by JoAnn Durgin
Lexa had already contacted the local TeamWork director about volunteering for some of their Houston-based weekend mission projects. That would be a good place to start, and it would also help her feel even more connected with Sam. Plus, it would help prepare her to be an even better partner for him when he returned home. It would be a year of learning about herself as much as growing in the love and knowledge of the One who’d brought them together.
No matter what else happened, the loving heavenly Father held them both in the palm of His hand. As Sam told her—and as she learned for herself at the TeamWork camp—they were such very capable hands.
CHAPTER 47
The Alamo – One Year Later
Lexa looked at her watch for at least the fifth time in the last twenty minutes. At two o’clock, she was taking the quick flight to San Antonio and checking into her hotel on the Riverwalk. Hopefully, to start the next phase of her life. She couldn’t even think of the alternative.
As she tidied her desk, her mind was a million miles away, as it had been nearly all day. Righting her calendar and stuffing her appointment book into her handbag, Lexa smiled at her secretary, her nerves ragged. She’d been on edge the entire last week and found it almost impossible to eat or sleep. Every time the phone rang, she jumped, wondering if it would be Sam. Lexa thought about calling his mom and dad, but decided against it. If he was back, why hadn’t he called? She was nearly out of her mind with worry and anticipation.
“This is your big weekend, huh?” Jennifer flashed an understanding smile.
“I only pray that’s true.” Lexa turned off her computer and pulled her handbag over one shoulder.
Jennifer shook her head and sighed, holding a stack of file folders against her chest, a faraway look in her eye. “Well, if my opinion counts for anything, it’s just about the most romantic story I’ve ever heard in my life. Straight out of Hollywood.”
“Right.” Lexa’s smile was nervous. “Let’s just hope it has a Hollywood-style happy ending.”
“He’ll be there, Lexa. If your Sam is anywhere near as wonderful as everyone says, he’ll be there. I can’t wait to meet him. He’s practically a legend around here from what everyone says. So brave, so handsome . . .” She released a sigh. “You really haven’t heard from him in six months, though?”
Lexa shook her head in regret. “Only one letter, and that’s it.” She treasured it and had memorized every precious word, carrying it with her and clinging to Sam’s promises as well as the Lord’s. “He’s been out-of-touch, literally in the jungle somewhere in Africa. Most of his valuables were stolen or looted.”
She blew out a sigh. “It was a mixed blessing hearing the news from the TeamWork office. But I suppose it was better than not knowing. That’s the worst thing of all.” At least Sam still had the watch she’d given him. He’d had that on his wrist and been away from the campsite when it was ransacked. Losing material possessions was hard, but the man she loved was safe. That’s all that mattered.
“Wow. I can’t begin to imagine what it’s been like for him.” Jennifer walked with her toward the door and held it open. “You sure he’s back in the States now?”
Jennifer’s question brought Lexa back to reality, and she shook her head. “No. All I know is that his mission should have ended sometime in the last week, and then he had a debriefing session for a few days, but not in Houston. I’ll say one thing. Sam definitely has some very well-deserved R&R coming.” Lexa managed a small smile and retrieved her suitcase parked behind the door.
“So, what are you doing standing here talking to me about it? You have a plane to catch!” Jennifer shooed Lexa from the office with a smile and good wishes.
As Lexa exited the elevator and walked outside the office building in downtown Houston, toting her suitcase behind her, her heart pounded. It brought to mind toting the same suitcase through the San Antonio bus station all those months ago. If she was going to make it to the Alamo without having a heart attack, she was going to have to get a serious grip on her emotions. Forcing herself to take several deep breaths, she headed toward the waiting taxi parked at the curb.
A few short hours later, she examined her reflection in the full-length mirror of her hotel room one last time. She felt satisfied she looked more than presentable. Running light fingers over her hair, Lexa fluffed her long curls before smoothing a wrinkle in the sleeveless, white cotton dress flirting around her knees. It was simple but elegant. Sam would like it.
