Free A Mother's Heart by Isabel Sharpe, Sharon Sala, Linda Cardillo Page B

I could bring dessert.”
    “She loves the pineapple cheesecake from Bryan’s Bakery,” Libby offered.
    “I’ll show you where it is,” Sammy offered.
    “Sounds like a deal,” Sam said, then leaned over and kissed Libby, this time on the lips. It was brief and gentle, but Libby heard the catch in his breath just the same.
    “One day when you’re both ready, my mom would like to meet her grandson.”
    Sammy grinned. It was obvious that he liked the idea of having a grandmother, too.
    “It’s going to be a while before I can take a trip, but she can come anytime she wants,” Libby said.
    “I’ll get us both a room at the motel,” Sam said. “You don’t know it, but I’ve been staying in your house. Sammy graciously offered it the day I arrived.”
    Shock rolled through Libby like thunder. Knowing Sam had been sleeping in her bed shifted everything to a level she wasn’t ready to consider.
    “Don’t worry,” Sam said. “When you get to come home, I’ll be in the motel. I wouldn’t assume anything else.”
    Libby nodded.
    “You’re not mad, are you, Mama?” Sammy asked. “He isn’t making any messes. I checked.”
    Libby sighed. For a child, life was so simple. It was all about messes, the kind that can be swept up with a broom.
    “No, I’m not mad. It was a kind thing to do. Thank you for thinking of it.”
    Sammy beamed.
    Sam must have guessed she was rattled because he said, “It’s okay, Libby. I understand. I just didn’t have the heart to turn him down.”
    She looked at Sammy, then ruffled his hair in a loving gesture. “I know. He’s like his daddy…quite a charmer.”
    Sammy beamed. “Mama! You never said that to me before!”
    “I know, Sammy. I’ll try to do better, too.”
    “So, son…let’s go find that bakery before all the pineapple cheesecakes are sold.”
    Sam winked at Libby, then took Sammy by the hand and out the door they went.
    A fresh wave of guilt washed over Libby again as she watched her little boy trying to emulate his father’s stride. She and Sam had made so many mistakes. Hopefully, they had the rest of their lives to correct them. Then she closed her eyes, letting the weariness envelop her.

CHAPTER FIVE
     
    One week later
     
    L IBBY STOOD on the porch, waving goodbye to Sammy as Kate and the boys headed to school, then winced slightly as she turned too quickly. Her ribs were healing. The doctor had even given his permission for her to resume light duties around the house. Except for the occasional headache, and a myriad of fading bruises and healing cuts, she felt blessed to be alive. And, to her growing surprise, Sam had been a rock. He’d come every day to the house after Sammy left for school and had helped her with everything—from washing her hair, doing her laundry and even changing the sheets on their beds. This morning, he was coming to get her grocery list to do their shopping. She wanted to believe this run of good will would last, but the hurt he’d caused her before had cut deep and left scars. She heard the sincerity in his voice, and acknowledged his efforts on her behalf, but trust, once broken, grew slowly again.
    As she closed the door behind her, she paused in the living room, looking at all the things she’d gathered around her over the past eight years, remembering how drab and empty this little house had been when she’d first moved in, and how, month by month, she’d turned the house into a home. Her roots ran deep in Azalea. Shewasn’t sure how Sam’s reappearance in their lives was going to impact the future, but she wasn’t making any rash decisions.
    With a sigh, she combed her fingers through her hair, then headed for the kitchen to finish the grocery list. She refilled her coffee, and as she did, thought how wonderful it was just to be able to pour herself another cup. After what she’d survived, it was nothing short of a miracle. She would never take the simple things in life for granted again.
    A few minutes