Today marked two weeks since Sam arrived at Hartstone. She felt like it had been years, but also like the time had gone in the blink of an eye. She'd made some friends that she hoped to see again, but she wasn't getting her heart set on it. She knew she would miss Alex and Bryce the most. No, that wasn’t true. She would miss Stone more than anyone, but those feelings would fade. She had no expectations beyond the borders of this beautiful place.

Even though he had proclaimed his love for her, said he wanted to keep seeing her, she wasn't going to hold him to anything. The stakes were far too high in her real life to become preoccupied with what Stone did, or did not do.

Last night, she spoke with Greg and Naomi about Bryce and her continued stay. Sam wanted, more than anything, to help the girl get back on her feet, regain some confidence, get her life back. Naomi told her they could use the help during the winter months, but if Bryce didn't want to stay on the ranch, Roxanne, who owned the boutique in town, would be needing some help with Angie.

Sam offered to pay Bryce's expenses so she could stay as long as she needed, but Greg and Naomi told her it wasn't necessary. She was lost in thought, walking to the barn with Jasper at her heel when Alex came jogging up behind her.

"Morning, Sam." Alex greeted her with a smile.

"Good morning, Alex" Sam gave her the best smile she could.

“It's kind of a sad day, I guess." Alex commented.

Sam turned to look at Alex as they reached the big entry way.

"I'll miss you, Alex.” Sam told her sincerely. “You have no idea what this time has meant for me."

"Can I give you a hug, Sam?” Alex asked sheepishly.

"Yes. Yes I’d love a hug."

Alex stepped forward and embraced Sam fiercely.

"I'm going to miss you so much, Sam. And Stone.” Alex laughed. “He was already starting to sulk last night at dinner! Give him a chance, Sam. If you can. He's a good man and he cares about you a lot. It's obvious to everyone."

Sam took a breath, shaking her head sadly.

“I have a lot going on right now, Alex. In my life, back in New York. We haven't made any promises or plans. I know that he cares about me.” She admitted. “But whatever he wants, or doesn't want once I’m gone, I'll leave up to him." Sam put her hand on Alex's shoulder. “I know you care about him, you've been up front about your thoughts on us together, but don't get your hopes too high. Okay?"

"Okay.” Alex sighed. “I just want another woman around here! Dean is the only one who's been smart enough to marry a good woman. Me” She pointed to herself with a grin. “When there’re no guests, it's mostly just me and Naomi. We go into town quite often, but it sure would be nice to have some more estrogen balancing things out around here."

Sam couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her. “You'll have Bryce, for a little while at least. I know she needs a little shoring up, but she's a sweetheart and easy to get along with."

"Yeah.” Alex agreed. “I do like Bryce a lot. It'll be nice to have her here for a while."

Sam turned for Beauty's stall. "I'm really going to miss this girl."

“I’ll leave you to your goodbyes.” Alex told Sam. “Make sure you see me before you leave."

Sam pushed the stall door open, just enough to slip herself and Jasper through. Beauty lay on the thick bed of shavings, still enjoying the early morning, but lifted her head with a soft nicker of greeting. The big horse didn't make any moves to rise, so Sam lowered herself behind Beauty’s head and lifted it gently to place it in her lap.

"I'm going to miss you, beautiful girl.” She murmured, smiling when one soft, black ear twitched and Beauty sighed. Sam felt like the horse was saying she would miss her too. Or maybe she sighed because she would be happy to have her cowboy back. Sam chose to think it was because she'd miss her too.

"You've been such a good girl for me. So patient, so kind."

Sam stroked the velvety hair of Beauty's neck, closing her eyes, feeling so much peace at the connection she felt with the animal. She was startled by the wet tongue that licked the hand resting in her lap.

"Jasper." Sam chuckled softly. "I'm going to miss you too.” She stroked his ears affectionately, fighting the lump that formed in her throat.

"And what about me?" Asked the quiet, deep voice outside the stall. "Will you miss me too?"

Sam looked up at the man who’d made these last two weeks more memorable than she’d imagined was possible and smiled.

"You know I'll miss you most of all.” She told him quietly.

Stone came to sit next to her, leaning in for a soft kiss.

"You know," He rumbled. “You snuck out of bed before I could give you a proper goodbye."

Sam let her eyes drift back to Beauty. She couldn’t tell him she’d left because she didn’t know what to do with the ache in heart. So she told him the other reason she was here.

