“Wow. You don’t know much about the town, do you?”
He shook his head. “Not really. What am I missing?” He knew she would know everything there was to know, but he didn’t want to seem too terribly nosy. Now he had to know!
Sammy blinked. “A lot. Let me tell you about Culpepper, Wyoming. About four years ago, there was this photoshoot on a ranch near town. It was for male underwear models. When word got out that there were hunky male models on a ranch near town, all the women in town rushed out there on different pretenses. Even a lot of the married women, if I’m totally honest with you. And then there was a blizzard. . . . So many women were trapped there with the models. So then there were pregnancies and weddings following it. There weren’t many women left in Culpepper after that . . .”
He frowned at her. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Not at all. Well then, the Culpeppers’ grandfather died. And he stipulated in the will that all four brothers had to be married within a month of the reading of the will, and at least one brother had to have a baby on the way by the end of the year. Or their ridiculous cousin who cared nothing about ranches would inherit.”
“With no women left? Well, you were here . . .”
“Yeah, but no one was interested in me. Everyone knew Tabby would end up with Arch, so she was kind of forbidden, and we were always linked as sisters, so I was ignored, as if I was supposed to be with Arch, too. It was weird.”
“So where did they get wives from?”
“Well, they contacted a matchmaker, who sent out quadruplets, and let each of the brothers choose. Those quadruplets were Hope, Faith, Joy, and Chastity Quinlan. Each of them married one of the Culpepper brothers. Then their younger sisters, twins of course, joined them. Grace and Honor came with their cousins, Patience and Felicity. So we had eight Quinlans with names like that. See?”
“I see it’s all confusing and giving me a headache.”
She laughed. “We all feel that way at times.”
Three
After supper, Barry and Sammy went straight to Austin’s bar, the Culpepper Watering Hole. When they arrived, they realized the weather really had kept most people away. There was only one couple on the dance floor, and they were Austin and his wife, Dallas. There was a live band in the corner, and the bands usually brought in a crowd.
Austin smiled at them, kissing his wife’s cheek and heading toward them. “Do you need anything from the bar?”
“Soft drinks maybe?” Barry looked at Sammy. “Thirsty?”
“No, but I will be after a couple of dances. Sprite?”
“You want me to make it a Shirley Temple? That’s what Dallas and I drink.”
Sammy grinned. “Sounds wonderful!”
Barry walked off to the bar with Austin. Sammy headed straight for Dallas. “Who’s babysitting tonight?”
Dallas grinned. “The best thing about teaching high school is that I always know who isn’t dating and is available to babysit for date night. Tonight, it’s Alisha Waters. She broke up with her boyfriend last week, and she’s my favorite babysitter anyway. She’s wonderful.”
“I’ve heard about her babysitting. She’s supposed to be great with kids.”
“Oh, she is. I hate that she’s sad after breaking up with scumbag Michael, but he was using her to do his homework anyway. I know the type.” Dallas shook her head. “She’s better off making a few bucks and playing with a baby.”
“Very true.” Sammy smiled. “You guys planning another? I wouldn’t mind delivering.”
Dallas laughed. “You know we’ll come straight to you if we end up pregnant again. And yes, we’d like one more. We were both lonely onlies, and we’d like to spare our child that.”
“I can understand that completely.”
Austin and Barry returned with the drinks, and they put them on an empty table. Barry took Sammy’s hand in his. “May I have this dance?”
Sammy laughed. “For tonight, you get every dance.”
“I’d prefer forever, but I’ll take tonight.” Barry winked at her.
She shook her head, moving into his arms to the slow song the band was playing. “I hope they do slow songs all night.” She loved to dance, but she didn’t feel comfortable with fast songs. Slow songs were what made her happy.
“Austin told me he requested only slow songs. He prefers to dance to the slow ones, too, and he’s enjoying a nice night with his wife. His bartender called in afraid to drive through the snow, but with it only being them and us, he’s fine with it.”
Sammy was surprised at just how good his arms felt around her. She rested her head on his shoulder, letting herself think of possibilities with this man for the first time since she’d met him. Until that moment, he was just someone to have fun with for one night. Now . . . well, maybe there could be a future between them.
Barry’s hands stroked her back gently as they slow danced together. He couldn’t believe just how good she felt in his arms. When he’d first seen her and she’d claimed to be in love with him, he had been more attracted than he’d ever been, but he’d expected the feelings to subside when he touched her. Nothing could feel that strong, could it? Apparently, he was wrong.
They danced four dances together before the band announced they were taking a break until the next set. While they took their break, the four of them sat at a table together.
Dallas looked at Barry. “I don’t think I know you. Do you live in Culpepper?” She took a sip of her Shirley Temple.
“I opened the new bookstore, Barry’s Books. It’s next to Bob’s Burger Barn.”
Dallas smiled. “I love books! I hope you have a good romance section.”
Barry looked back and forth between Dallas and Sammy. “I hope you two are best friends, because you’ve said the exact same thing to me.”
Sammy smiled. “We’re friendly. I delivered their baby eighteen months ago, and she’s adorable.”
“I didn’t realize you were a romance novel fan,” Dallas said, looking at Sammy. “Maybe I do need a new best friend . . .”