Glancing down at her feet, she smiled as she eyed her new strappy, high-heeled sandals with her newly-pedicured pink nails peeking out. The pretty shoes highlighted her strong calves when she walked, not to mention giving her a little more advantage on her height. She wanted to look pretty in every way for Sam. If he was there.
“He’ll be there,” Lexa repeated aloud. Sam wouldn’t forget his promise. Their time together in Houston before Sam left for the TeamWork mission had been altogether wonderful and special and served to solidify in their minds the Lord brought them together for a purpose. Still, there was that little nagging doubt clouding the back of her mind. It would be there until she saw Sam’s face again, felt his arms encircle her once more.
With a deep sigh of longing, Lexa grabbed her purse and headed out the door. A year without seeing the man she loved, and the last six months with no contact whatsoever, was an interminable period of time. Oh, he’d better be there, Lord.
~~**~~
Biting her lower lip, standing in front of the historic Alamo, Lexa darted a glance at her watch one more time. Sam must be running a few minutes late, that’s all. Ten minutes, to be exact. At the campsite and back in Houston, he’d always been punctual. Still, circumstances could have prevented him. Things like traffic, and . . .
Stop it! She almost said the words aloud. Glancing around, Lexa hoped no one was watching or they’d probably think she was a lunatic.
Feeling a soft tap on her back, Lexa jumped and whirled around with optimism tinged with cautious expectation. Surprise gave way to barely-disguised disappointment as her gaze traveled downward to focus on a small boy. He looked to be about eight years old, with dark hair and luminous brown eyes. Staring up at Lexa with a shy smile, he held a single, long-stemmed yellow rose in his chubby hands.
“For you.” He extended the blooming rose closer to her hand.
Accepting the rose, Lexa smiled. “Thank you. Very much,” she managed to mumble before turning back around so he wouldn’t see the tears in her eyes. Lexa didn’t want the sweet child to think he’d upset her in some way. To the contrary, it touched her that he wanted to give her the beautiful flower.
Putting her hand up to her face and composing her features, Lexa began to walk in the direction of the entrance to the Alamo, one slow step in front of the other. The last tours of the day would be starting soon. As long as she was there, and if the unthinkable happened and Sam didn’t come, she figured she might as well fulfill her desire to see the Alamo. Even so, she wouldn’t see anything. It would only be something to keep her busy, her mind occupied, so she wouldn’t collapse from the unbearable sense of loss if he didn’t meet her. Lexa’s feet felt like dead weight. It reminded her of the heaviness of the work boots she’d worn at the camp.
Another tap on her shoulder. Pausing for a moment and taking a deep breath, Lexa turned around again. Another child. Another long-stemmed yellow rose. She wondered if these were local children trying to earn tips or make money from the flowers. Maybe they thought she’d give them something. Starting to reach into her purse, Lexa smiled. The small girl shook her head, pushed the flower further into Lexa’s hand and took off running, giggling all the way.
Lexa spied a group of about twenty children eyeing her from about ten yards away, to the side of the front entrance. As she watched, they all started running toward her at the same time. Soon, the laughing children surrounded her, hemming her in the sweetest circle of beaming faces she could ever imagine.
One by one, they each prese
nted her with the yellow rose they held in their small fingers. And, one by one, Lexa accepted the blooms they offered. She felt somewhat like a queen granting court to her subjects as they presented her with their very special offerings and gifts.
Soon, Lexa stood alone, clutching an overflowing bouquet of gorgeous, already-blooming yellow roses. Now what should she do? A sudden feeling of loss and abandonment surfaced. It seemed a bit suspicious that these children appeared as if from nowhere and presented her, of all people, with the flowers. Did she look so alone and desperate that they felt sorry for her and wanted to make her smile? Well, they’d accomplished that feat and more. But it wasn’t as though she could exactly tour the Alamo with an armload of flowers. Should she return the favor, carry on the tradition, and start handing out the flowers to other tourists?
Then it hit her. Sam had given her yellow roses in Houston. Was this a sign? Was he telling her he was either here or on his way, prolonging the moment of reunion? The yellow rose was a familiar symbol of Texas, so anything was possible. By now, Lexa practically hopped up and down with anticipation. She couldn’t wait much longer, and she’d never felt such urgency in her life. Not to mention how hard and fast her heart was thundering in her chest.
