Prelude: Prequel to The Lewis Legacy Series

by JoAnn Durgin

  Dipping his head, Sam waited until she met his gaze. “You have the utmost respect from everyone in this town, sweet Sarah. When you go to Austin and beyond—wherever you go in the world—please promise me you’ll stay close to the Lord, hold fast to His promises, and allow Him to always hold you in the palm of His hand.” His voice held almost a resigned tone. Was he somehow disappointed in her? If that was the case, she couldn’t begin to fathom the reason.

  “I will. Promise. You don’t need to worry about that. And I like the ‘sweet Sarah’ nickname, although I never minded Tomboy. Coming from you, it wasn’t all bad. So,” she said, “if you wanted a confession, there it is.” Her eyes met his, and she sank headfirst into their depths. Tess’s words on the day of the homecoming parade floated into her mind. Like an ocean inviting me to take the plunge. Who was being the hopeless romantic now?

  Sam jumped to his feet and held out one hand. Accepting his offer, Sarah rose to her feet beside him. From his conflicted expression, she could tell he wrestled with an inner turmoil and struggled with whether to voice his thoughts.

  “Speak to me, Sam. I’m a big girl. I can take it, whatever it is.”

  He opened his mouth and then closed it again, avoiding her gaze. “Another time perhaps. I think we’ve already said enough today.” Squaring his shoulders, he gave her a smile, but it seemed forced. “Race you home?”

  With that, Sam took off, leaving Sarah staring after him. What was that all about? Fine. She’d let him win this time.

  Chapter 26

  ♥

  Monday, June 11, 1962

  Sam startled as a loud rap sounded on his office door. “Come in.”

  Gina appeared in the doorway. “I’m sorry to interrupt, Mr. Lewis. Tess Jordan is here to see you. She doesn’t have an appointment, but—”

  Tess? What could she want? “That’s fine. Please send her in.” He tamped down the swell of disappointment that it wasn’t Sarah. Glancing at his watch, he figured he could spare ten minutes before he needed to head out to the school board meeting at Town Hall. From experience, he knew ten minutes should be more than enough time with Tess.

  No sooner had Sam lifted out of his chair than the eldest Jordan sister marched into his office and closed the door behind her. From her determined expression, she reminded him of his mother when she was about to scold him for some childhood prank. He sure hoped Tess wasn’t about to wag her finger in his face.

  “Hi, Tess. Come in, why don’t you?” He ushered her to a chair before crossing the room and opening the door all the way. “What’s on your mind?”

  “Sarah.” She shifted in the chair. “And you. As in the two of you. Together.”

  “I see.” Lowering himself into the other chair, he waited for her to say more.

  Tess pinned him down with her blue-eyed gaze. “You’re in love with my little sister, aren’t you?”

  Sam met her gaze. “I’ve loved her for a long time. As a friend. A very close friend. The best.” When he glimpsed Tess’s raised brow, he hastened to explain. “All right, I’d like it to be more—a lot more—but in Sarah’s eyes, I’m destined to be nothing more than the older neighbor boy.” He grunted and lightly thumped his fist on the wooden arm of the chair.

  Tess blew out a sigh. “Wow. You really don’t get it, do you?”

  Get what? “I guess I don’t, but I’m sure you’ll be more than happy to enlighten me.” That last comment was ill-advised, but she didn’t seem to mind. Oh yes, the woman had a mission in being here.

  “If you like her, you need to let her know, you doofus! Are you blind? Come on, Sam. She’s all moony-eyed over you and doesn’t even know it because she thinks you’re interested in Sylvie. And you! Why, you come to the diner practically every day like a romantic fool, and apparently you’ve been observing her and drawing her in secret under the guise of working. Nice drawing, by the way.”

  “Thanks.” He waited as Tess drew in a quick breath, knowing she had much more to say.

  “Then there’s all the time you spend with Sarah out at Thornton’s Creek. You two are such creatures of habit with your not-so-secret little meetings.” She crossed her arms. “I can tell time by when Sarah leaves our front steps to go to the creek every night. And”—she looked at her watch—“oh, yes, there’s Sam bounding down his front steps, not less than a full minute behind her. You could stand to play a little harder to get.”

