by JoAnn Durgin
It had been hard enough to bid farewell to Winnie, Amy, Natalie, the other girls, and especially Rebekah, with promises to stay in touch. Since Amy lived in New York and Natalie in Boston, Lexa had no idea when she might see them again. She hoped it might be on a future TeamWork mission. With Winnie living just outside Houston and Rebekah in a small town near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Lexa felt sure she’d reconnect with them. The group had formed close bonds during their eight weeks together, and she didn’t want to let these wonderful people go forever
“Here, I forgot to give this to you last night.” Lexa held out the small, slim box containing the watch as they stood facing one another outside the bus terminal.
Taking it from her with a curious look, Sam unwrapped it with quick fingers. Spying the watch nestled inside, his laugh was rich but subdued. “I love it.” Removing it from the box, he fastened it on his bare wrist. “This is precisely what I need. Thank you, Lexa. It’s very thoughtful. You always take care of my needs.” When he looked up at her, those blue eyes mesmerized her all over again.
“You’re welcome.” She wanted to always take care of this man’s needs. Smiling through tremulous lips, Lexa watched the bus pull up to the curb behind them. “That’s my bus,” she told him in a hushed voice. Sam nodded without speaking. Even though he made no move to touch her, his eyes spoke volumes.
A cough overwhelmed her, and Lexa succumbed. Putting one quick hand across her stomach and the other over her mouth, she coughed hard.
“Are you okay, sweetheart? Dust in your lungs?”
“No. Love in my lungs.”
“Oh.” He groaned a little, and they laughed together. Lexa was afraid she’d burst into tears and wanted to keep the mood light. When Sam bundled her close, she clung to him. Her hands gripped his shoulders, and she closed her eyes. She’d never thought of herself as a clingy female, but with Sam, she never wanted to leave the circle of those strong arms. A big part of the equation was that he’d soon be gone for the next year. It was her own bitter pill to swallow.
“I’m not going to say good-bye to you, Sam,” Lexa whispered as he held her tight. She was becoming an emotional ninny around this man. But she didn’t care.
“Then don’t. I’ll call you in a couple of days when I get to Houston.” Sam tapped her chin with gentle fingers. “Remember, this is the easy part.”
“Do you know where you’re going or anything about your schedule for the next year?”
He picked up her suitcase to walk her over to the bus. The driver took the bag from Sam and told Lexa she needed to board as soon as possible. “No, but I should know more by the time I see you in Houston.”
With a quick kiss and a murmured good-bye, Lexa hurried up the steps and onto the bus. Finding a window seat midway down the aisle, she dropped into the seat and waved out the window. A part of her wished Sam would simply climb in that old white station wagon and leave. It might make it easier for both of them. But another, deeper part of her, wanted him to stand there until the bus was out of view. He chose the latter route.
As the bus pulled away in a cloud of ever-present brown dust, Sam slowly raised his hand. As she settled back against her seat, wiping away a tear, Lexa knew it wasn’t her imagination that a tear made its path down his cheek.
CHAPTER 45
Houston – Three Days Later
Opening the door of her townhome, Lexa expected to see Sam standing on the doorstep. No Sam. Sticking her head outside, she looked one way and then the other. Hmm. She heard the distinct knock, and it was six-thirty on Friday night, the time he was expected to arrive. The man was always as punctual as clockwork. Then she saw it. On the ground, propped against the bushes to the right of her front door, was a long white box tied with a yellow satin ribbon.
Smiling, she crept closer and spied a small white envelope with Lexa written on the front. Scooping the box in her arms, she swept back inside her townhome and carried it over to the small kitchen. Untying the ribbon, she let the ends fall aside as she opened the top of the box. Parting the white tissue paper, she gasped in delight as she spied a dozen, long-stemmed yellow roses, along with baby’s breath, nestled inside.
“They’re gorgeous,” she breathed, picking up one of the blooms and inhaling its scent. She’d never received flowers before in her life. Sam’s loving sentiment was precious to her. Lexa felt like laughing with pure joy and bursting into tears all at the same time. The roses were the most beautiful shade of yellow she’d ever seen, symbolizing hope and sunshine, and a reflection of the way Sam made her feel inside.
How could he know they’d mean so much to her? Because he was such a caring, thoughtful man. Not to mention highly intuitive. Sam never asked about her past relationships, not that there was much to tell. Sam was so confident in his own skin. He trusted her to tell him if there was anything he should know.
Remembering she hadn’t opened the card, she retrieved the small white envelope with shaky fingers and pulled out the card tucked inside. My dearest Lexa, I might be in some far off land, but my heart will remain with you always. Trust in the Lord. He’ll take care of you always and wrap His loving arms around you, holding you close when I can’t. With great hope and expectation for our future together. Love, Sam. Ephesians 1:13-17.
That did it. Oh, the cowboy could be so romantic. The tears started a steady stream down her cheeks. She’d even applied a little makeup, and now it was ruined. Never mind. Walking over to the mirror in the hallway, she wiped away a few last stray tears and tried her best to compose herself, forcing deep breaths.
