by JoAnn Durgin
“That’s not fair, Lexa.” Sam closed his mouth, and looked at a loss.
Her breath strangled in her throat, and she struggled for control. Feeling a chill, Lexa shuddered and rubbed her hands up and down her arms, knowing it wouldn’t touch the hurt welling up inside. “Far be it from me to hold you back from following God’s great plan in your life. Besides,” she continued, her voice rising, “I just told you where I’m at spiritually. And if you’re so concerned about where I’m at, then maybe you’d be better off examining just exactly where you’re at!”
Flinging her napkin down on the table, Lexa paused. Rising to her feet, she gathered her thoughts and her dignity and tried to calm down. It proved difficult, and anger won the inner battle raging within. She lowered her voice and leaned close. “The next time you ask a girl out with some hidden agenda, I suggest you think twice about putting her through the third degree. Good luck finding the perfect Christian woman you’re looking for, Sam Lewis, but I don’t think you’ll ever find her!”
He appeared genuinely shocked. “I know you’re hurt, and I’m really sorry, but did you ever stop to think you might be jumping to conclusions?”
His eyes widened as she stepped around the table and leaned close to him, practically nose-to-nose. Sam leaned back further in his chair as she stared him down. Gulping, Lexa blinked hard to stem her tears.
“Instead of pulling this sanctimonious, holier-than-thou act, maybe you should think about what Jesus would do in your shoes. I understand that’s what Christians do.” She gave him one final glare. “I don’t think Jesus would act the way you just did.” Turning, she fled into the night.
Chapter 14
With tears streaming down her face, Lexa flew back up the stone steps on the way to the street. She didn’t have a plan other than to get away from Sam and try to find a quiet place to collect herself. Then she’d worry about getting a cab or a hotel room or whatever. At the moment, she debated heading straight back to Houston.
Seating herself on a stone wall in a quiet spot further down the Riverwalk, Lexa raised her face to the sky, closed her eyes and put one hand over her mouth, stifling her quiet sobs. Shivers ran through her and she rocked herself in a self-comforting motion. Maybe she should say a prayer. She didn’t know what else to do, and it felt somehow appropriate for the situation. The prayers she said at night seemed to make her feel better, so why not? It couldn’t make things worse than they already were.
Lord, I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m miserable. I came here tonight thinking I’d have a romantic evening with a handsome man—a man who belongs to you—but now everything’s a big old Texas mess. I want to know you, Father, but I need your help. I want to serve you, and I really don’t want to leave. Please show me how I can become a better person through you, how I can help others, and how you want me to serve. In Jesus’ name.
Looking around at her surroundings, Lexa pondered her options. In spite of this disastrous date with Sam, she wanted to go back to the work camp. She cherished the time spent with Margarita. Liked the camaraderie with the other ladies. Enjoyed the Bible studies at the bonfires and helping at the worksite and in the canteen. Working for no pay was never so satisfying. She was beginning to feel like she belonged with these people.
Lexa sat up straighter and dried her eyes. She’d never been one to allow a man to stand in the way of her goals. She’d just been sidetracked a little in her quest to make a difference in the world. But now, it was time to get back on track.
~~**~~
As soon as the words were out of his mouth, the uneasy stirring in the pit of Sam’s stomach alerted him he might very well have dug the proverbial hole even deeper for himself. Seeing Lexa’s tears punched him right in the gut. He hated that he’d made her feel this way. Something deep inside twisted, squeezing tight. How could he make her understand? Her eyes sparked with such a fiery anger. They were unbelievable in their beauty, but made him miserable with guilt.
Still, talk about a rush to judgment. Either by his words or his actions, he’d made her feel somehow unworthy. Or made her feel even more unworthy than she already did. And what did she mean by that apple and temptation comment? Did Lexa think all he wanted was to tumble into bed with her? Maybe his undoubtedly strong physical attraction for Lexa was confusing the issue.
