02_Groom of Her Own (9 page)

Sam ineffectually ran her fingers through her hair and then gave up, acknowledging that it was a lost cause. With a sigh, she turned, scanning the room rapidly. It took her only a moment to spot Laura, seated at a quiet corner table, sipping a cup of tea, looking absolutely placid and dreamyeyed, a faint smile on her face. That’s what a honeymoon did for you, Sam supposed wistfully.

She was almost to the table before Laura saw her and smiled a warm welcome. “Sam! Oh, it’s so good to see you!”

Sam slid into the seat across from Laura and grinned. “Well, better late than never. Listen, kiddo, I’m sorry. You wouldn’t believe the morning I had. Two difficult clients, a traffic jam—”

“Sam, it’s all right,” Laura said. “I didn’t mind waiting. But you look stressed out Do you want some tea? Or would you prefer something stronger?” she asked with a smile.

“I’m on duty. Tea will have to do,” Sam said resignedly. “I’ll have whatever kind you’re drinking—it seems to have a relaxing effect.”

Laura grinned. “Well, I think my state of mind has more to do with three weeks in Hawaii,” she admitted.

Sam studied her friend’s face. The fine lines of tension that had always been around her eyes were gone, and the faint, parallel etchings on her brow had all but disappeared. “I have to say I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look this… mellow.”

Laura
smiled.
“I feel
mellow. I don’t know, Sam…ever since the wedding it’s like a missing piece of my life has dropped into place. I feel…well…more alive, I guess. Nick is so wonderful…” Her voice caught, and she smiled ruefully. “I guess I still can’t believe I really have him.”

“Believe it, honey,” Sam said. “And count your blessings.”

“I do. Every single day,” Laura said fervently.

“Okay, so enough of this mushy stuff,” Sam declared. “Let’s have some of the fun details. Tell me everything you did…other than the obvious,” she said with an irreverent grin and a wink that brought a blush to Laura’s cheeks.

Sam found herself smiling frequently at Laura’s enthusiastic retelling of her dream honeymoon. Her face was animated and alive, and Sam’s throat tightened at the soft, tender look that came into her eyes whenever she mentioned Nick’s name. Clearly he was everything he seemed to be, and for that Sam was grateful. Laura deserved a caring, richly faceted relationship after her traumatic first marriage and the subsequent years of guilt and loneliness. It had taken Nick, with his patience, understanding and tenderness, to help her overcome her fear of commitment and find the courage to take a second chance on love. It was a classic story of triumph over tragedy, and Sam was truly happy for them both.

“And so it was really hard to come back,” Laura concluded as they finished their dessert. “Hawaii is truly a tropical paradise, and I felt like I was in a dream. I don’t think anyone ever had such a perfect honeymoon,” she said with a sigh.

Sam grinned. “Well, based on everything you said, I think you’re probably right. Do you know that you’re actually glowing? And you look like you gained a few pounds, thank heavens.”

“I did,” Laura confirmed. “It was the first real vacation I’ve ever had. I mean, all we did was walk on the beach, eat fantastic meals, sleep and…well, you know,” she said, a blush once more staining her cheeks becomingly.

Sam laughed. “Yeah, I know. And if Nick had anything to say about it, I have a feeling you did a lot of that ‘you know’ stuff.”

Laura’s blush deepened. “Well, after all, he waited patiently for a long time.”

“I know. The man is a saint, if you ask me,” Sam said with a grin.

“I won’t argue with you there,” Laura agreed. “But you know something, Sam?” she said earnestly. “I think we both feel like it was worth waiting for. The waiting made it even more special.”

“Well, that’s all that matters, then.” Sam grinned. “I’ll have to tell Brad that his theory about judging how much fun you had by how sleep deprived you looked was wrong.”

“Brad?” Laura tried to recall which one of Sam’s wide circle of male friends he was, but she came up blank.

“Yeah. Brad Matthews.”

Laura frowned. Brad Matthews. She didn’t recall Sam ever mentioning anyone by that name before. She tried to keep Sam’s many admirers straight, but this one eluded her. “Do I know him?” she asked.

“Of course. Brad Matthews,” Sam repeated. When Laura still looked confused, she laughed. “Your minister,” Sam explained.

Laura stared at her uncomprehendingly. “Brad…my minister?” she repeated.

