02_Groom of Her Own (10 page)

“Nick, will you be serious!” “How can I be? Sam and Brad?” He shook his head doubtfully. “Laura, sweetheart, you know I have great respect for your instincts. But I think you’re jumping to the wrong conclusions in this case. This all started out as a business arrangement, remember? He called her to help him find a house. Period.”

“Yeah, but then they had lunch, and they went to the symphony.”

Nick shrugged. “Well, you know Sam. She can be pretty forceful. Brad probably just didn’t want to hurt her feelings.”

Laura frowned, somewhat deflated. “Well, he is going out on that blind date Sam’s fixing him up with,” she admitted. “But that doesn’t mean he isn’t interested in Sam, too,” she declared stubbornly.

Nick stared at her. “Sam convinced Brad to go out on a blind date?” he asked incredulously.

“Yeah.”

Nick chuckled and shook his head. “That woman is amazing.” Then he sat forward and propped his elbows on the desk. “Look, Laura, I really like Sam. She’s a great gal. But you might be stretching it just a little to think that she and Brad would get together.”

“Well, opposites can attract,” Laura pointed out “And you know, the Lord often works in mysterious way.”

“Yeah, but it would take Agatha Christie to figure this one out,” he said with a grin.

“Oh, Nick,” Laura said, coming around the desk and settling herself on his lap. “I just want Sam to be as blissfully happy as I am. Maybe I can sort of help things along and…”

“Laura.” Nick’s voice held a warning note. “We are not going to play matchmaker.”

“Why not? Sam tried to fix me up plenty of times. I still remember those awful events for singles she used to drag me to,” she said with a shudder. “I think turnabout is only fair play.”

“I don’t know,” Nick said doubtfully.

Laura smiled and leaned down to nibble on his ear. “What don’t you know?”

He drew in a sharp breath as a flash of heat ricocheted through him. “Are you by any chance trying to distract me?” he asked.

“Mmm-hmm. Is it working?” she murmured.

“You might say that,” he replied huskily, his hands beginning to touch her in ways that sent a delicious shiver up her spine.

“Do you want me to stop?” she offered, pressing ever’ closer against him.

“Stop?” He chuckled deep in his throat. “Sweetheart, you may not know it, but this is just the appetizer,” he said, bending to claim her lips.

By the time the kiss ended, both of them felt breathless, and Nick slid his arm under Laura’s knees and stood up. She nestled contentedly into his shoulder, her arms around his neck as he headed for the door, Sam and Brad forgotten—for the moment.

“Mmm,” she murmured throatily. “I can’t wait for dessert.”

Sam’s throat constricted as she gazed at the confused and frightened eighteen-year-old girl seated across from her, so alone and in need of love and understanding. Impulsively she reached for her hand, and the girl’s icy fingers clutched hers convulsively.

“You’ve told me what everyone else thinks, Jamie,” Sam said gently. “But what do
you
want to do?”

The girl chewed on her bottom lip, and tears suddenly flooded her eyes. “I—I don’t know,” she admitted helplessly. “My mom and dad and John and all my friends are sure it will ruin my life if I have the baby, but it feels so…so wrong to just…get rid of it.”

Sam nodded understandingly, “I know what you mean. You’d like to believe there’s not really a life at stake, because then your decision would be easy. But your heart is telling you there is.”

“Yeah. That’s exactly right,” the girl affirmed, clearly grateful and relieved that someone at last seemed to understand how she felt.

“Let me ask you something, Jamie,” Sam said slowly, choosing her words carefully. “Has anyone suggested that it might ruin your life if you
don’t
have the baby? If you ‘get rid of it’ as you said.”

The girl looked surprised. “No.”

“You might want to give that some thought,” Sam suggested, her voice still gentle. “Ask yourself how you’ll feel in a few years when you see a little child that would be the same age as your baby. That’s a hard thing to face, Jamie.”

“But I’m not ready to be a mother! Especially a single mother!” the girl cried, her voice agitated and once more desperate. “John doesn’t want any part of it, and Mom and Dad are against it. I’d be totally on my own.”

“We can offer you a lot of support here,” Sam said encouragingly. “We can help with medical expenses, and I’m available to talk any time you need me. As for being a single mother, that’s your choice, of course. And we’ll help you in every way we can if you decide to take on that responsibility. But we have a list of dozens of couples, who, for whatever reason, can’t have their own children. They’d welcome your baby with open arms and give him or her all the love they’ve stored up in their hearts. We’ve checked them out thoroughly, and they’re all fine people, so you can be sure your baby would have a wonderful home.”

