Two Hearts Find Christmas (Two Hearts Wounded Warrior Book 5)

by Tamara Ferguson

  From the corner of her eye, Penny was aware of Danielle’s conspiratorial smile at Sam as he and Penny crossed quickly by the head table.

  Sam escorted Penny directly to their table, where his mother, Shirley Edmonds, was already seated alongside her husband, Craig. Shirley was smiling brightly—clearly pleased to see Sam escorting Penny. After seating Penny at the table next to his mother, Sam settled in next to Penny.

  “Oh, Mrs. Danielsss—I mean Mrs. Edmonds. It’s so good to see you again! How are you?” Friends since Penny’s family had resided in Crystal Rock, Penny’s mother and Shirley had kept in touch through the years. But even though she’d been frequently informed about Shirley’s progress in her fight with lung cancer, Penny had struggled to control her shock when she’d first seen Sam’s mom. Despite the vibrant cap of gray hair, that’d obviously grown back since discontinuing her chemotherapy, she appeared to be exceptionally fragile. Shorter than Penny, who only topped five feet by three inches, Shirley had always been thin with delicate features.

  But now a slight breeze would probably carry her away.

  “Penny, it’s so good to see you again. I think we can skip the Mrs. Edmonds stuff.” She lifted a brow and grinned. “You’re probably about the same age that I was when I met you—although, I’m afraid, I’m definitely feeling my years these days.”

  Obviously startled, Sam was staring at his mother. “I never realized that you and Penny knew each other back then.”

  “Besides the fact that her mother, Monica, is still writing me regularly Sam, Penny used to come by to help me clean house years ago when you went away to college. Craig always pretended he never asked her to check up on me.”

  “I knew that you were lonesome after Sam left. And I was worried that you weren’t taking care of yourself.” Craig tenderly patted his wife’s hand. “Before you finally married me.”

  Smiling wryly, Penny turned to Craig. “You must’ve realized that I was feeling a little lost too, Craig, after moving here away from my friends. It didn’t help that my father was beginning to behave strangely then. He wanted to know where I was every minute of the day. He trusted me more with adults in the community, than he would with kids my own age.” Once a highly respected minister, Penny’s father had suddenly become seriously ill, the summer after Penny had graduated from Crystal Rock High. His health had eventually deteriorated so much, their family had been forced to move back to New York, so that they could live with her paternal grandparents. Penny had attempted to put aside the most agonizing memories from those last few years of her father’s life.

  Aware of Sam’s questioning gaze, Penny continued, “My dad had an inoperable brain tumor. Of course we never knew for several months. He went through a total personality change, before my mother and I even considered it could be some medical problem that was changing him.” Tears shimmered in Penny’s eyes. She felt surprisingly comforted when Sam wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a reassuring squeeze.

  Just then, Danielle Loughlin’s longtime business partner, Brian Johnson, appeared, pulling out a seat at their table. Eyeing Sam, he grinned. “Get your hands off of her. I know about that reputation of yours.”

  Nine months before, Sam had returned to Crystal Rock, Wisconsin to become the town’s police chief.

  “Better than that playboy reputation of yours, I’d say,” Dawn Wellman added dryly, seating herself next to Brian. A jeweler with training as an artist, Dawn had been hired to create artwork for the inn and, in turn, both her artwork and jewelry would be sold by the inn on consignment.

  Brian snorted. “Playboy? Me?” Flashing Dawn an indulgent grin, he’d apparently decided to play along. Just shy of six-feet tall, with naturally sun-streaked, dark-blonde hair, Brian had a muscular build that was slim and wiry. Yet to get serious with any woman, it was difficult to recall the names or faces of the women he’d dated.

  There’d been many.

  Penny turned to Dawn with a rueful grin. “Yeah, I’d have to agree with you, Dawn.”

  “Not you too, Penny?”

  Brian groaned, scowling at Penny.

  Mischievously eyeing Brian, who was squirming uncomfortably, Penny nodded a definite acknowledgement at Dawn.

