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The smile spread across her wrinkled face and Sam couldn’t help but grin back.
“It looks good on you, too. I assume Alfred is in the car waiting.”
“Yes, dear. He says it’s my money and I should do with it what I want.”
“He’s quite the catch.” She kneeled in front of Mrs. K. “Once again, I must compliment you on your outfit, Mrs. Koeppel. Your brooch is beautiful,” she added as she pulled the side table forward and set the papers for her to sign in the middle.
Mrs. K smiled and murmured, as if it were a secret, “Tell me, my dear, have you met anyone special yet? I can tell you, having a good man in your life is very nice.”
Why did everyone keep asking that question? The thought terrified Sam. Starting all over with someone—meeting family, kids, and grandkids, learning their likes and dislikes—was all so overwhelming.
She smirked. “Mrs. Koeppel, if God wants me to have a man in my life, He’s going to have to have him walk right through that front door. I don’t go anywhere but here and home, so those are my choices.”
Mrs. K and Jessie both giggled as Sam clicked open a pen and handed it to Mrs. K.
“You’ll find someone, I’m convinced. I even dreamed about it last night.” Her sly smile appeared again as she looked through her bifocals at the papers in front of her. “Where do I sign, dear?”
“Oh, so now you’re dreaming about me finding someone? Don’t you have anything more interesting to think about before you drift off each evening?” Sam pointed to the line at the bottom of the page.
Laughing heartily, the older woman slapped her hand on her knee. “Oh, now and then. But, I can also be a bit psychic, you know.”
Sam smiled softly as she watched her favorite client sign her name, though mostly illegible, across the bottom of the page. “You sure do know how to pair your shoes to your outfits, Mrs. K. We could learn a thing or two from you.”
Jessie giggled. “Isn’t that the truth?” She sat behind the reception desk watching the two women.
Mrs. K finished signing and handed the pen to Sam. She took the proffered pen, picked up the papers and started moving the table back to its spot, when Jessie waved her away, moving the table for her. “I’ll let Mr. Patz know you’re here, and I’ll see you later to say goodbye, Mrs. K.” The older woman nodded and picked up a magazine from the coffee table.
Walking back to her office, Sam’s thoughts turned to Tim. They’d been married for almost twenty-nine years. When they met, they’d instantly connected, got along well, and she thought he had a great sense of humor. They liked many of the same things and enjoyed spending time with friends. A year after being married, they were overjoyed when she became pregnant with Josh.
Gage came next, and about four-and-a-half years later, they had Jake. Things seemed to be going along well, but Tim was especially passive where his mother was concerned. She constantly butted into their lives. Whenever Tim and Sam would make decisions as a couple—like married people do—about the kids or the house or vehicles, she would step in and decide something different. It didn’t matter what it was; Tim would just roll over and agree with her. She and Tim fought about that the most. Her thoughts, feelings, and decisions were just second to Tim’s mother’s, and there was no getting around it. No matter how many times she cried, he would not—maybe could not—tell his mother to back off. Shaking her head of the morose thoughts, she poured over the documents she was proofreading for one of the attorneys.
At ten forty-five, Jessie buzzed Sam. “Mrs. K is leaving soon.”
“I’ll be right up,” she responded. Picking up her desk phone, Sam dialed Alfred’s number. “Good Morning, Alfred. Mrs. Koeppel is finished with her appointment … Of course, I enjoy taking care of her. I’ll see you in a few minutes.” Sam hung up the phone and turned toward her office door and the reception area.
Mrs. K was already in her chair and chatting away with Jessie. When Sam rounded the corner, the front door opened, and Sam stopped in her tracks when she saw two men walking in. The first man was impossibly handsome—dark hair with a smattering of gray at the temples and threaded throughout, longer on top and shorter on the neck, but long enough that it brushed his collar and curled up just a bit. He had a perfect nose and full, kissable lips. He laughed at the man with him. Oh, my—that smile!
Her stomach spun. His warm, brown eyes—the kind she was sure she could gaze into all day—crinkled at the corners.Dreamy.
He stopped abruptly as his eyes landed on hers and held tight. The man walking in behind him bumped into him, pushing him forward.
Sam took that opportunity to quickly kneel in front of Mrs. K and tie the lace on her shoe.
Her face burned brightly. Stupid hormones. Mr. Gorgeous’ voice—deep and sexy—floated over her as he spoke to Jessie. “Grayson Kinkaide and my son, Jackson, here to see William Chase.”
“Please take a seat. I’ll let Mr. Chase know you’re here. May I get you something to drink?” Jess asked.
“No, thank you. We’re fine,” he replied.
Grayson sat in a chair across the coffee table from Mrs. K. Each time Sam lifted her gaze to look at him, he was watching her. Her hands shook slightly, and her body tingled with awareness.
Having a hard time concentrating on what she was doing, her shaking fingers made the simple task of tying a shoe overly difficult. Mrs. K chuckled slightly and cleared her throat.Oh, my God!Sam held her breath and jerked her head upward. When Mrs. K had something on her mind, she didn’t hesitate to say it.
“Mr. Kinkaide, did you say? Are you married, Mr. Kinkaide?”
And … there it was. Sam didn’t think her face could flush more than it had already. The burn continued, and she held her breath. It seemed like time stood still as they waited for him to answer. She was afraid to look up and see the expression on his face.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he chuckled and said, “No, I’m not married.”
