His words hung thick in the air, and she tightened the towel around her. She wanted to believe what he said, but that would be foolish.
She didn’t want to fall for her own Toxic Bob.
“I don’t ever want to lose our friendship. It’s far too important,” she said softly, looking away but feeling his hand on her bare knee.
“You never would.” He squeezed her leg. “I’d miss you too much.”
His words warmed her heart, but she wouldn’t let herself become another failed statistic in her own diary of life. It was too important for their child for them to stay cordial and connected long-term, and unfortunately, she felt pretty certain that if they got involved romantically something would go wrong thanks to a cute ski bunny and then her child wouldn’t know their dad.
“Romantic relationships change everything.” She brought her gaze back to his and all she saw was kindness and something else. Something she refused to believe existed between them.
“Only if you let them.”
Her brow arched. “How precisely would you know that considering you always ran in the opposite direction?”
Sam let out a low chuckle. “I get where you’re coming from, but if you remember, you’ve been the one doing the running since you met me.”
“I’d say it was only a slow jog most of the time.” She smiled as his hand slid along her leg and another ripple of desire spread through her.
“You’ve had some definite sprints in the opposite direction,” he teased and she cleared her throat. “How about we look at it this way. What role do you want me to play when I’m with your family?” He stood and made his way over to Romeo and Dina’s heart dropped a little.
She let out a long sigh and stood, remembering her clothes were in the bathroom.
“Play whatever role you want,” Dina said, walking into the bathroom. “Just make it believable.”
Sam laughed and Dina shut the door quietly behind her. Feeling tears well up in her eyes, she leaned against the counter and tried to blink them away. Why couldn’t her life just be simple for once? Why couldn’t she have a simple one-night stand like the rest of the world?
She clutched her stomach and knew that wasn’t the question she really wanted to ask. She wouldn’t trade this gift for the world. What she really wanted to know was why she let herself fall for Sam North and was there any way to get over him?
She slid up her jeans and attempted to button them with no luck as her belly squished over the top of the waistband. That was when the first tear dropped. She had to tell Sam, and she wasn’t going to wait until they got back home.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Sam and Dina showed up to the hospital room just as the doctor was explaining that Dina’s mother needed an entire lifestyle overhaul, and Sam guessed that only made Dina’s mom, Lois, more upset about life, which meant Dina would probably be the target of her frustration. It only took mere seconds for Sam to figure out the family dynamic. He was glad he was there for Dina because by the looks of everyone in the room, it was going to be a tough crowd. Sam adjusted the zipper on his coat as Romeo hid inside. As long there wasn’t a bark or yip from Romeo, Sam should be able to pull off smuggling his small visitor.
When they walked into the hospital room, all eyes turned toward Dina and then skipped over to Sam.
It didn’t make him uncomfortable because judging by the way they were looking at him, there was no point in trying to impress any of them. It actually made life a lot easier.
“Do you have any questions?” the doctor asked her mother and all eyes turned back to the doctor.
“Yeah. When can I get out of this place?” her mother asked.
The doctor let out a sigh. “Once we can get your blood pressure stable, we’ll—”
“I didn’t ask for a play-by-play, I just want to know when I can get out of here.”
The doctor pressed his lips together and glanced at Dina who looked both horrified and apologetic. Her mother was a real peach.
“My guess is a couple of days.” The doctor didn’t wait for a reply. Instead, he turned around and excused himself from the room, and Sam realized this was going to be a very long day.
“So who is this?” Dina’s mother asked, scooting up in her bed. “Some poor fool you’re just stringing along? I thought you weren’t dating.”
Sam stepped forward and held out his hand to her mother. “I’m Sam North and I’m definitely no fool. You must be Lois.”
“He’s my friend,” Dina informed her mother.
“Friend?” Her father stepped in between Dina and Sam. “Dina never just has male friends. Be careful with her.”
“I won’t do anything to hurt her.”
“It wasn’t her I was worried about,” her father replied. “But, you say you’re no fool. I’m Larry, Dina’s father.”
Sam gave a quick nod and tried not to yank Dina out of the room.
“Yet to be determined, wouldn’t you say?” Her mom chuckled, and Sam stood in shock at these people.
He honestly couldn’t believe how Dina’s parents were talking about their own daughter, to a complete stranger no less. Fury was nipping at every thought whipping through his mind, but he attempted to stay calm on Dina’s behalf.
Sam shook her father’s hand. “Well, people change. Just like Lois here will have to do.”
“Pardon?” Her father’s brows shot up.
Normally, Sam would never interject himself into a situation like this, but after hearing so much about her family, he wasn’t really worried about their opinion of him. For once, Dina needed someone on her side, and her parents certainly didn’t seem to be holding back on his account.
“Sounds like Dina’s mother has a big change coming what with exercise and a lowfat diet.” Sam caught Dina hiding a smile and he knew it was all worth it.
“Adding some lettuce to a diet isn’t the same thing as being an absolute failure at relationships,” Dina’s mother grumbled. “I can fix my situation. My daughter has a lifelong issue with men that’s not fixable, and if you’re not the fool you say you’re not, I’d stay in the friend zone.”
