Appearing uncomfortably indecisive, Penny was aware of her stomach fluttering nervously as Sam continued holding her gaze. She quickly returned her attention to the camera. After snapping several pictures of Sam with his mother, Penny switched her angle and added a few quick shots of Shirley with Craig. With his dark auburn hair only touched by a hint of gray, Craig was the picture of health for a man his age. The contrast between them was evident as Craig cradled Shirley tenderly in his arms, and the pose brought tears to Penny’s eyes.
Apparently recognizing the disparity of Penny’s thoughts, Sam quickly stood up from the table, in an obvious attempt to distract her. “I’m, most definitely, willing to admit, that I made a huge mistake when I married Vanessa.” Meeting her gaze, he held it reassuringly. “Maybe the biggest mistake of my life,” he whispered into her ear, as he carefully pulled the camera strap from around her neck and laid the camera on the table.
Craig turned to Shirley, somewhat reluctantly. “Well, sweetheart. I’d say we’ve probably had enough excitement for one day. I’m tired.”
“Me, too,” Shirley admitted. “It’s been a beautiful day for Jake and Danielle—hasn’t it? I can’t wait to see all of their pictures.”
After running through a succession of farewells to everyone who was seated nearby, Craig tugged at Shirley’s chair while easing her gently to her feet.
Penny smiled reassuringly. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then.” After a shake and a squeeze to Craig’s outstretched hand, Penny wrapped her arms around Shirley and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek.
While Craig hovered behind Shirley, Sam wrapped a steadying arm around his mother as they moved slowly through the crowd, and began their escape to the lobby.
Penny dropped back into her seat at the table. Reaching for assurance, she was sipping on her second glass of champagne when Brian and Dawn returned.
“Penny. You’ll dance with me, won’t you?” Engaged in another friendly argument with Dawn, Brian was obviously suffering her rejection. Reaching over to grab Penny’s champagne from her hand, he rested the flute on the table.
Suddenly, a disapproving voice cut in, “Hands off, Brian. She’s gonna dance with me.”
Two Hearts Find Christmas (Two Hearts Wounded Warrior Book 5) Page 22
