Prelude: Prequel to The Lewis Legacy Series (3 page)

Tess spoke up, interrupting the moment. “Make that two slices of that scrumptious peach pie, little sister, and I’ll swing by Perry’s, too.” The batting of her eyelashes started again with increased fervor. “You don’t mind if I join you, do you, Sam?”

“Not at all. The more the merrier.”

Surely Tess wasn’t naïve enough to believe the returning veteran wouldn’t have a large group of admirers tagging along beside him who shared her same goal to spend quality time with the most famous person in Rockbridge. In the past year, Charlie Sorrel’s younger brother, Howard, won a bit part in a New York stage production. That made front page news. Then again, so did the birth of a calf with five legs on Henry Newsome’s ranch. Sam’s triumphant homecoming would definitely be the biggest story of the spring season. Most likely, it’d be the best story of the entire year.

“I’ll see you both in a bit.” Sarah turned to go.

“Sarah?”

Her shoulders tensed as she slowly turned around to face Sam. “Yes?”

Stepping closer, Sam’s gorgeous smile made her pulse race in a way it never had before. “Thanks for the poem. It was very special, and I want you to know it helped me get through some rough times.”

Sarah’s mouth gaped before she quickly recovered and closed it, unable to speak. He
knew
? How was that even possible? The ladies of the church met to assemble care packages on the third Saturday morning of every month. In a rare moment of frivolousness, Sarah had once slicked on pink lipstick then pressed her lips on an index card containing a poem she’d written. She’d tucked it inside the box marked special for Sam. Only God knew what had possessed her to do such a thing. Maybe all of Tess’s love talk had finally seeped into her muddled brain. Or perhaps she wanted to remind Sam that someone was waiting for him back home, even if it was only the little girl from down the street that he’d teased and called Tomboy.

Standing behind Sam, Tess stared at her. Although he’d lowered his voice, she’d apparently heard every word. Her sister would recover, pester her with questions later, and maybe even accuse her of trying to hog the limelight.

Yes, the man was pretty much perfect. Except that Sam wanted to stay in Rockbridge. Settle in Rockbridge. Raise a brood of darling little Lewis offspring in Rockbridge. Not that those ideas were character flaws, but they
were
regrettable. Why Rockbridge? She’d never understand it.

Well, fine. That’s exactly what made him ideal for Tess.

Time to get to work.

~
~♥
~~

Could that beautiful girl really be Sarah Jordan? The little pigtailed girl from down the street who always had a dog trailing behind her and a softball in her hand? He’d stolen a quick glance at the name embroidered on her pink Perry’s uniform. Sam didn’t know of any other Sarah in Rockbridge. A lot of things probably hadn’t changed in Rockbridge, but his neighbor sure had—in all the best ways, from what he could tell. What a knockout.

As he watched her walk in the opposite direction, Sam tried not to stare. In that moment, he regretted not sharing more than a passing conversation with Sarah in recent years. Before that, between his studies at the Academy, short-term mission trips and working at the bank during holidays and summers, he hadn’t had much time for a social life other than a few dates here and there. Even so, the difference in their ages would have discouraged anything more than friendship.

But now? The six-year difference in their ages never seemed so insignificant. He’d certainly never seen a girl look as good as Sarah did in her Perry’s Diner uniform. Gone were the chubby cheeks and stick-thin figure, replaced by lovely facial contours and womanly curves. Without a hint of makeup, Sarah’s skin was lovely, and her brown eyes were clear, radiating a sweet innocence. Such a refreshing change from some of the women he’d met in the past four years who’d more freely offer themselves than a genuine smile to a man in uniform.

Her hair was a slightly deeper shade of blonde than he’d remembered, like spun honey, and she wore it gathered in a loose style at the back of her head. Wispy tendrils curled along the sides of her slightly flushed face in the warm temperatures. Soft. Pretty.

In a word, the grownup version of his neighbor was
stunning
.

