Rocky Mountain Bride (Roberts of Silver Springs Book 4)

by Nadia S. Lee

  Lina studied the menu and ordered chicken parmesan and salad on the side, while Sam chose spaghetti alla pescatore.

  “Wine?” Sam asked.

  She shook her head. “I’m fine with just iced tea.”

  “Coke for me.”

  The waiter took their menus and left discreetly.

  “This is very nice,” she said, looking at his face.

  “It is. I like seeing you smile.”

  “So. This town actually has more than I thought.”

  “What did you think?”

  “Well, Jolie said—” Lina clicked her mouth shut. Ugh. Why did she have to bring up her sister? It had to be a sore point for Sam, and she didn’t want to remind him of her prettier and more accomplished sibling. She stared at her fingernails, wishing she could take it all back. Sam—being Sam—didn’t say anything, just waited patiently for her to finish her thought.

  She decided to let it hang instead. There was nothing she could do or say to salvage the moment. Maybe if she let the silence stretch out until their main entrées showed up, they could pretend she’d never brought up her sister.

  Except… Boy that was awkward too. “So…uh… The town’s charming without big chain stores everywhere.” She cringed. That was just… Ugh. No wonder she couldn’t be a lawyer. She would’ve fumbled every time the opposing counsel threw her a curveball.

  “The chains have their own places, but people here like to go to smaller, locally owned stores. Besides, who could give up Emma’s coffee?”

  “Absolutely.” Lina nodded vigorously. “She makes the best.” Relieved, she talked about his family, relatives and friends. They were much safer than hers.

  A few moments later the waiter brought their food. She thanked him and took a bite of her entrée, which was excellent.

  “You know… Jolie never liked Silver Springs,” Sam said gently, turning his fork in the pasta.

  “No.” She cleared her throat. “But I like it here.”

  “Do you?”

  “Are you kidding? Everyone’s so polite, and I don’t have to worry about being mugged.”

  His eyes grew sharp. “Have you ever been mugged?”

  “Once, a few blocks away from my apartment. It wasn’t too terrible, as muggings go. The guy took my purse, and I wasn’t hurt or anything.” She shrugged. “I had to report it to the police…and then call my banks to cancel all my credit and debit cards. That was a pain.”

  “Did they ever catch the guy?”

  She shook her head.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It was a while back. I learned to be more vigilant…and carry pepper spray.” She let out an awkward laugh when Sam continued to frown. “It was for self-defense, but I’ve never had to use it.”

  “You won’t need it in Silver Springs for sure.”

  “Exactly.” She smiled to lighten the mood. “And I’m warming up to Molly and Emma.”

  He laughed. “First rule for this town is, don’t tell them a secret if you want it to stay that way. They’re social, but sometimes they talk too much.”

  “Duly noted, but it’s still nice to have people I can smile and chat with. I’d like to think I’m making new friends…albeit slowly.”

  “Because of your former best friend.”

  She blinked, surprised Sam knew exactly what she was thinking. “Yes.”

  “Some people don’t deserve you. I hope Molly and Emma can be good friends to you.”

  “I hope so too. It feels strange to realize that someone I grew up with and had sleepovers with and all that just…isn’t my friend anymore.”

  “Sometimes people change, but most times, you never had an opportunity to see their true selves.”

  She considered. “Do you think we’ve had an opportunity to see each other’s true self?”

  “I’d like to think so.”

  A hopeful answer, but that didn’t tell her what she wanted to know. The last thing she needed was a repeat of Jared and Crystal. “When do people show their true selves?”

  “When they’re under a lot of pressure.”

  She wondered if Jared and Crystal had been under some extraordinary pressure, but she couldn’t think of anything that could’ve caused it. After a while, she gave up. They probably hadn’t cared who they hurt, as long as they got what they wanted.

  She forcibly pulled her thoughts from the past. There was no point in thinking about her ex when she was with Sam. He was her present. Possibly her future.

