“Sure thing, this little-girl guinea pig loves females,” Chase said. “Here you go, Ms. True.” He put the animal in Allison’s outstretched hands.
“See?” Allison said to Rosie. “She’s very sweet and gentle.”
Rosie peeked up at the animal in Allison’s hands, and then tentatively reached out to touch the black-and-white guinea pig’s fur. Her little bow-shaped mouth curved into a smile. “He’s so soft!” she exclaimed.
“It’s a she,” Allison said. “Remember?”
“Oh, yeah.” Rosie giggled. “I forgot.”
Chase went over and got another guinea pig out of its cage, and then brought it back for Nicky, who had no compunction of any kind about holding the animal. But, then, he’d always been more adventurous than Rosie. His face lit up into a big smile when Chase gently set the black-and-white guinea pig in Nicky’s small hands.
Drawn to the cozy scene, Sam went over and knelt down by Nicky. “Let me have a look.”
Nicky held up the guinea pig. “He has long whiskers, Daddy!”
Sam stroked the little guy’s side. “Yes, he sure does.”
“Mine has whiskers, too,” Rosie announced. “Pretty white ones!”
“Whiskers always match,” Allison said. “Just as a purse should always match your shoes. Right, Rosie?”
“Right, Miss Allison!” Rosie said with a definitive nod that sent her dark curls bouncing.
Sam chuckled and regarded Allison, enjoying the sight of her tucked between the kids. She met his gaze over the twins’ heads, grinning, her blue eyes sparkling. Sam smiled back, holding her gaze for one second, then two, then three. Awareness sparked through him, setting his pulse skyward, and he thought he could get lost in those eyes—
“Well, isn’t this a touching little scene,” a familiar voice said. “Looks like I got here just in time.”
Sam looked left. And there, bearing down on the group, was Teresa, her eyes afire and her mouth pressed into a grim line.
Dread shot through him and he hoped she wouldn’t make a scene. “Teresa,” he said. “I…had no idea you’d be here.” This kind of small-town activity wasn’t exactly her style. He’d always come by himself in the past.
She slanted a narrow gaze toward Allison. “I thought I’d better come on down and see what’s going on.”
“We’re going around to all the booths,” Sam said truthfully. “The kids wanted to come to this one first.”
“Mama!” Nicky said. “Look what I have. A guinea pig!”
With her gaze fixed on Allison, Teresa toddled over on her high black city-girl heels, which she wore with tight jeans and a black leather coat. She had an ugly hot-pink purse—designer, Sam was sure—hooked over one wrist. “I see that, honey.” She flipped her long bottle-blond hair over her shoulder. “Looks like you guys are having a wonderful time.” She patted Nicky on the head.
“You want to pet my guinea pig, Mommy?” Rosie asked. “I bet Miss Allison wouldn’t mind.”
Allison rose and smiled awkwardly. “Of course not.” She gave the guinea pig back to Chase, who’d stayed nearby to supervise the handling of the creatures. “I’m Allison True.” With a small smile, she held out her hand to Teresa. “I own Happy Endings Bookstore.”
Teresa looked at Allison’s hand as if she’d been holding plutonium, but didn’t offer her own. “I’m Teresa, Nicky and Rosie’s mom.”
After an uncomfortable moment, Allison dropped her hand. “I’m so glad to finally meet you,” she said kindly. “The kids have told me all about you.”
Sam had to give her credit. She sounded as if her words were true. But how could they be? Teresa was being a pill.
“I’m not into books, so I haven’t been to Happy Endings.” Teresa looked around. “In fact, I haven’t shopped on Main Street at all. I think this whole SOM Committee thing is a complete waste of time.”
“It’s SOS, Teresa,” Sam put in, his jaw tight.
She waved a French-manicured hand in the air. “Whatever.”
“The plan is designed to help the town,” Allison said succinctly. “But it will only work if the townspeople support it.”
“Yes, well, Spense and I are…talking about moving, so Bygones isn’t really my problem.”
