Page 48 of Samuel

“First quarter from three years ago.”

“Okay. I’ll look over it tomorrow.”

“Of course. Is there anything else you need before I head out for the day? I’m planning on taking that tray of brownies up to my apartment and eating every last one until I’m so full I need a nap.”

Sam chuckled, a tickle spreading through his chest. He was excited his snack plan seemed to be working.

“Um, yeah. Actually just one thing.” He walked to herdesk and handed her the larger of two boxes he was holding. “I just wanted to give you this.”

“What? What is it?”

“Open it and see.”

Evie lifted the lid off the box, gently placing it on the floor, and eagerly removed the tissue paper at the top. Her eyes lit up the second they landed on the pair of cowboy boots he’d picked out for her after his doctor’s appointment.

“Sam! These are beautiful, but I can’t accept them.”

“Why not? Don’t you like them?”

“I do. They’re gorgeous. I’ve never had a pair of cowboy boots before.”

“I know. I remember you saying it after our walk. These might not bebluebells,” he teased. “But I figured bluebonnets would do.”

“Why would you get these for me?” she asked, running her fingers over the delicate embroidery.

“I have a lot of making up to do for how I treated you before, Evie. This is just the beginning.” Sam took the boot from her hand and dropped to his knees in front of her.

“W-what are you doing?”

“Making sure they fit.”

“You don’t have to?—”

“Were you, or were you not, just complaining earlier about having trouble putting your sneakers on? Like I’m going to risk something happening to you just to try these on.” Sam held out his hand. “Foot please, Cinderella.”

Evie tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear as she extended her leg towards him. In one swift motion, her old shoe was gone. And in the next second, he was sliding the silky, cool leather up her calf.

“How does that feel?” he asked, his tongue sneaking out to lick along his bottom lip. They way they formed right to thecurve of her calf had his gaze tracing to the top of the boot and then continuing up her legs.

“Incredible.” Her eyes slid across her desk to the smaller box. “What’s in there?”

“Oh, um. It’s something for you… well, technically for Jellybean.”

“Can I open it?”

“Of course.” Sam handed the little box to Evie. He watched her eyes mist over.

“You got her a pair of boots like mine?”

He shrugged his shoulders. “They probably won’t fit her until she’s seven or eight, but I thought one day you could wear them and take pictures in a bluebonnet field together.”

“Sam, this is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. Thank you.”

He reached out and took hold of her hand, gently running his thumb over hers. “I’m glad you like them. Now, we have to figure out where we’re going to go to test your pair out.”

“I’ll just wear them upstairs to my apartment. I can already tell they’re going to be comfortable.”

“That’s not what I meant. We need to go somewhere to break them in. I was thinking tonight.”

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