Page 4 of Securing Samantha

“I’ll see you tomorrow. Don’t worry, we’ll figure this out together,” she reassured him. When he didn’t say anything, she felt the hollowness in her chest.

Claire walked beside her to the car. “Why don’t I meet with you in the morning? I know this situation feels overwhelming and you must feel a hundred different things. It’ll take some time, but we’ll tackle it together,” she reassured her.

“No disrespect Claire, I understand Whiskey needs help I can’t provide. We always worked as a team and right now, I feel as if you’re acting as the gatekeeper to my husband,” Samantha made her feelings known.

Claire sighed. “Whiskey arrived in a terrible state. Your husband experienced severe trauma mentally and physically. He’s made improvement since arriving here. He still spends whole days in the closet when he’s overwhelmed. Some days, he doesn’t speak. Kassie finally convinced him to eat. Even the textures of certain foods bother him. The man you met in the cabin is facing a long road of recovery. I want to warn you about what to expect from him. He may walk out during conversations. Whiskey may not speak or refuse to meet his family. I don’t want you to feel I intend to block you from your husband. We need to take baby steps. Seeing you today, most likely will cause a setback. Not because he didn’t want to see you. He doesn’t know how to process things. Be prepared and hang in there. It’ll feel worse before it gets better.”

Samantha nodded as Claire gave her arm a little squeeze of support. She made her way to her car and started the engine as Claire walked back to the cabin. She pulled out of the driveway and away from her husband. She couldn’t deny she felt emptier now than when she thought he died.

CHAPTER FOUR

Whiskey showered and laid out his best shirt. He took out the scissors and trimmed his beard. He needed a haircut. Kassie cut some of the length, but she didn’t feel comfortable styling it. He trimmed it a tad bit shorter before pulling it back in a ponytail. It remained a far cry from his usual high and tight cut. He wished he had found his phone. He missed seeing the pictures of his family. He wanted to text Kassie. She understood his feelings. The doc’s wife went through something similar, and they felt like kindred spirits.

The doorbell rang. Claire told him she planned to arrive fifteen minutes before his wife showed up. He opened the door to allow her entry.

“How are you doing, Whiskey?” Claire smiled as she walked in. She went through the hallway and set herself up in the living room, taking the chair and leaving him only the couch to sit on when his wife arrived.

“I’m nervous. Yesterday got FUBAR fast,” he told her.

She gave a slight chuckle. “I don’t doubt it. We’ll continue to take it one day at a time. If you feel overwhelmed, I want you to try to communicate it before you go to the closet. Samantha feels shocked and confused too. Like you, she carries a ton of different emotions. I’ve already met with her and explained you might get up and go to your room. It’s perfectly fine if you need to gather your thoughts,” she encouraged him.

“Samantha’s disappointed. I saw it in her eyes,” he stated.

Claire sighed, “If this happened two months from now, she’d still struggle with her feelings. You’re her husband and the father of her child. She’s concerned. Don’t guess her feelings, ask her. It will help keep your anxiety down if you keep the communication lines clear.”

The doorbell rang indicating Samantha’s arrival.

Samantha walked in wearing a purple sweater with jeans. It reminded him of her favorite color, lavender and she even smelled like it. She styled her hair in a thick braid. The exact way she wore it the morning he left for the mission. He wanted to reach out and wind the thick rope of hair around his wrist and pull her close. He guessed she tasted minty. She always wore mint lip balm.

“Good morning, Liam,” she politely greeted him.

“Good morning, Samantha” he responded. He didn’t miss the flinch she made. Shit! He already somehow screwed up and she only arrived!

“Why don’t we have a seat?” Claire broke the silence.

Whiskey rushed to sit in the seat Claire vacated. She gave him a pointed stare but moved to the couch.

“Since you lost your phone, I brought you pictures of LJ as a baby up until now. You can see him grow.” She held a big bag out to him. When he made no effort to take it, she sat it on the coffee table.

“What a thoughtful idea, Samantha,” Claire complimented her.

“Thanks,” Whiskey mumbled. “I made coffee, do you want a cup?”

Samantha smiled tightly. “No, thank you. I don’t drink coffee.”

He wanted to smack himself over the head. She always loved those fancy blended teas.

“I might have some tea. I think Kassie brought me tea with honey. Let me check.” He didn’t miss the slight twitch as he mentioned his friend’s name. He walked into the kitchen and pulled down the box of tea from the shelf. He added water to the electric kettle Kassie left with him and pushed the button. He waited next to it while he listened to Claire talk to his wife. They discussed the weather. He poured the water in the teapot and placed it on the tray with one of those net things for tea leaves and a spoon.

Samantha picked up the box and stared at it. “Do you drink this?”

“No way. Kassie drinks that crap. She brought it here after I offered her a cup of coffee. She thinks it’s the most amazing stuff in the world along with the honey.” Shit. Her face tightened and her mouth turned into a firm line.

“Whiskey, we’re holding these sessions in order for you to get to know one another.” He detected a bit of amusement in Claire’s voice as she turned toward his wife. “Samantha, do you want to share with him what you do for a living?”

“I own a spa. As a side business I create my own teas. This blend remains a favorite here in Serenity. Bryanna, the baker in town, and Ty, the gourmet chef, purchase it from me to use at their establishments.” She raised her chin slightly as she placed the box on the table untouched.

Shit! He screwed up again.