by Leger, Lori
“My turn to buy for the office,” he said. “They’re good here, if you’re interested.”
“I better not. I need to buy some real groceries, and Sam’s coming for breakfast. Enjoy them, though, and thanks for helping last night.”
He shrugged. “That’s what we do. See ya, neighbor.”
Thirty minutes later, Carrie had the oven preheating as she unloaded several bags of groceries. The kids had brought her set of cookware and one pizza pan, so she was able to bake biscuits while frying up bacon and eggs.
She removed the pan of scrambled eggs from the burner just as Sam knocked on the door.
He walked in when she opened the door for him and raised his nose to the air. “Mm, I smell biscuits and bacon—the breakfast of champions.” He leaned to give her a kiss. “Good morning, pretty girl. Did you sleep well?”
She returned his kiss eagerly. “I did, thanks, and breakfast is ready.” She handed him an empty plate. “Serve yourself.” She brought him a glass of milk and served her own plate. They stood at the snack bar to eat their breakfast and talked quietly about the day’s plans.
“I got a phone call bright and early this morning from my mom.” He gave her a conspiratorial grin. “The town gossips have been hard at it, Babe. They’ve already heard about you, and she and Pop would like to meet you when you’re up to it. Want to go after breakfast?”
“I guess we could.” She couldn’t help but feel a little nervous. Suddenly, she developed a new appreciation for Sam’s composure during his harrowing meet-the-family experience a day earlier.
Sam lifted a finger in warning. “Remember, Pop may speak to you in a mixture of French and English.”
“He’ll probably sound a lot like my Grandpa Hebert, my dad’s dad,” she said. “He used to mix both languages when he cussed.”
“Go on, give me an example,” he goaded. “You know you want to.”
She gave him a playful shove. “Fils de Putin, de la merde, de son of a bitch!’ That was like, his thing…his infamous string of French/English cuss words.”
Sam threw his head back and laughed. “Now that sounds like my old man. He loves to cuss in French.”
“We lived next door to Papa, and there were eight of us, so one of us was always getting into something we shouldn’t have been.”
“Even you?”
“Oui, Sam. Moi aussi.” Her chest bubbled with laughter. “Even me. Usually jumping off bales of hay in the barn, or stealing one of his empty barrels to have races. Sometimes we’d have wars with berries from the big old China Ball tree in front of dad’s work shop.”
“You played war with your grandpa?”
“No, but sometimes he got caught in the crossfire. He’d let it rip, and we’d fly in all directions.”
Sam helped Carrie clean up, and within a few minutes, they’d arrived at Sam’s parents’ place.
“Hey, Mom, Pop.” He spoke to the two older people who met them at the door. “I’ve got someone I’d like you to meet. Carrie Jeansonne, this is my mom, Lucia Langley.”
Sam’s mother surprised Carrie by giving her a big hug. “It’s nice to meet you, Carrie. Come on in.” Her accent was thick and Cajun, and Carrie fell in love with it immediately. “You’re taller than I thought you’d be. About the same height I used to be before I got old and shrunk,” his mom assured her, her green eyes sparkling with laughter.
“Yes, ma’am, I see where Sam gets his height. It’s wonderful to meet you,” Carrie said.
Sam’s father, a much shorter man than Sam, stood quietly to the side with his hands in the pockets of his jacket. Carrie smiled and held out her hand. “Comment ca va, Mr. Fred?”
The old gentleman smiled broadly, obviously pleased by her effort. “Ca va bien! Ca va bien!”
She nodded. “Bon! Je m’appelle Carrie Jeansonne.”
He nodded. “Tu parle francaise?”
“Petit-peu parle francaise,” she answered, and held up her fingers to indicate a little bit.
The old man laughed and pulled a chair out for Carrie. “Ca c’est bon. Sit tois.”
Sam’s mom stepped forward, indicating the coffee pot. “Carrie, would you like some coffee?”
Carrie turned to her. “Yes, please. Mais oui, sil vous plait.” Once she’d prepared her cup, she took a sip and closed her eyes in appreciation. “It’s strong like my mama’s. Ca c’est du bon café’.”
