I Do...: Her Accidental Engagement / A Bride's Tangled Vows

“He came crawling back.” Sam kept his tone casual. Inside, his emotions were in turmoil. This was the guy she’d wanted to marry so badly. What if she still carried a torch for him? He’d obviously been an idiot to let her go once. If he came back now, trying to rekindle a romance and wanting to be a real family, would Julia consider taking him back? That thought hit Sam straight in the gut. “What did you say?”

She studied him for a moment. “He didn’t quite come crawling. More like trumpeting his own horn. He told me the reason they’re coming after Charlie is because his parents want an heir to the family business.”

“They’ve got a son. Let him take over.”

“Not his deal, and Jeff isn’t going to have other children. He’s made sure of that. Although it’s crazy to think they could start grooming a mere toddler. No wonder Jeff has so many issues. If only I’d been smart enough to see it when we were together. You know what the strange part of this is? No one in Jeff’s family has tried to get to know Charlie. It’s like they want him on paper but they don’t care about having a grandson. I want him to know their family if they have a real interest in him. But I saw how Jeff suffered from being a pawn in his parents’ power games. I can’t let the same thing happen to Charlie.”

He held her hand, his brilliant blue eyes warm with emotion. “Your son needs you. He needs you to fight for him.”

She nodded and wiped at her nose.

“What you need is a plan of defense. You flaked on some jobs. It happens.”

“There’s a reason,” she mumbled, almost reluctantly.

“A reason that will explain it away?”

She shrugged and shook free from his hand, adjusting the vents to the air-conditioning as a way to keep her fingers occupied. “I have severe learning disabilities.”

When he didn’t respond she continued, “I’ve been keeping it a secret since I was a kid. It’s a neurobiological disorder, both visual and auditory. Only my family and a few teachers knew, and I kept it from them for as long as I could. Everyone else assumed I was lazy or didn’t care.”

“Why would you hide that?”

“You have no idea what it’s like, how much shame and embarrassment is involved. To people who’ve never dealt with it, it seems cut-and-dried. It’s not.” Her hands clenched into fists as she struggled with her next words. “I’m a good mimic and my bad attitude served me well as a way to keep everyone from digging too much. I got by okay, but I can barely read. Numbers on a page are a puzzle.”

“All those books on your shelf...”

“I’m nothing if not determined. I’ll get through them someday. Right now, I’m working with a literacy specialist. They have a lot of methods that weren’t available when I was in school. But it never gets easier. For years, I tried so hard in school but people thought I was a total slacker. Ditzy blonde cheerleader with no brain. A lot of the time that’s how it felt. Once I was out on my own, I hid it as best I could. People can take advantage of me pretty easily when it comes to contracts or finances. And that’s what happened. A number of times. It always seemed easier to just move on rather than to fight them.”

“Every time someone got wind of it, you left.”

She nodded. “It was cowardly but I don’t want to be treated like I’m stupid. Although, looking back, I acted pretty dumb most of the time. Especially when it came to boyfriends. I trusted Jeff. He never let me forget it.”

“That you had a learning disability?”

“That I’m just a pretty face. The blond hair and long legs. When I told him I was pregnant, he told me that once my looks faded I wouldn’t have anything left to offer.”

“He’s a real piece of work.” Sam couldn’t believe how angry he was. At her idiot ex-boyfriend and all the others who took advantage of her. But also with Julia. Watching her, Sam could tell she believed the garbage people had fed her over the years. He threw the truck into gear, not wanting to lose his temper. “Where’s your car?”

“Around the corner.” She pointed then shifted in her seat. “Thanks for coming today, Sam. I was a mess after the mediation. You helped.”

“I could have helped more if you’d let me be in there with you.” He pulled out from the curb and turned onto the next street. Her car was parked a few spaces down.

“Maybe next time,” she said quietly. She reached for the door handle but he took her arm.

“You have a lot more to offer than looks. Any guy who can’t see that is either blind or an enormous jackass.” He kept his gaze out the front window, afraid of giving away too much if he looked at her.

“Thanks.”

He heard the catch in her voice and released her. After she’d shut the door, he rolled down the window. “The Mardi Gras Carnival is tonight. I’ll pick you and Charlie up at five.”

“I’m beat. I wasn’t planning on going.”

