Sam felt as anxious as a new father in the delivery room. He loved spending time with Sammy, listening to his wise, little-boy view of the world and the daily drama of an eight-year-old boy. After promising Libby he would be here when Sammy got home, she’d reluctantly gone to her room to take a nap.
Sam had gone to her bedroom several times to check on her, and each time, it became harder and harder to walk away. Standing beside her bed, watching her sleep, was his miracle. He’d given up hope years ago of ever seeing her again, and now, with the growing chance of renewing their relationship, he found it hard to stay away. He glanced at the clock. Sammy would be here any minute. With a regretful sigh, he leaned down and very gently kissed the side of her cheek before walking away.
He was on his way back into the living room when his cell phone began to ring. He answered it quickly, not wanting the sound to wake Libby.
“Hello?”
“Sam, it’s me.”
Sam started to smile. “Hey, Mom. How’s it going?”
“I’m not the one with the interesting life,” she snapped. “How’s it going down there?”
He grinned. Typical of his mother. No messing around. “It’s all good. I’m at Libby’s right now, but she’s taking a nap and Sammy’s due to come home from school any time.”
“I want to meet my grandson.”
Sam sighed. He’d been expecting this and, truthfully, there was no reason now that she couldn’t.
“So come meet him.”
“Really? Is it all right now? Is Libby up for company?”
“Sure. And Sammy is really excited to know he has a grandmother, just like his best friend Pete.”
“Oh my,” Gracie said, and then started to cry.
“Mom, don’t cry,” Sam said.
“I’m not sad. I’m just overwhelmed,” Gracie said.
“We all are. Now tell me when you’re coming and I’ll get you a room at the same motel I’m staying at.”
“Um…well…I’m already packed.”
“It’s too late in the day for you to start out now, don’t you think?”
“No. I can get halfway there tonight. I already have a room booked in a motel. I can be there by noon tomorrow. And since tomorrow is Saturday, I thought…”
“You’re right. It’s a perfect day for meeting a grandson.”
“I’m bringing presents,” she warned.
Sam grinned. “For me?”
She snorted.
He laughed.
“I’m bringing birthday presents and Christmas presents…for Libby and for Sammy…one for each year and each holiday that I’ve missed. That way, when Christmas comes around this year, I’ll be caught up.”
Emotion caught Sam unawares. “That’s great, Mom. Drive safe, and call me tonight so I’ll know you reached your motel safely.”
“Okay. See you tomorrow. I love you, Sam.”
“Love you, too, Mom.”
Then the connection between them was gone. Sam dropped his cell phone back into his pocket, but before he could dwell on the call, the front door opened.
“Hi, Daddy! I’m home!”
Breath caught at the back of Sam’s throat. Those were four of the most amazing words he’d ever heard.
“Hi, Sammy. Did you have a good day?” Sam asked.
Sammy nodded. “Yep. Pete got a bloody nose at recess. His Grandma Kate had to bring him a clean shirt and everything.”
“Oh, man, that’s too bad. Did he hurt himself?”
“Naw…he just picked his nose too much, I think.”
Sam stifled a grin. Too much information…but he’d asked.
“Where’s Mama?” Sammy asked.
“She’s taking a nap,” Sam said. “Are you hungry?”
Sammy’s eyes widened. “Yeah! How did you know?”
“I was always hungry when I came home from school, too.”
“You were? Wow! That’s so cool, Daddy! We really are a lot alike, aren’t we?”
“Yes, it looks like we are,” Sam said, as his son’s face suddenly blurred before his eyes. Sam glanced away so his son wouldn’t know he was crying.
“Do you have homework?” Sam asked.
“A little bit,” Sammy said.
“So, go wash your hands, then bring your homework into the kitchen. We can eat our snack and do homework at the same time while your mother finishes her nap, okay?”
“Yeah!” Sammy cried, and stormed down the hall, oblivious to the fact that he needed to be quiet for his sleeping mother.
