by JoAnn Durgin
“For you.” He extended the blooming rose closer to her hand.
Accepting the rose, Lexa smiled. “Thank you. Very much,” she managed to mumble before turning back around so he wouldn’t see the tears in her eyes. Lexa didn’t want the sweet child to think he’d upset her in some way. To the contrary, it touched her that he wanted to give her the beautiful flower.
Putting her hand up to her face and composing her features, Lexa began to walk in the direction of the entrance to the Alamo, one slow step in front of the other. The last tours of the day would be starting soon. As long as she was there, and if the unthinkable happened and Sam didn’t come, she figured she might as well fulfill her desire to see the Alamo. Even so, she wouldn’t see anything. It would only be something to keep her busy, her mind occupied, so she wouldn’t collapse from the unbearable sense of loss if he didn’t meet her. Lexa’s feet felt like dead weight. It reminded her of the heaviness of the work boots she’d worn at the camp.
Another tap on her shoulder. Pausing for a moment and taking a deep breath, Lexa turned around again. Another child. Another long-stemmed yellow rose. She wondered if these were local children trying to earn tips or make money from the flowers. Maybe they thought she’d give them something. Starting to reach into her purse, Lexa smiled. The small girl shook her head, pushed the flower further into Lexa’s hand and took off running, giggling all the way.
Lexa spied a group of about twenty children eyeing her from about ten yards away, to the side of the front entrance. As she watched, they all started running toward her at the same time. Soon, the laughing children surrounded her, hemming her in the sweetest circle of beaming faces she could ever imagine.
One by one, they each presented her with the yellow rose they held in their small fingers. And, one by one, Lexa accepted the blooms they offered. She felt somewhat like a queen granting court to her subjects as they presented her with their very special offerings and gifts.
Soon, Lexa stood alone, clutching an overflowing bouquet of gorgeous, already-blooming yellow roses. Now what should she do? A sudden feeling of loss and abandonment surfaced. It seemed a bit suspicious that these children appeared as if from nowhere and presented her, of all people, with the flowers. Did she look so alone and desperate that they felt sorry for her and wanted to make her smile? Well, they’d accomplished that feat and more. But it wasn’t as though she could exactly tour the Alamo with an armload of flowers. Should she return the favor, carry on the tradition, and start handing out the flowers to other tourists?
Then it hit her. Sam had given her yellow roses in Houston. Was this a sign? Was he telling her he was either here or on his way, prolonging the moment of reunion? The yellow rose was a familiar symbol of Texas, so anything was possible. By now, Lexa practically hopped up and down with anticipation. She couldn’t wait much longer, and she’d never felt such urgency in her life. Not to mention how hard and fast her heart was thundering in her chest.
Approaching the entrance, Lexa stopped just outside the main gate. Glancing down at the ground, she spied yet another yellow rose lying at her feet. What’s really going on here? She wasn’t sure she could hold many more. Some of the other people were now stopping to stare at the woman with all the yellow roses. One young mother waved when her little girl pointed at Lexa and giggled.
Feeling another tap on her shoulder, Lexa tried to mask her growing confusion as she turned and looked down out of habit, expecting to see yet another small child offering up a flower. Seeing a pair of very shiny men’s dress shoes, Lexa’s eyes traveled an upward path, drinking in the gorgeous gray tailored suit, and white dress shirt with light blue silk, patterned tie. Finally, her gaze rested on the most intense, piercing, welcome pair of blue eyes she’d ever seen.
Chapter 48
The Reunion
Moving one hand from behind his back, Sam held out another single yellow rose. His loving smile mirrored hers as Lexa stared in the face of her future. What a welcome face it was, with an incredible smile and perhaps a few more silver hairs at the temples. Her heart pounded.
“About time you got here. I need someone to carry all these roses for me.” Lexa pivoted and headed in the other direction, with Sam close behind. “Know anyone who might be interested in helping me out?”
Sam chuckled and reached for her. He pulled Lexa by the shoulders with his big, gentle hands, and turned her back around to face him. Sam lowered his head toward hers, hovering above her waiting lips. His eyes met hers and held them steady. This was becoming a very lovely habit with him. Sam was a lovely habit.