Compared to the other girls hanging onto his every word at the moment—not to mention clinging to his arms—Sarah was a burst of fresh air. Air he wanted to breathe into his lungs and fully absorb. Judging by her reaction, his guess that she’d penned the poem had been spot-on. He’d love nothing more than to discuss that poem further with her. Without a doubt, the words she’d written had come from her heart with the purest of intentions. He’d thrown down the gauntlet, but he’d back off until she brought it up.
If
she brought it up, and he sure hoped she would.

On the chance he might get another glimpse of Sarah as she headed into Perry’s, Sam glanced in the direction of the diner. Not seeing her, he chatted with more townsfolk, going through the rote motions—shaking hands, sharing small talk and catching up on the latest news. Hearing some of what was said and digesting very little. He was still recovering from jet lag, and it hadn’t quite infiltrated his brain yet that he was actually stateside.
Home.
His mind was spinning. Everyone wanted to speak to him at the same time.

“So, did you find a sweetheart wherever you were in the world?” Tess tugged on his arm as if he hadn’t heard her the first time. Perhaps he had missed a question or two while thinking about Sarah.

“No. I’m single as ever.” Judging by Tess’s coy smile, his answer was misguided and might only encourage her. As it was, Kathy Parker tightened her hold on his other arm. Wonderful.

Although Tess meant well, her behavior smacked of almost painful desperation. The tarnish must be showing on her beauty queen crowns. Through the years, he’d fended off the suggestions and innuendo concerning the two of them, but he’d never been interested. She’d always been very pretty, but as long as he’d known her, Tess had put too much emphasis on worldly things. To the point where he was surprised she was still in Rockbridge. Perhaps if Tess stopped trying so hard to find a husband, she’d allow a guy access to the woman beneath all the surface gloss.

Wow. He’d been home all of an hour and now he was making unfair judgments? Still, he detested how society made a woman feel like she was washed-up with no prospects for marriage or babies if she was on the back side of twenty-five. Living in another country and serving in the armed forces had taught him a few things, among them the very real truth that life is fleeting and there are no guarantees. Contrary to what some believed, a person only got one go-around on this earth with no do-overs permitted. To the best of his ability, he needed to make his actions, his words, and especially his relationships, count.

One thing Sam understood: his personal feelings toward Tess Jordan would never change and she’d never be more to him than a good friend. All those years ago when she’d thrown herself at him in high school, he’d vowed to Charlie that he’d never kiss a Jordan girl. But now, after seeing the grownup version of Tess’s little sister? Oh yeah, Sarah could make him seriously reconsider that teenage vow.

Sam’s gaze strayed to Perry’s Diner on the corner, now only a few hundred yards away. He smiled when he spied the same weathered, white clapboard storefront with its sign proclaiming the diner as “The Place to Meet and Greet Your Neighbor.” That’s exactly what he intended to do.

“Sam, honey, I asked you a question,” Tess purred. “Poor man, you must be suffering from culture shock.”

“I’m fine,” he said, turning his smile on her. “Just a little jet lagged, a bit hungry and a lot overwhelmed. If it weren’t for all the noise, you would have heard my stomach growling.” He angled his head toward the diner. “Sarah’s worked at Perry’s a long time, hasn’t she?”

Although Tess’s smile stayed in place, her lips noticeably thinned. “Yes, since she was in high school, but not for much longer.” Her grip on his upper arm tightened. This was getting old fast.

“Sam, why don’t we skip Perry’s today?” Kathy said. “You can go there any old time. This day calls for the best restaurant in town. Let me treat you to Quentin’s. They have a live band starting at five. We can relax, kick up our heels and celebrate your homecoming in style. Have some real fun. What do you say?”

Kathy’s tone dripped with innuendo. Seemed even small town girls could be world-class flirts, maybe even more so. He suppressed his sigh.

“I appreciate the offer, but a cup of coffee and a slice of Myrna’s peach pie sound pretty great right now.” He was careful not to meet Kathy’s gaze directly. Better not give her that leverage.

