Walk A Different Path 🤍 Jaa/First

Chapter 13 ~ just another minute ~

Maskwa sat on his bed and watched as Sam packed his bag, somewhere over the course of the last several days his clothes had migrated from the spare bedroom into his room and he wouldn't have it any other way.

They were planning to ride down to the Halfway Farm after breakfast and Maskwa was escorting him then he would bring Cara back home after they had seen Sam off.

He felt sick as his stomach flip flopped, his heart beating erratically knowing there was nothing he could say or do to stop Sam from leaving, he had to go, he had a life back in Thailand but it was so far away.

Maskwa had to trust in their love that they could both find a way to make their relationship work, they had to.

When Sam's bag was packed Maskwa carried it downstairs for him and Sam dragged his feet behind.

"good morning boys" Maskwa's mother smiled at them both, she knew how they felt and she was trying to lighten the mood.

"good morning sons" Maskwa's father had taken to saying.

"good morning father" Maskwa and Sam replied together.

"come and sit, eat" Maskwa's mother said before adding,

"I've made a flask and some sandwiches to take with you and your father has fed the horses and saddled them up ready"

"thank you father" Sam said and Maskwa nodded.

"be careful when you're passing eagle point Maskwa, it's icy down there and I don't want the horses to hurt themselves or any other accidents and I've packed some boots just in case"

"I'll be careful, thank's father"

"eagle point?" Sam asked curiously.

"mmm it's between here and the Halfway Farm, there's a tiny stream that runs down the mountain from a creek and it often causes problems when the weather has been particularly cold" Maskwa explained.

"why doesn't anyone redirect it away from the path or at least put a sign up" Sam said.

"folks around here know about it and we don't normally get strangers without a guide so" Maskwa shrugged.

Sam nodded at Maskwa's explanation and finished his breakfast then went to freshen up before their long journey.

Soon it was time to leave and Maskwa watched as his parents hugged Sam and said their goodbyes,

"come back soon son, you're part of the family now" Maskwa's father said before hugging him.

"thank you father, I will and I'll keep in touch" Sam said.

"you'd better Sam, we'll be waiting" Maskwa's mother added.

"I will mom, I'll call Maskwa every night or if I can't call I'll get a message to you somehow" Sam said hugging her.

"come on then, let's get going" Maskwa said not wanting to get emotional.

Maskwa pulled himself up into his saddle and Sam walked across to Cara to do the same then when they were both seated, Sam looked down at his new family and had to hold back his tears.

"I'll come back as soon as I can" Sam said.

"we'll be waiting" Maskwa's father said as he comforted his wife who was crying.

"I'll be back before nightfall" Maskwa said.

"ok be careful son, you take care now Sam" Maskwa's father said before patting Cara's rump.

The pair set off and Maskwa's parents watched them until they couldn't see them anymore then they went inside, at least it wasn't snowing, that was a blessing.