CHAPTER 12

Beth

Beth had spent most of the day thinking about the kiss she’d shared with Sam the night before. He’d claimed it’d been wonderful. That was for sure, and it fed her eagerness for more. She’d dreamed about him kissing her and was disappointed that it took him nearly a week. She understood his restraint. She was pathetic being in the hospital, hooked up to IVs and tubes. It seemed wrong for their first kiss to take place in such a clinical, antiseptic environment. The rehab center wasn’t much better, but she was past caring.

As soon as she mentioned she wanted him to kiss her again Sam’s gaze dropped to her mouth and lingered there. His eyes rounded and his beautiful mouth curved upward in a gentle smile. Oh yes, this was what she’d been waiting for, the look in his eyes that said more than an entire library of books. He wanted this, too, and was as impatient as she was.

Leaning forward, Sam slipped his hand around the back of her neck and eased her forward, his hold firm, determined. When he pressed his lips to hers, Beth released a sigh that felt as if it came straight from her center. She’d waited all day for this moment, and she wasn’t going to rush through it now.

His mouth was soft, gentle against hers, moist and warm. She’d been so enraptured by his first kiss that she’d barely paid attention to his beard. It tickled her now and she smiled slightly at the feel of it against the tender skin of her face. This was good. So good, and she was determined to hold on to every detail, cataloging them in her mind, wanting to put them to memory.

When Sam opened his mouth slightly, she followed his lead, and then it was Sam who groaned. She wasn’t sure how long they continued to kiss. It seemed all too brief, not nearly long enough to satisfy her or keep her from wanting more. With his mouth over hers, the tip of his tongue outlined her lips in a slow, sensual perusal. It was all Beth could manage not to melt in his arms.

When Sam eased away, she made a moaning protest and buried her face in his chest while she gathered her wits, which had completely deserted her. All she could think was Wow. She was convinced that until Sam had kissed her she’d never really been kissed before. She didn’t want him to stop, but he had pulled back and his breathing seemed harsh and labored.

“I should go,” he said, gently releasing her. “You’re exhausted.”

Beth wanted to protest and stopped herself. He was right. Her day had been full and she was bone weary. She slowly lay back down so that her head was against the pillows. “Thank you,” she said, shocked at how low her voice was. “For everything.” She longed to tell him how much his kisses had meant to her but was unable to find the words. She had no idea kissing could be that wonderful or feel that good.

Sam hesitated, then took her hand and raised it to his lips, kissing her fingertips as though he had a difficult time leaving her. “I’ll be by tomorrow afternoon.”

“Sure.”

“I’d come sooner but I’ve got sh— stuff I need to take care of.”

“Of course. Sam, please, I don’t want you to feel obligated to visit every day.” It was important he understand it wasn’t his duty to keep her entertained. Her stomach tightened at the thought that he’d felt seeing her was some unwritten requirement because he’d been at the scene of the accident.

He kissed the back of her hand. “Truth is, Beth, I don’t think I could stay away.”

It was his parting words that stayed in her mind the rest of the night. Sleep didn’t come easy. Every time Beth closed her eyes, she could almost feel Sam’s kiss against her lips. All that feeling and the emotion that went along with it overwhelmed her. She wondered how long it would be before he kissed her again, and she prayed it would be soon.

—

Sunshine arrived midmorning.

“How’s it going, Sweet Pea? You digging your new digs?”

Beth smiled. “I’ve already been up and walked the hallway twice.”

“Great. No PT today?”

“Later. It’s a lighter load on the weekends.”

“Cool.” Her aunt scooted the chair closer to the bed. “Have you heard from your mother?”

Frowning, Beth sighed. “Yes, briefly. The conversation went okay. She arrives on Monday.” Despite Sam’s assurances, she couldn’t help worrying what would happen when her mother met him. Already she could hear her mother’s objection to Beth dating a man like Sam. Even knowing a confrontation was sure to follow, she refused to hide their relationship, refused to make apologies for him when none were needed. Nothing her mother said was going to influence the way Beth felt about him. All she could hope was that Sam’s feelings for her were equally strong and that he not be influenced by her mother.

“It’s going to be fine,” Sunshine told her, gently squeezing her arm.

“You’ll be here, right?” she pleaded.

Her aunt’s silence was answer enough. “I promised your mother I’d give the two of you alone time.”

Beth struggled to sit up straighter. “Sunshine. No, please, you can’t do this to me. I need you.”

“Baby girl, you’re stronger than you realize. How long is your mother intending to stay?”

“Two days.”

Her aunt looked relieved. “That’s no time at all. It’ll go by so fast you’ll hardly know Ellie was in town.”

“You’re joking, right? My mother will find a way of making sure the entire facility knows she’s arrived. She’ll make more of a production than Hannibal crossing the Alps.” Beth could envision it now. Her mother was sure to make a huge scene worthy of an Academy Award. She dreaded Sam viewing any part of that.

“I have a feeling you’re more worried about what will happen with Sam than you are about seeing your mother.”

Beth didn’t deny it.

Her aunt’s gaze softened. “You like Sam, don’t you?”

It would be useless to lie. “Yes…so much. We had such a good time last night, making music together. He says he plays the guitar for his own pleasure, but you know what? He’s talented. I could have played with him all night, but I didn’t have the stamina. Sam enjoyed it, too.”

“That’s great. Don’t you worry, Sweet Pea, I might not know Sam all that well, but my guess is he won’t be scared off by your mother. If he is, then he isn’t worth fretting over.”

