She turned to say hello. And words stuck in her mouth.
Sam.
“What, you didn’t expect me to come?” he asked with a lift of one dark eyebrow.
Happiness rocketed through her and she resisted the urge to grab his hand and hold on to him for the whole service. Not a good idea. “Um…I was hoping you might, but…I wasn’t sure.”
He always looked handsome, but she’d never seen him in a suit and tie, and…wow, just wow. The dark blue color of the well-cut garment, paired with the white dress shirt he wore with a light blue regimental striped tie, brought out the golden glints in his eyes perfectly and set off the strong bone structure of his face in just the right way.
He settled next to her, unbuttoning his jacket.
She smelled his aftershave, all warm and spicy. Manly. Devastating, if she let it be. She wouldn’t.
“Well, I thought a lot about what you said, and I decided you were right,” he said. “I need to let my anger go and find a way to have God in my life again, the sooner the better.”
Feeling warm, she took off her coat. “I’m glad,” she said, then cast her gaze around. “The twins?”
“I already took them to the Sunday school classroom.”
“How were they with it?” Sometimes new environments were difficult for kids to deal with.
“Fine.” He reached for the bible in the shelf in front of them. “Rosie found the dolls and Nicky scoped out the toy trucks and that was that.”
The organ rang out the beginning chords of a hymn, signaling the start of the service.
“Good,” Allison whispered. “They’ll have fun.” And she’d get to worship with an old friend by her side. How could that be bad?
Pastor Garman stepped up to the pulpit and began the service by having everyone stand for the first hymn. The organ swelled around the congregation and Sam rose and held out his hymnal for Allison to share. His baritone voice rang out, and a memory surfaced in Allison—he had a terrible voice, no sense of tune at all. Completely tone-deaf.
She looked at him, blinking, and he just shrugged as if to say, “Hey, I never promised I could sing.”
With a small smile, she inclined her head slightly in acknowledgment. No, he hadn’t promised perfect singing. And something about a tone-deaf guy who sang anyway was seriously adorable. If she were noticing.
Despite Sam’s out-of-tune singing during the song—and she used the word singing broadly—a wonderful sense of calm came over Allison. Being in church, a place of worship, singing her praises to God, had always soothed her and given her the sense of belonging and acceptance she hadn’t ever had at her parents’ home.
And having Sam here, sharing in her praise, made the service doubly special.
When the hymn was over, the congregation sat, and Pastor Garman delivered the sermon on forgiveness from the lectern in the pulpit. Allison listened intently, as she always did, trying to take a nugget from the sermon to contemplate later.
After the sermon, Pastor Garman bade the congregation to stand, and the strains of the beginning chords of “Love Lifted Me,” one of Allison’s favorite hymns, rose in the church. Sam opened the hymnal to the correct page.
She stole a look at Sam as the song went on, noting he wasn’t looking at the hymnal. He was clearly familiar with the song.
The organ played the last chord and the service ended. The members of the congregation started exiting the pews.
Sam turned to Allison.
She spoke before he did. “You knew the words to that hymn.”
“Yeah, I remembered them from when I was younger.”
She gestured for him to head to the center aisle of the church. “Do you believe them?”
“What? The words?”
“Yes.”
He stopped when he reached the center aisle, his head cocked sideways. “I…don’t know.”
“‘He will lift you by His love, out of the angry waves,’” she sang.
Sam hesitated, clearly digesting the lyrics. “Ah. I see. Kind of like a personal message to me?”
Allison moved by his side up the aisle toward the back of the church, melding with the other parishioners. “Timely, I’d say, huh? God knows what one needs to hear, and when.”
Sam paused, then said, “I like that thought.”
“I’m so glad.” Allison saw Viv waving her over to the left side of the church. “Oh, Viv wants to talk to me. I’ll meet you in the vestibule so I can give the kids their books.”
“Okay, see you there,” Sam replied, turning to head toward the back of the church.
Allison watched him go, undeniably happy he’d come today.
