“I meant what I said the other night Sara,” he leaned on his elbows and propped his feet on the bed, facing her. “Trying to stay away from you is like trying to stay away from myself,” he gave a self-deprecating smile. “It’s downright impossible.”
“You don’t trust me, I get it,” she raised a hand as he started to protest. “I don’t blame you David; I would do the same in your shoes. I told myself I was right to be angry at you at your mother for making me feel rotten but I did it to myself and I don’t really deserve your forgiveness but I want to try and earn back your trust if you’ll let me.”
He stared at her, not knowing what to make of it. Here he was in her bedroom; in her bed and as much as he wanted to sink himself deep inside her, he had to practice constraint because of how weak she was. When her father had told him she was not feeling well he had wanted to drop everything and rush to her side but he had promised his father that he would pick something up at the store for him. He had chafed with impatience all the way and had almost killed himself getting here. He had watched her sleep and knew without a shadow of a doubt that it had to be her. It always had been her.
He looked away for a moment and his eyes caught a ratty teddy bear on a chair in the corner of the room. He remembered how she had always pretended to be tough but had kept the teddy bear he had won at the fair for her so many years ago. “You kept ‘Bill’,” he murmured softly. She had named him Bill the bear and had heatedly told him it was a good name for a stuffed toy.
“He got me through many lonely nights,” she said softly.
“That day at the fair was one of my happiest memories of our relationship,” he commented. “We ate so much popcorn and cotton candy that you accused me of trying to get you fat.”
“And you got cotton candy all over my hair,” she accused him with a laugh. They had spent the day holding hands and kissing when they were sure no grownups were looking. How innocent they had been then.
There was silence as they both drifted back in time; savoring the happy memories of their relationship and the time they had spent together.
“We can’t get that back,” he said abruptly, a frown creasing his forehead.
“We can’t, but we can make others,” she told him softly, holding his gaze. “We can make more lasting ones David; I am not the same girl I was before and I have no intention of leaving like I did before. I was naïve and scared and did not know what I wanted. I hurt the two most important people in my life and for that I am very sorry.”
“What are you saying?” he asked her hoarsely.
“I want you back and if I have to make the first move then so be it. But this time I want it done officially; we go out on dates and we get to really know each other. I am asking for another chance David.” She looked at him pleadingly.
He did not respond at once and Sara felt her heart sinking – if he said no she was not going to give up – surely he must still love her.
“I went out with several members from church because I wanted to see if there was any way I could move on from you,” he said with a small smile. He was not looking at her and Sara wondered whether or not this was a good sign. “There was one whom I thought was going to be the one to help me move on but it didn’t work out and I ended up doing to her what you did to me. I broke her heart and I have regretted it ever since. Thank God she has moved on since and is now married or I would still be flogging myself. I never stopped loving you Sara,” he looked at her; his eyes stormy. “I just did not like you but loving you have never been a problem.”
“Do you think you can ever like me again?” she whispered.
“Oh Sara,” he sighed; He slid closer to her and took her into his arms. “I just want to hold you right now and not think about anything else. May I do that?”
She nodded, closing her eyes as she rested against his broad shoulders with a contented sigh. It was a start.
When she woke up, he was gone and there was a note. With a hammering of her heart she reached for it, her hands trembling slightly.
“Darling Sara, I had to leave because just lying next to you was giving me ideas and I could not act on them. I would like us to start over and I want to start by saying that I never stopped loving you. I want you back in my life, I always have and always will but now I want you to do something for me: get better and we will have our date. I will be seeing you. I love you. David.”
Sara held the letter to her; tears blurring her vision. He wanted her back and she knew she did not deserve to get him back but she was ecstatic. “Please God, I promise never to hurt him again and thank you for a second chance,” she breathed a prayer. She wanted to call him but she held back; she had no intention of appearing desperate; no matter what she felt.
Her father came home that night and saw her up and about and in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on the dinner she had prepared. She had taken a much needed shower and had put on a T-shirt and sweat pants; she really did feel better.
“What are you doing up young lady,” he asked scolding her.
“I'm fine Dad,” she went over and kissed his cheek. “I made us dinner.”
“I can see that,” he looked at her shrewdly. “Any chance this change for the better had anything to do with young David’s visit?” He pulled up a chair as she ladled chicken soup into a bowl. David had made plenty to serve for a meal and she had prepared a salad and baked a chocolate cake for dessert.
“Yes it does,” she told him with a smile; as she sat down to join him. “He made me soup and I ate and we talked.”
He sipped the soup and raised an eyebrow in surprised appreciation. “The young man can cook.” He commented. “He loves you Sara, never stopped and when you went away he never stopped asking me for you.”
“I have asked him for a second chance Dad,” Sara told him.
Deacon Williams nodded. “We all deserve a second chance my dear and I am happy you are making amends and trying to make it work. You two belong together.”
“Thanks Dad,” she reached out a hand to grasp his. “I hurt you both so much and I can never make up for what I did.”
“Loving someone means you forgive them over and over again my dear,” he told her gently.
