Saturday Morning Ride

[DANI DRAKE]

It was a beautiful Saturday morning. The sun was bright, the skies were clear except for a few clouds still disappearing from the night before, and it was the perfect temperature both in and out of the shade. That would be nice when Dani and Sam were making their way through the forest paths. With a deep breath and a big smile, Dani went into the stables to saddle up her Silver. Usually she didn’t hang out with other people from work. They were almost all out of her age-range for real friendships and almost all of them had zero interest in having fun with her. She was the head of their firm and who wanted to look like a kiss-ass by going out to a personal lunch with her? The only people she felt she could do that with were Eva at the front desk and the handful of understudies she employed like Sam, but they were too intimidated by her. But not Sam. It had been like that in the beginning, but unlike the others, he had opened up for her. They had a lot in common and Dani didn’t have many good friends who would go out and do stuff with her. That’s why she’d gone out on a limb and asked Sam to go riding with her this morning. He’d barely hesitated to accept, leaving her hanging for only a moment before agreeing to meet her bright and early. Dani was pretty excited.

They’d known each other for a couple of weeks now and Dani found she was making fast friends with Sam. He was soft spoken and a little shy, but very sweet and funny too. She couldn’t remember the last time she had met someone so genuine and warm. Sometimes she would be on her own and think of something Sam had said and just break out into a smile. It felt like forever since she had done that. Even Jonah noticed she was brighter these days, though she could tell he was still suspicious of Sam. That’s why she had asked him to stay behind today and not come with her to the stables. It’s not like she couldn’t be alone and she didn’t want to make Sam self-conscious with Jonah’s presence. The big bear of a man could be intimidating to those who didn’t know him. Jonah had been reluctant but eventually agreed to stay behind, looking like he wanted to say more but refrained from doing so. Dani was glad he did—she wanted Jonah to be happy that she had made a new friend. It wasn’t like she was dating Sam, so Jonah didn’t have to be so protective, though if she did ever go on a date with Sam, she could picture Jonah meeting him at the door with a shotgun when the poor guy came to pick her up. She smiled initially at that thought and then her stomach twisted. Date Sam? Why would she even think about that? With a small shake of her head, she moved on to focus once more on brushing Silver’s coat before saddling her up.

By the time she emerged from the stables, her helmet fastened securely about her head with the long, chocolate brown braid running down her back, she noticed a truck parked on the gravel in front of the stable. There was a hook-up on the back of the truck, a trailer for transporting horses and she could hear Sam’s voice from inside the trailer. Though she couldn’t see him yet, Dani knew he was trying to coax Mahatma out of the trailer. With a big smile, she led her Silver over by the reins clasped in her hands and walked up to the trailer with quiet, crunching footsteps. “Hello?” she called out in her smooth, warm voice. She could hear his response from inside the trailer before he appeared leading Mahatma out of the trailer. His big, almost childlike smile made her smile more. He looked very different in jeans and she was sure he must be thinking the same thing. She was wearing worn jean shorts and a baggy, peach cotton button down shirt with an army green spaghetti strapped camisole underneath and worn leather riding boots coming up to her knees. Definitely not what he typically saw her wear in the office, but she wanted to look totally different. She didn’t want either of them to think about work today. “We picked the perfect morning to go riding.” Her smile was bright beneath her sea-colored eyes. She already knew this was going to be a good day.

[SAM HOLDER]

Work was going well for Sam, and being home was something he relished every day. He'd been spending a great deal of time with his father and little sister, though he often wanted to smack his sister. That's if she even cared to be there when he visited. He'd spent a lot of time with his grandfather as well, who enjoyed hearing about his new job over at Drake. He conveniently left out the part where he'd been becoming friendly with his new boss, knowing his grandfather would say one of two things; one, he should still clear of dating the girl (even though Sam would certainly tell him it was only friendship), or two that he should try to date the girl so he might be able to inherit some of her power. Either way he wasn't interested in his grandfathers opinion on the subject. His father, on the other hand, did tell him to be careful. Any relationship, even a friendly one with a boss, could mean trouble. If something were to happen it would make working uncomfortable, and he didn't want to get on his co-workers bad sides by allowing them to assume things that simply weren't true. Though Sam knew his fathers words were true, he couldn't help but be drawn to the girl. She was fun to be around; friendly and funny, and he was in need of some friends. Sure, he could make others, but the long hours at the firm made it difficult to have much of a social life, especially since he was trying to balance family on the side. He'd spent far too long without his father, and he was in the process of playing catch up!

The day of his riding date with Dani had finally come, and he'd gotten up early to get to the stables. He groomed Mahatma, though the horse didn't really need it too badly. The stables had taken great care of him in Sam's absence, and the horse had been happy to see its rider. It was only the second time Sam had a chance to get to the stables since he'd come home. The first time was with his sister who had decided he was worthy of one of her precious afternoons, though he wished he'd had a chance to come a second time alone to ride. But now he was on the way to Dani's stable with Mahatma perched in a trailer, excited for an afternoon of riding.

It was a gorgeous day, and he arrived a littler earlier than expected, but it would take a bit to get the horse out and prepped. He was in the middle of trying to coax his stallion out when he heard a familiar voice at the lip of the trailer. “Hello?” Sam turned and saw Dani, giving her a gentle smile. "Hey." He replied, soaking her in. She looked so...normal. Jeans and a tank top with a button down over top. It was casual and the first time he'd seen her in anything that wasn't court appropriate. He himself was wearing dusty old jeans and a navy and blue checkered button down that hugged his own lithe body. She looked cute and friendly, far more approachable than at work, and this dress code seemed to fit her far better in his opinion.

“We picked the perfect morning to go riding.” He nodded as the horse backed out of the trailer. "We did. There's a nice breeze in the air, and you can even smell the ocean from here." He offered. Mahatma Mahatma brayed and pawed the ground as he got out of the trailer and Sam put a hand up to his nose, pulling his reigns down to hush him. "Steady.." He said in a soft, firm voice and the horse huffed through his nose as he took in his new surroundings. "Dani, meet Mahatma, or hot head as I sometimes call him." He teased. The horse shook his head and pawed more softly at the ground this time, letting out soft noises. "I take it that's Silver?" He asked, eyeing the other horse.

