SAM: A Best Friend's Sister Sweet Romantic Comedy (Waco Wranglers Reid Brothers Book 3)

by Heather Horrocks

  “I’ll call for reservations right now,” Sam promised.

  “See that you do.” And Virginia hung up.

  Savannah choked out a laugh. “She’s something, all right.”

  “She has a few control issues, bless her heart.”

  “Stop that,” she said, but she laughed. “So now we’re going to One Thirty-Five Prime?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I’ll call right now.”

  “I’m free tomorrow night. Six o’clock.”

  A few minutes later, he got off the phone. “Six o’clock reservation. I’ll pick you up at five-thirty.”

  “It’s a date,” she said lightly, and then her heart clenched. Was she really dating Sam Reid or was he doing this in order to get that fabulous house?

  She guessed she’d find out after the closing on said fabulous house.

  He smiled. “We’d better follow all of Virginia’s instructions, so dress up nice. I plan to send photos to the widow.”

  10

  A Shot of Adrenaline

  Savannah had dressed up nicely. She’d chosen a dress she’d worn to a fancy party back in Lubbock. The dusky blue highlighted her blonde hair and made her blue eyes pop and the dress didn’t cling to her curves but they didn’t conceal them, either. She’d tried to strike a happy medium between this is a business meeting and I’m going out with a guy I think is super hot. She’d leaned toward the latter.

  The dinner at One Thirty-Five Prime had been superb. Certainly expensive enough to suit Virginia. They’d started with fresh jumbo shrimp cocktails, followed by rib eye steak for him and shrimp and chicken carbonara for her. Delicious!

  And, after eating all that, somehow, they’d found room for crème brûlée.

  Sam had the server take their picture with the dessert to text to Virginia, along with a copy of the bill. “Think that will satisfy her?” he asked with a chuckle.

  “If it doesn’t, I don’t know what will.” Savannah sighed happily. “Usually, it doesn’t cost this much for a client to make an offer on a house.”

  “Virginia’s an interesting woman.” Sam grinned at her. “It’s only eight. Want to go dancing?”

  “You think I can move after this meal? Maybe a one step.”

  He chuckled. “Should I just roll you out to the Cherokee and drive you straight home?”

  “That sounds boring.” She smiled at him. “I’m not quite ready for the evening to end.”

  “That’s what I’m thinking. That’s why I suggested dancing. But we could go bowling instead.”

  She laughed at that suggestion. “Bowling? My cousin returned from a trip to Italy with a T-shirt that said ‘I love to bowling’. We got a good laugh out of it.”

  “A movie sounds so cliché.”

  She shrugged. “Movies are fun.”

  “Want to go to the Silos?”

  “Like a tourist?” She laughed.

  “Sure. Why not?” It was his turn to shrug. “Or maybe the Dr. Pepper Museum.”

  She started to smile. “How about the Cameron Park Zoo? I haven’t been since I was a little girl.”

  He snapped his fingers. “How about the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame Museum?”

  She laughed. “I think the museums close at about five or so.”

  “Okay. How about Spice Village?”

  “I’m sure you’re not a shopper of boutique stores.”

  “You’re right. What was I thinking?” He smirked.

  “Perhaps,” she said, “we should go somewhere that would make Virginia happiest to see us at.”

  “A Vegas wedding chapel?”

  She snorted. “She probably would like that.”

  “Elvis impersonator? Or would she prefer Tom Jones?” He slid the bill into his pocket. “Shall we continue this discussion in the Cherokee?”

  She snagged her small purse and stood.

  He left a generous tip and walked with her, opening the door for her.

  Outside, the temperature was in the high fifties, and she slid on her sweater.

  He turned the key and the engine roared to life. “Your call. Which Virginia-impressing facility are we going to?”

  “Do you suppose it’s too late to catch the river cruise on the Brazos River? I bet she’d love that.”

  He pulled out his phone. “Let’s see if I can get reservations.”

  “Before you do, I need to tell you something.”

  “What?”

