We broke for lunch and filed into an open-air shelter that served as a dining room for the volunteers and staff. We were served a quick meal and had the chance to get to know the others who were working there. Though some were tourists, like us, others were Thais that liked to help take care of the elephants. I was impressed with how many people were willing to brave the climate to make sure that the elephants were happy.
As we ate, two young elephants sauntered up to take a look at what we were doing. I tried to imagine what they saw—strange, gangly creatures with no trunks at all. Were we ugly to them? Or did they just accept us as different, but not less?
One of the elephants seemed to answer my question by reaching out with its trunk to pat my shoulder. I reached up and ran my fingertips along his trunk.
“Oh, are you inciting another elephant to attack me?” Max grinned at me.
“No, just saying hello to a fellow being.” I smiled at the elephant then looked over at Max. “I’m so glad we took the time to do this. I would have missed out on so much.”
“Me too.” Max took my hand in his and rested it on the table.
The elephant reached out and rested its trunk on our hands.
Max laughed and looked into its eyes. “We enjoyed meeting you too.”
We spent the rest of the afternoon doing whatever tasks the guides assigned us. It was more fun than work as we got to give a little elephant a bath and just hang out with them for a while in the water. I was amazed by how intelligent they were.
After our experience with the elephants, we had one last night before we were to leave for Bali.
Despite the fact that we’d had a leisurely trip, for some reason I felt rushed. I wasn’t ready to leave Thailand and all of its beauty.
We took a long hot shower to wash away the hard work of the day, then shared a meal that we ordered in. Right after dinner things seemed to shift into a more routine gear. Max threw the few things he’d unpacked back into his bag, then settled down at his computer to check on work.
I watched him for some time. He was oblivious to my steady gaze.
I had probably the best match I could ever dream of having. He loved me, supported me, and even tolerated the antics that my clumsy behavior ravaged us with.
Did Max know just how valuable he was to me?
Chapter 30
I walked over to Max and rested my hands on his shoulders.
“We can catch up with things when we land in Bali.”
He glanced up at me. “It’ll only take me a few minutes.”
“I can think of better ways to spend those few minutes.”
He grinned. “I like the sound of that.”
“I thought you might.”
Max stood up and led me over to the bed. “We should spend our last night here together.” He stretched out on the bed and I climbed up beside him.
“Relax, this time it will just be a regular massage.” I rubbed my hands along his shoulders and dug my fingers in deep at the spots where I knew he stored his tension.
“Oh, that’s a nice surprise—feels so good. Thank you.”
“Just enjoy. It’s my turn to pamper you a little.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I know, just like you don’t have to do it for me. After seeing the way that Michelle and Anthony maintain their relationship, I just want to make sure that we’re taking the time to really enjoy one another. I don’t want either of us to feel like we have to invite others into our marriage to find that connection.”
“I understand what you’re saying, Sammy. But you shouldn’t worry so much. Our marriage is going to be just fine. I can’t think of two people that know one another better than we do. I feel like if we focus on it too much, we might lose a little of what makes us work. Just relax and trust that I love you—the way that I trust that you love me.”
“I know that, Max, but life can get busy—and crazy—and I don’t want our spark to get lost in all of it.”
“It couldn’t possibly.” He tipped his head to kiss the back of my hand as it passed over his shoulder. “That’s one thing I’m certain about. We’ll just have to make sure that life doesn’t get too crazy or too busy. As long as we continue to communicate with each other, we’ll be just fine.”
“Promise we will, Max.”
He caught my hand with his own as it worked its way down his side. “Always, Sammy. You know that.”
I smiled and reached over to my phone on the bedside table. I started some music, then continued his massage. Maybe it was a little silly of me to be so concerned. Life only kept getting better, and no matter what happened next, I was sure it would be wonderful.
Not long into the massage Max fell asleep. I was glad to hear his heavy breathing. It meant that he’d really relaxed like I’d hoped he would. However, as I tried to fall asleep beside him, I still found it difficult.
Despite Max’s reassurances, I was anxious. I knew the best way for me to handle that was to write. A good download of the ups and downs of my trip would help me piece together exactly where all my anxiety was coming from.
I slipped out of bed without waking him and sat down at the computer. With a quiet groan I stretched my hands, then rested my fingertips on the keys. With all that had happened on the island, there were a million things swimming through my mind.
But my readers didn’t want to hear about my vacation. Well, maybe they would like to hear about Max’s incident on the beach, but I’d promised him that I wouldn’t share that little tidbit.
Instead, I began to write about all the ways that I didn’t think I fit in during my time in Thailand. I mentioned the pokes at my weight, both verbal and physical. I detailed the shoes that didn’t come close to fitting my giant feet. I even mentioned the swimsuit that had given way during a very inopportune moment on the beach.
After I’d given the blow-by-blow of all the reasons I didn’t fit, I began to detail all the ways that I’d learned to fit in regardless of the differences. I spoke about the kind people I’d met, the endless water that had welcomed me, and the inspiration I’d found in those women bold enough to buck the pressure of the image-based society that demanded they look a certain way, even to the extent of dyeing their skin.