[DANI DRAKE]

“We did. There’s a nice breeze in the air, and you can even smell the ocean from here.” Dani smiled wide, watching Sam’s eyes as he talked. She never noticed how green they were before now with the morning sunlight bright in his freckled face. He looked so different in his dusty, ragged jeans and his checkered shirt. She fought a slight blush as she mentally acknowledged how handsome Sam was. He was tall and gangly but with a boy-next-door appeal. If she kept thinking that way, she would undoubtedly make things awkward between them. A soft braying and pawing noise snapped her out of her thoughts and Dani remembered her own horse standing tall beside her. Sam stroked Mahatma’s nose to calm him and she had to smile at how affectionate he appeared towards the horse. “Steady…” She stepped forward, truly admiring Mahatma’s beauty. He was big and well taken care of, his chestnut brown coat glossy and sleek in the sunlight. “Dani, meet Mahatma, or hot head as I sometimes call him.” Dani flashed a grin at Sam’s tease before reaching out a stroking the stallion’s muzzle. He was fiery but it was obvious Mahatma took well to Sam. It probably took a lot to break Mahatma in.

“I take it that’s Silver?” The question surprised Dani momentarily as she looked back up at Sam. Then she looked at Silver[/u], quietly snuffling where she stood primly beside her mistress. Dani smiled wide and reached her hand up to touch the white hair of Silver’s mane. “Yes, this is Silver. She’s very sweet and docile.” Sam reached out to touch the velvety nose of her horse and Dani watched with a warm admiration before turning back to Mahatma. She released Silver’s reins to step up in front of the stallion, looking up into his large brown eyes. The beast snorted softly before nodding his head at her anxiously. Dani reached up and touched his long face, slowly running her fingers over his coat and shushing him softly. He calmed and she slid her hand over his nose as a reward. When she looked back at Sam, she said, “He’s beautiful, Sam! How old is he?” The stallion was in the prime of his life and just a year older than her mare. “Oh, he’s only a year older than Silver!” She hoped the two horses would get along.

When Mahatma was calm, Dani led the way over to the helmets ready for use. “I insist on everyone wearing helmets if they’re going to ride with me. The last thing I want is anyone falling off their horse and cracking their head open in front of me.” She smiled sweetly and handed Sam a helmet. Her own fastened on easily, both helmets coated on the outside with velvet and softly padded on the inside. Dani may not have acted like she had grown up in a rich family, but she always insisted on having the best riding equipment. Once her helmet was on she smiled cheerfully at Sam. “Are you ready?” she asked excitedly. Then she hoisted herself up onto Silver’s back, swinging one pale leg over the other side to settle down comfortably in the leather saddle. Soon Sam was mounted on Mahatma and Dani gave Silver a soft kick to start her out on walking over the property. “Would you like to head over towards Megsy? There’s a few trails that lead back that way, but one that takes a long route through the woods. It’s really beautiful back there.” When Sam agreed she grinned wide and a little mischievously. “Want to race to the head of the trail? It’s right where that wooden fence starts back into the woods that way.” The entrance she was referring to was about eight hundred yards away, a good sprint for the horses. Dani waited with expectant and good-humored eyes bright with playfulness.

[SAM HOLDER]

“Yes, this is Silver. She’s very sweet and docile.” Sam reached up and touched the horses nose. Silver was, indeed, very docile and used to being touched. His own horse was as well, but was always skeptical of new people. Fortunately he had taken well to being in the stables for all this time. “He’s beautiful, Sam! How old is he?” He smiled and looked up at the horse. "Just about ten." He explained before looking back at Dani who seemed excited by his answer. “Oh, he’s only a year older than Silver!” He grinned at her enthusiasm and nodded. "Both in their prime." He wondered if Dani had always owned Silver, but he was a little bashful about asking too many questions. He'd grown comfortable around the girl, but he was still Sam. Mahatma pawed at the ground again and shook his head, forcing Sam to look back at the stallion, his hands coming up to his muzzle to soothe him once more. "He sometimes gets anxious in new places." He explained softly. "He'll ease up."

It took the stallion a moment to calm once more, but when he did the group made their way towards the helmets. “I insist on everyone wearing helmets if they’re going to ride with me. The last thing I want is anyone falling off their horse and cracking their head open in front of me.” Sam frowned, not because he had to wear a helmet, but because he'd left his in the trailer. He took the helmet she offered, not keen on wearing another helmet, but not wanting to delay the ride any by running back to his trailer to fetch his own. "I brought mine, I left it in the trailer though." He told her as he slipped the helmet on and fastened it under his neck. "I always ride safely, mostly because I don't ride often anymore and I've become clumsy in my old age." He gave a wink, both knowing he wasn't all that old. “Are you ready?” Dani asked and Sam nodded, climbing up onto his horse. He got settled on the horse who again began to huff and paw at the ground, acting like the temperamental baby he was. But he calmed as Sam stroked his mane and hushed him once more.

Dani began moving and Sam kicked his horse gently to make him do the same. “Would you like to head over towards Megsy? There’s a few trails that lead back that way, but one that takes a long route through the woods. It’s really beautiful back there.” He thought about it only a second before nodding. "That sounds great." He agreed easily, liking the idea of a nice easy ride. That is until Dani's mischievous eyes landed on him. “Want to race to the head of the trail? It’s right where that wooden fence starts back into the woods that way.” With both he and Mahatma being out of practice, Sam couldn't help but think it wasn't a great idea. He would most certainly lose, but he couldn't help but feel that his stallion would appreciate a little sprint after the morning he'd had, having been stuck in the trailer which Sam knew he wasn't fond of. He wrinkled his nose and rolled his shoulders. "You'll win, but you're on. Start on the count of three." He halted the horse and held tight to his reigns. "One.. two.. three!" The pair took off, and as anticipated, Silver took the lead. It wasn't as though Mahatma wasn't quick, it was Sam was out of practice. He leaned forward and kicked the horse again to make him pick up speed, but Silver's mild head start was proving to be too much. The fence was approaching fast and Sam gave verbal commands to his steed who picked up the pace, but the race had already been one. Silver made it to the fence and Dani brought her to a slow stride just as Sam and Mahatma caught up. Sam slowed his horse and smiled at his companion, shaking his head. "Good thing we didn't bet first." He teased as his eyes moved up to look at the trail ahead. "Does this lead down by the beach at all?" He asked, not remembering if there was a horse trail that went over the sand.

