His concern made her feel great. She wished it didn’t.
When they reached Sweet Dreams, they went left at Bronson Avenue. Darkness had fallen, but the streetlights were still on, casting a dull light onto the street. The town was silent, save for the sound of a dog barking somewhere in the distance. Like most small towns, Bygones rolled up early. Luckily, it was a mild night, with just a small breeze to clear the cobwebs from her head.
Allison consciously let herself relax. She might as well go along with him. And she did need a break. Her brain felt like mush, and her body was complaining. And who better than to play hooky with than Sam?
Oh, wow. She shouldn’t go there. This was just a break. Nothing more.
They walked the rest of the way in silence, and Allison’s tummy came alive with butterflies. Soon they stood at the edge of the park. Sam looked around. “Let’s go sit on the bench by the duck pond.”
The park was shrouded in darkness, but Sam moved confidently to the bench on the far side of the pond. At this hour, the park was deserted, and no quacks sounded from the reeds on the right side of the pond. Even the ducks, it seemed, were sleeping.
She and Sam were alone. Her heartbeat went wild.
Without a word, Sam sat, drawing her down beside him. They sat in silence for a few beats of time, and then Sam’s voice came out of the darkness.
“I’ve been thinking about you a lot.”
She wanted to say she’d been thinking about him, too. But what good would that do? “Really?”
“Yes, really. That kiss has been on my mind for sure.”
“Yeah, me, too,” she replied in all honesty. So much for keeping things under wraps.
He turned. “I’d like to do it again.”
She swallowed, trying to still her breathing. “Me, too. But…”
“But what?”
“I don’t think we should,” she said in a shaky voice. “You’re not ready for a romance, and I…”
“You’re not the kind of person to be trifled with.”
“Same goes for you,” she said. “Neither one of us should move forward unless we’re absolutely sure.”
He stayed quiet. “Of course, you’re right.”
“I wish I weren’t.”
He touched her hand and warmth tingled all the way up to her heart. “Me, too.”
She made herself be pragmatic, and not grab his hand. “Well, then, looks like we’ve worked that out.”
His jaw tightened.
“Have we really, Sam?”
“I’m scared to move forward.”
“I understand,” she said. And she did. So well it hurt. “You have to figure that out for yourself.”
All he did was nod, but uncertainty shone in his eyes.
She waited for a moment, waiting for more. Hoping…
He remained silent.
Message received. The truth hurt, but was needed. She stood, keeping her back rigid. Strong. “I need to get back to work.” Thankfully, she had that.
He rose. “I’ll walk you there.”
“Okay,” she said as she turned and headed toward Main Street.
After a bit of silence, he said, “Allison, I wish things were different.”
“Wishing isn’t enough.”
Another pause. “Yes, I guess you’re right,” he replied. “After what happened with Teresa, I should know that by now.”
“So should I,” Allison said. She was through wishing for what could never be, what Sam couldn’t allow. Even though that meant they would never have a chance.
*
The day after she’d gone to the park with Sam, Allison looked up from the front counter of Happy Endings and almost fainted.
Mom.
Allison stood, frozen in shock, as her mom came forward.
“You look surprised,” her mother said.
“I…I am,” Allison said. “You’ve never come in. And…you never leave the farm during the day.” As in, ever. Not even for her kids’ sporting events or graduations.
“I know, but, well, I needed some things from the Fixer-Upper, so I thought I’d stop by and see what you’ve been working so hard on. Amy’s talked of nothing else since the store opened.”
Allison blinked. Thank you, sis. “Um…well, great.” She gestured around, feeling surreal. “This is my store.”
Mom cast her gaze about, nodding. “Very nice. I love the shelves.”
“I made them myself,” Allison said proudly.
Her mother’s eyebrows rose. “Really? I’m impressed.”
Allison almost swooned again. Praise from her mom had been almost nonexistent. “I also did all the painting and decorating, too.”
“Wow. You’ve worked hard. It’s really nice. I especially like the color you chose for the walls.”
Allison furrowed her brow. “Mom, while I appreciate the praise about my color choices, I doubt you came here to talk about paint.”
Vera nodded. “Yes, you’re right.”
“What’s on your mind?” Allison asked, steeling herself for whatever her mom had to say.
“After I saw you at the grocery store the other day, I got to thinking, and thought I should come by and clear some things up.”
“What things?”
Mom sighed. “You obviously believe your father and I think you’re going to fail.”
All Allison could manage was a terse nod.
“Yes, well, that isn’t really accurate.”
“But…that’s what you said.”
“I know, but the truth is, we know how much hard work goes into running a business, how much it can take from a person.”
“You said some of this at the grocery store.”
“Yes, I did, but I clammed up and shouldn’t have.”
“You threw out the ‘perhaps’ code.”
“Guilty,” Mom said sheepishly. “I’ve never been good at discussing difficult things, and your father is even worse at it. That’s just the way we were raised.”
“So…?” Allison wasn’t sure where this was going.
