Reluctantly acknowledging that Sam’s awkward compliment meant even more to her than praise from her peers, she gazed at him with a grateful smile. “Thank you, Sam.” Owner as well as lead designer of Sander’s Floral Innovations in New York, Penny had won awards for her specialty wedding bouquets. After flying in from New York on Thursday to supervise her meticulously detailed plans for flowers and décor, she’d worked straight up until the moment of the wedding.
But right at that moment, all Penny could think about was how much she’d like to strangle Danielle for not mentioning anything about setting her up with Sam. Danielle’s recent manipulations were finally beginning to make sense. When she’d insisted Penny accompany her for her final fitting of her wedding gown last month in New York, she’d persuaded Penny to purchase the lovely, but revealing, teal gown she’d worn today. Penny was decidedly uncomfortable wearing a gown she normally wouldn’t have had the courage to wear otherwise.
But Penny had been thrilled at the warmth in Sam’s gaze before the wedding as she’d been pinning on his boutonniere. When Sam had suddenly whispered she was beautiful, she’d nearly crushed his boutonniere!
A couple months ago, Penny had been visiting Crystal Rock to finalize the details for the wedding when she’d accidentally run into Sam. She hadn’t seen him in over twenty years. That day, when Sam had looked into her eyes, all the turmoil she’d experienced as a teenager had come rushing back to haunt her.
“So.” Sam’s fingers cradled her chin, as he steadily held her gaze. “Are you okay—with me being with you?”
Captivated by his gaze, unable to utter a response, Penny bobbed her head up and down.
“Good,” Sam replied, in a voice, low and husky. Only hesitating for a moment, he bent down, and gently touched his lips to hers.
And what was meant to be light and reassuring turned into something much, much more. As Sam’s mouth lingered over hers, while his tongue gently invaded, Penny discovered she was helpless to resist. Her mouth responded eagerly to each of his subtle searching strokes.
Somewhat dazed and disoriented, she sighed and gradually began pulling away. While Penny eyed Sam with stunned confusion, Sam smiled with obvious satisfaction, releasing her gently.
He peeked at his watch. “It’s almost six. Are we ready to go inside?” Not even bothering to await an answer, Sam tucked his arm within hers. Although she was hindered by her five-inch heels and full-length gown, Sam matched her steps patiently as he escorted her through the deserted courtyard.
Pausing at the base of the staircase leading up into the entrance of the inn, Penny removed her sunglasses, folding and slipping them back into her purse. As she anxiously studied Sam, he suddenly winked. With a quick bemused shake of her head, she smiled resignedly, and traveled up the steps with her arm, once again, hooked within his.
They paused on the threshold before moving inside.
Sam blinked as he gazed around him. “Wow. It’s like stepping into a fairy tale, Penny.”
Penny couldn’t help but be pleased by the results of the inn’s transformation for the wedding. The lobby and ballroom had become absolutely enchanting—now that the entire lower level of the Dragonfly Pointe Inn was alit with lights and adorned with greens and topiary.
Penny smiled at Sam. “You wouldn’t believe how many miniature lights we had to use, since we decided to dis the overhead lighting—it was just too harsh.”
Penny had been astonished at the beauty of the restoration, when she’d first laid eyes on the inn again this past spring. Although the expansion had been extensive, clever renovations had kept the atmosphere of the inn both warm and inviting. Just stopping short of encompassing the entire shoreline of the lake along Dragonfly Pointe, with its graceful columns and fresh white siding, the exterior of the inn was barely recognizable. There’d been two additional stories integrated above the original two, while elevators had been installed to provide convenient access to the luxurious upper quarters. Elegantly appointed balconies had been extended outdoors, from the most exclusive hotel rooms and lakefront suites.
Although the entire ground floor of the inn, apart from the lobby and the artisan’s gift shop, had been set up solely for dining, it’d all been utilized for the wedding today. Partitions and walls, equipped to break up the individual dining rooms, had been folded back and stored into pockets, designed specifically for that purpose. Having been kept open as an alternative location for Jake’s and Danielle’s nuptials—just in case problems had arisen due to inclement weather—the solarium was also intended for dining, but tonight, for the reception, had been set up for dancing.