Jamie dabbed at her eyes. “I just feel so confused,” she said, her voice breaking.

“That’s understandable,” Sam empathized, her heart going out to the distressed young woman. “It’s a big decision, and it’s hard to make a rational choice when you don’t have much support from family and friends. But remember, Jamie—you do have a choice.”

There was silence for a moment, and then the girl sighed. “I guess I’ll just have to think about it some more,” she concluded.

“That’s a good idea. In the meantime, I’m here if you need me.” Sam reached for a notepad and scrawled two numbers. “The top number is the counseling center,” she told Jamie as she tore off the sheet and handed it to her. “The bottom one is my home phone. You can call me anytime, day or night, if you want to talk. Okay?”

The girl took the piece of paper and tucked it into the pocket of her jeans. “Okay. And thanks for listening tonight. It helped a lot.”

“I’m glad. In fact, why don’t we set up another appointment for next week? I can give you more details on our program and answer any questions you might think of between now and then.”

“Okay.”

After they chose a mutually agreeable time, Sam walked with her to the door. “Take care, Jamie,” she said, letting her hand rest lightly on the girl’s shoulder. “And call me in a couple of days, okay? Just to talk. Will you do that?”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

Sam watched the rail-thin girl disappear down the hall, then closed the door. She walked slowly back through the counseling center to the director’s office, a frown of concern etched on her face.

Carolyn looked up when Sam paused on the threshold. “How did it go?”

Sam shook her head and sighed. “I don’t know. She’s obviously trying to do the right thing, but it’s equally obvious she’s not getting any support at home. I’m just not sure I got through to her.”

Carolyn set her glasses on her desk and gave her hardest-working volunteer a sympathetic look. “You did everything you could, Sam. That’s all we can ask.”

Sam looked at the motherly, gray-haired woman in frustration, then stuck her hands into the pockets of her slacks. “I just don’t think it was enough this time. I don’t have good feelings about this one.”

Carolyn tapped her pen on the edge of the desk and studied the younger woman. “Sometimes I worry as much about you as the girls who come in here, Sam,” she told her soberly. “You take this so much to heart. I know it tears you up inside whenever you fail. And yet you keep coming back. I admire that kind of dedication.”

Sam waved the praise aside impatiently. “Don’t admire me, Carolyn. You know better.” The director of the counseling center was the only person who knew even a piece of the tragic incident in Sam’s past.

“Sam, whatever drives you to come here week after week and put yourself through an emotional wringer is your business. The motivation doesn’t negate the good work you do. Thanks to you, a lot of children are here today—happy, healthy and enjoying the gift of life.”

Sam felt tears prick her eyelids, and she blinked to keep them at bay. “But a lot of them aren’t, Carolyn,” she said dejectedly. “And it’s those children who haunt me.”

“Listen, Sam, I know it’s an imposition, and I’m really sorry to put you on the spot like this, but it would save my life if you’d fill in.”

Sam frowned, trying to get Jamie out of her mind and focus on her friend’s request. Normally she wouldn’t hesitate to help Laura out, but it might be awkward. Since Brad had unenthusiastically reported to her on his date, they hadn’t spoken. Doing a seminar at his church under those circumstances…well, it probably wasn’t such a good idea. Even though he hadn’t sounded terribly upset on the phone, he’d made it clear in their brief conversation that he didn’t intend to go on any more blind dates.

“Sam?” Laura prompted.

“Yeah, I’m still here. Listen, does Brad know about this?”

“What?”

“Me filling in.”

“No. But these seminars are my responsibility and he doesn’t usually get involved other than approving the topics.”

“Explain to me again what this is exactly,” Sam said, trying to buy some more time while she thought this through.

“Sure,” Laura said patiently. “Brad believes that the church should offer assistance to people in all facets of living, not just spiritual. So about a year ago he got a committee together to plan some practical seminars for people in different phases of their lives. We decided to try it once a month for six months and see what kind of response we got. So far we’ve had seminars on how to choose child care, what to look for in nursing homes, planning for retirement and coping with loss. This month’s topic is how to buy a home, and it’s designed for young couples just starting out About thirty people are signed up. You might even pick up some new clients,” Laura pointed out.

