by Nancy Hopper
One afternoon, he was sitting with Callie outside the trailer, listening to her play her guitar. She stopped playing, and he didn’t even notice.
“Sam, what’s wrong?” she insisted.
“Nothing. Why?”
“You’ve been a million miles away.” She accused softly.
He sighed. “Oh, just thinking.” He evaded.
“About?”
He shrugged, and folded his arms across his chest. “Well; I’m supposed to be in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia next month.” He sighed.
“Wow. Without the tent, huh?”
“Yeah.” He confirmed unenthusiastically.
“So what’s the problem?”
He gave her a look that told her she ought very well to know the problem. “I don’t really want to go.” He answered shortly.
“Why not? You wanted to go when you booked it, or you wouldn’t have agreed to do it.”
“That was a long time ago.”
“So what’s changed?” she asked innocently.
He gave her another pointed look. “You changed.”
“Me? What about me?”
“You’ve got stitches in your thick head, and you’re not completely out of the woods with the seizures yet.” He explained. “I don’t want to leave you here, and I can’t take you with me.”
Tears filled Callie’s eyes. “Oh, Sam. You can’t be worrying about me this way. I’ll be fine while you’re gone. I’ll be right here with the tent, and if anything goes wrong, Clyde and Sadie and Jeannie, Sean and Dalton will all help me through anything that comes along. I don’t want you to feel that you can’t go away just because of me.”
He sighed. “Well, it’s not so easy, Cal.” He sighed. “The tent’s got to move during the time I’m away, and I know you well. You’ll be out there packing boxes and helping take the tent down, if you can get away with it. I wouldn’t even put it past you to try to drive. I can very easily picture you bringing on a seizure and … well, I wouldn’t be here to hold you, would I?” he asked tightly.
She smiled at the worried frown he was wearing. “Sam, you old softie. You listen to me: I won’t work, though it will be hard. I won’t drive, though I love to drive. I won’t overexert myself. I’ll behave, like a good little girl. And when you come back to the tent, I’ll be here and I’ll be just as right as rain. Nothing is going to happen to me while you’re away.”
He gave her a wary look. “And what if you have a seizure?”
“I will survive.” She promised.
“And what if …”
“Sam.” She objected softly. “Don’t what if. It will drive you bonkers. Now, you listen to me! You have a cell phone. You can call me. I’ll send you e-mail on the computer and you can e-mail me back.”
“Will you, though?” he asked darkly.
“Sam, what else will I have to do?” She pointed out with a chuckle.
He sighed. “Don’t go swimming. Not yet. Wait for me to come back, will you?”
“Now that’s asking a lot; but if it will set your mind at ease, I’ll refrain.”
He smiled at her lazily. “All right, then. Thanks.”
It was awful when it came down to it, though. Callie went with Clyde when he took Sam to the airport. Sam was quiet, almost morose about going. They got his baggage checked, picked up his boarding pass, and then they went out to the gate.
Callie stopped at the restroom, and Sam waited with Clyde outside.
“Samuel. I’ll look after her. It will be all right, son.” Clyde assured him gently.
Sam sighed, and raised his eyebrows. “I guess it will have to be.” He agreed. “Don’t let her swim. If she had a seizure, she’d drown. No one may notice in time. And she’ll be tempted to overdo, when you move the tent. She’s going to find it very hard not to get involved.”
“I know. Sam, please relax. She’ll be fine.”
Sam nodded. “Thanks, Clyde. I wouldn’t go away if you weren’t here to watch her, you know.”
Clyde grinned. It was a high compliment. “Well, boss. Thanks. I’ve become a bit fond of the lass, myself.” He admitted. “I’ll be a good papa to her.”
Sam looked at Clyde with heightened interest. “She could use one.” He agreed. He smiled at his friend.
At the gate, it was just about time to board. Clyde hugged Sam soundly and offered him a few words of encouragement. Then Sam turned to Callie, and opened his arms. She smiled up at him and moved close enough to straighten his suit jacket.
