CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
By the middle of the week, after consulting with her three girlfriends, Sami had convinced herself she was being silly to worry about being swept along too fast. Vonnie was over the top with her congratulations that she’d known Chase and Sami were perfect for each other. Toya told Sami frankly that she couldn’t find a better match and if she didn’t hurry up and have the babies she said she wanted, she’d find herself past the age to conceive by the time she did find a baby daddy. Katarina was far less outspoken, but of the three, she was definitely in the most challenging relationship. She’d had to tiptoe out the door when Sami called, as her husband was in the throes of outlining the next chapter of his dissertation and couldn’t stand to be distracted.
The gorgeous bouquet of spring flowers from Chase that arrived mid-week pushed Sami toward the event she dreaded the most. In their nightly phone calls, Chase had asked her more than once about meeting the “famous Dr. Peppers.” So she took a deep breath, called Nathalie, and invited them to her apartment Saturday evening. Early dinner; keep it simple was her description.
When she mentioned she was inviting someone she wanted them to meet, naturally Nathalie requested details. After Sami gave her Chase’s name, a long silence came over the phone.
“Do you mean Dr. Chase Carpenter, the pediatric ophthalmologist?”
“Yes.”
“May I ask why he is the other guest?”
Sami stared at her phone. Shouldn’t it be obvious to Nathalie? “We happen to be dating.”
“Well,” Nathalie said. “This is news. What a surprise. A lovely surprise. He is a young doctor with a very bright future.”
Sami nodded. Then she realized she should say something in response. “He’s also quite charming.” She gazed at the bouquet adorning the top of the piano. “And thoughtful.”
“We will be delighted to meet him. Text your address.”
“I will. Oh, and it’s a gated estate so you have to press for entrance.”
“Is this Chase’s place?”
“No, Nathalie. It’s the apartment I have for the summer. With room for my dogs.”
“I’m pleased you were able to find any housing that would accommodate all of them.”
Sami felt a headache coming on. “About our discussion the other day,” she began, thinking she ought to address it further ahead of Saturday evening.
“There’s nothing else to discuss. You read the journal. You questioned Emile. You now know the truth. He’s been a better father to you than any other man I know would have been, given the situation. Please be grateful to him and drop the topic.”
Sami took a deep breath. “I care very much for Emile, but don’t you think I should know something about my birth father?”
Silence fell. Sami waited, gripping her phone.
“I find this topic very painful,” Nathalie said, speaking slowly. “For your information, Philippe was an only child. His parents are more than likely deceased. If they are not, I don’t believe any good would be served to throw that family’s world into disarray. We’ll see you and Dr. Carpenter at six this Saturday.”
Her mother hung up.
Sami sighed. No wonder Mam seemed so wonderful. Nathalie was no one’s definition of warm and fuzzy.
The rain did not let up all week. Sami used the time well, holing up in the apartment and working on an outline for her AI research. She was grateful for her discipline as the work kept her mind off any distracting thoughts of Flynn Lawrence.
When she awoke to clear skies on Saturday, she decided to take the dogs for a walk through the woods before heading to the grocery to buy what she needed to prepare dinner for Chase, Emile, and Nathalie. She opened the door. The dogs ran down the stairs just as three catering and delivery trucks trundled up the driveway to the main house.
The party!
Sami had forgotten all about the event Kyle had mentioned to her last week. Nathalie hated last minute changes. If she rescheduled or suggested they meet at a restaurant, Sami knew she’d be criticized for imperfect planning. And Chase seemed insistent on meeting her parents sooner rather than later.
Sami went back inside, grabbed the three leashes, and corralled her dogs. She’d explain it to Emile and Nathalie upon their arrival. It would be simple enough for them to gain access and they could even have the valets handle their cars. Kyle and William probably wouldn’t mind or even notice an extra vehicle or two.
She led the dogs out to the path through the woods, pleased that she hadn’t fallen into a nervous mess at the slightest hint of an obstacle. Chase was helping her become a calmer and more assured person.
She smiled, thinking of him.
He was a perfect gentleman.
Vonnie had told her all the single women at the hospital were nuts over him, but he had told her, quite in confidence, naturally, that he had eyes only for Sami.
Sami sighed and wondered how this miracle had happened.
She also wondered when he would kiss her again. And when they’d make love. She shivered in anticipation. She knew from their one afternoon on the sailboat that he had a body to die for. Chiseled chest. Lean waist and hips. Strong muscled legs. Sami swallowed, conjuring up the image of him in bed, leaning over her, slipping between her thighs, driving her wild with needing him.
Her foot caught a tree root and she fell forward. Trying to keep hold of the leashes, she slammed into the ground without breaking the impact with her hands. She lay there, not moving, barely hanging onto the leashes, whimpering a bit.
