Searching For Sarah (The Sarah Series Book 1)

by Julieann Dove

  I grabbed my mouth. “Sam, where in the world—”

  “I picked it up with the groceries you had me get earlier.”

  “At the general store? The man carries one brand of toothpaste. Certainly he doesn’t carry engagement rings. Are you messing with me?”

  “Of course not. I ordered it and had it FedEx’d. Not the most romantic notion, but I searched through hundreds until I found the one.”

  “Hundreds?”

  “I was on my computer last night late.”

  “You knew you were going to propose to me last night? It wasn’t a knee-jerk thing out in the barn because you…I don’t know…looked at all the horses and figured…oh right, never mind, you asked my dad’s permission. I keep forgetting how old school and terribly romantic you are.”

  “Sarah.” He put his hand over my mouth. “Please.”

  I bit my lip and waited for him to open the box.

  “Sarah Elizabeth Keller,”’ he began. Then he proceeded to get on one knee. I grabbed my chest and fought the tears. “Marry me this Saturday. I’ve picked the largest oak tree out back, and that’s where I’ve imagined pledging you my love. And yours to me.”

  Never in the gazillion times I fantasized about being proposed to did I imagine the first time in a barn, and the second time (same guy) at the kitchen table where my dad and I ate endless tasteless meals for all the days of my life. But never did I imagine the heart and soul as I felt when I heard Sam asking the question.

  “Saturday? This Saturday? In the backyard? Of this house?”

  He put his hand on his hip. “Sarah…”

  “Okay.” I paused after he slipped on the ring. Then I grabbed him by the neck and squeezed as hard as I could. “I love you, Sam Turner. You’re the one. It’s you.”

  “How many people are out there, Aunt Heidi?” I just finished my makeup and hair. My heart was having palpitation issues.

  She pulled back the sheer curtain and took a look. “I’d say the whole town. Well, except for Clovis Hatchett. You heard his wife and him went to California to see Brittany’s kid, didn’t you?” She touched her mouth. “Poor thing is so sick.”

  “That’s awful. I saw Mavis at the bakery yesterday and she told me.” I appreciated the distraction. I was having a freak-out moment.

  “Honey.” She came to where I sat and placed her hand on my shoulder. “It’s none of my business, but I thought Pete was kidding me when he said you were getting married today. And as many times as I’ve tried, I haven’t been able to catch up and talk to you about it.” The lines around her eyes creased. “Why so fast?”

  I shrugged. “I don’t know. He just wants to get married now. He thinks getting married here where most of my friends and family are is the best place.”

  “But now? You haven’t really known him that long. Didn’t he just ask you?”

  “Yes. But Sam is decisive. Once he knows what he wants, he doesn’t like to wait. And yes, we met awhile ago, but I looked up short-term engagements on the Internet. I’m feeling okay about it. I mean, Katy Perry got engaged after three months…and then there was Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes…it was only two months before they got engaged.”

  “Darlin’, aren’t they both divorced?”

  Okay, so I didn’t really play that one well. Why didn’t I realize that?

  “Bad examples. I don’t doubt they didn’t love each other, though. And I really love Sam, Aunt Heidi. Like he makes me sweat a little when I think about date nights with him. I get worked up knowing we’re going to be cuddling on the couch after Sophie goes to bed. It’s great. Really.”

  Her face relaxed. “I don’t doubt you’re not smitten, lovey.” She adjusted my bangs. “It’s just so sudden, that’s all. You’re sure you’re happy?”

  I smiled, hoping it would assure her and stop her from speaking on behalf of all the doubts I was having myself. “I’m sublime. It’s a family I’ve never had, Aunt Heidi. I pick up Sophie from school and make dinner. It’s great. And Sam likes to take me places. It’s wonderful.”

  “And you’ve known him for a while? I mean, long enough to know he’s not going to beat you, cheat on you, or do anything to harm you?”

  I got up from the chair and took a deep breath. “Gosh, Dad didn’t even grill me this much. He had a nice long talk with Sam and gave his blessing. Aunt Heidi, it’s going to be fine. I love Sam. Did you know he told me first that he loved me?”

  “I see. Well, then let’s get you into your dress.”

  “Thank you.”