Sam swiped at the tears in his eyes, then headed for the kitchen.
A few minutes later, Sammy burst into the room, saw the bowls of ice cream on the table and slapped his hands together in a gesture of delight.
“Oh boy! Ice cream! I love ice cream!”
“That’s what your mom told me,” Sam said, as Sammy scooted into his chair and grabbed his spoon.
“And it’s chocolate! My favorite!” Sammy said, as he shoved the first bite into his mouth. “Umm, good. We don’t have ice cream except at special occasions,” Sammy said.
“That was in the past,” Sam said. “From now on, you and your mama can have ice cream any time you want it. I promise.”
Sammy’s eyes widened in disbelief. “For real?”
“For real,” Sam said, and then took a bite of his ice cream as well. “Umm, you’re right. It is good.”
“Yeah. I know my ice cream,” Sammy said, and took another bite.
At that, Sam laughed out loud.
“So…Daddy…can I ask you something?”
“Sure,” Sam said, as he, too, dug into the chocolate ice cream.
“How good are you at fractions?”
“As it happens, I’m real good at all kinds of math,” Sam said.
Sammy nodded, as if something had just been confirmed for him. “You know what?” he asked.
“What?” Sam said.
“It’s gonna be real handy having a daddy.”
Sam couldn’t help it. He laughed out loud again.
It was at that point that Libby walked into the kitchen.
“Hey, guys. What am I missing? I could hear you two laughing all the way down the hall.”
“Mama! Guess what?”
“What?” Libby said, as she slid into the chair beside her little boy and gave him a kiss on the top of his head.
“Daddy said we can have ice cream anytime we want it, and he’s good at math. I think we hit the jackpot!”
Sam and Libby looked at each other at the same moment, then at the same time, burst into laughter.
“I think I’m the one who hit the jackpot,” Sam added
and pushed his bowl of ice cream toward Libby. “Take mine, honey. I’m suddenly full to overflowing.”
Libby felt warm all over. She knew what he meant had nothing to do with food. Sam Holt was slowly but surely worming his way back into her heart.
“Oh. There’s one more thing you two should probably know,” Sam said.
Libby paused with the bite of ice cream part way to her mouth.
“Like what?” she asked.
“My mom is on her way here to meet Sammy, and to see you again, Libby. She should be here around noon tomorrow. Hope you’re okay with that.”
Sammy’s eyes widened as he glanced up at Libby. “Mama! Is it okay? I sure do wanna meet my grandma. Then Pete and I would be just alike.”
Libby sighed. Once more, another absence in Sammy’s life was being filled.
“Of course!” Libby said. “It’s absolutely okay.”
“Great,” Sam said. “In fact, I just remembered I promised to get her a motel reservation. Excuse me while I make that call.”
Sam got up from the table with a wink at Sammy and touched Libby’s head as he passed. Then he was gone.
Libby shuddered. It felt as if all the air had gone out of the room. Then she focused her attention on Sammy.
“So…did you have a good day at school?”
Sammy nodded. “Yep. I was telling Daddy…Pete got a bloody nose and…”
Libby listened to her little boy rattle on about the day in his life, but she was also wondering what it would be like to see Gracie Holt again. The one time they’d met, she’d felt a connection. She hoped it would still be there.
S
AMMY HAD BEEN STANDING
at the window for almost an hour, watching for Gracie Holt’s arrival. “Is that her car?” he yelled, as an unfamiliar sedan turned the corner and started down the street.
It wasn’t the first time he’d asked the question, but Sam came to look again, just as he had the last four times Sammy had asked. He walked up behind him, slid a hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze.
“Nope. That’s not it, either,” Sam said. He’d driven his mother’s car here and knew she’d been driving her sister’s extra car, a red Toyota, ever since.
“Aww, man,” Sammy muttered.
“Remember, I said her car was red. That will be an easy one to spot.”
“Oh, yeah. Red.”
“She’ll be here soon, son. She called less than an hour ago, remember?”
