by Kristi Gold
“You can bet on that, buster,” she muttered, a smile in her voice.
Feeling greatly relieved, he addressed Tess once more. “Has our son already retired?”
Tess nodded toward the hall. “I just tucked him in. I would’ve told him he might be getting a surprise tonight but I wasn’t sure what our girl here was going to do.”
Sam was still uncertain since she had yet to give him a solid answer to his marriage proposal. “Do you think he is still awake?”
“Probably so,” Riley said. “I imagine he’s countin’ his fortune. The kid took all my pennies during poker. He’s a regular little card shark.”
“Even if he’s not awake,” Tess said, “you need to get him up. He wouldn’t want to miss this.”
Andrea glanced back at Sam. “She’s right, as bad as I hate to admit it.”
Sam gestured toward the stairs. “Lead the way.”
On the upper floor Andi pushed open the door to Chance’s room. The light from the hall spilled across his son’s small body turned toward the wall. Andrea perched on the mattress, snapped on the bedside lamp and gently shook his shoulder. “Chance, sweetie, are you awake?”
“I am now,” came a sleepy and somewhat irritable voice. He turned over and rubbed his eyes. “What’s up, Mama?”
“You have a visitor.”
“Can’t be Santa ’cause it’s not Christmas.” He raised his head and when his gaze met Sam’s, a bright smile illuminated his face. He sat up in a rush. “Sam! You came back.”
Sam sat on the other side of his son. “Yes, I have returned.”
Chance’s grin reflected his joy. “I knew you would. Every night I said my prayers and asked for you to come back. I also asked Uncle Paul in case he and God are good friends.”
Andrea touched his cheek. “I’m sure they are, honey. Your uncle Paul was always a good friend.”
“The best,” Sam said in earnest. He felt assured that Paul would very much approve of his love for Andrea and would gladly bless their union, if Andrea acquiesced. He would know in a matter of minutes.
Andrea sent a nervous glance at Sam, then turned her attention to Chance. “We have something very important to tell you, sweetie. Something I hope you will understand.”
“What is it?” he asked.
“Well, Sam isn’t just a friend. He’s your—”
“Father.” His knowing smile expanded. “I know, Mama. I bet Billy Reyna that Sam was my real dad back when we were at camp.”
Sam took a moment to recover his voice. Obviously, they had been wrong to underestimate their son’s intuitiveness. “You have known all along, then?”
He nodded his head with a jerk. “Sure did. But how come you two waited so long to tell me?”
“It’s kind of complicated, Chance,” Andrea said.
Sam took Chance’s hand into his. “We waited until the moment was right, until I knew for certain that I would be able to stay with you forever.”
Chance’s eyes widened. “Then you are going to stay?”
“Yes, I am. If that is favorable to you and your mother.”
He looked at Andrea. “It’s okay, isn’t it, Mama?”
“More than okay. And one more thing.” She looked lovingly at Sam. “Your father would like me to marry him so that we can be a family.”
Chance hopped feetfirst onto the bed and released an ear-piercing “Whoopie!”
Andrea tugged him back to her side. “I guess that’s a yes.”
“Yep, it is.” Chance frowned. “As long as you don’t kiss and do a lot of that mushy stuff.”
“We’ll try to restrain ourselves,” Andrea said, then laughed. “At least when you’re around.”
Overcome with joy, with love, Sam pulled Chance to his side. “I am grateful that you understand, my son.”
Awareness dawned in his child’s joyous expression. “Can I call you Daddy now?”
“It would be my fondest wish for you to do so.”
Chance pulled him into a voracious hug. “I’m really glad you’re back, Daddy.”
Sam’s heart took flight over that one simple word. “As I am glad to be back.”
“Can I go to sleep now?” Chance said through a yawn. “I wanna get up early and call Billy.”
Andrea ruffled his hair and kissed his forehead. “Of course. Sweet dreams and see you in the morning.”
“Will you be here in the morning, Daddy?”
“Yes, and every morning from this point forward.”
