“And what about your mom? Are you going to go and see her first and then come here or the other way around?”
“Honestly? I’m not sure. Probably after the first round of weddings I’ll track her down. Last I talked to her she was going on a cruise with some friends and was talking about yoga classes.” He sighed. “Why can’t she just be like other moms?”
That made Tricia laugh. Stephanie Peterson had never been like other moms – that was one of the things she’d always loved about her. “You have no idea how lucky you are. Steph gets out there and is enjoying her life. My mom prefers to live like a hermit.”
“That’s not true and you know it,” Sean said.
“Which part?”
“Your mom and John are very happy and they have plenty of friends. You need to stop picking on them.”
“Hey, same goes for you, buddy. Your mom is very happy and has a lot of friends. She just chooses to have them all over the world. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“I guess,” he grumbled. “It’s just hard to pin her down sometimes. It would be nice to have a home base to go and see her. I’m never sure where I’m going to find her.”
“It’s not like you’ve been home a whole lot, Sean,” she reminded him. “I don’t see why it should bother you so much.”
“Yeah, well, it doesn’t just bother me. Ryan complains about it too. Every time I talk to him he tells me how it’s easier to find Waldo than it is to find Steph.”
“Yeah, well…Ryan’s just grumpy. I swear, he’s always got something to complain about.” It was only partially true. Ryan was Sean’s older brother and while he and Sean had a great relationship, any time Tricia was around him he seemed to be irritated.
Sean chuckled. “I don’t know where you get it from. Ry’s not like that. He does his own fair share of traveling but even with that, Steph has him beat.”
“I think that’s great for her!”
“You women. Always sticking together.”
“And don’t you forget it.” There was a moment of companionable silence before Tricia spoke again. “So you really think you’ll be coming home this time?”
“I do. I know I said that six months ago but then the tsunami hit. I was already over here with a team. What was I supposed to do?”
“You don’t have to fix the entire world, Sean. You have people back here who love you and want to see you.”
“Aww…see? You love me. It’s going to be so easy for you to play the part of my girlfriend for these weddings!” he teased.
“You’re an idiot,” she laughed.
“Yes, yes, yes,” he agreed. “But you still love me.”
That just made her laugh harder. “Knock it off, doofus.”
“Come on. I’m not completely hideous to look at, am I?”
“Now you’re just fishing for compliments. And besides, you’ve been gone for like two years. For all I know you could look like some kind of yeti now.”
“I promise to shave,” he said with a laugh. “Admit it. This is going to be so much fun. We can watch all of their shocked faces and we can be as outrageous as we want.”
“I’m sure I’m going to regret this at some point, but okay. Fine. I guess it could be kind of fun. Plus, we’ll get to spend a whole lot of time together getting caught up.”
“So…it’s a plan?”
She nodded even though she knew he couldn’t see her. “Definitely. I’ll take care of all the RSVP’ing for us if you don’t mind.”
“Be my guest, sweetheart,” he gushed.
“Ugh…knock it off. Save it for the audience.”
“You’re no fun. How are we supposed to come off as being believable if we don’t practice?”
“Sean?”
“Yeah?”
“Let it go. We’ll be fine and I don’t think either of us is going to have to pull off an Oscar-worthy performance.”
“You never know…”
Tricia didn’t even want to think about it. All she knew was her best friend was coming home and they’d have a couple of weeks to hang out together. Weddings or no weddings, it was going to be fun.
****
Several things hit Tricia at once as she pulled into her driveway a month later. First, it was too hot to cook. Second, there was bird poop on her windshield so she was going to have to wash her car. And lastly, there was a strange car in her driveway.
“Sean!” she instantly squealed as she parked and climbed out of the car. He had mentioned he wouldn’t be home until the end of May and that was still a few weeks away but…who else would it be? He probably just wanted to throw her off so he could surprise her.
Grabbing her purse, she closed the car door and practically ran up the front steps of the house. Sean still had a key so no doubt he was inside already. She let herself in, dropped her things in the doorway, and went looking for him.
No sign of him in the living room.
No sign of him in the kitchen.
Tricia was about to turn and walk up the stairs to look in his room when she caught sight of him through the French doors that led out to the deck. For a minute, all she could do was stop and stare. He was here, really and truly here. He looked bigger, taller, like he had filled out from all his time in construction. His brown hair looked kissed by the sun but could definitely use a trim, she thought with a smile.
With a contented sigh, she decided she’d be the one to surprise him by sneaking up on him. He may have heard the car, but it wasn’t enough to make him come inside to investigate. Toeing off her shoes, she tiptoed through the kitchen and over to the doors. He looked completely at peace, although that could have something to do with the yard. Steph had been a whiz with the landscaping and gardening and she had really created something special back here.
An oasis.
At least that’s what Tricia thought of it. With the Koi pond and lush foliage, it was something out of a magazine. And it was hers now – sort of. Tricia was certain that after all of the horrors Sean had witnessed in the last several years, this space must really seem like a little bit of heaven to him. It almost seemed a shame to disturb him but…she needed to. She needed to hug him, to see his face and make sure he was real.
In her best stealth mode, she quietly walked through the open doors and out onto the deck and didn’t stop until she was directly behind him. He was standing on the edge of the deck looking down at the fish. Part of her wanted to be playful and yell “Gotcha!” but the softer side – the side that was just so happy to have him home – won out. Reaching out, Tricia simply wrapped her arms around his middle and rested her head on his back.
“I’m so glad you’re finally here,” she said softly as she squeezed. He cleared his throat and Tricia stiffened and pulled away before taking a step back.
“Hey, Tricia.”
Apparently someone wanted to surprise her, but it wasn’t Sean.
It was Ryan.
****
He had heard the car pull up.
He had known he’d have to see her.
But being touched by Tricia? Um, yeah. That wasn’t something he’d counted on.
Slowly he turned around and faced her. And smiled. Everything about Tricia Patterson was familiar and yet looking at her right now, different. From the copper-colored hair to her green eyes, she was the girl he remembered. But taking in the rest of her? Well, she wasn’t a girl any more. She had most definitely blossomed into a woman.
About Samantha Chase
New York Times and USA Today Bestseller/contemporary romance writer Samantha Chase released her debut novel, Jordan’s Return, in November 2011. Although she waited until she was in her 40’s to publish for the first time, writing has been a lifelong passion. Her motivation to take that step was her students: teaching creative writing to elementary age students all the way up through high school and encouraging those students to follow their writing dreams gave Samantha the confidence to take that step as well.
When she’s not wor
king on a new story, she spends her time reading contemporary romances, blogging, playing way too0 many games of Scrabble on Facebook and spending time with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in North Carolina. For more information visit her website at www.chasing-romance.com.
Other Books by Samantha Chase
Jordan’s Return Moonlight in Winter Park
The Christmas Cottage Duty Bound
Ever After Honor Bound
Catering to the CEO Forever Bound
In the Eye of the Storm Home Bound
Wait for Me The Wedding Season
Trust in Me Return to You
Stay With Me Meant for You
A Touch of Heaven I’ll Be There
Mistletoe Between Friends Made for Us
The Snowflake Inn Life, Love & Babies Trilogy
The Baby Arrangement Love Walks In
Baby, I’m Yours Christmas in Silver Bell Falls
Baby, Be Mine Christmas in the City Anthology
Exclusive Always My Girl
Where to Find Me
Website: www.chasing-romance.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SamanthaChaseFanClub
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SamanthaChase3
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/samanthachase31/
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Friday Night Brides Page 29
