Prelude: Prequel to The Lewis Legacy Series

by JoAnn Durgin

  “I’ll definitely keep that in mind.” He followed Sarah back down the hallway and into the master bedroom. “Sorry about fainting,” he said to Danny, Doc and Jewell. Might as well acknowledge his shortcomings before someone else did. “I didn’t mean to cause a scene, but I guess I can kiss my macho image goodbye.” After he heard Sarah snort, he grunted. He’d pay her back later for that one.

  “That’s okay.” Danny winked at Sarah. “Now we know you’re human.”

  Awed by the sight of the sleeping baby in Jewell’s arms, Sam moved closer to the bed. “Boy or girl?”

  “Boy,” Danny said, sounding proud as a new papa should. Sam couldn’t imagine how it must feel to know you’d created a new life. Hopefully, one day he’d experience the joy of bringing children into the world. In his heart, he couldn’t imagine anyone other than Sarah being the mother of his kids.

  “You can hold him, if you want,” Jewell said. She lifted her sleeping son, offering him to Sam.

  “Only for a minute.” Cradling the baby in his arms, Sam marveled at his perfection. Truly, this child represented God’s promise, innocence in its purest manifestation. “He’s a treasure.” He supported the infant’s head with one hand and lightly ran his finger over the child’s cheek. From the corner of his eye, he caught Sarah watching him with a look of wonder as he smoothed his palm over the baby’s head. “Look at all that dark hair. Have you given him a name?”

  Turning her head, Jewell smiled at Sarah. “Jordan. In honor of the one who helped bring him into the world.”

  Sam snapped his attention to Sarah. Her eyes were full, and she lowered her gaze.

  “That’s a great name.” He’d never heard Jordan as a first name before, but he loved it.

  “Danny and I decided that boy or girl, we were going to name our baby Jordan.”

  “You should have seen Sarah,” Danny said. “She caught him. I mean, my boy came flying out like nothin’ I’ve seen before.”

  Doc Meriweather chuckled. “I’m thankful you could be here, Sarah. All that time on a softball field came in handy, eh?”

  Sarah nodded, wiping away a tear. Could any woman ever be more beautiful?

  “Well done. He’s incredible. Congratulations to you both.” With the utmost care, Sam transferred Jordan back into his waiting mother’s arms.

  As they returned to the truck a short time later, Sam draped his arm around Sarah’s shoulders. Both walked slowly, exhausted in the best way imaginable, leaning on each other for support.

  After he climbed in behind the wheel and turned the key in the ignition, Sam heard Sarah’s quiet laughter. At first, he thought she might be crying, caught up in the emotion of the day. He quirked a brow and sat back, waiting. “Are you okay, baby?”

  “Yes.” She sniffled and wiped her fingers beneath both eyes. So, she was both laughing and crying. “I can’t believe they named their son Jordan. That’s incredibly precious to me.”

  “I agree, but why does that make you laugh?”

  She leaned her head back against the seat. “I researched the name ‘Jordan’ for a school project once. It means ‘descend’ or ‘flow down.’” She waved her hand and closed her eyes. “Forget it. I’m just tired and being silly.”

  “No, you’re right,” he said as he pulled the truck onto the road. “It’s an appropriate name in more ways than one. In my eyes, the fact that Jordan is the name of the river where John the Baptist baptized Jesus also makes it mighty special.”

  Sarah’s eyes fluttered open and she turned her head to look at him. “Thank you again for being with me today, Sam. You’re precious to me, too, you know.”

  “As you are to me.” He dared not dwell on those gorgeous brown eyes or he might run them off the road. Faint circles ringed her eyes, but her face was still slightly flushed from the events of the last few hours.

  “Welcome. I’m thankful everything turned out so well. God’s answer to prayer. I was driving myself nuts when I didn’t know what was happening. The only thing that finally settled me down was when I started to pray.” He reached for her hand, an action as natural as breathing. As he drove, he caressed the side of her hand with his thumb. Glancing at their joined hands after he pulled into the driveway a short time later, Sam left the engine idling. For a couple of minutes, he sat transfixed, unable to move, simply observing her. Sarah had fallen asleep, and her chest rose and fell with each quiet breath.