“You and your peaches.” Kathy brushed a long strand of blonde hair away from her face, and her painted ruby lips upturned in a coy smile. “I do believe that’s the magic word for you, isn’t it?”

Charlie caught up to them after parking his car. “Hey, come on girls. Give the guy a break. Sam needs some breathing room here.”

He shot Charlie a grin of thanks as Tess and Kathy released his arms. Straightening his shoulders, Sam shoved his hands into the pockets of his uniform slacks as he nodded to a few passersby. He began to whistle, hoping it would keep the chatter at bay until he finally reached Perry’s. Why did it feel like he’d been headed to the diner for an hour instead of only a few minutes?

Left alone with his thoughts for the moment, Sam reflected on his memories of Sarah. A voracious reader, she’d often camped out on her front porch steps, lost in the pages of a book. She’d asked thought-provoking questions in the church Bible study. Her hair was often tousled and dirt streaked across her cheek or on her clothes was a common sight.

They shared a love of animals, and Sarah had eagerly volunteered to be his assistant whenever one of the mutts or cats he’d temporarily adopted gave birth to a new litter. He’d never forget the way she’d squealed with delight at the first glimpse of a newborn pup or how hard she’d cried when she’d once held a stillborn kitten. Sarah had insisted they hold a memorial service for that kitten, and she’d delivered an impassioned speech that conveyed her deep compassion.

Playing a rousing game of softball with the boys was more Sarah’s style than putting on a dress. Sam smiled as he remembered how he’d heard she’d kicked more than one boy who’d tried to kiss her at school or on a playing field. A quick study, naturally athletic and taller than most girls, Sarah excelled at softball and had quickly grown into quite a contender. He’d coached her on how to perfect her pitch and the best stance for holding and swinging a bat. While he’d been away, his dad kept him up-to-speed on Sarah’s high school victories. She’d led their tiny Rockbridge team to the state championship in girls’ softball. They’d lost in the semi-final to a much larger Dallas team, but they’d exceeded expectations. Nothing for which to be ashamed.

The thought of all the spitballs she’d sent flying to the back of his head in church made him smile. Sarah’s personality had always been fun—honest, sassy, and warm. He’d teased her a lot, and she’d been good natured about it in spite of a few hearty punches to his arm. Always, her smile was without pretense.

He’d only known Sarah for two years before he’d gone off to college. Even so, they’d forged solid memories in that short time. After seeing Sarah, the flood of memories came rushing back to mind.

The grownup Sarah Jordan most likely shared many of the same qualities as the younger version, and he definitely wanted to get to know her all over again.

Sam hastened his steps. He resumed his whistling and couldn’t stop his grin.

~
~♥
~~

Sarah tried not to stare as Debbie Harrison pushed open the door to Perry’s Diner, sending the bell jingling. Teased up the wazoo, her hair stuck out in all directions. Several customers snickered and whispered behind their menus as her friend threaded her way among the tables of the restaurant.

Giving Debbie an overly bright smile and a wave, Sarah prayed she could keep a straight face. What had Debbie been thinking this time? Goodness. She’d colored her hair a deeper shade of auburn and coated it with several coats of lacquer. Surely Debbie’s boss at Wanda’s House of Beauty would discourage her from experimenting with such a radical style. Debbie’s boyfriend, Arnie, wouldn’t be able to run his fingers through that hair. Then again, maybe Sarah knew way too much about everyone else’s love life because she had none of her own. Not that she wanted one.

She hoped Debbie wouldn’t ask for her opinion. She could never lie, and she’d hate to tell her friend how ridiculous she looked. People made fun of Debbie behind her back which riled Sarah since she knew beneath the sometimes outlandish exterior was one of the most genuine and loyal people she’d ever known. Whether they’d ever admit it or not, most people had to appreciate Debbie’s lively personality and antics. They’d been fast friends since sharing a box of crayons in kindergarten and they’d reached for the purple one at the same time.

