by Hailey North
“Moving,” Mam said, “is exhausting, but the potential in any new home is exciting.”
“I like to think you are correct,” Sami said, “but the circumstances in their move make it otherwise.”
Mam looked a question.
“They’ve sold our family home and downsized.” Sami didn’t feel she should mention Emile’s Parkinson’s. He might not want that news spread abroad into the medical community.
“We’ll be doing that sooner rather than later,” Mam said. “There’s not much point in keeping a seven-bedroom home with pool and tennis court and stables when all the children are grown and sad to say there are no grandchildren, yet, to enjoy visiting.”
She didn’t sound like she was bragging, but Sami couldn’t help but consider how much a house like that would cost to keep up, let alone purchase.
“Do you ride?” Puck asked.
Sami shook her head.
“Chase, you’ll need to toss her up on a horse and show her the ropes.”
Chase nodded. “She’s a great swimmer. And you play tennis, don’t you, Sami?”
“Yes,” Sami said. She’d slipped down the Daughter-in-Law Desirability index. “I played All State in high school.”
“Lovely,” Mam said. “You and Chase must find a long weekend to slip away to our little place on the coast.”
“Mam,” Chase said, “you know my time is not my own.”
Mam set her chin in a rather stubborn fashion. “You don’t want to make Sami think you’re a workaholic who doesn’t know how to stop and have fun once in a while. Does he, Sami?”
“Actually, I’d rather know the truth,” Sami said. “I am a fervent believer in gathering factual data before drawing inferences or conclusions.” She smiled brightly at the others. “It’s best for Chase to be himself.” Even as she finished her sentence, she realized what an absolute hypocrite she’d been. She’d employed Flynn’s advice, adopting his tricks and wiles to enchant Chase—rather than being true to her own personality.
“Well said, Sami,” Chase said. He took one of her hands in his. “Isn’t she an angel?”
Sami blushed from embarrassment and the dawning realization that she needed to quit pretending to be some lovable, adorable empty-headed bit of fluff. She was Samantha Pepper, Ph.D., and she wasn’t giving up her career or her rescue mutts for the sole purpose of serving the world as a stay-at-home wife of a doctor who preferred AKC-registered Standard Poodles to pound puppies.
Puck signaled the waiter to the table and said something Sami couldn’t hear.
“For my part,” Puck said, “a workaholic is better than a bum any day.”
“Here, here,” Chase said, letting go of Sami’s hand and raising his water glass.
“How do you like New Orleans?” Mam asked. “We’ve been there a number of times for orthopedic surgeons’ conferences.”
“I believe I have settled in fairly well,” Sami said. “I lease a shotgun house, fenced, of course, within biking distance of the university. My colleagues are congenial and don’t exhibit any of the cut-throat academic competition I was warned to beware of.”
“Do you still consider Nashville home?” Puck asked, glancing toward Chase.
“That’s not an easy question to answer,” Sami said.
“But you’d be happy returning?” Mam smiled at her as she asked the question.
Sami glanced at her lap. She should be able to meet Chase’s gaze as she answered, but somehow she couldn’t. “If the right opportunity should present itself,” she said at last.
The waiter approached, carrying a champagne bottle and four glasses. He presented it to Puck, who approved the label.
“Seems to me a celebratory toast is in order,” Puck said. As soon as the waiter filled the glasses, he lifted his. Sami and the others followed suit, Sami squirming a bit in anticipation and dread at what Chase’s father might say.
“To Chase and Sami,” Puck said. “A beautiful and charming couple.”
Sami blushed. Chase leaned over and kissed her, on the lips for the first time ever. Sami blushed again.
“To us,” Chase said, toasting her.
“To us, and to your parents,” she said.
Afterwards, Sami could only be thankful that Puck had to rush to his appointment and that Mam was meeting his colleague’s wife for tea. They hugged all around. Chase walked her to her car, telling her he’d be happy to pick her up at her place the next time they met, rather than her having to drive alone.
