by JoAnn Durgin
“I don’t mind putting you out,” Sarah told him with a grin, “but I don’t want to inconvenience Lexa.” He laughed, appreciative of how his mother was always mindful of Lexa’s feelings. His wife and mother shared a great relationship. Mom had taken Lexa under her wing when he’d been on the year-long overseas mission. Both women were of similar temperament—feisty, passionate, and not afraid to speak their minds. Great qualities that helped to keep him straight.
“Trust me, she won’t mind,” Sam said. “How long can you stay?”
His mother smiled. “We caught wind of the TeamWork Talent Show on Tuesday night. Your dad and I thought we might stay for that.”
“I hope you’ll want to participate.”
Sam Sr. nodded. “I’m sure we can come up with something. We caught wind that you were downtown at a City Council meeting this afternoon. Everything okay?”
Sam chuckled. “Nothing a few more Port-O-Lets and minor adjustments at the worksite won’t cover. A group brought claims against the worksite and needed them aired publicly by a board that oversees issues related to the Native American community.”
“There’s always a critic in every crowd,” Sam Sr. said.
“Lexa told us about the evil eye symbol.” His mother didn’t sound overly concerned although she’d always been a fierce prayer warrior, especially where her children were concerned. Sarah brushed strands of honey blonde hair away from her forehead in the breeze. She refused to allow her hair to go gray, silver, or white. After their discussion about her single white hair, Lexa would get a kick out of knowing that about his mother, if she didn’t already. His father’s hair—still full and only slightly thinning at the crown—was now peppered with distinguished silver, mostly at the temples, same as his own.
“No worries. We won’t give into the bullies. So, how are Caty and Carson?”
“They’re both doing great and send their love,” his father said.
Sam glanced at his mother. “And Will?”
“I’m afraid your brother’s lost in the clouds as usual these days.” Sarah leaned against her husband’s shoulder.
“Don’t know if we told you that NASA confirmed that Will’s shuttle will be Pursuit, and his mission to the International Space Station will be for six weeks. He’ll be blasting off in two years.” Sam Sr.’s voice was full of pride for his second son.
Sarah smiled. “I remember telling your father as we sat by Thornton’s Creek all those years ago in Rockbridge that it’d be one of the scariest—but greatest—things in the world if one of my children would ever travel into space. That was before I knew I’d marry the handsome Air Force captain who made a habit of following me to that creek.”
“We’re all proud of Will,” Sam said. And he was. His brother would make history for the United States and the space program. For the world. “He’ll come around, Mom. Give him time. He’s caught up in the whole NASA thing. It’s no small feat to be named as a shuttle commander. We all know that’s been Will’s mindset and singular purpose since he was a kid.”
“I know.” Sarah’s brown-eyed gaze uncharacteristically avoided his. “I’m thrilled and proud, of course, but a bigger part of me can’t help but be sad that he seems to have…”
“He’ll come back to the Lord, Sarah.” His dad visibly tightened his hold on his wife. “He hasn’t forgotten his faith.”
“He’s neglected his faith, and that’s just as bad.” Sarah shook her head. “It’s more than that. Will has no personal life. He should be socializing. Do you know that boy says affirmative and negative instead of yes and no in everyday conversation?” Sarah shook her head. “That’s not normal.”
Sam couldn’t help it. He laughed. “I imagine it is for an astronaut.”
When he caught his mother’s quick glance in his direction, Sam held up both hands. “Hey, I’m trying to do my part in the grandchildren department, but you’ll get no announcements from me today, folks.”
Sam Sr. smiled. “Thanks for doing your part, son.”
“We’ll keep praying for Will,” Sarah said. “If he’s going into space as the space shuttle commander, then he’s going to show the world who’s boss while he’s up there. And I’m not talking about William Jordan Lewis.”
“I share that prayer, Mom. What do you say we play some more softball and show these kids how it’s done?”
Sarah brightened at his suggestion. “Splendid idea! I think I have my breath back now.” Sam hated to see her upset, but he understood Will was uppermost in her mind. Today was one of the rare times she’d voiced those concerns.
