“It might make him a little crazy, because you are one of his innocent little angels, but yes, he probably would. Do you want that?”
“Heavens, no!” she said fervently. “If Grandpa Mick interferes, it would probably send Sam packing.”
“And you don’t want that?”
“No, of course not. I don’t want marriage, either. Not right away, anyway.”
“But you are in love with Sam? And you see marriage to him in your future?”
Carrie sighed. “I’m scared to,” she admitted. “He might never change his mind.”
“Oh, I think he will, once his nerves have a chance to settle.”
“So we’re back to patience,” Carrie said, resigned.
“And that open heart Nell talks about so much.” Abby set her mug in the sink and pulled Carrie into an embrace. “Focus on the day-care center for now. We’re going to celebrate that at Sunday dinner. Nell has all your favorites on the menu. Enjoy your big moment. Focus on the grand opening that’s coming up in just a few more weeks. Everything else will fall into place.”
“Promise?” Carrie said wistfully. O’Brien promises were always kept.
“As much as it’s in my power,” Abby said, then smiled. “And we always have your grandfather in reserve for backup.”
Carrie chuckled, just as her mom had intended. She had to wonder, though—if it came right down to it, she’d resort to whatever devious means were necessary to convince Sam the future wasn’t as scary as he was imagining it to be...as long as they faced it together.
Sam spent the rest of the morning after Carrie’s departure pacing around his house and trying to convince himself he’d done the right thing. Somehow, though, he couldn’t shake the look on her face as she’d left, as if he’d turned his back on something important. Not just sex, but on the two of them.
Since the house wasn’t big enough to contain his frustrated pacing, he stepped outside just in time for the arrival of the mail carrier, who handed him an express envelope. Glancing at the return address, he saw it was from Robert’s parents.
Inside there was a sealed envelope he recognized at once as being Laurel’s favorite lavender stationary. A note from Robert’s mother had been paper-clipped to it.
Dear Sam,
I found this addressed to you when we were cleaning out the house. I’m sorry I didn’t spot it sooner, but I wanted to get it to you as quickly as I could. I hope you and Bobby are doing well and that we can all get together soon. We loved the pictures from the birthday party. Thanks so much for doing that.
Sincerely, Delores
Sam’s hand trembled as he held the envelope from his sister. Why had she tucked it away somewhere and never mailed it? He sighed. Only one way to find out.
He tore open the envelope and removed two sheets of faintly scented stationary.
My dearest Sam,
As I write this, I’m hoping you’ll never read it, but if you are, then something has happened to me and Robert. I know it must be hard for you to imagine that I had enough foresight to prepare for the worst, but that’s what maturity and having a family does to a carefree spirit like mine.
I suspect you’re pretty angry with Robert and me for picking you as Bobby’s guardian, but he and I agreed that you’re the absolute best choice. I think I know you even better than you know yourself. For years you’ve been running from the past—our past—but that’s no way to find what you truly need. To do that you need to fall deeply in love and create the kind of family we never had. I’ve done that with Robert and our boy. I think Bobby will be that blessing in your life, too.
You can do this, Sam. You’re a better man than our dad. You’re a forever guy. If I didn’t believe that with my whole heart, I’d have let Robert’s parents take Bobby. But our son needs exactly what you can provide if you believe in yourself. You’ll give him a home and stability—I’ll bet you already have, haven’t you?—and you’ll give him the taste of adventure every little boy needs to thrive, too.
We love you, Sam. We’re trusting you with the most valuable part of us. I know you won’t let us down. Don’t let yourself down, either, and grab every ounce of happiness that’s out there for yourself.
Love, Laurel and Robert
The pages, dampened with Sam’s tears, fluttered to the ground. He thought of his sister and the faith she had in him, of Carrie and the trust she’d placed in him. And he thought of Bobby, who believed that Sam could make everything in his life okay.
“Carrie was right,” he murmured. “I am an idiot.”