“I’ll pick you up at five. You need to take your mind off this, and it’s a good place for us to be seen together.”

Her chest rose and fell. “Fine. We’ll be ready.”

After she’d gotten into her car, Sam pulled away. Although the air was hot for mid-March, he shut the windows. Julia’s scent hovered in the truck’s cab. Sam wanted to keep it with him as long as he could.

He’d meant what he said about taking her mind off today. As police chief, he was obligated to make an appearance at town events, but he looked forward to tonight knowing he’d have Julia and Charlie with him.

Chapter Nine

Julia dabbed on a bit of lip gloss just as the doorbell rang. She picked up Charlie, who was petting Casper through the wire crate.

“Let’s go.”

“’Bye, doggy.”

Casper whined softly.

“We’ll be back soon,” Julia told him. The doorbell rang again. “Coming,” she called.

She grabbed the diaper bag off the table and opened the front door, adjusting her short, flowing minidress as she did.

“We’re ready.”

“Sammy,” Charlie said, bouncing up and down in her arms.

“Hey, bud.” Sam held out his hands and Charlie dived forward.

Julia worried for a moment about Charlie bonding so quickly with Sam. In a way it worked to their advantage, at least as their pretend engagement went. But she had concerns about Charlie’s clear affection for Sam. She didn’t want her son to be hurt once their time together ended.

“You don’t have to take him.”

“My pleasure.” Sam looked her over from head to toe then whistled softly. “You look amazing.”

Julia felt a blush creep up her cheeks. “You, too.”

It was true. Tonight he wore a light polo shirt and dark blue jeans. His hair was still longer and her fingers pulsed as she thought about running them through the ends. He hadn’t shaved, and the dusting of short whiskers along his jaw made him look wilder than he normally did as police chief.

It excited her more than she cared to admit. She hadn’t been on a real date in over two years. This wasn’t real, she reminded herself. This was showing off for the town, convincing people their relationship was genuine.

Not that being in this relationship had helped her earlier. She’d barely said two words in her own defense as the Johnsons’ attorney had put forward more and more information about her deficiencies as a person and how they might be detrimental to raising her son.

The mediator, an older woman who was all business, hadn’t said much, nodding as she took in everything and occasionally looking over her glasses to stare at Julia.

Sam was right. She needed to get her mind off the custody case. So what if this night wasn’t a real date and Sam wasn’t her real boyfriend? It wouldn’t stop her from enjoying herself.

Because of Charlie’s car seat, she drove. Once they were close to the high school, she could see the line of cars. Half the town was at the carnival. She knew Lainey and Ethan would be there along with her mother.

“Is your dad coming tonight?” she asked, a thought suddenly blasting across her mind.

Sam nodded. “I told him we’ll meet him.”

“My mom is, too.”

Sam made a choking sound. “Okay, good. They can get to know each other. It’ll be great.”

“That’s one word for it.”

“Does your mom believe the engagement? I haven’t seen her since she walked in on us.”

“I think so.” Julia slowed to turn into the lower parking lot. “It’s not the first time she’s seen me be impulsive.”

Sam shook his head as she turned off the ignition. “You never give yourself a break.”

“Why do I deserve one?” She paused then said, “It’s fine. I’m repairing my reputation with my family. It’s a long progress, but I’m getting there. What makes you ask about my mom?”

“I saw Ethan downtown yesterday and he gave me the third degree about my intentions toward you.”

“Ethan?”

“His big-brother routine was going strong. Told me how special you are and that if I hurt you or Charlie I’d have him to answer to.”

“I don’t know why he’d care. He went through hell because of me, although it’s ancient history now.”

“There you go again with the self-flagellation. We’re going to need to work on that.”

“Whatever you say.” She got out of the car and picked up Charlie from his car seat. As she turned, she took in her old high school. It looked the same as it had almost fifteen years ago.

She filled her lungs with the cool night air. This was her favorite time of year in the North Carolina mountains. It smelled fresh and clean, the scent of spring reminding her of new beginnings. Coming off of the cold, wet winter, the change of seasons gave her hope.

Just like Sam.

Julia knew hope was dangerous. She was a sucker for believing in things that would never come to pass. She’d been like that in high school, too—wanting to believe she’d be able to keep up. Or, at least, admit how deeply her problem ran.