“Sarah’s been worried about you, too,” his dad said in low tones as they walked to join the batting lineup. “The opposition to your TeamWork project here has troubled her a bit. It’s not easy being a mother.”
“I know,” Sam said. “So far, the threats haven’t amounted to anything. And Mom makes everything look easy.”
Standing beside him, Sam Sr. nodded. “You’ve got that right, son. And so does Lexa.”
~~♥~~
“I definitely need a hot shower. It seemed warmer at the worksite tonight.”
Lexa glanced up from where she sat reading in the chair closest to her side of the bed. Sam was in the process of pulling his shirt over his head. She watched as he stepped out of his shorts. All the physical work he did both at home and here at the camp kept him sculpted and buff. She tugged on the collar of her blouse, fanning herself. While she enjoyed the sight of her husband, the timing wasn’t good, especially tonight.
“What were you working on?”
“Dad came over with me and we were nailing down the pews.” Sam picked up his dirty clothes and deposited them in the laundry basket outside the bathroom.
She grinned. “There’s a pun in there somewhere but far be it from me to think of it tonight. All I know is, I’m going to need to make a trip to the laundromat early next week before we’re overrun with stinky laundry.”
Sam laughed. “Is that a personal observation about the way I smell tonight?”
“No,” she said. Expecting him to go into the bathroom, she was surprised to find him lounging against the doorframe of the bathroom. “Do you need something?”
“Do we need to talk?”
“About?”
“Stephanie Colton.”
Lexa glanced at her watch and tried not to frown. What could she say that wouldn’t make her sound insecure or jealous? “I don’t know why you’d think that. Your parents are due to show up in an hour. I’ve changed the sheets and everything should be ready for them.”
“The One Nation guys got the teepee all set up and ready to go.” Sam ran his hand over his hair. “The kids think it’s the greatest adventure yet.”
“I’m sure they do.” Lexa put her book on the nightstand. “I have a feeling that teepee is going to be a permanent fixture for the rest of the camp.” She’d wanted the kids to stay in their quarters with Sam’s parents, but once the One Nation men offered to construct the teepee, the kids could barely contain their excitement. It would be fun, but she hoped they’d get some sleep.
“I think you’re right,” Sam said. “The kid in me has embraced the idea. Eliot’s on guard tonight, by the way. The guys are doing an awesome job with the security rotation. Now,” he said, “speak to me. Stop staring at my chest and tell me what’s on your mind.”
“Okay, so you caught me. It’s not fair staring at how gorgeous you are and trying to have a coherent conversation.”
“You realize I’m in my skivvies here.” Sam raised a brow and gave her a grin Lexa recognized when he was feeling playful and fun. “You could strip down, too, and then we’d be on an even playing field. But at least you’d smell better.”
Sliding out of the chair, Lexa walked across the room. Sniffing the air around him, she wrinkled her nose to tease him. “You’re right.”
Cupping her face in his hands, Sam leaned close. “I will never stop pursuing you, Lexa. No one else is like you. The Lord creat
ed me for you—and you for me—and I love you. Never forget that.”
After a prolonged kiss, Lexa released a sigh of contentment. “Kind of hard to forget after that kiss.” This man never ceased to amaze her. The way he could read her was a little scary, but always, Sam considered her needs and those of his family first.
She patted one hand on his chest. “I love you, too, Sam, but you’d best go take that shower.”
When he laughed, his smile lines surfaced. “Is that your polite way of telling your husband he stinks?”
“Your words, not mine.”
Watching her, Sam tilted his head. “I think I like that look in your eye.”
Ah, he really could read her. At the moment, she appreciated that quality very much. “The kids are playing games in the dining hall, and your parents are talking with Winnie and Josh. The others are all settling in for the night, and”—Lexa trailed one finger over a smile line and then down to his chest—“I’m feeling very supportive of water conservation tonight. Plus, I’m a good back scrubber.”
