by Rita Hestand
"She's nice."
"Nice? I thought maybe you two would hit it off. I mean, she is singled and so are you…"
"Well…yeah, she's nice."
"So?"
"So, nothing. Now, here comes that cute little guy you've been watching all night. I'm going to dump you in his arms…okay?" Jake turned her lose and whipped her into the boys direction.
Obviously the boy liked that move, he was asking her to dance.
Just in time the music changed to something fast and Sammie Jo backed away from the boy and began to move. Jake's eyes got big and round. Where had she learned to dance like that? He wanted to go over and shake her, no…just slow her down a bit. Thirteen year olds didn't dance like that. Did they? But his answer came when he glanced around at the other kids and saw them all moving to the music. In small little crowds so the adults wouldn't see them.
When the music stopped, Sammie Jo and her new fella walked over to the punch bowl and talked. Jake watched and sadly realized again just how much and how fast she was growing up. He sighed a little loudly.
"You're very lucky to have family like that." Samantha said as she joined him.
"Yeah, I guess I am." He reflected, looking directly at Samantha. "So how about you, do you have any kids?"
"No…"
"I'm sorry."
"No need to be, I am surrounded by them now!" she gestured about the gym.
"Yeah, I guess you are."
"And no children from the marriage?" he studied her face.
"Uh…no, no children. And you."
"No, I tried it once too, and no, there were no children."
"It didn't work out?" Samantha eyed him curiously. "I never knew you married Jake."
Her using his first name caused Jake to relax.
"Didn't last long. It was years ago." He shrugged.
"So I guess since your dad's getting married it leaves you the bachelor of the family, too." Samantha watched his face.
His glance caught hers, "Yes, a fact they remind me of every now and then."
"That probably isn't fun, but I bet you can handle it."
"You think?" he gazed into her eyes and saw something there.
"Well, according to half the population, you are one of the most eligible bachelors around?"
He studied her for a long moment. "Am I?"
"What about Laurie Beth?"
"What about her?"
"What about her? The way you were talking a while ago, I thought you and her…well, I thought…"
"Yes, exactly what did you think?" He offered her some punch and she took the glass to have something to do with her hands.
"I'm sorry. It's really none of my business." She floundered.
"You're cute when you're flustered." he suddenly smiled. "Come on, let's dance."
"Oh but…"
"Look," he smiled down into those wide green eyes, "I sat over there, in that corner almost every dance when I was a kid. But I'm no kid anymore, I want to dance, and as far as I can see, you're about the prettiest girl in the room, save for my niece of course. So humor me will ya, let's dance. Or act like we can."
She couldn't stop the smile, and he took her hand and led out on the floor. The kids watched in fascination.
"You know of course the kids will talk about this…" She whispered at his ear.
"Good, but we really should give them something to talk about. Now…tell me about this ex-husband of yours," he whispered against her hair as he pulled her into his arms. "What have you got against policemen anyway?"
"It's not that…it's just. Well, my ex loved his work…too much. He left me, night after night. A stakeout, an investigation, it was always something. I suppose I should have known better, that it would be that way. But it was hard to handle after a while."
"How did you ever manage to date him, then?"
Samantha looked at Jake with surprise. "I guess I didn't realize it until now, but I made time for that. I'd meet him and have a hot dog. I'd visit him at his office. We stole a few moments. I never realized it would be a lifetime affair."
"I can see where that might get pretty old."
"There was no time for children either, and I wanted them…he didn't."
The lights suddenly dimmed for the next song, and he pulled her a little tighter. "As a teacher," he glanced into her eyes before he propped his cheek onto hers, "you should know there are exceptions to every rule. I'm not the average kind of lawman. I don't have big important assignments, and the desperados in my town usually carry a purse and can hit you over the head before you know what's happened."
"I…suppose you're right." She answered with a breathless laugh. She quickly changed the subject. "So how goes the law thing."
"The law thing? Hmmm. My, I must be the talk of the town, these days." Jake voice carried a seriousness to it.
