Allie nodded. All in good time. It was a start.
“Okay,” she said and let out a long breath. “So, what happened to me, anyway? I only remember bits and pieces.”
Laney glanced around the room as if looking for an escape. “Oh, Allie, don’t worry about that now. I’m sure the police will go over all that stuff with you. Where’s Mom?” She glanced in earnest at the door.
“I’m here, dear— Oh!” Peg cried as she came in and saw Allie was awake. She hurried to the bed, gave her a kiss on the cheek, and placed her hand across Allie’s forehead. “Thank goodness you’re awake. I have to phone your father. He’s been so worried.”
“Peg,” Allie said seriously. “I want to know what happened to me.”
It took a lot of back and forth between Laney and Peg, but Allie finally pieced together what had happened between the time she’d left that message for Sam and waking up here in the hospital.
At hearing that Javier had come to the hospital and tried to smother her while she was still unconscious, she shivered and drew the thin hospital blanket tighter around her. She couldn’t think about that right now. It was too disturbing.
“Is Vi all right?” Allie asked, her voice breaking as she remembered how certain she had been of being lost to her daughter forever.
Violet, they assured her, was safe and happy—and very anxious for Allie to be home. She was staying with Ryan, unaware of the true extent of what her mother had been through.
Oh, God. She couldn’t wait to hold her daughter in her arms again. She didn’t know if she’d ever be able to let go.
She was shocked to learn she’d been in the hospital since yesterday, having slept the whole night and day away. For the first time, she noticed the heaviness of her arms, and she held them up to inspect. Her wrists were covered in bandages and tape.
Peg rushed to say, “I’m sure with time the scarring will be barely noticeable.”
Laney got teary-eyed again.
Allie was suddenly too tired to deal with it all. “I need to sleep now,” she murmured.
And as she started to drift off, she felt her heart tighten with an old, familiar ache.
Sam had saved her life.
But he hadn’t come to see her.
Hadn’t called.
Hadn’t sent her flowers, or even a note.
Now that the murder was solved, he’d apparently lost interest in her.
She swallowed down the hurt and disappointment.
Ah, well. It wasn’t like it hadn’t happened before—him leaving.
She’d survived back then.
She’d get over him this time, too.
Eventually…
…
The next time Allie awoke, the room was swathed with darkness. Her eyes took a moment to adjust, and she looked around, sensing someone else in the room.
Against the wall, a figure sat in the chair by the window. The person was leaning back with arms crossed. A big person. A man.
Panic swept through her, and she nearly gasped out loud. Until she remembered that Javier was under lock and key in the county jail.
“Hey,” said a soft male voice.
And suddenly, the panic was drowned in a groundswell of hope and happiness.
Sam.
She smiled. “Hey.”
He’d saved her.
And he’d come back.
“You’re awake,” he said.
She nodded, uncertain of what to say that wouldn’t sound too stupid or melodramatic. And despite the darkness of the room, with the dim lights on the machines around her, she felt a bit on display.
How long had he been sitting there? Watching her?
“Allie…” He leaned toward her, and she could see his face now in the faint light from the window. He looked really tired.
“Sam?”
He let out a long sigh. “I can’t believe what an asshole I’ve been. I should have believed you. There’s no excuse for my stubbornness, my stupidity. Believe me when I say…I’ll never doubt you again. I should never have thought you’d betray my trust like that. I’m sorry.”
“There’s nothing to forgive, Sam,” she whispered. Her heart was full to bursting as she gazed at the man who, in the short time he’d been back in town, had always been there for her when she needed him. “I understand. Oh, Sam, you’ve done so much for me—” her voice broke, and she swallowed down the flood of emotions. “You saved my life. Literally.”
“You’d lost so damn much blood. They weren’t sure—” He took a deep breath. “They had to give you a couple of transfusions. I told the doctor about you fainting the other day. Just in case there’s something—”
She suddenly remembered. “My God. Sam, she was trying to poison me. Señora Sanchez told me she’d wanted to make me sick so I couldn’t finish the video. She put something in my coffee creamer at school.”
He straightened with a scowl. “I’ll tell the police so they can test it. I’ll also tell your doctor so she can check you over. But Allie, you don’t have to worry anymore. Javier confessed to the police earlier today and turned on his mother for a better deal. But they’ll both be behind bars for a long, long time.”
Relief filled every inch of her. The people responsible for hurting her and murdering Mr. Williams were going to pay.
Tears stung her eyes.
Sam stood and came to sit in the chair next to her. “You okay? All things considered,” he added, a smile curving his lips.
She sniffled, and nodded. “I am. And oddly enough…I’m famished. Do you think they have anything to eat this late? I could eat three cheeseburgers.”
“I’ll go see in a second. But first…” His hand settled on hers. Warm. Comforting. Sending the familiar and welcoming thrill coursing through her. “I want to be sure things between us are okay. Because when you get out of this place, I want nothing more than to take you out for a decent first date. Something that’s been way too long in coming.”
She smiled, her heart dancing pirouettes in her chest. “Fourteen years long.”