  She hugged me, talking to me from behind my back. “I would walk over coals for you, Sarah. You were the little girl I never had. Did you forget that? Our talks over ice cream, that time you had me come in your tree house and I broke my ankle, falling through the boards.”

  I pulled away. “Hey, you said you’d never bring that up, Aunt Heidi. What did I know? I was ten. Dad didn’t build it for…well…” I looked at her, helpless to find the words for a weight limit. Aunt Heidi was always holding a few extra calories in her belly. She said if she ever got stranded in a car during a snowstorm, she would probably be the first to die because everyone would take a bite out of her to survive.

  “I know, honey. I’m sorry. I just don’t want you to get the wrong impression that I’m not your biggest fan, and your biggest advocate for happiness.”

  “I do.” I pulled her close and hugged her.

  Dad wiped his eyes when I joined him by the back trellis, ready to walk down the aisle Sam had his fleet of assistants create. He flew a group of ten in from Charleston. They did everything: the decorations, helped Jenny—our seventy-four-year-old baker—make the cake, and strung electricity so we could have music on the lawn by the pasture. It was a postcard. I never imagined the yard I grew up looking at every day from my bedroom window would be the paradise of my wedding to the man of my dreams.

  “Sarah, you look just like…” Dad buried his head and cleared his throat.

  “Thanks for the dress, Daddy.” I hugged his arm and nudged him to walk forward. Sam was waiting for us.

  I kissed Dad before he went and sat next to Uncle Pete.

  “I love you,” Sam leaned in and whispered when I finally made it to where he stood.

  We exchanged all the formalities. The sickness, the poorness, and till death do us part. Sophie clutched her basket of petals that someone brought from Charleston. The handle was braided with pink ribbon. I didn’t have anyone standing beside me, and Sam didn’t either. Just the two of us. Pastor Tim Whirt did all the vow repeating stuff. He prepared the documents, too. Our town is sort of a one-person town. Jenny, the baker, is also the one who hands out dog licenses. Although most people don’t go get one. They trade pets and farm animals like any small town does…with a pickup truck and a hand shake.

  It might not have matched any dream I had about my wedding, but it was with Sam. And that never crossed my mind when I was dreaming about Prince Charming. He was an original. The security I felt when he kissed me after the vows was all that mattered. The next person I saw after coming up from air of the final kiss that sealed it all was Dad. He was still wiping his eyes. I smiled and wiped mine, too. Sam scooped up Sophie as we walked arm-and-arm down the red-carpeted aisle that sat on our backyard dirt. We danced to all my favorite songs, ate a most decadent meal, prepared by a traveling chef Sam’s assistant found, and I was truly happy.

  “I’m sorry I can’t help with Sophie.” Dad held my hand at the car.

  “Dad, I know you have a lot of work to do here at the farm. Don’t think another thing about it.”

  Dad and Sophie had become quite close on this visit. She beat him mercilessly on tic-tac-toe, and I Spy. Their evening walks and morning talks were something I hope to always remember.

  “We’re taking her to stay with Sam’s friends back home. They are used to watching her.”

  “Okay. And please send me a postcard from wherever you’re going.”

  Sam wouldn’t tell me where he was tak
ing me on my honeymoon. He wanted it to be a surprise.

  “Dad, I will send you pictures on your phone. I don’t know if they even make postcards anymore.”

  “Just another thing they’re trying to get rid of.” He shook his head. “The post office will soon be obsolete. Tucker Grimm won’t have anything left to do if that happens—you know that, Sarah. And with his bum leg. Mildred will have to contend with him nagging her all day in the house. She says she gets the best rest when he’s at work.”

  “I know, Dad. She told me all about how he’s starting to say things twice…in the same hour. Maybe he needs to give up the postmaster position to someone a little younger. Seventy-nine is sort of the limit, don’t you think? Doesn’t he have cataracts?”

  “I don’t know. It’s just sad to see someone else behind the counter.”

  Sam stuck out his hand for Dad to shake. “It’s been a pleasure, sir. I’ll make sure Sarah sends a postcard. We want to keep the economy alive here in Calvert County.”

  “And that’s why I like this man, Sarah.” He looked at me.