“Careful. I might drop all these gorgeous flowers.”
“I’ll pick them up in a minute,” Sam murmured with a slow smile. “Right now, I need your complete and undivided attention. I’m going to kiss you now, Miss Clarke. Please be quiet and try to enjoy it.”
Dropping the roses to the ground at her feet with lightning speed, Lexa’s hands encircled Sam’s neck as she pulled his head down. “Make me.” The whispered words were silenced as his lips met hers for the achingly sweet, long-anticipated kiss.
Cupping her face between tender hands, Sam’s tears of joy mingled with her own as he kissed her several more times, finding it hard to stop. They were drawing an audience now. In the vague recesses of her mind, Lexa heard romantic sighs and giggles all around, even a few claps. But she didn’t care, and she could tell Sam didn’t either. It was as though the rest of the world ceased to exist, at least for that moment in time.
“You came back to me.” Lexa buried her head against his chest, laughing and crying at the same time. His arms circled her as he held her close. She sighed. She was home.
Sam tilted her chin and brushed his thumbs with a featherlight touch beneath her eyes. “You did say please, after all.”
“When did you get here?”
His hold on her tightened and he kissed her cheek. “Just now. I made a beeline for you. Missed me, did you?”
Lexa sighed. “Something fierce.” She swallowed hard and looked up at him. He seemed even taller, and his skin was deeply tanned which only made those blue eyes more prominent. His dark waves looked freshly groomed. He looked incredible. Devastating. No doubt, he’d broken a lot of hearts between Africa and the United States. But he was hers.
“When did you get back to the States? To Texas?”
Sam chuckled. “Is there any other state? Just today, as a matter of fact. I was delayed a few days. Sorry I was a little late meeting you. I swore my family to secrecy, so please don’t blame them. I’m just thankful I made it or you’d be standing here with Carson or my dad.”
“I love them all, but I’m kind of partial to one Lewis man in particular.” She ran her hands up to his broad shoulders, felt the powerful muscles beneath the suit jacket. The smile he gave her at that moment would warm her heart forever. It promised so much.
“Admit it, sweetheart. You were starting to panic.”
Lexa stared at him, sniffling, one hand moving down to rest on her hip. “And how would you know that, Sam Lewis?”
“Because I know you. By the way, don’t you think it’s about time to merge our interests into a partnership of sorts?” He cocked his head to one side, his eyes twinkling. “I’m partial to Lewis and Clarke Expeditions. What do you think?”
“Hmm,” Lexa mused, resting her chin on one hand as she pretended to ponder the option. “Not very original, but one I could learn to live with, I suppose. What do you have in mind?”
“I was thinking along the lines of a lifetime partnership, one full of adventure, fun, romance, and a ministry to others.” He nuzzled her cheek. “And lots of exploration.”
Lexa’s cheeks flamed. Good heavens, did he just growl? “Mr. Lewis, the things you say!”
“Baby, you don’t even know . . .”
She cleared her throat, interrupting him. “You’ve put a lot of thought into this, haven’t you?”
“Indeed, I have. It’s all that’s been on my mind for the last six mo
nths, especially.” Reaching into the inside pocket of his jacket, Sam pulled out a small, black velvet box. Taking her hand in his, he placed it in her open palm. When her hand trembled, he captured it and held it steady. Opening the box, he held it up for Lexa to see. A sparkling, emerald-cut diamond winked at her from its bed of black velvet.
Lexa’s breath caught, and she moved one hand to her throat. “It’s absolutely gorgeous, Sam.” She stared at it in wonder, afraid to touch it. Could he be asking her to marry him? Right in front of the Alamo? Everything was happening at once. Her head was spinning with happiness.
“It belonged to my grandmother. But if you don’t like it . . .”
She heard the earnestness in Sam’s voice and hastened to reassure him. “It’s perfect.”
“It won’t bite. Here. Let me do it for you.” Sam pocketed the box after removing the ring. Taking her hand, he slid it quite easily onto her finger.
