you sit with me a while, talk to me? I know you don’t think we can be friends, but I would like to try.” She said with hope in her eyes. Missy sat staring at Sam as if astonished at what she had just said. Then she said slowly,

“Ma’am, I’ve never had a friend before. At least not like you.”

“That’s all right, we can learn a lot from each other, I’m sure we could be great friends, if we tried.” Sam said feeling her heart leap with excitement.

“Well, I guess we could try...Won’t the master get angry?” She asked feeling pretty happy herself.

“Well we just won’t tell him will we?” Sam said picking up Missy’s hands in hers and squeezing them.

5

Lance walked the streets of Brookshire for hours everyday. He just didn’t care about anything anymore, now that Sam was gone. He had gone to her house and begged her sister, Lizzy, to tell him where she was but she gave no information. He needed to see her again. He could see her face and smell her hair. She was like a ghost to him, wandering through his thoughts and haunting his dreams. She had been gone for 1 month now, but it seemed like and eternity to him. He didn’t know what to do with himself anymore. Without her, he was nothing.

“Lance!” He turned to see his cousin, Peter running towards him.

“Hi, Pete.” Lance said with his down.

“Still thinking about that girl, aye?” Pete said with a dreary voice.

“She isn’t just a girl, Pete! She’s so much more than that to me! She’s my life!” He said almost breaking down, as he turned to him.

“Sheesh! Will, take it easy.” Pete said whit his hands in the air. “She’s married now, you can’t have her anyways. There are plenty of other girls....”

“Sure there are, but they aren’t Sam!” Lance screamed as her ran out of the square into a nearby alley. He didn’t understand why no one understood him. HE LOVED HER! Was that such a hard concept to grasp? He had to find her! But where was she? Just then it clicked, he knew exactly where to go!

7

Sam and Missy had been friends, secretly, for a week and they did everything together. Sam told Missy about what had happened to her and what she needed to do. missy said she was sure she could find a way to help her, they would think of something to get them back together. The night that John had come back had been uneventful. Thank GOD! He had been too tired to bother her and just went to bed. He seemed to be a little less angry and more calm now. He had hired 3 more people for the fields, but he still needed 2 more people for the stable. Sam hoped and prayed that Lance would find out where she was. There was no way she could contact him, except if she used Missy, but Missy couldn’t get away from the house. Not unless she had an excuse...

“I could say I need to visit my parents and take you with me! I could drop in to see them then we could go to the market. Lance has a friend who has a stand, he could contact Lance for me!” Sam said excitedly as he whispered her plan to Missy.

“That is a wonderful idea! How are we going to get there?” Missy asked.

“We could take the carriage then have him leave and come back to get us. John will think nothing if it!”

“So it’s settled, we’ll go tomorrow afternoon! I can hardly wait!” Missy said giggling with excitement.

8

Lance walked towards the tiny cottage hoping some one was home. This was the home of Sam’s grandmother. Sam’s mother had left home very early, she always had hated her mother. They had two different views and Sam’s mother left after an argument. Sam was only allowed to see her grandmother every few years. He hoped she had information on where she was. He walked up to the door and knocked.

“Hello? Mrs. Thomas? Are you home?” He asked through the door. He waited a few minutes and heard nothing. He walked around the house calling her name. When he cam around the corner to the back of the house he saw her, she was weeding her garden.

“Mrs. Thomas?” He said once more. The old woman turned towards him.

“May I help you, son?” She said sweetly.

“Yes, you can. I need to find Samantha, your grand daughter. Do you know where she could be?”

“Who are you?” She asked standing up and squinting, covering her eyes with her hand to block the sun.

“I am Lance Harrington, I...I knew your grand daughter and I really need to find her.”

“Oh!” She gasped walking towards him. “So your Lance! I have heard so much about you!”

“So...So do you know where she is?” He asked as his heart leapt into his throat.

“I’m so sorry, son. I don't, you know the story between her mother and me. I wasn’t even invited to the wedding. I wish I could help you.”

Lance didn’t hear what she said after that, his head was swirling. he fell to his knees. He felt hopeless, nothing was turning out the way he planned.

“Lance? Are you all right son?” She asked putting her hand on his shoulder.

“Yes...Yes I’m OK.” He managed to say, as he got to his feet. He was dazed.

