Free Tall Dark Handsome Lycan by Anastasia Maltezos Page A

staying on the beach?”
    “Cooking relaxes me. I didn’t mind.”
    Maria placed the last dinner plate in front of Harry. “If it was not for Sam last night, I do not know how my daughter would have remained calm.”
    “What happened last night?” Christina asked sharply.
    Maria proceeded to recount the event, leaving nothing out. Sam watched Christina’s eyes widen in shock with each passing detail.
    “You mean to tell me, Miss Hope, you would have delivered a baby if you had to?”
    Sam smiled. “I’m glad I didn’t have to. I was petrified, but I have had years of first aid classes and training in the nursing field.”
    “Are you a nurse, as well as everything else you do in your life?” Harry enquired politely. Sam noticed the quick look he gave his son. It was imperceptible, but Sam caught it. It was approval.
    “No.”
    Christina cleared her throat delicately. “Tell us, Miss Hope. What do your parents do?” 
    “They still live on the ranch I grew up on. My mother is a grade school teacher and my father is a minister.”
    “ Do you have any brothers or sisters?” Christina pressed on.
    Sam laughed softly. “I’m afraid that would take too long to talk about.” She paused. “I have eighteen brothers and sisters, Mrs. Stefanos.”
    A stunned silence ensued. Harry looked from his son to his wife and back to his son again as he began to laugh heartily.
    “My dear Sam,” he said, “I do believe I am witnessing a miracle. You are the first person to have ever left my wife and son speechless.” He wiped his eyes as he tried to contain his mirth. “ Themou , this is the most fun I have had at a dinner party in a very, very long time.”
    Surprised, Sam looked at Leo and her stomach plummeted as she took in his expression. The warm connection between them disappeared and now he regarded her as though she’d sprouted another head.
    “There is a perfectly good explanation,” she said calmly.
    “I am all ears,” Leo said dryly, “and I am inclined to agree with my father. This has been a thoroughly interesting evening.”

                                Chapter 5
     
    “My mother and father are foster parents. I’m their only biological child, but I think of all my foster brothers and sisters as family and we all still keep in touch.” She smiled, thinking about all her nieces and nephews and how much she loved spending time with them. Sam may not have had many friends and boyfriends growing up, but she realized a long time ago that her family more than filled the void. “Christmas at the ranch is a big affair. With extended families, husbands, wives, and children—there’s always over eighty people there.”
    “Goodness,” Christina said, giving Sam a n odd look.
    “ Do you keep in touch with everyone all year round?” Leo asked quietly.
    “Of course. Toni’s already met a few of my siblings this year.”
    “I must say,” Leo commented thoughtfully, “you have quite a family, Sam.”
    His admission warmed her . Was he starting to come around and see that John and she weren’t the unscrupulous sort he’d thought they were? Sam hoped so because of all her foster siblings, she was the closest to John.
    Family was important , family came first, and it warmed her that she and Leo shared the same value.
    Everyone began to eat and Harry smiled at Sam. “This is delicious, my dear. Christina, we must have our cook call Sam for the recipe. I’ve never tasted such a tender roast beef.”
    His wife gave Sam a strange look as she chewed her food. “Yes, it is very good,” she said quietly.
    The meal continued as Leo and his father conversed about day-to-day things, with Christina remaining curiously silent. However, every once in a while she gave Sam a strange look.
    Harry lifted his napkin to his mouth. “Son, any word on the Acropole? Is our Spanish investor ready to close the deal?”
    “Contracts have been drawn and all that is left to do is sign on