A telltale gleam surfaced in Sam’s eyes. He gave her another quick kiss. “You’re being naughty, Mrs. Lewis.”
“Nah. Just spicy.”
He glanced at the clock. “We’ve got a limited window of opportunity. Don’t be long, baby. And lock the door.”
~~♥~~
Try as she might, Marta couldn’t sleep. She startled when she heard something hit the window above her bunk. What was that? She shuddered to think it might be a large bug. When she heard it again, thinking it might be Eliot since he was on guard duty, she hopped out of bed. After putting on her hoodie, she shoved her feet into her house shoes and then unlocked and opened the door a crack.
“Eliot, is that you?”
“It is I.” His deep voice came from her right. “You need to be careful. You never know what kind of hooligan might be lurking about.”
Even in the dim light, Marta could feel Eliot’s gaze on her. “Is this a shameless ploy?”
“Yes,” he said, chuckling under his breath, stepping forward. “It worked to get you to come outside.”
Marta shivered and crossed her arms over her middle. “All it took was a few pebbles thrown on my window.” She shook her head. “I’m a discredit to womanhood.”
“Not at all, but I hope you wouldn’t come outside for just any guy.”
“Are you fishing for a compliment, Mr. Marchand?”
“Depends.” He shrugged. “Do you have any compliments for me tucked away in the pockets of those…really cute sleep shorts?”
“I was right. You are shameless.”
“I plead guilty.” He waved his hand to the side wall. “I brought folding chairs and bottled water. Will you join me for a chat? If you’re not too tired, that is.”
“Let me go and change into my sweatpants,” she said. “I’ll be back out in just a minute.”
Eliot smiled as she returned. “Good to know you’re a punctual woman.”
“I do what I can.” Marta settled into the chair he’d set up for her. “Tell me what’s on your mind, Handsome Hooligan.” She liked the way the night breeze ruffled the short waves in his hair, and the scruff on his face was appealing in an unkempt, rolled-out-of-bed way.
He handed her a water bottle. “Tell me all there is to know about Marta Holcomb.”
“Okay, let’s see. Where to begin? My birthday is March fourth, and I’m older than 21. According to my mom, I could swim before I could walk. I won 34 trophies for swimming and 15 for diving before college, not that anyone’s counting. My favorite color has always been yellow. I love sunflowers, daisies, and orchids. I love Italian food—my mom owns a small Italian bistro back home in Kentucky—and I can eat more meatballs than my brothers in one sitting. I’m not really proud of that fact, but for whatever reason, I thought it was worth mentioning.”
“Older brothers, right?” Eliot said. “Thomas, spelled T-h-o-m, is the oldest and…” When he raised his head and closed his eyes, Marta could tell he was trying to remember. “Give me a clue?”
“You take medication for the…”
Opening his eyes, he snapped his fingers. “Of course! How can I forget. Paine!”
“Right. As you might imagine, I’m immensely grateful for my name considering my brothers’ first names combined are the same as the controversial revolutionary who published Common Sense.”
“Which challenged the authority of the British and the royal monarchy,” Eliot said. “Thomas Paine’s discourse was the first published work to openly ask for independence from Great Britain, so it was significant. My question is whether or not your parents did that on purpose?”
“Believe it or not, it was a fluke since neither of my parents were history enthusiasts. Thom owns an insurance agency and does very well for himself and Paine is a professional student. Both live in Kentucky, and neither one is married. I’m the defector who left the Bluegrass State to move to the wide open spaces of Texas for college. And then decided to stay.”
“That’s a very good thing for TeamWork. And for me, if you don’t mind my saying.”
“I don’t mind your saying.” They shared a grin. “Are you tired of this bedtime story yet or do you want a few more parting tidbits?”
“Please proceed, but I shouldn’t keep you up too much longer.”
