Free Sweeter Than Wine by Rita Hestand Page A

tell
them we had car trouble on the road and need to use the phone or
something like that. Kind of get the feel for who they are and what
they are."
    Lacey smiled sadly, "It's very hard to
believe a man could live his entire life and then tell you
something like that. After caring for you, loving you, and then to
lay something that astounding in your lap."
    "I've gone over all the reasons he might have
had. I understand his reluctance to change his life, and his fear
of my not loving him any longer. However, had he told me when he
was healthy we could have sat down talked it out and found out
things much easier. Now things are different. My real father isn't
alive any longer. Neither is my mother. And the sister I spoke of,
is married and settled down. I hate to burst in on them with this
kind of thing. You wonder if you should tell them at all. After
all, if they are happy and you can resume your life the way it was,
perhaps it's better to not disturb things." Sam admitted.
    "Can you go back to your life, Sam? I mean
now that you know."
    "I don't know. I really don't. I think that's
what bothers me the most. I know I shouldn't let it change me. I
know I shouldn't be on such a mission, but there is a need to know
more about myself."
    "What did you do for a living?" Lacey asked,
squeezing his hand.
    Her palms were sweating just a bit, and Sam
glanced at the two hands on the table as he turned them over and
ran his fingers over hers.
    "Ironically enough, I left home, when dad
died, and told my brother I needed some time. He understood. I
moved up this way, and became a forest ranger. It's something
totally out of character for me before. I'd been an accountant all
my life. I'll have to admit, I hated it. I've enjoyed the work
working with the forestry. But things got to me still. So I'm on a
sabbatical, to sort of find myself, I guess." Sam snickered.
    "Ironically?" Lacey questioned.
    "The people I'm related to, they astound me.
I mean my half sister's mom became an actress. My real father gave
so much to others that I can barely believe I am part of that." Sam
explained.
    "Wow that is incredible. Have you looked them
up on line or something?"
    Sam nodded. "As a matter of fact, I have. We
had different mothers. My mother was very young when she was
pregnant with me. My father was filthy rich and after she lost the
baby, or thought she did. Something happened between them. I don't
know what. I'm not sure why they split up or what was wrong, but
I'd love to know."
    "And your half-sister?'
    "She's married now, has a child and lives in
the mountains."
    "What is it you want to find here, Sam?"
    "I don't know. I guess I just want to put the
pieces together." Sam admitted.
    "Yeah, I can understand that. But it means
you are going to have to tell her who you are."
    "Yeah, I guess it does." He looked her in the
eyes, through the flickering firelight and saw such a wonderful
woman. He smiled. "I'm glad you didn't go to dinner with that
fella…."
    "Me too," her voice sounded husky.
    All through their dinner they talked about
themselves, and things were back to a good start again. However,
that left the sleeping arrangements in turmoil, as far as he was
concerned because by now, he'd decided he wouldn't mind seducing
her. But would she let him?
    "You know what I'd like to do?" he smiled as
they walked out of the restaurant.
    "What?"
    "Take our shoes off and wade through the
beach, let the wet sand squish between our toes. What do you say?"
He smiled at her.
    "Sounds kind of nice, I've never done
anything like that. I've seen movies where people did it, but I
never did. All right…let's…."
    Sam took her hand and they walked among the
garden paths and onto the beach area. The waves were perfect making
a magic music out of each movement. The moonlight was incredible.
It was probably the most romantic set up Sam had ever had. He
couldn't blow this.
    He stopped, bent and lifted her foot, took
her tennis shoes off and then rolled his pants