Sam mentally rolled his eyes. Man, Teresa had changed since he’d met her, into a woman he hardly recognized. He saw now that he’d had blinders on for a long time. Seeing the new Teresa—the one who’d materialized when she’d met Spense—made him sad for what he and the kids had lost.
But that ship had sailed, and Sam had to accept the facts, which wasn’t hard when Teresa was acting so petty. “Was there something you wanted?” he asked in a level tone, trying to keep his patience, which was always a challenge with Teresa.
“Besides spending time with my kids?” she asked sharply.
“Yes, besides that,” he ground out.
“Well, since you asked, I do have something I’d like to discuss with you.” She paused and threw Allison a glare. “In private.”
Uh-oh. His former wife was on the warpath, and he had a feeling he knew why; Teresa’s pointed look at Allison told that story. “Right now?” Sam asked, frowning.
“I’m here, aren’t I?” Teresa said, her voice dripping with annoyance.
Allison darted her eyes back and forth between him and Teresa, and then quickly piped in, “Um…I’d be happy to stay with the kids. Actually,” she said, craning her neck, “I think Sweet Dreams is selling baked goods to raise money for the SOS Committee. How about I take these two little guinea-pig wranglers over there for a treat?”
Sam gave her a grateful look. Bless her kind, unselfish heart. “Thanks, that’d be great.”
Teresa just sniffed.
Nicky handed his guinea pig back to Chase and then Allison took the twins’ hands. “Let’s go get a cupcake, all right?”
“Be sure and find some hand sanitizer before they eat,” Teresa said. “Animals are so germy.”
Sam cringed. “Teresa…”
“Well, they are,” she said.
“On it,” Allison said with a terse nod as she led the kids toward the opposite end of the room.
Sam turned to Teresa, his neck muscles tight. “Let’s go somewhere else.” He didn’t want her making a fuss in public, and with Teresa, that was always a possibility.
“Fine,” she said. “It’s stuffy in here, anyway.”
Now that she’d arrived, yes. But he’d keep that uncharitable thought to himself.
He went up the stairs leading from the basement into a hallway that led to the church vestibule. Teresa followed, her heels clickety-clacking on the wood floors, and he wondered how she managed the high, uncomfortable-looking shoes all the time. He remembered when she was happy in tennis shoes and comfy jeans. Those days were long gone, along with the Teresa he’d fallen in love with in college. Where had he gone wrong?
With that question ringing in his brain, he mentally geared himself up for the conversation to come. He knew the way Teresa rolled. Unfortunately. Her glare at Allison had spoken volumes. She was mad. And he was getting tired of her tantrums. Especially when they might be pointed at Allison.
When he reached the vestibule, he turned and said without preamble, “What’s this all about, Teresa? Obviously you didn’t come here for the festivities.”
“You’ve got that right.” She lifted her chin. “I’d heard that you and the kids have been spending a lot of time with Allison True, so I thought I’d better see for myself what was going on.”
Bingo. “There’s nothing ‘going on,’” he said truthfully.
“Funny, it looked pretty cozy there when I walked in,” she replied.
“We were holding guinea pigs. How is that cozy?” For the life of him, he didn’t understand why she twisted things around like this.
“I heard you and Allison are dating,” she added.
What? He blinked, incredulous and angry and fed up all at once. He sucked in a big breath, aiming for co
ntrol. He’d need it with Teresa bending everything into kinks to suit her own purposes. “We are not dating—not that that’s any of your concern.”
“You have been spending time with her, though.” Teresa’s brown eyes were sharp. “Amber Valois saw you and her playing at the park with the kids recently.” Amber was Spense’s sister, and Teresa’s new best friend. All her other friends had faded into history when she’d cheated on Sam and dumped him.
He held on to his patience by a thread. “Yes, we took the kids to the park—for the kids. It was not a date.” He could truthfully say he’d done everything possible to keep Allison safely in the friend category. “My conscience is clear.”
Teresa crossed her arms over her middle. “So you’re saying there is nothing romantic going on between you two.”
“Yes, that’s what I’m saying.”
