Beth was doing the same thing. She was building a life without the restraints and restrictions placed on her by her mother. With this first taste of freedom and independence, she was evolving into her own person. Sam was privileged to witness the transformation.

“I better head out or I’ll be late for choir practice,” she said, reluctance showing in her eyes.

Sam wasn’t eager to see her leave, either.

“Kiss me before you go,” he said, finding it difficult to release her. He wove his fingers into her hair and angled his mouth to hers. She tasted of everything that was good, and they were soon focused only on each other. Sam knew he would never grow tired of holding and kissing this woman. He wasn’t a man who gave his heart away easily. Never had been. His only serious relationship, before Beth, had been with Trish and he’d been burned so badly he’d avoided falling in love ever since. Everything was new with Beth. Fresh and unspoiled. Two months and already she’d woven her smile, her heart, and her music around his own, binding him in ways he’d never thought to experience again.

They were interrupted by someone clearing his throat. Alex, one of his crew from the garage, stood just outside the kitchen holding a tray of cut veggies.

“Hate to interrupt you two lovebirds.”

Beth blushed and hid her face against Sam’s shirt.

“We playing poker or not?” Alex teased. He set the vegetable tray down next to the chips. Right away he noticed the cookies and helped himself.

Sam ignored him. “I’ll walk you to your car,” he told Beth. Then, looking over his shoulder, he told his friend, “Make yourself comfortable and don’t eat all the cookies before everyone else arrives.”

“You going to introduce me or not?” Alex asked, crumbs coating the sides of his mouth.

Sam gestured toward his coworker. “This joker is Alex,” he told Beth. “Alex, Beth.”

“Hi,” she said, smiling.

Sam steered her out of the kitchen and toward the front door, but not before he saw Alex reach for another cookie.

“Nice to meet you, Beth,” Alex called out after them. “Haven’t heard much about you.”

“He’s teasing,” Sam told Beth.

“Hey, these cookies are good,” Alex shouted.

“There better be some left when I get back here,” Sam warned, and they heard Alex laugh as Sam led Beth outside.

He was reluctant to see her go. He’d been playing poker with the guys for years but would have gladly given it up just then for another ten minutes with Beth.

“Have fun tonight,” she said as he held open the driver’s-side door for her.

“You too.”

She got inside the car. “Enjoy the cookies.”

“I have a feeling Alex will have scarfed down the entire tray while I’m talking to you. I’ll be lucky if there are any left.”

“I’ll bake you more,” she promised.

“I’ll let you.”

Rocco and Charley arrived then, and still Sam lingered. His two friends saw themselves into the house.

“Talked to my folks about Thanksgiving,” he said.

She looked up with wide eyes. “Are they disappointed you won’t be spending it with them?”

“They’re fine with it. They’re more disappointed in not meeting you.”

“You told them about me?”

“Of course, babe.” He’d filled in his mother shortly after Beth’s accident. His mother had encouraged him, eager to see him settled down and married. She was thinking grandchildren.

“Maybe we can take a day and visit your parents before Christmas.”

“I promised them I’d be home for Christmas.”

She exhaled on a sigh. “I promised my parents Christmas, too.”

Sam hid his disappointment. He’d hoped to spend the holiday with her.

“I’m going to be late for choir practice,” she said, but she didn’t move to leave.

Neither did Sam. “My friends are waiting.”

“Bye, Sam.”

“Don’t speed,” he said, fearing she wouldn’t be as cautious as she should be. “Drive carefully and text me when you get to the church, okay?”

She nodded. “Will do.”

He eased away from the car and stood with his hands in his back pockets as she pulled away.

When he returned to the house, his friends were waiting.

“Never thought I’d see the day Sam Carney let a woman get her claws into him.”

“Yeah, boys, but did you see the woman who possesses those claws?” Sam returned as he reached for a deck of cards.

“Saw her,” Alex said while munching on another cookie. “I’d marry her for these alone.”

“I get first dibs on Beth,” Charley said, reaching toward the plate.

“Like hell,” Sam growled.

Rocco slapped him across the back. “Know how you feel, buddy. Been there.” Then looking at the other two men, he added, “And so have these clowns.”

Sam pulled out a chair and started shuffling the cards. “You boys ready to hand me your hard-earned cash?”

Life was good. In fact, it felt more than good. Beth was his, and while it had taken some time for him to recognize and accept it, he was hers.

Chapter 30

Sunshine

It was the weekend before Thanksgiving and Sunshine knew her niece was up to something. She wasn’t sure what that little darling had cooked up, but whatever Beth had in mind was sure to be interesting.

“I have a surprise for you,” Beth had told her a few days earlier. Her eyes were bright with excitement and it seemed all she could do not to spill what it was right then and there.

“A surprise?”

“A good one, I hope.”

“You hope?” This didn’t sound right. Beth was excited and at the same time unsure. Now, that was interesting. “You better tell me what it is.”

Beth’s eyes gleamed with barely suppressed anticipation. “Sorry, I can’t. My lips are sealed. I will tell you that it’s one I’ve been working on for several weeks now, ever since we …” Her eyes grew round and she immediately pantomimed twisting a key over her mouth. “I’m not saying another word. All I ask is that you contact me as soon as you’re home.”

“I have to go somewhere?”

“Oh yes, this is the most important part. Remember that wonderful Mexican restaurant where we ate not long ago?”

Sunshine nodded. “Of course. It’s one of my favorites.”

“When you arrive, ask for Meghan and she will lead you to your table, and your surprise will be waiting for you there.”

The details were certainly specific. Her birthday was months ago, so it was unlikely Beth was throwing her a surprise party. The sale of her artwork had gone exceptionally well in the last year, so it might have something to do with her agent. However, Bill was currently traveling in Europe.

“You sure you don’t want to give me a clue?”

“Nope. I can’t.”

“You say you’ve been working on this for a long time?”

“Weeks and weeks. The timing is critical. I can’t believe we were able to work this out.”

“‘We’? Is Sam involved in this?”

“Nope.”

“Anyone I know?” she pressed.

“No. Now stop asking questions, because I’m afraid I might say too much and give everything away.”

Whatever the surprise, Sunshine had to admit she was intrigued.

She parked outside the Mexican restaurant and made sure she had her phone charged and inside her purse. Beth made her promise she’d call her at the first opportunity. The doors leading into the restaurant were thick and wooden, carved with cacti that were painted green. She didn’t often dine in, but once or twice a month she phoned in an order for takeout. Her favorite was the Ranchero salad, which was similar to a taco salad but without the shell, and, of course, the fish tacos.

As soon as the hostess saw Sunshine, she brightened. She was a bit embarrassed as she didn’t know the lovely young woman’s name. “Are you Meghan?” she asked, per the instructions Beth had given her.