  Seeing how she’d reacted in a medical emergency only confirmed what he’d known all along: she’d be a great nurse. If he hadn’t already known it, he was filled with complete admiration for the woman beside him. She was compassionate and tender yet tough enough to withstand the intense emotions and stress. By not panicking, she’d kept everyone else around her calm. And she’d dealt with the sight, the smell, the everything of blood. Ugh. Nothing but the blood took on an entirely new meaning. Sam shuddered again before guilt consumed him. His Savior had died on a cross, beaten to a bloody pulp, had the oxygen drained from his lungs, and all for what? A military man who was so cowardly he fainted at the sight of a little blood?

  I’m not worthy, Father. Thank you for loving me enough. Sam bowed his head for a few moments, allowing a peace to flow over him. He prayed once more, thanking the Lord for strong souls like Sarah who embraced the daunting rigors and demands of the medical profession. He’d stick with handling financial matters and endure the teasing from the woman he loved.

  The woman I love. He’d loved her almost immediately upon his return to Rockbridge. She’d enchanted him when he’d spied her standing beside Tess at the parade. Tall, statuesque, and composed. Grownup and lovely. She’d impressed him by the way she’d held her own in the face of Kathy Parker’s unkind taunts. When he’d talked with her privately at the counter, he’d admired her obvious intelligence and the fire in those gorgeous brown eyes.

  Gifting her with the anonymous cashier’s check was probably the best thing he could have done. Sure, he’d miss her like crazy when she left for UT, and he’d be putting a lot of miles on Volvo—he’d adopted Sarah’s name for his car—traveling the highway between Rockbridge and Austin.

  Slipping his hand out from beneath Sarah’s, Sam climbed out of the truck. Hoping not to disturb her, he gently scooped her into his arms. The front door was open, and he flung open the screen door before carrying her into the house. He tried to hide his grin at the sight of her head slumped back in complete abandon. Moving one hand behind her neck to give it support, he couldn’t resist kissing her forehead.

  Tess and Charlie were working in the living room. Seeing him at the front door, Tess put down her brush and hurried over to him. Sam smiled at her paint-splattered overalls and chuckled when he saw Charlie was equally covered with green paint. From all appearances, they’d had as much fun painting together as he and Sarah had earlier in the morning.

  “Looks like you two had some fun paint wars in here today.” He glanced around at the room, pleased with how it was progressing. “At least the others got some work done.” The way Tess blushed was plenty interesting. Charlie gave him a barely imperceptible nod when Sam quirked a brow in his direction. Well, what do you know? Good for Charlie.

  “Everything okay with Jewell?” Grabbing a nearby towel, Tess wiped her hands.

  “Yes. Everyone’s fine. I’m happy to report that Jewell and Danny are the proud parents of a healthy baby boy they’ve named Jordan in your sister’s honor.”

  “Really? That’s so sweet. Glad everyone’s doing well.” Based on Tess’s change in behavior—from her willingness to wear overalls and get covered in paint to her softer demeanor—Sam figured that must have been one mighty important conversation Sarah had shared with her sister recently. Matter of fact, Sarah told him she felt as though she finally had her sister back.

  “You should have seen Sarah today,” he told them. “I know she was nervous, but she didn’t show it at all. She was brave, confident, and a big comfort for Jewell. Sarah proved all over again what a great nu
rse she’ll be one day soon.”

  Tess smiled. “I know it means the world to my sister that you support her in that dream, Sam.”

  “Did Doc ever show up?” Charlie said.

  “Yes, but the baby had already been born.”

  “At least he got there.” Charlie nodded to Sarah. “Looks like the experience completely wore her out.”

  “Let me take her to the bedroom and get her in bed.” Tess stepped forward. When Sam made no effort to move, she hesitated. “You’ll have to actually put her down.”

  “Do you mind if I do the honors? That is, if you don’t find it too forward.”

  Tess angled her head as if considering the idea. “Forward or not, she’s clearly exhausted. I suppose it’ll be okay. But don’t get any ideas just because our parents—”

  “I won’t. Looks like you two are getting enough ideas of your own.” Sam started to walk past them but not before catching the look Tess gave Charlie. Yeah, something was up with these two, and he couldn’t be happier. With a chuckle, he headed down the hallway leading to the bedrooms. He didn’t know which way to go, but he’d figure it out. When he spied the trophies and a couple of sparkly crowns on a bookshelf in the first bedroom on the right, he knew he had the right room since he was aware Sarah shared a bedroom with her older sister.

