Just Between Friends (28 page)

     And they did just that.  They laughed and talked, and by the time they were finished, everyone’s mood had lightened considerably.

     After the men had retired to the parlor, Cassie helped Louise clean up.  They were standing at the sink when Ben’s mother clutched her heart.  “Mrs. Williams!”  Cassie yelled.  “What is it?  What’s wrong?”

     She remained silent for a moment, then spoke, “I’m alright, dear. I’ve just been having these sudden fast heart beats.  They seem to come on rather suddenly, and to be honest, they’re a little frightening.  Then I seem to break out in a sweat.  I really don’t know what’s happening to me, but I’m beginning to think Ethan is right.  It is time I was paying Doctor Mitchell a call.  Please, don’t say anything to Ben,” she implored.  “Just let me find out what’s wrong first, alright?”

     Cassie was worried about her.  It would devastate Ben if anything were to happen to his mother.  To all of them, but she agreed.  “Of course I won’t say anything if that’s what you wish.  But please, don’t put this off too long.”

     “I won’t, dear.  I’m going to talk with Ethan tonight and I’ll probably go see the doctor tomorrow.  I’m feeling better now.  Let’s finish up in here so we can join the men.”

     “Mrs. Williams,” Cassie urged, “you sit down and let me finish, please.  There’s not that much left to do.  You don’t want the others to see you like this.  You’re still a little pale.”

     Louise agreed to this and laid down her dish towel, “Maybe you’re right.  I am feeling quite tired.  If only I could get a good night’s sleep for a change, I’m sure I would feel like a new person.  Maybe once I see the doctor, he’ll give me something to help me rest.”

     While Cassie finished the dishes, Louise sat and sipped on a cold glass of water.  By the time they were ready to join the men, she felt much better.

     The evening wore on and Alec excused himself, saying he didn’t mean to be rude, but he must be leaving, and told Ben he would stop by his house tomorrow.   There was something he had to do, and he had to do it now.                                          

***

     Before he reached Sam’s, Alec considered the idea of running into Steven, for it was highly probable he would be there, since it was his home.  Miranda would likely be there also.  What an uncomfortable proposition that was, for he didn’t know how much Steven knew about he and Miranda.  After all, they had been engaged, and had shared some pretty intimate moments.  But all that was over now.  Steven would have to understand that.

     But he was relieved to find when he arrived that Miranda’s buggy was nowhere in sight.  Maybe neither of them was here, he thought, hoping.  He walked to the door and knocked.  While he waited, he looked at the sky.  Seeing the black clouds, he knew they were in for some storm.  Rain, he supposed, feeling it was a little too dark and warm for snow.

     Suddenly the door swung open and Sam stood in the opening.  “Good evening,” he greeted her.  “I hope I haven’t come at a bad time.  I promised Sarah I would visit her today, but Ben and Cassandra came over for dinner, and well, you know how that is.  You can’t just leave your company.”

     Still feeling a little uncomfortable, thinking of the conversation she and Miranda had had earlier, she tried to maintain her composure. “Good evening, Alec,” she returned.  “Of course you haven’t come at a bad time.  You know you’re welcome anytime.  Sarah’s been asking about you.  Won’t you please come in?”

     As he entered the house, Sarah came running to him.  “Alec!”  She yelled, as she flew into his arms.  “I’ve been waiting on you all day.  I’m glad you finally came.”  She hugged him then.  “Guess what, Alec?”  She asked excitedly.  “My uncle Steven came home today.  You remember the one who took care of me when I was lost, and he’s so nice.  He calls me his little scamp.  Isn’t that funny?”  She was giggling.

     Alec was glad for all of them that Steven was alive, but he still felt a pang of jealousy.  He realized he didn’t want anyone to take his place with Sarah.  He looked at her and answered, “Yes, Sarah, that’s very funny, and yes, I remember him.  We grew up together, Steven and I, and used to be best friends.  We played together all the time.  Just like you and your little friend, Molly.  I’ll be glad to see him again.”

     He turned his attentions to Sam.  “Is he here?”

     Shaking her head in response, she replied, “No. He and Miranda went for a drive.”  She watched his expression to see if he looked hurt, and was surprised to see that he didn’t.

     Lowering Sarah to the floor, he asked, “Where’s everyone else?  It’s so quiet.”

     “Oh, mama had a headache and decided to lie down for a while until Steven gets back, and papa decided to join her.  It’s been such an exhausting and emotional day for them both Alec, you couldn’t possibly know the joy we feel at this moment, and how truly thankful we are to get Steven back.  My baby brother,” she wiped her eyes, “we thought we’d never see him alive again.”

     He made his way toward her and wrapped his arms around her.  Holding her like this, he couldn’t help wishing it could always be this way.  But she had just called Steven her baby brother.  She probably felt he was like a baby brother to her also, since he and Steven were the same age. Still holding her, he spoke, “I’m so glad for all of you. It brings me joy to see you so happy.”

     Pulling free from his embrace, he noticed a change in her. 
Why did she pull away like that?
  He wondered.  She almost seemed distant as he asked, “Sam, what is it?  What did I do?”

     She seemed unable to get Miranda’s words out of her mind, telling her if she had any feelings for Alec, not to hold them back. 
But Miranda didn’t understand.  It wasn’t a woman’s place to be forward.  Besides, what if she did tell him how she felt about him, and he didn’t return those feelings?  She would make a fool of herself.  No, she couldn’t.  If Alec felt anything for her, like Miranda thought, then he would have to come to her.  She could never go to him.

     “Sam, did you hear me?  I said I’m sorry if I did anything to offend you.”