“Do you want to stay for a cup of tea? You look flustered.” She asked worriedly.

“No ma’am. I have to be leaving now. Thank you.” He said turning as he walked slowly around the corner of the cottage back to town.

9

Sam and Missy had quickly stopped in to see Sam’s parents and after an hour of tea and talk Sam said she had to go.

“Do you really have to go, Sam?” Lizzy asked grabbing onto her sisters arm.

“Sorry, Lizzy, I am in a hurry I have to go to the market.” She said smoothing out Lizzy’s hair.

“Oh, can’t I go with you? I wont be a bother!” She pleaded.

“Oh! Lizzy! Stop it, you’re making a fool of yourself! It was good to see you dear.” Her mother had said as she gave Sam a brief hug and said good-bye.

They had arrived at the market 10 minutes later and were ready to search for Lance’s friend, Paul. They looked for about 2 minutes until Sam spotted his stand. He was there! Sam had to control herself, she almost called out to him, but she stopped herself.

“Oh! Samantha! Wow, look at you, all dressed up and pretty.” Paul said as her grabbed Sam by the shoulders to get a better look.

“Paul!” Sam said giggling as she pushed Paul away.

“And who’s this?” He asked pointing to Missy.

“That’s Missy, go ahead dear, say hello.”

“Hello.” Missy said blushing. She had never been to good around boys. She was very shy. Sam smiled and turned back to Paul.

“So, why did you come to visit on this fine day?” He asked.

“To be honest Paul, we didn’t come to visit you. I came to give you a letter...a letter for Lance.” Sam said as she pulled an elvelope out of her hand bag and handed it to Paul.

“Oh, he will love this!” Paul said taking it from her hands. “He has missed you very much.” He added softly.

“And I have missed him.” She said with tears forming in the rims of her eyes. “ I have to see him. If you give him the letter he will know what to do. Please give it to him as soon as you can.” She added swiftly.

“I will do that Sam. For you anything.” He said as he kissed her cheek and put the letter in his pocket.

“Thank you Paul. We have to be on our way now. Thanks again.” Sam said as she turned to walk down the street.

“It was nice to meet you Missy.” Paul said picking up her hand and kissing it gently. Missy blushed and said,

“And it was an honor to meet you.” She wavered for a moment then turned to catch up to Sam, looking back once to see Paul watching her leave.

10

When Sam got home John met her at the door. He kissed her and hugged her tightly. She smiled as best she could and let him lead her into the house.

“It’s good to see you!” He said as he lead her into the dining room.

“Yes, I missed you.” Sam lied, she was too happy to let him bring her down. They walked in and sat down at the large table. He was on one end and she was on the other. There was 15 feet of space between them. They ate there supper with John talking about his trip across England to find the workers. He seemed to talk for hours. By the time he wsa finished she was half asleep.

“You look tired!” He said as the maids gathered up the remainder of plates and food that were left on the table.

“Yes a little sleepy.” She said keeping her stance.

“Would you like to go to bed?” He asked standing up from his end of the table, walking to hers.

“That would be...” Hell, pure hell. “Nice.” She said as he helped her out of her chair. She put her arm in his and they walked up the spiraling stairs towards another “fun” night of pure hell.

11

Lance held the letter in his hands, tracing her writing with his hands.

“She gave it to me in the market.” Paul said softly.

“You-You saw her?” He stammered still holding the delicate paper in his hands.

“Yes.”

“How did she look? Happy? Sad?” He asked.

“She looked all right, in between happy and sad I’d say.” He turned the envelope over slowly, then opened it. The paper smelled just like her, he breathed it in, his eyes closed.

He unfolded the paper and read her handwriting.

My darling Lance,

Please forgive me, I wanted to tell you about John, but I was scared. I love you! If you can find it in your heart to forgive me, come to Bedford Manor tommorrow night at midnight. Meet me in the garden...I will be waiting for you, my darling, please come. I have no more time to write, I have to go. I love you.

Yours Always,

Samantha

A tear slipped down Lances cheek, he squeezed the paper in his hands and pulled it to his chest.

“Will...” Paul said putting his hand on his shoulder.

“Paul, I’m going.”

“Going where?” Paul asked, his brow furrowed.

“Bedford Manor...I have to get to Sam!” He said as he turned and started running towards his house.

