Page 22 of A Family Affair: The Plan
“I heard she got married three months ago, some investment banker, friend of the family. Very well-connected. And guess what? She’spregnant.”
That would be very difficult to accept. In fact, it would make a person question if anything they’d shared with that person was real. Hope understood all about reality and how people massaged it, said what they needed to in order to get the results. That’s what had happened between her and Kent, and that’s why she’d probably never completely trust again or believe someone didn’t have an ulterior motive for whatever they were telling her. “Does Sam know?”
“Of course he does. I told him, and if you’re thinking I’m a busybody mother, then maybe I am.” Those eyes that were the same color as Sam’s sparked, her nostrils flared. “She destroyed the joy that used to be in my son, and I’ll do anything to help him heal. I know someone in this town who’s an investigator and he did a bit of digging. Seems her husband had been convicted of fraud a few years ago. Imaginethatin her high society circles?”
What a mess! Sam had trusted the wrong person in the past and she could see how he’d be careful about trusting anyone again—especially a stranger. “How did Sam take the news?”
“He acted as if I’d told him I overcooked the pork roast or forgot to pick out the olives from his salad. But I saw the shock on his face, and the two-second hesitation. My son didnotdeserve that pain, and yet, if they’d stayed together, it wouldhave been so much worse. I see that, Edgar sees it, and I know Sam does too, though I’m not sure he’ll ever own up to it.” Her voice drifted, turned sad and desperate. “My son gave up everything for that woman and he was only a placeholder for hernextchoice. Who knows if he’ll ever trust a woman again? She’d have to be really special.” She darted a glance at Hope, gaze narrowed as if considering the impossible. “But miracles do happen, even if Sam doesn’t believe they do.”
Hope thought about Joyce Harrington’s words that night as she read theMagdalena Press, the paper Mimi insisted would give her insight into the town. She almost wished Sam’s mother hadn’t shared so much about her son’s life, because thenotknowing had kept him a mystery. But once Joyce provided the details, it was obvious he cared too much and had fallen for a woman who didn’t deserve him, who didn’t care that he loved her and had been willing to give up just about anything to make her happy. Hope had known people like Celeste. Self-centered, egotistical, unable to see past their own wants. And then to wait until after she’s married to announce she’d changed her mind and didn’t want children? That was so wrong. Worse, she flip flopped on the ‘no children’ with another man and got pregnant?What kind of person did that?
Maybe Sam would get past the pain and betrayal one day, open his heart to trust and love again. Hope had believed she’d never move past what Kent had done, and yet, the more time she had to consider who he really was, the more she realized they wouldneverhave worked—not long term. Still, a person wants things to end on their own terms, not because they’ve been forced to make a decision they weren’t ready to make.
Sam Harrington was a complicated challenge and figuring him out intrigued her and she hadn’t been intrigued by a man in a very long time.
11
Sam would later wonder what made him invite Hope to see the farmhouse. His parents had only been there twice, and there’d been enough comments beginning withDo you really want to live herefrom his mother toThis place needs more than a faceliftfrom his father. And, of course, Edgar Harrington just had to add the zinger.A bulldozer might be the better choice.
Sam didn’t see it that way when he stood on the stoop of the farmhouse, looking out over the property. What he saw was possibility and lots of it—a chance to explore his dreams, ones that included building a safe haven for older animals, a nature area for injured wildlife to recover, and a workshop that taught children about animal care and how to be a good pet owner.
He had so many ideas, but he didn’t share them with many people. He’d rather wait until he could implement a few before he expanded on his plans. People were funny about believing someone who’d disappointed them before or hurt someone they cared about. Sam did share with Pete Finnegan because the man understood what it was like to have most of the town against you, including your father.You’ll help the town, Pete had said.Do you ever wonder how many kids grow up and never see a real chicken or a goat, except for pictures in a book or on a screen? Whatever animals you decide to bring to the farm will be an experience for them. A real experience not some auto-generated creation from a computer screen.
They’d had conversations about the possibilities for this place and Pete expressed an interest in helping develop those areas as well: a pet sanctuary, an updated barn, a petting area, a pond stocked with various types of fish…You could have your own slice of heaven right here.
The other reason Sam and Pete got along so well was the fact that they had similar backstories; they’d both chosen the wrong path and left their family behind. And they’d both ended up limping back into town and looking for their father’s forgiveness. Yeah, that last one had a definite similarity that had created a bond between the two men.