“But he has no idea what she’s like,” Beth argued. “We’ve only known each other a short while and—”

Her aunt stopped her. “Trust me, you have nothing to worry about,” Sunshine insisted. “You’ve completely unbalanced that poor man. He’s nuts over you.”

Beth wasn’t convinced. “I hope you’re right.”

“I am. Now relax.”

—

Beth did worry, though; she couldn’t help herself. She stewed and fretted and mulled over every negative scenario of what could happen once her mother met Sam. And then Ellie Prudhomme arrived. Predictably, once she saw the extent of Beth’s injuries, she burst into tears loud enough to echo through the entire facility. “Oh Beth,” she wailed. “I had no idea.”

By now the majority of Beth’s bruises had yellowed and the cuts on her face had mostly healed. Sitting at Beth’s bedside, Ellie dabbed at her eyes with a tissue, all the while demanding to know why Beth hadn’t let her know how serious the accident was.

“Mom, please,” Beth cried. “You want to know why? This is why.” She gestured toward her mother. “You’re making a scene. It isn’t like I’m on my deathbed. I’m doing just fine.”

“You could have died.”

“But I didn’t.”

“I should never have agreed to let you move away.” Her mother paused to daintily blow her nose. “I knew from the beginning that it was a mistake and I was right. But your father wouldn’t listen to me and now look what’s happened. I absolutely insist that you return home with me. It’s where you belong; I’m making the arrangements myself. I’ll—”

“No, you’re not,” Beth said, cutting her mother off. This was exactly what she’d feared most. She was stronger now, though, and she wasn’t about to give in to her mother’s demands. “I am not leaving Portland.”

At the ferocity in Beth’s voice her mother’s eyes narrowed with surprise. “This is Sunshine’s doing, isn’t it? Don’t bother to lie to me. She’s the one who put you up to this.”

“You seem to think Sunshine has this powerful pull on me and you couldn’t be more wrong. She has done nothing but encourage and support my decision, which is something my own mother hasn’t done.”

Her mother bit into her lip and blinked back tears. “I can’t believe you’d talk to me like this, Beth. Everything I do for you is rooted in love.”

“I know that, Mom, but I’m not a teenager. I’m an adult, and right or wrong, I need to make my own decisions and live my own life. You can plead and insist all you want, but I’m not changing my mind. I signed a teaching contract. I fully intend to keep my job and, God willing, accept another for next year if it’s offered.”

Her words were met with stunned silence.

It took Beth a few minutes to realize why. Sam stood in the doorway to her room, his gaze focused intently on her. Knowing her mother was due to arrive, he’d cleaned up, and wore fresh jeans and a button-down shirt. He looked great and Beth welcomed him with a warm smile, grateful he’d arrived when he did. The conversation with her mother was about to get heated.

“Mom, I’d like you to meet my friend Sam Carney.”

Sam came into the room and extended his hand. “I’m pleased to meet you, Mrs. Prudhomme.”

Her mother continued to stare at Sam, which seemed to be the only response she was capable of making. It took her an awkward moment to realize he held out his hand, but thankfully, manners insisted that she respond.

Ellie looked at her daughter. “Sam is your…friend?”

“He’s much more than that,” she said, not breaking eye contact with Sam.

He walked around to the other side of the bed and stood next to her.

“Sam was at the scene of the accident,” Beth explained. “If not for him, I think I actually might have died. We both owe him a great deal.”

“Thank you,” her mother said, although it sounded a tad begrudging.

Beth held her hand out to him, interlacing their fingers.

Her mother cleared her throat. “So the two of you are…involved romantically?”

Sam tore his gaze away from Beth long enough to answer. “Not quite yet.”

“Sam,” Beth protested. “Yes, Mother, we’re involved romantically.” She refused to let him downplay their relationship in order to soothe her mother’s ruffled feathers.

“I see,” Ellie said, slowly giving the word strong emphasis. “So Sam is the real reason you refuse to return to Chicago.”

“One of the reasons,” Beth admitted. “An important one.”

Her mother forced her gaze squarely on Sam. A lesser man would have folded at the intensity of it. “What do you do for a living, Sam?”

“He’s a mechanic,” Beth replied between gritted teeth.

“Babe, I can answer for myself,” Sam said. “I work for Bruce Olsen GM dealership as a mechanic. I’m the head of the department.”

Her mother straightened. “A mechanic, you say.” She made it sound like he picked up trash on the side of the road for a living.

“Mom,” Beth protested softly.

“Did you attend college?”

“Mother, please.” Her voice was stronger the second time.

“A couple years at a community college and I decided I was better cut out for trade school.”

Her mother took a moment to soak in the information and was about to ask another question when Sam spoke.

“Before you say anything more or ask any other questions, there’s something you should know. I care about your daughter a great deal, Mrs. Prudhomme. I’m sorry if you disapprove of me, but that isn’t going to change the way I feel about Beth.”

“Nor is it going to change the way I feel about Sam,” Beth said, in order to make sure her mother knew where she stood.

“I’m beginning to get the picture here,” her mother said slowly, thoughtfully.

“I hope you do, Mom.”

Ellie nodded and sighed as her shoulders sagged forward. “I was afraid something like this would happen.”

“Something like what?” Beth challenged.

Her mother shook her head. “Never mind.”

And that was exactly what Beth intended to do.