“Now, Sam. You stop this worrying.” She chastised quietly. “It’s not doing you any good, it’s just wearing you out. I’m going to be fine, and I’ll keep in touch. Now, you relax and enjoy your flight. Take some pictures for me while you’re on the coast.”
“Have you ever been?” he asked lightly.
“No.”
“I’ll take you. Someday soon.” He promised.
Callie looked up at him with hope swimming in her dreamy eyes. If Sam was promising to take her on a trip with him, it could only mean one thing. Sam couldn’t travel alone with any woman who was not his wife.
She smiled and nodded eagerly. “I’d like that, Sam.” She assured him softly.
He grinned at her, and chuckled. He crushed her in a bear hug, and kissed her with enough passion to take her breath away. “You mind Clyde, and behave even when he’s not looking.” He ordered against her mouth.
“Hmm.” She answered softly. “Will you call me?”
“Will I breathe?” he taunted. “Don’t you work, or I’ll tan you from one end to the other when I get back.”
“I won’t. I promise. Sam, relax.”
“All right. I love you, Cal.”
Callie’s eyes looked up at him with intense longing. “I love you.” She whispered back.
Sam looked at her in a way that made her think he had a lot more to say, but he didn’t voice it. He tried to smile, and kissed her again quickly. Then he turned away, and got in line to board the plane.
It was a very long and boring two weeks while Sam was away. Yet, Callie floated on air, thinking continually about the things Sam had said. Thinking about his kisses. Thinking about his concern for her. And he did call. He called the night he got in, and just about every day after. He made a point of checking in every morning when he got up. And they exchanged e-mail.
Sam seemed to be always picking up Callie’s spirits and giving her hope. He liked the West Coast immensely, and sent her pictures taken with a digital camera that he loaded right onto the computer. She enjoyed every one.
When the tent moved, Sam was on the phone with alarming regularity. Callie knew he didn’t trust her not to overdo, and she was chagrined. She was behaving very well, yet he gave her no credit at all.
“Lass, enjoy it. If his level of concern is any indicator of his care for you, it’s worth it.” Clyde soothed her after one particularly aggravating phone call.
“Oh, Clyde. Why can’t he just believe me?” she fumed.
“Because he’s upset at having to be away from you at all, and to fuss and carry on about your activity level gives him a good excuse to call every day. And, perhaps, keep you on the line just a wee bit longer. He misses ya, lass.” He explained carelessly.
Callie smiled. “Oh. Well, then, I shouldn’t complain, I guess.”
“Yeah. No doubt.” Clyde agreed with a happy snort.
Callie went with Clyde again, to pick Sam up when his plane came in. He caught up to them near Atlanta, Georgia. And it was hot! Muggy, miserable, hot!
Sam got off the plane looking more tired than Callie had ever seen him. When he saw her, he closed his eyes as if she were an answer to prayer, and pulled her into his arms. Then, he kissed her until she was nearly embarrassed. Finally, he released her long enough to hug Clyde.
“Ya never give me that kind of welcome when I come to fetch ya.” Clyde grumbled amiably. “Hello, Samuel. So, you survived the trip.”
&
nbsp; “Yeah. Barely. Can you believe they wanted me to stay another two weeks?” he growled.
“Huh. And you said no?” Clyde asked incredulously. He’d never known Sam to say no to such an invitation.
“I told them I’d come back in a few months.” He said, staring at Callie and giving her a slow wink. Callie bit back her smile and teased Sam with her eyes.
He smiled enough to make the crinkles around his eyes jump to life, and then he turned to Clyde. “So, the feisty wench behaved herself, did she?”
“Admirably. It was a bit rough on her when there was work to be done, but she kept her hands off.”
“That’s good.” Sam complimented. “You know, you don’t even have much of a scar.”
“I know. I’ve been working with it.” Callie agreed.
“Want to go swimming?” he asked teasingly.
“Do I?” she snapped. “Sam, you’ve been so mean, to make me wait!”
He laughed. “Yeah, well. Better safe than sorry. It just means you’ll be that much more eager to go with me.”
