Always Tried and Proven (9 page)

      “What is all this?”  Callie demanded in awe.

     “This is just my way of saying thank you for letting me stay here with you; and for singing at the tent.”  Sadie answered soothingly.  “Huh, uh.  Don’t you even dare.”  She shushed Callie, who opened her mouth to object.  She pushed Callie into a chair and breezed inside to get the food.

     Sam sat down on Callie’s left, and gave her a teasing look.  “Well, perhaps there’s hope, yet.  I see that you know better than to argue with Sadie.  Perhaps you’ll soon learn better than to argue with me.”

     Callie gave him a scathing smile.  “Don’t you hold your breath, preacher.”  She warned.  But her smile softened to ease the words, and her eyes teased him.

      The food came immediately and it looked divine, served up on Callie’s clear, bottle green glass tableware.  Sam offered Callie his hand and smiled a challenge at her.  “Is it all right for me to say a blessing?” he asked.

      “Sure.”  Callie agreed, feeling as if it could be a big mistake to join hands with these people.  But, Sam behaved himself admirably when he prayed, and moments later, they were all digging in hungrily.  Instead of making her uncomfortable, Callie found that the joining of hands and simple prayer somehow made her feel warm and comforted, and happy.  It eased and then melted away the last shreds of tension she’d been feeling about her lunch companions.

     Afterward, Sadie produced a delicious raspberry sorbet.  After a generous helping of that, they all just sat drinking tea, and made a halfhearted attempt to finish off the cheese garlic bread.

     “So, what are you going to wear to the tent tonight, in this heat?”  Sadie asked Callie lazily.

    Callie shrugged.  “I don’t know.  If I had my way, I’d wear something with spaghetti straps.  But that’s probably a no-no; isn’t it, Sam?” she asked regretfully.

      Sam shot her a lazy look from under a raised eyebrow.  “I have no prediction about the reaction that might cause.”  He warned.  “What exactly did you have in mind?”

    Callie blushed at the tone of voice he used.   “Never mind.  I’ll think of something else.”

     “Show me what you were thinking about.”  Sam dared her.  Callie met his eyes steadily.  He wasn’t going to back down, so she sighed and pushed away from the table.

     “All right.”  She agreed.  “Come with me, then.” She walked away and felt Sam following her down the hall.  The tension grew as she realized that he intended to follow her right into her room.  She reminded herself who he was, and told herself not to be ridiculous.

     To her relief, Sam stopped in the doorway.  Callie was glad she’d made her bed and picked up, though.  She went to her closet and returned with the sun dress.  It was a lovely thing, of sea green satin and white lace.  The skirt was full, the bodice was perfectly fitted.  Ivory lace covered the bodice and made it a very feminine and attractive piece.  A graduated lace flounce at the waist made it into a peplum.  Spaghetti straps held it up, and layers of net petticoats made the skirt a rustling delight.

     Sam raised his eyebrows and ran a hand over his eyes.  “I hope you don’t expect me to say you shouldn’t wear that.”  He begged.  “That’s got to be just about the most incredible, beautiful thing a woman could put on.  Next to what you’re wearing at the moment.” He said with a sheepish, lazy grin.

      Callie laughed incredulously.  “Well, Sam.  What did I tell you, it would never go over at the tent.  It’s only good for the bars, I suppose.  Even if I let my hair cover my shoulders it wouldn’t do, would it?”

       “That would just about clinch it.”  He advised dryly.

      Callie watched his burning eyes and felt butterflies in her stomach at the look she saw there.  “Well; perhaps I’ll save it for later in the evening.”  She said finally.

      “Do save it for the last set.”  He urged.

      “Why?” she asked curiously.

     “Save the best for last.  Anything you put on after this would be anti-climactic.”  He warned.

   “You are simply an impossible man, has anyone told you?” she asked in exasperation.

      “No.  Tell me why.”  He challenged, crossing his arms on his chest.

     “Oh, you’re just … a bit of a bull dog.  I mean, here you are again, driving me crazy.  You’re a nice man, Sam, but you just don’t know when to say uncle!”

