Sam's Promise: Blackwater, Book 1 (7 page)

“I have a plan,” he said, “but it’s a big one, and it’ll take all of us to make it work.”

“Make it quick, Sammy,” River grumbled. “Mom is due to get out of the hospital today, and I don’t want her to be alone when they release her.”

“Julie is with her.” He’d called her the minute he woke up, partly because he’d wanted to hear her sweet voice and partly because he couldn’t get the image of her coming for him out of his head. “Mom’s in good hands.” Sam looked closer at River and noticed the dark circles under his eyes. “When was the last time you slept?”

River sat back in his stool and crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ll sleep when Mom is home. Away from those damn tubes and nurses poking her with needles all night long.”

Reilly glared at his twin but stayed silent. Brodix yawned. “Why couldn’t we meet at the house? And where the hell is the coffee?”

“Because this is about the diner, not the house.” Sam rolled his eyes at Brodix’s pissy mood. He’d always been the worst morning person on the planet. It took him three cups before he was even remotely civil. “You want coffee make it yourself, I’m not your maid.”

“If you were, I’d fire your useless ass.”

“If you’ll shut up and let me talk, maybe we could get through this within the next century too.”

“So talk,” he bit out.

Sam started right in, no sense dancing around it. “I’ve had a chance to look over the books. Things are bad.”

“Bankruptcy bad?” Vance asked, speaking for the first time since arriving.

He nodded. Several curses filled the air. Sam held up a hand. “However, we’re not without options here. I’ve been looking at the property. We own it outright, thanks to Dad’s financial skills, and it’s large enough that we could expand the diner.”

“Customers aren’t clamoring to eat here as it is, and you want to make the place bigger?” Reilly asked. “How does that make sense?”

“Not bigger, necessarily, but a remodel. I think we should turn the diner into a bar and grill.”

Suddenly alert, Brodix sat up and placed his elbows on the counter. “How? I don’t see a bank loaning us the amount of cash that sort of remodel would entail.”

“I have some money in savings,” Sam offered.

“Me too,” River added as he looked at the clock on the wall for the tenth time. “We might not need the bank.”

“Hell, if you both have money in savings, then why don’t the five of us just put in equal shares to pay the bills around here?” Reilly said as he waved a hand in the air. “Problem solved.”

“Because Sammy is thinking of a long-term solution,” Brodix said as his quick mind caught on. “Paying the bills is only a bandage.”

“In my opinion,” Sam began, “a bar and grill would gain us a damn sight more customers than a diner ever could. I don’t want to end up right back here six months down the road, few customers and too much overhead. We need to make some changes.”

“Vance’s Construction has the remodel covered,” Vance stated. He rubbed his hands together and looked around the room before saying, “It’s about time this place got a facelift.”

“I agree with everything you guys are saying here, but,” River said, still looking unconvinced, “what do you think Mom will want? The diner was always her thing.”

For a moment, they all fell silent as they glanced around the room. Sam knew his brothers were recalling all the times they’d spent there growing up. They’d each taken turns waiting tables and washing dishes. Sam hadn’t minded the work, though, because the diner was
theirs
. And for a motley bunch like they’d been before Wanda and Chet Jennings came into their lives, having a place to call their own had been worth a little sweat.

“I think she’ll be thrilled, River,” Sam said. “That we’re all taking an interest in the family business is what she always wanted anyway. Her and Dad both. Besides, if she decides she wants to keep things as they are, then we’ll go with what Reilly said.” He made a circle in the air to indicate the five of them. “We’ll put our money together and pay the bills. Do our best to help out.”

“The heart attack was a wake-up call for all of us,” River muttered. “Mom needs to slow down. She needs help.”

“No doubt, bro.” Sam was ashamed that he hadn’t noticed until it’d been almost too late. “We’re going to see that she gets it.”

“If we do this, then we’re going to need new menus, a bigger staff. New uniforms. More than Eddie to cook.” Brodix shoved a hand through his hair. “This is big, Sammy.”

“No joke there, it’s a huge undertaking. But I have some ideas how we can get some help with some of it.”

“You’re thinking about Julie,” Reilly surmised.

Vance quirked an eyebrow. “What’s she got to do with this?”

“She’s majoring in business, and I think she’d be a real asset through all this. In fact, I’m thinking of asking her to be the manager of the Blackwater Bar and Grill.”

