by Rose Verde
At this point, she told the story without emotion. “I’d been working in a school at that time but I got pregnant and couldn’t cope. So, I quit and took up a private student. She kept me sane.”
“Did his family not know this?”
“I never told any of them. At least not at the beginning. I found out his poor relationship with his family was more him than them, like he made me believe. I didn’t have mine to fall back on. So, I hung on the only way I knew how, praying and believing for a miracle that never came.”
At this point, she broke down and wept. Chance knelt beside her and rubbed her arms. “You don’t have to go on.” He pulled the box of Kleenex on his table closer to her. He wasn’t equipped for this and he didn’t know what to do.
“I lost my baby.”
Chance sucked in a breath. “He beat you?”
“He slapped me and I lost my ... balance at the top of the stairs. Fell on my belly and had to go to the hospital. It was too late.”
He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Why did you stay after that?”
She wiped her nose. “He begged me, promised he’d never touch me again. Even started counselling. I was stupid to believe him, thinking the loss of our baby had gotten through to him.”
Thoughts of his own marriage crept in. The years they had, had been mostly good, at least until his dad became ill. But, he’d never believed even if a couple disagreed, the other could get physical because they had the strength and ability. “Have you heard of narcissism?”
Her red eyes met his. “I hadn’t until I met Renee. She was the one who helped me make sense of what I was dealing with. Anyways, months went by and it looked like things were on the mend. I came home from taking my private student. I’d forgotten my phone at home and my friend, Chris had called. I walked in at the door and Todd went off on me.”
It was just like the first day he’d thought Sam was male. He’d thought Chris was male too, until they met. And because she came recommended, he’d let her take Andy on. “You didn’t tell him?”
“He wouldn’t listen. Called me all kinds of names. So, I lost my temper too, and walked away.”
The Kleenex in her hand was getting shredded into tiny little bits. “He’d been ironing his clothes. I didn’t hear him coming until I felt the hot iron on my back. I swung around and the second one landed on my side. I must have passed out then because when I woke up, I was in the hospital.”
Chance couldn’t hear anymore. Bile rose in his throat and he feared he was going to throw up. He straightened and pulled her into his arms. He rocked back and forth, fighting tears. She clung to him. He wanted to ask what the health professionals did. But he couldn’t bring himself to. Even with felony domestic violence that resulted in bodily harm, the offending partner, if he ever had jail time, it wasn’t a long time.
And now, he understood why she didn’t want to report him. It was sad that the person who was supposed to serve and protect was the same person who was hurting her. For minutes, they stayed that way. But, that night, Chance vowed to himself that he was going to take care of Sam. If that was the last thing he did.
“YOU SHOULD KEEP AN open heart, Sam. Not all men are like Todd.” Renee said to her as they pored over the plan for the potluck dinner for Sunday’s father’s day celebration. Though she was her psychologist and pastor’s wife, they’d formed bonds over the past years since she became Renee’s client and joined the church.
She thought about Chance. He hadn’t said anything since the other day she’d spilled her guts to him, rather, he treated her like they’d been friends forever. “Maybe not. But if I had these scars on my face, I’m sure no one would look at me a second time.”
“Thank God Todd didn’t think of marking your face.”
She shrugged. There was no way Sam would tell Renee that Chance had felt her scar, because then she would have to explain how. “What does it matter? Am I going to tell the man who proposes to me that I bear scars from an ex? Or probably bare my body so he knows what he’s getting? Better still, tell him and let him know he has to wait until our wedding night to see it?”
“Sarcasm doesn’t suit you, my dear. I’m sure a good man wouldn’t mind.”
“I’d rather not test the waters. Let’s finish up here.”
But, Chance’s features played in her mind's eye. She’d seen the sweet side of him. He and Sierra had been fabulous. If he told her, Sam didn’t know. What would it feel like to let go of her insecurities?
“To earth, Sam.”
Sam sighed softly. She’d been fine all these months. Why would she start thinking of men at this point of her life? She’d promised herself she was done with them. “I came up with a theme for the potluck. I’m thinking of family culinary art.”
Renee cocked her head. “That’s a good idea. Last year we did mainly Italian. This time we can have different varieties.”
“That’s the plan.” Sam checked that on the list. “As usual, we’ll have all the courses. We already have volunteers for appetizers and soup. That leaves salad, dessert, entrees. We don’t want to have late minute cancellations that had your hubby going out to buy food to make up the deficit.”
“That’s true,” Renee said.
“Next, we have most of the crew set up—serving, clean-up—but we still need people in the grilling department.”
“You could invite your friend along. The rancher.”
“He’s not my friend.” Sam’s face flamed.
“All the same. Invite him. If he comes, we have one person. My hubby will be there too, so we have two. From what you said, he doesn’t go out much. I know my husband. Every opportunity is a moment of making friends.”
“I don’t know. He’s up to his neck with calving season.”
“Just ask.”
The sound of a car penetrated the house. “I think your troops are here. Best I head out. Tomorrow’s a long day.”
The two friends hugged just as the door burst open and two cannon balls burst through the house.