"I think it's been mentioned to my mother about a dozen times how you've passed the bar exam and just a matter of time before you join the firm here in town, by all the gossips in town. Are you excited about that?"
"Not as much as I should be, I expect." Jake sighed a little too heavily.
When she looked into his indigo eyes he smiled, "I'm sorry honey, but to answer your question, I haven't decided yet. I passed the bar, that's true. But I'm not sure I'm going into law…."
"Oh…" she felt suddenly tongue-tied. Had he called her honey?
"You know something; I should have gotten the courage to ask you to dance a long time ago. I mean it isn't every day I dance with a girl and I don't have to stoop over to have her head on my shoulder." He looked at her and winked. "Would you have accepted back then?"
She looked at him and relaxed for just a second. "Maybe, but I doubt it."
This time he smiled brightly at her.
The music was over, but they were still talking.
As he pulled her arm toward the punch bowl, he glanced at his niece and then back at Samantha.
"So…why did you take the exam, if you aren't going into law? I mean, why bother?" Her face was a mask of questions.
Jake's frown knitted his brow and he sucked in air as he tried to answer with honesty. "I took it because it was expected" There, he'd said it. "Because I owe my family respect and I don't know, just to see if I could pass the darn thing. I guess. It was not my main ambition, never really had been. I haven't completely decided what I'm going to do, although, I've got some ideas of my own, if they pan out."
He looked down at her perplexed face. "I guess I'm confusing you, huh? Well, don't you worry, I'm a little confused myself."
She seemed puzzled. "Jake," she looked at him seriously, "Knowing what a great family you have, I don't see why you couldn't just tell them, you don't want to go into law practice."
"You're right about being a great bunch of family. They are. But somehow by telling Dad I feel as though I'm letting him down. I don't want to do that. I've got a few decisions to make, that's why I've decided to take a sort of sabbatical for the time being from my work. Some thinking time, you might say."
"Really, you're not going home then for a while?"
"Not for a while, no…" He beamed a glorious smile at her and she weakened in his arms and let him guide her across the floor again as the music started up again.
They talked for a long while and before they knew it, the party was over. Samantha felt guilty that she hadn't paid enough attention to the kids though.
Jake knew he wasn't ready for the night to end, but he couldn't think of anything to forestall her.
"It's been a pleasure, I wouldn't mind repeating," he smiled into her eyes.
"Goodnight, Jake."
"I had a wonderful time," Sammie Jo smiled at them both.
All the way home Sammie Jo was looking at Jake as though he had grown two heads, then she blurted it out. "You like Mrs. Courtland, don't you?"
"Sure I do honey, why wouldn't I?"
Sammie Jo laughed.
"Did you invite her to grandpa's wedding?" Sammie Jo
asked.
"Actually, I did mention it yes. But I didn't officially invite her, more or less assumed she'd come." Jake started the truck as they pulled out of the school parking lot.
"Well, you better get around to it, or it will be too late…."
"You're impossible," Jake laughed.
"But you love me…"
"Yes, I do…"
Chapter Four
She stared at the invitation as though it were a snake, about to bite her. How could she go? It was this Saturday, and she couldn't get out of it, it would be too rude. But after all these years, Jake Travers was still the only man who could make her sizzle with just a look. How could a man hold such a power over a woman? It wasn't fair. Problem was, she wasn't some starry eyed kid anymore. She was a grown woman, she'd been married for heaven's sake, and she was still just as turned on by Jake as ever. Would this hopeless attraction never end? Good grief she'd barely signed the divorce papers and here she was flirting with Jake.
Maybe she wouldn't go. But that would be so rude of her since Rusty made sure she was invited. Somehow she was going to have to learn to live around Jake Travers. But how? Going to dinner with him that once was enjoyable, and she felt as though he really wanted to open up to her. When they put the past aside, it was easy to talk to him.