From the corner of her eye, Penny was aware of Danielle’s conspiratorial smile at Sam as he and Penny crossed quickly by the head table.
Sam escorted Penny directly to their table, where his mother, Shirley Edmonds, was already seated alongside her husband, Craig. Shirley was smiling brightly—clearly pleased to see Sam escorting Penny. After seating Penny at the table next to his mother, Sam settled in next to Penny.
“Oh, Mrs. Danielsss—I mean Mrs. Edmonds. It’s so good to see you again! How are you?” Friends since Penny’s family had resided in Crystal Rock, Penny’s mother and Shirley had kept in touch through the years. But even though she’d been frequently informed about Shirley’s progress in her fight with lung cancer, Penny had struggled to control her shock when she’d first seen Sam’s mom. Despite the vibrant cap of gray hair, that’d obviously grown back since discontinuing her chemotherapy, she appeared to be exceptionally fragile. Shorter than Penny, who only topped five feet by three inches, Shirley had always been thin with delicate features.
But now a slight breeze would probably carry her away.
“Penny, it’s so good to see you again. I think we can skip the Mrs. Edmonds stuff.” She lifted a brow and grinned. “You’re probably about the same age that I was when I met you—although, I’m afraid, I’m definitely feeling my years these days.”
Obviously startled, Sam was staring at his mother. “I never realized that you and Penny knew each other back then.”
“Besides the fact that her mother, Monica, is still writing me regularly Sam, Penny used to come by to help me clean house years ago when you went away to college. Craig always pretended he never asked her to check up on me.”
“I knew that you were lonesome after Sam left. And I was worried that you weren’t taking care of yourself.” Craig tenderly patted his wife’s hand. “Before you finally married me.”
Smiling wryly, Penny turned to Craig. “You must’ve realized that I was feeling a little lost too, Craig, after moving here away from my friends. It didn’t help that my father was beginning to behave strangely then. He wanted to know where I was every minute of the day. He trusted me more with adults in the community, than he would with kids my own age.” Once a highly respected minister, Penny’s father had suddenly become seriously ill, the summer after Penny had graduated from Crystal Rock High. His health had eventually deteriorated so much, their family had been forced to move back to New York, so that they could live with her paternal grandparents. Penny had attempted to put aside the most agonizing memories from those last few years of her father’s life.
Aware of Sam’s questioning gaze, Penny continued, “My dad had an inoperable brain tumor. Of course we never knew for several months. He went through a total personality change, before my mother and I even considered it could be some medical problem that was changing him.” Tears shimmered in Penny’s eyes. She felt surprisingly comforted when Sam wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a reassuring squeeze.
Just then, Danielle Loughlin’s longtime business partner, Brian Johnson, appeared, pulling out a seat at their table. Eyeing Sam, he grinned. “Get your hands off of her. I know about that reputation of yours.”
Nine months before, Sam had returned to Crystal Rock, Wisconsin to become the town’s police chief.
“Better than that playboy reputation of yours, I’d say,” Dawn Wellman ad
ded dryly, seating herself next to Brian. A jeweler with training as an artist, Dawn had been hired to create artwork for the inn and, in turn, both her artwork and jewelry would be sold by the inn on consignment.
Brian snorted. “Playboy? Me?” Flashing Dawn an indulgent grin, he’d apparently decided to play along. Just shy of six-feet tall, with naturally sun-streaked, dark-blonde hair, Brian had a muscular build that was slim and wiry. Yet to get serious with any woman, it was difficult to recall the names or faces of the women he’d dated.
There’d been many.
Penny turned to Dawn with a rueful grin. “Yeah, I’d have to agree with you, Dawn.”
“Not you too, Penny?”
Brian groaned, scowling at Penny.
Mischievously eyeing Brian, who was squirming uncomfortably, Penny nodded a definite acknowledgement at Dawn.
Dawn turned to Brian, playfully whacking a thick linen napkin over his head. “First Danielle, and now I find out you put the moves on Penny, too? How can you expect me to take you seriously, whenever you ask me out?”
