Coming Home: (Contemporary Christian Romance Boxed Set): Three Stories of Love, Faith, Struggle & Hope

by Debra Ullrick

  She bounded up the stairs to her room. Throwing her bags on the floor, she dropped down on her bed, and screamed out all her hurt, anguish, and disappointments into her pillow.

  The next morning, a knock sounded at the door just as Sami came down the stairs. She opened the door to find Chase standing there holding his Bible in one hand and his hat in the other. “Good morning.”

  “Aunt Edna, your ride’s here.” Sami clenched her teeth, crossed her arms over her chest, and glared into his eyes.

  Chase tilted his head to one side and narrowed his eyes in confusion. “Is everything okay?”

  The fresh scent of his aftershave made her nose tingle. “Sure. Everything’s just fine. Why wouldn’t it be?” She took a couple of steps back, allowing him to step inside. “Aunt Edna, your ride’s here,” she said again.

  “I get the feeling I’ve done something wrong, but I’m just not sure what.”

  She pinched her lips and replied, “Nothing gets past you, does it? You must be the sharpest tack in the shed.”

  “Sami,” he reached for her, but she stepped away.

  “Don’t touch me.”

  “Is this about what happened in the tack house? I thought we were…”

  The glare she sent his way came as easy as breathing. “You’re unbelievable, you know that? Did you honestly think I wouldn’t find out eventually? The best thing you can do is stay away from me.” She spun away from him to leave the room, but he grabbed her shoulder and spun her back around to face him.

  “No. Not until you tell me what you’re talking about.”

  She glared at him hard, nostrils flaring. “I know about…”

  “Sami, have you seen my Bible?” Aunt Edna yelled down the stairs.

  Sami jerked her arms free and yelled back. “It’s down here on the coffee table.”

  “Sami.” Chase moved toward her again, but she flipped her hand in the air.

  “Don’t. Okay? Just don’t.”

  Chase dropped his arms to his sides, and pain filled his eyes.

  “I was wondering where I’d left it,” Edna said as she came down the stairs. “Well, good morning to you, Chase. You’re a little early. Would you like to have some breakfast?”

  “No, thank you. I’ve already eaten. But, I will take a cup of coffee.” Chase spoke to her aunt but never took his eyes off Sami.

  “Come on into the kitchen with me, and I’ll pour you a cup. Sami, come on and I’ll whip you up some breakfast before I leave.”

  “It’s funny, but for some reason I’ve lost my appetite.” Sami huffed, looking right at Chase, and then she hurried up the stairs. In her room, she sat on the edge of her bed and tried to find solace in seeing the pain she saw in Chase’s eyes. So, why didn’t it make her feel better knowing she had cut him to the core with her words? He deserved it, didn’t he? What right did he have to be hurt or upset anyway? He was the one who was lying. He was the one who was deceiving her. He was the one who was married.

  She flopped back on the bed. “So, why do I feel so guilty?”

  ♥♥♥♥

  Chase sat down at the table and tried to wrap his mind around what had just happened with Sami. He rubbed the back of his neck and blew out an exhausted sigh.

  “Is something wrong, Chase?” Edna sat down next to him and took hold of his hand.

  “I really don’t know. Do you know what’s going on with Sami?”

  “Don’t have a clue. But, something happened in town yesterday. I’m not sure what, but whatever it was, it really upset her.”

  He sipped the hot liquid as he tried to ignore the sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. She was slipping away again, and he didn’t know why. He looked at Edna over the rim of his cup and asked, “She didn’t give you any indication of what it might’ve been?”

  “No, she wouldn’t talk to me. Not a word. When we got home, Miles even tried to talk to her, but she just shut him out, too. The truth is I’m worried about her. I haven’t seen her like this in a long time.”

  “Was Billy Salter around anywhere?”

  “Billy Salter?” She frowned as her eyebrows crumbled. “I don’t think so, or I would’ve noticed him. Why did you ask about him? Has he been bothering her again?”

