An hour later, freshly showered and still confused about his rampant interest in Faith, Sam was determined to figure it out—and not to get blown off again. He climbed into his truck and drove over to Harbor Park. Two bikini-clad women held up signs for the Women Against Cheaters Car Wash and guided Sam into one of two long lines of cars.
What the hell? Women Against Cheaters?
He pulled up behind a blue sedan to wait his turn, his eyes searching for Faith. Girls wearing skimpy shorts with bikini tops, one-piece bathing suits, or tanks and shorts soaped, scrubbed, and hosed down the vehicles. Normally Sam would sit back and enjoy the view, only he wasn’t seeing the view he wanted.
He wondered if he’d misunderstood when Faith had said she was hosting a car wash at Harbor Park. When it was his turn, a big-busted blonde stopped by his open window and smiled up at him.
“Thanks for coming out to the car wash. You might want to close your window so you don’t get wet.”
“Thanks,” he said absentmindedly, still looking for Faith. He finally spotted her across the parking lot, focusing intently on her phone. Faith’s hair was pinned up in a ponytail, and she wore a pink bikini top and a pair of white shorts, awakening every inch of Sam’s body. He stepped from the truck, wondering what she was so enthralled with. A text from a boyfriend? His muscles corded tight with the thought.
“What about your window?” the blonde asked.
Sam barely registered the question. He handed her the keys with an offhanded thanks and rounded the truck toward Faith.
**
THE CAR WASH had been busy since they’d opened, and Faith couldn’t be happier with the turnout. She was glad to finally meet some of the other members of WAC in person after getting to know them on the forums. It was oddly beautiful that awful circumstances brought them together. The bonds they formed over their hurtful pasts were strong and lasting, and after meeting them in person, her desire to help them was even stronger.
It had been a long time since she’d had this much fun, and as she finished posting a few pictures across social media for the group, she was excited to dive back in with the girls. She shoved her phone in her pocket as Lira, one of the members from a neighboring town, approached with a worried look in her eyes.
“Everything okay?” Faith knew from their online discussions that Lira had suffered the kind of broken heart that not many people would easily bounce back from. Her husband of three years had not only cheated on her, but he’d cheated with her sister, who was also her babysitter. In exchange for babysitting, Lira had let her sister use her car. Now she'd lost her husband and her babysitter, and if that wasn't enough, as soon as her ex moved out, he stopped helping with their bills and hadn’t been back to see their eighteen-month-old baby, Emmie, in weeks.
Lira fidgeted with the fringe of her shorts, which looked about as old as her paper-thin flip-flops. Her straight dark hair was parted to the side and fell over one eye. She tucked it behind her ear as she spoke. “Can we talk for a minute alone?”
“Of course.” Faith led her farther away from the group. “Is something wrong?”
“I was wondering if you knew of any free therapists. I see my ex everywhere around town, and between that and barely having enough money to pay my bills, I feel like I’m getting a little lost. And it’s more than just what happened. I can’t stand thinking about Emmie growing up around my sister and thinking what she did was okay. I also don’t want her to choose the wrong guys when she’s older, like I did. I think talking to a professional might help me figure all that out.”
“Oh, Lira. I’m so sorry you’re going through such a hard time, but Emmie’s a lucky girl. You want to break the cycle of destructive behavior, and wanting it is the first step to making it happen.” She embraced her, mentally going through the names of therapists Cole’s office referred their pain patients to. Unfortunately, they were all in Peaceful Harbor. “Have you talked to your insurance company about finding a therapist or a counselor of some sort?”
Lira’s face reddened with embarrassment. “I don’t have insurance. I had to leave my job because they paid so little I couldn’t afford a full-time babysitter, and finding a job in my small town is like finding a needle in a haystack. I make enough with my part-time job to pay for health insurance for Emmie, but it’s too expensive to cover myself, too.”
It was one thing to hear about the WAC members’ stories online, but to actually meet Lira, to see the fear in her eyes and hear the embarrassment in her voice, brought a lump to Faith’s throat—and strengthened her desire to do more.