     She could hear the concern in his voice, but also hurt, and she would never intentionally cause him pain for anything in this world.  Apologetically, she explained, “No Alec, you’ve done nothing. I’m sorry.  I guess all this with Steven has had an effect on me too.”

     Then realizing how quiet Sarah had become, they looked and found her lying on the rug in front of the fireplace.  “What’s wrong with Sarah?”  Alec questioned.  “A while ago she seemed full of energy, now she’s half asleep.  I think I should be the one to feel offended.”

     “No, Alec, it’s not you.  You see, Sarah was up most of the night last night with a stomach ache, and she hasn’t had a nap today, what with all the excitement going on.  But she told me this evening she wasn’t going to bed until she saw you.  She wanted to tell you about Steven herself.  I guess once she did, that was enough for her.  I’m glad she’s going to sleep.  She needs her rest.”

     Alec felt touched finding out Sarah had waited up especially for him. She was such a special little girl. He suddenly remembered what Sam had said and with concern in his voice, Alec asked, “A stomach ache?  She is alright now, isn’t she?  I know she seemed fine when she ran up to me.”

     “Goodness yes.  She’s fine now.  She’s been very energetic today, wrestling with Steven.  I think it was just something she ate.  I’m sorry, Alec. I don’t know where my manners are.  Won’t you please come in and sit for a while and wait on Steven?  I know he’ll be glad to see you again.  Here, hand me your coat and I’ll hang it up.  Then please, go in and make yourself comfortable.”

     Handing the garment to her, he then walked in and sat in a chair next to the fireplace.  He was nervous.  He wanted to have a talk with Sam and be honest with her in how he felt.  Wiping his hands on his trousers, for they were so sweaty, he watched her as she made her way to her daughter.

     Realizing she was about to pick her up, he jumped to his feet and declared, “No Sam, she’s much too heavy for you.  I’ll take her.  Where’s her room?”  As he lifted her in his arms, she nestled her head against his chest, and he kissed her on the forehead.

     Sam was touched at the sight.  “Come on,” she directed, “follow me.  Let’s be quiet though so we don’t wake mama or papa.”

     He followed her up the stairs and into Sarah’s room.  As he took her to the bed, he lay her do
wn.  Samantha came up from behind him, unlaced and pulled off her daughters shoes and tucked her in.  She then leaned over her and kissed her goodnight.  Even though Sarah was still fast asleep, and couldn’t hear her, Sam lovingly proclaimed, “Goodnight my sweet Sarah. I love you.”

    
How amazing she was,
Alec thought. 
She was such a wonderful mother, and so kind
.  He felt his heart would burst with the feelings he was experiencing for her.  Probably deep-down he had always had some feelings for her, but had never let them develop because of Miranda.

     Retracing her steps, she motioned for him to follow.  Leaving the door slightly ajar, they quietly made their way back downstairs.  She was feeling those butterflies again, realizing that unless Steven and Miranda were to show up, she and Alec would be alone. 
How were they to act?  What were they to say?

      Alec made his way back to the chair he had been sitting in, while Sam sat on the sofa.  She was so nervous her hands were shaking.  “Well,” she began, “Can I offer you something to drink, Alec?”

     “No, I’m fine,” he answered, rubbing his hands together.

     Silence filled the air.  Finally Alec broke that silence.  “Sam, there’s something that I’ve been meaning to talk with you about, but it’s never seemed the proper time.”

     Feeling those butterflies again, she didn’t respond, thinking it best to let him say what was on his mind first.  Daring a glance at him, she only nodded.

     Pausing only a moment, he continued, deciding it best to just say it and get it over with.  “Now, I don’t really know where to begin, so please be patient with me, alright?”

     Hearing the roar of thunder in the distance, he thought,
oh wonderful, just when I begin to tell her how I feel about her, Steven and Miranda will probably show up because of the storm. 
But he knew this may be the only opportunity he would have to be alone with her, so he decided to go for it.

     Gathering his nerves, he proceeded, “First of all Sam, I want you to know that Miranda and I didn’t break up because we found out Steve was alive.  This all happened before Sarah was lost.  Well, actually the same day is when it happened.  That’s what we were discussing when you showed up.  Well, no, that’s not when it first happened, but that was when we were discussing what we were going to do about it.  Oh, it doesn’t matter about that.”  He was starting to make a fool of himself because he was so nervous and unsure of what to say.

     Noticing how quiet she had become, he remarked, “Sam, you can stop me anytime you like, alright?  I know I’m rambling on so.”  He paused to take a breath, before he went on, “If I say anything out of line, tell me.  I’ll understand.” 

     As she looked at him with those beautiful blue eyes, and nodded, he seemed to melt.  Composing himself, he continued, “Maybe you don’t know what I’m getting at, but you will.  Just give me time.  First, I want to ask you a question and I need for you to be totally honest with me.  Do I seem like a younger brother to you?”

     Feeling a little less jittery, she answered, “Why no, Alec.  Maybe you think I should see you that way since we grew up together, and I’m a little older than you, but really I don’t see you that way at all.”

     Feeling a little more confident, he then asked, “Well then, how do you see me Sam?”

    
Oh, how could she answer this question?
  She wondered.  “Well,” she stuttered, “I… I… I guess someone I feel very close to.”  She couldn’t actually reveal her true feelings.  Not yet anyway.

     Standing to his feet, he went to the window and staring out, said, “Looks like it’s coming quite a storm.  It’s been so warm for this time of year.”  He remained that way for a while, then finally turned and walked over to the sofa and sat beside her.  She was feeling those butterflies again.