“The thing is, we know too well how much work’s involved in what you’re doing.” Mom shoved her hands into her jeans’ pockets. “We look back on the choices we made to run our own business, and we have some regrets.”
Allison frowned. “You do?”
“For sure. We know how much we missed with you girls because of the farm.”
“You missed everything,” Allison said.
“I know. Amanda and Amy have been very vocal about us missing so much, and…Amy actually threatened to run away the other day.”
Allison dropped her jaw. “But she didn’t?”
“No, she just threatened.”
“She’s always been the one most likely to rock the boat.”
“Yes, she has. And maybe that’s a good thing. After that incident, I finally realized that they had a point. And that made me realize we don’t want the same lifestyle for you.”
Words froze in Allison’s mouth. Unbelievable. In a good way.
“I can see you’re stunned again,” her mom said with a quirk of her mouth.
“Yeah.” Allison pressed a hand to her forehead. “I wish you’d just told me this from the beginning.”
“We should have, but you know what they say about hindsight.”
“Twenty-twenty.”
“I hope it’s not too late.” Mom shook her head. “In reality, I’m really proud of you for going for what you want with this store and for doing more than just wishing for things to fall in your lap. You really took a risk and it looks like it’s going to turn out good.”
“Wow. I’m not sure what to say,” Allison replied. “I didn’t expect this.” Honestly, she would have been less surprised if it had snowed in July.
“You don’t have to say anything. Just think about what I said, all right?”
“All right.”
Mom stepped forward and pulled Allison into an awkward hug. “Thank you for hearing me out.” She pu
lled back. “You’ve done a wonderful job here. Maybe you could come out for dinner someday. Amanda has become quite the cook.”
Allison’s eyes burned. “I’d like that, too.”
Her mom turned and exited the shop, and Allison was left standing there feeling as if her world had started spinning the other way. Who would have thought her parents would come around after all these years of putting work before their family? She made a mental note to thank her sisters for calling their parents out on what was going on. They’d done what Allison had never had the courage to do.
One thing her mom had said stood out. I’m really proud of you for going for what you want with this store and for doing more than just wishing for things to fall in your lap.
There was that word again: wishing. Allison had brought up wishing last night with Sam, had said that wishing wasn’t enough to make things come true. Her mom had just said the same thing. Suddenly, Allison realized that she’d been simply wishing for Sam to love her. But she hadn’t done anything about it from her end.
She sagged against the counter.
The truth was, Sam made her feel happy, safe and cared for. When she was with him, she couldn’t imagine not being with him. Nothing made her happier.
And the twins, bless their little souls, filled her heart with pure love, and she wanted to protect them and cherish them and watch them grow.
She wanted to be their mom.
A hot chill swept up her spine. She was in love with the Franklin family. All of them. And no matter how much she tried to fight the feeling, it was useless to try to deny how she felt.
And Sam was at the center of all of it.
She was in love with Sam and she had to stop wishing for him to move forward. She had to take control of her future with him. And that meant she had to lay her heart on the line.
She had to tell him she loved him, or she’d regret it forever.
*
“Class dismissed,” Sam announced right after the final bell rang. “Don’t forget, people, the worksheets for chapter four are due on Monday, and there’ll be a pop quiz sometime next week.”
A collective groan sounded.
“I know, I know. I’m an ogre.” Sam waved. “Have a good weekend.”
The kids in his Algebra One class filed out of the classroom, talking amongst themselves, clearly eager for the weekend to start.
Johnny Tucker, a short skinny kid with glasses, stopped at Sam’s desk.
Sam straightened some papers. “What can I do for you, Johnny?”
“I’m just not getting this stuff, Mr. Franklin.” He swung a huge backpack onto his shoulder. “Any ideas about how I can get a clue?”
Sam wasn’t surprised. Johnny’s grades had fallen when they’d started chapter two and hadn’t improved since. “I’d be happy to give you some extra help at lunchtime next week.” Sam held after-school tutoring two days a week, but he knew Johnny’s mom had gone back to work to help make ends meet since Randall Manufacturing had closed and Johnny’s dad had lost his job. That meant Johnny had to go home and babysit his younger brothers every afternoon after school.
“You would?” Johnny’s narrow shoulders sagged. “That’d be great.”
“Sure.” Sam stood. “Just come by on Monday with your lunch and we’ll go over the material then. In the meantime, do your best on the worksheets, and maybe read over the chapter on the weekend.”
“Thanks, Mr. Franklin,” Johnny said. “I really appreciate it.”
Sam squeezed Johnny’s shoulder. “I know you do. And that’s what I’m here for, so don’t hesitate to let me know when you need extra help.”
Johnny agreed and left, and a feeling of satisfaction spread through Sam. For some people, math wasn’t the most thrilling subject—some found it boring, actually. But not Sam. He had always loved the logic inherent in mathematics and loved when kids made the connection and saw that. With his help, Johnny could get back on track, and Sam would rest well knowing he had made a difference.
Which was exactly why he’d become a teacher. What would he do if he lost his job? He couldn’t imagine he’d be happy doing anything else. He hoped it wouldn’t come to that.