Doubt entered her eyes. “I’m not so sure men and women can be friends, that’s all. I just assumed there had to be something romantic going on.”
“That’s your lens, Teresa, not mine.” He swung around, his hands clenched at his sides. For his own self-respect—and to defend Allison—he had to call Teresa out on this. “My relationship with Allison is strictly for the kids. They love her, and she’s wonderful with them. I would think you’d want them to spend time with people who are kind and giving and a positive influence, and I’ll thank you to give me a bit more credit.” It felt good to finally stand up to Teresa, to make himself heard.
Teresa paused. “It sounds like you like her.”
“I do like her, Teresa, because she’s nice to my kids. That’s what this is about. I will always put the twins first. You know this about me, and frankly, I’m getting tired of you doubting my parenting skills. I have never given you a reason for that.”
She sank into a bench next to the sanctuary doors, her shoulders bowed. Her purse clattered to the floor. “You’re a good father, Sam. The best,” she whispered.
He shook his head. “Then why do you always make me feel like a total failure?”
She hesitated. “I guess it makes me feel like less of a failure. Motherhood never came easily to me.” Teresa looked confident on the outside, but inside she was a mishmash of insecurity. She’d had a tough childhood when her parents had been killed when she was six, and she’d been raised by an alcoholic aunt who’d never had time for her. She’d never dealt well with that burden.
“I know, and that first year was brutal. Sleepless nights. Endless crying from the kids.” He shook his head ruefully. “And, boy, were we both exhausted.”
“It went on and on.”
“And it drove us apart rather than bringing us together.”
“I needed an escape,” Teresa said, sadness tingeing her voice. “I felt so…tied down. So inadequate.”
“And that led you to Spense,” Sam said carefully. Just the fact that he could utter those words in a normal tone showed him he’d made progress. What was the saying? What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger?
“Yes. I wasn’t looking for someone else,” she said, her eyes now watery. “I really wasn’t. I was just so overwhelmed…”
“I know.” A heavy weight eased from Sam’s shoulders.
“You fought harder than I did,” she said, tears brimming. “I’ll always respect you for that.”
“I did it for the kids.”
She wiped her damp cheeks. “You’ve always been less selfish than me.”
“Parenting is difficult, and it’s not easy for me, either. But these are our children we’re talking about. We have to do our best by them.”
“Yes, I agree on that.”
He had to ask a tough question, even though he might not like the answer. “Well, then, why have you been making noise about trying to get full custody?”
She shrugged. “I guess I was afraid Nicky and Rosie would somehow love me less if they had another mother figure in their lives.”
Ah. There was that inherent insecurity of hers again; it colored everything Teresa did, and in the end, it had been instrumental in tearing their marriage apart. It was still wreaking havoc in his life. “You’re their mother and always will be. No one can take your place.”
“That’s what Spense said.”
Sam raised his eyebrows. For once, he and Spense agreed on something. “Well, maybe you should listen to him.” Sam looked right at her, gearing up to get everything out on the table once and for all. He was tired of not knowing where he stood. He had to be honest or he’d always be unsure. “My lawyer advised me not to risk dating anyone in case you went for full custody, even though technically it shouldn’t make a difference.”
She took a shaky breath. “My insecurity brought out the worst in me.”
Agreed. He bit his tongue and waited for her to finish. She had to make this decision on her own or it wouldn’t mean anything.
Going on, she said, “I’ve seen how much the kids love you, and how excited they are when you come to pick them up. I really do want what’s best for them, so I’ve decided I’m not going to push for full custody.”
Relief loosened the muscles in his shoulders. “What about your plans to move?” he asked. He wanted all questions answered.
She rose and hiked her purse into the crook of her elbow. “Spense has accepted a job in Kansas City. I thought you and I could continue sharing custody—maybe a couple weeks at a time—until the kids go to kindergarten, and we can work that out then.”
This news of a move wasn’t surprising. Teresa had never been happy in such a small town. “I know it’s time for you to really move on. I need to do the same. We both need new lives, and you’ll never get the one you want if you stay here.”