Sam had an hour’s worth of business to take care of when he got back to the tent. So, Callie had another hour to swelter, and wait. When Sam swung around in Sadie’s car, she was more than happy to get into the air conditioned vehicle.
“Whew.” She said, mopping her brow.
“A bit muggy, isn’t it? He chuckled.
“Beastly.” She growled. “I never thought there could be anything more unpleasant than New York in summer, but this takes it, hands down!”
“Well, the lake will be great.” He predicted.
“Grand.” She sighed in echo. Sam just grinned at her.
The lake was blue and calm, and wonderfully inviting. After changing, Callie met Sam at the water’s edge.
“So, are you the type who goes in all at once, or do you do it a little at a time?” He asked.
“I usually go all at once, unless the water’s extremely cold. Why?”
Sam shrugged and grinned. “Just wondering if you’ll be angry with me, or not.”
“Oh, Sam. You wouldn’t.” she begged worriedly. She could see that she might as well have saved her breath. Sam swung her up into his arms, and ran out into the water with her. Callie wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder, stifling a squeal as the water hit her overheated skin.
“Now, doesn’t that feel wonderful?” he asked, laughing.
“You are incorrigible.” She gasped, shivering with delight at the sensation of cool water all over her skin.
He dropped her suddenly, and dove under the water.
“Oh, no. Sam, what are you doing?” She scolded. She heard a sound behind her, and turned just in time to see the water ripple as he went under her legs again. “Sam!” She growled. She laughed as he came up like a torpedo and pulled her into his arms.
“You will pay.” She promised heartily.
“Yeah?” he challenged.
“Yeah.” She reassured him indignantly.
“Well, Callie. Life with you has never been boring.” He admitted. “I doubt that it ever will be.”
She became still as she considered the words, and just what they might mean. She tried to think of something to say, but she was tongue-tied.
Sam kissed her, and held her against his shoulder for a long moment. “I missed you, you know.” He told her, as though it were all her fault. “You brat, you’ve spoiled me for life. It’s no good when I’m away from you.”
She smiled as though she couldn’t possibly be sorry about that. “I am sorry, Sam.” She lied, flirting with her eyes.
he laughed derisively. “I’ll bet you are. Callie, put me out of my misery, will you?” He asked irritably. “I can’t go away and minister, I can’t sleep at night. I am going slowly insane. I wanted to wait until you were back up to par, and I think you’re close enough that it will be all right. But I can’t take this anymore. Callie, will you please, please just marry me?” he asked hesitantly.
Callie gasped. She hadn’t expected that at all. Not now. Not so soon!
“Please, Callie?” he asked again. His eyes were deadly serious.
“Sam. After all the trouble I’ve been to you?” she asked uncertainly.
“I’d be bored without it. Callie,” He sighed. “Please, say you will.”
“Yes! Oh, yes! Yes, yes, yes.” She laughed. She threw her arms around his neck, and squeezed hard. “Yes!” she shouted. Tears were pouring down her face as she held him.
Sam chuckled, and squeezed her in return. “How fast can you be ready? A week, perhaps?” he asked. His voice was suspiciously husky, too; but the droplets of lake water on his face made it hard to say just where the running rivulets of water originated.
Callie gasped and pushed away to stare at him. “A week? Are you mad?” she accused incredulously.
“No, I’m in a hurry.” He clarified succinctly.
“But, Sam; there are people to be invited, the cake to order …”
“Do it by phone.” He shrugged. “Give it to Sadie to do, she can deliver on the most impossible challenges.”
“Yes, but …”
“All right. Two weeks.” He groused. “But that’s it! I’m not waiting any longer than that.”
“Oh, my. Sam.” She sighed happily, and hugged his neck.
“Saturday, September first.” He said slowly.
“Wonderful.” she agreed.
Sam kissed her, and laughed.
When they got back to the car, Callie found that Sam had a ring ready to put on her finger. She could hardly hold back the tears as she gazed down at Sam’s ring on her hand. She looked up and caught him looking a little bit misty, too.
“I have absolutely no self-control left, Callie. I was going to take you to dinner, and do this correctly.” he admitted sheepishly.