  She hoped she would never find that he wasn’t who she thought he was…that he always remained the solid, honest, good man she was slowly falling in love with.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Within a day, everyone in Silver Springs seemed to know Lina and Sam were dating. Not that she minded. If she could, she would’ve written, This man belongs to Lina Vogel, on Sam’s forehead with a permanent marker.

  On Sunday, she and Sam ran into a dark-haired man at the grocery store.

  “Charlie,” Sam said. “This is Lina. Lina, Charlie Hackman, my best friend since forever.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Lina studied him, intrigued at meeting Sam’s best friend. He was exceptionally wiry, although from the way he moved, she was certain he could pull his weight in a fight. There was a bright intensity to his moss-green eyes that said he was too smart for his own good, but his smile was shy and slightly awkward. If she hadn’t known better, she might’ve thought it was her, but he had the same look no matter who his gaze happened to skim by.

  He nodded. “Likewise.” Then he teased Sam mercilessly about his “mooning” face.

  Sam merely smiled and said, “Just wait till it’s your turn.”

  “I may fall in love, but I’m not mooning over anyone,” Charlie said archly. “Not like you, anyway.”

  A derisive snort. “Wanna bet?” Sam said.

  “Fifty bucks.”

  “Make it a hundred.”

  “Oh, you wanna play, huh?” Charlie squinted. “Five.”

  “You’re on.” Sam turned to Lina. “You witnessed the whole thing. Charlie will never moon over a woman or he’s gonna lose five hundred bucks.”

  “There’s got to be a time limit on this,” Lina said. “Otherwise the bet’s never going to end.”

  “By the time he proposes to someone,” Sam said. “That should be fair.”

  Charlie laughed. “You’re so going to lose.”

  “You wish!”

  Lina rolled her eyes after Charlie was gone. “You’re being so silly.”

  “Somebody’s gotta keep him in check. And I do not moon over anyone.”

  Fluttering her eyelashes, she put a hand over her chest. “I know you’re not under oath, but you shouldn’t lie.” She grinned. “Besides, I love the way you look at me.”

  An odd expression crossed his face, but it passed so fast that she didn’t get to examine it closely. “Is that all you love about me?” he asked.

  “For now,” she said lightly, not willing to tell him she was falling for him. They were just starting to date, and she didn’t want to scare him by talking about her feelings too soon.

  On Monday morning, Bekah came by Roberts & Son, ostensibly to drop off some extra scones the bed and breakfast happened to make. Wouldn’t clients love to munch on some of them while waiting?

  Then she leaned over Lina’s desk and said, “Tell me everything.”

  “We had dinner. It was…nice.”

  Bekah shot her a meaningful look. “You’re holding back.”

  Lina pressed her lips together hard to hide a goofy “I’m so happy I think I’m going to die” smile that threatened to split her face. “We have another date tonight. Does that satisfy your curiosity?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Surely you don’t want details. He’s your cousin, Bekah.”

  “Good point.” She straightened up and grinned. “It’s good to see both of you happy. When you get engaged, you have to tell me first.”

  The blunt talk flustere
d Lina. “Engaged?”

  “Are you just doing this for fun? Come on. Sam’s not the type to date just because. If he’s spending time with you, it’s because he sees a future together.”

  “But…”

  “So call me as soon as you say yes, hmm?”

  “I may have to call my family first,” Lina blurted out.

  “Fine. Then make sure I’ll be the first to see the ring.” Bekah winked and left.

  Then it was Bri who came by in the afternoon, to “collect the tray Bekah brought over.” My, she should’ve used disposable plates, but those could be hard on the environment, so…

  “So. Text me as soon as you’re engaged.”

  “Oh, for…! You guys are jumping the gun just a bit, don’t you think?”

  Bri spread her hands. “What? I want to be the first to know.”

  “I’m afraid that’s not possible. My family.”

  “Hmm.” Bri pursed her lips. “Then I want to be the first to see the ring. Ciao.” She waggled her fingers and left.

