Page 15 of Securing Samantha

“Absolutely,” she told him and went in the back to retrieve his items.

When they finished, he walked with Taco to his truck, and they headed in the direction of the cabin. Taco pulled into his driveway and started to unbuckle to help him.

“I got it. Thanks for the ride.” He hopped out of the vehicle and grabbed his bags.

“Leo wanted me to pass this information to you. It’s time you study for a driver’s license. You’ve practiced enough on the mountain and if you want to start driving in town, we need to get you set up.”

He took the pamphlets, nodded his head, and turned to walk in the cabin as Taco backed out of the driveway.

He placed everything for the boy in the bag and laid the bakery box on top. He took a deep breath and grabbed the helo in his hands and walked across the snow laden subdivision. He rang the doorbell and waited. When no one came to the door, he peered inside.

No one came into sight. He ran his hand through his hair in indecision. A sound coming from the back of the cabin caught his attention.

LJ squealed as Samantha pushed them both off the snow-covered hill on a plastic sled. Both laughed in delight as they hit a bump, flying into the air. Samantha fell off as LJ kept gliding down the hill. Her laughter filled the air as she urged him to keep going. Her hands clapped as he finally slid to a stop.

“Did I beat the record?” LJ yelled.

“Yep! Great job, do you want to head in for some hot chocolate? I made marshmallows,” she called down the hill.

“Yeah.” The little boy ran up to the top of the hill and embraced his mom.

They turned and walked to the back of the cabin. As if something caught her attention, she glanced in his direction. Her eyes widened in surprise. She hurried her son along the back of the house.

“Go on in and get those shoes off before walking through the cabin. Get changed into dry clothes and I’ll be right in,” she instructed.

She waited until LJ closed the patio door before walking his way. Her arms crossed in front of her.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“Claire said LJ caught the flu. I brought some stuff to help him feel better.” He thrust the bag in her direction, now feeling like a fool.

“I did tell her he wasn’t feeling well. I needed a mental health day. I didn’t want to sit in her office and hear how impatient I am.”

Whiskey stared at Samantha. “You lied?” he accused.

“Yes, Liam I lied. I get tired of sitting in those sessions listening to what you don’t feel like doing. I understand you went through hell. So did I. But I attend support groups and remain patient while you aren’t required to do anything. If you say you don’t feel comfortable, you get a free pass. I get told it’s wrong for feeling the way I do.” She gripped the bag tightly.

“By all means, lass. Here’s your chance. Tell me how you feel.” He crossed his arms and waited.

“We’ll talk about it at our next appointment, Liam.” She turned to walk toward the back of the cabin.

“I want to hear your feelings now. You said I don’t try but I showed up for the appointment today,” he angrily stomped toward her.

She set the bag on the deck.

“All right. I feel frustrated. You avoid spending time alone with me. You have the team and Claire to vent your feelings to, but I don’t. I didn’t get notified by the team of your rescue and my best friend kept the secret. Everyone’s on your side and we used to work on the same team. Now, I don’t know what landmine will set you off. You don’t know what me or my son have gone through. You’re content to stay here but I want my husband back. You’ve made it clear I suffocate you. While I watch other women comfort you. First Kassie and then Claire, where do I fit?” Tears streamed down her face.

Whiskey tilted his head back and focused on the sky above them. “I do try. You don’t need to use the boy as an excuse to not talk.”

“Talk? Who’s talking? I get told to suck in my feelings. Stay patient and you’ll come around when you’re ready. Do I stay in limbo until you have an epiphany? When Leo told me you died, I prayed every day you’d find a way back to me. I raised our son with the help of the team. I started a new life here. Nothing compares to what you went through. When James told Jameson to kill my son, I panicked because he’s my only link to you. Then I find you alive and you want nothing to do with us,” she cried silently. “It hurts.”

Whiskey paced the snow-covered ground. “You think you hurt? My son thinks of me as a stranger. I accepted my death a long time ago. You and the boy went on with your lives. He’s got the team to guide him. Your own stubborn pride keeps you alone. Kassie didn’t tell you about me cause she understands what I felt. She went through it, and you have no idea what I feel. You expect me to take up where we left off. I can’t do it. Your husband doesn’t exist. No matter how badly you want it, I’ll never be Liam. It hurts seeing you lived a life without me. My son believes his dad died a hero. I’m the chicken shit who begged his captors to kill me.”

Samantha shook her head. “No. You survived. I know you. You stayed alive to come back to me. You promised me, Liam, only death would keep you from me. Now you don’t want to fight or try. I only see you with a counselor present.”

Whiskey walked in front of her, “Stop. Calling. Me. Liam. He’s dead. Can’t you get it through your head? He died in that explosion. Leo didn’t lie to you. Liam didn’t come back,” he gritted out.

“Then why did you come here? Why bother handing me a grocery bag full of stuff for my son, who you don’t want to spend any time with? If you cared for LJ, you’d at least make an attempt to know him. He knows you. I told him stories. He’s gone camping with your folks and knows your favorite places and all your favorite foods. You’re a stranger to us both and you won’t let us in.”

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