Shelby and Rusty stood over her, licking her face. Ruby, naturally, kept pulling on her leash and barking.
She’d left her phone in the apartment. She’d have to get up on her own. She sighed and put one hand to her cheek. It came away damp and red-stained. “Oh, no!” Sami wailed out loud. All three dogs started barking.
She forced her body to a sitting position, found a tissue in her shorts pocket and held it against her cheek. She didn’t think she’d broken anything, but her face hurt like more than heck.
She stayed seated, gripping the leashes. Just as she thought she could finally stand without fear of fainting from the pain in her cheek, she heard someone calling her name.
Kyle came into sight and rushed toward her. “Sami! What happened?”
“I tripped.”
He leaned over her. “Do you think you can get up if I help you?”
“Certainly,” Sami said, and did so, though it took her more effort than she expected.
“Let’s get you back, put some ice on that pretty face, and if you’re not feeling okay soon, we’ll get you to a doc-in-a-box.”
“You are very considerate,” Sami said. “I don’t want to be a bother, especially when you and William are hosting your event this evening. I have a friend who is a doctor. As are my parents. I’m sure I can call one of them if I need assistance. As a matter of fact, the three of them are coming over this evening. I hope that is not an imposition, given the party.”
“No worries,” Kyle said. “But your face might feel better if you don’t move your jaws so much. And give me those leashes.”
She nodded. It did feel better not to talk.
Thanks to Kyle and William’s kindness, Sami had everything in readiness for the six o’clock arrival of her guests. One of the catering staff had bustled in, arranged the table and brought fresh flowers. Then she returned carrying an array of hors d’oeuvres and a beautiful platter of sushi and sashimi for a main course. Another helper had made sure there was plenty of ice and had put two bottles of wine in to chill. Sami had nothing to do other than lie on the sofa with an ice pack and keep Ruby from driving the help nuts.
Eventually she showered and slipped into the black dress she’d bought to replace Jonni’s designer wonder. Smoothing the fabric over her hips, she couldn’t help but remember the last time she’d worn Jonni’s dress— the night she’d gone with Flynn to listen to Violet.
The night they’d made love.
Sami gave an impatient shake of her head and winced. Made love? That’s certainly not how Flynn had thought about what they’d done. Sami forced Flynn out of her mind and faced her mirror, in despair at covering the damage to her cheek. Her right eye was swelling and turning an interesting shade of purple. Her cheek was flayed with scratches. She settled for lipstick and a brush of eyebrow pencil. Her parents and Chase would simply have to accept her for who she was and what she looked like.
Wasn’t that what people did for those they loved?
That’s what Emile had done for Nathalie pregnant by another man.
She’d been blessed to have Emile as her father. She couldn’t help but wonder if Nathalie would have been a kinder, gentler version of herself had Philippe lived and she’d chosen passion over her pledge to Emile. Perhaps she’d buried part of her heart along with Philippe.
Sami walked toward the front of the apartment, hoping she’d found the same potential for acceptance with Chase. He truly liked her. Maybe he was even growing to love her. He’d told her he was crazy about her. Surely that was a step in the right direction.
Chase arrived first. She opened the door to his knock, over and around the barking of all three dogs. He handed her a bottle of wine and another bouquet of flowers, and dropped a kiss on her cheek.
Sami tipped her face upwards, offering her lips, but instead of kissing her, he said, “You’ve been in an accident.”
“It’s nothing,” she said. “I tripped in the woods while walking the dogs.”
He frowned and taking her chin, moved her head this way and that. “I don’t like the looks of that eye,” he said. “Come in Monday and I’ll have my people check it over.”
“Thanks for the flowers. And the wine.” She chose to ignore his solicitous medical advice, motioned him in and shushed the dogs.
“Nice place,” he said. “Friends with the owners?”
“Not exactly,” Sami said, realizing the story of how she happened to be living on the elegant estate was far too complicated to go into. And she wasn’t sure she wanted to explain it. “Someone I knew told me the caretakers were willing to let the garage apartment.”
“Must cost a pretty penny,” Chase said, glancing around.
Sami shrugged. “I’ll arrange these flowers into an appropriate vase.” The dogs had finally settled, though Ruby seemed intent on following Chase’s every step as he moved toward the kitchen island with her.
She found a vase and fussed with the flowers. After a few minutes, Chase moved the vase away from her and opened his arms.
“Come here, Sami. I’ve been waiting all week to wrap these arms around you.”
She slipped into his embrace. He pulled her close and brushed his hands low across her back, just at the top of her buttocks.