Epilogue
From this day forward. How very sweet to have had those words included in their vows, Andi thought as she and Sam arrived hand in hand at the reception in their new home.
She had been so nervous during the wedding, not because of the ceremony itself, just a simple gathering at a nearby wedding chapel. It seemed she’d been waiting a lifetime for the moment when she and Sam were truly together. Her apprehension resulted from the prospect of meeting Sam’s family, but only his mother and Sam’s brother Omar and his two children came. Now expecting another child, Omar’s wife had stayed behind. And Sam’s father had refused to join them.
Andi had been shocked to learn that anyone in the family had agreed to come. If only they’d had the opportunity to spend some time together beforehand, then Andi might not be so shaky. But as it had turned out, the royal family hadn’t arrived in time for the wedding.
Even though she’d asked Sam a lot of questions about his culture, Andi wasn’t sure how she was supposed to act, what she was supposed to say. After all, she was entering a different world. Sam’s world. Never before had she shied away from a challenge, but she wanted so badly to please them for Sam’s sake.
Sam gave Andi’s hand a reassuring squeeze as they paused in the hallway. “You need only be yourself,” he said as if he’d read her thoughts.
“I hope that’s good enough,” Andi said through a forced smile.
He brushed a kiss across her cheek. “Always know that you are the best in my eyes.”
Andi took comfort in his words and her anxiety lessened somewhat—until they entered the tent set up outside the atrium. The moment of judgment had arrived, and she sure hoped Sam’s family didn’t find her lacking. No matter, she decided. She would always have her own little family.
The makeshift ballroom glistened with twinkling white lights crisscrossed on the ceiling, providing the only illumination aside from candles set out on the round tables. Along the perimeter of the tent’s walls, banquet tables brimmed with every food imaginable. Main courses on one side, canapés and desserts on the other. At the front of the tent a huge cake draped with lilac flowers flanked a fountain flowing with champagne. And near the chocolate groom’s cake sporting a baseball in the center, sat a photo of a smiling young man, the very man who had been responsible for this union.
“Thank you, Paulie,” Andi whispered, followed by a smile. Although he wasn’t physically present, Andi had no doubt that her brother was looking on from his position among the stars and probably saying, “Poor Sam. Now he has to put up with you.”
“It’s about time you two got here. I thought you’d stopped somewhere to start the honeymoon.” Several people looked up from the feasting over Tess’s rather loud greeting.
Blazing heat crept up Andi’s face as Sam nudged her forward into the middle of the crowd composed of community leaders, clients and family. Yet Andi couldn’t see anyone that she thought to be Sam’s mother among the masses, but she had glimpsed her son running about with two beautiful olive-skinned children that she assumed could be Sam’s niece and nephew. Chance continued to be totally oblivious to their arrival, and that was okay with Andi. She would visit with him later. Right now she wanted him to get to know his new cousins.
After numerous greetings and good wishes, hugs and happy tidings, Andi followed Sam to the head table and accepted the champagne he offered her. From the corner of her eye, Andi noted a tall, elegant woman wearing a long navy gown, her hair pulled back into a neat ch
ignon. She had no doubt this was Sam’s mother. The resemblance was truly remarkable. Nearby stood a man in traditional Arab dress, and Andi assumed this to be Sam’s brother.
Sam nudged her forward. “Come. I will introduce you.”
After gulping a long drink, Andi allowed Sam to take her elbow and guide her toward the pair. Her heart drummed in her chest with every footstep.
Once they arrived at the place where the strangers now stood, Sam said, “It is my honor to present my wife, Andrea. Andrea, my mother, Amina, and my brother Omar.”
Omar gave her a courteous nod, looking somewhat aloof and very much like Sam, aside from a neatly trimmed goatee. On the other hand, Sam’s mother smiled, catching Andi off guard. “My son has done very well, I see,” she said. “We are very happy to welcome you into the family, Andrea.” Her voice was kind, sophisticated and laced with a lyrical accent.
