"Things like… what?" Sam asked, though he wasn't sure he really wanted to know. It was true that he was gun-shy of anything more than hugs, not just in terms of physical touch, but in terms of letting anyone in too close. He had meant it when he said that people got hurt, but it was more than that. He got hurt, when people were hurt because of him. Maybe not physically, but emotionally.
He hugged her, warmly but chastely, and then stepped back. It did feel good, to be hugged, and he did need that kind of healing. Possibly as much as he needed physical healing, but he tended to prioritize the latter. He needed to be physically fit to keep going and keep fighting, but taking care of himself emotionally was important, too.
"Anyway, um," he said. He raised his hand to his mouth, feeling slightly awkward even if he wasn't really uncomfortable, but he was smiling at her when he lowered it. "Thanks. For saving my ass, for the journal, for the hug. I think I owe you one. Or… three."
His mouth quirked up into a smile. "I should probably get back, but… it was good to see you again. And I'm sure I'll see you-- I'll come back, or you can come and find me at the inn, whenever."
---
“You know where the shop is. I wouldn’t mind it if you sent business my way.” Jack just smiled; that hint of awkward always looked good on this particular big guy.
“Com’on.” She led him back downstairs, mainly so she could lock up behind him. “You’ll see me again. There are ways to avoid the others who are in our ‘group,’ but you have to go to extremes to do so. So…you will see me again.”
She held open the door, leaning against it a little as she did so. “You know, if you wanted to frighten the women away, you could just grow a beard and stop brushing your hair. You’d look like some Grizzly Adams wildman type. Sure, some gals might go for it, but…” She laughed softly, giving a shrug.
---
"I'll do that," Sam said, smile widening with amusement. "And if you meet anyone who's looking for lodging, feel free to send them my way. And you're welcome anytime."
He wasn't looking to avoid the people in the group; it was the others that he wanted almost nothing to do with. The more time he spent around the native people here, the more he felt like he didn't fit. Not just sticking out in a crowd, either, but causing trouble wherever he went. Knowing the kind of trouble he could get into, that seemed problematic.
"I did that for a little bit," he said with a slight chuckle. "Not the beard, so much… but my hair was even longer, a few months ago." There might be something to that, though. Maybe he was too tall, too… modern, which might come across as appealing to the natives. He had no interest in appealing to the natives. "I'll take that into consideration."
---
“I’ll see you later, Sam. Be safe walking back home.” Jack was a little concerned the hunter chick would come after him in some retaliation situation, but she knew the tall guy could take care of himself, even if he didn’t always want to.
“And, don’t smile at any women. They take it as invitation.” She had to laugh and shooed him out the door.