Page 71 of Securing Samantha
Kassie brought up a good point. She walked to her bedroom and showered. What about Bryan? Would he see it as a bad judgement on her part? He insisted until they sat down and discussed a commitment, they held no strings to each other. She sat on the bed. Her fingers texted a message to him then erased it. She took a deep breath and texted again.
Whiskey asked if I wanted to join him and LJ for Christmas morning. Do you mind?
She waited. No response. Bryan probably left for his meeting, she reasoned. She didn’t need to decide at this exact moment. She finished getting ready and came out of her bedroom as Em came down the stairs.
“Morning.” She kissed Em and helped set the table. Chase walked in through the garage as they sat down to eat.
“I’ll change and join you,” he murmured as he leaned over his wife and gave her a kiss. He kissed his daughter and ruffled her hair.
Samantha smiled at his gesture.
“I’ll pick up the kids. Leo might join us, Catherine’s napping in the afternoons. Why don’t you go over to Whiskey’s and discuss the plans for tomorrow? The grandparents are coming early in the morning and in the afternoon, everyone will arrive here for dinner,” Kassie told her as she cut up a piece of ham on her plate.
“I don’t know where he lives, and I’ll have to borrow a car. I didn’t get one since I leave in a couple of days,” she made her excuse.
“You can take my vehicle.” Chase offered as he reentered the room. “I’ll ride with Kassie and the kids. We’re hoping to burn off some excitement.” His happy gaze focused on Emma. The love for the child clearly showed in his eyes.
“He bought Mrs. Stevens’s home. Do you remember where she lived? I can write down the directions. The phone directions get you lost.” Kassie picked up her plate and leaned over her husband topping off his coffee.
“I’ll grab my coat.” Samantha took her plate, rinsed it and stuck it in the dishwasher. “Do we need anything from the store? I’ll make breakfast for everyone in the morning. I’ll pick up the items when I shop for mine.”
Kassie shook her head. “We’re stocked. On second thought why don’t you follow me, and I’ll grab LJ and bring him back to Em?”
“Sounds like a great idea. I’m ready when you are.” Samantha picked up her purse and coat.
Kassie backed out of the driveway and led her to Whiskey’s new home. Her body thrummed in anticipation. Of what, she wasn’t sure. Kassie slowed down after they left the mountain and pulled to a stop and waved her arm out the window, indicating to Samantha to go first up the driveway. She drove up the wooded lane and the trees parted to a beautiful Victorian home. The porch needed work, but she loved it instantly.
Kassie beeped her horn. LJ ran out and she slid out of the truck to greet her son. “Hi, Mom. I’m going sledding with Emma. Whiskey and I decorated our tree last night. It’s cool. See ya.”
She grinned as she watched her son climb inside the truck animatedly talking to Em before they even left the driveway. She checked her phone one more time to see if Bryan attempted to call or text her. There was no response. She blew out her breath and headed for the front door.
Whiskey immediately answered. He threw a towel over his shoulder as if he finished doing dishes. He stepped back to allow her in.
The hardwood floors gleamed, and a ladder and paint sat on the covered floor of the formal receiving room. The hallway smelled of new paint and Whiskey turned and headed farther back into the house.
She followed him and her mouth dropped at the sight of the bright, sunny yellow kitchen. The cutting board with the soda bread recipe hung on the side of the kitchen cabinet by the window. All new appliances graced the kitchen. A small table sat off to the side. The glass windows overlooking the mountains caught her attention, as she walked in the direction of the view.
“I’m still working on the place,” he told her as he offered her a cup of tea.
“You’re doing an amazing job. I know we’ve gone back and forth over Christmas Day. Kassie suggested you join us early in the morning.”
“I’ll think about it,” he told her.
She walked farther into the room and smiled at the real Christmas tree next to another door in the corner. She strode over to the tree completely engrossed in the ornaments. Hand carved birds, stars, pinecones, and popcorn adorned the tree. “I love these,” she told him.
“Thank you. I found it soothes me to do it when I find the spare time.” He sat their cups on the table. “May I take your coat?”
She unzipped and slid out of it as she checked out the island in the center of the kitchen. The thick legs held hand carved Celtic knots and four-leaf clovers. She traced the design with her fingers. “It’s beautiful, Whiskey. Did you make this too?”
“I don’t sleep sometimes. Hope and I find projects to keep us busy.” His hands rested with his thumbs hooked to his front jean pockets.
“Where’s Hope?” She scanned the room.
“LJ wore her out.” He pointed underneath the Christmas tree. Hope laid curled up behind the presents.
“She’s adorable. Can I ask for a tour? I’ve never visited here myself. Mrs. Stevens came to get her hair done once a week before she left. I know she added the connecting hallway between the garage and the house. In the summer, it’s covered with roses. Her husband loved to garden, and he made her a rose garden. When he fell ill, he worried she’d never be able to enjoy it with him requiring her help all the time. He planted the roses, and they climbed over the top. She showed me pictures once, it’s gorgeous in bloom,” she told him the story.
“Good to know, lass. It’s too cold to stay outside and do a ton of work, I concentrated on the inside until the weather warms. I’ll make sure to keep them there. Maybe I’ll send her a picture once I get it all cleaned up.”