[DANI DRAKE]

Sam wrinkled his nose and shrugged, making Dani smile more. “You’ll win, but you’re on. Start on the count of three.” Dani’s grin spread across her face before she pulled Silver to a halt beside Sam and Mahatma. Her hands held tightly to the reins and looked forward again, setting herself for a race. “One…two…three!” Dani put her heels into Silver with a swift kick and the mare leapt forward into a determined gallop. She kept her head forward, her butt lifting off the saddle as she leaned in low over Silver’s whipping mane. Silver knew what that meant and she went faster, lowering her own head slightly as she did. They were leading Mahatma and Sam and Dani’s mouth spread in momentary triumph. She could hear the other pair were close on her heels, but she stayed focus on the fence they were racing towards. “Hup hup!” Dani encouraged cheerfully, a verbal command for Silver to continue faster. In the end, they left Sam and Mahatma in the dust. She pulled up firmly and steadily as the fence drew up just yards away. “Whoooa!” she called to Silver, who took that as her command to really slow down. They slowed to an easy stride, turning by the fence to watch the men come to a halt beside them under Dani’s winning smile. “I win!” she piped happily, hardly remembering she was technically this guy’s boss. He simply smiled in return, shaking his head. “Good thing we didn’t bet first.” She giggled softly, reaching forward and running her hand lovingly along Silver’s mane. “It was all her,” she cooed. The horse nodded her head excitedly in response, which only made Dani smile wider.

“Does this lead down by the beach at all?” She looked back at Sam and nodded. “It leads down to a sort of small, private beach. It’s not very big and pretty secluded, so not many people know about it.” She smiled a little wider at him. “The high schoolers haven’t even found it. If they had, it would be awful. Kids these days can be so inconsiderate towards the environment.” Her brow furrowed and she frowned playfully, looking contemplative. “Man, I sound old.” With a broad smile and a soft press of her heels, Silver started off at an easy trot, leading the way into the woods. “I knew about this place in high school, but even then I knew it wasn’t a place I wanted to share with my friends. They were great, but if they knew then one of them would tell someone else and then they would tell someone else and so on and so forth until it’s crawling with uninvited guests.” She flushed, realizing suddenly how snobby she sounded. Her hand came to her mouth and she looked over bashfully at Sam keeping stride beside her. Shaking her head, a panicked look came over her sea-colored eyes. “Not that I think they’re not good enough for it or anything, just that it was better when it was a secret.” She realized she hadn’t made the wrong impression like she thought, but she was still a little embarrassed as she bit her lip and smiled a little. Her shoulder shrugged gently before she looked ahead once more. “Maybe that’s a little selfish, but I never had a lot of places or things that I could call my own. Not when I was younger.” Again, she stopped herself, realizing how close she was to revealing way more than she was comfortable with about her personal life. She didn’t know how to explain what she had said, so she decided to laugh it off as best as she could. A smile pushed onto her mouth as she looked playfully over at Sam. “So don’t tell your little sister about it. If high schoolers start showing up, I know who to blame.” He had told her a little something about his sister, mostly mentioning that she was a spoiled brat trying to be the queen bee in high school. She smiled wide and a little more genuinely, but she wasn’t far enough away from the subject of her past yet.

“So how long have you had Mahatma? You two seem to have a strong bond.” It was easy to spot when a horse and owner were new to each other. Both were tenser around each other and never looked completely comfortable while the owner rode the horse. Sam and Mahatma, however, were entirely relaxed, fitting together like one machine. The very subtle discomfort Sam had initially displayed when they first started out was now vanished. It was very reminiscent of the way Dani knew which way Silver would sway as she trotted down the trail. Sam’s answer wasn’t surprising and he quickly turned it around on her. “I’ve had Silver for eight years. She had just turned one when I bought her. I knew she was the horse for me the second I saw her.” Her smile was warm and wide and she lovingly ran her palm along Silver’s mane. “I’ve only had one other horse besides her and his name was Dragon. He’s the one I learned to ride on. He had a temper just like Mahatma.” She smiled brightly at Sam before tilting her head to the side gently. “Is Mahatma the only horse you’ve owned?”

[SAM HOLDER]

“It leads down to a sort of small, private beach. It’s not very big and pretty secluded, so not many people know about it. The high schoolers haven’t even found it. If they had, it would be awful. Kids these days can be so inconsiderate towards the environment.” Sam raised a brow at her sudden frown before smiling. “Man, I sound old.” Sam actually alughed and nodded. "I was going to say that exact thing. You don't get to complain about high schoolers until you've been a graduate for at least a decade." He teased givng the horse a gentle kick to get him moving.

“I knew about this place in high school, but even then I knew it wasn’t a place I wanted to share with my friends. They were great, but if they knew then one of them would tell someone else and then they would tell someone else and so on and so forth until it’s crawling with uninvited guests.” Sam could appreciate her love for this spcial place that he was sharing with him, and he atched as her cheeks flushed. It seemed she had always been mature. [/i]“Not that I think they’re not good enough for it or anything, just that it was better when it was a secret.”[/i] Sam ofered a kind smile and nod. "No, it makes sense. Most young people don't appreciate natural beauty. You were wise to keep it to yourself." Sam himself might have missed the splendor and seen it as a good place to hang out, secluded from the rest of the world. Had he been a playboy he surely would have brought girls someplace like that. “Maybe that’s a little selfish, but I never had a lot of places or things that I could call my own. Not when I was younger.” the statemen was odd and personal, and Sam wondered what she meant. She came from money, surely he had plenty of her own things, but he didn't think it was ight to pry. Maybe there were cirumstances he wasn't aware of. She laughed suddenly and smiled, clearly brushing the comment off, and quickly. “So don’t tell your little sister about it. If high schoolers start showing up, I know who to blame.” He laughed and nodded. "Your secrets safe with me. She would do stupid things if she found a place like this. I love her, don't get me wrong, but the girls sort of a mess." He sighed thinking of his little sister and how terrible she would have been if she'd been offered the same amount of luxury he had. It was a scary thought.

“So how long have you had Mahatma? You two seem to have a strong bond.” Sam blushed this time and rolled his shoulders, looking at the horse below him. "Technically nine years, but I've know him since he was a foal. Grandfather knew the family who bed him and he had been promising me a horse of my own. He refused one from anyone but the breeders we got him from. Mahatma is from quality stock." His tone was mocking and playful, clearly mimicking his grandfathers words. "We waited a year to allow him to grow and begin his training before I officially brought him to our stabl, but I visited him plenty to begin forming our bond." He explained, brusing a hand through the stallions long, dark mane. "How about you?" She explained she'd had Silver for eight years and he admired the love in hr tone as sh spoke. This was a different Dani than the one heworked with. She was relaxed, young, amost carefree. He was attracted to the difference, forgetting almost completely that she was his boss in another porton of their lives.

