Believing in Tomorrow

by Kimberly Rae Jordan

  “That’s a lovely dress, sweetie,” her mom said, her strained smile at odds with her words.

  “It’s one that Levi bought for me.” Sammi smoothed a hand over her abdomen. She felt the urge to give justifications of why she was choosing to wear that dress that day. Why she was choosing to reveal her secret to the world. But she stayed silent.

  “Do you really think that today is the best day to be so…obvious?” Her mom’s brows drew together. “The pastor will likely ask the family to stand with Bennett and Grace.”

  Sammi wondered if her mom knew how painful her words were. She likely didn’t. After all, her mother had never been one to intentionally hurt anyone, but that still didn’t take the sting from what she had said.

  “I didn’t plan to go up anyway,” Sammi said. “Levi said he’d come to the service today, so I’ll just stay seated with him.”

  If Sammi had thought that bit of news was going to put her mom’s mind at ease, that wasn’t the case if her mom’s deepening frown was anything to go by. Sammi turned away from the expression on her mom’s face. She’d thought her parents had accepted the baby, but, apparently, that was only in the sanctuary of their own home. At the church and in front of their friends and the pastor, they were still ashamed of her and her situation.

  On that night in the bar, she hadn’t thought through any of the possible consequences of her actions and how they would impact her family. She’d definitely been at the height of selfishness then, wanting nothing more than to forget Jayden’s rejection of her. But there was nothing she could do about it now, except hope that the day would come when her family would look at her and her baby with love and not shame. Or at the very least, that they wouldn’t look that way at the baby when it was born.

  “Was there something you needed, Mom?” Sammi asked once she was sure her emotion wasn’t going to cloud her voice. The sooner she accepted all of this, the sooner her disappointment would hopefully fade.

  “I was just going to let you know you could tell Levi that we’d be eating around one-thirty, but I guess he’ll just come here after the service like the rest of us.”

  “Yes.” Sammi wasn’t going to apologize for inviting Levi to church. She just hoped that her family remembered that they might be the only example of a Christian that Levi had close contact with. From the conversations she and Levi had had regarding her faith, it seemed likely that was the case. More than anything, she wanted Levi to feel secure knowing that his daughter was going to be in a loving environment when she was with Sammi.

  “Okay. We’ll see you at church then.”

  Once her mom had left, Sammi didn’t risk looking at herself in the mirror again. She didn’t want to change out of the dress. She wanted Levi to know that she appreciated his gift to her.

  Her phone chirped from where it sat on her desk. When she picked it up, she saw a message from Levi.

  Levi: When I get to the church, where do I need to go? Or should I come pick you up?

  Sammi considered the offer. Her family would likely have all left early since most of them had responsibilities at the church.

  Sure. That would be great. Could you be here by 10:15?

  Levi: Yep. I’ll be there.

  Sammi smiled at his text message. Though they hadn’t known each other long, she’d come to realize that Levi was a very reliable person. So far he had been there each and every time she’d needed him. She knew she could count on him to be there for her and for their baby. Their little girl was fortunate to have a daddy like that.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Levi wondered if he’d encounter the first of the Callaghan and McFadden clan when he picked Samantha up, but there were only a couple of cars parked in the driveway, and as soon as he pulled up, Samantha came out. He noticed right away that she was wearing the lavender dress she’d chosen at the maternity shop. And then he noticed how much more pregnant she appeared than the last time he’d seen her even though it had only been a couple of weeks.

  He got out of the truck and came around to open the passenger side door. As she walked up to him, he realized that perhaps the truck wasn’t going to be the most comfortable vehicle for her to get in and out of.

  “Hey,” he said with a smile. “Would you prefer to take your car? Would it be more comfortable for you?”

  Samantha shook her head. “This is fine. I’ve had some practice getting in and out of trucks like yours.”

  “If you’re sure,” Levi said, not entirely convinced.

  “I am.” She gave him a big smile as she reached for the handle beside the windshield and proceeded to place one foot on the running board and pull herself up and onto the seat. “See? I’m a pro.”

