Second Chance (Cold Springs Series Book 1) (16 page)

Sam pictured Ian as a carefree child playing in the muddy waters and let the thought settle on her like a warm blanket.  She laid her head on Ian’s shoulder.

She must have drifted off to sleep or a deep, relaxed consciousness, but she drifted to thoughts of Ian, where they’d been and how far they’d come.  Cold Springs had never held any expectations for love in Sam’s world, but what she had with Ian, whatever it was that they shared in these few short weeks…love? Could you actually come to love someone so quickly? 

Sam didn’t want Ian to see her crying over this, over loneliness.  Such a silly emotion.  One in which she never gave a second thought before she came back to Cold Springs. She’d always been too busy, not that she wasn’t busy now. This was difficult here in Cold Springs. She didn’t want to be alone. She didn’t want to look back on her life and have nothing but regret.

Ian held her and she leaned into his embrace. He was rock solid and warm, his closeness promising that everything would be all right.

She reached for her purse for a tissue but remembered she’d left it at the diner in her rush to the hospital.  Everything but tissues billowed out of his cup holders.  She opened the glove compartment.  A small black box popped out and fell onto the floor, hitting her big toe.

~ * ~

Ian had no idea what was going through Sam’s mind as she bent to pick up the ring box.  He shouldn’t have left it there.  He shouldn’t have bought the ring period. 

Suddenly the regret didn’t matter anymore.  It no longer mattered that this wasn’t the right time or the right place.  When would the timing or place ever be perfect?  Life wasn’t perfect.

Life was precious, and if you didn’t grab hold of what you wanted, it would pass you by.  He wanted Sam.  In his life.  Always.

He took the box from her and opened it.  Sam’s expression was questioning, confused. No doubt she didn’t expect this. She would say it was too soon, that their relationship had been rushed. That they hadn’t taken enough time and that it would never work. Too many expectations, too little stability. “Sam.”

“Yes.”

She made a statement, not a question.  “Yes?”

Sam nodded.  “Yes.”

Ian laughed.  “I haven’t asked you yet.”

“I don’t care.”  Sam leaned into his arms.

“I love you.”  His voice broke.  He kissed her neck, her ears, her eyes.  “I’ve always loved you.  Even when I was too stupid to realize it.”

“Me too.”  Sam kissed him back.  “And we were both too stupid to realize it.”

EPILOGUE

Three months later

“You may kiss the bride.”

Cheers bellowed out.  Sam squeezed her eyes shut as a hail of coffee beans pelted her and Ian.  Ian caught her in another embrace as they laughed.

The diner was full of everyone they loved as horns from cars drove by honking from the marriage announcement Burt had hung over the front door. 

Sam and Ian were married in the center of Jean’s Diner.  Much to Mother’s and Theresa’s abhorrence that she didn’t get married at someplace fancy and expensive. Sam and Ian, and of course Burt with all his friends thought it was perfect.  Mother made a full recovery—and was miserable on a diet of turkey bacon and fruits and veggies.  Burt was the best man.  Theresa was the maid of honor, and Chrissy and Martha were her bridesmaids. 

Sam and Theresa had a long road to recovering their relationship, and Theresa’s divorce was still pending based upon the multitude of material possessions she and Shawn were contesting. 

Mother gave her a long hug.  She pressed her cheek against hers.  “I think you’re making a horrible mistake, but I hope I’m wrong.” 

She stepped back, gave Ian a forced smile.  “For your sake, I hope I’m very wrong.”

Ian hugged her.  “I promise to take excellent care of your daughter, Mom.”

“Mrs. Stone.”

“Mother!” Sam scolded.

“All right, how about Madelaine?”  She glanced at Sam.  “Oh, for heaven’s sakes, Sam.  I’m trying!”

“Thank you, Mom.”  Sam hugged her.  She knew Mother was trying her best and she appreciated it.

“Is this a reception or a funeral?”  Burt spoke up.  “Let’s eat.”

Martha and Chrissy had taken care of the catering, and the dining area was filled with every sort of food choice imaginable.  “Everything except turkey bacon!” Mother added as if she could read Sam’s thoughts.

Sam laughed, and Ian stole another kiss.  “So have you told Burt you’re moving out yet?”

“I thought I’d let you tell him.” He nuzzled the side of her neck. 

“Coward.” 

“He’s here at the wedding.  You don’t think he expects us to live separately, do you?”

“Of course not, but he might think we’re going to continue to rent from him.”  Sam had planned for Ian to live with her above the diner.  They hadn’t really talked about it, but she’d just assumed.  “If you’re moving in with me, you should give him notice so he can rent out the studio to someone else.”

He smiled against her neck as he squeezed her close.  “So I’m moving into the apartment, boss?  First I’m full-time cook, then business partner, now you tell me where I have to live.  Am I even still on the payroll?”

Sam giggled as his lips tickled her neck.  Eyes were on them, but she didn’t care.  “I supposed I could compensate you…in other ways.”

The End

Thank you for reading Second Chance.  Please consider spreading the word or posting a review on Amazon or Goodreads.  Word of mouth is the nicest thing you can do for an author and very much appreciated. 

Thank you,

Nancy Henderson

Other books by Nancy Henderson:

Shadow’s Promise, historical romance

Four Winds, historical romance

Bounty, historical romance

Stranger in His Bed, historical romance

Blackbird, historical romance

Litterboxes and Hairballs: My Life with Cats, A collection of short humor stories about life and cat ownership

For a complete listing of Nancy’s books, please visit her website at:  http://www.always-a-story.com

Or her Amazon page:

http://www.amazon.com/Nancy-Henderson/e/B002BLZZZG/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

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