Samantha and the Cowboy by Lorraine Heath

you’re right.”
    He stretched his upper lip taut and brushed somelathered soap over it. With the straight razor, he scraped away the remaining whiskers. Wouldn’t do to have any nicks tonight.
    When he was finished, he looked with satisfaction at his reflection. He combed his fingers through his hair. “You did a fine job trimming my hair. Sure you don’t want me to cut yours?”
    â€œI’m sure,” Sam said hastily.
    Grinning, Matt reached into his bag of supplies. He poured some Bay Rum cologne into his palm before patting it over his cheeks and chin. “Want some?” he asked Sam.
    Sam shook his head. The boy actually looked frightened.
    â€œSam, everything will be all right tonight,” he assured him.
    â€œI really don’t want to go, Matt.”
    Matt leaned forward and planted his elbows on his thighs. “Look, Sam, it’s not every day that we run across a town that invites us to a barn dance. Another week or so and we’re going to be at the Red River. No towns on the other side for miles and miles. A cowboy has to take his fun where he can.”
    â€œBut I feel bad about going.”
    â€œJake put everyone’s name in a hat,” he reminded Sam. “He drew out the six who have to stay behind and herd cattle.”
    â€œIt doesn’t seem fair.”
    â€œBut that’s the way it’s always done. The cattle come first. A cowboy knows that when he signs up. We can’t leave the cows on their own. Somebody has to watch them. Drawing names out of a hat in order to determine who stays behind is the best way,” he explained patiently.
    He’d already explained it once when Jake had first come into camp and announced that they had the invite. Matt couldn’t understand why Sam was so opposed to going out and having a good time, especially when there were bound to be a few gals in attendance. Matt might prefer not to be friends with the men he worked with, but he had no qualms at all about becoming friends with a young lady or two.
    â€œBut I don’t want to go,” Sam insisted.
    â€œIf you stay behind, one of those six men will want to go to the dance in your place. We’d have to have another drawing. I don’t think that would sit well with Jake.”
    In truth, he didn’t think Jake would care. His only fear was that if Sam didn’t go, Matt would be ordered to stay behind. He was in the mood for some dancing, and he wanted Sam to have some fun. The boy didn’t seem to know much about fun. He never took a dip in the river, since he couldn’t swim. He seldom played cards, because he didn’t like the thought of losing any hard-earned money. He never played pranks on the other cowboys. As far as Matt could see, he was as serious as they came.
    But the boy had dreams—dreams of all the things he could purchase with the money he’d earn at the end of the drive. And Matt certainly couldn’t complain about how quickly the kid learned a new task. He wasn’t sure if he’d ever known a fella to catch on to herding cattle with the ability that Sam did.
    â€œCome on, Sam. Jake took two cows over to them earlier so we’ll have lots of beef to eat tonight. Some farmer’s wife is bound to bake an apple pie or two. You can’t turn away from the chance to eat a slice of fresh apple pie. Besides, there’s probably going to be several farmers’ daughters in attendance. Cookie is taking his fiddle, so we’ll have music and dancing. It’ll be fun.”
    But Sam took to studying his gloves as though he’d never seen them before. Matt had given him the gloves, and they’d practically swallowed Sam’s small hands. How did a boy get such dainty-looking hands? Matt figured they were an embarrassment to him. Sam had quickly borrowed needle and thread from Cookie and taken in the seams so the gloves fit better. He wondered if Sam was even fourteen yet. He sure