Sammy nodded, and turned back to the window. All of a sudden, a red car turned the corner.
“Daddy! Daddy! That one’s red! Do you think it’s her? Do you think it’s my grandma?”
Sam looked out the window, then sighed. Thank goodness. “Yep. That’s her,” he said.
Sammy bounced, then started yelling. “Mama! Mama! Grandma’s here!”
Libby came hurrying out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. Sam sighed. She looked as anxious as Sammy, but with a tinge of panic.
“It’s all good,” Sam reminded her.
Libby managed a smile. “I know. It’s just been a long time.”
“Trust me,” Sam said. “You are so going to become the princess in her life.”
Libby sighed. “Considering I’ve never been anyone’s princess before, I might be liking that.”
“You can be mine,” Sam said. “All you have to do is say the word.”
Libby smiled, but didn’t answer and Sam had to be satisfied with that.
He couldn’t change the past, but he intended to spend the rest of his life making sure Libby never wanted for anything again—including love. But right now, it was his son who was demanding their attention.
“She’s here!” Sammy shrieked. “Come on, guys. We need to go out to meet her, right?”
“He’s right. We need to go out and meet her,” Sam said, and held out his hand. Libby hesitated briefly, then took it.
Together, the three of them went outside. Sam never let go of Libby. He wanted her to know she no longer had to face anything alone.
At that point, Gracie Holt got out of her car, waving and crying all at the same time.
“Hello, everyone! I didn’t think I’d ever get here!”
Suddenly Sammy got shy. Libby saw the look on his face and put her hand on his head and then whispered in his ear.
“She’s just as nervous as you are, honey. We’ll have to help her feel welcome, okay?”
Sammy’s eyes widened, and then he nodded.
“Come on, Sammy. We’re gonna have to help her carry stuff in,” Sam said.
“Her suitcases?”
“No. She’s not staying here, remember. But knowing your grandma, I’m betting she brought presents.”
A huge grin spread across Sammy’s face as Gracie approached. Sam went to meet her, then walked with her to the porch.
“Mom, you remember Libby.”
“Absolutely,” Gracie said. “Are you well enough to hug?”
Libby grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”
“No ma’ams between us,” Gracie said. “Either Gracie or Mom. Whichever feels best,” she said and then enveloped her in a hug only a mother could give, holding her close and kissing her cheek before letting go.
Libby was reeling from the overwhelming feeling of acceptance when Gracie turned to Sammy. She could see Gracie Holt’s nervousness, but gave her credit for maintaining a calm in the face of such an emotional moment.
“Hi, Sammy. My name is Gracie Holt. Your daddy was my little boy, so that makes you my grandson and me your grandmother, right?”
Sammy nodded.
“Do you think I might give you a hug?” she asked.
Sammy grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”
As Gracie hugged him, she said, “I’ve been wanting a grandson for the longest time and didn’t know I already had one. So, do you think you might like to call me Grandma?”
“Yeah!” Sammy said, and began to unload everything he’d been thinking. “Now I have a grandma just like Pete. You’ll like, Pete, Grandma. He and his brother Charlie live with their grandma. They call her Grandma
but I call her Grandma Kate, ’cause she’s a grandma, only she’s not mine. And it’s not polite to call your elmers by their first name. I think you two would be friends because you both have gray hair and like little boys.”
“Elders,” Libby said, while trying not to laugh. “It’s not elmers, it’s elders.”
“Oh, yeah. Right,” Sammy said.
“I can’t wait to meet Pete and Charlie…and Grandma Kate,” Gracie said.
“I knew that’s what you’d say,” Sammy said.
“I hope you’re hungry,” Libby said. “With Sam’s help, dinner is ready.”
“I’m hungry and happy and feel like I’m walking on air,” Gracie said. “And…I have a car full of presents. One for every birthday and Christmas I’ve missed in both your lives.” Then she handed the car keys to Sam. “Maybe you and Sammy could carry them in while I go wash up. They’re in the trunk.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Sam said.