  Dawn turned to Brian, playfully whacking a thick linen napkin over his head. “First Danielle, and now I find out you put the moves on Penny, too? How can you expect me to take you seriously, whenever you ask me out?”

  “I can’t seem to help it,” Brian reasoned, cautiously. “I’m a sucker for a pretty face?”

  As Dawn shook her head with exaggerated frustration, her eyes turned fiery blue. “Yeah, but does it have to be every pretty face?” The expression of utter exasperation, on Dawn’s lovely animated face, set everyone seated around the table off into explosive laughter.

  To Brian’s relief, a rhythmic and melodic chime began echoing from crystal. Guests throughout the room joined in and tapped spoons on their water glasses. When most of the members of the wedding party began smiling and chanting, the newlyweds finally kissed, and were rewarded with thunderous applause.

  Arriving at their table and seating his wife, Olivia, along with his two boys, Jarrod and Rodney, Sam’s deputy, Nat Benet, finally sat down on the remaining chair. After meeting the family earlier that day, Penny had discovered The Benet’s had relocated to Crystal Rock only seven months ago. Nat had left his job with the police in New Orleans to enable his family to escape the escalating violence in their community. But as only one of a few African American families that were residing in the Crystal Rock area, Sam had told Penny he was worried that Nat and Olivia would still have their share of problems to contend with in the future.

  “The boys are getting restless.” Nat grinned. “It’s been a pretty long day.”

  Olivia sighed, struggling with a weary smile. “We’ll probably head home after we eat.” Once the boys seemed settled, Olivia finally picked up her napkin. But when Jarrod and Rodney began to wrestle, she slammed it back down on the table.

  “Hey, guys,” Sam reprimanded, sharply. “Don’t forget—you both promised me you’d be good today. You won’t be sleeping over at the cabin next week if you’re not.”

  “Okay, Sam.” Turning his startling sea-green gaze on Sam, nine-year old Jarrod was obviously attempting to flaunt his best behavior. He nudged his brother in the ribs with his elbow. “Rodney, remember—no camping or fishing at the cabin next week—unless we’re good.”

  Seemingly angelic, Rodney zeroed in on Sam with his dark-chocolate eyes. At almost seven-years old, Rodney was a slighter, mirror image of his older brother.

  Olivia was apparently aware of Penny’s consternation as Sam took charge of the boys. With mischief in her eyes, she winked at Sam. “Sam’s been keeping an eye on the boys for us. He’s Rodney’s godfather, you know. Sam and Nat have been friends for years. Sam would make a great father himself someday.”

  Intently, Sam’s eyes held Penny’s, obviously gauging her reaction to what Olivia had to say.

  Somewhat flustered, Penny was suddenly aware that, curiously contradictory of the typical unattached male, Sam appeared to be unusually at ease around kids.

  “Olivia, you’re scaring Penny. This is only our first date.”

  Date? Although she was startled when she noticed Sam’s mischievous grin, Penny realized that all the barriers she’d purposely erected to safeguard her heart were gradually tumbling down. What did the past really matter anyway?

  Longingly, her eyes swept over Sam’s face. Unbelievably, after all these years, he was even more handsome. His sandy-blonde hair, slightly graying at the temples, was neatly trimmed into layers to frame his slightly weathered face. Drawing attention to the perfectly proportioned features of his face, boyish dimples dented his mouth’s curves. When he gave her warm smile, there was a definite twinkle in his brown eyes.

  She’d only been involved in a few casual relationships since her husband had been declared missing in Vietnam. With her whole life revolvi
ng around her son, Alex, Penny hadn’t actually been out on a date in several months. Long ago, she’d discovered that it was difficult enough for most men to handle a relationship with a woman who already had a son; let alone a son with mental and developmental disabilities. Later, when Alex’s problems had worsened and he’d developed diabetes, she’d completely put aside the notion of a long-term relationship with anyone.

  Although there’d been one man who’d been overwhelmingly persistent at pursuing her. Even without any encouragement, Todd Shelton had been ready to marry her.