Austin shrugged. “I’ll stop being your best friend if I can stay your husband. Either way is good for me.”
Barry laughed. “I guess being best friends with your spouse would be the best possible scenario.”
“It is.” Dallas looked over at Austin with a soft smile on her face. “But he’s been my best friend since third grade.”
Austin took her hand in his. “Back then I told everyone who would listen that I was going to run away with her and marry her, and we were going to live under the monkey bars, and I would fish to feed us.” He shook his head. “I’d still live under monkey bars with you any day.”
Dallas laughed. “If only you’d been able to convince me of how you felt sooner.”
“It wasn’t my fault you were stubborn and unbending!”
Sammy grinned at the play between the married couple. “I always wondered why you two married so quickly as soon as you moved back to town.”
“I moved away the day of graduation. It took my father’s imminent death to bring me back . . . and it didn’t take long for this guy to swoop me off my feet.”
“So he’s a good swooper?” Sammy asked.
“The best!”
Barry frowned. “Maybe I could take lessons on swooping from you, Austin. Have you ever given them formally?”
“I think your heart just has to be one-hundred percent committed to the swoopee for it to work.”
Dallas sighed. “If I were an English teacher, I’d be very offended right now.”
“It’s a good thing you teach math, dear,” Austin said with a grin.
Sammy sat back, watching the other three talk for a few minutes. She had never really thought of Dallas in any way other than as a patient, so she was surprised how much she was liking her in this social situation. “We need to have lunch together sometime soon,” Sammy said to Dallas.
“I’d love that. I don’t have a lot of female friends in town. I�
��ve been a little too obsessed with a certain man to make friends here since I returned. I’m friends with the wives of his two closest friends but no one else really.”
“I can understand that completely. I’ve had nothing but time, so I have a few female friends.”
“Well, and your job puts you in touch with all of the women in town. That’s quite different than talking to every teenager in high school.” Dallas shook her head. “Sometimes I’ll do anything for a little adult conversation.”
“Next time you feel that way, just give me a call. We’ll leave Austin with the baby and run away and do something fun. Like go to the bookstore and try to nag Barry into expanding his romance section.”
Dallas laughed. “We’ll have to dig through each other’s romance collections as well. I’m sure I’ll find something I want to read in yours, and you should find something in mine.”
“Remember there’s a bookseller at the table. None of this book-swapping now!” Barry said with a laugh.
The band started playing again, and all of them gravitated back to the dance floor. Sammy was happy. She’d not only started dating a man she was very attracted to, but she had made a new friend of an old acquaintance. Why had they never realized how much they had in common before?
It was a little after ten when Sammy finally said, “I need to get home. I have to be ready for any deliveries that may come, and I need to plan to have the clinic open tomorrow. Everyone knows I live there, so snow or no snow, I’m stuck!”
Barry nodded. “I can take you home.” He couldn’t believe how much he wanted the night to go on and on. Usually when he dated someone new, they were clinging to him and not the other way around.
Sammy hugged Dallas before leaving. “Remember to call me when you need adult conversation. I would love to hang out with you sometime soon.”
Dallas smiled. “I’ll do that!”
The whole drive home, Sammy had a slight smile on her face. The snow was coming down hard and heavy, and there were a couple of places when she was sure Barry’s four-wheel drive wouldn’t be enough to get them through the snow. She was worried he really would have to use the snow plow on the front of his truck.
When they got to her home, he got out of the truck and walked around to help her down. “I had a wonderful time,” he said. “I hope you’ll go out with me again soon.”
Sammy nodded. “I really enjoyed myself. You just let me know when, and I’ll be there.”
He had his hand on her arm, and she could feel it burning through her thick, winter coat. When they got to her door, he turned to her. “About that kiss . . .”
“Is it as romantic if you talk about it first?” she asked, frowning at him.
“I’m not sure. I guess I should change the subject. How do you think the Cubs will do this year?”
“Cubs?” she asked. “You mean the baseball team?”
While she still had a look of confusion on her face, he leaned down and brushed his lips against hers.
Taken by surprise, Sammy stood there for a moment before wrapping her arms around Barry’s neck and holding on for dear life. His mouth moved against hers in a way that had her moving closer to him. Whoever had taught him to kiss had done an excellent job.
When he finally lifted his head, her lips were swollen from his kiss, and her eyes were half closed. “That was amazing,” she said softly.
He smiled. “I’ll call you. Maybe we can go out tomorrow night.”
“I need to get the last details put together for my sister’s shower. We’re doing it here in the clinic, so I’ll be decorating all night.”
“Maybe I’ll come help then. I can bring a pizza.”
She smiled. “That would make me happier than I could express.” She looked up at him, trying to memorize how his face looked with the snow clinging to his eyelashes. “I sometimes have to cancel at the last minute for deliveries. I hope you’ll keep that in mind.”
“I understand.” He leaned down and kissed her once more, quickly. “Hurry in before you freeze to death.”
“You would never let me freeze in your arms.”
“I think I like you.” He turned and rushed back to his truck, while she opened the door and went inside.