“I’ve only had one other horse besides her and his name was Dragon. He’s the one I learned to ride on. He had a temper just like Mahatma.” He had to chuckle, pushing his heels into his horse to pick up her slow trot. "There's something to besaid about the stubborn ones.“ he teased. "Is Mahatma the only horse you’ve owned?” He swayed his head from side to side, neither nodding or shaking his head no. "Grandfather always had horses and I grew up riding them, but none were really mine per se. I alays rode te same two horses, though. Butternut and Casablanca." He grinned bashfully at the names. "Butternut was very old an she was he first horse I ever rode. She was docile, easy to learn on. I loved that horse.." He sighed and shrugged. "She died when I was nine, and that's when Casablanca became my top choice. He was bold and strong.. really fast and smart. God that horse looked and acted like he understood everything you said. I never respected a hose quite like I did him, except maybe Mahatma here. When he had to get put down grandfather decided I should have a horse of my own." He wondered if he sounded stuck up, but decided if anyone could understand, Dani could. "Anyway.." Sam shrugged, "It's nice to be able to ride again. I did't realize how much i missed it until today." He smiled gently, noticing how beautiful Dani looked with the sun glinting through the trees, highlighting parts of her face. He blushed and looked away when he reaized he'd been staring too long. "So is this what you always really dreamed of doing? Being an attorney?"

[DANI DRAKE]

Sam swayed his head side to side in answer to Dani’s question. “Grandfather always had horses and I grew up riding them, but none were really mine, per se. I always rode the same two horses, though. Butternut and Casablanca.” Dani giggled a little at the names, more amused by the bashful grin Sam gave her. It was very easy to picture him as a little boy in that moment. “Butternut was very old and she was the first horse I ever rode. She was docile, easy to learn on. I loved that horse…” It was sweet to hear the nostalgia in his voice. Every time she brought up Dragon she felt the same warm weight in her chest. “She died when I was nine, and that’s when Casablanca became my top choice. He was bold and strong…really fast and smart. God that horse looked and acted like he understood everything you said. I never respected a horse quite like I did him, except maybe Mahatma here. When he had to get put down grandfather decided I should have a horse of my own.” It was nice that his grandfather had been such a presence in Sam’s life. He talked about the old man a lot and Dani had to wonder why they were so close. It almost sounded like he lived with his grandfather when he was growing up. She had always wished for grandparents and while she of course physically had them, she had never known them. Much like her parents, they were revered and storied people in her mind, as distant to her as all of the other Drakes that came before her. She envied Sam for his family and how happy they made him, but it wasn’t a grudging envy. Perhaps someday she would meet them too. The thought made her smile. “Anyway…It’s nice to be able to ride again. I didn’t realize how much I missed it until today.” Her smile was warm. “I know I couldn’t go longer than a couple weeks without riding. It would drive me crazy. If I could come ride Silver every day, I would. Too bad there’s that pesky thing called work.” She wrinkled her nose playfully at him, noticing for the first time that he was watching her. His eyes darted away when hers met his and it made her blush just a little. How long had his eyes been on her?

“So is this what you always really dreamed of doing? Being an attorney?” Dani thought about it and a sad sort of smile came to her face. “Yes and no.” She looked forward, watching the trail ahead of them as she spoke. “All I dreamed about when I was younger was being free. There were always so many expectations of me. If I couldn’t be an attorney, I would marry a rich man, preferably with an esteemed family. My brother would make sure of that. It wouldn’t matter if I was happy, just that I was continuing the Drake name honorably. I hated that archaic way of thinking and decided to go with my only other option: to be an attorney. My brother wouldn’t accept anything else.” She didn’t mention how Victor would have made sure she did as she was told. Sam didn’t need to hear how she was abused. But as she glanced at Sam, she realized he wouldn’t really understand if she left her reference to her brother so vague. “My brother Victor was pretty much the one who raised me. He was several years older and…very much the prince of the family. It went to his head and he abused the power our name gave him. He was very strict with me.” She didn’t elaborate any further than that, choosing instead to look forward again. “Anyway, I didn’t want to upset him, so I did what I was told. Every day I wished I could be free, just go off and be whatever I wanted to be, but I knew that was too much to ask. So I promised that if I ever did get freedom, I would give back as good as I got. I didn’t care how I gave that freedom to other people, just that I did it. So when I went to school I studied law like my brother wanted. I was good at it and liked it more than I ever thought I could. It wasn’t until my brother died that I realized being an attorney was one way I could help others get freedom. So that’s what I did and why I handle the cases I do. I don’t want anyone to feel stuck and trapped in their life like I did.” She looked back at Sam with a small smile, blushing slightly. “I know it sounds so very, ‘poor little rich girl,’ but I figured if anyone could understand, it would be you.” Her smile widened, genuine and sweet. “So in a way, yes, this is what I always wanted to do. This just wasn’t exactly the way I pictured doing it.” She shrugged but with a smile.

Realizing how much of her guts she just spilled, she bit her lip and eyed Sam secretively. He really had no idea how relaxed he made her feel. She was so closed off, but he brought out a completely different side of her. It was a side of her that really only Jonah had seen and maybe a handful of friends she’d encountered over the years. Even in those friendships, though, this open and carefree side to her only came in flashes. What was it about Sam? His eyes caught hers and she blushed, realizing she was staring at him. Blinking, she looked away with a small, bashful sort of smile and then plowed on. “So that’s my story. What about you? Is being attorney what you always wanted to do?”

[SAM HOLDER]

“Yes and no.” his eyes moved to the yung woman riding beside him and he listened attentively to her story. He was surprised she was willing to open up to him, but it pleased Sam greatly. Her story was interesting and not what he' expected at all. An overbearing brother with a backwards idea on what his sister should be. He wondered hy she let her brother narrate so much of her lie, wen she answered the question herself. “My brother Victor was pretty much the one who raised me. He was several years older and…very much the prince of the family. It went to his head and he abused the power our name gave him. He was very strict with me.” sam frowned and looked ahead finding it all a little depressing. No one should have had to deal with that. She continued on about how she wanted to please her brother and how law had actually aided her in her goal o freeing others, which made sense considering the law she practiced.