She wiggled her fingers to gain the full effect. “It’s a perfect fit.” Lexa loved his triumphant expression as she held up her hand for him to see.
“My sentiments exactly.” His deep voice was husky. “Shall we depart to my makeshift office so that we can discuss this partnership in a little more detail?” Putting his hand on the small of her back, he guided her toward the street.
Lexa recognized—and loved—that telltale thickness in his voice. She held out her hand, staring at the ring as they walked. A moment later, she paused and looked up at him. “Just where is this makeshift office, anyway?”
Something long and white caught her eye. She turned toward the curb. “Oh, no.” She broke into spontaneous laughter. “I should have known.”
“Oh, yes, my love,” Sam countered, taking her hand and leading her in the direction of the familiar white Volvo station wagon.
“The bomb. I’m surprised it started up again after a whole year.”
Sam laughed. “I had Carson start it every now and again. Knowing my little brother, he tooled around town in it with his friends, too. Surely you must have seen it parked at the house. But, that’s beside the point. This is our bomb now, Lexa. You know you’ve missed it. Remember, love me, love my bomb.”
She just looked at him, shaking her head. But he was right, as usual. She had grown accustomed to it, and even missed it in a weird way.
Helping her into the car with the roses, Sam took her hand and drew him to her again for a longer, more impassioned kiss. “I’ve wanted to do that for so long.” His fingers rested beneath her chin and, leaning forward again, he grazed her lips.
Lexa grabbed Sam’s other hand and held on tight. She smiled against his lips, loving the fact that he didn’t want to stop. When he pulled away and gazed at her through loving eyes, she loved the way he looked at her with equal parts love, desire, respect and admiration. He made up for lost time as his hungry eyes drank in the sight of her.
“How . . .” Lexa began before clearing her throat, “how did your trip go? I’ve missed you terribly, Mr. Lewis.”
“It was . . . full. I’ll explain more later. The main thing I want to tell you now is that I’ve made another important life decision.”
She arched her brow and slanted a grin his way. “Do I really want to hear this?”
He smiled. “Oh, I think you do. I’ve decided that traveling around is great for a single guy, but not a married one.”
“I see. Go on. Whatever will you do?” Lexa batted her eyelashes in dramatic fashion.
“Well, it just so happens that TeamWork’s headquarters in Houston has an immediate opening for a full-time director. I’d be based there and only have to travel a few times a year to scout out locations for upcoming projects. Otherwise, I’ll have an office and can coordinate things from there.”
“Is that what you really want, or are you doing it because it’s what you think I want?”
“I want you, Lexa, but you’re right. Going all over the world is perfectly fine when a person’s single and doesn’t have any other ties to speak of. But when a man is thinking of settling down, finding a more permanent residence, starting a family, growing a garden . . .” He glanced over at her to gauge her reaction. “He has to start making plans.”
“So, you think the wanderlust is out of your system, do you?” Lexa’s heart was beating so fast, she thought it might burst.
“Well, if it isn’t, then going on short scouting trips and working summer mission camps should take care of it. Besides, I might be able to talk the powers that be into taking my wife along. You know, to gain the woman’s perspective and all that. My dad always told me that a woman’s perspective is precious and invaluable. One woman’s perspective, in particular.”
Lexa leaned closer. “Your dad is a very wise man.”
“In my mind, there’s only one thing left to settle.” Sam’s voice was quiet, wistful.
“What’s that?” His smile warmed Lexa down to her toes.
“I need your answer to my partnership idea.”
“Oh? I don’t remember hearing a specific question.”
“Will you forgive me that I can’t exactly bend down on one knee? Not to mention the fact that we’ve already given a lot of people plenty to watch today. Seems we’ve been the Alamo floor show tonight. After all, you’re already wearing my ring.”
Lexa smiled. “Nothing to forgive. Carry on, please.”
Sam chuckled, then locked her gaze and her heart. “Alexis Clarke, will you please marry me, be my bride, and serve the Lord alongside me for as long as we both shall live?”
