She stared at him for a long moment, looking into his eyes until she felt weak. “When did you learn to start saying the right things? You might need to have a little bit of patience with me sometimes, but I am ready. I’m ready for you, and I’m ready for this.”
And she kissed him until they fell over onto the bed, and the fear was gone. Her body was on fire, and she discovered that not only had Sam learned the right words to say, he also knew the right things to do.
Epilogue
Cara wakes up and stretches, and immediately notices something different—Sam is gone. Her hand reaches out to his side of the bed and discovers cold sheets. He’s been gone for a while then. Good. He’s an infuriatingly annoying man, and it’s best that he’s not here. There’s a limit to how much of him she can put up with, and she’s already reached it.
The light coming in through the window is soft and grey—it’s snowing again. If the weather forecast is correct, there’s going to be another six inches on the ground by the afternoon. She is glad she doesn’t have to go to the inn today; she doesn’t want to cross-country ski, and she can’t use a snowmobile anymore.
She gets out of bed slowly and carefully, but she doesn’t even make it all the way down the stairs before Sam comes running. Ugh. So he’s still home. He’s the last person she wants to deal with.
“Cara, what are you doing? Go back to bed.” He reaches for her, and she pushes his hand away.
She doesn’t want to be touched by anybody, especially him. Everything about him annoys her.
“Leave me alone, Sam. I hate you,” she tells him, and instead of being hurt, he laughs. That annoys her even more. She wishes there were some sort of weapon handy as she sits down heavily on the bottom stair.
“I know you do. That’s why I called Elaine and told her I’m bringing the kids over today.”
“I like the kids. It’s you I can’t stand.”
“I know.” If anything, his grin gets even bigger. She’d like to smack it right off his face, but she can’t because Cindy and Robbie come running out of the kitchen and she doesn’t want to hit their dad in front of them. Not that she’d ever hit him, but the urge is strong, especially when he keeps looking at her with that obnoxious smile.
“Mommy, we were making you breakfast in bed,” Cindy shouts excitedly. “Daddy let me do the eggs all by myself.” She is wearing the little apron Sam gave her for Christmas last year. Her curly hair is messy. Sam never remembers to comb it properly.
“Then we go to Grandma’s,” Robbie yells with glee. “I bringing my cars!” He is clutching his favorite toys in a bag in his fists. He has Sam’s eyes, and they are filled with excitement.
“Why are you taking them to Elaine’s?” she asks crossly. It’s a Tuesday, so the inn is closed, making it their family time. They’re supposed to spend the day together. Leave it to Sam to selfishly change their plans without discussing it with her first.
“Because Paddy is watching Violetta while Fabio and Amy are at his immigration appointment in St. Paul, and he can’t handle all three of the kids. And because I’m taking you to the mainland.”
“I don’t want to go to the mainland,” she informs him. “I don’t want to go anywhere with you.”
“Tough.” He is so infuriatingly happy. “I’ve been through this with you twice already, Cara Vervaine. The first sign of labor is you start to hate me. You’re past thirty-six weeks. That’s full term for twins. I think they’re coming out soon. I already called your doctor, and she agreed. I’ve got your hospital bag packed, and immediately after you eat breakfast, we’re dropping the kids off and heading to the docks.”
“I hate you, Sam,” she tells him again, but they both know she doesn’t mean it. She feels a sudden rush and looks down. “And damn it, you’re right. My water just broke.”
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What happens next for Cara and Sam?
Find out in the short story sequel,
Say the Words
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www.saralafontain.com/saythewords
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sara LaFontain is usually in Tucson, but you can find her more easily at www.saralafontain.com or fb.me/saralafontainauthor
That Last Summer (Whispering Pines Island Book 1) Page 30