The four of them passed a pleasant half hour as Carrie practiced her limited, but much appreciated vocabulary of Cajun French words and phrases. After her second cup, Carrie turned to Sam and reminded him of the busy day ahead of her. She thanked the older couple and promised to visit them again.
After using Sam’s phone to set up her utilities accounts, she walked back to her own place. She entered and smiled at Grant, who sat at the snack bar eating breakfast. “We’ll have the phone by tomorrow morning.”
Grant gave her a brief nod before licking his finger. “Good food, Mom.”
“Thanks, Son. Hey, I have to go into Lake Coburn to do some shopping. Please don’t forget to bring Toto back with you tonight.”
“I won’t. Anything else you want us to bring from the house?”
Carrie shrugged. “Bring whatever your dad is willing to part with. He needs it too, and there’s nothing there that’s worth fighting over.”
“You said something about gas money?”
She pulled two twenties from her wallet. “That’s a tank up with some left over. Lock up before you leave and drive carefully.” She gave him a hug and drove over to meet Sam.
He met her at the door with good news. “I found you a windshield and they can replace it today if you leave your car with them. I can take you shopping, and my pickup will hold a lot more than your car. I’ve seen that list of yours.”
A few hours later, Carrie pulled her car and its sparkling new windshield into her driveway. Sam parked his truck beside her to help her unload the groceries and household items she’d dropped a bundle on. By that afternoon, all of Carrie’s purchases were unpacked and placed, giving the place a much homier feel.
Carrie stretched on her toes to hang the last curtain rod in its bracket, then stepped back to get a look at the large window, now completely covered by curtains. She nodded in satisfaction, as Sam walked up behind her and slipped his arms around her waist. “The place looks great. How about I take us all to supper to celebrate?”
She leaned back and rested her head on his chest. “That would be nice. I’m too tired to cook. Is it okay if I call my kids from your phone?”
“Sure.” They walked over to his place.
Carrie dialed her old number and stiffened when Dave answered. “Hello, David.”
“Look, before you start raggin’ my ass, I was at the bar with Jay last night when all that stuff happened. I didn’t do it,” Dave insisted.
“I know that.”
“Good.”
“But you could have put someone else up to it.”
“I didn’t, and as a gesture of good will, I’m sending Grant over there with five hundred dollars to fix your windshield. I know it won’t cost that much, but just keep anything that’s left over. I owe you.” His voice sounded heavy with remorse.
“Yes, you do, but thanks. Now if the kids are still there I need to speak to Grant, please.”
When Grant got on the line, she told him about their plans for supper and reminded him to pick up dog food on the way home.
Carrie ended the call and stretched to get the kinks out of her back. She faced Sam. “I’m going back to my place to relax for a while. I’ll see you later?”
He kissed her. “Just try and stop me.”
Carrie walked the short distance home and unlocked her door. She stood just inside, awed by everything she’d accomplished with the help of her family and Sam. She could appreciate it now in the daylight, with no one watching from the shadows. Daylight made all the difference.
She walked into her bedroom and stood in front of the
mirror to gaze at her reflection. Was this really her, with a new home, a career, a new man, in a new town? With a whole new life? Carrie closed her eyes and sent up a silent prayer. Please, God, let this be the right choice for me. Somehow … some way … please let this work out. She pinned up her hair before she slipped into the tub to soak her tiredness away.
Two hours later, she’d finished a leisurely bath and spent extra time on her make-up and hair. She wanted to look special tonight, so she pulled a figure-flattering dress from the rarely-worn section of her closet. The extra effort turned out to be worth it. When Carrie opened the door to Sam, he pursed his lips in a low whistle as one brow lifted, obviously pleased with what he saw. The man could make her feel pretty without uttering a syllable.
He had to clear his throat twice before he finally managed to speak. “You look … really … really great in that dress.” He paused, and shook his head, as though to focus his thoughts. “Ma belle fille … my pretty girl.”