  Sam carefully lowered her onto the twin bed opposite another trophy display he knew must be Tess’s side of the bedroom. He noted the copy of To Kill A Mockingbird beside her pillow. Sitting on the bed, he untied the laces of her tennis shoes, smiling when he tugged off her shoes and spied the pale pink nail polish on her toes. Should he pull the sheet over her? Nah, might as leave well enough alone since there was only a small fan to cool the room.

  Standing beside the bed, Sam watched Sarah sleep for a few moments before turning to go.

  “Captain?”

  He paused in the doorway. “Yes?”

  “Thanks again for helping me today. You were great”—she yawned—“and a great interpreter for Doc Meriweather. Love you.”

  “I love you, Nurse Sarah. Sleep well.”

  Almost immediately, she turned on her side. Her heavy breathing told him she’d already fallen asleep within seconds.

  Chapter 35

  ♥

  The Next Saturday

  Shelly Jackson, one of the young mothers on the school’s carnival committee, stashed her belongings beneath the face painting table and sat in the folding chair beside Sarah. “Beautiful day for the carnival, huh? God’s smiling on us today, and we’ve already made enough to cover the initial costs for the new playground equipment. I can take over now if you want to go.”

  “Not yet.” Miranda, the granddaughter of the school principal, gave an emphatic nod, setting her red curls bobbing. “Miss Sarah’s gotta finish my pretty rainbow first.”

  Sarah held the paint brush and waited until the head bob ended. “I wouldn’t think of leaving until you have every color in your rainbow.” Concentrating on keeping her hand steady, she swept an arc of purple on the girl’s cheek. After dipping the used brush in the jar of water, she pulled out a clean brush from another jar. “I think that’s all except yellow. Hold still for another minute and I’ll add that one.”

  When Sarah finished, she carefully smoothed her index finger beneath the yellow arc to even out the line. Perhaps it was silly to be so precise since the paint would be washed off by the morning. Maybe it brought out her perfectionistic tendencies, but she wanted it to be her best effort. “There now. All done.”

  The girl turned her head so the other woman could see Sarah’s handiwork. “Isn’t it bee-u-ti-ful, Miss Shelly?”

  “It sure is,” Shelly said with an approving nod. “Miss Sarah does fabulous work.”

  “Yep.” Another head bob. “Can I touch it now?”

  When the girl moved her hand toward her cheek, Sarah stopped her. “Wait a couple of minutes to give it more time to dry.” Handing her a hand mirror, she helped angle it so Miranda could see the colorful rainbow, anchored by clouds on both ends.

  “Can you add smiley faces to the clouds?”

  “I sure can.” Dipping a brush into the black paint, Sarah kept a light but firm hold on Miranda’s chin while she quickly dabbed on eyes and smile lines.

  “I need my face painted, Miss Sarah.”

  Speaking of smile lines. Squinting in the bright sunshine, Sarah looked up into blue eyes made even more brilliant in the early afternoon sun. “I was just going to take a break. I’m sure Shelly will be happy to do the honors.”

  Laughing, Shelly raised her hands. “I only paint the faces of kids, not Air Force captains.”

  “Ah, come on now, ladies. I’m just a big kid at heart. Right, Sarah?”

  “No more than I am.” She turned back to Miranda, only to find her gone.

  “Her older brother, Johnny, came to fetch her and they took off,” Shelly told her. “She’s fine.”

  Sam dropped a twenty dollar bill in the donation jar. “I’d like an airplane and clouds, please. Make them real fluffy. Your best effort, but no smiley faces required.”

  “I’ll give you fluffy.” With a wink for Shelly, Sarah instructed him to sit in the chair. “But you have to vamoose if a real paying customer comes along since we only have one chair.”

  “See how she treats me, Shelly?” Sam shook his head. “No respect.”

  “I’m not very good at airplanes, but I’ll try my best.” For the next few minutes, Sam cooperated, only injecting comments here and there as she worked. “There,” she said, releasing his chin. “That’s all the damage I can do.”

