“I’m going to need some time to think about this, Lucas.”
“That’s completely understandable.”
“I’m going out of town for a few days. I’ll call and let you know my decision when I get back.”
“I look forward to hearing from you then,” he says, and I hang up the call while my mom stops recording.
“Well, I’m proud of you for standing your ground,” she remarks, and I let out a long breath, then look at where Sam has wandered into the living room to play with his toys. “What do you think you’re going to do?”
“I think . . .” I rub my forehead. “I don’t know. Part of me wants to say no and fight them until they give up, but another part of me doesn’t want Sam to come to me in fifteen or twenty years and ask why I didn’t let him see his grandparents.”
“I can understand that,” Mom says softly, and I take a seat at the kitchen table.
“What would you do?”
“I don’t know, honey. I really don’t know. It’s not a normal situation. I know that if I were in their shoes, I would want the chance to get to know Sam, but I also know I would never have acted the way Ginny did, even if I did have doubts.”
“Yeah, and that’s what worries me. What if she acts like that again or says something to Sam when he’s old enough to understand?”
She takes my hand. “First, you won’t know what will happen unless you decide to meet with them. Second, you don’t have to decide anything right now. Take the time while you’re away to think and pray about it. And know that your father and I will support you in whatever you want to do.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Anytime.” She lets my hand go. “Now, you need to get back upstairs to finish packing while I spend some time with my grandson.”
I glance at the clock and see that Blake is going to be here in less than thirty minutes, which means I need to get moving. “I shouldn’t be much longer.” I stand.
“Take your time. You know it’s not a burden for me to spend time with my favorite guy,” she says, and I bend to kiss her cheek, then head upstairs.
When I get to my room, I get back to packing while thinking about the phone call with Lucas and what my mom said. Not surprisingly, I don’t come up with an answer to what I should do by the time the doorbell rings, letting me know Blake is here.
“Hey,” I hear my mom say as I roll my suitcase to the edge of the stairs; then Sam squeals in happiness. With a smile on my face, I start to pull my bag down the steps behind me, listening to the thump, thump, thump as I go.
“Are you moving into the lake house?” Blake asks, and I turn to find him coming up the steps toward me, looking as handsome as ever in a thermal the color of his eyes with a ball cap on his head and jeans that fit him way too well.
“Maybe.” I shrug, and he smiles before touching his lips to mine and taking the handle from me.
“I got this.”
“Thanks,” I say to his back as he carries the bag easily down the stairs. When we reach the bottom, I shake my head at my mom, who has tears in her eyes as she holds on to Sam for dear life, even though he’s clearly attempting to get to Blake. “I know you are not crying.”
“I can’t help it.” She pops out her bottom lip. “I’m going to miss him.”
“We’ll be back in just a few days,” I assure her with a hug.
“I know.” She hugs me back, then looks at Blake. “You’d better take care of my babies.”
“I promise,” he assures her, taking Sampson when she finally gives him up; then he tips his head down to me. “Do you have everything?”
“I think so. I didn’t pack much food stuff for Sam, since I figured there was probably a store close to the house that we could stop at to get him what he likes.”
“There’s a store close.” He reaches out to give my hand a squeeze, then slides his fingers through mine. How I can feel connected to one person after such a short time is anyone’s guess, but there’s no denying the connection I feel to the man at my side holding my son.
“Then I guess we’re ready,” I tell him, and he lets my hand go so he can take the suitcase, but Mom stops him by grabbing the handle.
“I’ll help you guys out.” She opens the door with a smile, and Blake grabs Sam’s travel crib, which is propped up next to the door.
When we get to the truck, he hands Sam off to Mom so he can put our stuff in the bed of the truck, then waits until she’s finished loving on him before putting him in his seat. After another long hug from my mom, I get into my seat, buckle in, and wait while my mom and Blake talk before he joins me.