It was great to wear something nice for Sam instead of the shorts and T-shirts she’d worn at the campsite. Not to mention they were both covered with a layer of dust or dirt at the work camp. Tonight she’d chosen a pretty, light pink cotton dress and high-heeled sandals. She’d never been one for frills and liked simple and elegant styles. She hoped Sam liked it. It was amazing how she suddenly wanted to dress to please a man, to please one particular man. Just eight short weeks ago, Lexa wouldn’t have thought it possible. What a difference a TeamWork camp makes indeed.
This night promised the beginning of one of the most wonderful weeks of her life when they could explore their developing relationship apart from the demands and rigors of the work camp. The possibilities were endless. At the end of the week, she’d miss him something terrible. The thought that he’d be gone for an entire year almost broke her heart.
Lexa forced herself to concentrate on the here and now as she carried the gorgeous yellow roses into the kitchen and retrieved a vase under the sink. She handled it with care since it belonged to her mother. As unemotional and unromantic as her father had been, he’d given her mother flowers on the occasional birthday or Valentine’s Day. Filling the vase with water, Lexa dumped in the contents of the preservative packet that had been tucked in the box along with the fresh blooms.
Another knock. Busy in the kitchen, Lexa knew this time it was Sam. Her heart pounded with anticipation although it had only been a few days since she left the TeamWork camp. She could only imagine what seeing Sam would be like again after an entire year had passed. She pushed that thought aside—again. Tonight, and the entire week ahead, was about enjoying being with the man she loved.
Smoothing her dress with a quick hand, Lexa fluffed her long hair and took another deep, steadying breath which proved futile once she saw Sam standing on her doorstep. He was making acquaintance with dear Clarice Swanson, her next door neighbor. Charming her from the looks of it. Goodness, the man could charm the shell off an armadillo.
“I was meeting your young man, Lexa.” Clarice gave her a knowing wink. “Hang on to him, dear. He’s a keeper.”
“You think so?” Lexa practically hauled Sam over the threshold. With a wave as Clarice made her way down the front walkway, she closed the front door. Leaning back against the door, she was literally swept up in his arms as he pulled her to him and peppered her cheeks, her forehead and then her lips with light kisses.
“And you’re incredibly beautiful, Miss Clarke.”
Lexa sighed. “It’s hard to know what to do with that, you know.”
“Ah, but I thought you were getting much more adept at handling compliments.”
“Speaking of beautiful, I was arranging a bouquet of absolutely gorgeous yellow roses delivered a few minutes ago. Have any idea where they might have come from?”
Sam chuckled. “Probably another one of your many admirers. I figured you might like yellow roses. After all, what woman in Texas doesn’t?” Even as she acknowledged that sentiment, Lexa knew she’d love dandelions—weeds—from this man. She’d take anything he offered because it would come from the purest part of his heart.
“You’re adorable when you giggle.” Sam helped her put the last of the long-stemmed roses in the tall vase after first plucking away a few of the leaves and trimming the bottom. “Ouch. I knew that would happen,” he complained after pricking his index finger on one of the thorns. He wrung his hand and raised his finger to his lips before smiling and holding it up. “Care to kiss it and make it all better?”
She laughed. “After you just had your germs all over it? Not on your life.”
“The threat of germs didn’t stop you from kissing me.”
“Different and you know it.” They laughed together and bantered back and forth as they prepared to go to dinner. Her momentary fear that they might not have anything to talk about at the end of the TeamWork camp was dispelled completely. Lexa remembered to grab her sweater as they headed outside, although she suspected keeping warm anytime in the week ahead wouldn’t be a problem.
“So, do you still have your job at Alamo World Financial?” Sam wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close as they walked together toward the station wagon. Lexa appreciated how he kept his strides purposely short to keep pace beside her.
“Believe it or not, they hired someone else to take my place, but that person proved not quite competent enough to handle the workload.”
“Are you going to bury yourself in work while I’m gone?”
“What do you expect me to do? Pine away for the man I love?” she teased, before turning more serious. “Yes, I’ll probably pour myself into work. But don’t remind me.” Lexa buried her head against him, loving the feel, the smell, the everything of Sam. She wanted to savor every sense, every feeling, every emotion. “I don’t want to spend this week talking about financial planning or anything close to it. But I know one thing I’ll do while you’re gone. I’m going to practice making peach pie.”
He laughed, helping her into the car. “Let me take the most gorgeous woman in the world to dinner.”
~~**~~
“So, did you pick out that blue sweater all on your own or did you have some help?” Lexa asked as they sat across from one another at dinner at The Grotto a short time later. It was romantic and elegant and featured a small, cascading waterfall in the middle of the dining room and a pianist played quiet ballads in a corner.
“My sister, Rachel, gave it to me for Christmas this past year. Said it would match my eyes.” Although his smile was broad, Sam rolled his eyes.
“She’s right. Tell me more about your family.”
As they waited for their salads to be delivered, Sam reached for her hand. He squeezed, but did not relinquish it. “It’s a big family with lots of stories.” His eyes sparkled.
“Start by telling me about your mom and dad.”
“This could take all night. I’m taking you to meet them later in the week, you know.”
Lexa’s heart beat faster. “Really?”
