Prelude: Prequel to The Lewis Legacy Series (33 page)

Lord, be with me.

♥

Upon entering Perry’s, Sam stopped abruptly. The busboy, Eddie, was singing into a pretend microphone—a stainless steel serving spoon from the looks of it—and pouring out his heart and soul. His eyes were closed as he gyrated and sang along to “Walk On the Wild Side.”

Shoving his hands in his pockets, Sam slid onto the seat at the corner table. The diner was fairly quiet with only a couple of other men sitting at the counter. He exchanged nods with them, knowing the diner would get busier when the high school and college age guys brought their dates in later on. Sitting in Perry’s was one way to prolong an evening with a girl since it was a respectable, public place. He’d been guilty of that ploy with his own dates in the past.

As Eddie launched into another song, still with his eyes closed, Patti approached him. “Hey, Sam. How are you?”

He returned her smile. “Hi, Patti. Enjoying the floor show. Is this something new?”

She shrugged. “Every time we’re not that busy on the weekends, and as long as Eddie’s on his break. Myrna and Jimmy don’t mind, and the customers find it kind of fun. They even join in sometimes. He’s not half-bad. You should hear him sing ‘Town Without Pity.’ Sounds just like Gene Pitney, the guy who sings it on the record. Or ‘(Girls Girls Girls Were) Made To Love by Eddie Hodges.’” She glanced over at Eddie. “Something about that skinny kid who’s probably never had a date in his life singing a song like that is rather sweet in a weird way.”

Sam nodded as another tune began. He’d never listened to the radio much until he’d been in the service and the guys played it incessantly. “Eddie’s doing a decent rendition of ‘Gravy (For My Mashed Potatoes)’ right now. How are your kids?”

“Active as ever. It’s a miracle I’m standing on my own two feet.” She gave him a tired smile. “On the other hand, it’s a relief to be here. Gives my hubby the privilege of watching his spawn for the night. Equal time, right?”

Patti’s humor always made him laugh. She had the kind of pleasing personality perfect for a waitress in a small-town diner. The expression about never meeting a stranger applied to this woman.

“What can I get for you?” When he didn’t answer immediately, she winked. “If you’re thinking about a tall, gorgeous but feisty blonde, she’s already come and gone. She offered to work tonight in my place, but Jimmy wouldn’t go for it. He’s in charge tonight.”

“I see.” He couldn’t help himself. “Was she. . .okay?”

Patti grinned. “Sarah seemed to have some stuff on her mind, but yeah, she was good. Why?”

“No reason.” Sam drummed his fingers on the tabletop. “I don’t suppose Sarah mentioned where she was headed?” It was possible he’d just missed her. She might have taken off in the opposite direction and disappeared out of sight just as he’d arrived at the diner. Bad timing.

“No. Sorry.” Patti’s expression was empathetic. “I’m sure you can catch her at home in a while. As long as you’re here, do you want something to eat?”

He might not taste anything, but he might as well give the diner his business while he tried to figure out his next move. As much as he hated to do it, maybe he should wait until tomorrow to see her in church. Give her some time and space. He’d eat a meal and then decide.

“I’ll take one of those barbecue burgers, no onion ring, and a soda. Thanks, Patti.” Might as well shake it up a little since Patti didn’t remember the lemons for his iced tea the way Sarah always did. Not that it mattered much, and Patti had enough on her mind.

“Not a problem. Coming right up.”

Jimmy came out of the kitchen a short time later as Sam finished his burger. The cook rarely emerged from that kitchen. The way he walked straight toward the table in spite of his bad leg—not to mention the expression on his face—spoke of a man on a mission. “Captain Lewis,” he said with a nod, giving him a quick shake of his hand. “Mind if I sit down?”

“Not at all, Jimmy. Have a seat. Please. Your burger was great, as usual. Thanks.”

“Welcome. Adding the barbecue sauce has been a real hit. Glad you liked it.” Jimmy dropped onto the seat on the opposite side of the booth. “Somethin’ tells me you didn’t come in here tonight because you had hunger pangs.”

Sam smiled. “And something tells me you’re not sitting here chewing the fat with me on a Saturday night.” He took a long drink. “The truth? It’d be kind of hard to reason with Sarah on an empty stomach. I needed to fortify myself.”

