River of Love

by Melissa Foster

  “Even so, he opened my eyes. Every goddamn person in this town sees me as that guy, and I don’t give a rat’s ass about having to prove them all wrong. But I do care about how it’ll affect Faith.”

  “So what’s the plan?” Ty asked.

  Sam shrugged, heading for another trail, not yet ready to stop torturing himself. “To be myself. That’s the only person I know how to be, and the fact that it’s a different guy from the one everyone expects doesn’t mean shit. All that matters is that Faith comes out of this unscathed at the end of the day.”

  “Nah, you’ve got that wrong,” Nate said. “What matters is that she comes out feeling even more confident about your relationship, which she will. Because you’ve never set your sights on a damn thing and half-assed it.”

  They ran together a few miles and spent the last twenty minutes giving one another shit about everything and nothing, which helped Sam get out of his own head. As the sun crept over the horizon, he broke away and headed home.

  He looked out over the water, thinking about how much he’d always loved living there, on the water and in Peaceful Harbor. Sam knew he was as imperfect as the rocky riverbed, but in his heart, regardless of how many times he’d gone over the falls, despite the dents and scars he’d accumulated along the way, he also knew he was perfect for Faith. She needed a man who was loyal, a man who adored her, a man who cared about the things she was passionate about. Sam was that man.

  His thoughts returned to his brothers. Ty was his adventure buddy, always willing to dive into risky situations headfirst. Nate was serious, never afraid to challenge him. He had a soft spot for the underdog and never put up with bullshit. Where Sam and Ty were quick to make decisions, Nate was more like Cole than he’d ever admit, often needing to see things from all sides before coming to a decision. And Cole? Cole had always been the good one. Never one to get into trouble or buck the system, he always looked out for the rest of them, sometimes even taking the heat for things his younger siblings had done.

  That’s what Sam tried to remember now as he mentally rehashed their conversation. Cole was careful, meticulous, but above all, he was caring, which was probably why he made such a good doctor—and, Sam had to admit, such an insightful brother. The more he thought about Cole giving him hell despite how it might make him feel, the more he appreciated his brother’s stance—and the more he realized they weren’t so far apart after all.

  Whether Cole realized it or not, his concern for Faith’s well-being mirrored Sam’s, which meant they were still on the same team.

  **

  FAITH DIDN’T USUALLY wish for days so busy she didn’t have time to take a lunch break, but today she was glad for a jam-packed schedule. Cole was back from his honeymoon, tanned and more relaxed than she’d ever seen him, which didn’t say much. Cole didn’t relax at work. Ever. He was always thinking, as evident in the serious slant of his brows and the intense look in his dark eyes. She could practically see the gears churning, retrieving medical data he’d probably learned ten years ago and still remembered every detail of. He was incredibly smart, but never arrogant, which said a lot, considering he was at the top of his field.

  Today that serious slant was almost nonexistent, and his gaze was easy, not taxed, which told her his honeymoon had done him a world of good. She was happy for him, but that didn’t mean she wanted downtime where conversations could turn personal. Sam had reluctantly told her how Cole had reacted to their discussion, and it pissed her off. She worried she might say something she’d regret.

  She imagined the awkward conversation they might have. He’d say something like, So, you’re dating my brother? Into which she’d read, So, you’re fucking Sam, the player? Her hands fisted just thinking of how that would feel.

  After this last patient, she was done for the day. Maybe she’d gotten lucky and Cole wanted to have that conversation even less than she did.

  She set her patient’s foot down on the exam table after checking her range of motion. Jackie Geiger was eighteen, had just begun running, and had come in with bilateral knee pain.

  “You said you just started running two weeks ago?”

  “Yes. Three miles a day.” Jackie was also an avid swimmer, biker, and had been on the basketball team throughout high school.

  “And you’re stretching before and after?”

  “Well, no, not really. I basically climb out of bed, put on my running clothes, and take off.” She shrugged, but the apologetic look in her blue eyes told Faith she already knew how bad that was for her joints.