The more Dani spoke, the more respect Sam felt for her she'd bee through a lot ad came out a stunning individual. He suddenly felt proud to be working under the younger woman who had done so much and had accomplished many wonderful things in her shot life. “I know it sounds so very, ‘poor little rich girl,’ but I figured if anyone could understand, it would be you.” She smiled at him, but he quickly shook his head. "I didn't think it sounded that way at all." He assured, his lips creasing into a sort of sad smile. “So in a way, yes, this is what I always wanted to do. This just wasn’t exactly the way I pictured doing it.” She shrugged and he nodded in return, looking forward again as the trees began to clear some and the sand bgan to cover the ground. The sound of waves were more distinct now as they must be nearing he beach, but it was still a ways away Sam decided. He wasn't sure what to say, and when he looked over, he caught Dani looking back, her head whipping forward bashfully as though she'd been caught doing something she shouldn't.

“So that’s my story. What about you? Is being attorney what you always wanted to do?” It was his turn to look a little shy. Sam rolled his shoulders. "Yes and no." He teased with a grin, catching her eye. "Initially I wanted to be a historian or history teacher. I love history." It really didn't needto be said but he thought he should say so. "I sort of found my way into law and it intrigued me, so I started classes and found it was a good fit for me." He explained feeling it wasn't as deep as her story even if i was true. "My mother died when I was born." He found himself saying, clearing his throat after. It was random, but he thought she should know about him consdering she'd just poured out her heart. "My grandfather took me in and raised me because my dad was overseas in the service. When he got home my grandfather guilted him into giving up custody of me, and for most of my life I thought my father simply didn't want me." He licked his lips and looked forward. "Grandfather told me the truth while I was in school and I reconnected with my father. Actually, he's the reason I enlisted, which is how I hurt my leg." He looked back over and watched her with serene eyes. "We all have skeletons in our closets. No family is perfect. It's what we choose to make of ourselves despite our pasts instead of because of them that truly matters." He didn't know if he needed to say that or not, but he hoped he hadn't crossed any boundaries. The waves were a little louder now and he looked forward again. "You have a lot to show for yourself, and that's impressive." His cheeks flushed gently but he smiled at her, shrugging again. "Anyway.." His smile widened slightly. "Want a rematch?" He asked his tone bordering on playful. "I think I might stand a chance at beating you this time."

[DANI DRAKE]

“Yes and no.” Dani smiled wide at Sam’s playful answer, waiting for his inevitable explanation. “Initially I wanted to be a historian or history teacher. I love history.” So did she! Dani smiled wider, picturing Sam lecturing about World War II from the front of a classroom. He probably would have made a good teacher. “I sort of found my way into law and it intrigued me, so I started classes and found it was a good fit for me.” It was a nice simple story, much simpler than hers, and she found she liked it better. No one should have to go through the deep soul searching that she had just to find where they wanted to go in life. Sam had found his way as most people did, through following his interests, and Dani wished it had been so simple for her. It suited Sam’s personality to be so uncomplicated and she found that quality in him to be very relaxing. Perhaps that was why she was so drawn to him.

“My mother died when I was born.” Instantly Dani’s thoughts of Sam’s simple life came to an end, replaced by a concerned and surprised frown. It was such a random confession, but one that she sympathized with. She too had lost her mother before she’d even had a chance to know her. Sam went on to tell her how his grandfather had raised him, taking him from his own father while he was serving the country, and making Sam think for most of his life that his father just didn’t want him. He didn’t even know the whole story until he was in college, which is when he finally reconnected with his father. Sam had even gone into the military after being inspired by his father and ended up with a permanently damaged leg because of it. She’d never known why he limped because she had never felt comfortable asking, but she was glad to know. It made her respect Sam even more to know that he had not only served in the military but done at least one tour in the war and ended up with a permanently damaged leg because of it. His eyes fastened on hers and she felt like she couldn’t look away, she was so engrossed in his words. “We all have skeletons in our closets. No family is perfect. It’s what we choose to make of ourselves despite our pasts instead of because of them that truly matters.” She smiled, nodding gently. They were wise words and she let them soak in as he turned away. “You have a lot to show for yourself, and that’s impressive.” Even as she watched the red creeping into his cheeks, she knew it was blooming in hers too. For some reason the compliment struck a deep chord in her. Those words meant more to her than almost any other compliment ever had. She was impressive. Never in all her life had she thought of herself as impressive. Hardworking and devoted, yes, accomplished, perhaps, but not impressive. Her family was impressive, the Drake legacy and the law firm they sustained, but she’d never really felt that any of that credit belonged to her. But Sam wasn’t talking about her family or even the firm—he was talking about her and as a person he thought she was impressive. It truly touched her, much more than he could ever realize. If they weren’t on horseback, she might have hugged him. Instead all she could say was a soft, “Thank you!”

“Anyway…” She snapped back to reality, returning his smile with one of her own. Before she could get out a compliment of her own, he was switching the subject once more. “Want a rematch? I think I might stand a chance of beating you this time.” It took her a moment to register what he was talking about, but then she remembered their race earlier and her grin spread across her face. “I don’t know about that. I’m a pretty impressive rider.” She playfully emphasized the word “impressive,” grinning afterward and wrinkling her nose a little. “But if you’re reeeally a glutton for punishment, then who am I to say no?” Giggling, she pulled Silver to a stop and ran her hand across the mare’s mane in encouragement. She waited for Sam to come to a stop too beside her. With a playfully challenging look, she leaned lower over Silver’s neck. “Get ready to eat dust, Holder.” He gave another playful heckle back and she laughed before facing forward. “Ready…set…GO!” They were flying down the trail in a heartbeat, neck-in-neck with each other. She urged Silver faster, glancing over as Mahatma matched her pace. No…he was going a little faster! Dani shouted commands to go faster, pushing into Silver’s sides to spur her on. For a time they were leading, but Mahatma was never far behind. Soon he was surpassing Silver again and Dani looked over at Sam, a smile bright on her face. “You can do better!” she called. She didn’t even see the branch hanging low over the trail ahead of them, just at face height, and they were coming up on it fast.