Sam clenched his jaw and glanced at Dina’s siblings. They were both sitting across the small room near the window, taking in the scene as if they were at some sporting event. They reveled in watching their sister getting bullied by their mom, and that was precisely what Sam felt was happening to Dina. She was being bullied by her own family. The concept was completely foreign to Sam. Sure, his own father was a jerk on many levels, but he didn’t enjoy making other people’s lives miserable on purpose. He just wasn’t a man who made great decisions, and he rarely thought of the consequences.
“Your daughter is a wonderful person and I’m grateful for her friendship.” Sam glanced at Dina’s sister and realized she’d been scowling at Dina nearly the entire time since Dina stepped into the room. He turned back to Dina’s mother. “But enough about us. Your amazing daughter came to visit you. She was worried about you and—”
“She’s never worried about anyone but herself. Just ask Dom.” Her mother looked pleased with her assessment. “That’s why he just couldn’t marry her. She’s selfish. Always has been.”
Dina’s jaw dropped open and tears filled her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away.
“That’s not the Dina I know.” Sam rested his hand on Dina’s shoulder and felt her body relax slightly. He wanted to do more, wanted her family to just be kind, but as he stood in the hospital room, he could feel the animosity levels rising, which only ticked him off more.
“Then you should meet her ex-fiancé, Dom,” her mother continued. “He’ll fill you in. He’s given her so many chances.”
“I’ve met him.” Sam smiled and hugged Dina close. “But enough about that. How are you feeling?”
Dina’s mother pressed her lips together for a split second and shook her head. “You’re just like Dina. How do you think I’m feeling? What a silly question.”
“It takes
a lot of energy to be this nasty, so I’d imagine you’re feeling pretty good.” Sam laughed and Dina’s mother scowled.
“I’m not nasty. I’m truthful.”
“I’m sorry the world you see is as bitter as it is. If that’s your truth than I really feel sorry for you. It’s got to be tough.” And Sam actually felt that way as he looked around the room. Whatever toxicity had burned through Dina’s mom through the years had already tainted her siblings. They looked like younger versions and Sam actually didn’t know how Dina fled unscathed.
Romeo moved under his jacket as Sam lifted his arm from Dina and made his way to Dina’s siblings. He didn’t intend on seeing these people again, so he might as well introduce himself while he had the chance.
“You must be Josh?”
Josh stood and shook his hand. “I am and this is my sister Jen.”
“Nice to meet you both. I wish it were under better circumstances.”
“So do we,” Jen said, eyeing her sister suspiciously before bringing her gaze back to Sam. She looked as if she wanted to say something but was holding back. Sam wasn’t sure if that was a good or a bad thing.
“Mom, I hope you start to feel better. If there’s anything I can do, please let me know.” Sam heard Dina telling her mom. “I can come out for Christmas and stay longer or—”
“Absolutely not,” her mother interrupted.
Sam spun around in complete shock that Dina’s mom was turning down an offer to have her daughter come out for the holidays.
“Your sister is hosting. We’ll be fine. I wouldn’t dare pull you away from your busy life.”
Dina’s eyes flashed to her father who immediately dropped his gaze to the floor. From what Sam could see, he was a beaten man, terrified of his wife. Not that Sam felt that was a proper excuse to treat his daughter so horribly, but he could see the shell of a man her father had become.
“Mom, I’ve tried visiting you guys countless times and you always tell me no. You need to rest right now and I’m obviously not helping the situation, so I’m going to let you spend time with dad, Josh, and Jen, but I want you to know I love you.” Dina’s voice trembled slightly and Sam couldn’t believe how civil Dina was being toward her mother.
He honestly had no idea what had gone on in their past to make her mother treat her like this, and in Sam’s book there was absolutely no reason that allowed for it.
Dina’s eyes connected with Sam’s and the familiar pull to protect her washed over him. He just wanted to make them both vanish from this situation and forget it all. There was no doubt the comments had to hurt, no matter how used to the treatment Dina had become.
“Whatever. Run away from your family like you always do,” her mother snapped, and Sam stiffened. This wasn’t just bullying. This was some sort of mental abuse.
“Mom, I’d love to stay here with you, but all I’m doing is causing you to get angry and that’s not healthy. I don’t know what it is I do to provoke you, but it’s obviously something, so it’s better for your health if I go. Not to mention you just turned down my offer of me visiting at Christmas.”
Sam was completely floored that Dina was still talking calmly to her mother no matter the sly insults slung her way.
“You don’t know why she’s upset?” Josh asked and Dina’s gaze locked on her brother’s.
“Not a clue.”
Jen stood up from the chair and walked over to her mother, placing her hand on her mother’s leg.
“You always treated your dreams like they were shiny pennies and the rest of us were a dulled version of a reality you didn’t want any part of,” Jen said.
Dina flinched at the words and Sam knew it wasn’t true.
“How so?” Dina asked.
“It wasn’t good enough for you to work at the bridal shop in town, you wanted to own one.” Jen placed her hand on her hip.
“It’s okay to have goals.” Dina nervously glanced at her mother.
“You always thought you were better than the rest of us and by the looks of it you still do.” Her mother narrowed her eyes on Dina before bringing her gaze to Sam.
