As soon as he was out the door, Beth called her aunt. Sunshine answered after the first ring.

“You heard what’s going on with your mother?” she asked without greeting Beth.

“Yes, Mom called me just now. I’m still in shock.”

“You?” Sunshine said with a laugh. “You could have knocked me over with a string bikini when Ellie invited me to lunch. And that’s not all she did.”

“I heard the two of you went for a massage.”

“We did far more than that. We talked, Beth, really talked for the first time in nearly thirty years. I have my sister back and I couldn’t be happier.”

“That’s wonderful.”

“I think so, too, and you’re the one who brought us together, the love we share for you.”

Sunshine said she couldn’t be happier but Beth was the one beaming now.

Later that evening, when Beth saw Sam, she told him the unbelievable events of the afternoon.

“Well, your day was definitely more eventful than mine.”

“That’s not all,” Beth said.

“You mean there’s more?”

“Yup. Dad phoned just a few minutes ago and asked if you and I can join him and Mom for dinner tonight. There’s a fabulous steakhouse in town he knows about and he wanted to treat us. Sunshine is invited too.”

“That’s good news, isn’t it?” Sam asked. “I mean for your parents. If they’re inviting us to dinner then they must have come to some kind of agreement, right?”

“I believe they have.”

“Do you see what you’ve done?” he said, holding her by the shoulders, his eyes filled with pride.

“Me?”

“By standing up for yourself, you were able to bring your parents together.”

“Maybe.” Beth was willing to accept a small role in the improved relationship between her parents.

“Then you brought everything to a head once again when you introduced me. Your mother recognized you weren’t going to back down from loving me.”

“And I won’t,” Beth assured him.

“I’d be upset if you did, babe. We got something good, you and me.”

“Yes, we do,” Beth agreed.

“Now if we’re going out for this fancy steak dinner I had better get home and change clothes. Might even put on the suit I wore for my sister’s wedding. Really shock your mother; I clean up good.”

“I have the feeling it’s going to be a much more pleasant meal for us all.”

“Think you’re right about that, babe.” His smile ate her up.

“Could you tell me you love me again?” Beth asked.

“Why? Are you feeling insecure?”

“No, I just like to hear the words.”

He chuckled. “Love you, babe.”

“Love you, too.”

He leaned in to kiss her and her heart swelled with love and appreciation. Sam was going to love her even more once she was able to deliver her Christmas surprise. She could hardly wait.

Chapter 35

Sam

Beth had cooked up some kind of Christmas surprise for him and she wasn’t giving him any hints. He had something for her, too, but it would need to wait until after the holidays. Everything had been going well between them since Thanksgiving. He was busy with work and the volunteer projects Beth had introduced him to over the last couple of months.

Beth was deeply involved with her students at the high school. She took a personal interest in her piano students, especially a twelve-year-old girl named Kameron.

Sam had made peace with Beth’s mother and things were good on the home front. From tidbits of conversation with both Sunshine and Beth, he’d learned that Phillip and Ellie were eager to have Beth home for Christmas. Beth had mentioned that her father had signed him and Ellie up for a cruise to the South Pacific as a surprise Christmas gift. They would be sailing sometime in January.

Sam hated the thought of Beth being in Chicago for two weeks. He would miss her terribly. More and more he was feeling confident that they were meant to be together. She’d become a big part of his world and he couldn’t imagine life without her now. Crazy, seeing how he’d sworn never to get involved in another romantic relationship. He’d given up until he’d met Beth.

On Saturday, the day before Beth was due to fly to Chicago and join her family for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, she asked him to accompany her to some piano function. She seemed excited about it, and while sitting and watching kids at a recital wasn’t high on his entertainment list, for Beth, he was willing. Truth was he’d do just about anything for this woman and she knew it.

He picked her up around five. When she opened the door, his heart leapt as he was struck once again by her beauty. Whatever he’d done to deserve this woman must have been really good. She was beautiful. She wore a red dress with an angel pin clipped at the base of her throat. In many ways he saw her as an angel.

His angel.

“You look … wow.” He couldn’t find words adequate enough to describe how lovely she was.

As expected, Beth blushed. It was hard not to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless. The temptation was strong but he resisted, knowing it would be hard to stop and they were on a schedule. First this recital and then dinner with Rocco and Nichole at some new restaurant the girls wanted to try. Sam was game for the simple reason that he would be with Beth. In the morning, he’d drive her to the airport and off she’d go to Chicago.

Beth gathered her coat and had the address for the music performance. Her mood was almost giddy.

“Any of these your students?” he asked.

“No, these are more advanced. Kameron should be at this level by next year.”

He wasn’t sure why it was so important that Beth attend when none of her own students were part of the program, but he didn’t question it. She’d made friends with several music teachers in the area and he supposed she was looking to support a newfound friend.

Thanks to Beth, he’d been working with Habitat for Humanity on Jazmine’s house and he’d spent more than one weekend with a group of volunteers. Beth often joined him. He’d even managed to involve a couple guys from work. In the beginning they’d complained, but all it took was one Saturday. Since that time a number of his work crew had become volunteers themselves. Doing something for someone else. Giving back was addictive.

Sam drove to the address of the school that Beth provided. They had a hard time finding a parking spot and barely made it in time. Beth took the program offered at the front door of the auditorium and he followed her inside. Because they were a few minutes late, the only available seats were in the back. That suited Sam fine. He could lean back, close his eyes and snooze during what was sure to be a long hour.

He had zoned out for the majority of the program when Beth elbowed him in the ribs. “Pay attention,” she whispered. “This is the girl we came to hear.”

Sam sat up straighter and eyed the young teenager, who must have been around thirteen or fourteen, approaching the piano. She had on a white dress and her dark hair was curled. Sliding onto the bench, she glanced nervously toward the front row.

Sam felt for the kid, who was clearly anxious.

“Oh Sam, isn’t she lovely?”

He shrugged. From this distance they all sort of looked the same. He did sit up and take notice when her hands went to the keys. Her back straightened and before his eyes, the teenager was immediately transformed. The girl who had been self-conscious and jittery took on a completely different persona. He didn’t recognize the number she’d chosen to play. What he did notice was that the girl was clearly gifted. It was as if she surrendered herself to the music, giving over her heart. When she finished, there was a moment of awe and silence before the room exploded in applause.

Sam applauded, too.

The next student was introduced, and Beth leaned close and whispered, “We can go now if you want.”

“We can?” This was an unexpected surprise.

She nodded and stood. They were at the end of the aisle, so their leaving didn’t disturb anyone. Sam waited until they were outside before he spoke.