Sam frowned and rubbed his hand across his brow. He was messing this up royally. He found it difficult to communicate with this woman. It was definitely uncharted territory. Now she was offended and he didn’t know what to say, what to do, to make things right.
Standing a short distance away, hidden from view, he watched Lexa sitting on the wall. It looked like she was praying, and it touched his heart. He’d blown it with her, and he’d be lucky if she gave him another chance sometime in this lifetime. He’d only dated Christian women before, and Lexa was so unlike most of them in a number of ways. But in the ways that counted most, she was their equal and more. Lexa was good, honest, with a purity of heart and spirit. She had a genuine desire to serve the Lord. Weren’t those the things that mattered the most?
The hardest part to swallow was that she was right. He’d been evaluating—yes, perhaps even judging others—for too long. That in itself was a sin. Sam prayed his own silent prayer, but dared not close his eyes for fear he’d reopen them only to find Lexa gone again. He couldn’t take that chance, so he kept his eyes trained on her as he prayed under his breath for the Lord to keep her there with him and his TeamWork crew in San Antonio. After only a few days in the camp, Lexa was growing and learning. Sam asked the Lord for the wisdom to know the right words to say to this intriguing woman, the right things to do so he didn’t push her further away.
At that precise moment in time, he had his own private mission—protecting Lexa from the seedier element that sometimes hung out around the Riverwalk. He had to keep her safe and take her back to the camp. He only prayed he hadn’t scared her off so she’d run all the way back to Houston and never look back. Dear God, he didn’t want that.
After a few more minutes passed, Lexa raised her head. Wiping her eyes with a tissue, she sniffled and blew her nose in a most unladylike fashion. From his hidden stance, watching her, Sam almost laughed aloud. He’d best not reveal his hidden presence or she’d never forgive him.
Standing and smoothing her clothes, Lexa pushed her long hair behind her shoulders and raised her head before looking around. He glimpsed that defiance etched into her expression. That dare-you-to-get-to-me look which was becoming all too familiar, but which Sam understood masked her insecurity and vulnerability. She’d definitely be mad to know he suspected such a thing. When she moved her head in his direction, he ducked behind a stone wall, his heart pounding hard, afraid she’d see him.
Lexa started walking, and he followed a short distance behind. Memories of playing hide and seek and his younger brothers, Will and Carson, came to mind. He needed to keep her in view while he thought of a plan of action. At least she was walking in the general direction of the car. He should have time to dart back over to where he’d parked the station wagon on a side street. Surely she wouldn’t be foolhardy enough to hitchhike. Lexa might believe she could get a cab, but he knew better. Not in this more remote area at this hour of the evening, even on a weeknight. All the cabs in the Riverwalk area would already be busy with customers.
Darting her head in either direction, Lexa clutched her shoulder bag and quickened her steps. It was as though she sensed someone’s eyes upon her and didn’t want to take any chances. Above all, Sam didn’t want to scare her to death. When the Volvo came into view, he detoured in its direction, keeping Lexa in his sight. Turning the key, he muttered under his breath when the engine rumbled but didn’t turn over.
“Come on. Don’t fail me now.” He waited a few excruciating seconds before trying again. The engine sputtered before choking and dying. “Great. Just great.” By now, Lexa’s figure was fading from his range of vision. His fingers tapped an impatient dance on the steering
wheel. Deciding to give it one more try before he took off after her on foot, Sam chewed his lip, willing the engine to turn over. Thank goodness it obeyed and roared to life.
Pulling out so fast the tires squealed, Sam drove in the direction Lexa walked when he last saw her. His eyes scanned the roadside. A rising panic tore through his chest and his breath grew short. Slowing the car to a near crawl, Sam looked in every direction. There! She’d decided to go down yet another side street.
Turning off the lights, Sam soon rode alongside her. If Lexa was scared, it didn’t show. Better not to let her worry that it was someone else. He cleared his throat loud enough for her to hear. “Care for a lift back to camp?”