  The muscles in his jaws flexed. He’d been found out, and by the one person who could—and might—spread the news around town in record time. But would Tess gossip about her own sister? As long as he’d known her, Sam had never known her to be a gossip. Or vindictive.

  He frowned. “What do you want me to say? I’ll admit that I make opportunities to run into Sarah, yes, and I genuinely enjoy her company. I’d like to believe the feeling is mutual, but it’s kind of hard to play hard to get with someone who’s not interested.”

  She obviously didn’t like that answer as she huffed and blew out a sigh of frustration. “It’s not a matter of not being interested. Sarah’s confused, plain and simple. Until you came home, she had her life plan all figured out. Now that you two have spent all this time together, I can see how conflicted she’s become.”

  “And that’s what I don’t want to happen. I don’t want to hold Sarah back from what she wants.”

  “So, what? You’re going to just sit back and let her go? You need to make your feelings known before you and Sarah both end up miserable wrecks because you can’t tell each other how you feel. Tell me something, and answer me honestly. How is spending time with Sarah different than spending time with Sylvie, Debbie, or. . .me, for that matter? In other words, any other woman—young or old, married or single—in Rockbridge?”

  Sam sat back in his chair, considering his answer. “Sarah doesn’t have a clue how beautiful she is. She’s intelligent, funny, and she’s one of the most giving people I’ve ever met.” He leveled his gaze on Tess. “She accepts me as I am. She always has, and she’s never expected anything from me other than friendship.” He relaxed and his smile escaped. “I like her gentleness with Perry Sellers, her patience with the kids at church, the way she interacts with her customers and co-workers at Perry’s, the compassion she demonstrates for everyone.” He gestured to his neck. “Then there’s that cute little mole—”

  “Enough already!” Tess held up one hand, the slightest hint of a smile upturning her lips. “Good heavens, man. Are you even listening to yourself?” Leaning forward, she slapped one hand on his knee before withdrawing a few seconds later. “Here’s an idea. Why don’t you haul Sarah into your arms, kiss the living daylights out of her and tell her how you feel? Tomorrow might be good.” She sat back in the chair, shaking her head. “The Lord knows, I think you should. I know it’s the same for Sarah. Get out all these pent-up feelings inside you before you spontaneously combust.”

  “I. . .” Sam stuttered. “Because I can’t,” he said finally. “As much as I’d love nothing more than to do that very thing.”

  Based on her deep frown, that was not the response she wanted to hear. Tess quickly rose from the chair, the force of her glare boring through him. “Not acceptable. That’s the most unsatisfactory, vague response I’ve ever heard come out of your mouth. You disappoint me, Sam. And here I thought you’d grown up during your time in the service. Guess I was mistaken.”

  “Wait, Tess.” He had to tell her what he hadn’t wanted to admit even to himself. She’d started for the door, but paused as he moved beside her. He needed to state his case and make it count.

  “You’re right.” Taking her hand, Sam pulled her back into the office before releasing her. He fixed Tess with his gaze and lowered his voice. “I’m in love with Sarah. I think I have been ever since I came back home to Rockbridge. But as much as I want to tell her how I feel, it wouldn’t be fair to her. Her plans to leave are firmly in place, and I can’t say anything to keep her from following that dream. She’ll be a great nurse. Just y
esterday, at the creek, Sarah told me about a missions group called TeamWork, and how she’s hoping to join them in Austin, and then maybe go overseas with them after she graduates.”

  Walking away a few paces, he rubbed his hand over his forehead. “Especially after hearing Sarah talk about her hopes for the future, if she stayed here in Rockbridge on my account, I’d always blame myself for keeping her from—”

  “From finding true love? You know how to fly a plane, for crying out loud. She’ll be in Austin the next few years, not across the world.” She advanced a step toward him. “Sam Lewis, if you let my sister go to Austin without staking your claim on her heart, then you’ll have to accept the fact that she will eventually find another man willing to give her what you’re apparently too chicken to do. If you ask me, you two are perfect for each other, but you both make me so mad, I want to knock your heads together!”