He was still in the early stages of rediscovering his faith and his connection with God. She hoped he found his way. For himself, and, of course, for the twins, too. Though she and Sam could never be more than friends, she wanted what was best for the Franklin family and always would.
Chapter Ten
Sam left Allison’s side and said hello to Scott and his parents, Karen and Wes Martin. He waved to Julia Fleming, who taught social studies at Bygones High, and had a word with Dale Eversleigh, the town undertaker, about how the basketball team was coming along. As they discussed the schedule, it hit home to Sam how much he liked that the whole town supported the team. He just couldn’t imagine leaving to teach and coach somewhere else. He desperately hoped that would never come to pass.
Thoughts of Bygones had him looking around the vestibule at the clusters of parishioners talking. The sense of community enveloped him like an old friend, and suddenly he was so glad he’d gone with the decision he’d made at 3:00 a.m. last night to attend the church service this morning.
There was comfort here in God’s house. Peace and solace. All things he needed. Desperately. Which had been hit home by Allison’s statement.
He knows what one needs to hear, and when.
As he went to get a glass of water from the carafe set out on a table in the corner, comprehension shot through him like an inbound pass. Her words were so true. Part of Sam had forgotten about the sense of serenity and rightness that always took hold of him when he worshipped here, when he talked to God and God listened.
A moment later, Allison and Viv appeared in the vestibule. He watched them over the rim of his water glass, his heart kick-starting at just the sight of Allison. She looked very pretty today, dressed in dark slacks and a knee-length emerald-green coat that really set off her dark hair. She had such a fresh beauty about her, so uncontrived and natural, so—
“Well, I haven’t seen you here in quite a while.”
He turned. “You’re right about that, Coraline.” She looked as smart as she always did, dressed in her Sunday finery, which included a black wool coat over a bright red sweater and a black, knee-length skirt. Her short gray hair was styled perfectly, as always.
She looked away from him, her razor-sharp blue gaze zeroing in on Allison. “Dare I say that Miss True had something to do with your return to the fold?”
Coraline’s perceptiveness always threw him a little. She always seemed to…know things. But…she was a matchmaker, and it was obvious where this was going—straight to the altar, if Coraline had anything to say about it.
“Um…well.” He cleared his throat as he scrunched his eyebrows together. “Why do you say that?” Maybe if he played dumb she’d back off. She meant well, but he had to stay strong.
Coraline gave him a beatific smile. “Anyone with eyes would be able to see that you’re taken with her. The rest was just a matter of making a connection.”
Taken with Allison? Oh, wow. Not what he wanted. He needed to be more careful. “Oh, we’re just friends.”
Coraline’s blue eyes twinkled. “Really?”
“Yes,” he insisted. “She’s been helping me out with the twins.”
“So they like her?”
“Oh, yes. They love her.”
“She’s a wonderful woman,” Coraline said. “I hear you have some of your at
hletes involved in Allison’s writing workshops.”
“Yes, Rory Liston and Scott Martin.”
“Excellent.” Coraline nodded.
“Allison will be a good influence on your children.”
“I agree.” Wholeheartedly.
Coraline studied him. “I feel that God has another plan for you. Something wonderful.”
Something wonderful. Unexpected yearning spread through him but he batted it back. “I’m not quite sure what to say to that,” he replied in all honesty.
“I’ll pray about it, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course not.” Prayers couldn’t hurt. But reality was much more difficult to ignore.
“Good. And I hope you’ll continue to come to church.”
“I will. I feel closer to God here, and I’m glad I came because I need Him right now.”
“Excellent.” With a warm smile, Coraline went off toward the front doors of the church, which had been flung open wide to let in the October sun. She greeted Robert Randall, the owner of the now-defunct Randall Manufacturing.
Sam stood alone for a few moments, wondering about what Coraline had said.
I feel that God has another plan for you. Something wonderful.
Was it possible her words were true? And was he a complete fool, or even worse yet, a bad father, for even considering the validity of Coraline’s statement?
