Captivated (19 page)

"This isn't a game Katie," Sam sighed, "this is my life, my future."

"I know it is Sam, but you are the best man I know, besides Daddy of course. How could she ever see that if you lived an hour away?"

"Well I don't know how she'll see it when she lives three minutes away if she doesn't want to see me."

Katie smiled slyly, "Believe me Sam, it's impossible for her not to see you, even if she doesn't want to. I just know that you'll be able to sneak back into her good graces."

"Well, I'm not going to say thank you yet, we'll see after a couple months." he said, putting an arm around her neck pulling her close. He threw his knuckles into her hair, messing it up quite nicely, much to her dismay. "You deserved that and you know it." Kate nodded, shuffling back through the screen door leading to the house. Sam followed her in, anxious to spend more time with Grace and the rest of his family. Kate had been right, and he was glad that Lilli was closer, but this was going to be anything but easy.

Chapter 18

November 23, 1944

"Are you going to get dressed?" Sarah asked, staring strangely at Lilli, who was still in her pajamas, her hair in the curlers they had experimented with the night before.

"Is there a reason I should? You and Gracie will be gone for the day, and I'll be here, catching up on my reading."

"It's Thanksgiving, you're not staying here alone all day, you're coming with us!"

Lilli tried to stay calm, "It's alright Sarah, I will be fine here by myself. I could have gone home, don't feel bad, go enjoy your family, and if it makes you feel better, you can bring me some leftovers."

"I'll do no such think, you are family, and you're coming."

Lilli laughed at Sarah's sincerity, "I've not even been here a month, I'm not family."

Sarah reached for her hand, "You've become like a sister to me. You came to help me when you didn't even know me and I'm paying you next to nothing to be here. Gracie adores you, and so do I. I've never met a sweeter, kinder woman. You are truly a gift, please join us for Thanksgiving."

Lilli couldn't speak, she had no idea Sarah felt so strongly. She had been growing very attached to both Sarah and Gracie, but never knew Sarah had become attached too. Not realizing she was doing it, Lilli nodded her head in agreement and Sarah squealed with excitement. Sarah pulled Lilli to her feet, pushing her toward the bedroom. The moment her door closed, dread poured over her.

Sam would be there, at the very same table, surrounded by his family. She had met the whole family several times, but only briefly, and never all together. Watching them all enjoy Thanksgiving dinner might be like reading one of Sam's letters, a family she had so desperately wanted to be a part of only months ago. How would she survive?

Knowing she could not back out now, after Sarah's kind words, she said a quick prayer and got busy. She pulled out the curlers, revealing a mass of curly hair which hung to her shoulders. Laughing as she gave them a quick bounce, she pinned them back away from her face, leaving them hang down her back. She picked a plum dress with a full skirt and slipped into her brown pumps. After earrings, and a bit of blush and mascara, she was ready to go.

"My, you look wonderful!" Sarah gasped as Lilli exited her room.

"Oh please, you look just as nice as I do."

"That's very nice of you to say, but you look incredible! Maybe you'll be able to get Sam's mind off the woman that broke his heart."

Lilli felt as though she had the wind knocked out of her. "What?"

"Sam was writing to a girl while he was fighting in the war. He was an idiot and lied about something rather important, and she said she never wanted to see him again. He's still madly in love with her and sometimes we catch him moping a bit. I understand why she was so hurt, but in his defense, this was the first time he'd ever wanted a girl and he went about it the wrong way. He thought he was doing what was best, but that doesn't always translate in woman's language."

"Did he tell you her name?" Lilli asked softly.

"Hmm, what was her name, oh! You're going to laugh, I think her name was actually Lilly. I could be wrong, he only told us once when he got home, he wasn't exactly eager to talk about it. But he used to write to me about her, and told me she was the most wonderful woman in the world, of course, he didn't need to tell me that." Sarah laughed, pulling Grace's coat around her.

"Why not?" Lilli asked, trying to busy herself with the diaper bag.

"Because any woman that deserved Sam's attention would have to be pretty wonderful." Sarah sighed. "I know I'm his sister, and I'm probably biased, but I think Sam is one of the best men in the whole world. He would never take advantage, and would treat any girl of his like a princess, I don't know what woman doesn't want a man like him."

Lilli felt her cheeks flame and wished she had said no to dinner. Only a moment later, Sarah was ready to go, a bundled Grace in her arms. Lilli followed them, trying to settle her mind as they drove down the road to the big house. They arrived quickly and before they got out of the truck, Sarah noticed something was wrong.

"Is everything alright?"

