Fingertips slid over Samantha’s eyes, and Nick whispered, “Guess who?”
She turned from the sink, easily moving into his arms. “I haven’t a clue. Just who are you?”
“Maybe this will help.” His mouth pressed against hers, gentle yet possessive. It caused heat to flow through her veins.
She drew her head back, looking into his eyes. “Nope. Sorry. Still don’t know. Try again.”
He obliged. One of those long, slow kisses that could curl her toes. When the kiss ended at last, he said, “Happy anniversary.”
Three years. They’d been married for three years. It felt as if she’d been with him always. It felt as if the wedding had happened yesterday.
“I’ve got a surprise for you.” Nick took her by the hand and drew her from the kitchen to the living room sofa.
“Nick. We said no gifts this year.”
A year ago Nick and Samantha had opened a recovery and retreat center—Jeremiah’s Hope—on a parcel of land next to their home. It had taken courage, a healthy bank loan, numerous investors, and a giant leap of faith, but they had done it. Nick worked closely with the physicians and counselors, helping clients and patients on the road back to health—physical, mental, emotional, even spiritual. Samantha managed the accounting side of things. And as the business manager, she kept a tight rein on finances. They were doing well after their first year, all things considered, but new businesses were a risk.
Risk. The word caused her to smile. Risk meant something quite different to her than it used to. She no longer ran from it. No fear! Never once had she regretted her decision to leave her job with Whitewater Business Solutions. Never once had she feared the many changes or challenges that had followed.
“It isn’t a gift,” Nick said, drawing her down onto the sofa. “It’s a surprise.”
She shook her head, laughing softly. “I hope you aren’t going to be in trouble over this.”
“Be in trouble with who?”
“With your accountant.”
“I’ll take my chances.”
She leaned forward and brushed her lips across his. “You still like to take risks, don’t you? But you do it for all the right reasons.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Never mind. Tell me your surprise.”
“Jeremiah’s Hope is receiving a commendation from the governor.” Nick beamed. “There’s going to be a ceremony and reporters and everything.”
“Nick! Really? That’s amazing. I can’t believe it.”
“Believe it.”
“I’m so proud of you.”
“I didn’t do it alone.”
She lay her head against his chest. “God gave us a future and a hope,” she whispered.
“He sure did.” Nick stroked her hair.
“Our lives look very different from what I once expected.”
“That’s what makes it an adventure, Sam.”
She swallowed a laugh as she straightened. “I’m glad you still like adventures.”
He cocked an eyebrow.
“Because we’re about to go on a big one.”
Confusion spread across his face.
This time she gave into the laughter as she took his hand and moved it to her belly. “You’d better be ready to jump in with both feet, Mr. Chastain, because our next adventure should arrive in about six months.”
Confusion changed to disbelief. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.”
“Wow.” His look was reverent as he gazed at her abdomen. His hand pressed tighter against her before he looked up again, a huge grin spreading across his face. “That will be an adventure.”
“Are you ready?” she whispered, knowing that the idea of being responsible for a child had once caused him anxiety.
“More than ready.” Confidence laced each word. “Because God’s got this.”
She met his loving gaze. No fear, she thought. For either of us. And then she kissed him.