“Mummy,” they chorused.
“Hey, boys, come say hi to Aunt Sam.”
The six-year old smiled shyly whereas the four-year old gave Sam a high five. Pastor Gardner entered, carrying their two-year old daughter.
“Sam,” he said in greeting. He kissed his wife, then glanced at the sheaf of papers. “Are you ladies done with planning?”
“Yeah. By Sunday, we’ll tell everyone what to expect. We just have a little over a week.”
Sam couldn’t miss the love between the two people as they talked. Jealousy wasn’t her vice, but at that moment, it clawed at her belly. Grabbing her bag, she included both of them. “I’ll see you on Sunday.”
“Sure, sweetheart. Thanks for coming by,” Renee said.
Sam headed to her car. Would she ever have a family of her own?
Chapter Thirteen
He hadn’t planned to go with her, but here they were. Chance had taken her to see Ronnie and spend time with her baby boy.
“Ronnie and Marc seem like nice people.”
“They’re amazing and it has nothing to do with them being family. Ronnie and her family stood by us through all the challenges we faced.”
“What happened to Andy’s mom?” Sam asked as they drove to town for the potluck dinner.
“She’s in Calgary. After the divorce, she moved away. She talks to Andy but she isn’t very active in his life.” He glanced at her. “She hated the ranch. I actually left for a couple of years and got an accounting job in her dad’s firm. But Dad became sick and I needed to return home to help him on the ranch. She asked me to choose between her or my dad.”
“I bet you were in a dilemma.”
“I was. Dad had been diagnosed with colon cancer and it was advanced. I came home. All the while, I had hopes that we’d resolve our problems and reach a compromise. But she came, dropped off three-year-old Andy and divorce papers.”
“Just like that?”
He nodded.
He didn’t understand her then. He didn’t understand her now. Yet, the last time her dad had a health scare and he’d taken Andy to see him, he’d had the sneaky feeling she was hitting on him. “Looked like she wanted out long before then and only saw an excuse. We had our issues now and again. But we also had moments I thought were worth our time together.”
“Take the next turn. The last house down the road.”
Chance eased into the road she indicated, taking note of the houses in the area. He pulled off the road behind an SUV. His truck wasn’t shabby but it stood out against the cars that lined the street. He cut the engine. “I got some non-alcoholic beverages in the cooler. I know you said I shouldn’t bring anything but I couldn’t just come and be eating what others brought.”
Sam’s smile threatened to melt his insides.
“That’s thoughtful of you. Let’s go in.”
“Okay. I’m at your service, if you need me for anything.”
“The grilling crew could use another pair of hands. I’ll introduce you to Pastor Gardner. He’s the person in charge over the team.”
He frowned. “Will there be so many of us?”
Sam tilted her head and regarded him through narrow eyes. “You don’t want to tell me the self-confident, self-assured rancher is crowd-shy.”
He chuckled. “Let’s say I’m not big on crowds.” Grabbing the cooler, he hefted it out of the truck.
“That looks heavy, let me give you a hand.”
“Thanks.”
A woman met them at the door, all smiles. “You guys are here.”
She hugged Sam and then shook his hand. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
His brows hiked and he glanced at Sam. She ducked and sent her friend a look of warning. “I hope the things you heard were good.”
The woman giggled like a schoolgirl. “They were. And since my friend won’t introduce us, I’m Renee Gardner.”
“Oh, her pastor’s wife?”
“You got it. Welcome to our home.” She stepped aside to let them pass. Someone else arrived at the door and Renee went over. They entered a large kitchen and Sam signaled for them to drop it on the island. They made their way back to the truck to get her own contribution to the potluck.
He feigned sternness. “Don’t tell me you are in the habit of discussing people with your pastor’s wife.”
“Uh...” Telltale blush signs stained her cheek.
“Sam.” A booming voice called out to her. She turned.
“My pastor.” Sam hurried away. Chance leaned against the truck and waited.
The man gave her a side hug. She said something to him and they both walked back.
He shook hands with Chance, “Bob Gardner.”
“Chance Caruthers.”
“Sam tells me you are volunteering to grill with us. We’re out back.”
“I’ll meet you...”
“No, don’t worry. I’ll manage,” Sam said too quickly.
When Pastor Gardner turned, Chance whispered, “You haven’t gotten off the hook.”
“YOUR COWBOY’S MUCH cooler up close.” Renee said when they went to pick up the last food.
“He’s not my cowboy. Besides, you’re not supposed to be looking.”
“Yeah, if I was looking for myself.” She parked a hand on her slim hips that hadn’t put on any fat despite three kids. “I’m looking at him on your behalf. Obviously, it’s not only me that thinks good of him. Bob thinks so too. And he’s a good judge of character.”
The object of their discussion walked into the kitchen carrying one of the buckets they used in marinating the meat. He winked at Sam. Then to Renee. “Where do you want this?”
“Outside. We’ll decide what to do with it at the end.”
Once the door swung shut, Sam turned to her friend. “Do you think he overhead us?”