  “Zeke told me what he said to you. That the good news was you had to move out. I’m sorry I caused you to be kicked out.”

  “No problem. It was time for me to buy a place, and you’re helping me with that. So it’s all good.”

  Sam called the river cruise office and, no, it was not too late. Thirty minutes later, they found themselves on board a pontoon boat. They’d been lucky to get on the last tour of the evening, and took the last two seats on the boat. The seats were comfy, more like recliner-type seats than normal boat seats. The captain and first mate sat in the seats in front, and the other seats lined the boat. There were ten other guests aboard.

  As the boat traveled past various popular Waco sites — McLane Stadium, Baylor University, Cameron Park — she found herself talking with Sam. When she gave a slight shiver of cold, he wrapped an arm about her shoulders to warm her up, and she leaned into him.

  She could so very easily fall for Sam Reid. She suspected she was half there already.

  As the boat headed back to shore, Sam enjoyed the joy he felt having Savannah Jackson next to him, pressed close against him.

  He’d dated before and enjoyed the adulation football players can get, but he’d also grown tired of the women who wanted him because he was a football player and not because he was himself. But Savannah seemed to enjoy spending time with him. She was easy to talk with, fun to spend time with, amazing to look at.

  If he didn’t know better, he’d think he might be falling for Zeke’s sister.

  “I had a great time,” Savannah told Sam as he walked her to her door.

  “I did, too. And I bet the widow is going to love the picture I sent her.”

  “The only thing she’d like better is a picture of us kissing on my doorstep.” Her face flushed warm. Had she really said that?

  “That’s a genius idea.” Beside her, his step picked up. He jumped up the three steps onto the porch and reached out his hands. “Ta-dah!”

  “Oh, no. No, it’s not. It was a stupid idea.” She wrapped her arms about herself and paused at the bottom of the steps.

  “I think it’s a genius idea.” His voice softened and he reached out a hand to coax her up to join him.

  She put her hand on the railing and stepped up, much more slowly than he had.

  “We don’t have to kiss,” he said, “though I certainly will not resist if you kiss me.”

  She smiled at that. “Do you ever resist if people kiss you?”

  “All the time. Women scare me.” He chuckled.

  “Whatever.” She stepped closer to him, about a foot away. “Getting scared?”

  “Very much,” he said, but the smile on his face said otherwise.

  Another step. Six inches. “How about now?”

  He leaned down a little so his face was maybe two inches from hers, and whispered, “Terrified.”

  So was she, actually. Terrified of taking the next step into a hint of a relationship. Going past the business relationship into something much more personal.

  When terrified, the only thing to do is keep going, right? She stepped in close enough she could feel the warmth from his body. She reached up and tugged on his lapel.

  “What about your brother?”

  “He’s out on a date of his own tonight.” She leaned in closer.

  “Are you going to kiss me, Ms. Jackson?” His husky low voice sent shivers through her.

  “Yes,” she said. “Yes, I am.”

  And then she stretched up on tippy-toes so she could reach his lips. His soft, warm lips that moved against hers in
a gentle rhythm.

  Then his arms slipped around her back and hers found their way around his neck, and the kiss deepened. Savannah felt a warmth spread from her head to her toes.

  When they finally parted lips, her breathing was raspy and his seemed to be, as well.

  “Well,” he said softly, “I’m glad I didn’t resist.”

  How could he get her to smile, even when they’d been in a clinch?

  He released her from his embrace, though she thought perhaps reluctantly. She knew she didn’t want to let go, but it was probably for the best. One hot kiss was her limit right now.

  He smiled at her. “I’m already waiting impatiently for our next date.”

  “When will it be?”

  “As soon as possible,” he said.

  “Call me,” she said.

  “Oh, I definitely will. You can count on that.”

  She couldn’t help the huge smile that spread across her face. “Good.”

  Sam sat in his Cherokee and watched the window. His heart was full right now. That kiss had been fantastic.

  Shaking himself, he started the engine and pulled slowly away from the curb.