  “Based on the exam, and since your pain is bilateral, I think we’re looking at an overuse injury. Let’s give your knees two weeks to rest, without running, biking, swimming, or other sports that could exacerbate the pain.”

  Jackie sighed. “Not even swimming?”

  Faith smiled. “Not unless you like pain.”

  “Okay,” she relented.

  “Great. You can take ibuprofen for the pain. Two weeks of pampering your joints should take care of it, but schedule a follow-up in two weeks and we’ll reassess and do more tests if necessary.”

  “Then I can run again?” she asked hopefully.

  “If your pain is gone, but I’ll want you to ease into it and stretch before and after. You only have one set of knees. Let’s keep them healthy.” Faith reached for the door. “Go ahead and get dressed, and stop by the front desk to schedule the follow-up appointment on your way out.”

  Outside the exam room she filled out Jackie’s chart and pulled her cell phone from her pocket to check her texts as Cole came around the corner.

  The easy look in his eyes turned a tad serious. “Was that your last patient?”

  Her nerves prickled to life. “Yes.” It used to be so easy to talk with him, but now it felt like the air between them thickened with tension. Maybe it was just her nerves getting the best of her.

  “Great. Do you have a minute to talk? In my office?”

  No. Definitely not. I don’t want to talk about sleeping with your incredibly hot brother. “Sure.”

  A smile lifted his lips, but she was too nervous to determine if it was a casual smile or something else as she followed him into his office. He closed the door behind her, and her stomach pitched.

  This isn’t good. Act natural. Sit down. Good. Smile. She couldn’t quite pull that one off and decided to play dumb. Act like there was no chance this was about Sam.

  Cole sat in the chair beside her. He’d never done that before, and it made her even more nervous. He always sat behind his desk. Angling his body toward her, he crossed his legs and breathed deep and loud.

  “Well,” he said, his smile lifting his cheeks. “Are you as nervous about this as I am?”

  “Um? Nervous? About what?”

  He arched a brow.

  You’re totally not buying this act. “Yes. A little terrified. Please know that I love my job. I hope dating Sam won’t hurt my career here, because I love the patients, and you and Jon are so wonderful. I promise I won’t allow my relationship to impact my work.” Except when your brother shows up unannounced and strips down to his skivvies. Oh God, now I’m thinking about Sam in his underwear!

  “I wouldn’t expect your personal life to interfere with work. You’re too professional to let that happen.”

  “Yes. Right. I am.” Whew.

  His brows knitted, and that whew went out the window.

  “I figured we should get this out in the open. I’m sure Sam told you I asked him not to ask you out.” He spoke calmly and confidently, like the professional he was.

  “Yes, and I wanted to talk to you about that.” I did? Holy crap, shut up! She had no idea where her confidence was coming from, but she felt protective of her relationship with Sam, and of her independence. “I appreciate you worrying about me, but I can handle those types of decisions on my own.”

  He nodded in silence, his assessing gaze rolling over her face.

  I’m fired. Totally fired.

  He
drew in another loud breath, taking all of the air in the room with it. “I’m sorry I overstepped my bounds.” He paused, and she finally breathed. “You’re a hard worker, Faith, and an excellent physician assistant, and Sam doesn’t exactly have a history of stable relationships. I just didn’t want to take a chance of you two…” He shifted his eyes away, and when they came back to her, he let that thought hang in the air for a moment. “Of you two getting together and, well, of you getting hurt. You’re a nice girl, Faith, and the idea of Sam hurting you worries me.”

  She bit back the fury vying for release and gripped the edge of the chair, willing herself to speak professionally.

  “While I understand where you’re coming from, given Sam’s reputation, he is nothing short of the most thoughtful, caring, and insightful man I have ever met.” As her heart poured out, her tone softened. “Everything about him has been unexpected, and I didn’t make the decision to go out with him lightly.” She smiled with the memory of him whipping off his shirt at the car wash after she’d blown him off. “The poor guy has worked really hard to gain my trust.”

  “Sam?” Cole’s brows lifted with surprise.