“Sarah, honey, could you please grab the ketchup for me?”

“Sure.” Thankful for the distraction, Sarah grabbed the bottle from a nearby table. “Here you go, Millie,” she said, handing it to her. After Jimmy called to her, Sarah darted into the kitchen and then delivered a tuna melt to Perry Sellers, the original owner of the diner who occupied his usual counter seat, same as he did every afternoon. During a regular shift at Perry’s, she’d chat with a good number of the town’s citizens. Unless they were out of town, sick or otherwise incapacitated, Perry’s was the preferred gathering spot.

Debbie plopped down on one of the seats at the counter. “What a circus, huh? Still, I breathe a big sigh of relief every time one of our hometown boys comes home. Having Sam back will make things a lot more interesting around here, that’s for sure. Hey, I was at Johnson’s Market last night and overheard Tammy Simpson and Janet Marks laying odds on who he’ll ask out first.”

After retying her loose apron strings, Sarah retrieved a wet dishcloth and mopped up the coffee spill on the counter courtesy of her previous customer. “I invited Sam to come in after everything calms down. Myrna made a peach pie in honor of his return.”

Debbie raised a penciled brow—last month’s experiment. Sarah had been horrified when her friend had shaved off her eyebrows, believing it to be a hallmark of sophistication. Stupidity was more like it, but she loved Debbie too much to ever say such a thing. If she waited it out, Arnie would tell her or Debbie would figure it out for herself and grow them back.

“Sam’s coming in here? Then all the more reason to stick around.”

“What do you mean?” With a well-aimed shot, Sarah tossed the dishcloth in the sink.

“If Tess starts pawing him, between the two of us, we can run interference.” Ah yes, Debbie knew her sister well. Not to mention Tess had jabbered about Sam’s imminent return for weeks to anyone who’d listen.

Sarah gave a shake of her head. “I was referring to what you said about Sam and the whole dating thing. People are actually making bets?”

“Not real bets, no. At least I hope not. But people will talk, you know. Nothing like a handsome veteran coming home to get the rumor mill churning.” With one elbow planted on the counter, Debbie drummed her fingers on her chin, bringing Sarah’s attention to her deep red nail polish. She must have tried to match her hair color to her nail polish—or the other way around.

“I wonder how Sam’s changed and just pray that he’s okay. I mean, he’s a man of the world now. He’s bound to have seen and experienced all kinds of things. Serving in the military changes a man, wartime or not. That’s what everybody says, anyway.” She shrugged. “Sure, it might not be visible on the outside, but inside? How could it not change him in some way?” Debbie cracked a small smile. “Sam sure has matured quite nicely, I’ll say that much. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Sarah ignored that open-ended question although she secretly agreed. “Sam’s also one of the most-leveled guys I’ve ever known. I’m sure his experiences, whatever they were, only reinforced what he’s known all along.”

Sarah greeted a middle-aged couple who claimed seats farther down the counter. After handing them menus, she returned to Debbie. “I used to wonder if Sam would become a pastor, but then his passion for flying jets took over. Like he said in his speech, there’s evil in the world, but he knows there are more good people than bad. Bottom line? God is always in control.”

“That’s a profound statement if ever I’ve heard one,” Debbie said. “True enough.”

Sarah leaned closer so as not to be overheard. “Tess announced she’s going to marry him.”

