Free Stealing Second: Sam's Story: Book 4 in the Clarksonville Series by Barbara L. Clanton Page A

her pigtails again. By this time Lisa’s brother and sisters had come back into the living room. “C’mon, let me see.”
    Lisa slid next to Sam on the couch, and everyone gathered around them. Lisa turned on the camera and selected view mode. The first picture that came up was of Sam and Bridget. Both of their mouths had fallen open in sleep.
    “Oh, my God,” Sam said. “My black eye completes the picture. Yeesh.” She looked up at Lisa. “Do not, I repeat, do not post these on the internet.”
    Lisa grinned mischievously. “Too late.”
    Sam knew her face must have shown the horror she felt. Samantha Rose would never let herself be seen that way.
    “Sam, Sam, Sam,” Lisa said quickly and put a hand on her arm. “I’m kidding, but Lynnie printed out a copy for your personal collection.”
    Lynnie stepped forward and handed Sam a four-by-six inch copy of the photograph. She must have used the printer and paper that Sam had “loaned” their father.
    “Thanks, Lynnie,” Sam said. A warm feeling spread across her chest. She wanted to bottle it to keep forever.
    “Ahh, but there are more pictures.” Lisa scrolled to the next one.
    Sam burst out laughing when she saw her body and head covered with Lego blocks. “How did I not wake up?”
    “Lawrence Jr. was quiet for once.”
    Sam faked a gasp. “Lawrence Jr., you did this to me? You’re the Lego maniac?”
    His grin was so big it almost split his face.
    “Ooh, I’ll get even with you, buddy. Watch out.” Sam wagged a finger at him.
    “You were sleeping so hard,” Lisa continued, “I think the Clarksonville marching band could have come through here, and you wouldn’t have woken up.”
    Lisa’s mother patted Sam gently on the shoulder. “I’m glad you feel comfortable here with this motley crew.”
    Sam’s heart swelled again. This was a family. This was what family life should be, with silly brothers and sisters you could goof around with and caring parents who didn’t mind if you weren’t always perfect.
    Lisa scrolled through the rest of the pictures and when she came to the last, Sam gasped. “What?” She touched above her lip. “You guys drew a mustache on me?”
    The entire family laughed as Sam bolted off the couch, Lego blocks flying, and ran to the bathroom. Sam took one look at her ridiculous image in the mirror and giggled. She laughed so hard that she doubled over. The audience of Brown children giggling in the bathroom doorway made her laugh even harder.
    When Sam finally caught her breath, she said. “You guys suck. I can’t believe you did this to me.” She reached out and grabbed for Bridget, but Bridget squealed and jumped out of Sam’s grasp.
    Lisa blocked the doorway as if protecting her younger siblings now hiding behind her. “You almost woke up when Lynnie drew it on you.”
    Sam gasped. “Lynnie did this to me?” She looked behind Lisa at the now-grinning Lynnie. “Sweet, shy, innocent Lynnie?” She lunged toward Lisa, who, at the last minute, moved to the side and let Sam through.
    Lynnie squealed as she bolted away. Sam caught her easily and playfully tackled her in the living room. A tickle fest ensued, which naturally attracted Lawrence Jr. and Bridget who leaped on top of Sam.
    After several minutes, Lisa’s mother cleared her throat. “Uh, you two had better get going. Aren’t you due at William’s in an hour?”
    Sam sat up and caught her breath. “Yeah, I’d better do something about,” she gestured to her face and hair, “my new makeover.” She bugged out her eyes, and Lisa’s mother laughed.
    “C’mon,” Lisa held out a hand to help her up. “You can use the bathroom first.”
    “Thanks.” Sam got up. “You know what?”
    “What?”
    “That’s the best sound I’ve ever heard.”
    Lisa looked at her questioningly.
    Sam pointed to the kids who were still on the floor recovering. “Kids laughing.”
    Lisa smiled so big it made Sam’s heart swell. She vowed to dedicate her life to