As the valet stepped out of her car, Chase put his arms around her shoulders, gazed into her eyes, and kissed her. Sami leaned into his kiss, which didn’t linger.
He stepped back. “I’m happy that went so well,” he said.
She almost asked him if he meant the kiss, then realized he was referring to her meeting his parents. “Me, too,” she said.
“I’ve got a crazy week,” Chase said. “It may be Saturday night till I’m free. Dinner then?”
“I’ll consult my calendar,” Sami said.
He looked surprised.
“Of course,” she said. “I was just making a joke.”
“Sami, getting to see you, to be near you, is no joking matter.” He took her hands in his. “You know I’m crazy about you.”
She nodded. She should say ‘Me, too,’ but her lips wouldn’t move.
He lifted her hands and kissed her fingertips.
“Your car,” the valet said.
“Be good,” Chase said, holding the door for her and tipping the valet. He closed the door after her and wagged his fingers. “Text me when you’re home.”
She nodded, gave a brief wave, and drove out into the still pouring rain.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
By the middle of the week, after consulting with her three girlfriends, Sami had convinced herself she was being silly to worry about being swept along too fast. Vonnie was over the top with her congratulations that she’d known Chase and Sami were perfect for each other. Toya told Sami frankly that she couldn’t find a better match and if she didn’t hurry up and have the babies she said she wanted, she’d find herself past the age to conceive by the time she did find a baby daddy. Katarina was far less outspoken, but of the three, she was definitely in the most challenging relationship. She’d had to tiptoe out the door when Sami called, as her husband was in the throes of outlining the next chapter of his dissertation and couldn’t stand to be distracted.
The gorgeous bouquet of spring flowers from Chase that arrived mid-week pushed Sami toward the event she dreaded the most. In their nightly phone calls, Chase had asked her more than once about meeting the “famous Dr. Peppers.” So she took a deep breath, called Nathalie, and invited them to her apartment Saturday evening. Early dinner; keep it simple was her description.
When she mentioned she was inviting someone she wanted them to meet, naturally Nathalie requested details. After Sami gave her Chase’s name, a long silence came over the phone.
“Do you mean Dr. Chase Carpenter, the pediatric ophthalmologist?”
“Yes.”
“May I ask why he is the other guest?”
Sami stared at her phone. Shouldn’t it be obvious to Nathalie? “We happen to be dating.”
“Well,” Nathalie said. “This is news. What a surprise. A lovely surprise. He is a young doctor with a very bright future.”
Sami nodded. Then she realized she should say something in response. “He’s also quite charming.” She gazed at the bouquet adorning the top of the piano. “And thoughtful.”
“We will be delighted to meet him. Text your address.”
“I will. Oh, and it’s a gated estate so you have to press for entrance.”
“Is this Chase’s place?”
“No, Nathalie. It’s the apartment I have for the summer. With room for my dogs.”
“I’m pleased you were able to find any housing that would accommodate all of them.”
Sami felt a headache coming on. “About our discussion the
other day,” she began, thinking she ought to address it further ahead of Saturday evening.
“There’s nothing else to discuss. You read the journal. You questioned Emile. You now know the truth. He’s been a better father to you than any other man I know would have been, given the situation. Please be grateful to him and drop the topic.”
Sami took a deep breath. “I care very much for Emile, but don’t you think I should know something about my birth father?”
Silence fell. Sami waited, gripping her phone.
“I find this topic very painful,” Nathalie said, speaking slowly. “For your information, Philippe was an only child. His parents are more than likely deceased. If they are not, I don’t believe any good would be served to throw that family’s world into disarray. We’ll see you and Dr. Carpenter at six this Saturday.”
Her mother hung up.
Sami sighed. No wonder Mam seemed so wonderful. Nathalie was no one’s definition of warm and fuzzy.
The rain did not let up all week. Sami used the time well, holing up in the apartment and working on an outline for her AI research. She was grateful for her discipline as the work kept her mind off any distracting thoughts of Flynn Lawrence.