For some reason, that never seemed an option. Sam could say what he wanted about her learning disabilities being beyond her control. She knew it was true. But by high school, when elementary-age kids read more clearly than she could, it felt like stupidity.

None of her teachers had understood what was going on in her head. She’d never truly opened up to anyone about how bad it was. It had been easier to act as though she didn’t care, to limp through school with a lot of blustering attitude and paying smarter kids to write her papers.

Charlie tapped her on the cheek. “Hi, Mama.”

She shook off the memories. Sam stood next to her, watching with his too-knowing eyes.

“I’m guessing you haven’t been back here for a while?”

“Not since graduation.” She adjusted Charlie and headed for the gymnasium entrance. “Remind me again why we’re here.”

Sam put his hand on the small of her back, the gentle touch oddly comforting. “The annual Kiwanis carnival not only celebrates Fat Tuesday but raises a lot of money each year for local kids. It’s a great event for the town.”

“Spoken like a true pillar of the community.” She gave an involuntary shiver. “Which I’m not and never will be.”

“You never know. Either way, I promise you’ll have fun. Greasy food, games, dancing.”

Since she’d been back, she hadn’t attended any town events. It was one thing to reconnect with people she’d known within the relative safety of the salon. No one was going to rehash old resentments while she wielded scissors. Here she was out of her element and not confident about the reception she’d get from the girls she once knew. Especially since she’d taken Brevia’s most eligible bachelor off the market.

A memory niggled at the back of her mind. “Didn’t you do a kissing booth last year or something like that?”

Sam’s confident stride faltered. “They auctioned off dates with a couple local guys.”

She flashed him a smile. “How much did you go for, Chief?”

In the fading light, she saw a distinct trail of red creep up his neck. “I don’t remember.”

“Liar.” She stood in one spot until he turned to look at her. “Tell me.”

“A thousand,” he mumbled.

“Dollars?” She gasped. “Who in the world paid that much money for you?” When he leveled a look at her, she added, “Not that I don’t think you’re worth it. But not a lot of people around here have that kind of cash.”

“It was for a good cause” was his only answer.

Another thought struck. “Unless...it was Ida Garvey!”

He turned and she trotted to catch up with him, Charlie bouncing on her hip. “Let me take him.” Sam slid his arms around Charlie and scooped him up.

“It was Ida, wasn’t it? She’s the only one around here rich enough to pay that amount.”

He gave a reluctant nod. “I got the most money.”

“What kind of date did you take her on?”

“Would you believe I escorted her to her fiftieth high-school reunion over in Asheville? She had me wait on her hand and foot. Kept calling me her ‘boy toy’ in front of her old friends.” He shook his head. “I swear my butt had bruises from being pinched so often.”

Julia laughed harder than she had in ages. “You really are a hero, you know?”

“It’s not funny.”

“Yes, it is.” She looked at him and saw humor shining in his eyes, as well. Then she noticed they were at the gym entrance, light spilling out into the darkening night. She studied Sam for another moment, wondering if he’d told her that story to ease her nerves.

He really was a good guy, she thought. He should be with someone like him—a woman who was smart and sweet.

Someone nothing like her.

He smoothed the skin between her eyebrows. “Stop frowning,” he said gently. “We’re going to have fun.”

He dropped his hand, intertwined his fingers with hers and led her into the gymnasium. He greeted the two women working the ticket counter, neither of whom Julia recognized. Sam made introductions, and both women gave her a genuine smile and shook her hand, offering congratulations on their engagement. She flashed her ring but noticed Sam stiffen when one of the ladies complimented him on it.

Charlie became suddenly shy and buried his face in the crook of Sam’s neck, something Julia would have loved to do, as well.

“Come on, buddy,” Sam coaxed. “Let’s find some cotton candy.”

“I don’t think so,” Julia said. “He hasn’t had dinner yet.”

Charlie gave Sam a wide grin. “Can-ee.”

“We’ll get a hot dog first,” Sam promised her and moved into the crowd.

“Kids can always count on their dad for a good time,” one of the women said with a laugh.

“While Mom cleans up the sick stomach,” the other added.

“He’s not...” Julia began, wanting to explain that Sam wasn’t her son’s father. Then she realized they already knew that, although Sam was certainly acting like the doting dad.

“He’s quite a catch.” The blonder of the two women winked at her.