  Chase realized Miss Edna didn’t know anything about the incident at Barley’s, and he wasn’t going to be the one to tell her.

  “Don’t worry, Miss Edna, I’m sure he didn’t have anything to do with it. I just wished I knew what happened.”

  “I know. She’s a pretty tough nut to crack, but if anyone can get through to her, I think you can. She likes you, Chase. I see the way she looks at you when she thinks no one’s looking.” When Edna looked at him, he saw tears glistening in her eyes.

  “I guess you know by now Sami has faced some pretty tough times in her life. She doesn’t trust people very easily. I think she wants to, but she’s so afraid of being hurt again that she pushes away the people who love her the most.”

  “I know.” Even though Chase’s heart was crushed, he wasn’t giving up on her.

  They finished their coffee in silence.

  “So, when is your family coming to the house for supper? I’m looking forward to meeting them,” Edna finally said, breaking the silence.

  “You just set the date, and we’ll be there, Miss Edna. I would love for all of you to meet my family and for them to meet all of you.”

  “What about this coming Saturday? Let’s say around seven.”

  He nodded. “I’ll let them know.”

  “I can’t wait to meet them.” She reached over and patted his arm. “If the rest of your family is anything like you, I know we’ll love them.”

  ♥♥♥♥

  Sami sat silently at the breakfast table the next morning. She felt Chase’s eyes on her, but she avoided making any kind of eye contact. She quickly finished up with breakfast, stood, and started toward the back door.

  “Where you headed, girl?” her father asked.

  “I’m going out to finish the painting on the north fence. I have my walkie on me, and I’ll grab my rifle on my way before I head out,” she said over her shoulder.

  “I’ll send one of the boys out to help you later.”

  She stiffened. “No, I’d rather do it myself. Why would you send another hand out there when it’s a one-person job?”

  “Suit yourself, but you better be back here for lunch.”

  “I will.”

  “Are you sure you don’t need one of us to come out and give you a hand?” Miles asked.

  “No. I’d like some time to myself. I don’t get much of it around here.”

  Just as she took hold of the doorknob, she overheard her aunt say, “I don’t want any of you to make plans Saturday night. We have company coming for dinner.”

  “Who’s coming?” Brent asked.

  Sami slipped out the door. It was probably some of Aunt Edna’s quilting friends or some of the women from her church. Her aunt was always inviting them over and making a last minute announcement to the family. At least she gave us more of a warning this time.

  She climbed on her ATV and double-checked to make sure she had her walkie and rifle. She didn’t want a repeat of the mistake she’d made the last time. Her quad roared to life as she whistled for Scruff.

  An hour later, she lay back on the ground with her hands tucked behind her head as she stared at the clouds. The sky was a brilliant color blue, and the billowing clouds resembled white fluffy cotton balls floating along. A gentle breeze swirled around her face as the sun kissed her cheeks.

  Her mind drifted back to Chase. Why had she let him get close to her? Why had she trusted him? And, why couldn’t she get him out of her mind? Even though he’d deceived her, her heart still hammered against her ribs when he smiled her direction. But, he was married, and he had a daughter. How could he have been such a convincing liar?

  “You sure do look peaceful lying there.”

  Sami scrambled onto her knees and held her ha
nd over her eyes. She blinked wildly trying to regain her sight as she fought to focus on the shadow standing over her. Colors flowed into her eyes again, and she looked up into Chase’s face.

  “What are you doing here?” Frustration oozed through her voice.

  “We need to talk, Sami.” He climbed down from his horse and dropped the reins. The horse stood there as if tied to the ground.

  Sami got to her feet and dusted off her jeans. “We have nothing to talk about.”

  “Well, I think we have a lot to talk about.”

  “I have nothing to say to you, Chase. Why don’t you just leave me alone? You must have hundreds of girls you can sweet talk your way into their hearts, but I can assure you, Mr. Townsend, I am definitely not one of them.”

  “Mr. Townsend?” His eyebrows kicked up under his hat. “Is this all because of the kiss we almost shared?”