When she awoke to clear skies on Saturday, she decided to take the dogs for a walk through the woods before heading to the grocery to buy what she needed to prepare dinner for Chase, Emile, and Nathalie. She opened the door. The dogs ran down the stairs just as three catering and delivery trucks trundled up the driveway to the main house.
The party!
Sami had forgotten all about the event Kyle had mentioned to her last week. Nathalie hated last minute changes. If she rescheduled or suggested they meet at a restaurant, Sami knew she’d be criticized for imperfect planning. And Chase seemed insistent on meeting her parents sooner rather than later.
Sami went back inside, grabbed the three leashes, and corralled her dogs. She’d explain it to Emile and Nathalie upon their arrival. It would be simple enough for them to gain access and they could even have the valets handle their cars. Kyle and William probably wouldn’t mind or even notice an extra vehicle or two.
She led the dogs out to the path through the woods, pleased that she hadn’t fallen into a nervous mess at the slightest hint of an obstacle. Chase was helping her become a calmer and more assured person.
She smiled, thinking of him.
He was a perfect gentleman.
Vonnie had told her all the single women at the hospital were nuts over him, but he had told her, quite in confidence, naturally, that he had eyes only for Sami.
Sami sighed and wondered how this miracle had happened.
She also wondered when he would kiss her again. And when they’d make love. She shivered in anticipation. She knew from their one afternoon on the sailboat that he had a body to die for. Chiseled chest. Lean waist and hips. Strong muscled legs. Sami swallowed, conjuring up the image of him in bed, leaning over her, slipping between her thighs, driving her wild with needing him.
Her foot caught a tree root and she fell forward. Trying to keep hold of the leashes, she slammed into the ground without breaking the impact with her hands. She lay there, not moving, barely hanging onto the leashes, whimpering a bit.
Shelby and Rusty stood over her, licking her face. Ruby, naturally, kept pulling on her leash and barking.
She’d left her phone in the apartment. She’d have to get up on her own. She sighed and put one hand to her cheek. It came away damp and red-stained. “Oh, no!” Sami wailed out loud. All three dogs started barking.
She forced her body to a sitting position, found a tissue in her shorts pocket and held it against her cheek. She didn’t think she’d broken anything, but her face hurt like more than heck.
She stayed seated, gripping the leashes. Just as she thought she could finally stand without fear of fainting from the pain in her cheek, she heard someone calling her name.
Kyle came into sight and rushed toward her. “Sami! What happened?”
“I tripped.”
He leaned over her. “Do you think you can get up if I help you?”
“Certainly,” Sami said, and did so, though it took her more effort than she expected.
“Let’s get you back, put some ice on that pretty face, and if you’re not feeling okay soon, we’ll get you to a doc-in-a-box.”
“You are very considerate,” Sami said. “I don’t want to be a bother, especially when you and William are hosting your event this evening. I have a friend who is a doctor. As are my parents. I’m sure I can call one of them if I need assistance. As a matter of fact, the three of them are coming over this evening. I hope that is not an imposition, given the party.”
“No worries,” Kyle said. “But your face might feel better if you don’t move your jaws so much. And give me those leashes.”
She nodded. It did feel better not to talk.
Thanks to Kyle and William’s kindness, Sami had everything in readiness for the six o’clock arrival of her guests. One of the catering staff had bustled in, arranged the table and brought fresh flowers. Then she returned carrying an array of hors d’oeuvres and a beautiful platter of sushi and sashimi for a main course. Another helper had made sure there was plenty of ice and had put two bottles of wine in to chill. Sami had nothing to do other than lie on the sofa with an ice pack and keep Ruby from driving the help nuts.
Eventually she showered and slipped into the black dress she’d bought to replace Jonni’s designer wonder. Smoothing the fabric over her hips, she couldn’t help but remember the last time she’d worn Jonni’s dress— the night she’d gone with Flynn to listen to Violet.