“Makes sense.” Brodix grinned. “The Blackwater Bar and Grill… Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?”

“Damn straight,” Sam growled.

“Speaking of Julie,” Brodix said as his gaze met his and held, “what’s this about you two going out to dinner last night?”

It wasn’t the abrupt change in topic that had Sam on alert so much as the tone. Brodix sounded jealous. Had he been into Julie? Sam had assumed Brodix had just been doing what he usually did when he was around a pretty woman—flirting.

Sam glared at Reilly. “Big mouth.”

Reilly stood and held up his hands. “Hey, don’t get all angry with me. He’s the one who asked if I knew her phone number. I told him that I didn’t, but you might.”

Sam turned his attention back to Brodix. “You were planning to call Julie?”

Brodix sat back and tapped his fingers against the countertop. “I thought about it. Is it a problem?”

“Yeah, it’s a problem,” he gritted out as he recalled the sight of her during her climax. “Julie is off limits.”

“Seriously? You just met her on Thursday! Jesus, you’ve gone out all of one time.”

Sam didn’t say anything, only stared. To his way of thinking, there wasn’t anything left to say.

Vance laughed. “Mom is going to have a heyday with this.”

“Whoa.” Sam’s gut clenched up. “I’m interested in Julie, yeah, but I didn’t say we were picking out matching robes.” He paused, then thought to add, “And if any one of you says a word to Mom, I’ll beat you to a bloody pulp.”

“Might not have to,” River said, smiling for the first time since their mother’s heart attack.

“What do you mean?”

“Julie’s at the hospital now, remember? Mom’s probably already gotten all the information she needs.” He chuckled. “The woman is better than a CIA operative when it comes to gaining intel on her
boys
.”

Sam groaned. “Christ, I never even thought of that.” Hell, he’d be lucky if his mother hadn’t already set a wedding date.

“If I were you,” Reilly said, “I’d get my ass down there before Mom gets carried away.”

“Like that time Vance brought home Shayla Riggs. Remember her?” River asked, punching Vance on the arm. “Mom was ready to break out the horse-drawn carriage and champagne flutes for the two of you.”

Vance stayed silent, but Sam saw the flicker of pain all the same. Sam remembered Shayla. She’d broken his brother’s heart. The others weren’t aware of how serious Vance had been for the girl. But Sam had known, and it still pissed him off to know how easily Shayla had found it to kick Vance to the curb.

“Before we end this meeting,” Sam said, changing the subject for Vance’s sake, “I need to know if we’re all onboard with the remodel.”

They all sent up their agreements. Reilly, River and Brodix high-fived one another. Vance sent Sam a look of thanks before he stood. “I’ll start working on the plans.”

“Good deal. I’ll talk to Mom, and we’ll go from there. Agreed?”

“Agreed,” his brothers said in unison.

When Sam arrived at the hospital, Julie was sitting next to his mom’s bed. They were laughing and carrying on as if they’d known each other their entire lives. He liked seeing his mom happy. He hadn’t seen her laughing much, not since their dad had passed. And it was good that Julie was so at ease around his family, but some part of him wondered if he held any importance in her world. The thought turned his good mood sour.

Sam cleared his throat. Both women glanced over at him. “Am I interrupting?”

“Sammy dear,” his mother said in her usual cheery voice as she held her arms out for a hug. “We were just talking about you.”

“That’s never good,” Sam muttered.

Julie smiled, and unless he was seeing things, Sam thought he saw the hint of a blush filling her cheeks. He wanted to go to her, to pull her out of the chair and give her a proper hello, but he didn’t have that right. She didn’t belong to him. One date, one hot as hell date—that was all they’d shared. When she gave him a puzzled look, Sam frowned, and he wasn’t even sure why.

“Sammy, stop glaring and come over here and give me a hug.”

Sam strode across the room and leaned down to kiss his mother on the cheek. “How are you feeling?”

“Much better now that I’m to be released from this prison.”

“The doctor just came in and gave the okay,” Julie said. “Your timing couldn’t be better.”

“Good,” he said, not taking his eyes off his mom as he lifted away and took the seat at the bottom of the bed. “You do know that this doesn’t mean you’re going right back to your old diet and routine, right? It’s time to start eating healthier. You need to think of
you
for a change.”