  After work, Lina and Sam took a quiet dinner of takeout pizza into the backyard to enjoy. He asked her about the cousins’ visits, and she told him everything, making sure to make light of the whole situation, since she didn’t want to look like she was pressuring him.

  Sam laughed. “Well. It looks like everyone wants to be the first to know or see the ring.”

  “Not everyone, just those two.”

  “You think Molly and Emma won’t want to be first?”

  Lina groaned. “Think so?”

  “I know so.”

  “I don’t want to upset anybody.”

  “Then keep your ring hidden, invite them all and show it to them at the same time. That way they can all be first.”

  “Doesn’t that violate the spirit of their requests or something?”

  Sam shrugged. “They didn’t specify they wanted to be the only one to see it first.”

  She wagged a finger at him. “A clever loophole, my lawyer boyfriend.”

  “I live to please, my appreciative girlfriend.”

  She flushed hard, absurdly pleased at being called his girlfriend. And she was even more pleased when he reached over, tucked a wayward hair behind an ear and tilted her head for a sweet kiss. Warmth pulsed through her, and she swore she’d never, ever complain about her unruly tendrils escaping a ponytail or bun. Obedient hair was completely overrated.

  And Sam was right about Molly and Emma wanting to be the first to see the ring as well. They were so cute, but ultimately, Lina realized, they were excited for Sam and her. They were rooting for Sam and Lina to be happy and together, and Lina couldn’t help but be grateful that she had such amazing women as her new friends in town.

  Things would’ve been totally blissful if it hadn’t been for her mother calling her on Wednesday. Since Lina had been avoiding Catalina long enough and it was about time they could talk without getting overly emotional, she accepted the call.

  “Lina, what on earth are you still doing in that town?” her mother said without any hellos or how are yous. But then, Catalina Vogel didn’t believe in wasting time.

  “I’m working. Didn’t Jolie tell you?” There was no way her sister hadn’t told their parents.

  “Yes, she let us know. But she said you’d be back in two weeks.”

  “Well, she was wrong.”

  “Is it true you’re working for Sam Roberts?”

  “Yes.”

  “You know why he’s doing this, don’t you?”

  Lina’s shoulders started to tense. “No, Mother. Why don’t you enlighten me?”

  “He’s trying to get back at Jolie. He’s still furious that he blew it with her.”

  “What is ‘it’?”

  “He thought he could take her to that place he came from…that squalid little town, and he’s upset it didn’t work out, despite his ultimatum.” Lina didn’t have to wait long before her mother started to spew her venom. “Do you think he’s doing this for you? I know you’re upset, but Jared is very sorry about what happened. He spoke to us.”

  “He spoke to you?” That weasel butt hadn’t bothered to contact her. As a matter of fact, not a text had come from him, and she’d assumed he’d given up.

  “He is genuinely contrite. He said it was a big misunderstanding. That you misinterpreted what happened.”

  “I was completely sober when I walked in on him and Crystal, and he sure didn’t seem drunk or high.”

  “That was the misunderstanding. Lina, you know he’s perfect for you.”

  “Perfect for me? Funny how ‘perfect’ he turned out to be on our wedding day. Did he try the old ‘I fell right between her spread thighs when her skirt happened to be bunched around her waist’ defense?”

  “Bambi Adelina Vogel!”

  Lina felt the wave of reproach wash over her, but she clenched her teeth and straightened her spine. She wasn’t going to let her mother cow her. Not like before. Her parents could call her the biggest disappointment for not going to Harvard Law, but they weren’t going to make her feel bad for ditching a man who couldn’t be faithful.

  “I have to go,” she said. “I’m not going to talk to you if you can’t be supportive, Mom.”

  “Lina—”

  “You should’ve been outraged on my behalf. In fact, you still should be. I don’t know how much business Dad gets from Jared’s family, but…this hurts, Mom.”

  And it also hurt that her mother thought the only reason Sam was being nice to her was for something as petty as getting back at Jolie.