  Sam’s shoulders slumped. “This isn’t about being afraid, Tess. Like I said, I can’t hold her back. There’s the other part of the equation: if she stayed here, and things didn’t work out between us in the long run, I’d never forgive myself. I wouldn’t be able to bear the hurt in her eyes. I need to let her go. It’s for the best.” Not for one second did he believe things wouldn’t work out between them if he was able to win Sarah’s heart. Was he deluding himself? Taking the easy way out?

  Tess’s blue eyes sparked, reminding him of Sarah’s when she was mad. “So, you’re going to stay behind and play the martyr card, is that it? Go through the motions of living and pretend you’re not allowing the girl of your heart to walk away forever? While I can admire your oh-so-proper and selfless intentions, Sam, it sure as anything smacks of a big old lack of faith to me.”

  He reared back. “How do you figure that? I’ve prayed about this a lot. Trust me.” Why was everyone in his life accusing him of acting like a martyr? Sarah, Charlie and now Tess? Since when did wanting the best for someone indicate a lack of faith? No, more like it was a sacrifice.

  “Then I suggest you pray a little harder.” She huffed again and turned abruptly. As her parting gift, Tess slammed his office door behind her. Hard.

  With a groan, Sam lowered his head to his hands.

  Chapter 27

  ♥

  Tuesday, Late Evening

  Sarah flipped the light switch and then pulled the keys from her pocket. She stopped short as Sam appeared on the opposite side of the glass door. “May I come in?” he mouthed to her. When she nodded, he stepped inside the door. Tonight he was in his full cowboy mode—jeans, short-sleeved shirt, Stetson and boots. Rugged and masculine. Mercy.

  Reaching for the bell, Sarah stilled it as she closed the door behind him and turned the lock. “Hi there.”

  “Hi, Sarah.”

  “Have you come to divulge the name of my anonymous benefactor?”

  “No.” Sam shook his head, but he didn’t smile. Matter of fact, he looked as serious as she’d seen him since the night when he’d stopped Merle’s car. The night when he’d played the part of the big, strong hero and rescued her. The night he’d managed to dig his way deeper into her heart.

  “If you’re here to eat, I’m afraid you’re too late. We’re closed for the night.”

  The corners of his mouth twitched. “I haven’t eaten since lunch, but that’s not why I’m here.”

  “I could fix you an omelet at the house, if you’d like.”

  “Thanks, but I don’t want an omelet.” He stepped closer, slow and purposeful. “I’m not hungry for food.” Sam’s face relaxed, softened. And those eyes…full of what sure looked like longing, but what did she really know of such things? The air was charged with tension between them like never before, but it was warm. Wonderful. Filling her with anticipation and a world of possibilities.

  Her gaze moved across his handsome features, lingering on his mouth. “What is it that you want, Sam?”

  Without answering, he crossed to the jukebox. Digging a few coins from his jeans, Sam inserted them into the machine and then made his selections. A few seconds later, Ray Charles began to croon “You Don’t Know Me.” Without the usual noise and clatter of the diner, the music was loud, but it faded into the background as he returned to her, swallowing her range of vision. She watched as he removed his Stetson and tossed it on a nearby table. A man rarely tossed a Stetson. His eyes never leaving hers, Sam walked slowly toward her, each step of his boots bringing him deeper into her very soul.

  Stopping in front of her, Sam offered his hand, waiting. Their gazes locked and held. “May I have this dance, Miss Jordan?” His voice was deep, husky. Oh, that voice did such things to her. Sarah’s pulse raced uncontrollably, and she couldn’t breathe.

  She gave him her hand. This was real, this was life. This was passion. She’d always wondered if she’d recognize it when it happened. Now, she knew. This night, this moment, would change the course of their lives. Was this really happening? Or was she living a precious dream?