He’d hesitated about inviting Hope to the farmhouse but convinced himself he was only doing it to show her another slice of Magdalena. But the truth hit him seconds after she said yes to his invitation. Sam wanted her to see another side of himself—a better side where he was more than just his bad choices and uncertain future.
Sam tried to ignore the pleasure spreading through him when she accepted. Wednesday was his day off, and he’d stopped at Sal’s Market to pick up subs for lunch. Of course, Ava Ventori had descended upon Sam the instant she spotted him, her gaze landing on the contents of his cart.Nice to see you again, Sam. Looks like you’re going to have a good lunch. Don’t forget to check out the pies and cookies.The smile she gave him said she had an idea who might be joining him for lunch, but thankfully, her husband intervened from what would, no doubt, turn into thirty questions.You’ve got someone interested in placing an order for a river rock, he said.I told them you’d beright over.One more smile and a soft,Enjoy your lunchbefore she disappeared. Law shook Sam’s hand and said,Get out of here while you still can before she comes back and begins the next ten questions.
Sam grabbed two bags of potato chips and two chocolate chunk cookies and zipped through the checkout line before Ava could finish with her potential customer. How bad-boy Law Carlisle and good-girl Ava Ventori ended up married was curious. But one look at them together told the story: they belonged together, loved each other. They’d been lucky.
Sam placed the food in the back seat of his truck and headed to the Heart Sent. When he pulled into the driveway of the B&B, Hope must have been waiting for him because she opened the door and bounded down the steps. The designer jeans seemed out of place with the powder-blue sweatshirt and work boots. Had she borrowed them from Mimi? Interesting possibility. When Hope opened the truck door, she hopped inside, smiled, and tossed out a casual, “I’m really looking forward to seeing the place.”
“I’m looking forward to showing it to you.” Sam took in the long braid, the sweatshirt, and jeans… The minimal makeup. His gaze landed on her ears, slid to her neck. “No pearls?”
The palest blush covered her cheeks. “They didn’t seem appropriate for this outing.” She touched her braid. “Neither did a chignon or bun.”
“I like the look. It’s more natural. Are the sweatshirt and boots from Mimi’s closet?” He tried to hide a smile, failed. Theyhadto be Mimi’s.
The blush shifted from pale pink to fuchsia, accompanied by a nod. “I didn’t think a cashmere sweater made sense and I didn’t have time to head into town for anything.”
“They suit you. Besides, we’ll be trekking around the property and you’ll want comfort more than style.” He easedthe truck down the driveway, headed toward the road leading outside of town. “Do not underestimate the value of a solid sweatshirt around here, especially in the spring.” He pointed to his jean jacket and long-sleeved T-shirt. “But this jacket and T-shirt are equally versatile. You should consider getting a few of these.”
She opened her sunglass case, eased the designer sunglasses onto her face. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Do that.” As Sam navigated the twists and turns of the road leading to the farmhouse, he realized he hadn’t felt this lighthearted in a long time. His mood made him more talkative, less cautious, and while he might not want to admit it, Hope Newland was the reason. As they rounded a bend, an old farmhouse came into view, set back several hundred yards.
“Is that your place?”
No missing the curiosity in her voice. She leaned forward, placed her hands on the dashboard.
“That’s it.” Sam pulled into the long gravel drive, made his way toward the sad-looking farmhouse that used to be white and was now, at best, an off-white, dingy gray. “I like to say it has possibilities.” He laughed, added, “My mother does not agree.”
“So, she doesn’t approve?” She didn’t wait for him to respond but offered her own thoughts. “Maybe she doesn’t picture you with a fixer-upper. Maybe she’d like to see you in something a little more…updated? When you said you had land, I was envisioning the structures and whatnot and didn’t consider the actual property or the care this much land would involve. Who’s going to mow this place?”
He caught her staring at the tall grass and dilapidated gates. Odd though she seemed more curious than repulsed by the place. “That’s what riding lawnmowers are for and I could hire out some of the work. I plan to leave a good amount of land in its natural state, and after I add a few outbuildings and cordon offother sections, it won’t look as big as it does now.” The pinched brows and tilt of her head told him she was trying to decipher the meaning behind his words. He couldn’t resist adding to her confusion. “In fact, if I start feeling cramped, I’ll have to put an offer on the ten acres next to me.” He eyed her, tossed in another tale. “And if that’s not enough, there’s always the acreage on the other side. Maybe even what’s behind me…” Pause and then a curious, “What do you think about that?” He’d been joking, but her response made him admit this woman was more than a beautiful sophisticate in pearls and designer clothes.