Julia’s stomach flipped because she knew how right the woman’s statement was. “I’d better stick with them,” she said and hurried after the two, emotions already at war in her mind and heart.

“Julia!” Lainey’s voice carried over the crowd, and a moment later, she was surrounded by her sister, Ethan and their mother. Lainey gave her a long hug. “Sam said today was rough. Are you feeling any better?”

“I knew I should have come with you.” Vera shook her head. “I’d like to get ahold of that family and talk some sense into them.”

“When did you see Sam?” The thought of Sam giving information about her to her family made her more than a little uncomfortable.

“I ran into him downtown,” Lainey said. “What’s the big deal?”

“He shouldn’t have said anything.”

“He’s going to be your husband,” Vera corrected. “He has a right to worry.”

“We all do,” Lainey echoed. “Jules, you’ve got to let us help you. You’re not alone.”

“Where’s the little man?” Ethan asked, his internal radar about conflict between the three Morgan women practically glowing bright red through his T-shirt.

“Right here,” Sam answered, balancing a huge cotton candy and a paper plate with hot-dog chunks and small pieces of watermelon on it.

Charlie reached for a piece of fruit and babbled a few nonsense words.

“You cut up the hot dog,” Julia said, stunned.

Sam’s forehead wrinkled. “I thought you were supposed to cut up round food when kids are little.”

“You are.” Julia felt ridiculous that something so minor had such an effect on her emotions. “I didn’t realize you’d know it.”

“Don’t be silly.” Vera reached for Charlie and snuggled him against her. “He’s spent enough time around you and Charlie to realize that.”

Julia saw Lainey studying her, a thoughtful expression on her face. “That’s right. Isn’t it, Jules?”

Julia nodded and stepped next to Sam, leaning up to kiss him on the cheek. “Of course. Thanks, hon.”

Lainey’s features relaxed and Julia blew out a quiet breath of relief.

“There’s my favorite son and future daughter-in-law.” So much for her short-lived relief. Julia heard Sam groan.

She turned and was enveloped in one of Joe Callahan’s bear hugs. He moved from her to Sam. “Look at you, Sammy. Surrounded by friends with the woman you love at your side.” His meaty hands clasped either side of Sam’s jaw. “I’m so proud of you, son. You’re not a loner anymore. I thought my mistakes had cost you a chance at a real life. But you’re making it happen.”

“Dad, enough.” Sam pulled Joe’s hands away. “Not the time or the place.”

“There’s always time to say ‘I love you.’”

Sam met Julia’s gaze over his father’s shoulders. His eyes screamed “help me,” and as fascinating as everyone seemed to find the father-son interaction, she intervened.

“Joe, I’d like you to meet my family.”

He turned, his smile a mile wide.

“This is my sister, Lainey, and her husband, Ethan Daniels.”

Joe pumped their hands enthusiastically. “Pleasure to meet you both. I’m Joe Callahan.”

“Are you in town for long, Mr. Callahan?” Lainey asked.

“As long as it takes,” Joe said with a wink at Sam.

A muscle in Sam’s jaw ticked and his eyes drifted shut as he muttered to himself. They flew open a moment later when Ethan added, “You, Sammy and I should do some fishing once the weather warms up.”

“Don’t call me Sammy.”

“I’d love to.”

Vera cleared her throat.

“Sorry. This is my mother, Vera Morgan. And you’ve met Charlie.”

Joe’s eyes widened as he looked at Vera. “Well, I certainly see where you two girls get your beauty. Ms. Morgan, you are a sight to behold.”

Vera held out her hand like the Southern belle she’d once been. Joe bent over her fingers and kissed them lightly. “Why, Mr. Callahan,” she said, her accent getting thicker with every syllable. “You are a silver-tongued devil, I believe.”

“Shoot me now,” Sam muttered.

Julia’s eyes rolled. She was used to this routine with her mother. Vera had been a devoted wife to her late husband, but since his death, she’d reinvented herself not only as an animal-rescue expert but as a woman with a long list of admirers. Unlike Julia, her mother always made sure the men with whom she was acquainted treated her like a lady, fawning around her until Vera moved on to the next one in line.

“Here she goes,” Lainey whispered, as Vera tucked her chin and fluttered her eyelashes. Charlie watched the two for a moment then reached for Sam.