“Yes, that’s true. I need to do this.”
“I hope you find what you’re looking for.” It hadn’t been him, and he had to accept that for good, even though this hadn’t been the way he’d envisioned his life working out.
“Thank you.” She straightened her shoulders. “Okay, I’ll have my lawyer call yours regarding the change in the amount of time we each have the twins in the custody agreement.”
“Great.”
She gave him a small wave. “I’m going to go say goodbye to the kids.”
“Bye,” he said. “I’ll be down in a minute.”
She left, her steps softer on the plank floors, and he was left alone, his thoughts swirling. She and Spense were leaving town. She wasn’t going for full custody. Thank You, God.
Sam had stood up to Teresa once and for all. That felt great. He’d asserted himself to keep his self-respect. And to defend Allison, who’d only had good intentions with regards to the kids.
His thoughts swung to her. He needed to protect his heart; love was dangerous. Plus, he could be leaving town. Did he really want to take a dangerous inbound pass if he couldn’t make a sure shot? Risky move. One that terrified him.
His gaze caught on the doors to the sanctuary right in front of him. He was, as Allison had said, in the Lord’s house; strength awaited if he chose to ask for God’s ear. Without pause, he opened the doors and stepped into the chapel, his eyes on the cross hanging above the altar. He sat in the last pew and a sense of calm came over him. It was good to be back here, good to be able to look to the Lord for guidance.
With that thought, he bowed his head and prayed. He had a feeling he was going to need all the help he could find in the days to come.
Chapter Thirteen
Allison took the kids around to all the booths, hoping Sam didn’t mind that she was letting them eat the cupcakes they’d decorated at the Sweet Dreams booth. Honestly, with Teresa in the building, Allison was too nervous to deny them treats. Obviously Teresa was upset with Sam, and the razor-sharp look she’d thrown Allison had suggested Teresa wasn’t happy with her, either.
Well, Allison thought as the kids made mini flower arrangements at the Love in Bloom booth, she had nothing to hide. She and Sam were just friends. That hadn’t changed. Though the sizzling look they’d shared
just before Teresa had arrived had felt unfriend-like for sure.
Still, a look was just a look. It was her actions with Sam that counted, and on that she was squeaky clean. Their relationship had been all about the kids, aboveboard at all times. She would always have their best interests in mind.
Teresa breezed up while they were watching some of the older kids carve pumpkins. The twins were eating their cupcakes, and Allison cringed when she realized their faces looked a mess, covered in cake crumbs and frosting.
“I was going to wipe their faces after they finished eating,” she explained.
“Yeah, no use in trying to clean them up before they’re done.” Teresa hunkered down between the twins—a real feat in those heels—and put an arm around each of them. “Did you guys have fun?”
“Uh-huh,” Nicky said, licking the frosting off his fingers. “She helped me with my cupcake.”
“Me, too,” Rosie added. “Miss Allison is so nice.”
Teresa slanted a glance up at Allison. “That’s what I hear.”
Allison blinked but stayed silent. What?
“Well, my darlings,” Teresa said, “I have to go. I will see you on Monday, all right?”
She hugged both kids, and then rose, her gaze on Allison.
Allison shifted from foot to foot.
Teresa hesitated, and then adjusted her hot-pink purse. “I…wanted to thank you for being so good to the twins.”
Allison gulped. “You’re welcome. They’re great kids, and I like spending time with them.”
“Sam’s a good dad,” Teresa said.
“Yes, he is.” Allison hesitated. “He always wants what’s best for Nicky and Rosie,” she added.
“I know that.” Teresa nodded, short and sweet. “My children are very lucky.”
“Yes, they are,” Allison agreed. Anyone would be lucky to have Sam in their life.
Teresa looked as if she wanted to say something, but instead she clamped her mouth shut, said goodbye and left, taking small steps as she walked to the stairs. Allison was sure she’d have those heels off pronto.
Allison breathed a sigh of relief—crisis averted, maybe?—even as she wondered what Teresa and Sam had talked about. She quickly curbed that interest. None of her business, really, though she was curious.
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