She changed into her pajamas, went into her bedroom, and realized she heard a snow plow. Looking out the window, she saw Barry was plowing her parking lot for her. It would be covered again by morning, but he’d made her job so much easier. The man was something special. There was no doubt about it.
Sammy called in a to-go order at Bob’s the following day, so she would have time to run to the bakery and pick up the cake for the baby shower. When she walked into the bakery and saw the cake for the first time, she put her hand over her mouth in surprise. “You outdid yourself this time, Grace. It’s beautiful!”
The cake depicted Tabby, stethoscope around her neck, and a zippered tummy with a baby popping out. Tabby actually looked like herself, and Sammy couldn’t be more excited.
Grace grinned at her. She was the younger sister of the Quinlan Quads and half of the Quinlan twins. “I’m so glad you like it! I used a picture of Tabby that I had, and I made it look as much like her as I could. It was so fun, and a challenge for me.”
“I’m glad you had fun with it. It looks amazing.” Sammy paid for the cake. “You’re going to be there tomorrow, right?”
Grace nodded. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Patience nodded from behind Grace. “I’ll be there, too. So will Felicity.”
“Where is Felicity today?” Sammy asked. The girl rarely missed work.
“She and Allen are looking at houses with Megan. They decided to get something bigger, since she’s having twins this time. It’s hard to believe how big our family has gotten since we moved here,” Patience said.
“Well, good for them! Thanks so much for your help.” Sammy headed for the door, nodding to the man opening it. She didn’t recognize him, but that wasn’t surprising. All of the new commerce in Culpepper had brought in a lot of strangers from surrounding areas.
“Thank you,” she said as she hurried to her car with the cake.
As soon as she got home, she dug into her taco burger and fried cheese curds, smiling contentedly. She wasn’t sure what it was about the combination, but they sure made her happy.
As she was eating, she got a call, swallowed quickly, and answered. “Hello?”
“How’s my favorite single daughter?”
“Hey, Mom. What’s up?”
“Well, I think I told you I’m dating a great guy . . .”
Sammy frowned. Something was up, and she had a feeling she didn’t want to be any part of it. “Sure. He’s a plumber there in Cheyenne.”
“Right! Well, he has a son around your age . . .”
“Mom, I’m dating someone.” It felt so good to be able to tell her mother that. Sure, they weren’t serious and had only been on one date so far, but at least she wouldn’t have to deal with her mother’s matchmaking.
“But . . . I’m sure you’d like Scott . . .”
“Mom, I’m finally taking the bull by the horns and writing my own story. No more blind dates. Ever. Barry and I went out last night, and he’s coming over again tonight to help me decorate for Tabby’s shower. Are you coming, by the way? She would love to have you here.”
“I’m planning to be there. Are you sure I can’t bring Scott for you to meet?”
Sammy shook her head. She loved her mother, but at times, she was altogether too pushy. “I’m sure. Even if I wasn’t dating someone, I wouldn’t have time tomorrow anyway. I’m playing hostess for Tabby’s shower. Remember?” At first, she had hoped her mother would help her throw it, but it was clear that wasn’t happening.
“I remember. All right, I’ll leave him at home. See you tomorrow evening.”
“Bye, Mom. Love you!”
“Love you, too!”
After ending the call, Sammy sighed. What was wrong with her? She hoped the idea
of her meeting this Scott was out of her mother’s head now. She didn’t need to worry about being set up with a stranger. She was busy enough as it was.
She quickly finished her lunch and washed her hands. She had a patient in fifteen minutes. Thankfully the plows had made short work of the roads, and everything had been business as usual all day.
True to his word, Barry was there just before six that evening. He held a pizza box in his hands. Sammy opened the door wide before he had a chance to knock. “Hey you!” She took the box from him and carried it over to the counter.
Barry looked around the space of her home. “This is nice.”
She smiled. “It’s a lot nicer now that it’s just me. It was a little cramped when I shared it with Tabby.”
“You two are close, I take it?”
Sammy nodded. “Yeah, she’s a year older than me, and we have always been super close. We love that we have been able to work so closely together.” She took down plates and forks, setting some napkins on the counter. “I only have Sprite in my fridge. You okay with that? Or water, of course. Milk.”
“Sprite’s fine. I like to have pop with my pizza.” He wouldn’t have gone to all the fuss of getting plates and forks for pizza, but he didn’t complain, simply putting a couple of pieces on the plate she handed him. “I’m starving. I wasn’t sure what you liked on your pizza, so I told the little pizza place in town to just give me whatever you usually get.”
She laughed, looking at the pizza. “I wondered how you knew! Small towns.” The pizza was her exact order. Canadian bacon, sausage, and mushrooms.
“Yup. It wouldn’t have worked anywhere bigger than this.” He took his plate to the table and sat down, waiting for her to come with her own pizza. She set her plate down and got them each a bottle of Sprite from the fridge.
“I’m so hungry! I’m glad you got here when you did.” She took a bite of the pizza and wiped her mouth with her napkin. She loved pizza, but it was tough on a date because it was so messy.
“I’m pretty darn hungry, too. We’ll eat this and then work on decorations. Do you have any idea what you have in mind?”
Sammy's Story Page 3