  Levi couldn’t help but smile at her once again. “You definitely are. And all while pregnant. Consider me impressed. Also, you look very pretty in that dress. I’m glad I talked you into buying it.”

  Samantha’s eyes lit up at his compliment, and for a moment, Levi wondered if he’d crossed a line. Steve’s words echoed in his mind. Would she think he was hitting on her? Would it put thoughts in her head?

  “I’m glad you did too. It’s super comfy, and I really do love the color.”

  “It is a good shade with your hair color.” Levi gestured to the seat belt. “Now, buckle up.”

  Once her seatbelt was fastened, Levi closed the door and went back around to the driver’s side.

  “I think I’ll dress the baby in lots of light shades of pink, purple, yellow and green since she’s pretty much guaranteed to have dark hair.” Samantha rested a hand on her belly. “Have you thought about names at all?”

  Levi turned his attention to the traffic on the highway at the end of the driveway. “Can’t say that I have just yet. Have you?”

  “I’ve thought about it a little. Done some googling for girl names and their meanings, but nothing has really grabbed me yet. Maybe we could each come up with some names and then discuss them in the next month or so. I’d like to have some options before the baby is born.”

  He wasn’t sure where he’d fit that task into his day, but if it was what Samantha wanted, the least he could do would be to oblige her. After all, she was doing the hard part in carrying and delivering the baby. If she wanted some input on the name, he would do that for her.

  Since he’d already looked up the address of the church before leaving to pick up Samantha, Levi was able to drive there without any direction from her. Instead, she asked him about his week and what projects he’d been working on, and then she’d shared a bit about hers. He didn’t get the feeling that she was chatting just to fill the silence, but that she really was interested in what he’d been doing, and she seemed to enjoy sharing about her own week.

  Out of the blue, he was struck by the thought that even Caren hadn’t been all that interested in his work. She had been more curious about what he’d profited off of each project than she was about the actual project itself. Not for the first time, Levi wondered if maybe he’d dodged a bullet when Caren had run off with Davy.

  “Does your whole family attend the same church?” Levi asked as he turned into the parking lot next to the large building with a sign identifying it as their destination.

  “Yes. Any of them that live here. It’s the church we started attending shortly after Mom and Dad got married and moved us out of the city. We’ve all been involved with programs at the church to varying degrees over the years, so this has become our church home as adults.”

  Once he found an empty spot, he parked the truck and went around to let Samantha out. When they walked into the foyer of the church, a vague sense of unease swept over him, but Levi tried to ignore it. He was there for his little girl. To find out what he could about her mother’s family and the faith they clung to.

  There were a lot of people milling around or standing in small groups, chatting, but Samantha didn’t linger in the foyer. She turned to Levi and smiled. “Stay close.”

  He had a sudden urge to reach out and take he
r hand, but instead, Levi kept his hands at his sides and was thankful for his height so that he could keep Samantha in his sight as she weaved around people to the large open doors leading into the sanctuary. She stopped at an empty row near the back, and then, after looking over her shoulder at him, Samantha slid into the pew. A bit surprised that they weren’t sitting with her family, Levi followed her and sat down at her side.

  “Where is your family?” Levi asked.

  Samantha glanced at him, a moment of sadness crossing her face. “I think they’re sitting nearer the front. They’ll be going up with Bennett and Grace when they have baby Olivia dedicated.”

  “You’re not going up with them?”

  He saw her swallow, and her mouth tightened briefly. “No. I think my mom would prefer if I didn’t.” Her hand smoothed over her belly, but she kept staring straight ahead. “And rather than cause any drama, I agreed.”

  Levi thought that was wrong, but since he didn’t know the dynamics of Samantha’s family, he kept his mouth shut. He could see that it hurt her, but there wasn’t anything he could do about it. “Is all your family here today?”