“I love this time of morning, when it's so peaceful. I wanted to get my goodbyes in before the other guests started milling around."

She let her head fall to Stone’s shoulder with a sigh.

“It's been good for me here. You've been good for me, good to me. Thank you, Stone. For everything. I know it's not easy, I’m not easy. But thank you.” She sighed in frustration. "What I’m trying to say isn't coming out right."

"Hey," He comforted, rubbing her shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “It's ok. I know what you're trying for and I get it. This hasn't been easy on you either. Opening up the way you have. But you've done it just the same and I thank you for that."

"Thank you.” She inhaled deeply. "That means a lot."

“I’ve got an idea.” Stone said suddenly. “Let's go for a ride. Doesn't have to be long, just one last go ‘round before you're off. What do you say?" He smiled down at her. "The pilot can wait."

She chuckled at him. "Yeah, the pilot can wait. I’d love to go for a ride."

She gave Beauty one more stroke. "I'm surprised she's stayed here so long."

"She likes you. You've got a good connection with her." Then he laughed. "Jasper too. He's gonna miss you something fierce. Poor guy."

"And what about you?” She returned his question to him. “Will you miss me when I’m gone?"

“Ah, Sweetness," He replied seriously. "I'll be missing you most of all.”

He gazed into her eyes, letting the weight of his stare say what his words couldn’t, then he smiled that smile that melted her every time.

"I'm planning to see you real soon. Don't you worry about that. Enough low thoughts though, let's go for a ride."

* * *

"Where are we going?" Sam asked some time later. They'd been on the trail for about twenty minutes, and while the scenery looked vaguely familiar, they'd ridden so many trails over the past couple of weeks, it was difficult to tell.

"Patience, Love. We'll get there soon enough."

When they broke through the trees and she saw the rock where he'd found her that first day, huddled and freezing, she turned her gaze on him questioningly.

"This is where you found me. That first day."

"Yeah." He replied solemnly. "And I’m thinking it was the best day of my life. Maybe the start of the rest of my life."

"Stone...” She started, a warning in her voice.

“I know," He cut her off, dismounting his horse, securing him to a tree, striding towards her purposefully. His gaze held hers, hot with emotion and desire. "That you have some things to work through. I know you think things between men and women don't last. But Sam, I’ve got enough try in me for both of us. All I’m asking for is a chance."

He stood beside her while she remained atop Beauty, looking down on him. So many thoughts raged in her mind. What he was asking was impossible, but wasn't she the woman who had done the impossible? She dismounted on her own and Stone waited while she wrapped Beauty's rope around a tree.

“I want to keep seeing you, Sam. I’ve got business in New York every now and then. If you need some space, a little time to sort out your thoughts, I can give you that. I can't give you up though. We can go as slow as you need. I'll come see you when I have business, if that makes it more comfortable for you."

He reached his hand out to cup her cheek and she leaned into his touch, letting the warmth of it suffuse her body.

"Stone, I can't make any promises. Not even that I'll be there when you are."

Sam looked into those warm, brown eyes, so much emotion shining in their depths, and wished with everything she had that she could give it back to him.

"You don't know me like you think you do. I’m afraid..."

"What are you afraid of, Sweetness?"

"I'm afraid that when you do know me, you'll be the one walking away."

"Ah, baby.” Stone pulled her into himself. “Come here." He wrapped his big arms tightly around her, resting his chin on top of her head the way he did so often. Sam loved the feeling of it. She felt safe, secure in his strong arms, but she knew it wouldn't last.

Love, relationships, they never lasted for someone like her. She didn't live in the same world everyone else lived in. Samantha Covington lived in a battlefield. Anyone she brought into her life could become a casualty of war.

"I'm not asking you to make any promises, Sam. Only to give us a chance."

She could see that he wasn't going to let this go. She didn't want to spend their last hours arguing about it. Time would be the judge and she would let the gavel fall where it may. For now though, she wanted something to remember him by.

"If you come see me.” Sam acquiesced. “I won't turn you away."

She felt the deep rumble in his chest when he chuckled.

"I'll take it, Sweetness."

"Stone?” She whispered as he continued to hold her.

"Yes?"

"Make love to me here. Give me something to remember you by."

And there, in the place where he’d found the woman he thought he’d never find, Stone gave Samantha everything she asked of him and more. He couldn’t control her heart, but he could make her body crave him. In the middle of the night, when her body ached for release, it would be his face she saw, and his name would be the name falling from her lips.