  “Okay, okay. Well, we’re going to miss our plane if we don’t get going, Dad.” I hugged him one more time. “I can feel your ribs, Dad. Get Heidi to come and make you some real food. Stop eating packs of crackers for meals.”

  “Okay, get on out of here.” He high-fived Sophie and waited on the porch until we pulled out.

  It was the best visit back home I’d ever had.

  “I can’t believe all we’ve been gone is three weeks.” I kicked off my shoes.

  “Sophie is asleep,” Sam said, unbuttoning his shirt.

  Sam and I picked her up on the way home from the airport. His surprise was flying me to Aruba—totally not a half-off resort that we stayed at. We snorkeled, swam, took helicopter rides, and ate until we couldn’t eat anymore. The villa was something like I never saw in books. People waited on us at every turn. I felt like royalty traveling. I never lifted a bag, opened a car door, or cleared a table. I even sent Dad a postcard. I’m sure he’ll get it in a few weeks. Finding a post office was almost as difficult as finding the four-by-five card.

  “Caitlyn said her grandson was over all weekend. I’m sure she played hard with him. He’s a daredevil, from what Stan says. I noticed a Band-Aid on Sophie’s leg. I’ll check it in the morning.”

  “Hey, Sarah,” Sam said, looking at me with the image of a devil dancing on his right shoulder.

  “Yeah.” I plopped back on the bed.

  “You’re in my room.”

  “Your room?”

  “Our room.”

  I smiled and said it again slowly. “Yes, Sam. Our room.”

  He jumped on the bed, took my hand and kissed it. All was right in the world. I couldn’t have been happier.

  The clock on Sam’s bedstand was fuzzy, but I made out it was 2:34 a.m. I rubbed my eyes and felt to see whether the sheets were warm. Had he just gone to the bathroom, or had he been gone awhile? Maybe checking on Sophie? But I didn’t hear her.

  I flipped the warm blanket back and went in search of my missing husband. I checked Sophie’s room and she was fast asleep—her little orange bear was strangled in her hold. I listened at the top of the stairs to hear whether he was rummaging through the kitchen. When I didn’t hear anything, I went down the back stairs to his study. It was crazy: I’d only shared a bed with the man for a few weeks, yet when he was out of it, I couldn’t rest.

  I saw the light on and the door was cracked to his room. As I got closer, I heard his voice.

  “No, you don’t understand. I’m not doing this anymore. It’s not open for discussion. I said…” He stopped and looked at me. His jaw locked in the open position.

  “I have to go, but what I said stands. Good night.”

  He pressed his phone off and walked toward me. “What are you doing up? It’s late.” He pushed my hair behind my neck and looked longingly into my eyes.

  “Exactly.” I rubbed my cold arms. “What are you doing up? Who were you talking to? It sounded a bit tense.”

  He pulled me close and kissed my head. “No one. Just a client.”

  I looked up at him. “I sense a not-so-happy one. What are you not going to do anymore?”

  He squeezed my shoulder from the side as he turned to walk with me out of the room. “Take late phone calls, for one—the guy lives in Japan. He has no idea what time it is in my part of the world.” He reached out and switched off the light. “Come on, let’s go back to bed. I’m sorry to have woken you.”

  “It’s okay. I’m not used to sharing a bed, and I guess I was restless anyway.”

  We got back to bed, but Sam tossed what was left of the nighttime hours. Every time I got situated, he changed positions. I kept a tight hold on the blanket for fear I’d end up with nothing from his somersaults. It was a terrible night. Whatever his Japanese client discussed with him, Sam couldn’t sleep afterward.

  I rubbed my eyes and tried to make out just how late I’d slept in. The room was bathed in natural light from the window transoms, and I could see Sam popping in and out of the bathroom. I could just make out some of the things he was carrying—shampoo bottle, razor, and toothbrushes.

  “Should I know something? How long have I been asleep?” I propped up higher on my fluffy pillow.

  “Hey you.” He forced a smile. “I’m packing.”

  “I can see that. What are you packing for?”

  He threw the items in the overnight bag I had just finished unpacking, it seemed, only a day ago.

  “I have to go to Key West. And I thought you and Sophie could tag along.”