  “All except two of my brothers who don’t live in Winnipeg. One is in California, and the other is in Minneapolis.” She looked over at him as she pulled her phone out of her purse. “We have a bit of time before the service starts, so here. Let’s look at some pictures of the ones who will be there today.”

  She scooted closer to him as she tapped the screen then she held it toward him. “This is my oldest brother, Bennett, and his girlfriend, Grace. And that’s Grace’s little girl, Olivia.” She took the phone back and swiped the screen a couple of times. “This is my older sister, Makayla and her husband, Ethan. She’s due with a little girl a month before I am. Ethan’s teenage sister, Sierra, lives with them. This is Mitch, and this is his twin Gabe with his girlfriend Maya. Tristan is closest in age to me.” She glanced at the front of the church as people began to file onto the stage. “These two are Danica and Dalton. They’re the youngest.”

  Levi could hear the affection in her voice as she spoke about each one. He did his best to remember names and faces in hopes that he wouldn’t be too lost when he met them all a short time later. “I can’t imagine having that many siblings. I have only one and he is a handful.”

  “We get along pretty good. For the most part. I mean, you can’t have that many personalities present and not have some conflict, but usually, if something comes up, we work through it pretty quickly.”

  “Who are you closest to?” Levi asked.

  Surprisingly, she didn’t have an immediate answer for him. After a short time of apparent consideration, she said, “I guess my sister, Makayla. It was just us two girls amongst all the boys for so long, we usually shared a room, and though we fought a lot when we were younger, we’re closer now. Although, if I really want to just vent and not have to worry about having someone tell me what to do, I talk to Tris. He’s quiet and a good listener.”

  Before he could ask any more questions, music filled the sanctuary. As he stared at the group on the stage, Samantha leaned closer and discreetly pointed to the front. “The teen on the guitar is my brother, Dalton.”

  Levi was suitably impressed by the young man’s obvious talent. He’d wanted to take lessons when he’d been younger, but his mom had never been able to afford it. Throughout the service, Levi relied on Samantha to let him know when he should stand or sit, and though he didn’t know any of the songs, he enjoyed the music.

  He listened to the sermon, trying to understand what the man was talking about. The concepts he presented weren’t something he had heard about before, but they intrigued him. Apparently, he’d be making use of Google when he got home later since he didn’t know of anyone in his life that would be able to explain it to him.

  Once the sermon was over, the pastor called for Bennett and Grace to bring the baby to the front along with the family. Samantha was sitting close enough that Levi felt her stiffen beside him. He glanced at her, but her face was passive as she stared at the front. He turned his gaze back to the stage as well, looking over the group that was gathered there. He immediately recognized Steve Callaghan and figured the woman who was next to him was Emily. His wife. Samantha’s mother. The woman who hadn’t wanted Samantha at the front with them.

  Levi was determined to not meet the woman with a negative attitude, but it was difficult. Samantha should have been up there with them, and he knew it was hurting her to be banished to a back pew. It was like she had a scarlet letter emblazoned on her dress.

  After the service had ended with a song, Samantha led him out of the sanctuary to the foyer. He wondered if they were just going to walk right out, and it appeared that that was her intent until he heard someone call her name.

  “Sammi!”

  Samantha paused in front of him, pulling her shoulders back before turning around to meet the man who was headed toward them. He had loose blonde curls and a lanky build.

  “Hello, Jayden.” Samantha’s voice was oddly tense. Levi didn’t recognize the name as one of her siblings, and he hadn’t been among the people in the pictures.

  The man’s gaze dropped to Samantha’s belly, and his mouth dropped open slightly.

  “Don’t worry. It’s not yours,” Samantha said, not even trying to keep her voice hushed. “I’d be a lot farther along if it was.”

  “Sammi…” The man glanced around at the people in the near vicinity then his gaze met Levi’s. His eyes narrowed briefly. “You certainly moved on quickly enough.”

  Samantha stepped back, bumping into Levi. He reached out to steady her, letting his hands linger on her shoulders. “Says the man who started dating someone new even before breaking up with me.”