  Later that day, as they were having Chinese takeout for dinner, Sam asked, “Are you all right? You seem sort of down.”

  “I’m fine,” she said, then paused. Why should she lie to him? “Actually…I’m not. Mom called.”

  His expression immediately became serious. “How did it go?”

  “Jared is sorry. It was all a big misunderstanding. I should come back to New York.” She let out a soft snort. “You know, the usual. Jared’s family must be a huge client.”

  “So…what did you tell her?” Sam was looking at her intently.

  “About what?”

  “Going back to New York.”

  “Oh. I told her no.”

  Did she imagine it, or did he seem to relax at her answer? Before she could ponder further, he pushed another spring roll her way. “Here. You can have the extra one. I know you like ’em more than me.”

  She grinned, consciously choosing not to let her mom’s call color this happy time with Sam. “Thanks.”

  But the week couldn’t end on that note. Patty came to the office two days later, on Friday. She had on a fashionable summer dress in the loveliest shade of pink, matched with turquoise pumps. “Good afternoon, Lina.”

  Lina smiled. “Good afternoon, Patty. Steve has an appointment. If it’s urgent, I can see if he can step out for a moment.”

  “I’m not here to see my husband.”

  “Oh. Well, Sam is—”

  “I’m here to talk to you.”

  Lina blinked. “Me?”

  “Do you mind if we go to a conference room?”

  “Sure.” She led Patty down the short hall. “Would you like something to drink? Tea or coffee?”

  “No. It won’t take that long.”

  They stepped into a modest room with a table big enough for ten, and eight chairs. Patty took the one closest to the door, and Lina sat down next to her. “So…what’s this about?”

  “I’m not very good at the fancy doublespeak that my husband and oldest son use to win cases, so I’ll just get straight to the point.”

  Uh-oh. That sounded bad. Lina pasted on a smile and braced herself for Patty’s first verbal missile.

  “I don’t want to see Sam get hurt. If you aren’t serious, don’t lead him on. Just give your notice and go back to New York, where you belong.”

  Wow. That was…blunt. But Lina hadn’t grown up among lawyers without learning something. “I completely under
stand. But I want to correct one misperception: I do not belong in New York. I belong where my heart wants me to be. Hurting Sam is the last thing I want to do. He’s been nothing but kind, steady and…well…fantastic. He makes me happy, and I hope I make him just as happy as well.” She cleared her throat, hoping that was enough. She wasn’t going to tell Patty she loved Sam when she hadn’t even told him yet. “As for being serious… I can’t make up my mind about Sam and a possible future together without getting to know him better. I believe it’s the same for him. So our dating isn’t me leading him on. It’s us trying to see each other’s true selves before making any decisions.”

  “You’re pretty good at making speeches.”

  “It wasn’t a speech. I’m just telling you what’s in my heart.”

  Patty stared at Lina for a long time. The scrutiny made Lina want to squirm, but she maintained her poise. “You aren’t like your sister.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  “You should, because it was. Make my son happy, and I’ll love you as if you were my own.”

  “I understand.”

  Patty nodded once and left.

  Lina huffed out a breath, but she couldn’t resent Sam’s mother for being protective. She wished her own mother were half as supportive.

  Lina grabbed a cup of fresh coffee and went back to her desk. Sam had an appointment with a possible new client. Just as Lina sat down, a woman in her mid-thirties walked in, her feet shuffling. Lina almost gasped. The woman was mostly skin and bones, her complexion so waxen she looked more dead than alive. The area around her red-rimmed brown eyes had swollen, and from the deep pink of her nose, it was obvious she’d been crying for hours.

  “I’m here to see Sam. I’m Nelly Biden.”

  “Of course. Can you take a seat for a moment?” Lina picked up her phone and dialed his office. “Your three o’clock is here,” she said when he answered.

  “Gotcha. I’m on a call for another ten minutes, so can you make her comfortable until then?”