“Aw, Sam. It couldn't have been any more perfect.” she assured him. Sadie was at the trailer when they got back. Sam clasped Callie’s hand and winked at her.
“Tell her to get started on the details, and to keep her mouth shut.” He said quietly. Callie smiled and nodded. “She can see me about any questions or problems.” He advised with a grin.
Sadie seemed out of sorts when Callie went inside. “Hey.” She said brightly.
“Hey.” Sadie growled. “This heat is miserable.”
“Is it? I hadn’t noticed.” Callie giggled.
Sadie gave her a dark look. “I’m thinking about flying home for a few days to escape this furnace. I really don’t do well. It’s so muggy.” She groaned.
“Oh, Sadie. You can’t go! I need you here, now.” Callie objected.
“For what?” she snapped.
“Oh, just a special event.”
“Such as?” Sadie asked suspiciously.
“Well, we’ll need a cake, and a banquet, and some Champagne and a couple of very pretty dresses and some decorations.”
“When is this going to be?”
“Saturday, September first.” Callie answered dreamily.
Sadie turned to look at her with irritable chagrin. “Callie, make sense.” She demanded. Then, she saw Callie’s ring … and looked again. Her eyes pinned Callie to the wall. “Where did you get that?” she demanded incredulously
“Give you two guesses. The first one doesn’t count.” Callie said sweetly. She couldn’t have stopped grinning for anything. “Now, do you think perhaps a wedding is special enough to stay for?”
Sadie sat promptly on the bunk, with her mouth hanging open. “Sam proposed?” she gasped incredulously.
“No. He rather insisted. Be glad he’s given us two weeks. I had to bargain like a Dutch Uncle to get more than one.”
“Uh!” Sadie gasped in disbelief. “My stars, has he lost his mind? It’s impossible, Cal! How can we do this?”
“Invitations by phone, buy what we need. Those were Sam’s suggestions. He was very insistent. I don't think he cares much about all the formalities.”
“Oh, my. This
is impossible, Callie!. In this heat? I guess we can go to the city tomorrow and see what we can find.”
“Great. What color do you want your dress to be? I was thinking burgundy, or forest green. Or maybe Sapphire blue.” Callie grinned. Then she gasped, as inspiration struck. “No! Topaz! With your eyes, you'll look divine!”
“My dress?” Sadie echoed.
“Yes. It’s because of you that Sam and I are finally getting married. You belong right there with me.”
“Wow. Thanks, Callie, I’d be honored! You poor, sweet girl. Now, you look tired. Shall I go to town this afternoon, and look around while you sleep?”
“Couldn’t hurt, I suppose.” Callie yawned. She was exhausted. She changed her clothes and put on a sleeveless gown before climbing into bed.
Sadie shook her head as she admired Callie’s slim beauty. “He’s a lucky fool, and I’ll tell him so.” She grumbled. “I’ll see you later. Sleep well.”
“Thanks.” Callie yawned.
Sadie found Sam and drew him away from Clyde and Jeannie with a crooked finger and an arched eyebrow.
“Hey.” He said, hugging her shoulders.
“Sam, I’ve got half a mind to punch you right in the nose. Who is going to be your best man?”
He grinned. “Well, I think that would have to be Clyde.”
“Who is calling Rose?”
“I think Callie should do that.”
“And when are you going to tell the crew?”
“I’ll take care of it at the next meeting.”
“Sam, it won’t be a secret for long. They’d rather hear it from you. And if you’re giving us two weeks, they all need to know as soon as possible so they don’t make any other weekend plans.”
“True. So, I’ll call a special meeting. Is it the two weeks that’s causing you to be so cross?” he asked lightly.
“Sam. I’m sorry. Congratulations. You’re a lucky bum. Now, please! You’re going to have to work with me on this, because two weeks is very short notice. You’re going to have to be responsible for calling anybody you want to have here. Otherwise, they won’t be invited. Now, I’m going to town to check on dresses and flowers and cakes and banquet catering. I’ll get back as soon as I can.”
