“You won’t need to.”
“Did the board meet today?” Jami asked.
“They did. I was there. And about thirty parents of your students were there.”
“They shot Caitlynne down, didn’t they?” Jami’s voice was triumphant.
“In flames. Every parent had lovely things to say about the best English teacher, and the board of trustees, minus one dissenting voice, voted to keep you, and they amended their charter. They decided it was outdated and shortsighted.”
“I won’t lose my students,” Sam whispered. She didn’t have to take the new position in Portland. It was her choice now. She studied the twisted cotton tissue in her hands.
Jami hugged Sam and then looped her purse over her shoulder. As she passed Ethan, she reached up and pecked Ethan on the cheek. “That’s for saving Sam from the car crash.” She pointed a finger at Sam. “I can’t live without that sister of mine, so thank you.”
Ethan put an arm over Jami’s shoulders and gave her a side hug. Jami squeezed him back and then darted out of the room.
“I didn’t think you’d visit.” Sam didn’t know where to look, so she studied her fingers plucking at the thin blanket covering her.
“I’ve checked on your progress about five times a day.”
“Oh.”
“I’ve stayed away so I wouldn’t upset you. You need to heal.”
“You’re the reason I’m alive.”
“It was mostly the EMTs.”
“That’s not the way I heard the story. You pulled me from the car, with that board sticking out of my leg minutes before the EMTs arrived.”
“I didn’t have much of a choice. Someone noticed flames. It was a damn miracle I didn’t rupture your femoral artery.”
“I’ve got a lot of stitches inside and out.” Sam shifted her leg and winced at the discomfort.
“Don’t wiggle.”
“Yes, Doctor. Is wiggle a technical term?”
“It is now.” Ethan laughed and secured the balloons to the handle of a storage cupboard in the corner where she could see the brilliant colors.
“They’re beautiful. Please make sure you tell Mateo that I love them.”
“I will.” Ethan studied the balloons and didn’t quite make eye contact with her. “Are you tired? Do you need me to leave?”
His words were simple, but she could hear the doubt, the worry, in his tone. He needed to know if she would listen to him.
“Stay.”
Ethan shot her a relieved look and sat on the bench.
“No one could tell me why you were at the wreck.” Her words were soft, and Ethan leaned forward to catch them.
“Dumb luck or karma. I’m not sure which.”
“History repeated itself.”
“Thankfully, no. You lived. I wasn’t too late to save you.”
“I can’t thank you enough.”
“I saved your life because that’s what I do. I would have done that for anyone if it was physically possible.”
“I know, but I can still be grateful.”
“I want more than your gratitude.”
Sam sucked in her breath. “Ethan, I don’t—”
“No. Let me talk. I need to tell you this.”
She leaned back into the pillows and wished away the hope that burbled up in her heart.
“I’ve despised myself for a long time. I strive for perfection in all that I do, but I often fail, and I blame myself. I was so sure of a golden future when I was in college. I was going to be this amazing surgeon and save lives. I was furious when I got careless and let Felicia get pregnant, but I made the best of it. A good man plays the cards that are dealt and then makes them better.”
Sam waited as Ethan’s gaze grew unfocused as if he was reliving the past.
“It didn’t take long before I realized that my infatuation with Felicia had faded. I dove into med school and then my residency. I showed up for social events and family weekends, but I pulled away from any true intimacy with my wife. She turned to her work, got brittle, and then lost in pills and powders and a string of men.”
“You didn’t deserve that. Why didn’t she just leave?”
“Neither of us could admit failure for the longest time. We both hid from the truth. I could heal bodies and brains, but I was too cold to understand the heart.”
“You adore Mateo.”
“I haven’t completely ruined that. And I hope that I haven’t devastated my chance with you.”
“With me?”
“At the accident, you were unconscious. I couldn’t see any breath coming from you. You were as pale as death. And I knew. It was a blinding flash.”
“What did you know?”
“That I’d fooled myself into thinking that I cared for you as a friend, or as the mother of my child. I was wrong. I am hopelessly and crazily in love with you.”
“Don’t say that. You don’t. I didn’t die. I don’t need some kind of pity love.”
“I feel alive and worthy with you. There’s life and laughter surrounding your soul. You make me a better person.”
Ethan knelt by the side of the bed and took her hand in his. She held her breath.
“I love you, Samantha Barrett. I need you in my life. As my wife. As my partner. I worship the ground you walk on. Please marry me.”
Sam trembled. “I want to believe you.” She wanted to trust him and his words. Sincerity rang in his voice. “What about Mateo?”
“He’s excited about a new sibling and rather thinks that we should get married.”
“Really?”
“You’re one of his best friends right now.”
“That’s a good start...for a stepmom.”
“Is that a yes?”
All she could do was nod. She was terrified. She was ecstatic. She grinned a lopsided smile, and mirth danced in Ethan’s dark brown eyes.
“I will adore you all the days of your life,” Ethan said.
“I love you.”
“You are kind and loving,” Ethan said. “You deserve someone better than me, but you won’t regret giving us a chance. I promise.”
“Cut yourself some slack. I think you’re pretty near perfect.”