“Yes, yes, so I keep hearing.” She pointed a finger at him. “You and your brothers have turned into a bunch of mother hens.”

Sam winked. “What can I say, we learned from the best.”

Julie stood, and Sam was able to get a better look at her. She wore a pair of tight, dark blue jeans and a white blouse. Her hair was pulled up into a ponytail, and Sam thought she looked cute as a button. His cock went semi-hard as he remembered how good her pussy had felt in his palm, how sweet she’d tasted. Sam started to get up, then realized what he was doing and stopped. His mom had plans, he reminded himself. The marriage-and-white-picket-fence type. He was sure of it. Sam didn’t even know if Julie still wanted a second date.

Sam watched as Julie took her purse off the back of the chair and flung it over one shoulder. When she leaned down to hug his mother, Sam got a glimpse of Julie’s ass in the denim. Jesus, the woman was built.

“You’re leaving?” he asked.

She nodded. “Unless you wanted me to stay?”

Her gaze darted down his body and when she looked back up at him, Sam saw the way she bit at her lower lip, and her breathing had increased. Unless he was way off, Julie appeared turned on. It wasn’t anything obvious, but after their little make-out session on her back patio, Sam recognized the small telltale signs. He desperately wanted to take her in his arms and press her for a day and time when he could see her again, but as he glanced over at his mom, he saw the twinkle in her eyes. The one that said she’d already decided where they should register for gifts. He stayed firmly planted in the chair.

Sam remembered she’d asked him a question. “There’s no need to hang around, but I appreciate you coming by.”

“Okay,” she said in a quiet voice before quickly turning her attention to his mom. “Hanging with Wanda is always my pleasure.” The two women said their good-byes, and without another glance his way, Julie left.

“Sammy, if you were looking for an opportunity to stake a claim, that was it.”

“What do you mean?”

“The heart attack didn’t affect my mind, dear. I can see the way you two look at each other. And I know you took her out to dinner.”

Same raked his fingers through his hair. “Does everyone know my business these days?”

She ignored him as only a mother on a mission could. “So, what gives?”

“A date, that’s all we’ve shared, Mom. One date.”

“Was it horrible? Did she get drunk and pass out?”

Despite his irritation at being grilled like a schoolboy, Sam chuckled. “No, she didn’t get wasted. We had a great time.”

She waved her hand impatiently back and forth between them. “Okay, and…?”

“And that’s all you’re getting out of me on the subject of Julie Rose.”

“If you insist. May I at least give you one small piece of advice? I promise I’ll let it drop.”

Sam snorted. “I don’t believe that for a second, but I’m listening.”

“Love is a risk, dear. No one knows that better than you do. The thing is, some people are worth it.”

An orderly came in and saved Sam from replying. He didn’t know what he would’ve said anyway except the truth, that Julie was worth the risk. Of that, Sam had no doubt. But would she feel the same way about him? One way or another, he needed an answer to that nagging question.

Chapter Seven

Since leaving Wanda in Sam’s capable hands, Julie had been parked on the couch attempting to catch up on all her television shows. Her usual Sunday ritual had always been homework and vegging in front of the TV. After rewinding the same scene for the third time, however, she had to admit defeat. It was no use, because her mind was on Sam. He’d been so sweet and oh-so-romantic on their date. Wishing on stars, who would have thought? And then he’d taken her clear to heaven with his skillful touches. God, she still burned from the feel of his fingers buried inside of her pussy. She knew he’d enjoyed every second of it too. His sensual words on the phone that morning had been proof of that. So was the hard-on she’d seen him sporting at the hospital.

When he’d called and woken her up, he’d explained that he’d wanted to hear her sleepy voice first thing in the morning. He’d said he hadn’t been able to sleep for thinking of her in his arms. He’d reminded her that she’d promised him another date. She’d ended up stammering, too excited to speak with any degree of intelligence.

Unfortunately, when he’d shown up at the hospital, he’d been back to frowning. She wasn’t sure what had changed. At one point she could’ve sworn he was going to cross the room and pull her into his arms, but he hadn’t. Julie wondered now if maybe she’d been imagining things. He hadn’t acted at all like the same man who’d called her that morning simply because he couldn’t get her off his mind. A knock on the door pulled Julie out of her gloomy thoughts.