  Lacing their fingers together, Sam raised their joined hands and rested them over his heart. After moving his other hand around her waist, he inched her closer and began to move with her. Beneath the thin cotton of his shirt, beneath the warmth of him, the firmness of his chest, the steady rhythm of Sam’s heartbeat reassured her.

  “I don’t know what to do,” she murmured. “I’ve never danced before.” The top button of his shirt was undone. Although she’d seen him without his shirt on numerous occasions at the creek, this was different. Her senses heated from the intimacy of the moment. The scent of his cologne made her weak. Dizzy.

  “I beg to differ. You were doing a very good job of it here in the diner not so long ago.”

  “That was different,” she said with a small smile. “Not at all like this.”

  “I’ll show you.”

  She leaned her head on his chest and allowed him to lead. His hold on her tightened. “Sarah, you have to know I don’t want Sylvie. I’ve never wanted Sylvie. Or any other girl but you.”

  She swallowed, raised her eyes to his and stopped dancing. “You don’t?”

  “I went to see her today and apologized if I’d somehow led her to believe there could be anything between us other than friendship.”

  “You did?”

  He kissed her forehead, allowing his lips to linger. “Sylvie told me she knew I was interested in someone else. Said she’d invited me to meet her folks mainly because her father wanted to talk with me about UT football and the Air Force.” He chuckled and moved his warm, soft lips to her cheek. “No matter where you are—Austin, or anywhere else—I want to be with you as often as possible. If that’s what you want, nothing will deter me.”

  “You do?” She shook her head. “I mean, it won’t?” Although she felt silly for her questions, she was dazed. Hardly able to breathe much less think coherently.

  Sam smiled into her eyes and slowed their steps. “Baby, you could go to school across the country, across the globe, or on the moon, but I’ll never stop thinking about you. Because you see,” he said, “that’s like asking me not to picture your face in my mind every night before I go to sleep, or every morning when I get up.”

  He traced a path along the side of her face with a gentle hand, his fingers lingering. “It’s like asking me not to pray. I’ve prayed for years, asking God to show me the girl of His choosing. Asked Him to lead me in the direction of the right woman.”

  Sarah’s eyes searched his in the dim light.

  “I still pray that prayer,” he whispered. “Every night since I’ve been home. And every single time, without fail, my next thought has always been of you. For you see, you’re always with me. In here.” With their hands still joined over his heart, Sam tightened his grip. Leaning close to her, he brushed his lips over hers. “I think you’ve always been with me, even though I didn’t even know it.”

  Removing his hand from hers, Sam cradled her face in one hand, smiling as she leaned into his touch. “I want you, Sarah. If I spend the rest of my life
trying, with everything I am, with everything I can offer, I hope to win your heart.” He slid his fingertips down her arms—sending shivers throughout her entire being—then guided her hands around his neck. “Don’t be afraid.”

  “I’m not afraid.” Meeting his eyes again, Sarah swallowed.

  “You don’t know how much I’ve wanted to do this. Hold you.” Sam smoothed one palm over her hair. “Kiss you.” She breathed in the scent of him, the masculinity of him, never wanting to let go of the moment and this man.

  “You are so beautiful.” Henry Mancini’s “Moon River” played in the background. She’d never forget this moment, this song, the perfection of it all.

  “Thank you. So are you.” Laughing softly, she leaned her forehead against his chest. “Not the time to be inarticulate, Sarah.” She’d shared so much of her life with this man since he’d returned to Rockbridge, laid her heart bare before him. Surrendered her heart.

  Sam lifted her chin with a gentle hand. “I don’t think you understand just how special you are. To me. You’ve always been special. We both needed the time to grow up and recognize the relationship we share. In all its glorious imperfection, it’s absolutely perfect.”

  “I’m not so sure I’m grown up. Enough for you. I mean. . .” Even in her embarrassment, she treasured his words.

  He chuckled, deep and low. “I do believe you’re more mature than I am.” Although she didn’t look at him, Sarah felt that incredible smile everywhere.

  “I doubt that.” She patted his chest with one hand, and he tangled her fingers with his in a firm hold.

  “Why me and not another girl, Sam?”

  Sam chuckled under his breath. “Why not you?”