“And it’s this Saturday?”

“Uh-huh. One to three.” Laura held her breath. It was sheer providence that their scheduled presenter, a member of the congregation, had to go out of town unexpectedly. And Laura intended to take advantage of it.

Sam frowned. She was available. And it really did sound like Laura was in a bind. Besides, Brad might not even be around. And Laura was right. Sam might pick up some new clients.

“Okay, kiddo. I’ll be there,” she said.

Laura let out her breath and smiled. “Great! And thanks a bunch, Sam.”

“No problem. See you Saturday.”

Laura hung up the phone, a satisfied smile on her face. Mission accomplished. Or at least phase one.

Sam didn’t even notice when Brad slipped into a chair in the back of the room during her presentation. And she didn’t see him during the lively question and answer session that followed, either. It wasn’t until afterward, as she tried to collect her materials amid a barrage of one-on-one questions, that she realized he was the person handing her a cup of coffee. She paused midsentence as their eyes connected.

“I’ll talk to you when you’re finished,” he said quietly, with a smile.

She nodded and forced her attention back to the eager young couples who were still plying her with questions.

When at last the final, lingering attendees departed, Laura stepped forward and gave her a hug. “You were a hit,” she declared. “Great job! Why am I not surprised? See,” she said, turning triumphantly to Brad as he joined them, “didn’t I tell you she’d be great?”

Sam looked at Brad, and his warm smile played havoc with her metabolism.

“Yes. But I never doubted it. I know from personal experience that she’s one sharp businesswoman.” And she truly had been in top form today, he thought. Animated, wisecracking, high energy—she’d not only passed on important information, she’d kept her audience entertained in the process. “And the presentation was great. I wish my sermons were that dynamic,” he said with a grin.

Sam felt a flush creep up her neck at his compliment and turned away on the pretense of putting some papers in her briefcase. “I just hope it was useful,” she said.

“I know it was,” Laura assured her. “Listen, Sam, I hate to run, but Nick and I have dinner plans tonight Do you mind if I take off?”

“No, not at all. If I had someone like Nick waiting for me at home, you can bet
I
wouldn’t be hanging around a church basement with a girlfriend,” she said, turning to Laura with a grin.

Laura laughed. “I’ll call you next week.”

“Okay. Have fun tonight”

“Thanks. Brad, will you lock up?”

“Sure.”

“Great. See you two later.”

As Laura disappeared out the door, Brad turned back to Sam, and his smile seemed to grow even warmer. Or was it just her imagination, she wondered?

“You really were good, you know,” he said.

She shrugged. “I’m glad I could fill in.” She paused and took a deep breath, deciding she might as well clear the air about the date thing right up front It had been on her mind ever since their one brief phone call following the less-than-successful event. “Look, Brad, I’m really sorry the date didn’t work out. I understand if you’re upset and felt I’d been too pushy, and I—”

“Who said anything about being upset?” he interrupted with a frown.

“Well, you didn’t sound too happy on the phone afterward, and I haven’t heard from you since, so I just assumed—”

“Sam.” He took her hand, and a sweet shiver ran through her at his touch. He had wonderful hands—gentle, but strong and sure. “Can we sit down for a minute, or do you have to rush off?”

“No. I have some time,” she said, her voice suddenly hoarse. Must be from all that talking for the past couple of hours, she thought.

Still holding her hand, he led her to the first row of chairs and drew her down beside him. “First of all, I am not upset about the date,” he said, angling himself toward her. “Stephanie is a very nice woman, and we had a lot in common. You made a good match. But…I don’t know. If you’ve talked to her, she may have told you the same thing. There just wasn’t any…spark.”

He was right At least, half-right. Stephanie liked Brad—a lot But she sensed his lack of romantic interest

“Maybe it’s too soon, like you said,” Sam suggested, employing the same theory she had used to console Stephanie.

Brad shook his head. “No. That’s not it.” He stood up and walked a few steps away, jamming his hands into the pockets of his slacks. “I should have felt something. I don’t know why I didn’t. She was very nice, and it was a pleasant, relaxing evening. Almost too relaxing, if that makes any sense. She was just too quiet. I guess I like people who are a little more…lively. I don’t know,” he repeated with a frustrated sigh, raking his fingers through his hair. “But for whatever reason, we just didn’t click.”