Sammy frowned. “Wait, Daddy. You’re not supposed to call her ma’am, remember?”
Sam laughed as he ruffled Sammy’s hair. “Come on. Let’s go carry in those presents while I explain the reasons for when you say ma’am, and when you don’t.”
“Okay,” Sammy said. He was still talking when Gracie and Libby went inside.
Immediately, Gracie hugged Libby again, then cupped her face. “Honey, I have to tell you this while we have a few moments alone. I won’t delve into whatever was between you and Sam that made you deal with all this on your own, but I’m sorry you didn’t feel comfortable enough with me, either, to have let me help.”
Once more, Libby felt sideswiped by the love. “I know I made mistakes,” Libby said. “And truthfully, most of it
had to do with always having been on my own. I didn’t know how to share my feelings, whether they were troubled or painful. Having Sammy has changed a lot of that. Growing up did the rest.”
Gracie sighed, and then nodded. “Enough said. So, point me to the bathroom. I’m thinking we’re going to eat the fastest meal on record, or open presents first. It’s your call.”
Libby grinned. “The food will keep. I doubt if we could say the same for Sammy if I asked him to wait until after dinner. Bathroom is down the hall on the left. We will wait for you to get back.”
T
HE LIVING ROOM FLOOR
was littered with bits of wrapping paper, ribbon and presents. The laughter coming from the kitchen was evidence of the joy within Libby Farraday’s small house. A little boy’s promise made to his mother in hopes of keeping her alive had changed three people’s worlds forever.
That night when Libby put Sammy to bed, he slept with the present his grandma had given him for his first birthday—a black-and-white stuffed panda. The rest of his gifts were scattered around the room, including what had been deemed a “cool” Lava Lamp that continually “burped” red and black blobs and a Star Wars poster.
After reading Sammy his good-night story, Sam and Gracie left to get her settled in at the motel. Libby walked through the house, picking up bits of wrapping paper and making sure everything was locked up, but her thoughts were not on the neatness of the rooms. Today had been a turning point—in more ways than one. Sammy hadn’t just gained a grandmother. He and Libby had become members of a family—a really big family. Now Sammy not only had a father, he had a grandparent, aunts, uncles and, as Gracie
said, a whole slew of cousins. It boggled the mind. Knowing this filled Libby’s heart to overflowing and gave her a sense of peace she’d never had. If anything ever happened to her again, Sammy would never be alone.
She passed a mirror on the way to the kitchen to turn off the lights, then backed up and stopped, staring intently at her reflection. Her scars were fading. Her face looked the same, but she would never be the same again. Sam was back in her life, and if she trusted his words, he was here to stay. But could she trust him enough to chance heartbreak again? And if she didn’t, how would she deal with the guilt of walking away from him a second time?
She blinked slowly, then closed her eyes, thinking back over the past week. When she opened them again, she could see that the face was still the same, but she wasn’t. A decision had been made.
G
RACIE LEFT
on Monday, but not before meeting Kate, Pete and Charlie, and forming a bond with Kate Wyatt that surprised them both. And she’d elicited a promise from Sam and Libby that, despite whatever they decided about their own relationship, they would all spend Christmas with her at her home in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. It was going to be their chance to meet the “rest of the family.”
Sam had watched his mother drive away, then left to take Sammy to school, promising Libby that he’d be right back. Libby knew he wanted to talk. And she did, too. There were things needing to be said that had been festering for eight years.
S
AM KNEW
something had changed with Libby and he was scared. He’d seen the look on her face as he and Sammy were driving away. She said she’d be waiting for his return. He didn’t know what that meant, but he was
prepared to face the consequences, whether he liked them or not. He drove back to the house with a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. The rest of his life hinged on what happened afterward. He parked in the driveway, then headed for the porch. But when he got inside, he couldn’t find her.
“Libby! Where are you?” Sam called, as he shut the front door behind him.
