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“Grace.”
“You’re free to date whomever you please. We didn’t have any kind of commitment to each other.”
“Grace is an employee and a friend, Sam.”
“So am I.”
“You’re fired.”
“Good.”
“Now tell me how I’m free to date whomever I please again?”
She didn’t respond, but instead unwrapped the bandage and covered his wound. Her touch made him long for more. He didn’t want her treating his injuries. He wanted her in his arms.
“You might not be asking for a commitment, but I’m giving you one.”
“I thought we talked about this.”
“No. You did.” He waited as she put medical tape to hold the bandage and then looped bandage around his waist. “Stop ministering to me, Sam and come here. His lips found hers—she was sweet and responsive, but then pulled back after a few seconds.
“I can’t do this.”
“Tell me you don’t love me, Samantha, and I’ll let you go.”
“We need to go up there. If we don’t, they’re bound to send someone in after us.”
“Sam?”
“We can talk more later.”
“What if we don’t have later. I love you.” He couldn’t see her face in the dark, but sensed her fear. “Let’s not give up the chance at happiness because we’re scared.”
“You took another woman out tonight. Give me time to come to terms with that. Mason showed me the video. She was clinging to you like ivy to a brick wall.”
“Exactly. I was a brick wall, Sam. But when I’m with you I’m the vine, clinging to you, and unwilling to release my hold.”
“What if we fail?”
“What if we don’t?”
Chapter Forty-Five
WhenSamanthaandGavinclimbed from the root cellar, he was whisked away by his brother and sister, and she was intercepted by Wade and Billy. She gave him the rundown on what she’d found inside including the location of Claude Devereaux, though she had no idea if he remained inside. When she mentioned leaving Emmaline in the tree stand, Billy said he’d go get her, but she shook her head. “I think it would be best if I went back with you. Maybe someone can find me some shoes. And a quad would be a real help.”
Forty-five minutes later with sneakers two sizes too big and two state park four-wheelers, she and Billy headed for Emmaline. When Sam scurried up the tree to retrieve her, she was nowhere to be found, then an acorn hit her in the head. Looking up, she found Emmaline clinging to a branch far above her. “It’s just me. Can you get down from there safely?”
It took several minutes, and she slipped a few times, but the girl made her way back to the platform and threw her arms around her. She hugged her back and lifted a prayer that God would use Emmaline’s nightmare to draw her closer to him, and that she would lean on him through all the trials she faced rather than turning her back as Sam had done when tragedy had shaken her world.
Patting her back, she whispered, “You’re safe now.”
“I wish I had never agreed to that kayaking trip.”
“Kayaking trip?”
“Some guy I met online. He seemed like a perfect match. Liked all the same things as me. And Carter, my boyfriend, cheated on me, so I figured why not.”
“Did the guy pick you up at school?”