“I have a failed marriage under my belt that says otherwise.”
“It takes two to tango. Felicia sounds like she was pretty messed-up and tore up your marriage.”
“I added to the mess. I’ll own at least fifty percent of the blame.” Ethan sat on the edge of the bed. “It will be different this time. I’m a better man than I was.”
“You’ve always been wonderful.”
“I wish that were true, but this time we have each other.”
“You do truly love me?”
“I’m a complete horse’s ass that it took you nearly dying in my arms to convince me that I loved you with every fiber of my being.”
“Are you sure? I’m going to be fine. You don’t have to feel obligated to love me.”
Ethan took her hands in his and then kissed her. Tender. Delicate. Full of hope and promise. A tear fell to her cheek. It was Ethan’s.
“You, Mateo, and our child are the best things in my life.” Ethan kissed both of her cheeks and then dusted his lips against hers. “You three make it worth living.”
She slipped her arms around his neck and pulled him down toward her. The kiss grew deeper, harder until she could barely breathe. Ethan released her but took her hand tight in his.
“I love you with all of my heart.” Sam held Ethan’s gaze. “I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love you. You’ve always been the standard that I’ve held other men to.”
“That’s not saying much.”
“A failure doesn’t define who you are. You learn from your mistakes, and you keep moving forward.”
“Together.”
“Exactly.”
“Sharing my life with you. I like the sound of that.” He kissed her again until the room spun, and her head was filled with starry dreams. Her
forever was coming true.
With a last quick kiss, Ethan pulled a chair next to Sam. “I can’t wait until you’re well again, and I can show you exactly how excited I am.”
Sam eyed the long, hard lump in his pants. “I think I might be able to guess.” She laughed, low and sultry. She wished she could do something about it.
“I guess I only have one question for you.” Ethan crossed his arms and assumed a mock-stern look.
“Just one?” She folded her arms, but the IV tubing tangled. She wrinkled her nose at Ethan.
“Maybe two.” Ethan scooted the chair next to Sam again and sat.
“Lay it on me.”
“Shall we elope to Vegas for a shotgun wedding or do you want a big family shindig?”
“To think that I ever accused you of not being romantic.” She lowered her eyelashes. “I’ll get back to you on it.”
“You’ll have to pick. There’s no getting out of it this time.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Sam laughed and pulled Ethan into a kiss. Long, slow, and passionate. They held hands and watched the sun drift lower in the sky, and the room was awash in ambers and peachy-pinks.
Sam rubbed her thumb across her abdomen and the growing swell of the baby.
“There’s a third question you haven’t asked yet.”
“What that?”
“The doctor told me something interesting yesterday.” She patted her belly and raised her eyebrows.
“And?”
Sam whispered her secret in his ear and waited.
Ethan grinned. “Mateo’s going to love that.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
“DAD! MY FRIENDS are here. I’m outta here.”
“When did you say the movie is over?”
“I think it’s over by five, but Damon’s mom is taking us out for pizza. I told Sam that I’d be back by nine.”
“Eight.”
“Eightish?”
“Good enough. Stay out of trouble.”
“I will.”
Ethan was pretty sure he caught Mateo’s eye roll as he disappeared through the front door to the waiting car in the driveway. He’d let it slide.
“Did I hear my name?” With the baby nestled in the crook of her arm, Sam eased down the staircase. “What trouble have I gotten into today?”
“Only Mateo saying he’d told you about his schedule.” Ethan smiled tenderly at his wife and sleeping infant son.
“I didn’t overstep, did I? I figure that he’s fifteen, and it is Christmas vacation, but I told him to check with you.” Sam made her way back to the kitchen.
“He did. In a roundabout way.” Close behind, Ethan snaked an arm around her waist, pulling her into his chest. He nuzzled her neck.
She arched it to the side and hummed. Ethan instantly hardened, and Sam laughed and teased him with a shake of her tush.
“We do have the house to ourselves for a few hours, don’t we?” Sam puckered her lips and raised both her eyebrows.
“Let’s just keep our fingers crossed that Michael stays asleep. For a little while.”
On cue, Michael fussed and let out a series of complainy mewls.
“He just ate twenty minutes ago, so it’s your turn, oh Baby Zen Master.” Sam handed Michael over to him. Ethan pulled a pacifier out of his pocket with a magician’s flare and popped it into the baby’s mouth.
Michael sucked a few times on the soft latex and then promptly spit it out. Sam snickered as she sat at the kitchen table in front of her laptop. Ethan followed and settled his son, belly down on his arm and his tiny head nestled in the palm of his hand.
“Did you have a chance to look at the latest listing that Jami found for us?” Sam pushed the power button, and the laptop sprang awake. She’d been itching to find their dream home since their spring break wedding in Vegas, but they’d decided to wait until after Michael’s birth. Now that the little guy was two months old, Jami and Sam had been on the hunt.
“I haven’t seen it.” Ethan strained to look at the screen as he swayed from side to side. Michael quieted instantly.
“It hit the market this morning, and I think it might be the one for us. It’s almost equidistant between the hospital, Pipo’s, and the academy. It even has a fair-size guest cottage if Nana decides to move in with us.”