They ate the rest of the meal in silence and her father insisted on doing the washing up and urging her to go and get some rest. “You also have the day off tomorrow,” he told her firmly.
“But Dad-“ she started to protest.
“No buts girl. You need some more rest and maybe a chance to go somewhere. It’s an order.” He told her with a smile, turning back to the sink.
*****
Sara made the decision. She had called first to make sure they were going to be there. She had gotten the number from the personal directory in her father’s office and she had not said anything to David. He had called her that night to find out how she was doing and had told her that he had some things to catch up on.
She knew the house well. She had been there so many times when she was younger. She had even been up in David’s room where they had been on his bed just listening to music and chatting.
The place had not changed much since the four years she had been away. The garden had been a showpiece for quite some time and that still remained.
Sally greeted her at the door. Her striking resemblance to her son always amazed her. Her long dark hair was piled on top of her head to give her added height and she was wearing a cheerful apron over her summer dress.
“Come in dear, John is in the living room,” she opened the door wider to let Sara pass her. They went into the room where David’s father was seated on his favorite rocking chair. He was a giant of a man with dark brown hair sprinkled liberally with gray and soft green eyes that always seemd to be smiling.
“My dear Sara, good to see you,” he said in genuine delight as he rose and came over to give her a hug. She had always liked him because he went about with a cheerful smile and a pleasant countenance.
“Good to see you t
oo John,” Sara returned his hug.
Sally beckoned for her to take a seat and then she bustled out to get some lemonade and cookies. “So how have you been my dear?” John asked as soon as his wife went inside the kitchen. He had not been to church for the past few weeks because of a bad back so he had not seen her since she had been back.
“I am doing well thanks,” she smiled at him.
“Your father must be pleased to have you back with him,” he commented.
“He is,” Sara nodded. Just then Sally came back with the refreshments and passed them out.
Sara took a sip of the ice cold lemonade and taking a deep breath, plunged right in. “I love David; I know you might not believe me but I really do love him.” She stared down at the drink she had in her hand and missed seeing the looks exchanged by David’s parents. “I messed up so much; I thought I wanted something more, something different and I was wrong. I left the love of a good man only to find out that there was not a better one than David. It took my leaving for me to realize that.” She looked at Sally who was sitting there silent, allowing her to have her say. “You told me when I have children I would understand what seeing David like that did to you.” John looked at his wife with a puzzled frown.
“My dear, you do not owe us an apology,” he told her firmly. “What happened to David and you is between you too.”
“I know that John but you are his parents and I am sure what I did affected both of you,” Sara told him, she had replaced her glass on the table in front of her. “I am not apologizing; I am explaining because I want him back in my life and I want to clear the air.”
“David has never loved anyone but you Sara,” Sally smiled slightly. “He tried to kid himself that he was over you but he was not and I saw that. When I came to the bookstore the other day,” she placed a calming hand on her husband’s arm as he turned to look at her. “I was upset and it was not my place to upbraid you like that but being a mother I felt it was my duty to warn you not to hurt my son. He is an adult and he has to take care of himself.”
“I know it’s probably going to take a while before you accept me Sally but I am willing to wait,” Sara told the woman earnestly. “I hope in time, we can be friends.”
“My dear, I hope in time, we can be more than that,” Sally said with a smile. “My son loves you no matter what happened and if he has forgiven you, who am I not to?”
Sara settled back against her chair, a smile of relief on her lips. She had crossed this hurdle; the only thing left now was to convince David that she was not going anywhere.
They had lunch and Sally took her into the garden to show her some prize roses she had planted. She spent the afternoon with David‘s parents and the feeling of discomfort and uncertainty she had felt when she came had slowly melted away.
She got home at a quarter to three and went to the kitchen to start preparing dinner. With a quiet resolution she went to work. The kitchen had her mother’s stamp on it and she realized it was time to redecorate. She was not coming back and they need to move on. The first thing that had to go was the tablecloth that she had never liked in the first place; rummaging around in the linen closet she got out a plain linen tablecloth to replace it. Then she went to work taking down all the artwork that was on the wall and put up some murals she had acquired while she was away. With great satisfaction, she looked around the kitchen and living room and noticed the vast difference.
The phone rang just as she was about to make some dinner. It was David. “Hey you,” his voice sent shivers down her spine.
“Hi,” she said softly, sitting down on the stool and cradling the phone at her ear.
“I heard you went to see my parents,” he teased. “Were you asking for my hand in marriage?”
“They told you,” Sara said resigned. “Maybe I should have, would you have said yes?”
“Are you asking?”
“If you’ll say yes I would,” she told him seriously.
“Sara what are you doing to me?” he asked her hoarsely.
“Maybe the same thing you’re doing to me,” she told him huskily.
“I can’t wait to see you,” he muttered before hanging up. Sara sat there with the phone in her hand. She couldn’t wait to see him either.
