Page 49 of Securing Samantha

“You aren’t alone. We’re here with you. We’ll help you figure out Michael. I’ll get Chase to find the best oncologist and we’ll get second opinions.” Kassie started making plans.

“I didn’t tell you to make you worry about me. I’m trying to show you how blessed you are. I know Bryanna is part of your group too and refuses to take sides. Samantha’s not angry because of you necessarily, she wanted to care for her husband. I watch you laughing and enjoying lunch dates and your kids playing together. I’d give anything to have a real friendship with even one of you. You have three special people to catch you. Don’t waste your time arguing, just love each other and spend what special time you’ve got together,” Lizzy chastised them.

Kassie raised her tear-filled eyes in Samantha’s direction. “Samantha, if you hear anything today, know I love you and I’d never do anything to hurt you.”

“Me either, I love you too.” Catherine stood up.

“Whiskey divorced me. You say he loves me, yet he didn’t discuss it. He let you, Claire, and some woman at the bar comfort him. I didn’t get a chance to even mourn with my husband over what we lost. He cut me loose. As if I dragged him down. Lizzy, I’ll help you anyway I can. You won’t be alone. I have to go,” Samantha shook her head as she backed up.

Victoria blocked her exit.

“Let her go, Victoria,” Kassie softly demanded. “She can’t breathe. She’s hurting. Let her go.”

Victoria moved and let Samantha pass. She ran to her car and hopped in. She backed out of the driveway and headed to Saint’s. She packed her suitcase and grabbed LJ’s things. Her mind replayed the argument over in her mind. She blamed Kassie, Claire and even Catherine to an extent.

The truth smacked her in the face. If Kassie encouraged Whiskey to allow her in and he refused, then she stayed mad at and hurt because of the wrong person. Whiskey was to blame. He didn’t want her here.

She prayed New York provided a fresh start for her and her son. Hopefully, it provided enough distance between her and the man who broke her heart.

CHAPTER THIRTY

Bryan carried her luggage into the penthouse suite above her new place of employment. LJ ran to the windows and gazed at the city. Bryan pulled Samantha into his chest.

“Have you told him yet?” he whispered in her ear.

She shook her head. “School lets out soon for winter break. I thought we’d spend the holiday here and take him home for New Year’s weekend. When he comes back, I’ll tell him.” Samantha leaned her head on Bryan’s shoulder as LJ checked out the new living arrangements.

“I plan on going back to help Elizabeth when they decide her treatment plan. No woman needs to go through that alone. I’ll try to schedule visits with LJ’s grandparents then and Whiskey’s visitation.” Her phone began to ring. She ignored it.

“In the meantime, I took the liberty of hiring two nannies. If LJ isn’t attending school right away, you’ll need to hire someone for childcare. Both come highly recommended. One for days, the other for evenings,” he informed her.

“I don’t want strangers to care for my child around the clock. I’m his mom,” she complained.

“Some nights you may not get home till dinnertime. The evening nanny will take over at five. When you come home, dinner will already be prepared, and you can concentrate on work and getting to know your way around the city. If you decide you don’t want either of them, they get six months of severance. Trust me, they like the arrangement. Plus, I plan to wine and dine you on the weekends and you’ll get to know them. They’ll stay in the room next to LJ’s. They’re thoroughly vetted, have excellent references, and experience. If you meet them and they don’t meet your expectations, we’ll find someone who does. I tried to anticipate your needs. I don’t want to sound controlling. If you don’t feel comfortable, I’ll leave this in your capable hands.”

Samantha frowned. “I don’t know about this. I’ll mull it over.” She doubted she’d find another Aunt Kassie or Aunt Cat. Not to mention the many uncles who claimed LJ. Her phone rang again, and Samantha let it go to voicemail again.

“Your phone’s been ringing nonstop since we picked you up from the airport. Do you need some privacy to take care of some business?” Bryan let go of Samantha and turned her to face him. He frowned at her. “When LJ goes to bed, we’ll discuss this. How come I get the feeling you didn’t make arrangements or tell anyone you left Serenity?”

The guilty expression on her face told him what he already knew. Bryan sighed.

“What happened?” he asked.

“Nothing. Carol, Maddie, and Victoria staged an intervention with me, Kassie and Catherine.”

Bryan snapped his head up ready to fight whoever hurt her.

“Calm down. They meant well. We might’ve not found out about Lizzy if we hadn’t strongly discussed our differences. I didn’t realize how cold it gets here. I want to go tomorrow and get a warmer coat for LJ and maybe a few more sweaters.” Samantha grabbed a miniature notebook and began making a list.

Her phone started ringing and she reached over to silence it. “Did it clear things up with your friends?” Bryan asked.

“Yeah. We needed intervention. Right now, we agreed to work together to help Lizzy and Bryanna’s helping us research foods and recipes to help her body through the process and if she needs chemo, we’ll take turns helping out. Chase knows. I imagine the guys will do their part in supporting Michael. They invited him to the cabin for dinner tonight. Hopefully he’ll talk to them. I need to research wigs. Surely in New York, we can grab some nice ones. Once we know what the treatment plan is, I’ll be prepared.”

“Wow, you and your friends impress me. I imagine Lizzy appreciates the support. Not many people can call on an army of people when they’re in need,” Bryan complimented her.

“Serenity’s full of family. The community supports one another. When one of the farmers broke his leg during pumpkin patch season, he didn’t have his fields ready for the hayrides or anything. They pulled together and the women made apple cider, caramel apples, and cookies. Other farmers lent a hand. They took weekends running his fields and covered each other, allowing everyone to make a profit. When Mrs. Steven’s husband passed away, she couldn’t afford to pay for the burial because it took her savings to pay for his hospice care. The church donated the burial plot and the community pooled together to purchase whatever else she needed. Chase’s parents really believed in community.”

“Sounds like a great place. Why don’t you get settled and I’ll pick you up in an hour for dinner?” Bryan high-fived LJ before giving her a quick kiss and leaving.

---