“That sounds promising.”
“It’s at the top of our budget, but Jami swears we’ll love it.” She glanced at Ethan and Michael’s closed eyes and shook her head. “Baby Whisperer! I bow down before you,” Sam said with an airy wave. “I must not do it right. He never sleeps for me in that position.”
“Too close to his lunch source.” Ethan ogled Sam’s extra curvaceous outlines. “I can’t focus when they’re in my face either.”
“What can I say? I’m a popular gal.”
“I love you, you sexy lady.”
“Messy bun, no mascara, and sour milk on my shoulder?” Sam pulled her best model pout with a sultry, raised eyebrow. “I’m ready for a selfie.”
“You may not believe me, but you’ve never been more amazingly gorgeous in my opinion.”
“You’re crazy, but I’ll keep you.” Sam enticed Ethan closer with a crooked finger. “You make me love you more and more every day.”
Ethan leaned in and dusted a kiss on her lips. Sweet. Luscious. Lingering. He stepped back. It was if a candle glowed within the depths of Sam’s eyes. It was glorious joy and sensuous seduction all rolled into one loving gaze.
“How about I try to get this little guy to sleep in his crib,” Ethan said, “and I’ll meet you upstairs? In bed? Say, fifteen minutes.”
“That’s the most romantic offer that I’ve had all day.” Sam held up her mouth for another kiss, and Ethan happily complied.
She popped up from the table, released her hair from the bun, and sashayed out of the kitchen with an extra hip wiggle. He followed and admired the view as she raced up the stairs, with no sign of the limp that had plagued her all summer.
Ethan passed by their bedroom to the sounds of running water and Sam in the shower. He hummed a soothing tune to his sleeping son and prayed to the baby gods that Michael would stay asleep.
In the nursery, Ethan eased the baby into his crib and kept up his song. Not a peep. He turned on the baby monitor and waited by the door. Nope. He slumbered peacefully.
Ethan tiptoed across the hall into their bedroom and closed the door with barely a click. He checked to make sure the baby monitor on the nightstand was on, and then he glanced at his reflection in the mirror. He riffled fingers through his hair and rubbed the day-old stubble on his jaw.
“Are you growing that beard in?” Sam said from across the room. She stood with a deep brown towel wrapped around her body, her skin dewy with water droplets.
“I was thinking of shaving it off and saving you from road rash.”
“I like the rough stuff,” she said with a throaty laugh. She stepped closer. Ethan stared at her smooth thighs peeking between the slit in the cotton towel.
“I’ve heard about girls like you.” Ethan peeled off his shirt.
“Naughty things or nice ones?” Sam reached across her body, and with a single twitch, released the towel. It crumpled to the floor.
“Aren’t the naughty ones the nicest?” Ethan sat at the foot of the bed and crooked a finger to encourage her closer.
Sam tilted her head down, and with a flirty look from beneath her eyelashes, she skimmed her hands from her throat, past her full and curving breasts, along the curves of her stomach and down the outer sides of her thighs. She bent half down with her arms pushing her round globes tightly together. The amber tips hardened, and Ethan’s mouth fell open.
Ethan stripped the rest of his clothes off and met her in the center of the room. His arms enveloped her, and his mouth devoured hers. He explored every inch of her luscious skin and luxurious curves. He teased and pleased the tight knot of her desire. He stroked and licked until she begged for releas
e.
They backed onto the bed, wrapped in a tangle of heated hands and arched bodies. Sam eased down his chest with kisses and licks. She captured his aching shaft between those voluptuous mounds and rubbed. She backed down further until she claimed his erection with one fiery, deep, long kiss.
“I want you, woman. Now.”
Sam’s studied him with a wicked glint in her eyes. She cupped the base of his cock and then straddled across his legs. She slid onto him in a hot, melting clinch.
She rocked. He thrust to meet her. Sam’s breath grew ragged. He clasped her hips and drove into her. They cried out as one as the dam burst, and the waves of desire flooded across their flesh.
Slowly, his world refocused. A cozy dusk settled over their bedroom with only the faintest of light filtering through the curtains. With Sam snuggled tight to his body, Ethan followed her fingers as she traced light figure eights across his pecs and abs. Utter relaxation and contentment drenched his limbs as if he floated on a thick, cottony cloud miles above land.
“That was perfection,” Sam said with a purr in her voice and a hint of laughter.
“You rock my world, my beautiful wife.”
“As do you, my adorable husband.” Sam planted a warm kiss on his chest. “I love to say that. Husband. It’s a great word.”
“You only have to promise to keep saying it.” He pressed a finger to her lips, and she kissed it back.
“I love you to infinity and back.”
“I’m the luckiest man on the planet.” Ethan buried his face in Sam’s golden tresses, reveling in her sweet scent.
Fate had played him a lucky card. A baby and a wife. Again. But this time was different. He’d let go and trusted in love to demolish the walls around his heart. And he’d won his forever.
THE END
DEDICATION
To the hero of my heart…you make it all possible.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I especially wish to thank Chris Barnes for his expertise in all things EMT and rescue. He’s been an invaluable source of information, and any mistakes made in this book are entirely the author’s responsibility.
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