“Yeah. How about that?” Sam said, striving for a flippant tone. She supposed she shouldn’t be surprised that Laura was shocked at the incongruous pairing. It was pretty bizarre, after all. Talk about two different kinds of people!

Laura still looked confused. “Now wait a minute. When did Brad say this? At the wedding?”

“No. On the phone after the wedding. He called me.”

“Brad called you?” Laura knew she was beginning to sound like a parrot, but she was having a hard time linking her minister and her best friend in any way whatsoever.

“Uh-huh. They’re going to tear the parsonage down, so he needs to find a house. He thought I could help,” Sam explained.

“Oh!” That made a little more sense. Laura had told Brad that Sam sold real estate, and they
had
met at the wedding.

“He’s a nice man,” Sam ventured, keeping her tone light. “I’m surprised you and he never…clicked, you know what I mean?”

“Brad and me?” Laura said in surprise. “Oh, Sam, I grew up with Brad. He was more like a brother. And when he became a minister, I just started thinking of him in that role. I never even considered anything romantic. Anyway, he was married until six years ago, and at that point the last thing on my mind was romance. Besides, he was really in love with his wife.”

“Rachel. Yeah, I know,” Sam said, playing with her teacup. “It sounds like she was a wonderful person.”

Laura studied her friend curiously. She seemed…
vulnerable
was the word that came to mind, although Laura had a hard time associating that characteristic with the self-confident, in-control Sam she’d always known. Yet it seemed to fit today. Why? And how did she know about Brad’s wife? “Did Brad tell you about Rachel?” Sam asked curiously.

Sam shrugged. “It just sort of came up during our phone conversation, and then again at lunch.”

Laura set her cup down carefully and folded her hands. “Now let me get this straight,” she said slowly. “You and Brad had lunch?”

“Yeah. It was no big deal,” Sam said lightly. “I took him out to look at a few houses, and we stopped for a bite to eat afterward.”

“Okay. But how on earth did you get him to talk about Rachel? He never talks about her.”

“He doesn’t?”

“No. I’ve always gotten the impression that it was too painful for him. Her death was such a tragedy.”

Sam frowned. “Yeah, he told me. It must have been awful for him.” She took a deep breath. “I don’t know why he talked about her to me,” she admitted. “But he seems lonely. And sometimes people have to talk about things before they can let them go. Anyway, I think he’s ready to consider romance again. Why else would he have agreed to the blind date I suggested after the symphony? Okay, so I pushed it a little, but—”

“Sam.” Laura cut her off, starring at her friend uncomprehendingly. “Wait a minute. You went to the symphony with Brad? And he’s going on a blind date?”

“Yeah.” Sam shifted uncomfortably. “Listen, maybe he doesn’t want anyone to know. You won’t spread it around, will you?”

“No. Of course not. But…all of this happened in the three weeks I was gone?”

“Uh-huh.”

Laura shook her head. “I don’t believe it. How did this symphony thing come up?”

Sam shrugged. “I got some free tickets, and at lunch that day Brad mentioned that he and Rachel used to enjoy going. So I figured he might like it. After all, he was the one who suggested that maybe we could be friends, and offering the ticket seemed like a friendly thing to do. Besides, he’s a really nice guy, Laura.”

“Oh, I know. Absolutely. You couldn’t find many guys nicer than Brad.” Laura eyed her friend speculatively. Sam actually looked flushed—an unusual condition for her. Laura had never seen her ruffled or embarrassed by anything. “It’s just that…” Her voice trailed off.

Sam grinned sheepishly. “You don’t have to say it. Let me. Why in heaven’s name—pardon the ecclesiastical pun—would someone like Brad be interested in having a friend like me? I asked him the same thing. He just said a person can’t have too many friends, and then pointed out that you and I are really different, and we’re friends. I couldn’t fault his logic. Anyway, I like being with him. He’s really solid, you know? And he’s kind and empathetic and intelligent. Plus, he has a good sense of humor.”

Laura took a sip of water. “He’s not bad looking, either,” she said innocently.

“Not bad looking?” Sam replied with a snort. “Honey, he’s a hunk. Okay, if it’s in bad taste to say that about a minister, I’m sorry. But let’s give credit where it’s due. He
is
a hunk.”

“Yeah, I guess he is,” Laura agreed, trying not to smile.

“Not that I’m interested in him in that way, you understand. Can you imagine that? Swinging single Sam and straight-arrow minister Brad. Not a good fit Besides, I’m not really in the market for romance at the moment,” she said with a careless lift of one shoulder.