"Why God?" she looked to the heavens for an answer. "Why is he the one man I can't get over?"
"It's Jake again, isn't it?" her mother wandered into her bedroom and looked at her daughter.
"Oh Mom, how can I be so stupid? After all these years?"
"I wouldn't call it stupid dear. Jake's a fine young man, and most girls would be taken with him. Maybe he's the right man, after all." Her mother smiled. "Ever think that might be why God keeps throwing you into his life?"
"After all this time?" Samantha sighed heavily and sat on the edge of her bed, the invitation dangling from her fingertips.
"You're going to have to find a way to be around him, dear. He's a big part of the community. Even though he works in Peaceful, he's home for every occasion. He's a Travers, a family man."
"Don't you think it's odd, that he's such a family man and not married by now?"
"Well, sometimes the better they are, the harder it is to catch them." Her mother chuckled.
"It's really me, Mom, not him. He's the only man in this whole world who can turn me inside out with one glance. It's like nothing has changed since I went to school with him. And it's been that way since high school. Even with him taunting me. But you know, it's funny, he said he hadn't paid any attention to my weight when I was younger, he wanted my attention. And he got it, just not like he wanted. I guess I'm guilty of sort of running him off. But honestly, it isn't fair how he affects me. What should I do?"
"I don't really know, hon, I've never had that problem. When I met your dad, I just sorta gave into it. All that man had to do was wiggle his finger and I was there. I felt just as helpless as you, only I didn't fight it."
"If it was real love, maybe I would…give into it, but it's not. It's some kind of weird chemistry, that's all. I go to mush when he's around, and my tongue isn't my own. I'm a complete shrew around him. What can I do?"
"Stop being a shrew." Her mother waved a hand and laughed. "Quit fretting about it. It's very natural. And it does me good to see you taking interest again."
"Taking interest?" Samantha stared at her mother. "Mom I just signed the divorce papers a few weeks ago. The ink hasn't had time to dry on that relationship."
"Oh now, Samantha, Pete was history long before those papers arrived and you know it. It was a mistake, but now you have a new chance. Just because Pete was a mistake, doesn't mean you can't make a wonderful marriage with someone else." Her mother hung up another dress laying another on the bed and then sat on the edge of the bed to watch her.
"Oh now Mom, you aren't getting your hopes up about Jake are you?" Samantha watched her mother closely, knowing the answer as she studied her face. "You are…"
"I'm hopeful, yes… " She shrugged. "So sue me, I like Jake. I always have. I remember how it was falling in love. A woman never gets too old to remember."
"If Jake's avoided marriage this long, he's not about to go for it now." she cried aloud. "If he ever found out I'd cared for him all this time, I'd die, Mom." She cried looking at her dress in the mirror.
"Why dear? I think he'd be flattered."
"Because, he might guess how I really feel, and that would be…just so embarrassing."
"Not if he felt the same way…" Her mother patted her arm, to console her.
"But he doesn't."
"Are you so sure?" Her mom furrowed her brow.
"Yes Mom, of that I am sure. Oh, I'm so selfish, sitting here worrying about something so silly, when you…" Her words stopped almost soon enough.
"Love is never foolish dear. And I have a feeling there is more to this man than meets the eye. Try to control your mouth, and let nature takes its course." Her mother smiled gently at her. "And quit fretting about me. I have cancer, but I’m not dead yet. We've moved back home now, and I have a ton of friends I can call on. I've gotten reacquainted at the church the other day, and have a few plans of my own, you know."
"Of course you aren't dying. I didn't mean to infer. I just worry about you so." Samantha cried again. "The chemo has made you so much weaker. But I have to admit, I am so proud of your attitude, Mom. I am proud of you in every way. I wish I had your courage. I wish I had your grit. If I did, it might be easier to get along with Jake."
"Thanks. I decided when I was told that I could mope and feel sorry for myself, or I could buck up and get real. But it's better than it was years ago. Now they have medicine that helps with the nausea. And they can give me things when my blood count goes down, to bring me back up. It's tolerable at least. And I'm gaining strength every day. I have every reason to live to a ripe old age."