  Sami laughed bitterly. “You really are conceited, aren’t you?”

  “Then what is it? Why are you pushing me away?” He inched toward her. “I don’t understand. I wished you’d talk to me.”

  “No, don’t come any closer.” She held up one hand and fanned him away.

  “Come on, Sami. Tell me what I’ve done so I can fix it.”

  “Fix it? Oh, I see what you want. Well, I’m nobody’s second choice.”

  “Second choice? What are you talking about?” He shook his head as a look of deep confusion and worry rippled across his face.

  “Just leave me alone, Chase. Why is that so hard for you?”

  He reached for her, but she spun around, not realizing Scruff was lying on the ground behind her, she stumbled backward over him and fell into the fence. At that moment, she remembered the opened can of paint she’d put on the top of the fence post. “Oh. No!”

  She covered her head with her arms, closed her eyes, and braced herself against the gallon of white paint about to dump on top of her head.

  Swoosh!

  “Sami!” Chase jerked off his shirt, knelt down on one knee in front of her as the cold white paint slithered from her head down her neck and onto the rest of her. Why could she never keep herself in one piece with him around?

  Kicking the bucket in disgust and frustration, she disentangled herself from the fence. “Just help me up.”

  After Chase pulled her to her feet, she jerked the shirt out of his hands and wiped the paint off her face. Thankfully, her arms had shielded her face enough to keep it out of her eyes. “Great. I’ll never get this paint out of my hair. Look at me.”

  Clearly trying to hold it back, Chase lost the battle and broke out into laughter.

  More disgust with him and herself dripped through her, and she threw his paint soaked shirt at him. “It’s not funny.”

  “I’m sorry.” He jumped to one side to dodge the shirt. “But, you look like a giant marshmallow.”

  “Oh really?” She wringed the paint out of her hair, slapped his cheeks, and then ran her paint-soaked hands down his bare chest.

  “Hey!”

  “Now it’s not so funny, is it?” The corner of her mouth pulled up into a smirky grin.

  He looked down at the paint on his chest and grinned. “A little paint never hurt anybody.”

  She cocked her head to one side. “You’re right. But, a lot of paint does.” She reached down and picked up the paint pan.

  “Sami.” He pointed at her and backed away. “Don’t even think about it. I mean it.”

  She gave him a cagey grin. “Are you going to laugh at me again?”

  “No, I promise. Cross my heart.” He made a cross gesture across his chest and smiled sweetly.

  “Okay, since you promised.”

  Relief etched Chase’s face. “Whew.”

  She made a clicking sound through her teeth. “But, on the other hand. You should know by now, I don’t trust anyone.” With one swift flick of the wrist, she coated his chest with paint.

  “I can’t believe you did that.”

  Sami laughed. “Lesson learned. You don’t mess with a Lawson.”

  “Oh, here, hey, I noticed you missed a spot.” He pointed at her chin and picked up the paint-covered brush, which was lying in the paint on the ground.

  “You wouldn't dare?”

  “Oh, I would dare.”

  She turned, ran around the ATV to try and escape, but Chase was falling in close behind. Within seconds, he grabbed her around the waist, knocking them both off balance, and they fell to the ground.

  “Stop it,” she screamed when he tried to paint her face with the paintbrush, but she finally got her hands on the brush and tossed it away.

  He smiled down at her and pushed a strand of hair out of her face. “Even covered in paint, you’re still beautiful.”

  She placed her hand against his chest and whispered, “Chase.”

  He began to lower his head ever so slowly, never breaking eye contact.

  Suddenly, they heard the sound of someone clearing their throat. They looked toward the sound, and there was her father, sitting on his horse looking down at the two of them.

  Chase stumbled to his feet first, held out his hand to Sami, and pulled her to her feet.

  “We were just…” Sami stammered.

  “I think I know what you two were doing. I know I haven’t been in a relationship for some time now. But, I’m not blind.”

  “Sir, it’s not what you think. It was a paint war that just got out of hand.”