Jimmy chuckled, familiar and raspy. “I figured as much. Sarah was in here a little while ago and came pretty close to beggin’ me to put her to work. When I told her she’d already put in way too much time this week, she grumbled about how she’d never get out of Rockbridge and then took off.” With a small smile, he shook his head, the folds in his face deepening. “That sweet girl can’t wait to get out of this town as much as I’ve always wanted to live and die here.”

“I’m trying to help her do that, Jimmy. The getting out of town part, that is.” Sam tossed out the line and hoped the older man would nip at the bait he offered.

“You might not want my advice, but I’m going to give it to you, anyway, Sam. I’ve seen that girl work hard every week since she was sixteen. That’s not to mention all the other stuff she does around town, at the church, and at home. She’s earned the right to take that money and run to Austin with it. But she’s way too stubborn for her own good.” Jimmy ran a hand over his shadowed jaw. “She’s got this idea in her head that she doesn’t want to be beholden to anyone.”

“Jimmy, I love her.” Sam drained the glass.

“Tell me something I don’t know, son. The whole town knows it.”

“So, what do you suggest I do if she won’t take my money? Or anyone’s money, for that matter.”

Sliding out of the booth, Jimmy reached into the pocket of his long white apron and pulled out a small plastic bag. He placed it on the table.

Sam glanced at the bag. “Red jelly beans.”

“Cherry jelly beans, to be specific,” Jimmy said. “I started givin’ them to Sarah when she’d come into the diner with her dad for Saturday lunch. I used to tease her about her tongue turnin’ red since she ate so many of them.”

Did the man have a point? What did cherry jelly beans have to do with anything?

“Sarah got sassy on me once—she was about ten at the time, I think—and told me she had to earn those jelly beans. Imagine that. A dime bag of candy. She was just a kid yet said she wanted to
earn
them. Said the only thing in life that’s really free is our salvation, and all we have to do is accept what the Lord Jesus did for us on the cross.” Jimmy chuckled and moved his hands to his hips, shaking his head. “What kind of little girl says something like that?”

“For starters, an honorable one. A girl with the love of Christ in her heart who wants to share that grace and mercy.” Sitting back in the booth, Sam waited. He knew Jimmy was leading up to something with this conversation.

Jimmy slowly nodded and pointed to himself. “I want you to know that same little girl led this old sailor to Jesus. And then I led my wife to Him. And then our kids. Changed our lives for the better, and I’ll always love my little Jelly Bean for that. No matter where she goes in life, she’ll always be in here with me.” He tapped a fist over his chest. “To tell you the truth, I’m not sure she even remembered it until I reminded her a while back.”

Sam’s mind was spinning and, if it were possible, his heart expanded even more to let Sarah in. Jimmy’s words only confirmed how special her love was to others, not just to him. “Your nickname for Sarah is Jelly Bean?”

“Sure enough.” The other man’s dark eyes met his. “Find another way to help her, son. Think about what it is that she wants most and find a way to help get her there. Mind you, I’m not talkin’ about Sarah working here at Perry’s until she’s thirty.” He put his hand on the table. “As much as I’d love that, I try not to be a selfish man.”

“Thanks, Jimmy. I’ll find a way.” They shared a smile.

“You do that, son.” Rising from the seat, Jimmy winked. “A tip? Give her cherry jelly beans every now and then.” Sam stared after the cook as he crossed the diner and pushed open the swinging door, disappearing behind it and into the kitchen.

“Hey, Sam!” Eddie stood by the jukebox.

Sam cleared his throat. “Yeah, Ed?”

“Got any requests?”

“How about ‘I Wish That We Were Married?’ That sounds about right.”

“Sure. As long as you’re not saying that to me, we’re good. Comin’ right up.”

“Thanks.” Sam wanted to pay his bill and take off, but for now, he’d listen to Eddie’s song, wishing the sentiment were true for him and a certain gorgeous Jordan girl. She might throw him out on his ear when he stopped by her house in a bit, but he’d take the chance.

Sam’s gaze was drawn to something sitting on the table. The small bag of jelly beans. Cherry. With a smile, he pocketed them.

♥

After walking around Oak Park for more than an hour, Sarah headed home. She needed to finish preparing the Sunday school lesson for tomorrow. She didn’t much feel like it, but the girls depended on her, and she couldn’t let them down.