[SAM HOLDER]

“I don’t know about that. I’m a pretty impressive rider.” Sam grinned wide and chuckled softly. "So you've proven." He teased gently noting how she reused the compliment he'd given her. “But if you’re reeeally a glutton for punishment, then who am I to say no?" He cocked a brow knowing she had a point. "Your last win has made you confident." His eyes were mischievous, already setting himself up for his inevitable lose, but liking the competition anyway. She would probably take him down but not necessarily because she was a better rider. No, neither Sam or Mahatma were used to this trail and were both a little out of practice. Dani and Silver had been riding together for quite some time without pause which made him certain he stood no chance, but it was the speed and invigoration that excited him. He enjoyed how free he felt when the powerful creature between his legs really stretched out. Sam couldn't run himself anymore, though running was something he had once enjoyed. Now he took things slow, and he had made his peace with that, but that didn't mean he didn't enjoy the wind whipping through his short hair or stinging his strangely colored eyes.

Sam stopped his horse beside his female companion and leaned forward, his eyes narrowing slightly like a man about to run a race, eyeing up the competitor like a snake in the grass you're unsure is about to attack or slither away. “Get ready to eat dust, Holder.” He snorted in retaliation. "In your dreams, Drake." She put herself at the ready and Sam did the same, his eyes facing forward, his feet tense with the anticipation of having to kick off to get his stallion going. “Ready…set…GO!” Sam kicked his horse into action, and this time Mahatma was actually ready which threw Sam off a little. It was if the horse wanted the rematch himself, as though he knew he'd lost before and was ready to show his stuff, refusing to be shone up again by a lack of quality command by his rider. Same was pleasantly pleased to see that he and Dani were neck and neck and then Mahatma stepped up his game. "Hyah!" He growled into the horses ear, leaning forward more and holding his reigns tight. The horse moved faster, but so did the silver mare at his side. Dani was pulling ahead and Sam gave Mahatma a swift little kick to tell him to move his ass. He didn't need to win, but he surely wanted to.

“You can do better!” Dani called out and he looked over at her with a mischievous smirk. "You haven;t won yet!" He snapped back, turning forward once more as danger faced them almost immediately. "DUCK!" Sam yelled pulling lower over the horse as the branch came closer to view. Hopefully Dani would see it in time to get out of its way, otherwise he would have a serious problem on his hands!

[DANI DRAKE]

“You haven’t won yet!” Dani grinned wider at Sam, surprised but intrigued by the concentration on his face. In watching him for those brief few seconds, she still didn’t look ahead of them. “DUCK!” The loud command and the way Sam lowered over Mahatma finally forced her to look ahead. She barely had time to gasp and lower her head just enough to avoid being smacked in the eyes and nose by the branch. Unfortunately, the branch wouldn’t let her leave unscathed. It caught her in the forehead, a twig shoving its way beneath her helmet and forcing her head back as she and Silver rushed by. The twig snapped, but not before giving her some serious whiplash and vertigo. She didn’t know which way was up or down just that there was a burning on her forehead and she needed to slow down. That’s when the saddle slid out from beneath her and the ground rose up to collide with her. She was rolling among the leaves for a few seconds before she slowed and rested on her stomach, her cheek pressed to the cool dirt.

Though she could hear Sam calling something that sounded like her name, she couldn’t be sure. Her head was still ringing from the jostling she’d just survived. It took a long two minutes before her head stopped spinning enough to allow her eyes to open. With a soft groan, she pushed herself off the ground so that she was at least sitting up. A sharp pain stabbed through her ribs and she winced, grabbing her side as she rolled over and stretched her legs straight out in front of her. The sound of rushing feet clambering over the trail reached her, but she was too busy inspecting herself for wounds to look. Her toes were wiggling, her hands and arms were covered with a spattering of small cuts and scrapes, and when she pressed on her side she didn’t feel anything out of the ordinary in her ribs. It appeared she was okay, but she would certainly be bruised.

That’s when Sam suddenly fell in front of her, grabbing her shoulders insistently and drawing her bewildered face up to his. He was frantic and his questions were running together so that she couldn’t really answer any of them, just stare at him with her wide sea-colored eyes. Something was trickling on her forehead and his fingers brushed over it, making something sting and she winced. His fingers drew back with blood on them. That’s when she remembered the feeling of the twig forcing its way beneath her helmet. She unclasped her helmet and took it off, flipping it over to find three cheerful green leaves on a sprig just resting there. The cut was just superficial, but when she ran her fingers across it too, it still stung. She slid her hand over her now slightly messed up hair before letting out a nervous laugh. “And that’s why I always wear a helmet.” Her eyes met Sam’s and she could see the worry in his green eyes. The smile she wore was shaky but reassuring. “I’m okay, Sam. Just a little scratched up and bruised. I should have been paying more attention.” He was still hovering close, obviously concerned, and soon he was checking her for any major injuries. His concern made her cheeks flush, especially since he seemed so worried about her being hurt in any little way. She bit her lip and let him turn her hands and arms over, inspecting the cuts and scrapes, watching him the whole time. There were cuts on her bare legs as well and a pretty nasty scrape on her left knee. She bent her legs at his request, but sucked in a sharp breath through her teeth at the pain that seared through her left leg. It would be bruised and probably take some time to heal, but the more she moved it, the better it felt. Overall, she was okay, but even through the pain Sam’s obvious concern made her stomach squirm. What could she say to assure him she was okay and that he didn’t have to continue this battlefield triage? “Well, at least you won this time.” She gave an amused smile, hoping the statement would take his mind off his panic at least for a moment.

[SAM HOLDER]

Sam ducked in enough time but when he looked to see if Dani had, his stomach slipped all the way down to his toes. She was sliding off her horse when he got a good look at her, and immediately tanked on the reigns of his own in order to slow him down. "Dani!" He called out, slowing the horse enough that he could jump off, Silver galloping off, though her footsteps were slowing significantly with her owner now gone. Sam crumpled to the ground, his bad leg giving out beneath him, and with a wince he made it to his feet, hobbling over as quickly as he could. He silently damned his gimpy leg, wishing it would cooperate better. He called out the girls name again, unsure if she was alright or not yet. He dug in his pocket for his phone in case he needed to call for an ambulance, not entirely sure how they would get out there to her.