  “Yes, Sam. Your brother, the guy everyone knows has never committed to a woman in his life, has committed to me. And I trust him, Cole. That’s really all you need to know.” Boy did that feel good. And scary. Definitely scary.

  Cole nodded, and a smile formed on his lips. “That was unexpected.”

  She laughed softly. “Yes. For me, too. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so vehement, but…I am.” She stopped short of saying, falling hard for Sam. That was private.

  “You really believe Sam can change?”

  “No. I believe he has changed,” she said, and couldn’t hold back what followed. “But it’s disappointing to see you don’t.”

  “It’s not that I don’t believe he can change. Sam’s incredibly intense, focused, and smart. He’ll do anything he puts his mind to.” Cole rubbed his chin, as if he was thinking. “But this is a side of Sam I thought was long gone.”

  His shoulders dropped, and his tone softened. “I thought I needed to see you guys together to believe this was real, but that makes me an ass, doesn’t it?”

  A laugh slipped out before she could remember Cole was her boss, and she shouldn’t agree with or laugh at that comment.

  “It does,” he said with a laugh. “I’m an ass. I’m sorry for butting into your business.”

  “It’s okay,” she said, even though it wasn’t. He was still her boss.

  “No, it’s not. You’re my employee, not my sister. I had no business trying to keep him away from you in the first place.”

  “I appreciate that your heart was sort of in the right place. But I have faith in Sam.” And then, despite her faith in Sam, she had to ask, “You’re not going to fire me if something goes wrong between us, are you?”

  He stared at her in silence for so long she feared his answer would be, What other choice will I have?

  He rose to his feet and she stood, too, pulling her shoulders back, preparing for the thing she feared most.

  “This Sam. The thoughtful, caring, insightful man you described, that’s the real Sam. That’s the brother I thought he’d buried too deep to find. I don’t think we have to worry about that particular scenario. Unless, of course, you decide to ditch Sam, in which case...” He shrugged with a tease in his eyes as they walked out of his office.

  “Seriously? You’re going to turn this on me?” she said jokingly.

  She was so relieved she wanted to hug him, but she didn’t because he was still her boss. Thank God.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  SAM PULLED UP to the cabin Monday evening, surprised to see Tempe’s car in his driveway and a bonfire down by the water. He’d worked later than he’d expected, taking extra time to talk with Tex about upcoming trips they were hosting and his availability. Tex had proven to be a reliable hard worker, and Sam was pleased to hear that Tex had no plans of taking off anytime soon. He’d checked in with Lira about her progress and had ended up taking an hour to review the new charting systems she’d put into place. She was doing a spectacular job, and she seemed to enjoy the work. Things at Rough Riders were falling into place nicely, and from the text he’d received from Faith, it sounded like her talk with Cole had gone well, too, which had made his day.

  He probably owed Cole an apology for storming off, but he needed another day or two to nurse his wounded ego. He’d had no idea he was such a pansy ass, but apparently his brother’s view of him mattered a lot more than he cared to admit.

  Pushing that thought from his mind, he stepped from the truck. The sound of Tempe’s guitar greeted him. On his way down to the bonfire Faith’s beautiful face came into focus, illuminated by the flames of the fire. She was laughing at something Tempe must have said. Seeing her with his sister touched him in a deep, unexpected way.

  “Hi,” she said as he leaned in for a kiss.

  “Hey, baby. Missed you.” He turned to Tempe, giving her a warm hug. “I wasn’t expecting you, sis. It’s nice to see you.”

  “Sorry I didn’t call first, but I was so excited about finishing my song, I wanted to come play it for you.” Tempe’s blond hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She smoothed her summery skirt and rested her guitar on her knee.

  Sam sat in a chair beside Faith and reached for her hand. “Great. I can’t wait to hear it.”

  “I was just thanking her for the referrals for Lira and the other members,” Faith said.

  “Hey, when it comes to emotional health, I’m always willing to help,” Tempe said. “Besides, you never know. One day I might need that website of yours.”

  “Like hell,” Sam said. “I’ll kill anyone who cheats on you.”

  Faith squeezed his hand. “Brotherly love at its best.”