      He laughed at her, and pulled her into a light embrace.  “I never had an uncle.  And I don’t want one.  I just want to be alone with you for a minute.”

       Callie tensed at the intimate tone in his voice.  “Why?” she asked pertly.

    “To see if you’ll suffer my kisses yet.”  He threatened, growling in mock frustration as she pushed against his chest.  “Stubborn, independent woman, you are.” He accused.  “Don’t you think you ought to at least give me a try?”

     Callie shook her head.  “No.  You’re
much
too dangerous to play with.  If I gave you one inch, I’d be done for.”

     Sam laughed down at her.  “Then I’m a fool if I don’t press my advantage, don’t you think?”  he challenged pleasantly.

     She stared up at him in shock and disbelief.  Dismay flooded her as she realized just what she’d said.  “Oh, my.”  She said tiredly.  “No.  No, no,
no!
”

      “But that is a risk I’m not quite willing to take, just yet.  I’d rather wait for you to want it as badly as I do.”  He said with satisfaction.  “But I would be forever grateful if you’d let me take a nap on your couch, just now.”

      “Sure.”  She agreed immediately.  “I’ll get you a blanket and pillow.”

      “Just a pillow is all I'll need, thanks.”  He advised with a yawn.

   He followed Callie back down the hall, and sighed as he made himself comfortable on the couch.  “What are you going to sing tonight?” he asked curiously.

      Callie shrugged.  “Oh, I don’t know.  I haven’t decided yet.”  She admitted.

      “So, how do you decide what you’ll sing?”

    “I just know when the time comes.”  She admitted. “Is that a problem?  Should I be deciding earlier, and letting you know?”

     “No.  Actually, I’m certain that it’s a very good sign.”

     Surprise and pleasure filled Callie.  She’d begun to realize that she very much enjoyed gaining Sam’s approval.  “What time do you need to get up?” she asked.

     “About four.”  He mumbled, burying his face in a pillow.

     “Oh, man.”  Clyde grumbled from the patio.  “How does he rate?  Any chance I could snag the other couch?”

      “Sure.”  Callie agreed.  “I’ll get you a pillow.”

    “Let me take one from the guest room, Cal. You might just want to nap this afternoon, and that would leave you one.”

     “All right.”  Callie agreed. 

     Clyde went into the restroom, and Sadie went back to the guest room for the pillow, leaving Callie alone with Sam for a moment.  She walked over and stood above him, looking at him with puzzled affection.  She reached down and brushed a wayward strand of hair out of his eyes.  Then, certain that he was already asleep, she leaned over and placed a soft kiss on his temple.

     She was filled with anxiety as soon as she’d done it.  What if he
wasn’t
asleep?  What if he thought the wrong thing?  What if, what if!  She went to her room and flopped on the bed. 

      She liked Sam.  She liked Sadie, and she liked the people who made up the tent crew.   But she was extremely uncomfortable having them in her home, in her life.  It felt ominous, somehow.  As though something was about to happen, as though she might just lose control somehow.  And Callie liked very much to be in control.

      “Callie.  Time to wake up.”  Sadie shook her friend’s shoulder gently.

      “What?  I fell asleep again?” she mumbled.

      “You sure did.  It’s five o’clock, honey.”

      “Oh, boy.  Sam wanted to be up an hour ago.”  She groaned.

     “He was.  He’s already gone back to shower.  By now, he’s on his way back here to pick us up.”

      “Huh?”  Callie grunted, coming fully awake.

     “Yep.  He says he’s taking us to dinner again.”  Sadie confirmed.  “He said it was so enjoyable to be able to take two beautiful women to dinner and have nobody pointing a finger at him, that he wouldn’t pass up another opportunity.”

     Callie rolled her eyes and flopped back to the bed again.  “That man!  He doesn’t ask, he orders and he just makes his plans as though everyone will fall in step.”

      “We will, darling, because he’s Sam.   And I don’t think you’re half as sorry as you’d like to have me believe.  Give Sam a break, and let him have a little bit of female companionship.  He travels alone so much; let him enjoy this.  Please?  Now get up, and make yourself beautiful.”