If so, he had a lot of thinking to do. And Allison was at the center of it all.
Chapter Eleven
“The end.”
Allison closed the book she’d read for the kids, her eyes on the woman who’d come to Story Time a bit late, four kids in tow, including Nicky and Rosie.
Lori! Lori was here. With her own kids, and her niece and nephew.
Smiling, Allison rose and hustled over to where Lori stood. “It is so good to see you, Lor,” she said, automatically reverting to her nickname for her best childhood friend. Save for shorter, slightly darker hair, Lori looked the same as Allison remembered, all freckles and caramel-colored, long-lashed eyes Allison had always envied.
Lori grinned back and opened her arms. “You, too, old friend.”
They embraced, and Allison felt as if a missing piece of her heart had been replaced. She and Lori had shared everything at one time, their hopes and dreams most of all. Allison realized at this moment how much she’d missed Lori, how big a hole the loss of her friendship had caused. She’d wanted to reconnect, but something had always held her back.
When they pulled apart, Allison saw tears in Lori’s eyes. In reaction, her own eyes burned. “Hey, now.” She blinked a few times. “Don’t make me cry at work.”
Lori laughed. “Sorry. It’s just so great to see you.”
“And you, too.” She gestured to the Kids’ Korner, where the four children looked at books Allison had set on the table, two towheads and two brunettes. “I take it those are your kids over there with Nicky and Rosie.”
Motherly pride and unconditional love glowed in Lori’s eyes. “Yes. Those are my babies. Katy is three going on ten and Jacob is four.”
“Wow.” Allison gazed at the two blond cherubs with their round rosy cheeks. “They’re gorgeous.”
“Thanks. They’re a handful, but I love them to pieces.”
“You’re very happy, right?” Allison said.
“Yes, I am.”
A cold spot in Allison’s chest throbbed, taking her off guard. She just nodded.
“Listen, I’m watching Nicky and Rosie this afternoon—Sam’s ex flaked out again—and I was going to take the kids to the Cozy Cup Café for some hot cocoa. You want to go with us so you and I can catch up?”
“What a wonderful idea, especially considering I finally have a pesky inventory-control problem resolved.” Allison had had some late nights and early mornings spent trying to figure that mess out. Thankfully she’d waded through the problem and had come out the other side with a system that worked, along with a huge sense of accomplishment. “It wouldn’t hurt for me to take a small break. Let me go make sure Viv, my employee, will be okay on her own for a bit.”
“Your employee.” Lori shook her head as she looked around. “I can’t believe you own this place.”
“I’m very blessed,” Allison said. “This is what I’ve always wanted.” Nothing had changed there.
She let Viv know she’d be gone for a bit, and then she and Lori herded the kids to the Cozy Cup Café. The day was cloudy but dry, and it felt good to get some fresh air after being cooped up in the store since early this morning.
This late in the afternoon the small café, which lived up to its name by being very cozy and inviting, was empty, so Allison and Lori had their pick of tables.
Once they got the kids settled at a spot by the window, Lori left Allison with the youngsters while she went up and got coffee for her, tea for Allison and hot cocoa for the kids. She engaged the kids in a lively discussion about the stories she’d read at Story Time, and then Lori was back, bearing hot drinks for all, along with delicious-looking pastries. Lori gave each of the kids a pastry and cocoa, then sat next to Allison. “I’m starved,” she said, taking a pastry.
“Me, too,” Allison replied, digging into her own doughnut.
They made small talk for a few minutes while they ate, and then Lori eyed Allison, one eyebrow cocked. “So I’ve heard that you and Sam have reconnected.”
Allison almost choked on her coffee. “Um…yeah.” She cleared her throat. “He and the kids have been coming to Story Time,” she said truthfully. They hadn’t spent any time alone. No risk there.
“So it’s all about the kids?”
“Of course,” Allison said evenly. “As it should be.” Especially with Teresa’s threats looming.
Lori regarded Allison for a long moment. “So did Sam tell you that he liked you way back in high school and wanted to ask you out?”