  “He’s totally not kidding,” Tempe said. “With my dating life, I don’t think we’re in jeopardy of him having to kill anyone.”

  They all turned at the sounds of tires on gravel.

  “Did I miss the invitation to the party?” Sam said, wondering why Nate was there. And Jewel. They both stepped from the truck and waved.

  “I told him I was coming over,” Tempe said. “I didn’t invite him, but when has Nate ever needed an invitation?”

  None of them needed invitations, but Sam had gotten spoiled, having Faith all to himself these past few weeks. His disappointment at losing a few hours alone with her surprised him.

  “He doesn’t.” Sam turned to Faith. “Sorry, baby. So much for our night alone.”

  “We get plenty of time alone. I’m glad they’re here.”

  He knew from her tone she was, even if she was a bit nervous. Sam rose to greet Nate and Jewel.

  “So I guess you got lucky?” Jewel waggled her brows.

  Sam hugged her. “Luckiest guy on earth.”

  “Shit,” Nate said, pulling Sam away from Jewel. “That would be me, thank you very much.” He squeezed Tempe’s shoulder on his way past. “Sis. Good to see you.”

  Nate stood in front of Faith’s chair and opened his arms. “Get on up here.”

  Faith turned beet-red as she rose to her feet, and Nate pulled her into a hug.

  “How can I not hug the woman who tamed Sammy?”

  “Sam will never be tamed,” she said as Sam pulled her onto his lap. “And I wouldn’t want him to be. Monogamous is enough for me.”

  Nate laughed. “That’s why you’re the perfect woman for Sam.”

  “Get used to it,” Jewel said to Faith. “This family tends to say whatever they want.” She kissed Nate. “Especially my man.”

  Another car pulled down the driveway, and they all turned. Sam’s muscles corded tight at the sight of Cole’s car—followed by his parents’ car and Shannon’s, which he knew Ty was driving.

  “Oh yeah, I might have told everyone we were coming over.” Nate flashed a Cheshire-cat grin. “Nothing better than slowly easing in to the family.”

/>   Sam shook his head as his family took over the lawn. The next hour was spent roasting marshmallows and listening to Remember When stories about Sam.

  Faith soaked up every story, teasing him every so often. If he’d thought seeing Faith with Tempe had given him unexpected pleasure, seeing his family bring Faith into their inner circle filled parts of him he hadn’t known were empty. The only niggling to the spontaneous get-together was the way he and Cole were eyeing each other up, both obviously biding their time, waiting for the right moment to talk.

  “Remember when Sam learned to horseback ride at Uncle Hal’s?” his mother said, her blue eyes filled with amusement, obviously excited to share one of his most embarrassing moments. “He was eight and a total show-off…”

  Cole chose that moment to come to Sam’s side. “Can we talk?” he asked discreetly.

  Sam felt Faith’s eyes on them and held up a finger, indicating he’d be right back. “Sure.” They walked away from the group, and Sam didn’t even try to pretend that the entire family wasn’t holding their breath just as he was.

  “Listen, Cole. I owe you an apology.”

  “What?” Cole shook his head. “Sam. I owe you an apology for the way I reacted to you. It was unfair and uncalled for. You’re an honest guy, and I had no right to disbelieve you. I’m sorry.”

  A lump lodged in Sam’s throat, and from the emotions washing over Cole’s face, he thought he might be suffering from the same.

  “Thanks,” Sam said. “But you were right to worry, and you were watching out for my girl, so how upset can I really be? I shouldn’t have stormed off. The truth was tough to hear, but hey, that’s what it takes to change, right? Isn’t that the first step? Admitting you have a problem?”

  “You didn’t have a problem, Sam. You got hurt as a kid and never gave yourself a chance to deal with it. You buried it.”

  Sam thought about that and knew it was at least partially true.

  “You just had a different lifestyle than I did,” Cole said. “But not that different. You were more active, but hell, I didn’t commit for years either. I was an ass, Sammy, and it wasn’t fair of me not to take you at your word. I’m sorry.”