  “I can see that. Sami, load up your stuff and head back to the house. It’s almost lunchtime. Chase, I’d like to speak to you alone.”

  Chapter Eight

  William waited until Sami climbed on the ATV and was on her way toward the house before he turned to Chase. “Chase, I think we need to have a talk about Sami.”

  Going over to the fence, Chase grabbed up his shirt but thought better of putting the thing on. It had more paint on it than he had on him, and that was saying something. “Sir, I know how this must’ve looked to you. But, I can assure you nothing happened.”

  “I believe you’re a good Christian man, Chase. At least that’s what I hear from Edna all the time. You don’t seem like the kind of man who would take advantage of a young woman. But I don’t want to see my daughter hurt. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Sir, I do.”

  “She’s suffered enough heartache to last her a lifetime. I know you’ve heard that my wife walked out on us when Sami was only ten. What you don’t know is, Sami was hiding in the hallway the night Maggie left. She overheard the argument between her mother and me that night. And some of the things that were said, well, a ten year old should never have to hear.”

  Now holding his shirt, Chase knotted his forehead in concern. “That must’ve been hard on a child so young.”

  “It was.” William pulled on the horse’s reins to stop. Sitting in the saddle for a long moment, he just stared out across the open range. His shoulders drooped forward, and then he turned back to face Chase. “She cried for two months afterward. Then one night she crawled up in my lap and told me we didn’t need her mother anymore. She would take care of all of us, and we’d be just fine. Then she smiled at me and said, ‘Remember, daddy, you told me cowgirls don’t cry, so I’m not going to cry anymore.’ I wanted my children to be tough and not afraid of anything. But, I never would’ve dreamed those words would come back to haunt me. Since that night she hasn’t cried at all, not one single tear.” Taking a hard deep breath, William shifted in his saddle. “So, if you have feelings for my daughter, genuine feelings, that’s fine with me. But, if it’s just a temporary thing and you’re playing with her heart, I’d appreciate it if you’d just move on.”

  The thought twisted Chase’s gut. Move on from Sami? Impossible. “Sir, I can promise you one thing. I’ll never hurt Sami. I care about her.” He paused for a moment. “I care about her a lot.”

  William nodded. “That’s all I wanted to know. You know where I stand on this matter, and now I know where you stand. So, we d
on’t have to bring it up again. I guess we need to get back to the house so you can get some of that paint off of you before it dries like concrete.”

  ♥♥♥♥

  Sami stood in the shower and watched the white paint slowly flow down the drain. The images of Chase’s paint-covered chest and jeans filled her thoughts. She exhaled softly, closed her eyes, and let the warm water run over her face. “I can’t do this. I can’t have feelings for another woman’s husband. I won’t cross that line.”

  Sadness filled her heart, but she had to do what was right.

  After she got out of the shower, she dressed and headed downstairs. Miles, Daniel, and Brent were already seated at the table. She lowered her eyes when she slid her chair out and sat down.

  “Wow. I’m surprised you were able to get all of that paint off.” Brent laughed with a smirk. “You looked like a snowman.”

  “Chase is still in the shower out at the bunk house,” Daniel added. “Not sure which one of them got the worst end of the deal.”

  “What I don’t understand is…” Miles leaned back in his chair, stretched, and then crossed his arms over his chest. “How did the two of you get soaked in paint anyway? I don’t recall it raining paint anytime today. Do you, Daniel?”

  “It wasn’t in the forecast.”

  Everyone around the table broke out in laughter.

  Sami felt her cheeks growing warm. If she had been butter, she would’ve melted under the table into a liquid puddle.

  “I don’t know, Miles, I did notice one big white cloud in the sky today. It must’ve been full of paint. What do you think, Sami?” Brent leaned forward and grinned.

  “Or maybe that pond on the ridge turned white, and they fell in,” Clint joined in on the fun as he, her father, and Bart came into the kitchen.

  “Okay. Okay. That’s enough, boys. Stop teasing her,” Edna scolded as she placed a platter of roast beef sandwiches on the table.