Page 80 of Securing Samantha

While they slept, she walked around the glass area and into the place where Whiskey placed her chairs. She sat in the middle one and watched as the deer nibbled on the corn Whiskey threw out. Her hands skimmed across the handmade bench with the clovers and knots. He made it for her. Somehow the anger dissipated after the accident. It didn’t seem as important anymore when she worried on the flight back to them. She walked back to the kitchen.

Whiskey brought LJ down the hall, and he nervously wiped his hand over his face. Samantha smiled to put him at ease as they took a seat on the couch with LJ in the middle.

“LJ, we want to talk to you. Remember when I told you your da died when you were a baby?” She started the conversation. Whiskey paled.

“Yeah.” He played with the small helicopter in his hand.

“Uncle Leo found him and brought him back. They made a mistake and thought he got hurt and died, but he survived.” LJ stopped and glanced up at Samantha.

“Whiskey’s your da,” she told him.

“I kinda figured,” LJ told them. Whiskey and Samantha’s eyes widened at his statement.

“What makes you say that?” Samantha asked.

“Cause Uncle Leo said nobody on his team has the same code name. Whiskey’s my dad’s name and he calls me son an awful lot. I thought he didn’t know. I’m glad you explained it to him, Mom.”

Samantha covered her mouth to keep from laughing out loud. She and Whiskey talked for days on how to break the news and their five-year-old managed to throw them for a loop.

“Well, now you know, I think we need to get down to serious business.” Whiskey’s voice grew deep, making LJ turn in his direction. Whiskey plucked the helicopter toy from his hand.

“The men and I discussed your code name. After you saved Emma Nugget, and Melody, you’re worthy of your name. They told us how you used your sled and flew over to them and saved them. You pulled them out of the hole before the ice shifted. Therefore, the team and I decided from now on, you’ll be known as ‘Helo.’” He placed the toy helicopter in front of their son and turned the tin blades with his finger. “Cause you swooped in to save the day.”

LJ’s eyes grew round. He turned to Samantha. “Did you hear that Mom? My name’s Helo. It’s so cool!”

“Wow, how exciting.” She put her hand to her chest sounding surprised.

Whiskey caught his attention. “You can tell Ladybug, June Bug, and Nugget.”

“Can I use your phone to tell them?” LJ moved from the couch.

“Sure, it’s in the kitchen.” Samantha moved out of his way as he ran to call the girls.

They listened as he called the first girl, “Emma, you won’t believe it…”

Whiskey and Samantha smiled at each other. He reached over and squeezed her hand. “I guess you’ll be leaving tomorrow. Thank you for taking care of me, you didn’t have to stay.” His voice turned sad.

She pulled her hand from his. “You hurt your arm saving our son, it’s the least I could do. It’s time. I need to get back.” She couldn’t say the word home. New York didn’t feel like home. This felt like it. She stood and made an excuse to check the bread.

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

Samantha helped LJ with his coat. Whiskey stayed quiet all morning. The awkwardness came back. Whiskey went to the room he made for her and worked on some wood while the view of the woods helped quiet his thoughts.

“I’m taking LJ to say goodbye to the girls. Bryan’s meeting us later,” she called. When he didn’t answer, it hurt.

She drove up the mountain and got out of the car. LJ unbuckled and headed for the front door.

“Samantha,” Chase sounded surprised to see her.

“Didn’t Kassie tell you I was coming?” She walked in and closed the door.

“Bryan arrived. I assumed you met him on your way. His flight arrived early,” he told her.

“I didn’t see him. He didn’t call.” Samantha checked her phone.

“I sent him to Whiskey’s,” Chase admitted.

“Can you keep an eye on LJ?” Chase nodded as she got back in the car.

---