"Dani, are you alright?" He called out as he got closer, and this time he sighed with relief as she moved, showing she was at least alive! She sat up, looking dazed, and he wished she would stay put. If she had a back or neck injury that would only harm it. She seemed oblivious to his calls and he wondered if she could even hear him. Finally he reached the young girl and dropped to his knees, grabbing her shoulders and forcing her to look up at him with her sea colored eyes. "Are you alright?" He asked, but she only looked at him dazed. "Does your head hurt? What hurts?" He tilted her head up to get a better look at her eyes. He wished he had a flashlight in order to look at her eyes and study her pupils for dilation. Who knew if she'd gotten a concussion! He wiped at the blood on her forehead and she winced, making him frown. Her fingers shakily unclasped her helmet and she pulled it free from her head, her hair now a tangled mess. He looked inside, noting the branch and leaves that lay guilty of the cut on her forehead. “And that’s why I always wear a helmet.” He frowned and sighed.

Sam couldn't believe this would happen on his trip out with Dani. She was his boss! He knew he shouldn't think that way, but he didn't want this to reflect poorly on his character. She wore a reassuring smile, though he could see she was still very shaken up from the incident. “I’m okay, Sam. Just a little scratched up and bruised. I should have been paying more attention.” Sam shook his head. "No, it's my fault. I should have never challenged you to that race. It was stupid and irresponsible in such a wooded area." He pulled his button down shirt off, leaving him in just his tee, and laid it down behind her. "Lay down for a moment." He pleaded in a soft, raspy voice. She didn't seem to want to comply, but she did. He slowly examined every inch of her, looking for scrapes and bruises, but mostly trying to pinpoint if anything seemed broken. Guilt filled him. How could he have acted so stupidly? When he reached her left leg she winced and fear stabbed at him. Was it broken? He asked if she could move it and she showed she could, explaining it was just sore, probably bruised. The news made him frown more.

“Well, at least you won this time.” She mused and Sam rolled his eyes, sighed exasperatedly. "I would hardly count this as a win." He said gruffly. "I wanted to race you, not kill you. If anything this is a major lose." He helped her sit back up, sitting down himself across from her. Worry still laced his eyes as he watched for any major signs of trauma that could creep back up. He heard gentle braying and turned his head, noting Mahatma just up a ways grazing and Silver not much further down the trail, slowly making her way back towards them. "I think you had them worried, too." He teased softly, grabbing his shirt off the ground and wiping away the blood with it. "You're going to need a bandage on that." Sam sighed and shook his head. "You're trouble, Drake." He teased, getting to his feet and helping her to her own. "Can you walk alright? I can help you get on Silver, we can go back up the trail so you can see a doctor." He offered, her safety far more important that their trail ride.

[DANI DRAKE]

Sam rolled his eyes at Dani’s attempt at a joke to lighten the mood and she bit her lip, feeling a little chastised. “I would hardly count this as a win. I wanted to race you, not kill you. If anything this is a major lose.” Her lip quirked up a bit on one side, but she still wondered if he was really upset at this happening. She shouldn’t have been so clumsy and careless. He helped her sit up and plopped down across from her, still studying her as if she might just suddenly stroke out and die. Other than the aches already throbbing through her body, Dani felt fine and knew she was lucky she could just hobble away from this. Once she was sitting up, Sam grabbed his shirt from the ground and just seeing it made her smile gently. He’d literally given the shirt off his back to help her. Maybe he wasn’t angry…The soft nickering nearby caught Dani’s attention and when she looked over at the horses, she saw both of them hovering near. Silver’s large eyes were on her intently as she pawed the ground impatiently as if to ask, “Are you sure you’re okay?” “I think you had them worried, too.” She could hear the soft tease in Sam’s words and she was relieved to hear the gruffness had left his voice. Normally she wasn’t intimidated by angering people, but it was different with Sam. She’d never heard him exasperated before so it had worried her. But at hearing his normal gentleness she smiled while he dabbed at the blood on her forehead with his shirt. “I think you’re right. But then Silver can be a worry wart.”

Dani sat still as Sam finished tending to her injuries, trying to fight the squirmy feeling she got in her stomach at his tender care. She didn’t want to have that squirmy feeling for a guy she worked with, nevertheless a guy who worked for her. “You’re going to need a bandage for that.” She shrugged. “It’s just a little cut. It’ll be fine.” Sam sighed and Dani grinned. “You’re trouble, Drake.” “So they tell me.” She giggled softly, taking Sam’s hands when he stood and offered them to her. He pulled her easily to her feet and she held onto his hands as she avoided putting much pressure on her left leg. Damn, her knee hurt! “Can you walk alright? I can help you get on Silver. We can go back up the trail so you can see a doctor.” She smiled wide and shook her head at him. “Don’t worry so much! It’s just a couple bumps. I’ll be okay.” He didn’t look satisfied with that answer and she cocked her head to the side with a playfully firm look. “I promise I’ll tell you if we need to turn around. Okay?” That was better, she supposed. She released his hands and turned to limp over to Silver. Pain shot up her left leg like lightning and she sucked in a sharp breath through her teeth, reaching out to clutch at Sam’s arm instinctively. “Definitely wasn’t expecting that…” she grumbled as she looked down at her knee. To test it gently, she held onto Sam and slowly put weight on her knee. It was definitely bruised, but she didn’t think it was anything more than that. “I can walk, but I might need your help.” He didn’t object.

The best way she found to hobble along was to sling her arm around his shoulders and let his body support her gimp weight. But with him limping and her limping, it took a few steps to find a rhythm that worked for them. She grinned up at Sam as they made their way back to their horses. “What a pair we make now, both limping.” It was a tease and she was sure Sam wouldn’t be offended by it. Her eyes moved back to the ground as they moved, grateful for Sam’s arm wrapped around her to help her support her weight. The more she moved, the less her knee hurt, though the throbbing never really stopped. It would take some time, but she was sure she wouldn’t need a doctor. This wasn’t the first time she’d fallen off a horse and it most likely wouldn’t be the last. When she reached Silver, the horse nuzzled into the comforting hand she offered. “It’s okay, baby. I’m alright.” As if she understood, Silver let out a soft snort and pushed gently into Dani’s hand. It made the woman smile warmly before she moved around to attempt getting on her back. Could she put weight on her left leg long enough to get her foot in the stirrup and swing herself up? Fastening her helmet, she wanted to be sure she wouldn’t hurt herself further if she fell trying to get on Silver’s back once more. She let go of Sam and gripped the saddle, testing it out. Almost falling backward, Sam caught her and supported her until she could get her right foot firmly in the stirrup and let her arms and less injured leg do most of the work. When she was safely mounted and looked down at Sam, she saw he was spotting her the whole time she was climbing onto Silver’s back. She smiled brightly. “Thanks for your help! You might have to help me get down again, but I think I’m okay for now. But let’s avoid any more races for today.” Her smile was reassuring and she hoped he wouldn’t fret too much over them setting back down the trail.