  He suspected nothing was ever going to be the same for him. He was feeling seriously happy.

  He got two blocks away before he saw a circle on Savannah’s seat. He pulled over and picked it up. A compact. He grinned. An excuse to see her, maybe even get another goodnight kiss.

  He turned right and, at the next corner, right again. Back on Zeke’s street, he drove slowly. As he neared her house, he saw another car had pulled in front. A man was climbing the steps to the porch. And it looked like her scumbag ex!

  He pulled to a stop behind the other vehicle just as Savannah opened the door. He climbed out, ready to rush to her aid and kick this guy’s butt. Again.

  But then Savannah did the unexpected. She hugged the guy and invited him inside.

  Sam pulled up short, shocked.

  She’d kissed Sam and then hugged her abusive ex and invited him into Zeke’s home? Where she hadn’t even invited Sam to come in? And Sam used to live at Zeke’s house.

  Hurt slammed into him, and betrayal hammered at him.

  Adrenaline had already hit him when he’d jumped out of the car, ready to do battle, and he touched the hood of his car for balance, and made his way back around to his Jeep.

  This time, he pulled away from the curb faster. If she wanted her compact back, he’d leave it at the real estate office with someone else. Or mail it to her. Or let her ask for it. He couldn’t see her again. Not now. Not ever.

  Sitting at her kitchen table, Savannah smiled at the face so similar to the one she’d lived with unhappily. The face of her brother-in-law, her ex’s identical twin brother who was actually a nice guy. “I did not expect to see you here, Ryker. I have to admit, for a second there, I thought you were Rylan and was ready to call for help.”

  His handsome face darkened into a scowl. “My brother is a jerk. You deserve better.”

  “I do.” She smiled at him. “How’s Whitney?”

  “We’re expecting a baby next month.”

  “That’s wonderful.” They’d been trying for several years, with no success. “Is everything all right?”

  “She feels great and the baby is doing great.”

  “I’m so happy for you two.”

  “Thanks, Savannah. Whitney sent something for you.” He pulled a small envelope out of his pocket and pushed it across the table to her.

  She opened the envelope and pulled out a photo of Whitney and Ryker holding a picture of an ultrasound. “Awww, Ryker, that’s so sweet.”

  “We’re pretty excited. When Whitney realized I’d be so close to you here on my business trip, she insisted I stop by. I’m glad I did.”

  Seeing Ryker had given her a shot of adrenaline before he’d spoken and she’d realized it was him and not her ex. Looking at this kind man, so different from his brother, she was glad she was becoming involved with another kind man. One sociopath was enough for any woman.

  “Are you seeing anyone?” he asked.

  “I am.”

  “Invite me to the wedding,” he said, rising. “I’ve got to get back to the hotel. There’s a late meeting with a few of the guys and I need to be there.”

  “Thank you for stopping by, Ryker. “Please give Whitney a hug for me when you get back home.”

  He hugged her briefly. Pulling back, he said, “I’ll pass it along.”

  When she watched him pull away from the curb, she was extra happy that she had found someone so much more like Ryker than like Rylan.

  11

  I’m Gonna Kill Him

  Savannah checked her phone again. No text from Sam. No call from Sam. Still.

  After that scorching kiss, he’d promised to call her, said there would be another date. But she hadn’t heard anything from him in two days. She was beginning to worry.

  Had the kiss turned him off in some way? Was he the kind of guy who liked the chase but not the conquest? Who’d gotten his kiss and moved on?

  She hated to think that about Sam, but she really didn’t know what to think. All she knew was that her heart was aching,

  “What’s wrong, Sis?” Zeke asked when he found her in the family room, reading a book to distract herself.

  She jumped. “You startled me.”

  Wow. Even her clueless brother could tell she was upset? But apparently, Sam hadn’t said anything to him. And she wouldn’t, either. She refused to be one of those women who invited pity. A glance down at the sweats she was wearing belied that. She straightened her spine and forced a smile. “Nothing. Just a sad book.” She raised the book up, as if to prove her point.