She blushed at his heartfelt compliment and stepped aside before murmuring a polite “Thank you.” He stared at her long enough for her to wave an arm toward the living room. “Are you coming in?” He brushed by her, disturbing the air with his masculine scent. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, savoring whatever scent he was wearing. Once she’d closed the door, she turned to him. “Of course you already know that I don’t wake up looking like this. It takes some effort, and, unfortunately, the older I get, the more effort it takes.”
A growl deep in Sam’s chest resonated in the open space, as he closed the gap between them. “Knowing you did this for me—Damn, it makes me feel good.”
She looped her arms around his neck and he cupped his hands around her butt to pull her against him. Carrie groaned, feeling how hard he was. He planted his mouth on hers, kissed her long and hard, letting it linger—one of those kisses that, when paired with an embrace, left nothing, absolutely nothing, to the imagination.
Sam pulled away and spoke in a gravelly whisper. “Carrie …”
When he tried to step back, she pulled him forward by one belt loop, curved one arm possessively around his neck to nibble on his earlobe. “Yes?”
He groaned, as though struggling for control, when her lips moved from his earlobe to his neck. “Not that this isn’t nice, but …” his voice trailed off.
She scraped her teeth gently along his neck, smiled with satisfaction when he didn’t even attempt to stifle the next groan. She lifted her mouth to his ear. “You started it,” she breathed, before catching his earlobe between her teeth, giving it a gentle tug. “Want me to stop?”
“He-ellll no. You can do this all night if you want to.”
She gave him a seductive smile. “We’ll have to wait on that all night thing.”
“I’m begging you, Babe. If you’re gonna do things like this to me, please don’t make me wait too long for that.”
“Haven’t you heard that saying ‘the longer the waiting, the sweeter the kiss?’” she whispered into one ear. She kissed him gently on the mouth then moved to his other ear. “Or how about ‘good things come to those who wait?’”
He shuddered at her nip, then pulled her close. “If you don’t stop, I won’t be able to wait for a damn thing.”
“You’ll have to. The kids will be here soon.”
He shook his head and pulled her hips forward against his erection. “Not that soon, Babe. You need to trust me on this.” He threw his head back as she nipped at his neck again.
Carrie pulled away from him and took his hand. She walked slowly over to the stereo system and pressed the play button. The soft sounds of Wilson Phillips singing “Hold On” came through the speakers. Carrie lifted her eyes to his. “Danse avec moi, Sam?”
He held tightly to her, as they swayed and moved to the song. Before the chorus began, she gazed up at him. “Listen,” she whispered, as the trio crooned that one day somebody special would make them turn around and say good bye to their old life.
“You are my ‘somebody’, Sam.” She spoke in a voice hoarse with emotion. “I’m willing to walk away from everything I’ve ever known for you. No matter how much I try to claim this move was for sound financial reasons, I have to admit that you’re at the crux of it. I’m here, because you’re here.” His gaze pierced through her blur of tears, and she could see the second he believed her.
He pulled her closer, and held on tight. They swayed as one through the second chorus. Fingers interlaced, bodies molded tightly against each other, two hearts beating frantically, as heat radiated to regions too-long neglected. He held her closer, if that was possible, kissed her throughout the third chorus. As the last notes drifted off into silence, he pulled away just enough to speak in a raspy whisper. “You have no idea how proud I am to be that for you, Carrie.”
“You have changed my life, I can feel it,” she murmured against his mouth.
He rested his forehead against hers. “I can’t imagine what kind of Christmas I’d be having if you weren’t a part of it.”
She leaned back, somehow managing to find a sliver of humor in her situation. “No cigarette smoking stalker proclaiming his hatred for you on a windshield.”
He brushed several heated kisses along the soft curve of her neck, pulled her hair aside to move to the sensitive spot behind her ear. “Sounds boring as hell. My God, you smell good enough to eat. Remind me to buy you a gallon of this stuff.”
“Really? I was thinking maybe it’s time to try something else.”
He buried his face in her neck again. “Don’t you dare.”
She tilted her head to allow him easy access. “I didn’t know you liked it that much.”
“Liar.”