“Oh, good heavens.” Debbie drew back, her hazel eyes wide. “You mean to the entire town? What is it about you Jordan girls and public proclamations? First Randy Sweet announcing to the town that he’s going to make you his bride, and now Tess—”

“No,” Sarah said, shaking her head and unable to hide her smile. “Announced wasn’t the right word choice. She only told me. For now, anyway. Maybe it’s a good thing she didn’t have a megaphone anywhere nearby or she might have actually trumpeted it to the entire town. As it was, she made a big show of waving to Sam and getting his attention before he made his speech. Afterwards, she made sure to mark him with her lip print. You know Tess. Once she sets her mind to something—”

Debbie waved a dismissive hand. “She’s used to attention, but your sister’s only interested until the next attractive man rides into town in his shiny new car. No way she’ll settle for Sam, no matter that he’s a veteran now and the most eligible bachelor in town her age. Everyone knows he’s going to work with his dad at the bank. That’s too boring for your sister. Tess wants glitz and glamor. Besides, Sam doesn’t even own a car.”

Sam Lewis was anything but boring. He’d never been boring, and based on his speech, he was intelligent and compassionate. She’d hug that thought close and watch all the other girls drool over the man. “He only got back to town an hour ago. Give him time. Don’t forget Sam co-owns that vintage plane with his dad. A man with a plane can’t be ignored. Besides, he’s learned how to run a bank from the ground floor up by sweeping floors, emptying garbage cans and shadowing the tellers. You’ve got to admire that, and there’s definitely something to be said for loyalty and tradition.”

“Very nice speech,” Debbie said. “You don’t have to sell me on him. Sam will have a solid career and he’ll make some woman a very happy, satisfied wife. I mean, look at the man! Other than my Arnie, Sam’s the best looking man in Rockbridge. Before we know it, lots of little Lewis kiddos will be trotting in here—tall for their age, dark-haired and with stellar blue peepers—and plopping themselves into a corner booth.”

“That might be the case, but I’ll be long gone by then. Someone else will be taking their orders.”
And birthing his children.
Where had that thought come from?

Sarah focused on Debbie. “Speaking of orders, do you want your usual?”

“Yes, but I’ve got a longer break today. Take care of whatever you need to do first.”

Heeding Debbie’s suggestion, Sarah stacked plates and dirty dishes from a few tables and then carried them into the kitchen. Eddie, the part-time busboy, was busy elsewhere with the added crowd from the homecoming parade. She called across the diner to Patti that she’d cover a couple of extra tables. After delivering a few sales tickets, she pulled her menu pad out of her apron pocket and jotted down the order from the new couple sitting at the counter.

“Are you new in town?” Sarah asked, handing their ticket to her boss as Myrna passed behind her, headed into the kitchen.

“I’m Jon Hastings, and this is my wife, Linda,” the pleasant-faced, middle-aged man told her. His wife said nothing but gave her a polite head tilt. “I’m here to talk with Doc Meriweather about assuming his practice when he retires in a few months.”

“Is that right?” That information shouldn’t be surprising and was probably for the best, sad as it was. Doc had been less than reliable, if not missing in action, in recent months. According to Debbie’s sources at the beauty parlor, the latest gossip held that Doc was spending a lot of his evenings—and in-between hours—curled up with a bottle of fine scotch. Not that Sarah paid attention to idle speculation, but Doc showing up blitzed at events around town a few times in recent months had done nothing to instill confidence in the town’s medical services.

“It’s very nice to meet you both,” Sarah said. “Welcome to Rockbridge. Your order will be ready in a few minutes, but let me know if you need anything in the meantime.”

They thanked her and then bowed their heads to pray. Yes, a praying doctor in town would be good. Not that Doc Meriweather wasn’t a praying man. The elderly physician hadn’t been the same since he’d lost his wife more than three years ago. Thank the good Lord that Doc had been sober after Sarah found her father sprawled on the kitchen floor within minutes of suffering a heart attack. According to Doc, her quick reaction saved her father’s life.

“So, Tess was in the shop yesterday,” Debbie said as Sarah headed to the shake machine. “She tells me you’re still planning on going to nursing school. I haven’t heard you talk about it as much lately, and I thought maybe you’d put it off or decided—”

Sarah placed a napkin and a spoon on the counter beside her friend. “Come on, Deb. You know me well enough to know I’m not about to give up on that dream. Nursing school is my ticket out of Rockbridge.”