Chapter 7
He took her out to dinner. The restaurant was new and fancy and it had opened after she had left. She had dressed in an outfit courtesy of her modeling days; a rose colored satin dress flared at the waist and did not reach her knees. The shoulders were bare and made her slim neck appeared even longer. Her face was made up to perfection and looked flawless; she had on rose lip gloss. Gold earrings dangled at her lobes and she had on matching bangles.
“It always amazes me to see how beautiful you are,” her father said with a shake of his head. It was Saturday night and he had come home and eaten and went straight to his comfortable chair in front of the television. He had noticed the changes she had made in the house and had nodded his head in approval.
“Thanks Dad,” Sara gave him an air brush kiss.
“So I suppose I should not expect you home tonight?” he asked her gruffly, patting her bare arm.
“I don’t think so,” Sara said with a small uncomfortable smile.
“My dear, you have nothing to be embarrassed about; you’re a grown woman and that man has been in love with you all his life,” his eyes were twinkling.
“Thanks Dad, you’re the best.” She told him softly. She just knew he was going to fall asleep right in front of the television; like he always did.
Just then there was a knock on the door and for a minute she felt nervous; like a teenager out on her first date.
“Have a good time,” Deacon Williams waved her away.
“Goodnight Dad, don’t fall asleep in front of the T.V.” she warned him.
He smiled at her and she went to open the door to admit David. He looked stunningly handsome in a dark blue jacket suit and light blue shirt with a red and blue striped tie. He stood there staring at her, his breath caught in his throat. “You take my breath away,” he murmured throatily.
“Take care of my daughter David,” her father called out from the hall.
“Always sir,” he called back with a grin. Taking her arm he led her outside. A shiny black BMW was parked outside and Sara turned to look at him. “You have a car.”
“I have a car,” he told her teasingly, opening the passenger side for her to get in.
“With bucket seats as well,” she murmured, running her hand over the seat.
“Mom shamed me into buying it,” he admitted wryly, starting the car, the engine purring.”She said one day I will be going on dates and no woman in their right mind will want to go out in the truck I use to transport fruits and vegetables in.”
Sara laughed; leaning back against the headrest. “She was right.”
“How are you?” he asked her softly, sending a quick glance her way.
“I am well on the way to recovery,” she told him.
“I am glad,” he told her; turning his concentration back on the road.
The restaurant had just a few people already seated and dining and they were shown to a corner booth and given menu cards.
Sara perused the menu and her eyes widened at the prices – even the simplest thing was expensive.
“Don’t even think about it,” he warned her; reading her expression correctly.
“What?” she asked defensively; putting aside her menu.
“Order what you want Sara, I can afford it,” he told her dryly. “Don’t worry, we won’t be asked to wash and dry dishes,” he added teasingly.
Sara gave a shrug then she burst out laughing. “You’re going to regret telling me that,” she told him. She stopped, caught by the expression on his face. “What?”
“I had forgotten how much your laughter lights up your face,” he murmured. “You’re incredibly beautiful, do you know that?”
“Thanks David,” she reached for his hand on the
table and squeezed it gently. “Thanks for another chance.”
“You’re welcome,” he said huskily.
Sara ordered the deep fried lobster and tossed vegetables and David had the lobster in lemon juice and sweet potatoes. They talked and he told her that this was one of the restaurants he supplied to; so he gets a special discount.
They finished off with wine and chocolate mousse that had her mouth watering. They left shortly after and Sara found her heart hammering again; which was ridiculous because this was David, fancy clothes aside, this was her David that she had known and who had taken her virginity all those years ago; the same David she had made love with several nights ago.
He took her wrap as soon as they were inside. “Want something to drink?” he asked her, his hands still lingering on her shoulders.
Sara shook her head no and turned around to face him. “I want you,” she told him bluntly. She had stepped out of her rose colored heels and had to look up at him.
David stared at her; he had gone still. Then he pulled her against him. “I kept telling myself it was no use dreaming of her, she is way out of you league, she was too beautiful; she deserves some rich executive, who could give her anything she wanted. I spent the years after you had gone, killing myself to become that rich executive and would one day claim you and prove that I was man enough to keep you. Ironically, I managed to amass a comfortable living but I did not want to be an executive; I hate the suits and offices make me claustrophobic. I love you and I hope it’s enough for you.” He bent his head, his breath stirring against her lips, and then he took hers slowly, deliberately, his tongue touching hers, playing with hers. But Sara wanted more. She wrapped her arms around his neck and brought her body closer to his; capturing his tongue with hers. He groaned inside her mouth, his arms tightening around her small waist. He reached for the zipper at the back of her dress and slid it down; Sara pulled away from him and stepped out of the dress.
“I was wondering all night what you had on underneath that dress,” he said ruefully, his hand reaching out to touch her small round breasts. Her panties were so minute that it showed much more than it hid. He lifted her and carried her up to the bedroom, placing her on the bed. He quickly took off his clothes and Sara found herself staring at his aroused penis; and as he climbed back on the bed she reached for it; running her hand up and down its length.
Their Miracle Baby (BWWM Romance Book 1) Page 19
