Willow Brook Road(123)
Now that he’d come to his senses, in part because of his sister’s reassurances from beyond the grave, he was ready to take it all back. He wanted Carrie to know that he was crazy in love with her.
Bobby clearly adored her, too. In fact, the second they’d arrived at Mick’s and he’d spotted Carrie in the yard, he’d gone running off to throw his arms around her. She’d glanced Sam’s way, then, just as quickly, looked away. With her cheeks pink, her hair tousled and kids swarming around her, she was everything the perfect mother should be, not a thing in the world like the sad, broken woman with whom he’d grown up.
How had he ever thought he could turn away from that, he asked himself. Even a six-year-old had sense enough to gravitate straight to her. As his sister had essentially told him, it was time for him to start running toward something, rather than away from it. People who loved deeply got hurt. They suffered terrible losses. It was unavoidable. But loving deeply was the only way to truly live.
Gathering up his courage and all the strength that came from knowing this was the right thing to do—for him and for Bobby—Sam walked slowly across the yard. He was halfway to Carrie, when she noticed his approach. Gazes locked, she extricated herself from the kids and took a half step in his direction, then stopped and waited. Clearly, she was leaving whatever happened next up to him. He got that. He’d rebuffed her too many times before.
“Hi,” he said inanely when he reached her.
A smile tugged at her lips. “Hi.”
“I’m sorry.”
“For?”
“Being an idiot.”
“I have it on good authority, you’re not the first man to excel at it.”
“How are you at forgiving it and moving on?”
“I’m not sure,” she said. “I haven’t been tested that often.”
“I love you, Carrie.”
Shock registered in her eyes. Clearly she hadn’t expected the words to come out here, maybe ever. “Seriously?”
“Don’t tell me I’ve finally surprised you.”
“You said something about moving on. The love thing is pretty much out of the blue.”
He held her gaze. “Is it?”
“For you, I meant. Not for me. I saw the handwriting on the wall for us weeks ago.”
“Yeah, about that handwriting. It took me a while to translate it into a language I could understand.”
“English?”
“No, the language of the heart. I’ll admit I had a little help.”
“From?” A horrified look crossed her face. “Please tell me my grandfather didn’t have anything to do with this?”
“No. I had a letter from my sister.”
Her eyes widened. “Seriously?”
“Apparently Robert’s parents found it as they were cleaning out the house. She told me why she wanted Bobby to be with me. She had so much faith that I could get this right, and she encouraged me to take a chance on happiness when I found it, so that’s what I’m doing. I’m going for broke here. I’m willing to choose love over fear.”
“Fear?”
“That I could lose you.”
She tucked her hand into his. “I’m not going anywhere, Sam.”
He nodded, choosing to have faith. He swallowed hard. “Okay, then. If you’re not afraid to take a chance on a guy who never imagined he’d settle down in one place with a wife and a houseful of kids, then I’m not afraid of that anymore, either.”
She searched his face. “You’re sure, Sam? Really sure? Because once we go inside and people find out we’re together, there will be hell to pay if you decide later to bail on me.”
“No bailing,” he swore. “Not on my side.”
A full-fledged smile broke across her face then. “Not on mine, either.”
“Then I guess it’s safe to tell Bobby, your parents and your grandfather,” he said, pulling her into his arms, then murmuring against her lips, “Maybe not right this minute, though.”
But by the time he’d kissed her thoroughly in front of what grew to be a cheering throng of O’Briens, he figured there was no need to make any sort of announcement. The news that he’d come to his senses was clearly out!
Bobby danced around them, his excitement contagious. “We’re getting married,” he announced to anyone who’d listen.
“Hey, pal, that news is supposed to come from me and Carrie,” Sam told him, though he couldn’t help being grateful for the help in making that final leap.
Abby and Trace were quick to offer their congratulations, then Mick O’Brien headed their way. He hugged his granddaughter, then gave Sam a hearty slap on the back. “Welcome to the family, son!”