“Right. I just thought after your dad’s heart attack—”

“Please don’t remind me.” Sarah didn’t mean to snap at her, especially since she’d thought the very same thing not a minute before. The familiar stab of guilt resurfaced. “Dad’s actually been more supportive than either Mom or Tess. He told me he doesn’t want me to worry about him, and he encouraged me to follow through with my plan.”

How long it would take to save another five thousand dollars was another matter. Even with taking on extra shifts at the diner each week, Sarah estimated it’d take another year. Sometimes nursing school seemed like a pipedream, but she’d persevere and make it a reality even if it took until she was thirty. If only she could make Debbie understand it wasn’t so much a desire to escape Rockbridge as it was to make an independent life of her own and be able to help others.

Debbie quirked a brow. “I hope you know Randy would marry you in a red-hot minute and you wouldn’t need to bother with a career. Just imagine. You could open a bakery and call it Sarah Sweet’s Treats.” She giggled. “Or Sarah’s Sweet Treats. Something like that. Sounds cute, don’t you think?”

“Yes, it’s very cute. Randy’s a nice man, but contrary to what the fire captain says, we’re not dating. Neither do I plan on starting anything with him.” Sarah frowned. “Why give him false hope? I want to help people, but I need to leave Rockbridge in order to do that. Becoming a nurse isn’t a ‘bother’ in any sense of the word. Medical training will give me the opportunity to change lives for the better. I can’t imagine anything that would be more fulfilling than that.”

Debbie’s expression softened. “You’d also lose patients, honey. Could you accept that? Being a nurse takes a certain backbone. You’re strong, Sarah, but beneath it all, you have one of the kindest, most tender hearts I’ve ever known. Death is a part of life we can’t escape, no matter how much we might want to. I’m not sure you could withstand losing patients over and over again, and I hate the thought of you getting hurt.”

Sarah swallowed the lump stuck in her throat. “I know, and I appreciate your concern for me. But I have to try, Deb. Don’t you see? I don’t want to be one of those people who, later in life, regrets what could have been and sits around bemoaning lost opportunities.”

Debbie grabbed her hand, giving it a brief, warm squeeze. “That’s the difference between you and the other girls in this town. You’re thinking beyond Rockbridge. You have goals. If anyone can make it happen, it’s you. Speaking for myself, my goal is to marry Arnie and have babies with him. He’s
my dream.”

Relieved for the turn in conversation, Sarah smiled. “I know, and I’m sure you will. I’d better go make your milkshake before your break is over or else Myrna gets after me for dawdling.”

“Thanks sweetie. Better make it with two small scoops this time.” She patted her stomach. “I gained a few pounds last month.”

After plopping the scoops of vanilla ice cream into the blender, Sarah went through the automatic motions of adding chocolate syrup, cocoa and milk before replacing the lid. As she absently listened to the loud whirring of the blender, she pondered how different her goals were from Debbie’s. Her friend came into Perry’s every single weekday afternoon on her break from the beauty shop. Although she frequently experimented with different hairstyles, she’d worn the same perfume the past four years. Debbie always ordered a chocolate shake, usually with three scoops of ice cream. She’d dated Arnold Franklin exclusively for five years. When Arnie eventually proposed, they’d marry and start a family. Safe. Familiar. Predictable.

Stopping the blender, Sarah removed the lid and then poured the thick shake into a tall parfait glass. Grabbing the can of whipped cream, she swirled it over the shake and then spooned chocolate shavings on top. She tried not to breathe in the tempting aroma of the rich chocolate. Every time her friend complained about her weight, Sarah turned a deaf ear. If she didn’t have height on her side, she’d be sunk. With her height and the larger bone structure of her dad’s side of the family, she’d never be considered dainty, and she’d worked hard to lose the extra twenty pounds she’d gained in the past couple of years. Another reason to miss playing softball, but swimming laps at Thornton’s Creek helped her stay slender.