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Closing her eyes, she leaned her head back on the chair. “We were heading home and had been drinking at the party. We were all buzzed. I remember Hanna and Jamie were making out in the back seat, but Henry and I were fighting. He was taking me home. We had broken up at the party. I never told anyone that. He wanted more, and I wasn’t ready. I should have. I think about that now. Would sex be different before and after the accident? I don’t know. Anyway, he started to yell at me a little about it, without Hanna and Jamie knowing what we were talking about. Then he lost control, and I hit my head on something right away. I don’t remember anything.”
“I remember everything. So much blood, so many bodies. You were lucky you landed in Grace and Ken’s place. Grace saved you. The rest were already dead, but Grace worked on you until the helicopter came. She kept you breathing.” She could tell by his voice he had turned in his chair toward her.
Her eyes were shut still. “I’m sorry you still have nightmares because of me,” she whispered.
“I’m just glad you’re alive. I didn’t think you would survive the trip to the hospital.” His voice was hoarse.
Opening her eyes, she looked at him, but his brown eyes were already on her.
“How did you know it was me? I saw the video Dad took after I came out of surgery that night. My face was …” She didn’t finish.
He pulled her onto his lap, and she went willingly, needing his warmth, his strength. His arms went around her, and she laid her head on his shoulder.
“Your jacket. You had on Henry’s jacket like always. And the hair, I knew your hair.” He touched the curly strands flowing over her shoulder. “My world came crashing down that night. I was in shock for a few days after. I couldn’t believe God would take you all away in one moment.”
“I’m glad I wasn’t conscious for months. When I did wake up, I think my brain was still scrambled because I couldn’t comprehend for a while that they were gone. That nothing was going to be the same again.” She rested her hands on his bare chest, feeling his steady heartbeat. Feeling safe, even as they talked about the worst day of her life.
His body radiated enough heat that Natalie couldn’t feel the chilly air around her. Noticing that the darkness was not as dark anymore, she felt Sam turn the chair so she could see the sun starting to rise over the lake. The previous day, she hadn’t noticed the large body of water on this side of the cabin, but it was beautiful in the first rays of sunshine. Even better when she was in Sam’s arms.
“Did you bring a swimsuit?” His eyes didn’t leave the sunrise.
“No, I wasn’t told about the stop at the cabin.” Reminding him, she ran her hand up to his shoulder, loving the feel of his solid muscles under her hand.
“I’ll see what Mom can scrounge up. Dad bought a new boat this year.” His arms were still tight around her.
“A boat ride would be fun.” Smiling, her head rested on his shoulder.
As the sun’s warm rays chased off the shadows of the night, Natalie knew she had to go. It didn’t matter how nice it had been to be on his lap, in his arms. Soon, her scars would be very visible with her only in a tank top and short shorts. Right now, she didn’t want him to have the reminders of that night so visible.
Trying to be as graceful as possible, she pushed herself away from his shoulder and got to her feet. But she accidentally tripped over his feet, and if he hadn’t grabbed her, she would’ve landed on her butt. Hiding her embarrassment behind a laugh she said, “Sorry.”
“That’s okay.” He stood up with more grace.
“I should go,” she mumbled as her hand went automatically to her chest to cover scars the tank top left visible.
“Natalie.” His words stopped her, and she looked at him. “Be proud of the scars. They say that you’re a survivor.”
“Easy for you to say, Sam, you don’t have to wear them for the rest of your life.” Turning, she went into the house to get ready for the day ahead. One that might include swimming and a new boat.
CHAPTER8
Sam was determinedto spend the rest of the day without talking about the accident. Natalie was emotionally rung out and needed to relax. She had been through a lot over the past few days, and she couldn’t take much more. From the wedding to talking about lost loved ones, she needed some time to just be herself again. He was determined to give her a day of fun.
The afternoon sun was high above their heads as they floated in the middle of the lake alone on his dad’s boat. Sam had shut the engine down, and they were just letting the current take them where it wanted to go. Natalie was wearing the swimming suit that his mom had found earlier; though it wasn’t an exact fit, it was the closest she had after putting it on. But so far, Sam had not seen it, she had worn an oversized T-shirt all day. Not that Natalie Beckett in an oversized T-shirt that hit her at mid-thigh wasn’t hot in itself, especially because it showed off her long legs. Scars and all.
Sam had taken off his shirt the moment they had left shore and was just wearing his swim trunks, letting the hot sun beat down on him. But Natalie was all covered up. He was not going to make her take off the shirt if she didn’t want to. Not today.
“Are you mad about your dad and Faith? I didn’t actually know you didn’t know.” Sam was sitting in one of the lounge chairs in the front of the boat, trying not to steal glances at Natalie, who was sitting across from him, her eyes closed against the bright sun.
“No, I was happy for him,” she admitted.
“Is he going to take it into the open now?” he asked.
“I think so. I told him to marry her.” Her eyes didn’t open as she spoke.
“Do you think he will?” Sam was surprised Natalie would be ready for her dad to marry already. Since she hadn’t even known the man was dating.
“I think so. He says he loves her. I know he wants to help raise her kids.” The sunlight was bouncing off her black hair.