Approaching the entrance, Lexa stopped just outside the main gate. Glancing down at the ground, she spied yet another yellow rose lying at her feet. What’s really going on here? She wasn’t sure she could hold many more. Some of the other people were now stopping to stare at the woman with all the yellow roses. One young mother waved when her little girl pointed at Lexa and giggled.
Feeling another tap on her shoulder, Lexa tried to mask her growing confusion as she turned and looked down out of habit, expecting to see yet another small child offering up a flower. Seeing a pair of very shiny men’s dress shoes, Lexa’s eyes traveled an upward path, drinking in the gorgeous gray tailored suit, and white dress shirt with light blue silk, patterned tie. Finally, her gaze rested on the most intense, piercing, welcome pair of blue eyes she’d ever seen.
CHAPTER 48
The Reunion
Moving one hand from behind his back, Sam held out another single yellow rose. His loving smile mirrored hers as Lexa stared in the face of her future. What a welcome face it was, with an incredible smile and perhaps a few more silver hairs at the temples. Her heart pounded.
“About time you got here. I need someone to carry all these roses for me.” Lexa pivoted and headed in the other direction, with Sam close behind. “Know anyone who might be interested in helping me out?”
Sam chuckled and reached for her. He pulled Lexa by the shoulders with his big, gentle hands, and turned her back around to face him. Sam lowered his head toward hers, hovering above her waiting lips. His eyes met hers and held them steady. This was becoming a very lovely habit with him. Sam was a lovely habit.
“Careful. I might drop all these gorgeous flowers.”
“I’ll pick them up in a minute,” Sam murmured with a slow smile. “Right now, I need your complete and undivided attention. I’m going to kiss you now, Miss Clarke. Please be quiet and try to enjoy it.”
Dropping the roses to the ground at her feet with lightning speed, Lexa’s hands encircled Sam’s neck as she pulled his head down. “Make me.” The whispered words were silenced as his lips met hers for the achingly sweet, long-anticipated kiss.
Cupping her face between tender hands, Sam’s tears of joy mingled with her own as he kissed her several more times, finding it hard to stop. They were drawing an audience now. In the vague recesses of her mind, Lexa heard romantic sighs and giggles all around, even a few claps. But she didn’t care, and she could tell Sam didn’t either. It was as though the rest of the world ceased to exist, at least for that moment in time.
“You came back to me.” Lexa buried her head against his chest, laughing and crying at the same time. His arms circled her as he held her close. She sighed. She was home.
Sam tilted her chin and brushed his thumbs with a featherlight touch beneath her eyes. “You did say please, after all.”
“When did you get here?”
His hold on her tightened and he kissed her cheek. “Just now. I made a beeline for you. Missed me, did you?”
Lexa sighed. “Something fierce.” She swallowed hard and looked up at him. He seemed even taller, and his skin was deeply tanned which only made those blue eyes more prominent. His dark waves looked freshly groomed. He looked incredible. Devastating. No doubt, he’d broken a lot of hearts between Africa and the United States. But he was hers.
“When did you get back to the States? To Texas?”
Sam chuckled. “Is there any other state? Just today, as a matter of fact. I was delayed a few days. Sorry I was a little late meeting you. I swore my family to secrecy, so please don’t blame them. I’m just thankful I made it or you’d be standing here with Carson or my dad.”
“I love them all, but I’m kind of partial to one Lewis man in particular.” She ran her hands up to his broad shoulders, felt the powerful muscles beneath the suit jacket. The smile he gave her at that moment would warm her heart forever. It promised so much.
“Admit it, sweetheart. You were starting to panic.”
Lexa stared at him, sniffling, one hand moving down to rest on her hip. “And how would you know that, Sam Lewis?”
“Because I know you. By the way, don’t you think it’s about time to merge our interests into a partnership of sorts?” He cocked his head to one side, his eyes twinkling. “I’m partial to Lewis and Clarke Expeditions. What do you think?”