  But what she’d never really been able to figure out was why Todd had become so fixated on her. Apprehensive when he’d gradually become more obsessive and controlling, she’d intentionally avoided a sexual relationship with him. After about a year of casual dating, Todd, not wanting the distraction of children, was ready to take over Penny’s role as a parent and was insisting on depositing Alex into a full-care mental facility.

  But Alex was her son. She’d brought him into this world. She’d do everything she could for him for as long as she was able. It’d been pleasant to have someone to lean on for a while, but she hadn’t been in love with Todd. She’d already been married to a control freak once, and the last thing she needed was someone else to take over her life and strip away her identity, as well as her freedom of choice.

  The night she’d refused to marry Todd Shelton, she’d discovered he’d had the same propensity for violence that David Wentworth had had.

  And their relationship hadn’t ended pleasantly.

  Although, even now, Todd refused to believe it was over. Penny shivered, momentarily reliving their last sordid encounter. It’d been a perfect time to leave New York. Hopefully, she’d be able to continue to avoid Todd once she returned home.

  Penny had enjoyed these last few days in Crystal Rock so much. Her whole life, now, revolved around the needs of her son. Her mother had Alex under control—or, so, she’d said—when she’d continuously reassured Penny over the phone these last couple of days.

  It’d been over ten years since she’d had a break from the everyday burden of Alex. Turning her eyes back to Sam, Penny considered following her mother’s advice for the first holiday she’d allowed herself in over ten years—just have a good time.

  Soup and salad, the first of many courses arrived at their table. Melding with the low hum of contented chatter and conversation, the melodic ring of silver on china echoed throughout the spacious grandeur of the inn. The dishes were systematically cleared from the table after each course.

  “My prime rib was delicious,” Sam muttered as Nat and Brian immediately agreed.

  “So was my salmon.” Penny grimaced, patting her stomach. “I’m stuffed.”

  Sam grinned.

  Even the kids’ meals had been thoughtfully planned. Jarrod had chosen ravioli, while Rodney had decided on fish sticks, and each, of course, upon seeing the other’s plate, had wanted what the other had.

  Several times throughout the course of their meal, Sam had been forced to remind the boys of their promise to behave. Penny discovered that the boys loved to hang out with him at his cabin. Amazingly, Sam thought little of giving up his own time off on the weekends. Nat occasionally joined Sam and the boys, and Olivia appreciated the break.

  Nat and Olivia had ended up residing in the Edmonds’ home on the lake, Penny discovered, because Craig required additional help with Shirley’s care. The Edmonds had moved into the smaller, remodeled guest cottage located nearby. While Nat was remodeling the Edmonds’ home in his spare time, Olivia, having once been employed as a LPN, was assisting Shirley when needed.

  Craig was obviously grateful to both Nat and Olivia. “The house is looking better than it’s looked in years. Nat moved in and immediately knew which updates were the most important. I can’t believe how much he and Olivia have accomplished in only six months.”

  “It’s so nice having Olivia around when I need her.” Shirley sighed. “Some days it’s an effort for me to accomplish anything.”

  With a trace of tears in her eyes, Olivia was smiling when she reached over to squeeze Shirley’s hand.

  “It’s great to have Sam home again, too.” Shirley turned to Penny. “I hope you’re coming with Sam for dinner tomorrow night, Penny. Olivia and Nat are cooking out.”

  Ruefully, Sam admitted, “I haven’t had a chance to ask her yet, Mom.” With a smile, he turned to Penny. “When do you have to return home?”

  “I’ll supervise the outdoor cleanup tomorrow. But Danny insisted I needed some extra time, while I was here, to enjoy myself.” Penny’s eyes met Sam’s. “My flight back to New York isn’t until Monday morning, so I’d love to come to dinner.”

  Appearing to be pleased, Sam suddenly smiled.

  And exactly like she had all those years before, when she’d first laid eyes on Sam, she found herself falling.

  All over again.

  Penny’s smile suddenly faltered. This couldn’t be happening again?