  He studied it. “A Princess Bride? Sad?”

  “Much sadder than the movie,” she lied. She knew he wouldn’t have read it as he only read nonfiction, when he read at all.

  He shrugged. “If you say so.” He made his way to the kitchen. As she listened to him open the fridge and get out food, she rose. Maybe helping him fix dinner would put her in a better mood. But then he might want to talk, and she definitely did not want to talk to Zeke about Sam. Not now. Maybe not ever.

  She rose and headed for her bedroom. Probably time for a shower and some actual clothes.

  “What do I know about gifts for women?” Sam asked his oldest brother. Daniel had just asked Sam to help him pick out a jewelry gift for his wife.

  “Nothing, as do I.” Daniel laughed. “But you are familiar with the saying that misery loves company?”

  So, Sam was now walking around Di'amore Fine Jewelers looking at necklaces.

  Daniel told the clerk, Andrew, “She loves blue stones so maybe a topaz necklace.”

  While the employee went to bring out some special selections, Daniel turned to Sam. “What’s up with you?”

  “What do you mean? Nothing’s up with me.”

  “Um, yeah, there is. You’re all frowny and stuff.”

  “Hey, you went through nearly a year of frowny and stuff.”

  “You mean when my wife left me in an attempt to snap me out of my funk after my accident?”

  “Yeah.”

  “So, who left you, bro?” Daniel’s eyes widened. “Mom said you were dating Zeke’s sister. How serious is it? And why aren’t you smiling?”

  Andrew returned with a velvet-lined tray displaying five topaz necklaces, two on gold chains and three on silver. “Do you think she would like any of these?”

  Daniel and Sam studied the five.

  Daniel frowned. “Which one do you think Jessie would like?”

  Sam pointed at two of them. “I think she’d like them all, but these kind of look like her. And I think she’d really like the one with the heart.”

  And he looked again at the fifth one on the tray, the one with a stone the same color as Savannah’s eyes. He might have to make a return trip here.

  “I think so, too.” Daniel grinned at Andrew. “We’ll take it. Do you have any m
atching earrings?”

  “Going to spoil her, huh?” Sam teased.

  “Yes,” Daniel said simply.

  Sam knew how happy Daniel had been to finally win back his wife.

  Andrew rang up the purchase and packaged it and sent them on their way.

  As they left Di'amore Fine Jewelers, Daniel motioned back to the store. “When I bought Jessie’s wedding ring, they were still called Jay Jewelers.”

  He led the way to his Cherokee. Watching him now, Sam could hardly tell his brother wasn’t at one-hundred percent. His recovery was truly a miracle. That fifth concussion had him stumbling and slurring his words and only treatment with a high-tech rehab company, Cerebration Works, had helped. That’s where Amy worked and Knox had given her a horrible time about being a golddigger. And then he’d fallen in love with her and married her. She was one of the nicest people Sam knew.

  Daniel started the engine. “Wanna grab some BBQ?”

  “Is this a trick question?”

  “Vitek’s or Jasper’s?”

  Sam grinned. “I’m in the mood for a chopped brisket sandwich with gravy.”

  “Jasper’s it is.” Daniel pulled out. “Now, tell me what’s going on with you and Zeke’s sister.”

  Sam sighed deeply. “Big brothers are such a pain.”

  “Almost as much of a pain as little brothers. Now hurry up and spill. I don’t want to ruin BBQ with angst.”

  “Get the angst dealt with first, eh?”

  “Yup.”

  Sam said, “Nothing is going on.”

  “That’s not what it looked like before. Mom said—”

  “Mom doesn’t know as much as she thinks she does.” He paused. Oh, what the heck. Daniel would have his back. “I thought Savannah and I were starting something. But when I went to her house the other night to return her compact she’d left in my Cherokee, I saw her ex. You know, the creep I tossed out of her place in Lubbock. He was there.”

  “Did you kick his butt again?”

  “No.”

  “Why not?”