[SAM HOLDER]

“Don’t worry so much! It’s just a couple bumps. I’ll be okay.” Sam pursed his lips, not really satisfied with her answer. He knew better, it was more than what she was saying, but he couldn't stop her from being the type to be brave and put on a good face despite any discomfort she was feeling. He'd been in the military after all, and they encouraged that. “I promise I’ll tell you if we need to turn around. Okay?” He sighed and rolled his eyes and shoulders simultaneously in a show of surrender. She'd won this time. "Alright." He hummed as she went to take a step on her own, practically stumbling before gripping his arm. That look of concern crossed his face all over again and he had to purse his lips to keep from insisting they head back. She wasn't his little sister, someone he could force to turn back, she was an independent woman, and his boss at that. “Definitely wasn’t expecting that…” He made a soft grumbling noise, keeping his comments to himself because he knew how she'd react if he opened his lips again. “I can walk, but I might need your help.” Sam slid his arm around the young woman, bearing as much of her weight as he could manage. "Lean on me, I can take it." He insisted as they began their pathetic limp back to the horses.

Sam couldn't help but find some amount of embarrassing humor in their situation. She, the sturdier of the two, limping worse than he normally did. They were probably quite the sight. Still, he wished he could help more. Their limping was soon in stride and he tried his best not to feel self conscious about his affliction. He really felt like the blind leading the blind. “What a pair we make now, both limping.” He flushed gently at her comment, amused she would think the same thing he had, but not entirely comfortable with it. He knew she meant nothing by it though, so his feelings weren't hurt by the comment. "I was just thinking the same thing." He admitted, looking down at her as she watched the ground. "Blind man leading the blind." He teased with a soft, nervous sort of chuckle.

Finally they made it to the horses and Silver seemed genuinely concerned. She was certainly in tune to her owner. Hot Head wouldn't likely show the same empathy and he eyed the horse who looked back as if to confirm the thought. Sam grinned at the stallion and rolled his eyes as he turned back to Dani who was comforting her mare. She moved to get on the horse and Sam made sure to stay close, not comfortable with her moving away or attempting such a feat on her own. Sure enough she nearly fell off the second she put any real weight on that knee. Sam had been watching and was quick to grab her and help push her up onto the horse, wanting her off the ground and off that leg as soon as possible. Once she got her footing she was able to pull herself up, but that didn't stop the boy from keeping his hands hovered behind her in case he needed to catch her. She didn't need any more bumps or bruises, not today. “Thanks for your help! You might have to help me get down again, but I think I’m okay for now. But let’s avoid any more races for today.” She smiled sweetly and Sam couldn't stop the thought of how beautiful she was from crossing his mind. Did she need to be so irresistible? It would be easier to scold her otherwise. "Today? Let's try ever. I'm not racing with you anymore, we're going to ride slow and steady." He gave her a firm look, the kind he'd give his sister and turned to get back onto his own horse. He hopped easily enough onto his own horse and kicked the stallion while clicking his tongue to get him moving. He joined Dani and gave her a playful look of disapproval, a partial smile quirking up his lip as they started moving again. "Alright Drake, now that the excitements over let's go see this special spot of yours." He teased as they went, seeing the clearing up ahead which he assumed would lead to the secluded area she loved so much.

[DANI DRAKE]

Sam gave Dani a look that made her wonder if something was on her face. Why was he staring at her like that? “Today? Let’s try ever. I’m not racing with you anymore. We’re going to ride slow and steady.” Dani laughed despite his firm look. “Don’t exaggerate! Though I’ll admit, racing in the woods was a bad idea.” She grinned and watched as he swung himself up onto Mahatma’s back with grace and ease. Did all men have the ability to be so graceful? Her brother seemed to have that ability too when they would go riding. But her brother’s grace was cold and calculated. Sam was the complete opposite. Everything about him was warm and genuine. She blushed as she realized she was staring, quickly looking away as he clicked his tongue and guided Mahatma over to her and Silver. She pressed her heels into Silver’s sides so they could start walking and looked over at Sam as he fell into pace beside her. His playful look of disapproval made her giggle and roll her eyes playfully in return. “Alright Drake, now that the excitement’s over, let’s go see this special spot of yours.” She grinned at the way he called her Drake like they were old military buddies. It was nice to have a friend she could joke around with like that. “The excitement is never over, Holder.” She grinned again and brought Silver to a trot as they made their way towards her favorite place. “What’s your favorite place to ride? Or did you have one as a kid?”

It was five minutes before the trees began to thin out and another ten before the sand of a beach came into view. Dani’s knee throbbed with every sway of Silver’s movements, but she bore the pain well. She’d been forced to hide her pain so many times before that it was second nature to her now. Instead, she focused on Sam’s words and enjoyed listening to him speak about his favorite places to ride. She pictured him riding in those places and then thought about them riding together there. Being with Sam was so calming, completely different from the line of work they were in. For her, many of her cases dealt with people whose freedom was on the line. If she failed at her job, it would be those people she fought for that would pay the price. It was a heavy weight on her shoulders to bear that responsibility. But she could forget about that with Sam. He didn’t expect anything from her and it was incredibly freeing. Just the sound of his raspy voice was enough to put her at ease. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt that way about someone. “Those places sound wonderful. I bet the horses thought so too.” Her smile was soft and kind.

Silver knew where they were headed, but every time they came down this way, she always got excited when she felt her hooves sink into the sand. She nickered softly, tossing her long, white tresses happily. Dani laughed and ran her hand lovingly over Silver’s neck. “Silver loves it here too. Something about the sand on her hooves, I think.” When she looked up again she gazed at the stretch of water leading out to the bay and ultimately the ocean. With a deep breath in through her nose, she could smell the salt in the air and taste it on her tongue when she sighed her breath out. The water rushed onto the shore before gliding back and sucking bits of sand and seashells with it. The cliffs of Megsy could be seen off in the distance, majestic and dangerous at their jagged heights. Even where they were, several boulders had taken residence on the beach, though how long ago she couldn’t say. Maybe they had always been there. “This is my place. Exactly how I found it all those years ago.” A bird’s cry caught her attention and she looked over near the cliffs to see a bald eagle climbing into the air before circling down again and scanning the water. Dani smiled and looked curiously at Sam. “So what do you think?”