  “Damage?” He quirked a brow and picked up the mirror. “It’s, um”—he angled the mirror—“a good effort. The clouds do look very fluffy.”

  Sarah dropped the brush back into the jar and sniffed. “Do you want your money back?”

  “Not necessary. It was worth it for the opportunity to sit so close to you with your hand on my face for a few minutes.”

  “Shh,” Sarah said, aware she was blushing as Sam kissed her cheek. Thankfully, Shelly was talking with another young mother a few feet away.

  “What is it teenage girls say when a guy kisses their cheek? ‘I’ll never wash this cheek again,’” he said in a feigned tone of voice.

  “You’re silly.” She swatted his arm. “Which station are you working?”

  “You’ll find out soon enough, I’m sure.”

  She eyed him up and down. Dressed in his shorts and T-shirt, he looked no different than he usually did after hours from the bank. “Are you going to make me guess? The pie eating contest?”

  “No. I gave up on that when I was seventeen. If you were there, you’ll recall I turned green and ran off. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you the reason.”

  “Too many peaches?”

  “Yeah, right. Mike DeRoss added a secret ingredient to his mother’s pies without her knowledge. Those pies were legendary, and—”

  “How could I forget?” Her lips twisted.

  “Don’t worry. We got Mike back for that one.”

  “I don’t think I want to know.”

  Sam laughed. “Let’s just say he won’t forget the chili cook-off the following year.” He checked his watch. “I’ve got to run to my station now. I’ll catch up with you in a little while. Been to the cakewalk yet?”

  “No, but why won’t you tell me where you’ll be?” She’d been trying to get him to tell her for almost a week, but none of her attempts to bribe, cajole or coerce him had been successful.

  He tapped her nose. “See you in about an hour if not before.”

  “Maybe I’ll head on home.”

  He winked. “No, you won’t.”

  “Overconfident, are we?”

  “No,” he said. “Confident in you.”

  Puzzling over that remark, Sarah headed toward the school gymnasium for the cakewalk. All the whispering was odd as she slowly walked around the circle, waiting for the music to stop. She stared at the numb
ers taped on the gymnasium floor. A number of the ladies from church darted covert glances at her and then at one another, as if they were conveying secret messages. Since when was a school cakewalk some kind of conspiracy? Strange.

  Maybe the afternoon sun is getting to you.

  Twenty minutes later, Sarah walked back outside with one of Catherine Lewis’s peach pies in her hands. Funny how it’d been the only pie in the cakewalk. The ladies explained that a Rockbridge cakewalk always included Catherine Lewis’s pies. Sensing several pairs of eyes on her back, Sarah turned and spied three ladies smiling from the doorway. They waved. “Enjoy Catherine’s pie, dear!” Betty Raines said.

  Sarah returned their smiles. “Thanks. I’m sure I will.”

  What was that all about?

  Feeling parched, she headed to the nearest drink station. She wasn’t the only one with the same idea, and she joined the line behind Gina, Sam’s assistant at Rockbridge Savings & Loan. Since her hands were occupied with the peach pie dish, she couldn’t tap her on the shoulder. When she opened her mouth to speak, the young woman beside Gina—Sarah recognized her as a teller from the bank—spoke up.

  “Can you believe Sam Lewis did that for her? If you ask me, that’s either love or suicide.”

  Sarah glanced around, unsure what to do.

  Leave now, Sarah. This is not going to turn out well. Listening to gossip is never a good thing.

  Not wanting to be discovered and have them believe she was eavesdropping, Sarah turned to go.

  “He was going to put a down payment on a house, but then decided to wait because he wanted to spend the money on Sarah instead,” Gina said.

  Forgive me, Lord. But maybe—just maybe—you wanted me to hear this conversation. Was it eavesdropping if she was innocently waiting in a line behind two women—unaware of her presence—discussing something over which she had no control?

  Maybe that was stretching the lines of propriety or social norms, but Sarah couldn’t leave. Not that she could move her feet even if she tried. For better or worse, she was going to stand her ground and listen until she figured out what these two women were discussing. What money? Sam had taken her to dinner at Quentin’s, surprised her with flowers a couple of times in the diner, but they made it sound like Sam had spent significant money on her.