He laughed. “Well, Allie McBride, you were definitely worth the wait. Now, don’t go anywhere. I’ll go see what I can scrounge up to eat. Then I’m going to tell you all the ways I’ve been an idiot and how I’m going to make it up to you.”
Chapter Nineteen
Allie stood in the opening of her patio door on Sunday and watched the afternoon’s entertainment with a smile. Molly had really outdone herself. Not only had she arranged a snazzy number in honor of Vi’s birthday, she’d managed to make it a duet with the birthday girl. Allie laughed as the two swished their hips in time to Sugarland’s Stuck Like you. Even after nearly a week convalescing in the hospital and at home, she was surprised they’d managed to keep the performance a secret.
Thank God the rain had cleared, and the sky decided to be cooperative.
She looked at the crowd scattered around her back yard, all smiling and nodding to the performers. Everyone had shown up for the big event.
Except one.
But it wasn’t as if she’d given Sam a formal invitation or anything. After their little heart-to-heart the other night—which she always remembered with a smack to the head since she’d dozed off by the time Sam had returned with food—they hadn’t spoken about anything of real significance. Every day he visited her at the hospital there had been a constant stream of visitors who made it impossible for any private discussions. Allie had learned, however, that Sam’s son, Josh, had arrived on Thursday and was contemplating staying for the summer.
So, Sam was probably busy spending time with his son. And rightfully so.
But she missed him.
“And to think I almost missed this charming entertainment.”
Allie’s stomach fluttered at the sound of the deep, familiar voice behind her. The back of Sam’s hand grazed hers as he came to stand next to her.
“I’m sure Molly would have done an encore performance if you’d missed it.” She turned and met hi
s gaze, grayish-green today, thanks to his matching shirt. Her body instantly responded, her heart suddenly beating at a crescendo pace, her palms sweating. Could he hear her heart beating frantically from there?
“You’re looking much better.”
“I suppose anything is an improvement over that hideous blue paisley hospital gown.”
His lips drew up into a warm smile that set the corners of his eyes into crinkles. She congratulated herself on going with the blue wrap dress that emphasized all her curves. Especially when he looked at her like that.
“I see you got my flowers.”
The huge bouquet of fragrant pink roses was hard to miss from its place of honor on her kitchen counter. “They were perfect.”
The last notes to the song come to an end. Allie tore her gaze from Sam’s and joined everyone in giving Violet and Molly a round of applause. Well, everyone except Grandma Ethel, who glared at Molly, not even pretending to have enjoyed it. No surprise.
“Hungry?” she asked Sam when everyone returned to their conversations. “There’s plenty of food, but I expect everyone will be coming for seconds soon. We’d better move fast.”
“What do we have here?” He looked over the dishes. “Ah. My old friend, the green Jell-O with grated carrots and pineapple, and… Yep. The one with the pretzels. I may have to try it.”
“We’re a very traditional family. It’s a major event when we change the fruit filling.”
He dropped a scoop of purple Jell-O on his plate. “I understand from Jeremy you’re planning on teaching Monday. Are you sure you’re not rushing things? What does your doctor say?”
“My doctor thinks it will be good for me to get back in the swing of things, and I agree. I miss teaching. And with graduation coming up, I won’t have that much more time with many of the kids.” She thought of Darcy heading back east in the fall and wondered how things were going with Meredith. And Bryce. Allie had been immeasurably happy when Darcy stopped by to visit her in the hospital. Even more so when she noticed Bryce at her heels. She’d have had to be blind to miss the covert looks the teenagers had given each other during their short visit. Hopefully, Allie could get the scoop soon.
“Just don’t overdo it.” It was hard to miss the concern in Sam’s tone. “I’m more than qualified to finish your classes for you. It would be good experience. Considering I’ve committed to staying on board next year.”
Allie’s head felt light. “You— You’re staying? But what about your writing? Your life in California?”
He shrugged and took a bite of green Jell-O. “That’s the beauty of being a writer. You can do it anywhere. Besides, Josh and I have been looking for a change in scenery. Fortunately, California is only a short plane trip away, so he can still see his mom. I’ve already talked to him, and he’s stoked about the move. But you should know—” He looked at her. “I’ve talked to my editor about the prospect of writing my next book about Mr. Williams. He’s given it a go. But I need to check with one more person.”
“Someone else at the publishing house?”
He shook his head. “You.”
Sam was staying! That was the only thing that Allie cared about. And the book? Well, she’d had some time to get used to that idea. She should look at this as an opportunity to make sure the real story got out there. She smiled. “If someone is going to write it, it may as well be you—with my careful guidance of course. But…why would you do all this? Drop your life in California and come back now?”
“For a smart woman, you really can be obtuse.” He lifted his hand, his fingertips brushing against her cheek as he tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “Because I love you, Allie.”
She stopped breathing, afraid she’d misheard him.
He smiled down at her. “I love your strength and willingness to stand up for what you believe in, your integrity and loyalty, your big heart and sensitivity to others’ feelings, and most of all, I love the way you tell me exactly what you think.”
A stupid tear slipped down her cheek, and she took a shaky breath. “Yeah?”