  “Key West?” I scratched my head. “Why Key West? I thought you told me you had a meeting this afternoon, and you weren’t sure you’d make it back for dinner.”

  His eyes scanned the room. “That got canceled. This trip shouldn’t take long. And we can go to the beach. You know how Sophie loves the beach.”

  “Honey, we just got back from traveling. I’m bushed, jet-lagged, and as sad as it sounds, I don’t want anyone making me food or turning back my bed at night. I long for simple. You know, baked chicken with homemade biscuits, and I can bake that cake Sophie loves with the confetti icing. Then I thought we’d all watch that new Disney movie they just released to DVD.”

  He tossed the suitcase on the floor and sat on the edge of the bed, raking his fingers through my hair. “Honey, this trip won’t last too many days, I promise. I’ll find you some chicken and biscuits for dinner—ones you don’t have to make yourself. And in a few days, on our way home, maybe we could stop and visit your dad.”

  “My dad?” I rose up. “Are you crazy? I love Dad more than marshmallows and chocolate, but we just got back from visiting him. And I want to work on redecorating Sophie’s room. Are you hearing me, Sam Turner? I want to stay home. I’ll be fine to sit this one out. Really.”

  “Baby, just come with me this one time?” he asked with pleading hands. “I promise when we get back, we won’t go anywhere for however long you want.”

  “Okay, okay.” I pulled the pillow over my head and screamed.

  “Sophie, what’s wrong?”

  I pulled the pillow back to see the little girl by the bed, her hair in tangles, and her cheeks rosy red.

  “Sarah.” She held her stomach. “I don’t feel good.”

  I pulled the blanket back and got out of bed to check her head. She fell against me; she was warm to the touch.

  “Sam, she has a fever, I think.” I knelt down, pulling her hair from her eyes.

  “Get her some medicine, or something. Maybe a cold cloth and some Tylenol.”

  “My ear hurts, Daddy.” She rubbed it and looked at him with weepy eyes.

  I turned to him, giving him a parental look, as if he knew what had to be done. “We can’t go with Sophie sick. I’ll keep her here and take her to the doctor.”

  “Nonsense. You finish packing and I’ll take her to the doctor. If it’s an ear infection, they’ll prescribe medicine.
I can take her to that clinic that doesn’t require appointments. It shouldn’t take long at all.”

  “Sam, you can’t be serious! She can’t go on a plane with an ear infection. Let alone the beach. She’ll be miserable. I’ll be miserable. We’ll just stay here. You go.”

  He scooped Sophie up and kissed me on the forehead. “Finish packing. It might not be anything. That’s happened before, you know.”

  “But Sam—”

  “Just please. For me?” His brow raised.

  “Fine. But call me the minute you know anything.”

  “Okay. I’ll take her now, so there won’t be a wait.”

  I watched from the back porch area, as he strapped her in the booster seat and backed out of the driveway. I really didn’t see the need for all of us to go on what seemed to be a last-minute business trip. But far be it from me to understand Sam Turner. I was still waiting for his fatal flaw to show up and scare me off. Impromptu beach trips couldn’t be used against him, no matter how impromptu.

  The doorbell rang just as I was zipping the last suitcase. I’d checked my phone a few times, waiting for an update on Sophie, but Sam hadn’t sent word yet. I looked out the sidelight on the door and saw it was Danny, the dry cleaner guy. We were now on a first-name basis, seeing I was the one who always handed over Sam’s laundry to him. Sam said it didn’t matter now that we were married. He didn’t want me to be burdened with washing his six dress shirts and suit pants weekly. Somehow I couldn’t argue that point.

  “Hey, Danny. How’s it going?”

  Danny adjusted his collar and looked around at the porch. It cracked me up how he wore his collar pulled up, like one of those jocks from old movies I’d seen. They usually wore pink shirts with plaid pants, too. But not Danny. It was a black uniform shirt with a hanger for the logo.

  “It’s going, Sarah. Just a couple more hours until my weekend starts. I pray it doesn’t rain. I’ve got a date with one of my customer’s daughters. She’s taking me with her for a company picnic. I’m a bit nervous. Her company is a bunch of suits. I probably service them and I’ll be embarrassed by seeing them at a social event. You know what I mean?”