She didn’t hesitate for even a second. “I will, Samuel Lewis. Especially since you said please. Oh, how I will,” Lexa murmured, sealing her promise on his lips. “You know,” she told him at length, “the first day we met, sitting in this very car, you asked me where my home was.” She traced his lips with one finger, and he caught it with a quick kiss. “My home is wherever you are, Sam. You are my home. Wherever the Lord leads.”
Sam smiled. “I think I knew the moment I met you that you were going to wreak havoc in my life. But in a very good way.” He laughed as she swatted his arm. “I want to show you something.”
Lexa watched as he pulled a creased, worn piece of paper from the inner pocket of his suit coat. Opening it out, he held it up. It was the photo of the two of them taken in his parents’ home the night she met his family. “This photo kept me going for the past year, Lexa. I had you imprinted on my heart, but this photo has been incredibly precious to me.”
When he looked back up at her after returning the photo to his pocket, Lexa glimpsed the tears shining in his eyes. She raised her hand to his face and traced the side of his strong, masculine jaw with gentle fingers. Sam leaned into her hand, kissing her palm. She loved how he possessed that rare inner strength of character and wasn’t hesitant to share his true emotions with her.
“I want to show you something.” Lexa reached in the skirt of her dress, finding the pocket. Sam’s eyes widened as she pulled out the identical small photo. “Caty gave one to me. We’ve become very close friends. As a matter of fact, I’ve become a regular houseguest. Wait until you taste my peach pie now.”
Sam laughed, holding her close. Lexa heard the joy in his voice, glimpsed the love in his eyes. He leaned his head against hers, and ran his fingers through her long hair. Sam whispered how beautiful she was, how soft her skin, how lovely her hair. Glorying in the warmth and pure joy of this man’s love, Lexa felt like the most precious, treasured jewel. The Lord was so faithful. She belonged with this man.
Sam kissed the top of her head and pulled her even closer. She leaned her head against his chest, and smiled as his hold on her tightened. Loved hearing his strong, steady heartbeat. Loved him. “I’ve grown so much in the last year. Learned so much. Being away from you was incredibly hard, but I put the time to good use.” Raising her head, she looked into his eyes. “The Lord’s timing is so perfect, isn’t it? I’m better prepared now, Sam. To be your wife.”
At her words, Sam’s brilli
ant smile reached his eyes. “For the record, what’s your middle name, Lexa?”
“Mary.” She didn’t expect the hearty laughter prompted by her response. “Why? What’s your middle name?”
Sam’s eyes met hers in that direct way he had of looking straight into her heart, her very soul. “Joseph.” He kissed her forehead again. “Just another sign from the Lord, I’d say, that we’re meant to be together. I love you, Lexa. And,” he murmured, his lips moving down to her cheek, “I think we should definitely make this partnership legal.” The warmth of his lips seared through her as they moved to her mouth and then toward her neck.
Lexa broke out into a wide grin of pure joy. She’d never known such joy could be possible.
With a slight groan, Sam pulled away. “I want to start calling you Mrs. Lewis as soon as humanly possible. A year away from you was pure torture, and the last six months in the jungle made me positively certifiable, not being able to hold you . . . or even talk with you.”
Settling back against the seat, he sighed. “The point being that we’ve waited long enough. I’m more than ready, and I believe you are, too. Besides, I don’t think the Almighty wants us to wait much longer. It would be cruel and unusual punishment. However, if you need time to plan a big shindig…”
When Sam grinned, he captured her heart all over again. “Oh, admit it already, cowboy. You just want to enjoy the benefits of marriage as soon as humanly possible.” Lexa could tell he was shocked by that statement, but in a very good way.
Sam erupted in uproarious laughter. “Well, don’t you, beautiful girl?”
“Judging by the night at the mission, I’d say . . . yes. Definitely yes. What are we waiting for?” Lexa didn’t even have to think any more about it. It made perfect sense. The Lord must be smiling at this little scene in the white Volvo station wagon. Parked in front of the world-renowned, historic Alamo, of all places.