His thumb returned to her cheek and brushed it away. “Yeah. Well, that, and I was hoping to finagle an invitation to join you on that romantic getaway you won at the auction.”
A giggle escaped her as the whole world looked brighter, her limbs so buoyant she could float. “Sorry. I already promised them to Molly, so hopefully, I’ll be enough.”
He looked like he was going to say something more, but at that moment, Peg and Laney walked across the deck toward them. Allie suppressed a groan. They didn’t see Sam at first, and she could tell from the concern in their faces they were coming to check up on her.
When Peg spotted Sam standing next to her, her expression went first to anger, her mouth pursed tight. But within seconds, the lines around her mouth relaxed. Good. Allie wouldn’t have to remind her that she wouldn’t be standing there now if it weren’t for Sam.
An expression that looked remarkably like acceptance crossed Peg’s face, and she said, “Hello, Sam. We’re so glad you could make it.”
Laney’s reaction was less hesitant. “Hi, Sam,” she said, her tone bright. “Good to see you again.”
For a brief moment, Sam looked at them doubtfully. Then just as easily, his lips curled up into a smile, and he nodded. “Thanks. I’m honored to be included.”
Heavy wheezing caught their attention. Ethel stood in the doorway, winded from her trip up the steps. She glared at everyone, then waddled to the table. “Who does that grandmother of yours think she is, anyway? Debbie Reynolds?” She dolloped a large helping of Laney’s salad on her plate. “I heard she decided to go on some kind of crazy cruise. What an old lady like her thinks she’s—”
“Mother,” Peg interrupted. “Why don’t you take a seat, and I’ll bring a piece of cake out to you in a little bit?”
Edith’s mouth dropped open, and after a moment’s hesitation, she spun around and stalked off. Peg sighed and stared after her mother for a long moment, then followed her out.
Laney smiled. “Guess I’ll go see what the twins are up to. Wouldn’t want a repeat of last year.” Allie recalled the chaos that had ensued at Vi’s last party when the twins had figured out how to set off the automatic sprinkler system. “Catch you later, Sam.”
Could Laney be any more obvious?
Allie glanced up at Sam. She swallowed as he set his plate down and took a step toward her. Her breath stalled. He took her plate and set it down. “Come on.” He took her hand. “Before we’re besieged by any more of your relatives.”
He led her down the hall, past the bathroom that she still hadn’t been able to bring herself to go into, and into her bedroom. He shut the door and guided her back to lean against it. He settled his hands around her waist. Her heart took off at a gallop as she inhaled his warm, spicy scent. Felt surrounded by his solid strength.
“There’s something else I wanted to tell you,” he said. “About the video. I presented what you put together to the committee Thursday night. And it was unanimous. You have their approval.”
She raised her brows. “Unanimous?”
He chuckled. “Okay, just about. But even Meredith couldn’t really object, in light of recent events. Since the story broke, we’ve sold out for the gala, and the donations have already shattered all records. You’re a celebrity.”
Allie grinned. Mr. Williams was going to be honored. That was the only thing she’d cared about when she first undertook this project.
But she’d ended up with a whole lot more.
Sam’s fingers trailed around her jaw and under her chin. She shivered, anticipating his next touch.
“You know,” he said softly, “I’ve been here for a good ten minutes, delivered you the news you’ve been waiting weeks to hear, and I still haven’t been given a proper hello. Or thank you. I guess I’ll have to show you what kind of welcome I was hoping for.”
Sam pressed his mouth to hers, soft but demanding. Her eyelashes fluttered closed, an
d she sank into the amazing sensation of his lips on hers.
She hoped it always going to be like this between them. Smilingly, toe-curlingly wonderful.
He paused, and she opened her eyes to meet his warm gaze.
“That’s how you wanted to greet me?” she asked, more than a little breathless. “Because I was thinking of something more like this.”
She pulled his head down and kissed him fiercely with all the pent up, furious, overflowing passion she’d been holding back for so many years. Had it only been a week ago that they’d first kissed? With satisfaction, she felt his body instantly respond. His hand found her breast, and she caught her breath as she luxuriated in the pleasure.
“You’re killing me,” he finally muttered in between kisses.
“Good.” She molded her body shamelessly to his. This time, he wrenched his mouth away, his breath ragged. “If we don’t stop now I’m afraid there’ll be a lot of people out there who will go back to considering me a debaucher of innocents.” He cleared his throat. “With good reason.”
“Promise?” She smiled and pulled him back to her, savoring the passion and hunger that sizzled between them. She wanted so much more than just kisses. His mouth went to her neck, and her legs nearly buckled underneath her. “Stay tonight,” she whispered. “Vi’s going to Ryan’s. It’ll just be us.”
He groaned and lifted his head so he could meet her gaze. He fingered a piece of hair that had fallen to her cheek and tucked it behind her ear. “You’re making this impossible. I wanted to take you out for a proper first date. But hell if I can resist you.”
He kissed her again, and for a moment, she briefly entertained the idea of locking the door and having her way with him. Until the unmistakable sound of her stepmother calling her name brought her crashing back to reality.
“I guess we should get out there. It’s probably time for birthday cake.”
You Again Page 22