“Mmm,” he said. “Now I’m wishing I hadn’t asked you to invite your parents.” He kissed her ear, and then lowered his mouth to hers.
Ruby barked excitedly and leapt with her short legs against Chase’s slacks. He jerked away. “Is this dog always this noisy?”
“Not always,” Sami said.
“A well-bred Standard Poodle would never act like that,” Chase said.
A knock sounded on her door.
“She must have heard Emile and Nathalie,” Sami said. “She usually has a reason for her barking.”
“Good thing if it’s true,” Chase said. He leaned toward her, brushed a kiss over her lips and said, “To be continued.”
She blushed and nodded and hustled to open the door before another knock could set Ruby off again.
“I approve of the neighborhood,” Nathalie said as she walked into the room. “I didn’t know you knew the Stone family.”
“Hello,” Sami said, wondering at her mother’s comment, until she recalled the estate was known as Stone Lake. “I don’t. I’m acquainted with the caretakers of the property.”
“Ah,” Nathalie said, turning toward Chase and studying him with an appraising eye. “Nathalie Pepper, and you must be Dr.—“
“Call me Chase. Everyone does,” Chase said, clasping Nathalie’s hand. He turned towards Emile. “Hello, sir.”
Emile smiled. “Emile. No sir necessary.”
Ruby was sniffing at Emile’s pant legs. “I do believe you have acquired a different dog than you had last summer,” Emile said.
Sami stifled a sigh. If Nathalie hadn’t insisted the dogs remain in the back yard the night she’d arrived in Nashville, he would have already seen the Corgi. “I rescued Ruby from a puppy mill, where she was forced to breed litter after—“
“Really, Samantha, spare us the details.” Nathalie glanced around, and then proceeded to the sofa. “This place is quite lovely. Considering it’s built over a garage.”
“Please have a seat,” Sami said. She’d been hoping that following the discussion about Philippe that Nathalie might find it easier to be a kinder, gentler self. But people didn’t change overnight. “I have wine and I also have club soda.”
They each requested club soda. Sami crossed to the kitchen, where she had a bottle of white wine in an ice bucket. She filled three crystal glasses with club soda, topped them with lime, and glancing over at the sofa and chairs, decided to make wine her drink of choice. She wasn’t driving and Nathalie’s critical attitude went down a whole lot more easily with a good glass of Sauvignon Blanc.
“Thank you,” Emile said when she handed him his glass. “What happened to your face?”
Sami passed out the other drinks. “Oh, I took a bit of a tumble in the woods this morning.”
“Have you been falling more frequently?” That was Emile looking at her closely.
“Once. Only once.” Sami walked back to the island and picked up her glass of wine. She took a sip and then put the glass down. She carried over a tray bountifully laden with the clever appetizers the caterer had delivered.
“Looks great,” Chase said. “You’re quite the gourmet chef.”
Nathalie raised her eyebrows.
“I try,” Sami said. She collected her wine glass and took the other chair. “In my spare time.” It was only a teeny fib, the implication that she’d created the beautifully complex pate and fresh baked brioche rounds.
“Your daughter is awesome,” Chase said, looking straight at Emile.
Sami blushed.
Emile nodded and smiled at her.
“When did you two meet?” Nathalie sipped her drink. “Samantha, cocktail napkins would be in order.”
Sami jumped up, spilling a few drops of wine on the back of her hand. At least it didn’t hit the sofa or rug. “Right away,” she murmured. Anyone could forget to set out napkins.
“Details,” Nathalie said. “All of both life’s work and play are in the details.”
“That is so profound,” Chase said. “It definitely applies to sailing. And polo.”
“Those are your hobbies?” Emile asked.
Chase nodded. “I’m going to teach Sami to ride.”
“She learned to ride at boarding school,” Nathalie said.
Chase accepted a napkin from Sami. “I thought you said you didn’t ride.”
Sami shook her head. “I was supposed to learn.”
“I distinctly recall we paid for lessons.” Nathalie pinched the bridge of her nose.
“I opted not to participate,” Sami said. She took a long swallow of wine.
“Are you afraid of horses?” Chase was looking at her as if he didn’t know what to think.
Sami shrugged. “Another appetizer, anyone?” She refused to let Nathalie make her miserable.
Chase lifted another pate-topped brioche crust. “Never fear, with my guidance Sami will soon be riding like a champion.”
“Lovely,” Nathalie murmured. “Though I don’t understand why you didn’t tell us the truth, Samantha. It’s not as if we would have forced you to pursue an accomplishment you weren’t interested in. We did it to ensure you received a properly-rounded educational experience.”
Sami nodded. There was nothing she could say.
“There is quite a lot of activity on the property here,” Emile said. “Are the owners in residence?”
