Barbara Wallace - I Do... - Her Accidental Engagement / A Bride's Tangled Vows

Sam made a choking sound. “Okay, good. They can get to know each other. It’ll be great.”

“That’s one word for it.”

“Does your mom believe the engagement? I haven’t seen her since she walked in on us.”

“I think so.” Julia slowed to turn into the lower parking lot. “It’s not the first time she’s seen me be impulsive.”

Sam shook his head as she turned off the ignition. “You never give yourself a break.”

“Why do I deserve one?” She paused then said, “It’s fine. I’m repairing my reputation with my family. It’s a long progress, but I’m getting there. What makes you ask about my mom?”

“I saw Ethan downtown yesterday and he gave me the third degree about my intentions toward you.”

“Ethan?”

“His big-brother routine was going strong. Told me how special you are and that if I hurt you or Charlie I’d have him to answer to.”

“I don’t know why he’d care. He went through hell because of me, although it’s ancient history now.”

“There you go again with the self-flagellation. We’re going to need to work on that.”

“Whatever you say.” She got out of the car and picked up Charlie from his car seat. As she turned, she took in her old high school. It looked the same as it had almost fifteen years ago.

She filled her lungs with the cool night air. This was her favorite time of year in the North Carolina mountains. It smelled fresh and clean, the scent of spring reminding her of new beginnings. Coming off of the cold, wet winter, the change of seasons gave her hope.

Just like Sam.

Julia knew hope was dangerous. She was a sucker for believing in things that would never come to pass. She’d been like that in high school, too—wanting to believe she’d be able to keep up. Or, at least, admit how deeply her problem ran.

For some reason, that never seemed an option. Sam could say what he wanted about her learning disabilities being beyond her control. She knew it was true. But by high school, when elementary-age kids read more clearly than she could, it felt like stupidity.

None of her teachers had understood what was going on in her head. She’d never truly opened up to anyone about how bad it was. It had been easier to act as though she didn’t care, to limp through school with a lot of blustering attitude and paying smarter kids to write her papers.

Charlie tapped her on the cheek. “Hi, Mama.”

She shook off the memories. Sam stood next to her, watching with his too-knowing eyes.

“I’m guessing you haven’t been back here for a while?”

“Not since graduation.” She adjusted Charlie and headed for the gymnasium entrance. “Remind me again why we’re here.”

Sam put his hand on the small of her back, the gentle touch oddly comforting. “The annual Kiwanis carnival not only celebrates Fat Tuesday but raises a lot of money each year for local kids. It’s a great event for the town.”

“Spoken like a true pillar of the community.” She gave an involuntary shiver. “Which I’m not and never will be.”

“You never know. Either way, I promise you’ll have fun. Greasy food, games, dancing.”

Since she’d been back, she hadn’t attended any town events. It was one thing to reconnect with people she’d known within the relative safety of the salon. No one was going to rehash old resentments while she wielded scissors. Here she was out of her element and not confident about the reception she’d get from the girls she once knew. Especially since she’d taken Brevia’s most eligible bachelor off the market.

A memory niggled at the back of her mind. “Didn’t you do a kissing booth last year or something like that?”

Sam’s confident stride faltered. “They auctioned off dates with a couple local guys.”

She flashed him a smile. “How much did you go for, Chief?”

In the fading light, she saw a distinct trail of red creep up his neck. “I don’t remember.”

“Liar.” She stood in one spot until he turned to look at her. “Tell me.”

“A thousand,” he mumbled.

“Dollars?” She gasped. “Who in the world paid that much money for you?” When he leveled a look at her, she added, “Not that I don’t think you’re worth it. But not a lot of people around here have that kind of cash.”

“It was for a good cause” was his only answer.

Another thought struck. “Unless...it was Ida Garvey!”

He turned and she trotted to catch up with him, Charlie bouncing on her hip. “Let me take him.” Sam slid his arms around Charlie and scooped him up.

“It was Ida, wasn’t it? She’s the only one around here rich enough to pay that amount.”

He gave a reluctant nod. “I got the most money.”

“What kind of date did you take her on?”

“Would you believe I escorted her to her fiftieth high-school reunion over in Asheville? She had me wait on her hand and foot. Kept calling me her ‘boy toy’ in front of her old friends.” He shook his head. “I swear my butt had bruises from being pinched so often.”

Julia laughed harder than she had in ages. “You really are a hero, you know?”

“It’s not funny.”

“Yes, it is.” She looked at him and saw humor shining in his eyes, as well. Then she noticed they were at the gym entrance, light spilling out into the darkening night. She studied Sam for another moment, wondering if he’d told her that story to ease her nerves.

He really was a good guy, she thought. He should be with someone like him—a woman who was smart and sweet.

Someone nothing like her.

He smoothed the skin between her eyebrows. “Stop frowning,” he said gently. “We’re going to have fun.”

He dropped his hand, intertwined his fingers with hers and led her into the gymnasium. He greeted the two women working the ticket counter, neither of whom Julia recognized. Sam made introductions, and both women gave her a genuine smile and shook her hand, offering congratulations on their engagement. She flashed her ring but noticed Sam stiffen when one of the ladies complimented him on it.

Charlie became suddenly shy and buried his face in the crook of Sam’s neck, something Julia would have loved to do, as well.

“Come on, buddy,” Sam coaxed. “Let’s find some cotton candy.”

“I don’t think so,” Julia said. “He hasn’t had dinner yet.”

Charlie gave Sam a wide grin. “Can-ee.”

“We’ll get a hot dog first,” Sam promised her and moved into the crowd.

“Kids can always count on their dad for a good time,” one of the women said with a laugh.

“While Mom cleans up the sick stomach,” the other added.

“He’s not...” Julia began, wanting to explain that Sam wasn’t her son’s father. Then she realized they already knew that, although Sam was certainly acting like the doting dad.

“He’s quite a catch.” The blonder of the two women winked at her.

Julia’s stomach flipped because she knew how right the woman’s statement was. “I’d better stick with them,” she said and hurried after the two, emotions already at war in her mind and heart.

“Julia!” Lainey’s voice carried over the crowd, and a moment later, she was surrounded by her sister, Ethan and their mother. Lainey gave her a long hug. “Sam said today was rough. Are you feeling any better?”

“I knew I should have come with you.” Vera shook her head. “I’d like to get ahold of that family and talk some sense into them.”

“When did you see Sam?” The thought of Sam giving information about her to her family made her more than a little uncomfortable.

“I ran into him downtown,” Lainey said. “What’s the big deal?”

“He shouldn’t have said anything.”

“He’s going to be your husband,” Vera corrected. “He has a right to worry.”