When I finished my update, I shut down the computer and walked over to Max, who slept soundly on the bed.
The next day we would leave for Bali, and the next leg of our journey would be filled with even more adventures. Throughout it all, the adventure that I appreciated the most was getting to know Max and our relationship. The more I learned about both, the more certain I was that I’d made the right choices in my life. Wherever tomorrow led, I was sure it would be exactly where I wanted to be.
I wrapped my arms around him and closed my eyes. As I drifted off to sleep, I heard his subtle snore and knew I was the luckiest woman in the world.
Five minutes later I woke with a pounding heart. I jumped out of bed and grabbed my phone to set the alarm—the alarm that I’d nearly forgotten to set, yet again.
Once I was sure it would wake us up for our flight, I settled back into bed.
My body relaxed and I began to dream of what was to come in Bali.
Dear Reader,
The Single Wide Female and B.I.G. Girls Club books are written for every woman out there who has struggled with their weight, self-esteem and any number of issues that we all face as we work to become the best versions of ourselves that we can be.
They are meant to be light-hearted and fun, but I do hope that they will inspire you—to REALLY live your life to the fullest, loving yourself completely as you do so.
If you enjoy Sammy in Thailand, I’d appreciate it if you would take a moment to leave an honest review here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ICBEOPK/
And…
** I have a FREE book for you! **
Wanna know what inspired Sammy to write her bucket list? Visit my website below and get your complimentary copy of “Sammy’s B
ig Plan!”
LilliannaBlake.com
Enjoy!
Sincerely,
Lillianna
P.S. Also be sure to see the previews following this page for introductions to additional series by Lillianna Blake.
Please enjoy the following preview for
Sammy in Bali (Single Wide Female Travels, Book 7)
Chapter 1
Flashes of light flickered through the darkness of the hotel room. I glanced over at Max to be sure that my phone surfing wasn’t waking him. We’d arrived on the red eye flight to Bali, then taken a two-hour taxi ride to Ubud. We’d been too exhausted to do anything but crash in our bed after we’d reached the hotel.
While Max seemed to be sleeping soundly, I’d slept for about an hour and now I was wide awake. Restless, I turned to my phone for entertainment. I wanted to know everything there was to know about Bali—to start planning the excursions I thought we’d enjoy.
As I flipped through photographs of the most beautiful spots in Bali, my heart fluttered with a sense of connection. Maybe it wasn’t to Bali in particular, but to what this place represented to me.
Every photograph seemed to feature healthy, happy people. It wasn’t hard to discover that Bali was all about health, wellness, and spirituality. It was as if I’d come home to my motherland.
Each picture, each bit of information seemed to call out to that part of me that had been neglected during the tour. No matter how hard I’d tried, I hadn’t been able to remain consistent when it came to diet, exercise, or spirituality. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d meditated, other than a few moments in a Buddhist temple. I craved food for my soul more than I craved any of the yummy dishes that Bali had to offer.
As the sun began to rise and more light filled the room I was drawn out onto the balcony to greet the morning. The sun’s warmth lapped at my body, barely covered in my nightgown. I didn’t care that there were other people on the street that could see me. I wasn’t thinking about how I looked or what others might think. My mind was focused solely on my inner journey and the sun that greeted me with the same friendly warmth that I offered it. With so much to look forward to, I often skipped over the looking inside part.
Who had time to journey into self when there was so much to occupy the mind?
As I leaned against the railing, I heard a sound behind me.
Max’s hands were on my shoulders before I had the chance to look back.
“Drinking sunshine without me?” He nuzzled my cheek with his lips and the scruff of his morning stubble.
I closed my eyes and savored the moment of his closeness. “I thought you were still asleep.”
“Really?” He grinned and slid his arms around my waist. “You were Internet surfing.”
“I didn’t think that I’d woken you.” I frowned as I turned in his arms to face him. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m not. It was lovely to doze in and out beside you. I’m sure you found some things that you liked, because you were wiggling your toes quite a lot.”
“What?” I stared at him.
“Every time you like something, you wiggle your toes.”
“That’s not true.”
“Sure it is.” He brushed his hand along my cheek in a long slow stroke.
I wiggled my toes and leaned closer to him.
“See?” He laughed.
“Oh wow, I’ve never noticed that.” I laughed right along with him.
Our laughter filled the early morning air over a busy Bali street. It was the exact moment that I wanted to be in at that exact time.
Max led me back inside and we ordered some breakfast. I sat cross-legged on the bed with my computer in my lap.
My contact in Bali was a bit of a mystery. We’d chatted back and forth but I hadn’t seen her picture, and I only knew her first name—Wayan. I had a new e-mail from her that welcomed me to Bali, suggested some activities, and added that she’d like to meet at her house. I thought this was a little strange as every other host had met me at their shop or a restaurant of some kind, but I didn’t see a reason to disagree.
I accepted the invitation to lunch.