  But who was she fooling? It was time to face facts—she was still attracted to Sam. Had she ever really quit thinking about him? How many times had she come up with an excuse to question her mom about him throughout the years, aware that her mom had kept in touch with Sam’s mom, Shirley? And how many times had she pumped Danielle about Sam—after discovering that both she and Jake had become close to him over these last several months?

  And even though she’d loved her first boyfriend, Jason, more dearly than any other man she’d ever met, she’d never felt the deep physical attraction for him that she’d felt for Sam.

  Attempting to battle her chaotic thoughts, Penny was relieved when, for the next twenty minutes, everyone’s attention was focused on the head table. Once the sumptuous five-tiered wedding cake was rolled out for display, the newlyweds were filmed and photographed after finishing up with their toasts. The newlyweds would depart for their honeymoon at noon tomorrow, and return before the scheduled reopening of the Dragonfly Pointe Inn. After flying out privately for a stay at Jake’s Bridgeport Bay Hotel in San Francisco first, Jake and Danielle would travel up the Pacific coast and escape to their northern California hideaway.

  There was a lull in activity after the cake was sliced and served. A crew of servers scoured the reception area, quickly scooping up the remaining dishes and utensils. Within twenty minutes every table in the entire ballroom had been cleaned and rearranged in preparation for the final band to entertain onstage.

  All the tables had been shifted to skirt the edges of the massive ballroom, opening up the entire area for dancing. While Jake escorted his new bride out onto the dance floor, Brian and Dawn ventured over to the head table to converse with the remaining members of the wedding party.

  “How about some champagne? Mom—Craig?” Setting up the flutes on their table, Sam poured for his mother and Craig first, and then filled flutes for him and Penny. Still remaining seated while attempting to control the boys, both Nat and Olivia decided to forego the champagne.

  Soft music began drifting through the room. Lighting up the lush greenery in the solarium, where the remains of the radiant amber sunset cast a faint warm glow, sparkling miniature lights draped the exterior windows.

  Penny studied the magnificent stone fireplace, that was centered between the lobby and reception area. Majestically crowning the soaring vaulted ceiling, the chimney stretched upward through each and every floor. Concrete castings of dragonflies, sprinkled with iridescent sand, had been randomly inset throughout the mortar bracing the stones of the fireplace when it’d been built. With the roaring fire crackling, there was an intermittent flickering of iridescence that set the entire structure aglow. Penny was startled to observe, that as the lights were dimmed, clusters of luminescent dragonflies appeared to be, magically, in flight.

  Pairing gracefully to a sentimental romantic ballad, the bride and groom were reintroduced with applause as they swept across the dance floor.

  “Mom—did you remember to bring a
long my camera?”

  With a smile, Shirley reached into her carry-all, promptly pulling out the case housing Sam’s thirty-five millimeter.

  “Penny, would you mind taking a few pictures?” When Sam smoothly pulled her into his arms, to quickly run through the basic operation of the camera, Penny found it was extremely difficult to concentrate. Leaning back, she suddenly become aware of his shaky indrawn breath. What a relief, she thought—Sam appeared to be just as affected by her as she was by him.

  Sam’s smile was unsteady when he gently twisted her around, gazing intently into her eyes. “We’ll dance later. Okay?”

  With a shaky smile, Penny nodded.

  Reluctantly pulling away, Sam glanced over at his mother. “May I have this dance?” he requested, with obvious tenderness.

  Shirley answered with a radiant smile.

  Gently raising her from her seat and silently offering her his arm, he carefully escorted her out onto the dance floor. For several minutes they drifted along slowly and gracefully, in perfect time to the music.

  Shirley was aglow with happiness when Sam finally returned her to the table. After settling back in her seat, she gazed at her son curiously. “Where in the world did you learn how to dance like that Sam?”

  He smiled, wryly. “Vanessa made me take lessons.”

  “Humph. Probably about the one and only good thing that woman did for you.” Shirley’s tone of voice was uncharacteristically vehement.

  Sam barked out a laugh, appearing astonished by her candor. “Mother—you’re talking about the woman I married. But that’s alright,” he reassured her, turning his eyes back to Penny.