      The Sam that picked them up half an hour later was a very dashing man.  In black slacks, a crisp, white shirt and black vest, he looked handsome, and then some.  He wore shiny dress boots and he even had a crisp, white handkerchief in his pocket.

      “Wow.”  Callie chuckled.  “Dressed fit to kill, aren’t you?”

      Sam tipped his head as though it was of no consequence. “If you noticed, it’s all right with me.”  He teased.  His eyes took in her hair and make-up with approval.  “Are you about ready?”

     “Yes.  Just let me slip into my dress,” she said, clutching her robe.  “I can’t answer for Sadie.”  She returned wearing a sleeveless dress in Navy, with big white polka dots, and white heels.  A wide, white belt with a jeweled clasp accentuated her slender waist, and the flowing skirt of the dress.

       Sam looked at her with raised eyebrows. 

       “Will this be acceptable for the tent?” she asked worriedly.

       “Oh, my, yes.  And then some!”  He assured her.

      Sadie slapped his arm reprovingly as she went out the door.  “Don’t forget your garment bags.”  She reminded Callie.

       “I’ll get them.”  Sam responded immediately.

    Sam had decided where they were going to eat, and he led Callie there without divulging any information.  Callie bit her lip when she saw where he intended to go. It was one of the nicest restaurants in town.  It was quite spendy, and very uptown.  But he seemed to know what he was doing, so she parked and buttoned her lip.

     They had a very nice dinner.  Callie’s Scallops were divine, and Sam and Sadie were delightful dinner companions.

      As soon as she was done eating, Sam stood beside Callie’s chair and held a hand to her.  “Dance with me.”  He challenged lightly.

     Callie felt all the blood in her body rush to her cheeks; and then promptly rush out again.  She shot a look of terror at Sadie, who happened to be carefully studying the ice in her water glass, just then.

     She gave Sam her hand, and stood up in response.  There was nothing else she could do, with any grace.  He smiled, and drew her under his arm as they walked toward the dance floor.  A string ensemble was playing soft music, and the man beside Callie seemed to be in the mood for romance.

     “Thank you, Callie.”  He whispered in her ear as he drew her into his arms.  “I thought for a moment that you were going to refuse.”  He chided lightly, a teasing glint in his eye.

     Callie let her hands rest on his arms, and she shot him a look that offered battle.  “Don’t you know, Reverend, that preachers do not dance?  Especially with unmarried women?”

      “Why not?”  he asked lightly.

      “Because it does not look good.”

     Sam chuckled.  “I’d bet my last dollar that you couldn’t get one person in this place to agree with you, right now.  You know that we look fabulous together.”  He argued.  “Admit it.  And while you’re at it,” he charged, “admit to yourself that there is nothing bad or inappropriate going on.”

     “Sam, that’s not the point.  People
talk
.”  She reminded him tersely.

    Sam shrugged.  “Let ‘em.” He answered shortly.  He pulled Callie so close that her face was snuggled into his lapels, and she couldn’t argue further.  She discovered that she enjoyed the feel of Sam’s strong, warm arms around her.  She liked his scent and the cologne he wore.  She liked the feel of his waist under her fingertips.  She liked the feel of his chest beneath her cheek.  She could feel his hip against her, and a dart of excitement rushed through her.  She came to the realization that she was extremely attracted to this man.  Dangerously and deeply attracted to him.  She pulled back a little bit, and he allowed her to retreat.

     “Tell me about your family, Sam.”  She urged.

     “I really don’t have any blood family left.”  He replied.

    “What?  No wife?  No children?  No parents?”  she teased in an outraged voice.

     Sam’s eyes scolded her.  “If I had a wife and children, would I be out here dancing with a beautiful single woman this way?”

      Callie forced herself to meet his eyes.  “It has been known to happen.”

     He chuckled.  “Not with me.”  He assured her.  “Although, you probably wish I did have a wife and a dozen kids.  It would give you a wonderful excuse to send me packing, wouldn’t it?”