Sami flashed a smile at Emile, grateful for his change of subject. “I don’t believe so. Kyle—one of the caretakers—did mention they were holding an event this evening. I’m not to let the dogs out unless they are on their leashes.”
“How did you locate this apartment?” Nathalie was gazing at her with more than her usual level of interest in Sami’s affairs. “The night you and that red-headed man came to the house, you rejected the studio we had sublet for you and went off without knowing where you were going to stay.”
Sami felt Chase looking at her in a way that made her squirm. “I, um, made some phone calls. And one thing led to another. And Vonnie introduced Chase and me. Right after I arrived in town.”
“Ah, Vonnie.” Nathalie turned toward Chase with a smile. “Vonnie is a young woman after my own heart. Her surgical skills are impressive. Tell me about your practice.”
Chase needed no urging to dive into details. Sami moved quietly to the kitchen and began to set out the sushi and sashimi. To her surprise, Emile followed her over.
Sami shot a quick glance across the room. Nathalie and Chase were deep in conversation. She refilled her wine glass and waggled the bottle.
“I believe I will,” Emile said.
Sami plucked a fresh crystal glass from the cupboard and poured wine for Emile.
Speaking in a low voice, he pulled a paper out of his shirt pocket and said, “Nathalie and I want you to have this. She asked me to give it to you. I think it will help you if you understand the situation was harder on Nathalie than on me. She had suffered a terrible loss.”
Sami touched the paper. “Should I look at it now?”
Emile nodded.
Chase and Nathalie were laughing together, clearing hitting it off well.
Sami read the slip of paper. Philippe Carriere, born in Paris to Jean-Paul and Marie Fillon Carriere.
Sami stared at the names. “This couldn’t be easy for you.”
He gave a small shrug. “I kept the woman I loved and gained a family.” He lifted his glass. “To the best daughter ever,” he said, with a somewhat wistful smile.
“Ah, Emile, thank you.” On impulse, Sami stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. She couldn’t recall ever doing so. “No one could ask for a better father. I hope I marry a man as loyal and loving as you.”
Emile glanced across the room toward Chase. A slight shadow crossed his face. “I hope so, too.” His chin jerked a bit. He shoved a hand into his pocket. “I believe I should sit down,” he said. His hand trembled.
“Let me carry your glass for you,” Sami said.
He smiled and she followed him back to the seating area.
“Sami, I’m inviting your parents to join us on the boat tomorrow afternoon.”
“Oh,” Sami said. “That’s nice of you, but I didn’t realize we were going out. I’ve already agreed to babysit for Toya’s twins so her mother-in-law can have a break.”
“I assumed you knew Sunday afternoons are for sailing,” Chase said. He didn’t sound annoyed, just vaguely surprised.
“We can all go next Sunday,” Sami said.
“Next weekend I’ll be in Chicago at a conference,” Nathalie said.
“Why don’t you and Emile come with me even if Sami can’t?” Chase said. “It should be beautiful weather.”
No one said anything for a long moment.
“We accept,” Nathalie said, shooting a look of reproach at Sami. “Perhaps your friend Katarina would fill in for you?”
Ruby leapt up as if she’d seen a cat to chase. She raced to the door, barking full speed ahead.
Chase frowned.
Nathalie frowned.
Emile sipped his wine, his hand trembling as he raised the glass to his lips.
Saddened by more evidence of Emile’s physical struggles, Sami hurried to the door. She wished she could touch Emile’s hand and magically erase the tremor. She hated watching, knowing how much Emile must despise his inability to control the movement. At the same time, conscious of Nathalie and Chase’s annoyance with the barking Corgi, Sami tried to hush Ruby, even knowing it was useless. Once on alert, Ruby would not stop barking until she’d spied and inspected her quarry.
Wondering if Kyle or William had come to check on her, or perhaps ask her to move her car to another spot, she swung the door open.
To find Flynn Lawrence, who naturally knelt down and gave Ruby a hug.
Sami kept her back to the room. “What are you doing here?” She spoke in a fierce whisper, just loud enough to be heard above Ruby’s raptures.
“In the neighborhood.” He flashed his too-assured grin and rose gracefully.
“You are the last person I want to see. Especially right now.”
Flynn looked down at his feet. “I tried to stay away.”
Ruby had stopped barking, but she started up again. Sami glanced over her shoulder just as Chase walked up beside her. He put an arm around her waist.
He held her slightly closer and looked long and hard at Flynn, obviously recalling Nathalie’s comment about ‘that red-headed man.’ “Sami, were we expecting another guest?”
At any other moment Sami would have appreciated his possessive gesture and reassuring touch. Right now she wanted to simply disappear.