"You are such a brave woman. I only hope I can be like you." Samantha cried and hugged her mother to her. "I love you, mama."
"I know kitten, and I'd love to see some grandchildren."
"Grandchildren?" Samantha's face went white.
"Well stop worrying. I'm fine for now, and God will take care of me when the time comes." Her mother patted her on the arm. "You know, I noticed Jake at church this past Sunday. Did you see him?"
"Yes, he seemed absorbed though, he didn't see me." Samantha said glancing out the patio door.
"I noticed that too. I like that young man." Her mother smiled. "He's in law, he goes to church and he loves his family, what's not to love about him?"
"You are a hopeless romantic…." Samantha managed to laugh, and leaned to hug her mother. "You know Mom, I need you, and I need your wisdom, your guidance, and…your sense of humor."
"I'm not going anywhere, yet, dear. Now don't fret about that invitation. Just go, and enjoy yourself. Try looking at Jake like any other man. And enjoy the experience. Who knows, maybe it will lead to something, and I have a feeling that Jake isn't at all like Pete. Oh, don't worry. Besides, I have an invitation too, so I'll be with you, dear."
"I'll try, I really will," Samantha promised. "I'm so glad you are going."
"Why, I wouldn't miss seeing Bertha take her vows for anything. She's been alone so long. She deserves this."
***
Samantha was getting supplies for her office when she bumped into Jake again.
"Oh, Jake, how are you?" She tried to sound natural. What was the man doing at Wal-Mart? It was the last place she expected to see him, shopping.
"I'm fine. Just getting some last minute project supplies for the kids," he held up the poster boards.
"How nice of you to take care of such things for them." Samantha remarked casually.
"I may not have kids of my own, but I'd do about anything for my nieces and nephews." Jake chuckled, putting the poster board into the buggy.
"You should have had some of your own." she inserted her foot into her mouth.
"So I've bee
n told." He adjusted his hat. "So is my niece doing better in class now?"
Samantha reddened, "Yes, I suppose."
"Uh-oh, that sounds ominous. What has she done now?" He asked pushing his hat back on his head.
"Nothing…I mean…not really. It's just…"
"Go on, tell me, better for me to hear than Deke and Emma." Jake said.
Samantha looked around her, coming closer she whispered. "Well, it seems…well, she's pairing you and I together now. I've done everything to discourage her but she seems determined to bring you up every chance she gets."
"Really," he smiled. He studied her a minute, then pulled her by the elbow out of the line of traffic and leaned into her a bit. "What'd say we grab a coke and talk about it?"
"Oh really, it's nothing to worry about." Samantha squirmed being this close was dangerous. Dangerous because she couldn’t' take her eyes off Jake.
"I've got an idea, and I think, if you co-operate a little, it might stop her once and for all," he smiled.
"Well…okay, a Coke would be good." Samantha nodded as he pulled her with him.
"Good," he nodded at the McDonalds inside the Wal-Mart. "This good enough?"
"Well, yes, of course," she said before he pushed both their buggies away and took her arm.
He ordered for them and they sat at a table in the back, so they could talk.
"You know, there's only one way to cure her of this." He insisted as though he knew exactly how to handle this situation.
"Oh…glad you figured something out, I hadn't."
"We'll just have to play along," Jake said with a smile that tempted Samantha's sanity.
"Play along?" Samantha nearly choked on her soda.
"It's the only way to put a stop to it." Jake insisted. "I won't be home that long, I don't suppose, so it won't take any major acting on our part, but I think we should play right into her little scheme. Are you game?"
"Jake, I'm not sure…"
"Well, to make it look good, we'll date all week, be seen at the wedding together, by then she should be good and snared into our little trap." Jake chuckled.
"Oh but, there has to be another way to stop her from this foolishness," Samantha said, as a worry wrinkle creased her forehead.