She pursed her lips. “I don’t think so.”
“Good. I still have to explain why you’ve heard so much about him.” Sam rolled her eyes. “What were you thinking?”
Bob walked in bearing his own bucket. He gave his wife a smacking kiss on the mouth. “Where’s Chance?”
“Outside. The buffet table’s almost set. We’re right behind you.”
“We need to get going,” Sam grabbed the metal buffet food holders.
“What if he asks you out?” Renee shrugged. “What if he falls in love with you?”
Her friend’s words stopped her in her tracks. “He won’t. And I won’t fall in love with him.”
“You’re too sure. But, girl, not every one of us set out to fall in love when we do.”
“Like you and Bob, right?” She told Sam that Bob had lost his wife five years before Renee moved to Medicine Hat. She’d taken up a secretarial job at the Church. The rest was history. “I’ll keep that at the back of my mind.”
Olivia Haddon, the women group leader, poked her head around the door. “What’s holding the rest of the meal? We’re set to eat.”
Renee opened the oven and brought out containers of food they left to heat, with a look that promised that Sam hadn’t heard the last of the discussion.
Out in the huge front yard, they wove their way between tables, greeting guests as they went. The buffet table groaned under the weight of assorted foods—salads on one end, rice, pasta, noodles in the middle and meat on the other end. A clash of lovely aromas set her stomach rumbling.
“Everything’s all set,” Sam said, surveying the display.
“We couldn’t expect less when we have an organized person at the helm. You did a great job.”
“We both did. I’ll go find a place to sit. I know you wouldn’t trade your place by your husband. So, us single girls better disappear.”
“I’ll find you later. You know we need to finish that discussion?”
“I won’t let you find me.” Sam laughed and walked away. She glanced around. Where was Chance? For someone who didn’t like crowds, he didn’t seem to mind that he was among people he didn’t know.
He glanced up then, where he was talking beside Bob. The smile he gave set her heart tripping.
Turning away, she headed down to the last table at the back. You don’t want to set yourself up for hurt now, do you?
Chapter Fourteen
It was eight when the potluck ended. Chance had not been at such a large gathering before. Besides Sam, he didn’t know anyone when they first arrived. Now, he felt like he knew so many people in one day.
“Did you enjoy yourself?”
“Immensely. Thanks for inviting me.” he squeezed her hand and let go.
“I figured you spend more time with your cows than you spend with humans.”
Chance laughed. “I have a dozen ranch hands during the busy seasons and we spend time together. Unless you’re talking in terms of people who don’t wear jeans and Stetsons all day.”
“Exactly.”
They both laughed. “Ranching is a full time job. Once upon a time, Andy’s mom and I used to get invited to every party, ones I never really wanted to be a part of, but went all the same to please her. All that’s changed now.”
“Is that why you were averse to my working with Andy?”
To what extent could he be truthful? “Partially. Mom bailed out on us when we were young, and Dad had to single handedly care for us by himself while running a ranch. And then I repeated history.” He shrugged.
“I can understand that. Even though my parents are together, we still felt the impact of their absence. Sometimes, I wonder why people who obviously were not prepared to have a family chose to have one all the same.”
“Did you ever plan on having one of yours someday?”
She glanced at him, her face clouding. “I don’t know. After my time with my student I was working with expired, I’d planned to take a vacation. I’d also considered moving away... Had I not met Andy.”
She’d put her life on hold for Andy. He should bear that at the back of his mind.
They drove down the st
reet and pulled up a little distance from her house.
“Thanks for the ride.”
“The pleasure’s all mine.” He cut the engine and climbed down.
“You don’t have to come with me.”
“I want to make sure you get to your place all right. I could do some arm twisting tonight after all the sugar I consumed.”
She laughed. He met her on the passenger side. “No one is lurking around in wait this time.” He didn’t miss that she looked around despite her words.
“I’d love to make sure of that.”
She hesitated, then smiled and led the way. Sam was quiet through the walk to her doorstep. Was he scaring her?
“We’re here now. See, I’m safe.”
“I can see that.” He stepped closer and dropped a quick kiss on her lips.
The shock on her face was priceless. If she thought the things he knew about her would put him off, she was mistaken. She was a survivor and he loved her for that. The realization struck him.
“I like you a lot, Sam. Nothing will change that.” Chance pulled her closer and slowly, deliberately brushed his lips against hers, then backed up. “Good night. I’ll see you tomorrow?”
She nodded. Without a backward glance, Chance headed down the steps. The softness of her warm lips lingered with him as he drove up the driveway to the ranch house that night. He knew if he wanted Sam to fall in love with him, he had his work cut out for him.
CHANCE SHED HIS BOOTS by the door and walked into the living room. Sierra looked up from the laptop. “How did your dinner go?”
“It was great.” He dropped onto the sofa beside her and glanced at the screen.
“You’re taking a homeschooling course?”
Chance leaned his head against the backrest of the sofa. “I decided I needed to get a hang of it if I plan to go the long haul. In the last couple of weeks, I’ve watched Andy fare better than he’s done since school resumed.”