The night they’d made love.
Sami gave an impatient shake of her head and winced. Made love? That’s certainly not how Flynn had thought about what they’d done. Sami forced Flynn out of her mind and faced her mirror, in despair at covering the damage to her cheek. Her right eye was swelling and turning an interesting shade of purple. Her cheek was flayed with scratches. She settled for lipstick and a brush of eyebrow pencil. Her parents and Chase would simply have to accept her for who she was and what she looked like.
Wasn’t that what people did for those they loved?
That’s what Emile had done for Nathalie pregnant by another man.
She’d been blessed to have Emile as her father. She couldn’t help but wonder if Nathalie would have been a kinder, gentler version of herself had Philippe lived and she’d chosen passion over her pledge to Emile. Perhaps she’d buried part of her heart along with Philippe.
Sami walked toward the front of the apartment, hoping she’d found the same potential for acceptance with Chase. He truly liked her. Maybe he was even growing to love her. He’d told her he was crazy about her. Surely that was a step in the right direction.
Chase arrived first. She opened the door to his knock, over and around the barking of all three dogs. He handed her a bottle of wine and another bouquet of flowers, and dropped a kiss on her cheek.
Sami tipped her face upwards, offering her lips, but instead of kissing her, he said, “You’ve been in an accident.”
“It’s nothing,” she said. “I tripped in the woods while walking the dogs.”
He frowned and taking her chin, moved her head this way and that. “I don’t like the looks of that eye,” he said. “Come in Monday and I’ll have my people check it over.”
“Thanks for the flowers. And the wine.” She chose to ignore his solicitous medical advice, motioned him in and shushed the dogs.
“Nice place,” he said. “Friends with the owners?”
“Not exactly,” Sami said, realizing the story of how she happened to be living on the elegant estate was far too complicated to go into. And she wasn’t sure she wanted to explain it. “Someone I knew told me the caretakers were willing to let the garage apartment.”
“Must cost a pretty penny,” Chase said, glancing around.
Sami shrugged. “I’ll arrange these flowers into an appropriat
e vase.” The dogs had finally settled, though Ruby seemed intent on following Chase’s every step as he moved toward the kitchen island with her.
She found a vase and fussed with the flowers. After a few minutes, Chase moved the vase away from her and opened his arms.
“Come here, Sami. I’ve been waiting all week to wrap these arms around you.”
She slipped into his embrace. He pulled her close and brushed his hands low across her back, just at the top of her buttocks.
“Mmm,” he said. “Now I’m wishing I hadn’t asked you to invite your parents.” He kissed her ear, and then lowered his mouth to hers.
Ruby barked excitedly and leapt with her short legs against Chase’s slacks. He jerked away. “Is this dog always this noisy?”
“Not always,” Sami said.
“A well-bred Standard Poodle would never act like that,” Chase said.
A knock sounded on her door.
“She must have heard Emile and Nathalie,” Sami said. “She usually has a reason for her barking.”
“Good thing if it’s true,” Chase said. He leaned toward her, brushed a kiss over her lips and said, “To be continued.”
She blushed and nodded and hustled to open the door before another knock could set Ruby off again.
“I approve of the neighborhood,” Nathalie said as she walked into the room. “I didn’t know you knew the Stone family.”
“Hello,” Sami said, wondering at her mother’s comment, until she recalled the estate was known as Stone Lake. “I don’t. I’m acquainted with the caretakers of the property.”
“Ah,” Nathalie said, turning toward Chase and studying him with an appraising eye. “Nathalie Pepper, and you must be Dr.—“
“Call me Chase. Everyone does,” Chase said, clasping Nathalie’s hand. He turned towards Emile. “Hello, sir.”
Emile smiled. “Emile. No sir necessary.”
Ruby was sniffing at Emile’s pant legs. “I do believe you have acquired a different dog than you had last summer,” Emile said.