She smiled. “And you, what is that? Davidoff?” She trailed her nose along his neckline, inhaling his clean scent.
“Amanda and Joe’s Christmas gift. Like it?”
“Uh huh—clean, fresh, and just a hint of spice. I have very sharp sense of smell, and this…” She nipped one ear. “…on you…” She nipped the other, as she sucked in her breath. “…is a very big turn on.”
“I aim to please,” he murmured.
“Just me, I hope. I’ve been down that other road before, and it kinda sucks.”
He cupped her face in his hands and met her gaze. “Just you, Carrie. Only you, always. If you believe only one thing about me, you can believe that.”
She searched his eyes. “I believe you, Sam.” She closed her eyes, laid her head onto his chest again.
“So, this being your ‘somebody’, what exactly does that entail?”
Carrie listened to the steady rhythm of this big man’s soft heart. “It means that, at this moment, I can’t see anyone else in my future besides you. It means that I’d love to see us make a life together—blend our two families into one. Even though I don’t know if I’m in love with you right now, there’s nobody else that I’d rather say those words to.” She raised her head to meet his intense gaze. “Is that enough for now?”
Sam responded with a kiss that made her toes curl and her back arch.
“It is for now.” He cradled her face in his hands. “God knows I’m nuts about you.”
She raised her hand to caress the side of his face. A tentative knock sounded from the door. Carrie took a few seconds to fan her face and straighten her clothes before opening the door to find Nick standing there.
She waved him inside, thankful for the save. “The kids should be back from Gardiner any minute.”
“Man, you got a lot done today.” Nick stood there, looking around. “This place looks great.”
“Thanks, and we even have food and drinks in the house now. Would you like a Coke or Dr. Pepper, maybe?”
“No, that’s okay. I’ll wait until we go to the restaurant and make Dad pay for it. Where are we going anyway? Amanda and Joe called wanting to know. They should be meeting us here any minute.”
“I’ve already taken her to the steak house, so, seafood?”
Carri
e opened the door as Grant’s truck pulled into the driveway. “Sounds good to me.” The girls got out, each grabbing armloads of stuff to bring in.
Grant walked around to the back of his truck and dropped the tailgate. A medium-sized dog with white, curly fur jumped out and ran to Carrie.
“What kind of dog is that?” Nick asked.
“He’s a fluffy, lovable mutt, aren’t you, Toto? Did you miss me, boy?” Carrie scratched his head and scruff, as he wagged his tail happily. “Let’s see how you take to your new home, and whether or not that fence will hold you.” She walked him into the backyard and closed the gate. Toto explored his new domain, marking his territory every chance he got.
She gave a lighthearted chuckle. “Just like a man.”
“So that’s the infamous Toto,” Sam commented from the back porch, as the dog ran back to Carrie. “I thought he’d be bigger.”
Carrie put her hands over the dog’s floppy, fluffy ears. “Don’t hurt his feelings. He’s been a member of the family for a long, long time, and he’s big enough when it comes to raising a ruckus, you’ll see. Did you remember his favorite dog food, Grant?”
“Yes, ma’am, and a water bowl and food dish, too,” Gretchen replied. “Toto’s a good hunter, Mr. Sam. He kills mice, rats, and we’ve even rescued a few rabbits from him. He barks at anything, so he should let us know if anyone’s around.”
“Hey, Mom,” Lauren said as she walked out to the back porch to meet them. “We told dad you didn’t have cable so he gave us the DVD player from the living room. Grant’s hooking it up right now.”
“That was nice of him.” She filled the new bowls with dog food and fresh water.
Lauren turned to Sam. “I’m hungry, Mr. Sam. Where are we going to eat?”
“The seafood place here in town. We can go as soon as my daughter and son-in-law get here.”
Grant came around the back with a large cushioned pet bed in his hands. “Hey, Mom, I bought Toto a bed for the porch. Sheltered from the wind and rain, he should be real comfortable back here.” He placed the padded bed on one side of the porch next to his food and water. Within seconds, the dog jumped up the steps and sniffed at it before curling up inside. “He must like it.”