“I can’t seem to help it,” Brian reasoned, cautiously. “I’m a sucker for a pretty face?”
As Dawn shook her head with exaggerated frustration, her eyes turned fiery blue. “Yeah, but does it have to be every pretty face?” The expression of utter exasperation, on Dawn’s lovely animated face, set everyone seated around the table off into explosive laughter.
To Brian’s relief, a rhythmic and melodic chime began echoing from crystal. Guests throughout the room joined in and tapped spoons on their water glasses. When most of the members of the wedding party began smiling and chanting, the newlyweds finally kissed, and were rewarded with thunderous applause.
Arriving at their table and seating his wife, Olivia, along with his two boys, Jarrod and Rodney, Sam’s deputy, Nat Benet, finally sat down on the remaining chair. After meeting the family earlier that day, Penny had discovered The Benet’s had relocated to Crystal Rock only seven months ago. Nat had left his job with the police in New Orleans to enable his family to escape the escalating violence in their community. But as only one of a few African American families that were residing in the Crystal Rock area, Sam had told Penny he was worried that Nat and Olivia would still have their share of problems to contend with in the future.
“The boys are getting restless.” Nat grinned. “It’s been a pretty long day.”
Olivia sighed, struggling with a weary smile. “We’ll probably head home after we eat.” Once the boys seemed settled, Olivia finally picked up her napkin. But when Jarrod and Rodney began to wrestle, she slammed it back down on the table.
“Hey, guys,” Sam reprimanded, sharply. “Don’t forget—you both promised me you’d be good today. You won’t be sleeping over at the cabin next week if you’re not.”
“Okay, Sam.” Turning his startling sea-green gaze on Sam, nine-year old Jarrod was obviously attempting to flaunt his best behavior. He nudged his brother in the ribs with his elbow. “Rodney, remember—no camping or fishing at the cabin next week—unless we’re good.”
Seemingly angelic, Rodney zeroed in on Sam with his dark-chocolate eyes. At almost seven-years old, Rodney was a slighter, mirror image of his older brother.
Olivia was apparently aware of Penny’s consternation as Sam took charge of the boys. With mischief in her eyes, she winked at Sam. “Sam’s been keeping an eye on the boys for us. He’s Rodney’s godfather, you know. Sam and Nat have been friends for years. Sam would make a great father himself someday.”
Intently, Sam’s eyes held Penny’s, obviously gauging her reaction to what Olivia had to say.
Somewhat flustered, Penny was suddenly aware that, curiously contradictory of the typical unattached male, Sam appeared to be unusually at ease around kids.
“Olivia, you’re scaring Penny. This is only our first date.”
Date? Although she was startled when she noticed Sam’s mischievous grin, Penny realized that all the barriers she’d purposely erected to safeguard her heart were gradually tumbling down. What did the past really matter anyway?
Longingly, her eyes swept over Sam’s face. Unbelievably, after all these years, he was even more handsome. His sandy-blonde hair, slightly graying at the temples, was neatly trimmed into layers to frame his slightly weathered face. Drawing attention to the perfectly proportioned features of his face, boyish dimples dented his mouth’s curves. When he gave her warm smile, there was a definite twinkle in his brown eyes.
She’d only been involved in a few casual relationships since her husband had been declared missing in Vietnam. With her whole life revolving around her son, Alex, Penny hadn’t actually been out on a date in several months. Long ago, she’d discovered that it was difficult enough for most men to handle a relationship with a woman who already had a son; let alone a son with mental and developmental disabilities. Later, when Alex’s problems had worsened, and he’d developed diabetes, she’d completely put aside the notion of a long-term relationship with anyone.
Although there’d been one man who’d been overwhelmingly persistent at pursuing her. Even without any encouragement, Todd Shelton had been ready to marry her.
But what she’d never really been able to figure out was why Todd had become so fixated on her. Apprehensive when he’d gradually become more obsessive and controlling, she’d intentionally avoided a sexual relationship with him. After about a year of casual dating, Todd, not wanting the distraction of children, was ready to take over Penny’s role as a parent and was insisting on depositing Alex into a full-care mental facility.