Andi held out her hand that Amina took without hesitation. “I am very happy to be in the family.”
Omar’s serious expression suddenly melted into a dimpled grin. “I welcome you as well, Andrea. You are to be commended for taming my rogue brother.”
Sam looked totally incensed. “You are one to talk, Omar. Had it not been for Sadiiqa’s kindness in accepting you as her husband, I have no doubt you would still be jet-setting throughout Europe, bedding every woman—”
“Enough,” Amina stated firmly with the hint of another smile. “Do you both wish to have Andrea believe I have raised two hellions?” She laid a dramatic hand on her heart. “Forgive them, Andrea. No matter how many years pass, they are still inclined to behave like young boys.”
Andi laughed. “I understand completely.” And she did. Years before, Sam and Paul had acted much the same. How wonderful to see it happening again.
Omar gestured across the room. “I believe I must tend to my children since I see that Jassim is unhappy. No doubt a minor crisis has arisen between him and his sister.”
“No doubt your daughter has only defended herself,” Amina said. “She is as strong as any boy, I am proud to say.”
“Obviously you have taught her well, Mother,” Sam said in a mock-serious tone. “Omar, would you tell Chance that his mother has summoned him?”
Omar nodded again. “Most certainly.”
After Omar took his leave, Amina turned to Andi once more. “I have enjoyed visiting with your aunt. She has shared with me the finer points of Southern cooking, although I am still not certain about the collard greens.”
Leave it to Tess to bridge the cultural gap with country cuisine. “If I were you, I wouldn’t worry about it. They’re not exactly my favorite.”
Taking Andi by both hands, Amina stepped back and looked her up and down. “Your dress is simply exquisite.”
Andi sneaked a quick glance over her sleeveless satin bridal gown. “It’s simple, like me.”
Amina released Andi’s hands and gently patted her cheek. “There is much beauty in simplicity. One only has to look at the heavens to realize this. The stars are beautiful in their simplicity.”
In that moment Andi felt a true affinity with Sam’s mother. Maybe she might fit in after all. “I couldn’t agree more.” Sam only smiled.
Amina’s features turned solemn as she regarded her son. “Samir, I will not attempt to apologize for your father’s absence. I will ask you to be patient.” She addressed Andi once more. “He is a somewhat stubborn man, yet he truly loves his family. He sees this as a loss of his child.”
“It does not have to be that way, Mother,” Sam said adamantly.
She laid a slender hand on Sam’s arm. “I realize this, my beloved son, and he will realize the same eventually. I do hope you can make amends at your brother’s wedding in three months’ time. You will consider attending?”
Sam frowned. “What wedding?”
“Jamal’s wedding.”
Rubbing his jaw, Sam smiled. “Ah, so I assume the mystery woman has been revealed.”
Amina glanced away and wrung her hands. “Yes, she has, and I hope it will please you.”
“Who is this woman?”
“Maila.”
Andi stifled a gasp and Sam looked no less shocked and somewhat angry. “So Father has replaced me with Jamal. How convenient.”
“You are very wrong, Samir,” Amina scolded. “Jamal and Maila are together at their own insistence, without the benefit of an arrangement. It is a love match in every sense of the word.”
“I am glad,” Sam said sincerely.
And so was Andi. She could greatly appreciate two people falling in love. Sometimes destiny just couldn’t be denied.
“Have you told Father about Chance?” Sam asked.
Andi had wondered if Amina knew that Sam was Chance’s father but hadn’t asked. She decided that Sam would be the best judge of how to handle that news. Obviously he had handled it.
“I believe it best that he meet his grandson in person,” Amina said. “I, too, am waiting for an official introduction. And it seems that moment has arrived.”
In that instant Chance rushed to Andi and grabbed her around the waist. “That man said you want me, Mama, but I’m playing with these kids from Daddy’s country and we’re having fun. Can I go back now?”
“Not yet,” Andi said as she turned Chance around to face Amina. “First, there’s someone we’d like you to meet.”
Amina knelt on Chance’s level. “Chance, I am your jadda.”