12

As midnight neared Sam grew more impatient. John was gone, to another city. She didn’t know where, nor did she care. Lance would be in her arms...tonight!

She had Missy brush her hair, and do her make-up. She wanted to look radient. She decided to wear her hair down with a loose white dress. She would look like an angel.

And if he showed up...

She giggled to herself. “Missy, what time is it?”

“Eleven-thirty Sam.” Missy said smiling, as she saw Sam’s face light up brighter than ever.

“I can’t wait any longer, Missy. I’m going down their!” She said running to the door.

“Sam.”

“Yes?” She asked stopping.

“I hope he comes.”

Sam’s heart filled with joy. “Thank you.” She waited a moment, staring at Missy, letting her know...Then left.

13

Lance’s horse pounded at the dirt as it ran, faster and faster. He had to get to Sam. He saw Bedford Manor in the distance. He made the horse go faster.

His eyes ached to see her.

His arms yearned to hold her.

His hands longs to touch her.

Faster, Faster...

14

She sat down on a bench, behind the large bushes. Hidden from the outside world.

She waited like a small child, expecting a toy from her father.

But Lance was not her father, oh no. And he wasn’t giving her a toy...

She felt the blood rush to her cheeks.

Oh Lance. Come soon. Come to me, please.

She searched the moonlight for his figure.

For his blond hair.

For his green eyes.

For him.

She saw a shadow in the distance...Her heart lept it was him. He slowly emerged from the bushes, a smile plastered to his lips. His blond hair shone in the moonlight. His green eyes sparkled, he was laughing.

He was her knight in shining armor.

15

He saw her sitting on a stone bench, she looked just like he had remembered...Beautiful.

But beauty wasn’t the only thing he saw when he saw her sitting on the bench, no. He saw love, hope, he saw her.

Her hair draped over one of her shoulders, her white dress shining brightly against the darknedd behind her.

She looked as his she were glowing.

As if she could sprout wings and fly away.

She was his angel.

16

She rose as he ran to her.

The embrace was tight and loving.

He kissed her, kissed her like no one had kissed her before. The kiss was hopefull and needy.

He needed her.

She needed him.

Tears of joy rolled down their cheeks.

Sam laughed aloud.

Lance picked her up and twirled her around. He sey her down.

“I’ve missed you so much!” She cried, her hands on his cheeks, holding his face for her to see.

He out his hands on hers. “I’ve waited every day to hear from you! I never gave up hope...hope that you would call for me.”

“I knew you’d come!” She cried.

They embraced again.

His brace was warm and soothing, she had longed for it for so long.

“I need you Lance. I’ve waited too long, I need you now.” She whispered into his ear. She took his hand and began to lead him towards the horse stables.

“Sam what if some one comes in. What if John comes in.” He asked, his heart pulling at him.

“John isn’t here. And I ordered everyone to stay out of the stables tonight. Nothing will stop us Will, nothing.” She said as she opened the door to the stable.

Lance looked over his shoulder making sure no one really was watching them, then closed the door.

She led him to an open stall and pulled him into the hay, next to her.

He caressed her cheek, looking deeply into her eyes.

She smiled, feeling happier than she had been in months.

She could wait no longer. She kissed him, passionatly.

He pulled her under him.

He moved his hands across her body. Feeling every inch of her skin, every nook, every cranny.

“I missed you darling!” John said wrapping his arms around her waist. He kissed her on the lips and led her to the door. “I gather you missed me?” He asked smiling. He had yet to notice the frown on her face.

“Yes, I missed you John.” She said flatly, feeling Lance’s arms around her, not John.

“Good. Now what have you been-” He stopped when he let her go and had the chance to get a good look at her. “What happened to you?”

“What?” Sam asked shocked, putting her hand to her hair.

“You looked awful! You have hay in your hair and your clothes are all wrinkled. Look at you! Your boots aren’t even laced up!” He bent down and started lacing them tightly. “What did you do before I came home?” He asked as if scolding a small child.

“I-I fell off my horse. He kicked me off when I tried to ride him.” She lied, attempting to sound pathetic.

“Oh, no!” he said putting his arm around her once again. “I told Franklin woman were no good at those types of things. Oh well. What shall we have for dinner?”

Sam followed her husband, but not listening to the mindless babble he was spilling out. She had just had a close call, a very close call. It must never happen again, and she would make sure of that. She would just have to kill John.