But Alex was her son. She’d brought him into this world. She’d do everything she could for him for as long as she was able. It’d been pleasant to have someone to lean on for a while, but she hadn’t been in love with Todd. She’d already been married to a control freak once, and the last thing she needed was someone else to take over her life and strip away her identity, as well as her freedom of choice.
The night she’d refused to marry Todd Shelton, she’d discovered he’d had the same propensity for violence that David Wentworth had had.
And their relationship hadn’t ended pleasantly.
Although, even now, Todd refused to believe it was over. Penny shivered, momentarily reliving their last sordid encounter. It’d been a perfect time to leave New York. Hopefully, she’d be able to continue to avoid Todd once she returned home.
Penny had enjoyed these last few days in Crystal Rock so much. Her whole life, now, revolved around the needs of her son. Her mother had Alex under control—or, so, she’d said—when she’d continuously reassured Penny over the phone these last couple of days.
It’d been over ten years since she’d had a break from the everyday burden of Alex. Turning her eyes back to Sam, Penny considered following her mother’s advice for the first holiday she’d allowed herself in over ten years—just have a good time.
Soup and salad, the first of many courses arrived at their table. Melding with the low hum of contented chatter and conversation, the melodic ring of silver on china echoed throughout the spacious grandeur of the inn. The dishes were systematically cleared from the table after each course.
“My prime rib was delicious,” Sam muttered as Nat and Brian immediately agreed.
“So was my salmon.” Penny grimaced, patting her stomach. “I’m stuffed.”
Sam grinned.
Even the kids’ meals had been thoughtfully planned. Jarrod had chosen ravioli, while Rodney had decided on fish sticks, and each, of course, upon seeing the other’s plate, had wanted what the other had.
Several times throughout the course of their meal, Sam had been forced to remind the boys of their promise to behave. Penny discovered that the boys loved to hang out with him at his cabin. Amazingly, Sam thought little of giving up his own time off on the weekends. Nat occasionally joined Sam and the boys, and Olivia appreciated the break.
Nat and Olivia had ended up residing in the Edmonds’ home on the lake, Penny discovered
, because Craig required additional help with Shirley’s care. The Edmonds had moved into the smaller, remodeled guest cottage located nearby. While Nat was remodeling the Edmonds’ home in his spare time, Olivia, having once been employed as a LPN, was assisting Shirley when needed.
Craig was obviously grateful to both Nat and Olivia. “The house is looking better than it’s looked in years. Nat moved in and immediately knew which updates were the most important. I can’t believe how much he and Olivia have accomplished in only six months.”
“It’s so nice having Olivia around when I need her.” Shirley sighed. “Some days it’s an effort for me to accomplish anything.”
With a trace of tears in her eyes, Olivia was smiling when she reached over to squeeze Shirley’s hand.
“It’s great to have Sam home again, too.” Shirley turned to Penny. “I hope you’re coming with Sam for dinner tomorrow night, Penny. Olivia and Nat are cooking out.”
Ruefully, Sam admitted, “I haven’t had a chance to ask her yet, Mom.” With a smile, he turned to Penny. “When do you have to return home?”
“I’ll supervise the outdoor cleanup tomorrow. But Danny insisted I needed some extra time, while I was here, to enjoy myself.” Penny’s eyes met Sam’s. “My flight back to New York isn’t until Monday morning, so I’d love to come to dinner.”
Appearing to be pleased, Sam suddenly smiled.
And exactly like she had all those years before, when she’d first laid eyes on Sam, she found herself falling.
All over again.
Penny’s smile suddenly faltered. This couldn’t be happening again?
But who was she fooling? It was time to face facts—she was still attracted to Sam. Had she ever really quit thinking about him? How many times had she come up with an excuse to question her mom about him throughout the years, aware that her mom had kept in touch with Sam’s mom, Shirley? And how many times had she pumped Danielle about Sam—after discovering that both she and Jake had become close to him over these last several months?
Two Hearts In Accord (Two Hearts Wounded Warrior Book 7) Page 20