“No, thank you.” Lexa didn’t pause and walked with her head held high, shoulders back, and a purposeful stride. My, but she was the most stubborn woman he’d ever encountered. While Sam liked her spunkiness, the defiant act could get plenty annoying sometimes.
“Um, I hesitate to mention this, but there’s not exactly a stream of cabs in this neighborhood right about now.” He struggled to keep his voice calm and steady.
“I’ll manage to find one. There’s bound to be one around here somewhere.” Even though her voice never wavered, Sam thought he detected a slight element of fear in her voice. It was his fault. Waves of guilt washed over him.
“Come on, Lexa. Get in. I promise not to say another word the entire way back if you’ll just get in the car.” He felt like begging, but only as a last resort. He had some pride left.
Her steps slowed only for a moment before resuming their brisk pace. She picked up speed and practically marched. She didn’t bother gracing him with even the slightest glance. “No thank you, Mr. Lewis.”
“Okay then.” Sam tried to mask his aggravation with this beautiful, obstinate creature. “Guess I’ll have to keep pace with you. If we’re lucky, we’ll make it back to camp about, say, three o’clock this morning.” He paused, and his head darted back and forth between the road ahead and Lexa by the side. “Sure will be awfully hard trying to work tomorrow in the blazing heat if you’re tired. Nope. Not a good combination at all.”
“What do you think you’re doing following me?” Lexa demanded. Stopping, hands on hips, she glared at Sam. “Slumming?”
“Okay, that’s it!” Irritated with her taunt, he shoved the gear into park. Leaving the keys in the ignition, he jumped out.
Seeing that he was heading straight for her, Lexa turned and started to run away again. “Oh, no you don’t!” Her cries of protest were drowned out when he lifted her and put her over his shoulder, being none-too-gentle about it.
“What do you think you’re doing?” she cried, her voice indignant. “Put me down!”
Tight fists pummeled Sam’s back as he carried her over to the car. Depositing her in the seat without ceremony, he slammed the passenger door and hurried around to the driver’s side, tamping down the irresistible urge to grin.
“Two can play this game!” Lexa spouted through clenched teeth. She hopped out of the car again before Sam could put it back in gear. “See you back at the camp, Bucko!” Slamming the door equally hard, she stalked away from him, headed back this time in the direction of the Riverwalk.
Watching her in the rearview mirror, Sam noticed her steps slowed a few hundred yards down the street. When she turned, he shifted the car in reverse. It skidded backward in her direction and stopped beside where she stood in the middle of the quiet street. The car rumbled, sputtered and threatened to die right then and there.
Her hands traveled to those tiny hips in a firm stance of battle, David to his Goliath. “In spite of your best intentions, you can’t single-handedly save the world, Sam Lewis. Some battles aren’t yours to be won.”
He inhaled a quick breath and raked his fingers through his hair. Frustration with Lexa Clarke was going to turn him mental. “And if you’d stop being so defensive all the time, maybe you’d actually learn something.” He pinned her down with his eyes this time. “Some battles are worth the fight, Lexa. Even if they’re an uphill climb. Just get in the car. Please.” He struggled but kept his voice low and controlled.
“I’ll be fine on my own, thank you very much.” No tremors, no fear now. Just that stubborn defiance.
“Okay, fine,” Sam said, his voice tight with frustration.
He could tell he shocked her when her eyes widened. The corners of her mouth tugged downward.
“Suit yourself. See you later, sweetheart!” He sped off into the night.
~~**~~
She didn’t think he’d really leave. Now what had she done? Standing in the middle of the street and gaping wasn’t going to help her situation. Her foot tapped a steady rhythm. Seeing the tail lights of the station wagon still visible in the distance, Lexa felt like screaming Sam’s name and begging him to come back for her. Would he really leave her out here by herself, defenseless in the night, in an unfamiliar city?