“Sarah, is that you?” Tess called from the kitchen as Sarah closed the front door.

“No, it’s an escaped puppy from the new Beagle litter over at the Barton house. Yes, of course, it’s me.” Emotionally spent, she’d tried to be quiet as she entered the house. No reason to be so sarcastic with Tess.

Her sister came to stand in the kitchen doorway. “Now that we’ve finished the remodeling in the kitchen, are you and Sam willing to help Charlie and me finish painting the living room? Mom called. They’re doing fine, but—I could kind of read between the lines—they’re coming home on Wednesday as planned. We need to get it done.”

“Sure. I’ll ask Sam tomorrow after church.” Sarah clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle her yawn. She hoped she could sleep. “The slipcovers for the sofa and side chair, and the pillows, are all on hold over at Tucker’s.”

Tess nodded. “I’ll pick them up on my lunch hour on Monday. Thanks.” Her expression softened. “Did you talk with Sam tonight?”

“No. I wasn’t up to it. Did he come here?”

“Yes.” Tess nodded as Sarah followed her into the kitchen. “I’m sure he went to the creek, too. Where did you go? That’s the question.”

“Perry’s, but Jimmy refused to allow me to work.”

“I’ve always adored Jimmy. He’s a great guy. Not to be nosy, but where did you go after that?”

“I thought about going to see Debbie since she and Arnie are back from their honeymoon.” Warmth crept into her neck and moved to her cheeks. “Then I figured a surprise visit to newlyweds wasn’t the best idea on a Saturday night.”

Tess grinned. “Good thinking.”

“I ended up sitting on a bench in Oak Park and watching the world according to Rockbridge go by. Funny how much you can see.” Sarah’s eyes glazed. “The couples, young and old. The kids, wild and well-behaved. The love, the laughter, the longing and the loss.”

Tess tilted her head. “Are you writing another poem again?”

Sarah laughed softly. “No.”

“Well, it sure sounded that way to me. Did you eat while you were at Perry’s?”

“No, Mom, as a matter of fact. Eating didn’t even cross my mind. I’ll make myself a turkey sandwich. You run on to bed.”

“Is that your way of saying you don’t want to talk about it anymore?”

Sarah gave Tess a quick hug. “It’s my way of saying I don’t
need
to talk about it anymore. Thanks for earlier, sis.”

“That’s what older sisters are for, sweetie.” With a small wave, Tess departed.

Sarah spread out the weekly newspaper on the kitchen table but quickly lost interest in it as she ate her sandwich a few minutes later. Try as she might, she couldn’t stay focused and the words blurred. Maybe she should study her Sunday school lesson instead. After darting into the bedroom and grabbing her Bible and leader’s guide, she sat down again at the kitchen table.

She stared at the passage in Philippians 2:3-4, the theme verse for the lesson:
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Oh, the irony. “Lord, you have a great sense of humor, don’t you?” Sarah laughed under her breath. Sacrifice. Seemed to be a running theme today. Would this day never end?

As she finished her sandwich and then washed her plate in the sink, Sarah heard a knock. Tess had probably gone to bed, but maybe she’d gotten up and was in the living room. Not moving, Sarah listened.

Another light knock sounded. Wiping her hands on a towel, Sarah braced herself and then headed out of the kitchen and into the living room. Someone was at the front door, and she had a pretty good idea who it was.

♥

“Hi.” Sam removed his Stetson and held it between his hands. Tilting his head to one side, he gave Sarah his best puppy dog imitation as he stood on her front porch. “Can we talk?”

After a moment’s hesitation, she pushed open the screen door and stepped outside. She still wore her Perry’s uniform and her hair was pulled back, as usual. Judging by the tiny dab of mustard in the right corner of her mouth, she’d recently eaten. Was she mad? Hard to tell, but the fact that she was willing to talk with him was encouraging.

“Only for a few minutes, so make it count. I need to finish studying my Sunday school lesson.”

The hint of her usual humor amused him as she sat down on the swing and scooted to the opposite end, no doubt wanting to leave a decent space between them. He’d see what he could do to bridge that gap. She stared straight ahead, so he took full advantage of the opportunity to study her profile. Sarah by moonlight was beautiful. Sarah at any time was beautiful. Twisting her hands on her lap, she avoided his gaze.