He wrinkled his nose, a sure sign of his confusion. “My what?”
“Your grandmother,” Sam stated. “My mother.”
Looking as if they’d handed him the world in a basket, Chance grinned. “For real? I don’t have one of those.”
Amina drew him into a quick, heartfelt hug. “You most certainly have one now, little one.”
Andi half expected Chance to protest another relative referring to him as “little,” but he only continued to smile.
“Do you live in my daddy’s country?” he asked.
“Yes, I do, and I hope you will come visit one day.” She touched his face with maternal reverence. “The children with whom you are playing are your cousins, and their father is your uncle Omar.”
Chance glanced back at Andi. “Like Uncle Paul?”
“Yes,” she said. “Like Uncle Paul.”
“Cool.” He looked back at the place where Omar stood with his son and daughter. “Can I go play with my cousins now? I want to take them to the barn to see Sunny.”
“Okay, but make sure you go with an adult,” Andi said.
“I will go,” Amina offered. “But first, who is this Sunny?”
“My horse,” Chance said, taking Amina by the hand. “You’re going to love her, Grandma. Can I call you Grandma?”
“Oh, most certainly. Did you know you look very much like your father did when…”
As she watched Amina drape her arm around Chance’s shoulder, as she observed the children jumping up and down with excitement as they headed away, Andi realized there wasn’t so much difference after all. Family was family, regardless of cultural diversity. That diversity made the moments all the more special. After all, love knew no real boundaries.
“Would you care to escape with me for a moment?” Sam whispered.
“I suppose I could for a while,” she said. “But eventually we’re going to have to cut that mammoth cake.”
“The cake can wait a few more moments. At present I would like to be alone with my bride.”
Andi followed Sam from the tent and back into the atrium. Once there he turned her into his arms and kissed her, but good—very, very good.
Just when Andi considered saying, To heck with the cake, let’s go upstairs, Sam broke the kiss.
“I am losing my control,” he said, winded.
“Do you hear me objecting?”
“No, but I do believe I heard you moan.”
She playfully slapped at his hand that had somehow landed on her bottom. “I’m sure it won’t be the last t
ime tonight.”
“I do wish you had allowed me to take you somewhere for a honeymoon,” he said.
“You know we can’t do that right now. We have to be here for Riley and Tess’s wedding next week. I need to get Sunny well underway, not to mention the other ten horses in the barn. Besides, we have a nice big bed upstairs with a huge whirlpool tub in the bathroom. Who could ask for more?”
“I suppose you are right,” he said, looking too, too somber. “And as it now stands, we should probably be prudent with our funds. I have spent a great deal on this place, and until we begin to see a profit, we will have to rely on what I have left of my own investments since my father has withdrawn his support.”
Andi touched his face. “We have so much now, Sam. We’re going to do fine. And I know how badly you hurt over your father’s attitude, but I’m inclined to believe your mother. He’ll come around.”
“I do most admire your optimism, but I also know my father very well.”
“And I never believed we would be together, either.”
Sam caught her hands and kissed each palm. “Nor did I.”
Andi shrugged. “Besides, once we see him face-to-face, once he sees how much we love each other, he’ll have to believe it was meant to be. And I’m sure he’ll be very taken with his charming grandson.”
“On the topic of children, will there be another child in our near future?”
“I hope so,” Andi said with a smile. “But not this time.”
“Then you are not—”
“Pregnant. No. At first I was disappointed, then I decided that it will happen when the time is right.” She pulled him close and couldn’t resist executing a little wriggle against one of Sam’s finer qualities. “I’m sure you’ll eventually get the job done, and quite sufficiently.”
He tugged at the collar of his tuxedo. “I believe we shall have a lengthy practice tonight.”
“I’m willing to give for the cause.”
Sam sighed. “I wish that I could give you everything your heart desires.”
Andi rested her cheek against his chest, against his strong heart. “You have given me everything, Sam. A wonderful home. A family. A beautiful child. But you know what?”