“I think it’s better if we go now,” Sam said, unable to take it any longer. “You need to rest.”
He looped his arm around Dina and felt her body shaking. He didn’t know if it was from anger or sadness, but he wanted to pull her away from this mess of a family.
“If I were you,” Dina’s mother continued, “I’d reach out to Dom again and get the real scoop. He’s a real man. He’s got goals.”
“Like trying to move back in with me just so he could get a job at the resort?” Dina’s voice finally raised and Sam noticed Josh’s brother offered a brief smile. Maybe he wasn’t a complete Dom fan either.
“Take care, mom.”
Dina and Sam started toward the exit when her mother just had to say something else.
“You are always looking for attention, aren’t you? Bringing this man around so it gets back to Dom you’re dating.”
Sam stopped in his tracks and slowly spun around to face Dina’s mother and father.
“Listen, your daughter could either date a man who skis on the mountain or the man who owns the mountain.” The thrill of giving Dina’s mother a piece of his mind was exhilarating but not as much as getting the heck out of there.
Dina smiled and hid a giggle as Romeo popped his head out of the top of Sam’s jacket as they left the room.
“I’m so sorry about that. I’m really mortified,” Dina whispered, petting Romeo’s head as Sam stuffed him back into his jacket. “Believe it or not, they were on their best behavior.”
Sam let out a sigh as they waited for the elevator.
“Unfortunately, I believe it.”
Dina smiled.
“By the way, when did Romeo get certified as a therapy dog?” she asked, petting the happy little guy’s head as it popped out of Sam’s jacket again.
“Since I ordered the vest on Amazon Prime last week.”
Dina laughed and shook her head. “You can’t do that.”
“Well, I did.” He grinned and stuffed Romeo back down. “And you can’t tell me he’s not the best therapy out there.”
“Okay, he might be that.” Dina held in a chuckle as they stepped into the empty elevator.
Just as the elevator was about to close, Dina’s brother came jogging toward them and hopped inside.
“Headed out?” Dina asked her brother.
“No, not really. I just…” he stopped himself and Sam felt the protectiveness rolling through him again.
“You just what?” Dina’s brow arched.
“I need to tell you something. I thought Jen was going to tell you yesterday.”
“Is it about mom? Is there something else wrong?”
Sam pressed the button for the lobby and the doors closed gently.
“She’s not your biological mom.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
The dark gray clouds dripped from the sky as Dina, Sam, and Romeo drove back to Silver Ridge. Sam and Dina decided there wasn’t any reason to stay in Iowa a second longer than necessary and hopped on the next flight out of town. Dina had taken a taxi to the airport so it was nice to grab a ride home with Sam.
“That was quite the trip.” Dina looked out the window as they wound up the long mountain road. She couldn’t believe that her father had kept this from her for over thirty plus years, but it made so much sense.
Only it shouldn’t.
“I can’t even imagine what you’re going through.” Sam slid his hand over Dina’s and squeezed it.
“On some basic level I want to believe that’s why I was the black sheep, but there are millions of blended families out there that manage to get along. Parents are supposed to love unconditionally.”
“True.” Sam nodded. “But there are also a lot that don’t whether they’ve given birth or not.”
“I know you’re right. I just couldn’t imagine not loving any child as my own.” She glance
d at Sam who pursed his perfect lips. “Children are so vulnerable and they need love and to feel like they belong. Shoot, you even know how that feels with Romeo.”
“I guess I do make a pretty good puppy dad.”
She laughed, feeling the familiar pull to tell him. She’d planned on telling him yesterday, but things in her life took a sudden turn.
“You know, once my father remarried, he basically forgot about all of us. He focused solely on his new family. But at least when we’d reach out to him he wasn’t a complete ass like your mother. No offense.”
Dina laughed and shook her head. “None taken. This all makes me think my father is really a weak man. Why wouldn’t he stand up to her when he saw me being treated like an outcast? It’s sad. Pathetic actually.”
She squeezed her eyelids shut and tried to push out the rest of the story her brother told her or the pain would eat her up, and she had more than just herself to think about. She didn’t want her baby to get any bad stress hormones or chemicals because she let herself crumble. She was going to stay strong and deal with everything later.
Much later.
“It is.” Sam nodded in agreement. “No decent human being tortures their stepchild, but it happens, and you’d like to think the other parent would step in to stop it.”
“It kind of was a form of torture,” Dina said softly, realizing that she really had endured a lot of underhanded comments, name calling and always being blamed as the root of their problems, but she’d forced herself not to think about it. She always figured it was the family she was dealt and moved on and away.
“After seeing what I saw yesterday, I wouldn’t say kind of torture.” Sam put his hand back on the steering wheel as the first drop of rain hit the windshield.
Dina groaned and stretched her legs in front of her. She was tired of secrets…tired of everything they represented. Suddenly holding back felt dirty, and she didn’t want to be a part of keeping the truth from Sam in any way whatsoever.
As they’d climbed up the mountain, the rain had traded for snow and the dark and dreary clouds became a white sheet of satin in the sky, brightening up everything in her world.
A Little Secret About Love Page 19