Lord, give me the right words.

“What’s the scripture reference? For your lesson?”

She mumbled something indecipherable.

“What?”

“It’s from Philippians.” She cleared her throat. “Suffice it to say it’s about sacrifice and putting the needs of others before your own wants.”

Thank you, Jesus.
He loved how God worked. Surveying the expanse of the front yard, Sam inhaled the sweet fragrance of her mother’s rose bushes. On a whim, he left the swing and jumped over the three steps, landing on the ground. A gentle rain had started to fall. After grabbing his pocket knife from his back pocket, he quickly cut off three pink blooms from the back of the bush. Bounding back up to the porch, he shook the raindrops from the flowers and then bowed as he offered them to Sarah.

He heard the sweet hitch in her breath as Sarah took them from him. “Thank you, although these roses are technically stolen property.”

“Well, then, we’re even because you’ve stolen my heart.” Corny, yes, but her brown eyes softened.

“You make it hard for a girl to resist you when you say things like that, Captain.”

“The only woman I care about is you, Sarah.”

She held the roses up to her nose and gave him a small smile.

“You have a little mustard.” With one finger, he gently removed it from the corner of her mouth. Rubbing his fingers together, he leaned forward, hoping she might meet him halfway. Instead, she reached into the pocket of her uniform. Pulling out a piece of green, rectangular paper, she offered it to him.

His heart heavy, Sam took it from her. He didn’t need to look at it to know it was the cashier’s check. What it represented. What returning it meant.

“You’re my benefactor, aren’t you?”

His pulse raced, but Sarah deserved nothing less than the truth. “Yes. At least I tried. I had the best of intentions, and I was only trying to help you. If it’s needed, please forgive me.”

“No forgiveness is needed. I was more upset than anything. Well, maybe a little mad. When I got home from the carnival, Tess talked with me and helped me see it more from your perspective. Then when I saw the Bible verse for tomorrow’s lesson, that clinched it. You’ve got to love the way the Lord works.” The corners of her mouth lifted.

“I was just thinking the same thing. In ways our finite minds can’t fathom,” he said. “Remind me to thank Tess later, but are you absolutely positive this is what you want?”

Sarah nodded but her lower lip trembled. “I understand what you were trying to do, Sam, and I appreciate it, but I can’t accept your money. It wouldn’t be right. Please understand it’s not a
personal
rejection.”

“Would it help if my dad was the one who gave it to you? If it was for a lesser amount, or if it was an official bank loan?”

She frowned. “No, and in no way would I qualify for a bank loan.”

“I disagree. You’re twenty-one, you make a decent wage, you’ve had a solid job for years, and unless you have a gambling addiction of which I’m unaware, you have no debt. Those qualifications would actually make you a very good candidate.” He hadn’t even thought of that possibility until this moment. Perhaps he was fumbling, but he had to try. Even before he saw her shaking her head, Sam should have known Sarah wouldn’t accept his suggestion as a viable option.

“I can’t allow anyone else to give me the money. I need to earn it myself.”

Jimmy’s words came to mind. Right. A woman who felt the need to earn cherry jelly beans as a kid would never consider a bank loan. That would mean she owed someone something. Heaven forbid. Sam’s jaw tightened. Could the woman be any more stubborn? At the moment, he wanted to shake some sense into her and then kiss her. Kiss her long and hard. Never let her go.

“I love you for what you tried to do.”

Sam’s gaze met hers and held it steady. “I love you, too. So much.”

“Give me a reason to stay, Sam.” Sarah’s eyes glistened in the dim light.

Lowering his head, he prayed for the strength to resist pulling her into his arms, this woman who held his heart. He couldn’t bear the thought of letting her go to Austin. Increasingly, it’s all he could think about and distracted him at work, at home, and even in church. Lifting his chin, with everything in him, Sam fought what he was about to say. “I can’t.”

“I see. My mistake. I thought. . .” Her shoulders heaved and, rising from the swing, she walked quickly to the front door.