“You’re not keeping me up,” she said. “In my opinion, the whole idea of beauty sleep is highly overrated, both in theory and principle. Let’s see, what else can I tell you? I absolutely adore corny love songs from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. The cornier the better. I rent a small house in Houston, not far from Sam and Lexa’s house. Gayle and I had moved into Cassie’s condo when she and Mitch got married, but then Gayle decided to buy it. Although I love Gayle like a sister, I do much better living on my own.”
“Why’s that?”
“For one thing, my regular bed buddy is a huge St. Bernard who goes by the name of Barney. I know the name’s highly unoriginal, but it fits my overgrown puppy.”
“I’m sure it does. I’d love to have a pet someday, preferably a dog. A big one named Brute. Brute and Barney could be buds.” Eliot chuckled. “How old and how many pounds is Barney?”
“He’s five years old, weighs almost 180 pounds, and is extremely protective of me.”
“Glad to hear it. I like Barney already.”
“I just have to watch it sometimes because he has this crazy idea that he’s a lapdog.”
They heard a noise and Eliot sat up straighter, at full alert. Mitch and Cassie walked into view, hand-in-hand. Talking quietly, they stopped to share a prolonged kiss beneath a tall tree.
Marta curled up in the chair and shifted to face Eliot. “It’s kind of hard not to look at them, isn’t it? They’re too adorable.”
“We could follow suit,” Eliot suggested. “How about it?” He leaned toward her, puckering his lips in an exaggerated fashion.
“You big goof.” Marta waved as Mitch and Cassie came closer.
“Good evening, comrades,” Mitch said. “Hope all’s quiet on the home front tonight.”
“It was until your unbelievably loud smooching woke me up.” Eliot angled his head to the Bible Mitch carried. “I see you’ve got the Good Word there. You two doing a little studying?”
“We like to spend some private time together every day,” Cassie said. “Early morning or late at night seems to work best.”
“Just be careful.” Eliot sounded much more serious. “Don’t wander too far from the camp.”
“Duly noted,” Mitch said. “You might want to look the other way now because I fully intend to give my beautiful wife one more good night kiss.”
“I don’t know if I can stand it!” With a mock groan, Marta covered her face with her hands like the kids did whenever they witnessed one of the couples sharing a kiss. With the TeamWork crew, amorous behavior was more commonplace than not. “Good night, sweet lovers,” she said after Mitch released Cassie’s hand.
“Same to y
ou.” Cassie scooted inside the door of the dorm before Marta or Eliot could respond.
“Big difference, Mrs. Jacobsen.” Marta called out in a loud whisper before turning back to Eliot. “No comments, please. I realize I can be a little juvenile sometimes.”
“So can I, remember.” Eliot laughed quietly. “I think they’re on to us.” He held a long stick in his hand and absently made a cross-hatch in a patch of dirt, softened by the recent rains.
“I’m suddenly feeling brave.” She took the stick from him. “I’m going to toss out a question and you can answer if you’re so inclined. Or not. Your prerogative.”
“This could be dangerous but go for it. Let’s see what happens.”
“Where were you born? United States or abroad will suffice since I’m sure you can’t give specifics.” She dropped the stick on the ground between their two chairs. Unless they were going to play Tic Tac Toe, it’d lost its appeal.
“Abroad.”
“Ah,” she said. “As I suspected. How many languages do you speak?”
“I suppose that answer would depend on your definition of speak. Fluently? Four. I’m also proficient enough in a few other languages to ask for a glass of water and the price of an apple at the corner market.”
“Which four languages?”
“French, German, Italian, and Spanish.”
She smiled. “You forgot English. If it’s not your native tongue, that is.”
He angled his head toward her. “Very astute. But I choose not to answer that one.”
“Fair enough.” She’d keep going with a few more questions. “What brought you to the States?”
He hesitated long enough that Marta figured he wasn’t going to answer. She started to retract the question when he answered. “To attend university.”
So her assumption that Eliot was from overseas was correct, but she hadn’t guessed that he’d attended university in the States. “Which one?” She might be pushing it with that one.
“Suffice it to say Ivy League, but that’s all I can say.” Eliot had already revealed more than she’d expected and probably more than he should.