"What?" Lilli asked, coming out of her thoughts at Sarah's voice.

"You look a little out of it, are you alright?"

"Oh yeah, I'm fine, just thinking. Why don't you go in, I'll get Grace."

. . .

The door opened and Sarah stepped in, greeted by the entire family in the same moment. After everyone had hugged her, they asked where Gracie was, Lilli walked in, as if on cue, the baby in her arms. Sarah took her, showing her to the aunts and uncles that had only seen her once. Everyone's attention was on Sarah and the baby except Sam's, his eyes lingered on Lilli.

She stayed close to the door, unbuttoning her trench, revealing the most flattering dress he had ever seen. When she turned to deposit her coat on the rack, her skirt flared a little at her knees, and her hair, which held more curl than usual, bounced into life every time she moved. Sarah had found her again and was introducing her to Mom mom and Pop, Aunt Tracy, Aunt Abby, Uncle Lew and Uncle Carl. When she was finished with the introductions, she settled on the couch. next to Annie.

Sam couldn't manage to take his eyes off of her, even though he knew he should. He wasn't sure when it was that her beautiful violet eyes locked with his, but after she'd held the gaze for a moment, she popped to her feet and raced down the hall. Sam was quick to follow, keenly aware of his own mistake.

"Lilli!" he called, catching her before she entered the bathroom.

"What, not content to watch me from across the room so you had to follow me to the bathroom?" she said angrily, her arms crossed over her chest.

"No! I came to apologize. I wasn't sure you were coming today, and when you walked in, I guess I didn't handle it very well. I always wanted you to meet my family, just under different circumstances."

"Circumstances where you could stare at me?"

Sam nodded, "Stare, hold your hand, keep my arm around your shoulder and parade you around the room as my girl."

"Stop."

"Ok, I'm sorry. I just wanted to say, I'll leave if you want me to, if that will make it easier."

"I couldn't ask you to leave your family on Thanksgiving."

"Well, they won't let you leave."

Lilli studied him for a moment. Sam wasn't exactly sure what she was looking for as her eyes brushed over him. "We'll both stay, but please stop staring, it's unnerving."

"I may have to speak to you at some point, to seem normal."

"Don't they all know?"

"Only Katie, and she won't give anything away, I threatened her."

Lilli laughed and Sam couldn't help smiling at the sound, "Ok, but after tonight, I'll expect you to keep your promise about keeping your distance."

"Yes ma'am."

Sam lingered in the hallway, waiting to walk her back into the room. She stayed, staring at him, "May I go to the bathroom now?"

"Oh! Yes of course, I'm sorry. I didn't realize you really needed to use it. I thought you were trying to get away from me."

"I admit, having to use the bathroom came at the perfect time."

Sam laughed, "Could I say one more thing before I go?"

"What is it?" Lilli asked, surprisingly patient.

"When you go back out there, Aunt Tracy and Mom mom are the most entertaining in our family. If you're feeling bored, or overwhelmed, go sit beside them, I guarantee you'll have fun."

"Thank you for the tip."

Sam nodded and walked down the hall, trying to keep his nerves below the surface. Uncle Lew grabbed Sam first and had his attention when Lilli re-entered the room. He watched as her eyes swept the room nervously and wanted to rush to her rescue. Thankfully, his mother captured her, ushering her toward the kitchen.

. . .

"You look lovely dear." Mrs. Carter smiled, coming to Lilli in the living room.

"Oh, thank you."

"Sarah tells me you enjoy cooking."

"Very much."

"Would you think me a horrible hostess if I asked you to keep me company while I checked a few things in the kitchen?"

"No, not at all, actually, I would enjoy a minute away from the crowd. It's a bit overwhelming out here."

"Goodness dearie, this is nothing, just wait until Christmas! There will be at least fifteen more people here, maybe more if my nephews come home like Sam did."

"That would be wonderful," Lilli said sincerely. "Can I help you with anything?"

Mrs. Carter scanned the kitchen, "Yes, you could put the cranberry sauce into that glass dish."

"Alright."

"I'll be honest Lilli, I didn't ask you to come in here to help. I wanted to ask you a question."

"Of course, anything."

"Did you know my Sam before you came here?"

Lilli was thankful to have her hands busy, "I don't understand, why do you ask?"

"Because I've never seen Sam look at a girl like he's been looking at you. Sam has always been particular about girls, I think it's because of his sisters. He never wanted to break a girl's heart because he never wanted his sisters to go through it. I'm just glad he wasn't a womanizer like his friend Joe Sinclair was."