He loved his job here.
Knowing he had a few minutes before he left to take the kids to Story Time, he sat down to check his email so he could get organized to send out notices about the upcoming parent-teacher conferences he had scheduled.
As the program lumbered along—old, slow computer—his thoughts turned to Allison. He and the kids had spent some time with her since the night he’d kissed her after the harvest festival, and he had to admit, their relationship had taken on a new dimension. And yesterday, when he’d seen her in front of Miss Mars’s store? Well, he’d wanted to take Allison in his arms and convince her to take Miss Mars’s advice. But Allison was cautious, and he understood why. They’d grown closer over the past week, despite their better judgment.
And last night? He’d sought her out at the bookstore because he hadn’t been able to stay away and hadn’t had the willpower to fight seeing her. She’d needed a break, clearly, and he’d had a big need to take care of her, to wipe away the shadows evident beneath her eyes.
One thing was clear: she was working her way into his heart, and he wasn’t sure how to stop it.
His computer pinged, indicating he had a new email, drawing his attention away from his feelings for Allison and the predicament they presented. He clicked on his in-box and saw that he’d received a message from Lakeland City School District.
With a shaky hand he double clicked and read the short email. The school district in Florida was extending him a job offer, to start in the new year!
Wow. He sat back in his chair. This had happened faster than he’d anticipated; he’d applied as backup, and had figured the online video interview was just an in-case procedure on the district’s part. But he hadn’t expected anything much to come of any of it, given the dearth of teaching jobs due to the economy and the fact that they were midway through the school year. But…here was a job. There for the taking. This was the answer to his prayers.
He rubbed his eyes, troubled. While this was positive news, the truth was that he didn’t want another job. He loved the one he had, in the town he loved, with the students he’d bonded with. Students like Johnny and Rory and Scott and so many others. He loved walking down the street and having people ask him about the team, showing interest in his boys. Just the thought of leaving Bygones made his stomach pitch.
Plus…Allison was here, and would be for the foreseeable future. She loved her job and had worked herself weary for the bookstore, for Bygones. For him, and for everybody else in town whose job was at risk. Her priorities were here. His might not be. Who knew? Nobody did, not until it became clear if the SOS Committee’s plan would work and the schools would be safe.
He put his head in his hands. He had no answers, except that an already complicated situation had just become even more complex.
A job awaited, a sure thing, his livelihood restored, his family secure. Could he really turn that down? He didn’t know.
“Sam, is everything all right?”
Sam looked up. Coraline stood in the doorway to his classroom, holding a clipboard. “Oh, hi, Coraline.”
She came into the room. She wore a bright blue skirt and jacket that was the same color as her eyes, along with sensible, low-heeled black shoes and tasteful gold-tone jewelry. “You look distressed.”
He sighed. “Well, I am dealing with a bit of a dilemma.”
“Dare I say it has something to do with Miss True?” Coraline asked, stopping in front of his desk.
He nodded. “It might.”
“You two have grown close, haven’t you?”
His stomach clenched. “You could say that.” Out of respect for Allison, he wouldn’t go into detail.
Coraline set the clipboard down. “And…that’s causing you to question your path?”
“Yes.”
“Well
, would you like my advice?”
“Would it matter if I said no?” he asked with a small smile.
She laughed. “Probably not.”
“Then fire away.” He trusted Coraline and respected her judgment, and he needed all the help he could get right now.
“I think you should pray about this, Sam. God will show you the way.”
“I have been praying.”
“But you’re still doubtful?”
“Yes. I feel like I’m being pulled in too many ways.” He wouldn’t mention the job offer right now; he needed time to think about it before he shared his news with anyone, most especially his boss.
“Well, keep praying, and have faith in God’s counsel.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Good.” She picked up her clipboard. “And, of course, I’ll pray for you, too.”
“Thank you, Coraline.”
She turned to go, then stopped and looked over her shoulder. “And one more thing, Sam.”
He looked at her.
“Look to your heart to guide you and you will never go wrong.” With a knowing smile, she left the room.
And Sam was more confused than ever.
Chapter Sixteen
“So what did you want to talk about, son? Your call sounded urgent.”
Sam looked at his dad across the table they were sitting at, next to the front window inside the Cozy Cup Café. “I’m dealing with a problem, and I need your advice.”
“Okay, what’s up?” His dad was as steady as they came, and Sam had often relied on his levelheaded guidance in the past. And now… Well, now, with his head and heart at war over a certain lovely bookstore owner, and the latest development in his backup-job search, Sam needed impartial counsel more than ever.
“I got a solid job offer from a school district in Florida I contacted last month.”
“Hey, that’s great.” His father took a sip of hot tea. “I know you’ve been worried about losing your job ever since Randall Manufacturing closed.”
“Yeah, a job offer is great. Except…”
Dad leaned in, his brow crinkled. “Except what?”
“I’m sure, given the gossip circuit in Bygones, you’ve heard that I’ve been spending some time with Allison True.” Having lived in Bygones his whole life, his father knew everybody in town.
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