“In here,” she said. “In the bedroom. Could you come here a minute?”
“Sure,” he said, striding toward her bedroom with an easy stride. The door was ajar. He pushed it inward, then froze. Libby was standing at the foot of the bed, wearing a towel. If there was anything on beneath it, he couldn’t tell. “Uh…sorry, I—” Then he took a deep breath and started over. “What was it you needed, honey?”
“You.”
Sam’s heart stopped, then kicked in so hard he momentarily lost his breath.
“Oh…baby…”
“I love you, Sam Holt. I always have. I’m saying this now because after today we’re never going to discuss the past again.”
Sam nodded, then sat down.
Libby waved a finger at him. “Start pulling stuff off. What I have to say won’t take long.”
He didn’t have to be told twice. “I’m listening,” he said, pulling off his boots.
“We both made mistakes eight years ago, but having Sammy wasn’t one of them. You shouldn’t have said what you said to me. You should have trusted me.”
“I know, and—”
She held up her finger. “I’m not through and you still have on too many clothes.”
He popped the snap on his jeans and began pulling them off one leg at a time as Libby continued.
“I should have let you know I was pregnant. Even if you’d doubted Sammy’s paternity, you would have known the truth once you saw him. He’s practically a clone of you. You deserved to know and I took that away from you, so we’re both at fault. We were young and stupid. We are no longer young and stupid. We’re parents. Our first obligation, for the rest of Sammy’s childhood, is to him. Understood?”
He nodded as he tossed his jeans on top of his shirt. He had his thumb in the waistband of his briefs when he paused.
“Is it my turn now?”
She eyed the briefs and the arousal beneath, then, unable to answer, met his gaze and just nodded.
He took off the briefs and put on a condom, then walked toward her. Just before he touched her, she dropped the towel.
Sam picked her up and laid her on the bed. “Libby, sweetheart, I promise, I will love and trust you forever.”
Libby put her arms around his neck. “That’s a promise I expect you to keep,” she said softly.
Sam groaned, then leaned down and captured her lips with his. She was as sweet as he’d remembered, but better. He stroked her body over and over, mapping the contours and valleys that he’d once known so well, until their lovemaking became wild and their bodies were bathed in sweat.
Libby grasped his face between the palms of her hands, deepening a kiss until they were both gasping for breath. When Sam cupped her breast, she encircled his arousal with her hand, bringing them both to a quick and burgeoning need.
“Now, Sam. Take me now,” she finally begged, and he did.
The moment he filled her, Libby cried, “So long…so long,” and then she arched her back and, together, they began to move. The climax built quickly, coming to a boiling point so fast it was scary. All of a sudden Libby lost control.
Sam felt her give way, bathing him in heat. It was all it took to push him over. With one final thrust, he shattered. When he found the strength to move, he cradled her in his arms and rolled onto his side, still holding her close.
Libby’s heart was pounding as she came down from the sexual high, but she knew in her heart she’d done the right thing. For better or worse, she loved Sam Holt.
“So, what do you have to say?” she finally asked.
“Will you marry me?”
Libby closed her eyes as a satisfied sigh slid through her lips.
“I thought you’d never ask.”
L
IBBY’S WORLD
was in a tizzy. Thanks to Sam’s intervention on her behalf, she had a new car and a lawyer who was working on a monetary settlement that was most likely going to be enough to put Sammy through college someday.
She’d finally been released to go back to work at Faye’s Floral Fantasies, and when she had, Sam had taken the opportunity to take Gracie’s car back to Broken Bow. Then he flew back to his place in Dallas to pick up his SUV, close up the condo, and have his things shipped to Azalea.
During the three days he was gone, Libby had felt aimless, unable to focus, constantly watching the driveway, hoping to see him drive up. For the past eight years, she’d focused every ounce of energy she had on being the best mother she could be, and had taken pride and satis
faction in a job well done. And then Sam Holt had walked back into her life and reminded her she was also a woman.