“They’ve been clamoring loudly for the honor of making your acquaintance. All right,” he said, taking a deep breath, “I’m the oldest of six kids. I’m the namesake, which means my dad is obviously Sam, Sr. My mom is Sarah, and my siblings are—in order—identical twins Rachel and Emily, followed by Will, Caty and Carson. Rachel and Emily graduated from the University of Texas in Austin a few years ago and now live out on the west coast.”
“Is that where you went to college?” Funny, they’d never even discussed their education. They’d talked about everything else under the sun.
“Yes. Degree in finance. You?”
“Same, but at Rice.”
Sam nodded. “Will’s a hotshot aeronautical engineer and Air Force pilot with grandiose dreams of working for NASA.” Sam chuckled. “I think watching Grandpa Lewis tinker with all those old airplane engines started something with Will. He’s a genius when it comes to scientific matters but lacks general common sense. My brother likes to tell God how things are going to be ordered in the universe. At least the universe according to Will. He also looks a lot like the person sitting across the table from you. Just a few inches shorter.” He grinned.
“Catherine, or Caty, is my sweet Caty Bug, and I’m closer to her and Carson—the baby of all us kids—than the others. Those are the two you’re most likely to meet, along with my parents, when I take you to meet them at the family homestead.”
Lexa eyed him, curiosity written in her expression. “Why do you feel closer to Caty and Carson?” Since she never had any siblings, it was wonderful to think Sam had so many.
Sam shrugged. “Family dynamics, I suppose. They’re all great, but Rachel and Emily always have this little twin thing going on between them. They’ve pretty much done everything together their whole lives—same schools, same schedules, even dated twin brothers for a while.” He smiled. “Even though they have separate identities, I sometimes feel they’re also too wrapped up in the other. It would probably do them a world of good to go off on their own and find out exactly who they are as separate individuals for a while. I hope that makes sense.”
“It makes perfect sense.”
“Caty will be a sophomore at Wheaton College in September. Of all my siblings, I’ll miss her the most while I’m away on this TeamWork mission. She and I have always thought a lot alike and shared our thoughts with one another. I think she’s always looked to me as her protector of sorts, although she’s certainly very strong and independent in her own right.” He chuckled, obviously remembering a fond memory.
“What are you thinking?” Lexa prompted.
“Caty called me one night during her junior year of high school and begged me to come to one of the downtown hotels and rescue her from an overly amorous prom date who . . . let’s just say had big plans involving a hotel room. I picked her up, took her home and we spent an hour slow dancing together in our living room. She needed a prom date that night, not an overbearing big brother. Caty always asks me for advice and wants to know things like why guys grunt so much, slap each other on the back, smell their socks before putting them in the laundry hamper and wolf down their food so fast.”
Lexa laughed. “And what about you, Sam?”
He lifted his brows. “Me?”
“Why will you miss Caty the most while you’re gone?”
Sam sighed and repositioned his hand on the tabletop, intertwining her fingers with his. “Caty shares my passion for the Lord. She’s a deep thinker. We can spend hours debating theological issues, and often do. We don’t always agree, which challenges me all the more. I don’t insist people agree with my opinion, but I like them to be able to adequately defend their position. Caty always holds up her end of the bargain in that respect.”
“And Carson?”
Sam smiled. “Carson shares that fierce love of the Lord, too, but he’s still very young. I believe he might pursue full-time ministry of some type in the future.”
Lexa laughed. “Remind me never to get involved in a
theological debate with you.”
Sam gave her one of his irresistible, lazy grins. “I’d rather debate other things with you, Lexa.”
“Such as?” She gave him a coy smile.
“Saved by the salads.” Sam winked as their server placed them on the table.
“Why don’t you pray that we can manage to get through this meal without causing a little scene,” Lexa suggested. Sam laughed out loud, and they bowed their heads to pray. For the rest of the meal, they sampled each other’s food, laughed, teased and enjoyed a wonderful evening. Every minute spent with Sam, Lexa learned something new or different about him. She’d always found it a ridiculous display when couples fed one another and stared like lovesick idiots across the table, but now she gladly joined their ranks.
~~**~~
“I feel like I should be leading bonfire devotionals or singing right about now.” They sat facing one another a few hours later, her feet curled beneath her, his arm along the back of the sofa. The air between them was literally charged, and Lexa felt sensitized in every fiber of her being.
“You can give me a little Bible lesson if you want.” Lexa kept her tone light, teasing. “I have an awful lot to learn. I don’t expect to keep up with you, but I want to be able to hold my own in those theological debates.” Maybe all the praying and studying she planned to do would also keep her thoughts a little more pure.
“I don’t think I’ve seen anyone grow as much as you did at our TeamWork camp, Lexa.” Sam’s voice was quiet. His warm fingers inched a slow pathway to her shoulder, bringing a particular night under the tree to mind. The same night they’d shared such great conversation outside Maxie’s.
“It’s been such an eye-opening, wonderful experience for me as a director to see that personal challenge and growth. And, you,” he added, shifting closer to her, quickening her heart the closer he came, “challenged me tremendously. I’ve learned more about myself because of your presence in the camp.”