“Max, we should get something to take to Wayan’s with us—since we’ll be at her house. It seems like the polite thing to do.”
“Sure.” He pulled his shirt on over his head.
I couldn’t help but watch the fluid motion that covered up his washboard abdominal muscles.
He looked over at me when I grunted and snapped my laptop shut.
“What?” His cheeks flushed.
“I’m sorry. I’m jealous.”
“Of my shirt?” He offered a seductive smile. “I’d rather wear you.”
“No—well, yes, but no.”
He sat down beside me. “What is it, Sammy?”
“It’s just that you’re always in shape—even with the tour. I’ve put on at least ten pounds, I’m tired all the time, off-center, cranky…I feel like I’ve lost track, while you’ve continued plodding right along.”
“I have a bit more free time than you do though, you know? When you have meetings, I get to hit the pool or go for a run.”
“I know, but that sounds like making excuses for me.”
He shrugged and looked into my eyes. “You know you’re beautiful no matter what, but if you feel like you’re missing something that you’d like to get back, then let’s work together on it. We’ll go back to smoothies for breakfast and clean, light food for our other meals. We can walk to as many places as we’re able to and find fun activities that involve actually being active. How does that sound?”
“It sounds like you took the words right out of my mouth.”
There was a knock on the door and a maid rolled in a cart with breakfast. I stood up and picked up one of the danishes on the plate.
Max laughed and snatched it from my hand.
“Maybe this is what I should take out of your mouth instead—sugar, carbs, chemicals.”
I stared hard at him with my danish in his hand. “Max, because I love you, I’m going to give you fair warning. You’re about to lose that arm.”
His eyes widened and he held the danish out to me.
I smiled and took it back. “We’ll start the smoothies tomorrow.”
“Good plan.” He grinned and grabbed the other danish on the plate.
End of the preview.
Get Sammy in Bali (Single Wide Female Travels, Book 7) here:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KGJPJEG/
Please enjoy the following preview for
To Love Again (Forty and Free, Book 1)
Chapter 1
Every wrinkle met its match with the firm pressure and glide of her palm. Even though there were very few wrinkles in the shirt, Nicole was determined to make sure that there were none. Her hand trembled as she swept it over the next wrinkle.
How was she ever going to accept the idea that her children now had another mother in their lives?
She glanced over at the suitcase beside her. It was piled up with more clothes than any ten-year-old girl could possibly need for a two-week trip. But Nicole needed for everything to be there. In the back of her mind, she recognized her attempt to prove that she was, and had always been, a good mother—but that didn’t stop her from smoothing out the last wrinkle.
She set the folded shirt into the top of the suitcase and stood up from her daughter’s bed.
So much had changed in the last year in unexpected ways. Perhaps—as some of her friends claimed—she should have seen it coming, but she didn’t. Divorce had hit her like a freight train and plowed right through her happily ever after.
Only—if she was being honest with herself—it hadn’t been exactly happy, not towards the end, anyway.
She walked out of her daughter’s room and picked up a pile of laundry that sat outside her twelve-year-old son’s door. She wanted to make sure that it was clean before she packed it. Since he seemed incapable of actually putting his clothes in his drawers
these days, she just gathered all of the clothes from the floor to wash them.
As she walked down the hall to the laundry room, framed photographs—hung exactly two inches apart—stared back at her. There was the photograph of her ex-husband, Jack, as he cradled Jordan the day he was born. Beside it, another photograph of Jack, with Melody in his arms.
Once they were happy—she was sure of it.
At the very top of the rows of photos was the wedding portrait. With eager smiles and much smaller waistlines, the shiny faces in the photograph looked foreign to her, as if they were people she’d never met.
She reached up and loosened the frame from the hook on the wall. It wasn’t right to have it there—not when he was so obviously moving on.
She dropped the laundry off and carried the photograph into her room—what used to be their room.
The moment she sat down and sunk into the familiar give of the mattress, tears stung her eyes. She looked at the picture for a long moment. It was really over now. There was no special cement to put together what had broken many years before, and the fantasy that there might be was gone too.
While Jack had been falling in love, she’d been struggling to deal with the notion of being forty-two and alone. While he was considering adding new babies to his life with his young bride, Nicole was thinking about menopause and whether or not to dye her blonde hair, which had began to sprout silver streaks of reality.
Time marched on, and she didn’t know how to catch up.
Before the tears could begin to flow down her cheeks, she took a deep breath and grabbed her cell phone from the charger on her bedside table. She logged into her new favorite website. It was a support group of sorts, but in reality it was a place for women to be honest—to talk about their fears and their joys, and, most of all, vent about life.
Forty and Free was a website that she’d stumbled upon while attempting to figure out how to react to her divorce. She enjoyed the sisterhood that she felt there and the lively debates. As her heart ached, she typed out a message to post. It detailed her ex-husband’s destination wedding, how excited her kids were to be part of it, and how alone she felt because of it.
Sammy in Thailand (Single Wide Female Travels #6) Page 10