“Can-ee,” the boy demanded, and Joe took the cotton candy from Sam.

“Come here, Charlie,” Joe said and lifted him from Vera’s arms. At this rate, Charlie would be held by more people than the Stanley Cup.

“Why don’t I take him,” Julia suggested.

“Joe and I will take him to the carnival games,” Vera said.

“That’s right,” Joe told them with a wink. “You young folks can head to the dance floor or grab a drink.”

Before she could argue, Joe and Vera disappeared into the sea of people, Charlie waving over Joe’s shoulder.

“I’m up for a beer.” Ethan looked at Sam. “How about you, Sammy boy?”

“Don’t go there,” Sam warned.

“Stop—you’re going to make me cry.” Ethan laughed until Lainey socked him in the gut. “Hey,” he said on a cough.

“I thought Sam’s dad was sweet.” Lainey grinned at Sam. “He obviously loves you.” Her gaze switched to Julia. “You and Charlie, too. Mom’s going to eat him up with a spoon.”

“A terrifying thought.” Julia’d known this night was a bad idea.

“Come on,” Lainey said to all three of them. “Let’s get something to eat. They had a pasta booth in the corner.”

Ethan wrapped one long arm around Lainey and kissed the top of her head. “Yeah, like a double date.”

Julia couldn’t help it—she burst out laughing. “This is going to be great. We’ll be besties.” Who would have thought that she’d be double-dating with her first boyfriend and her sister? It was too crazy to imagine.

She looked at Sam, expecting him to be laughing right along with her. Instead, his brows were drawn low over his vivid blue eyes.

“Fine by me.” He took her hand to follow Lainey and Ethan toward the back of the gym.

“What’s wrong?” she whispered, pulling him to slow down so they were out of hearing range. “Is it my mom and Joe? She’s harmless, I promise. Her former admirers still adore her. Whatever happens, she won’t hurt your dad.”

Sam’s arm was solid as a rock as his muscles tensed. “Does it seem strange to be so chummy with your ex-boyfriend?”

Julia thought about Jeff, then realized that was not who Sam meant. “Ethan’s married to my sister. We’ve been over more than a decade. He’s so much like my brother, I barely remember he’s seen me naked.”

Sam stopped on a dime, causing her to bump into the length of him. “Is that a joke?”

She wrinkled her nose. “I thought it was funny.”

“It’s not.”

“Come on, Sam. You see how he looks at Lainey. He never once looked at me in that way. He’s different with her, and I couldn’t be happier. For both of them. It’s old news, even around Brevia. That’s an accomplishment, given how gossip takes on a life of its own in this town.” She flashed him a sassy grin. “Chief Callahan, is it possible you’re jealous?”

“I don’t want to look like a fool. I’ve been down the road of public humiliation and the scenery sucks. Why would I be jealous? You said yourself Ethan’s like your brother.”

Julia studied him then placed a soft kiss on his mouth. “I’d never do something to make you look like a fool. Scout’s honor.”

“I can’t imagine you as a Girl Scout.” Sam forced his lips to curve into a smile, wondering at his odd reaction. He wasn’t the jealous type, and he knew how happy Ethan and Lainey were together. “Let’s find them.” He took Julia’s hand again.

A number of people waved or stopped to say hello as they made their way through the crowd. At first, Julia tensed at every new greeting. Eventually he felt her relax, but she never loosened her death grip on his hand. He wanted to protect her, he realized, and also to show her she could belong to this community again. The people of Brevia had welcomed him, and if Julia gave them a chance, he was sure they’d accept her.

They caught up with Ethan and Lainey and grabbed a table near the makeshift dance floor. The sisters bantered back and forth, making Sam wish for a better relationship with his own brother.

Even before Scott had cheated with Sam’s fiancée, they hadn’t been close. Sam had been the responsible brother, stoic and toeing the line, while Scott had been wild, always getting into trouble and constantly resenting his older brother’s interference in his life.

“How are things around town these days?” Ethan asked as he set a second beer on the table next to Sam.

“Quiet for a change.” Sam took another bite of pasta then swallowed hard as Julia tilted back her head to laugh at something Lainey said. The column of her neck was smooth and long. He ached to trail a line of kisses across her skin.

He pushed away the beer, realizing he was going to need his wits about him to remain in control tonight.