“Did you try Social Services? Can they help?”
She shook her head vehemently. “I’m afraid to. Even though my ex doesn’t seem to want anything to do with Emmie, my sister works for Social Services, and who knows what she’d do with that information. I know she loves Emmie, but I can’t take the chance of her using it against me in some way.” A forced smile curved Lira’s lips. “It’s okay. I just thought you might know someone.”
“Let me talk to my boss and do some checking. I’m sure we can figure this out.” She embraced her again. “Is there anything else I can do today? Where’s Emmie now?”
“My mom lives about an hour away. She came into town to visit my sister, so she’s watching her. It’s not ideal, but it was just a few hours and I had no other choice.”
“And you’re here? Shouldn’t you be visiting with your mom? Can she help you financially?”
Lira shook her head again. “Where do you think my sister learned to be such a slut? And where do you think I learned to pick horrible men? My mom isn’t exactly the picture of stability. But they both love Emmie to pieces. I know she’s physically safe when she’s with them. Besides, I needed this.” She glanced over her shoulder at the girls laughing and washing the cars, then back at Faith. “The girls in the group have been my lifeline in so many ways. It doesn’t matter what time I sign onto the forums; there’s always someone to talk to who understands what I’m going through.”
Faith’s heart felt full knowing her little venture was helping. The members had pulled her through many desperate nights after her breakup, too, but hearing it from Lira made it even more real.
“I’m glad you came, and I’ll reach out to see if I can get you a referral for a therapist. You’re leaving right after the car wash, right? You’re not going out with us tonight?”
“I can’t. I have to get back to Emmie. The gas money alone to come out here was a stretch. Thanks, Faith. I hate to say this, but I’m glad you were cheated on, because if you hadn’t been, then WAC wouldn’t exist.”
Lira headed toward the ladies’ room, and Faith wondered how many of the other members could benefit from having a professional to talk to if they could afford it. An idea began percolating in her mind, and she turned back toward the car wash with renewed determination. When Faith got an idea in her head, she was like a dog with a bone, and when it came to helping others, she was even fiercer.
With a bounce in her step she headed for the truck that had just pulled up—and stopped cold at the sight of Sam standing beside it.
He smiled, and emotion climbed each of his features until it reached his eyes and turned molten. Faith’s pulse—and mind—raced. What was he doing there? And why was he looking at her like she was one of his girls, one of the chosen? She swallowed hard, trying to keep her eyes from drifting down his body, but damn. He was a sight for sore eyes in his faded dark jeans and tight black tank top that hugged every frigging muscle in his thick chest. She tried not to stare, but his arms…Sam had the kind of arms that she imagined brought complete awareness of where his body ended and a woman’s began, bringing with them a feeling of safety and belonging. The kind of feelings that made a woman feel warm and good all over. The kind of strength to take her hard and aggressive, deep and—
What the hell am I doing? She’d obviously gone far too long without satisfying that particular need if she was thinking about Sam that way.
She stalked across the parking lot, a little annoyed that he’d show up and use the event as a pickup spot. “Sam? What are you doing here?” Several of the girls were watching them with interest. She shot a look at his truck, where Hilary was sitting in the driver’s seat.
“This is a Women Against Cheaters group, right?” His infuriatingly luscious lips tipped up in a devilish grin. “Can you think of a better place to hook up with chicks? Everyone knows a woman scorned has something to prove in bed.”
“Ohmygod. You’re—”
He laughed. “I’m kidding, Faith. Loosen up a little.” He paused just long enough for her to silently question if she was too uptight. “Getting my truck washed would be the obvious answer.” He stepped closer—and she stepped back.
“You’re probably the reason half the girls in this town joined the group.”
His eyes filled with confusion. “What are you talking about? I’m not a cheater.”
“Ha! And blood isn’t red, either. I’ve got work to do.” She brushed past him, and he grabbed her arm, firmly turning her to face him.