Page 82 of Surprised By Love

She lifts her head and looks at me. “Thank you so much for everything you did tonight,” she says in a whisper.

“Of course, anytime you need me, you know I’ll be here for you.”

“I know, and I appreciate it.”

I look down into Sam’s eyes. They’re swollen from a night of crying and still glossy from tears, but they are the most beautiful hazel eyes I have ever seen.

I’m so happy Amelia is home safe and not injured. This night could have ended up a lot worse. How would I have been able to comfort her if anything traumatic had happened?

All I want to do is hold her close, tell her how much I care about her. That I’m falling in love with her, but this isn’t the right time. I place a finger under her chin, tilting it upwards. I lower my lips to hers, kissing her softly.

“Sam.” I regrettably pull away from the kiss. “I think it’s best if we postpone our date on Saturday.”

She looks up at me with more sadness in her eyes. “With everything that’s happened tonight, I think it might be best if we change it to next Friday instead. I’m sure you’ll want to spend some time with Amelia and going out tomorrow night might not be the best idea.”

She looks down and nods. “You’re right. I need to be with her this weekend. Thank you.”

I lift her chin up so she is looking at me. “Of course. If it were Emily or Jake—”

“I know,” she says, wrapping her arms around me, hugging me tight.

“What do you say we go back in and see how the kids are doing?” I whisper into her ear.

She kisses my cheek and stands, taking my hand and leading me back into the house.

Chapter Thirty

Sam

Joshwasright.Ineeded some time with Amelia.

For the next few days, I feel like I’m Amelia’s shadow. I follow her everywhere. I know she hates it, but we had a long talk. She realizes now how bad it could have been, and how she’s not to go anywhere without asking me first. No matter what the situation is.

The anxiety of losing Amelia has made me a tad over protective.

I’ve been preparing the desserts and baked goods for the diner the night before, or early in the morning, so I can be the one to walk Amelia to school every day. It’s not like I don’t trust Vicki or Becca. I do one hundred percent, but I feel better seeing her enter the school with my own eyes.

Then I head to the diner to work and pick Amelia up after school. My heart drops and my stomach clenches every time Amelia is a few minutes late getting out of school. I know I’m being silly, but I can’t help it.

It’s getting better as the days go on, but there is always this first few seconds of worry. The thought of her going missing again scares the life out of me.

It breaks my heart to see her so sad when she gets home and tells me how Emily and Jake are going here or doing that. She’s mad that I grounded her for a week. I’ve never had to ground her before, so this isn’t easy for me either.

I give her lots of hugs and kisses and I tell her every day I love her. We’ve had a few movie nights, just us up in my room snuggled under the blankets. I know she loves those, but she misses her friends, and I miss Josh. He’s been so sweet. He changed his schedule around so he can come in for coffee later in the mornings when he knows I’ll be there, so we can see each other.

There’s a knock on my bedroom door. I put down the romance book I’m reading and rush to the door. I know it’s silly Amelia is in bed, but I can’t help myself. Whenever I’m not with her, I jump at every sound, thinking something is wrong.

“Hey. Can I come in?” Vicki asks as I open my door.

“Sure.” I hold my arm wide, inviting her in.

We take a seat on my bed and Vicki takes my hand in hers. “I know how nervous you still are about leaving Amelia alone, but Becca and I were talking. We think it would be a great idea since Amelia will be off her grounding on Saturday that they come over for a slumber party so you can go on your date with Josh.”

I open my mouth to reply, but she puts her hand up to stop me. “Sam. She’ll be fine. I promise you, nothing will happen. We won’t go outside. We’re going to watch movies and pig out all night and crash on the living room floor. You can text me any time to check in.” Then she wiggles her eyebrows at me. “Unless you’re too busy.”

I push her, almost knocking her off the bed. We both crack up laughing. “That’s not going to happen. I’m just going over for dinner and a movie.”

“Mm-hmm. Suuure.” Vicki nods, her eyebrows raised again.

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