“You’re not?” Laura said in surprise. “I thought you were always looking for Mr. Right.”

“Not anymore, kiddo. I’ve called a moratorium on the search. I’m just glad you found your Prince Charming.”

“But why aren’t you looking?” Laura persisted with a frown. For as long as Laura had known her, Sam had claimed to be on the hunt for a husband.

Sam waved the question aside. “It’s a long story, hon. Too long to go into today.” They were moving onto dangerous ground, which meant she needed to distract Laura. And the next topic was sure to do the trick, she thought wryly. “Besides, I have a favor to ask.”

“Sure,” Laura replied, still pondering Sam’s last remark. What was the long story? she wondered,

“Now don’t fall off your chair, kiddo, but I was wondering if I could go with you sometime to one of your Bible study classes,” Sam said lightly.

Laura’s eyes grew wide and she stared at her friend, speechless. It was about the reaction Sam expected. She’d felt sort of the same way when the idea occurred to her out of the blue, right after the lunch with Brad, which had given her a new “take” on religion. If a man like Brad had chosen to make it his life’s work, and if someone of Laura’s fragile sensitivity had found strength enough in her faith to carry her through the traumatic years of her marriage, then maybe it was worth checking out, Sam figured. She’d been off balance ever since the wedding, feeling lost and more alone than she had in years. She needed direction and support, and maybe she could find it in her long-neglected faith. It wouldn’t hurt to try, and Laura was her entrée.
If
she ever got over her shock.

Sam smiled and reached over to teasingly snap her fingers in front of her friend’s face. “Hello? Is anybody home?”

Laura blinked and made an attempt to regain her wits. Sam was always full of surprises, but today she’d outdone herself. “You want to go with me to Bible study class?” she repeated slowly, wanting to verify that she’d correctly heard Sam’s request.

“Yep. I figured I’d give it a shot”

“Well, sure. Of course,” Laura said, recovering quickly. She’d invited Sam a few times through the years, but without success. She had a feeling a certain minister was responsible for this change of heart. “We meet on Thursday from seven-thirty to nine.”

“And this is a group of people from all over the area, right? Not just Brad’s congregation.”

“Right.”

“And it’s not at Brad’s church?”

“No.”

“Good. Listen, don’t say anything about this to anyone, okay? It’s jut a trial thing, really, and I’d rather keep it quiet”

“What about Brad? You’re going to tell him, aren’t you?”

“No. Not yet, anyway. You won’t say anything, will you?”

“Not if you don’t want me to,” Laura promised.

“Good. Who knows? I might only last one session,” Sam joked. Then, before Laura could probe any further, she glanced at her watch. “Oh, good grief! Have we been here two hours? I’ve got to meet a client in thirty minutes way out west. You may still be a lady of leisure for a few more days, but some of us aren’t so lucky.” Sam slung her purse over her shoulder and reached across the table to squeeze Laura’s hand. “I’m really glad you had such a great time, Laura. You deserve it Give Nick my best, okay? And let’s talk soon.”

“Oh, absolutely,” Laura said. Real soon, if she had anything to say about it. There were an awful lot of holes in Sam’s story that needed to be filled in. “I’ll call you in a couple of days with details about the class.”

“Thanks. You take care now.” Sam said as she stood up.

“You, too,” Laura replied.

Laura watched her friend walk toward the door, her self-confident saunter and swinging red hair the same as always. But there was something different about Sam. Something very different. Could it be that… Laura shook her head. Brad and Sam? No, it wasn’t possible. Or was it? She’d have to run it by Nick and see what he thought. But Laura already knew what
she
thought There was romance in the air.

“You’ve got to be kidding!” Nick looked up from the complex architectural rendering on his computer screen and stared at Laura.

“No! It’s the truth!” Laura said excitedly, still out of breath from her dash up the stairs to Nick’s second-floor home office in their sprawling Victorian.

“But Sam and Brad? That’s ridiculous!”

“Why?”

“Oh, come on, Laura. Can you imagine two people any more different?”

“That’s what Sam said,” Laura replied impatiently. “But I’m telling you, when she talks about him she gets this look in her eyes…” Laura’s voice trailed off dreamily.

Nick smiled indulgently. “What look?”

“You know. That look, like he’s special.”

“Oh,
that
look,” he said, his eyes twinkling.