  “That’s not how it happened, Sammi,” Jayden said with a frown.

  “Oh, puh-leeze,” Sammi responded. “Have you talked Autumn out of her virginity yet? Should I be warning her that sleeping with you doesn’t guarantee your fidelity?”

  Levi spotted a familiar face headed their way and gave Samantha’s shoulders a gentle squeeze. She looked back at him as he bent down to whisper in her ear. “Your dad is headed this way.”

  “I suggest you walk away from me, Jayden. Shouldn’t be too hard for you to do, since you did it so well the last time we met.” She paused then added, “And I think that this should be the last time we talk. Leave me alone.”

  Jayden opened his mouth as if to respond, but Levi cut him off. “Listen to her, man, and walk away.”

  Anger crossed the other man’s face, but he didn’t argue. He did, in fact, turn around and walk away. Toward a woman who was standing a short distance from them, a frown on her face as she looked at Samantha, clearly taking in her pregnant state.

  “There you are, sweetheart,” Steve said as he reached them, Emily at his side. “Where were you for the dedication? Why didn’t you come up with the rest of us?”

  Because his hands were still on Samantha’s shoulders, Levi felt her stiffen once again, and when Steve turned his head to look at Emily, he figured Samantha must have glanced at her mother.

  “Emily?” Steve asked. The woman didn’t look angry, just sad.

  “Why don’t we just go home, Dad?” Samantha suggested. “Is everyone heading right over to the house?”

  After a moment’s hesitation, the man nodded and then his gaze lifted to meet Levi’s. Samantha moved to the side, causing Levi’s hands to drop from her shoulders. “This is Levi Weston. Levi, these are my parents, Steve and Emily.”

  Without batting an eye, Steve held out his hand. Levi shook it then Emily’s. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Hope you feel that way after meeting us all,” Steve said with a grin then looked down at his wife. “How about we go home?”

  “I’m going to ride with Levi, so we’ll meet you there,” Samantha said.

  They walked in silence to the truck, and once they were inside the cab, Samantha leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Levi st
arted up the truck in order to get air circulating, but he didn’t drive right away.

  “You okay?”

  Samantha moved her head toward him and opened her eyes. “I can’t believe what a jerk Jayden is. How did I not see that about him sooner?”

  “Love is blind?” Levi offered.

  She blew out a breath. “I’m not sure that what I felt for him was love, honestly. Looking back on it now. He was my most serious relationship, but he managed to hide his true colors, apparently. I wonder if I should warn Autumn.”

  “I wouldn’t. Let their relationship rise or fall on its own merit.”

  “Yeah, it’s probably better to steer clear. That was the first time I’d seen him since that night at the restaurant. Frankly, I could have done without seeing him at all.”

  “But maybe seeing him will help to bring you some sort of closure. Now you know he’s a jerk, and he knows you know. That might be enough to keep him in line with Autumn. Most of all, though, it will let you move on without wondering about what might have been.”

  “Have you seen your fiancée since that night?”

  “Yeah. When I attended Davy’s bail hearing.”

  Samantha shifted in her seat to stare at him. “Bail hearing?”

  “Yeah, not only did Davy take my fiancée, he took a good chunk of money from my business and personal accounts.” Levi thought he had mentioned it to her before, but it was possible the alcohol they’d consumed that night clouded the memory of their conversation.

  “Okay. I feel bad now,” Samantha said, her frown fading away. “You had a jerk for a fiancée and a jerk for a brother.”

  Levi grinned briefly, glad to see the tension ease from her face. “That I did. You missed seeing that Jayden was a jerk and cheat, and I missed seeing that about Caren too.”

  She looked out the front windshield of the truck, her hand rubbing circles on her stomach. After a quick glance at him, she said, “I have to admit that if I had to choose between you or Jayden as a father of my baby, I’m glad it’s you. In the short time, we’ve known each other, you’ve shown me more courtesy and respect than he ever did.” She gave him a smile. “Thank you for that.”