Allison’s tummy flipped and she almost dropped her pastry. “Nooo, he didn’t tell me that.”
“Yup, it’s true.”
“But he didn’t ask me out,” Allison said.
“I discouraged him.”
This was news. “What?” Allison furrowed her brow. “Why?”
“He was leaving for college in the fall and I was worried you’d get hurt.”
“So you were watching out for me?”
“Uh-huh. Plus, I admit I was worried our friendship would be affected if you went out with him and it didn’t work out.”
“Oh, wow.”
“Are you mad?” Lori asked.
Allison thought about that. It would make sense for her to be mad at Lori for what she’d done, but that had all happened a long time ago, and she wasn’t the type to hold a grudge. What good would that do? “No, not now. I’ve moved on.”
“Oh, good. I’ve always felt guilty about my part in discouraging him.”
Pieces of the puzzle came together for Allison. “Is your guilt the reason you haven’t contacted me since I’ve been back?”
“Partly, yes,” Lori said sheepishly. “Plus, we were in Oregon for two months, visiting Joe’s family there, and we just got back last week.”
“I think Sam mentioned that.”
“Can you forgive me for meddling, and for not contacting you?”
“Of course. The phone works both ways, so I guess we’re even.” Allison stirred her tea. “And, I have to admit, I’ve been working on getting the store up and running and haven’t had time for any kind of social life.”
“The bookstore is important to you, isn’t it?” Lori asked after she took a bite of pastry.
“It’s everything.” Nutshell explanation, but dead-on.
“Yeah, a lot’s riding on the SOS Committee’s plan working. Bygones needs Main Street to be successful.”
“Yes, there’s that, but…I also want to make Happy Endings work for a lot of other reasons.”
“Such as?” Lori asked.
“Such as, my parents told me I’d fail when I left town, an
d for ten years I did, flitting from job to job until I started at the Book Barn, never feeling fulfilled, never finding the right fit, never sticking it out. Now I have the opportunity to succeed and prove them wrong. I need that, I need to know I can make this work, that I have what it takes.”
“With that attitude, I have every confidence you’ll make that bookstore just what Bygones, and you, need.”
“You always did understand me.”
“And you understood me,” Lori said. “I’ve missed that.”
“Me, too.”
A squabble broke out between Jacob and Katy, and Lori diverted her attention to referee. To Allison’s amazement, Nicky and Rosie both sat quietly, eating. Food. The great distraction.
Once she had her kids calmed down, Lori turned back to Allison. “Can I let you in on a little secret?”
Allison leaned forward. “Of course, I love a good secret. Spill.”
“I was kind of hoping that now maybe you and Sam might get together as more than friends.”
Another shocker. “You were?” Allison asked, managing to keep her voice neutral, even as Lori’s statement sent yearning ricocheting around inside her.
“Yep. You guys would make a great couple.”
A couple. Her and Sam. Just the thought of that had Allison’s heart tripping over itself. She paid no attention. Well, hardly any. “That’s never going to happen.” Allison wanted to ask Lori if she knew about Teresa’s threat, but she didn’t; that wasn’t Allison’s story to tell.
“Why not?” Lori asked, her gaze intent.
“Well, I can’t speak for Sam, but I’m not looking for romance. And, um, I don’t think Sam is, either.”
Lori nodded as she chewed on her bottom lip. “Well, I guess you’re right about that. Sam isn’t exactly gung-ho on love after what happened with Teresa.”
“Believe me, he and I are on the same page right now.”
“Maybe, but I know Sam is lonely. Who wouldn’t be, what with a demanding job and twins to take care of at home, even part-time? I’ve always wanted him to find another woman to share his life with.”
A pang of hope knotted Allison’s stomach, but she did her best to minimize the emotion. Allowing herself to hope for anything with Sam was futile. And foolish, for a lot of good reasons. She knew this and couldn’t forget it. “He told me he doesn’t believe in romantic love.”
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