Page 41 of Dreaming Without Heartache

“I want you.” She brushes against my side as we get closer to the scary buckets of doom.

“I’ll be honest,” I say as we approach the giant wheel. “I’m not good with rides. Especially, the tall ones. Or the fast ones. Or the ones that drop suddenly. I’m more of a let’s-pet-the-animals, play-the-games, and eat-the-food type of person.”

Sam’s eyes light up with delight as her lips spread into a wide smile. “You’re so cute!”

I laugh nervously. “Thank you for understanding.”

“Oh, I didn’t say you were off the hook. You have to do this with me. It’s part of the deal.”

“Huh?” I’m confused. “We have a deal?”

“Of course we do. It’s part of the wooing.” Sam giggles.

“Ferris wheel!” Maisie jumps up and down. “Let’s do it, Uncle Steven!”

Sam urges me forward. “Yes, Maisie, let’s do this!”

“Um…” Kara stops with Olivia. “Can we do this ride?” She points to another ride that is bigger and has more twists and turns.

“Please?” Olivia looks at her mom.

I look at Sam, who nods her head. “Sure, girls. But wait for us afterward.”

They wander off, arms linked, giggling as they meet up in line with some other teenagers they must know. I can’t help but question Kara. My instincts are telling me to pay close attention.

“They’re okay,” Sam whispers into my ear as she presses into my arm. I turn to meet her eyes, comforted by her gentleness. “They can’t go far,” she reassures me. “Olivia knows better.”

“Olivia I trust. Kara, not so much.”

“Relax a little. You get to enjoy yourself too, you know.”

I blow out a sigh. She’s right. For us to have only known each other for a short while, she certainly picks up on my anxiety. “Thank you for that. May I ask one thing of you though?”

“You’re not getting out of riding the Ferris wheel with me.”

I laugh. “Not fair.”

“I’ve got your number, baby.”

And I do believe she does. She’s very intuitive, surprisingly so. “Can’t blame a woman for trying.”

“Never.” Sam loops her arm inside mine as we walk up behind Maisie and Steven just as they are locked in their bucket seats.

“See ya!” Maisie waves excitedly as the bucket lifts into the air.

Steven follows her lead and gives me a wink. He knows I hate heights. “Catch you on the ground, Allie bug.” He smirks.

The ride attendant lifts the arm of the seat. Sam slips in, tapping the seat next to her. I take a deep breath and move in to sit beside her. “Lord, help me,” I say, looking up toward the sky.

Sam giggles, taking my hand as the bucket begins to rise. I grip the bar in front of me tightly with the other hand. “Baby, I’ve got you,” she says, kissing the side of my face.

A whistle fills the air. “You go, Sammy Sam!” Steven shouts.

“Always,” Sam shouts back, staring into my eyes. “You okay, baby?”

“Keep kissing me and calling me baby and I won’t remember what planet I’m on, much less this dangerous tub of terror.”

Sam chuckles. “For someone I consider so strong, I would never expect you to be scared of heights.”