A group of teenagers hanging out in a nearby driveway called out to her. Oh, this night just kept getting better. She ignored them and headed back in the direction of the Riverwalk. Even though they called out indecent proposals, she forced her steps to be confident. She was only a few blocks away from more civilization. But they were following her.
The boys laughed as she picked up her pace and kept walking. Their voices grew louder. She heard their footsteps and knew they were right behind her. Fear seized her. Inhaling a deep breath, she somehow moved her feet forward. Where was Sam? The man saved her from an armadillo, but where was he when she really needed him? Granted, he’d also saved her from serious bodily harm when she fell from that rooftop. But now would be an opportune time for the tall cowboy’s chivalrous ways.
“Hey, pretty lady. What’s a great lookin’ woman like you doin’ in a place like this? Need a date, sweetheart? Lookin’ for a man?” A kid who couldn’t be more than sixteen or seventeen shot around to one side of Lexa, close enough to smell alcohol on his breath. She shrank back, not daring to look him in the face. The group of boys hemmed her in.
She was trapped, and her heart thundered. It was a mistake to look a potential attacker in the eye. Her eyes unseeing, she fought to keep her breathing even. Don’t let them see your fear. God, please help me!
“Leave me alone,” Lexa managed to get out between tight, clenched jaws. “My ride will be here in just a minute.” She hoped it sounded convincing, but it fell flat. The knuckles clutching her purse were white. Maybe if she threw it down on the pavement, they’d grab it and leave her alone. Replacing lost documents would be a pain, but it was preferable to being raped . . . or worse.
Maybe they only wanted to scare her, but she couldn’t take any chances. Twinges of regret squeezed her. She should have enrolled in that self-defense class with her co-workers a few months ago. Too late now. It would still be five against one on this dark, deserted San Antonio street. As if she had a chance. That thought started her heart pounding even harder.
“Sure thing, honey. We’ll leave you alone once we’re done with you. You look real sweet. We just want you to play nice with us for a while.” Rivers of fear ran through Lexa at that statement. She stared straight ahead and focused on a distant tree.
Another boy ran one finger along the length of her bare arm, leaving a path of shivers in his wake. Lexa flinched and jerked her arm away from his touch. They were only boys, but they were also men in the physical sense with an appetite for women. Her mind was numb, her legs unsteady.
In that moment, she vowed to give Sam Lewis a good piece of her mind . . . and more . . . if she survived this ordeal. She pushed aside the thought that he’d gone so far as to manhandle her in order to put her back in his old bomb of a car. So, the blame was hers alone. Again. But first things first.
“I think she’s feisty, boys.” The first boy inched closer.
Please don’t let me faint. Where’s Sam? Everything within her wanted to curse and scream his name. Curse him for leaving her on this deserted street, and screa
m for him to come and save her. Yes, Lexa Clarke wanted to be saved. By Sam Lewis. If God Himself wasn’t going to help her out of this mess, then maybe He’d send His messenger.
Chapter 15
Remorse mixed with ebbing anger flooded his soul as Sam drove around the block at a low speed and tried to regain control. Never had a woman so attracted and infuriated him at the same time. Why couldn’t Lexa get in the car without protest? Once in the car, why couldn’t she stay put? Why did she always have to be so combative? Chewing on his lower lip, Sam decided to let her stew a couple more minutes before going back to get her. Only a heel would leave her unprotected. She just needed to learn a lesson.
It was pretty clear she was sticking to the street and should only be a little further down than she was a few minutes ago. Switching off the headlights again and turning the corner, Sam’s heart stopped at the sight. Lexa was standing in the middle of the street, surrounded by a gang of teenage boys.
Oh, no. His foot slammed into the floorboard as the station wagon sputtered a little and roared down the street. “This should be good.” He halted the car with a rumble near the group and hauled himself out of the car and rose to his full height—slowly, for the effect of it all. Six-foot-five didn’t faze them. Okay, time to employ the swagger. Hands on his hips, Sam stalked in their direction. The boys didn’t scatter and stood their ground. So, they wanted to play tough.
