Page 73 of Securing Samantha

“No. I volunteered to run to the market,” she lied.

“Samantha, we don’t have any commitment to each other until I come home. Do what you feel is best as far as LJ’s concerned,” his tone turned serious.

“Thank you for understanding,” she tried to keep the trembling from her voice.

“Are you sure everything’s all right? You’re worrying me,” Bryan’s concerned voice calmed her.

“I’ll see you the day after tomorrow. It’ll be the highlight of my trip,” she reassured him.

“I’ll be there as soon as I can, sweetheart.”

“See you soon.” She heard him disconnect the call.

Kassie took one glance at her puffy face and announced, “Chase, you’re in charge of baths and bedtime.”

She took Samantha’s hand and dragged her into her bedroom. Kassie pulled her into her reading nook. She covered them with a blanket.

“What happened?” Kassie asked.

“You didn’t tell me about the house. Kassie, stop meddling. I told you I’m going home to Bryan. It’s not fair for Whiskey to spring this on me. He’s the one who wanted a divorce. I did everything they suggested. He still didn’t want me.” She put her head in her hands and sobbed.

“Oh honey,” Kassie soothed as she handed her tissues. “I didn’t tell you about the house because I haven’t stepped into it since the day I sold it to him. His face lit up like a Christmas tree when he walked inside. Does it look beautiful? I know he struggles with sleeping. I worried he pushed himself, but he glows every time he talks about the work he’s doing.”

“It’s incredibly gorgeous. He built me a shop and a place for my creams and such. He hurt me and still built a house like we didn’t go through years of hell.”

Kassie patted her knees. “Only you can decide if you can move past it. Maybe hold off on making any commitments until you decide if you can forgive him.”

Samantha shook her head. “For what? Divorcing me? Almost sleeping with another woman? Pushing me away?”

“Everything. Search your heart. Whiskey didn’t do this because he wanted to hurt you. He struggled. Ask yourself, would you be this upset if you didn’t hold feelings for him?” Kassie dabbed at her friend’s eyes.

“I’m ruining Christmas. We don’t have time to dissect all this right now. I didn’t go to the market.” Samantha blew her nose.

“Don’t worry about it. Bryanna’s coming in the morning and bringing Christmas goodies with her. Maddie will be here, not to mention Carol and Jake will stop on their way to Catherine and Leo’s. Victoria took care of her men and Ivan’s today and will be here in the morning. Between all of them plus us, I’ll be lucky to lift a spatula,” Kassie explained. “Take a moment. Calm down. Whiskey texted and said he’ll get here early in the morning. Do you not want him to come over?”

“I’m not that big of a scrooge. Of course, I’ll text him and tell him to join us,” she gave in.

Kassie left her alone. She dried her eyes and pulled out her phone.

Please don’t let today ruin your first Christmas home. You deserve to see Christmas through your son’s eyes.

Dots appeared. Then nothing. Dots appeared again.

I’ll be there.

She held the phone to her forehead as if willing Whiskey to understand she couldn’t go back. If only her heart understood.

CHAPTER FORTY

Christmas morning, Kassie slipped into the kitchen and opened the door to allow Whiskey in. The handmade sled he made LJ in his arms. A big red bow adorned the top.

Chase took it from his hands and placed it against the tree while Whiskey returned to the truck for additional gifts. Samantha slipped silently from her room in her red Christmas pajamas. She made coffee and tea while they waited in anticipation for the children to wake. Shortly after they sat down, the sounds of running feet above them and kids squealing as they made their way down filled the room.

The adults moved to the living room while the kids exclaimed their excitement over Santa’s gifts. “Mom, Santa knows how much I like sledding, can I go try it out?” he begged. Samantha glanced in Whiskey’s direction to see him swipe his eyes in obvious joy over his son’s excitement over his gift.

“LJ can my doll and me ride on it? Look, she’s got a pink dress with hearts, exactly what I told Santa I wanted.” Emma thrust her doll in his direction.

“Oh wow, a helicopter puzzle in…” LJ struggled with the word.

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