“Hmm,” Lexa mused, resting her chin on one hand as she pretended to ponder the option. “Not very original, but one I could learn to live with, I suppose. What do you have in mind?”
“I was thinking along the lines of a lifetime partnership, one full of adventure, fun, romance, and a ministry to others.” He nuzzled her cheek. “And lots of exploration.”
Lexa’s cheeks flamed. Good heavens, did he just growl? “Mr. Lewis, the things you say!”
“Baby, you don’t even know . . .”
She cleared her throat, interrupting him. “You’ve put a lot of thought into this, haven’t you?”
“Indeed, I have. It’s all that’s been on my mind for the last six months, especially.” Reaching into the inside pocket of his jacket, Sam pulled out a small, black velvet box. Taking her hand in his, he placed it in her open palm. When her hand trembled, he captured it and held it steady. Opening the box, he held it up for Lexa to see. A sparkling, emerald-cut diamond winked at her from its bed of black velvet.
Lexa’s breath caught, and she moved one hand to her throat. “It’s absolutely gorgeous, Sam.” She stared at it in wonder, afraid to touch it. Could he be asking her to marry him? Right in front of the Alamo? Everything was happening at once. Her head was spinning with happiness.
“It belonged to my grandmother. But if you don’t like it . . .”
She heard the earnestness in Sam’s voice and hastened to reassure him. “It’s perfect.”
“It won’t bite. Here. Let me do it for you.” Sam pocketed the box after removing the ring. Taking her hand, he slid it quite easily onto her finger.
She wiggled her fingers to gain the full effect. “It’s a perfect fit.” Lexa loved his triumphant expression as she held up her hand for him to see.
“My sentiments exactly.” His deep voice was husky. “Shall we depart to my makeshift office so that we can discuss this partnership in a little more detail?” Putting his hand on the small of her back, he guided her toward the street.
Lexa recognized—and loved—that telltale thickness in his voice. She held out her hand, staring at the ring as they walked. A moment later, she paused and looked up at him. “Just where is this makeshift office, anyway?”
Something long and white caught her eye. She turned toward the curb. “Oh, no.” She broke into spontaneous laughter. “I should have known.”
“Oh, yes, my love,” Sam countered, taking her
hand and leading her in the direction of the familiar white Volvo station wagon.
“The bomb. I’m surprised it started up again after a whole year.”
Sam laughed. “I had Carson start it every now and again. Knowing my little brother, he tooled around town in it with his friends, too. Surely you must have seen it parked at the house. But, that’s beside the point. This is our bomb now, Lexa. You know you’ve missed it. Remember, love me, love my bomb.”
She just looked at him, shaking her head. But he was right, as usual. She had grown accustomed to it, and even missed it in a weird way.
Helping her into the car with the roses, Sam took her hand and drew him to her again for a longer, more impassioned kiss. “I’ve wanted to do that for so long.” His fingers rested beneath her chin and, leaning forward again, he grazed her lips.
Lexa grabbed Sam’s other hand and held on tight. She smiled against his lips, loving the fact that he didn’t want to stop. When he pulled away and gazed at her through loving eyes, she loved the way he looked at her with equal parts love, desire, respect and admiration. He made up for lost time as his hungry eyes drank in the sight of her.
“How . . .” Lexa began before clearing her throat, “how did your trip go? I’ve missed you terribly, Mr. Lewis.”
“It was . . . full. I’ll explain more later. The main thing I want to tell you now is that I’ve made another important life decision.”
She arched her brow and slanted a grin his way. “Do I really want to hear this?”
He smiled. “Oh, I think you do. I’ve decided that traveling around is great for a single guy, but not a married one.”
“I see. Go on. Whatever will you do?” Lexa batted her eyelashes in dramatic fashion.
“Well, it just so happens that TeamWork’s headquarters in Houston has an immediate opening for a full-time director. I’d be based there and only have to travel a few times a year to scout out locations for upcoming projects. Otherwise, I’ll have an office and can coordinate things from there.”