“Sarah, wait—”

When she turned back to him, the heartbreak in her features shattered him. Crossing the space between them in seconds, cradling her face in his hands, he brought his mouth down on hers. If he couldn’t tell her with his words, he wanted her to know with his kiss. The kiss went on and on, but he couldn’t stop. Sarah kissed him back with equal passion. The force of emotion surging between them was palpable. Never had he kissed a woman like this. Never did he want to stop kissing her.

The warmth of her fingers seared through the thin cotton of his shirt. He wanted more, but he couldn’t compromise her reputation. Devouring Sarah on her front porch would be bad enough if any of their neighbors happened to pass by now. Not that he cared what anyone else thought of him. He wanted the world to know how deeply he cared for Sarah. How he loved her enough to let her go even though everything in him fought against it.

How would he be able to function, not seeing Sarah in the diner every day, not sharing their special times at the creek? Splashing and swimming. The long talks. Sitting together in church and sharing a hymnal. Helping the kids at the school carnival. Sharing their fears and triumphs. Teasing and pretending it meant nothing when it meant everything. Practicing softball. Indulging in kisses and caresses that stirred desire and needed to be tempered in order to maintain their sanity.

He’d somehow manage to go through the motions of life, but nothing would be the same.

“You, Sarah Jordan, are the most precious person in my life.” Sam felt moisture on her cheeks and tugged her closer into the circle of his arms. “Don’t cry,” he murmured against lips softer than silk. Brushing strands of her long blonde hair away from her forehead, he softly kissed her temple. “It’ll be okay, baby. I promise. We’ll figure out something.”

Sarah cried into his shoulder. “I don’t want to go if it means leaving you behind.” Wiping the back of her hand over her eyes, she half laughed, half cried. With the pads of his thumbs, he brushed moisture from her cheeks. Her big eyes, so trusting, searched his.

Lord, help me give Sarah the right answers. What she needs to hear for her heart.

“Guys aren’t the best at talking about feelings. I can tell you one thing: I’ve never felt so alive since coming back home to Rockbridge and finding you,
rediscovering
you, all over again.”

“I’ve been here all along, Sam. Perhaps waiting for you. I don’t know,” she said, lowering her gaze. “I’m so confused.”

“Pray about it, and I will, too. Let the Lord give us the answer. In the meantime,” he said, digging in his pocket, “I have something for you.”

“My prize?”

He stopped. “Well, no. I gave it to Miranda and her brother. Hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all, but what was it?”

“A red plastic cup with the school name on it that says something like, ‘I won the dunking challenge!’” He shrugged and gave her a repentant grin.

“That’s okay.” Sarah’s gaze traveled to his hand. “What do you have there?”

He handed her the package of jelly beans. Perhaps it would work to his advantage. “A peace offering?”

She smiled and ran her finger over the package and then looked up at him, love shining in her eyes. “You went to the diner tonight? And spoke with Jimmy?”

Sam nodded. “I did. He loves you as much as I do. He advised me to keep you supplied with jelly beans in the future. Cherry jelly beans, to be specific.”

Sarah blew out a sigh. “He’s such a dear.”

“So are you. Now, turn your head for me. Please.” Without question, she did as he asked. Not speaking, Sam gently removed the pins holding her hair in place.

She shook her head and ran her fingers through her hair, tousling it.

“Let me do it.” Sam stroked her hair, being careful not to tangle it more. Her beautiful hair, so shiny and soft.

“That feels wonderful,” Sarah murmured. “Thank you. Seems foot massage isn’t the only thing you know how to do well. If you’ve ever worked in a hair salon, I don’t want to know.”

Sam continued his efforts. After a few more minutes, he tucked her hand in his and rested their joined hands over his heart. “Can you feel how hard and fast my heart is beating?”

She splayed her fingers over the fabric of his thin shirt. All over again, the warmth of her touch seared straight through him as much as her smile. “I do that to you?”

“All that and more.” Unable to resist her, Sam kissed her again. This time soft and tender. Not as a goodbye, but as a precious promise.

“So, what does this mean?” Sarah said, easing out of his arms and offering him her hand.

“It means I want to be with you. Together, we’ll find a way to get you to Austin.”

She studied him. “Sam, why is fulfilling my dream so important to you?”

He smiled and lightly skimmed the pad of his thumb over her cheek. “Ah, Sarah.” He kissed her again. “In your dreams, I see
my
future.”