Sam didn’t know if he could’ve handled Tara in a coconut bra and grass skirt, so perhaps that was a good thing.
“I’d say this family deserves a vacation, don’t you?” he asked. “I think lounging on the beach is exactly the break we need.”
Tara’s eyes raked over his bare chest and Sam would have been lying if he didn’t admit that he loved every single visual lick. He’d thought Tara would never look at him that way again, and he sure as hell never thought it would be while he was wearing a coconut bra and a grass skirt. Marley jumped up and down with her hands extended high and Sam lifted her into his arms.
“When are we going, Daddy? When?”
He squeezed his girl tight and laughed. “My boss has a beach house in South Carolina he is going to let us rent. It’s secluded, with its own private beach, and the home is fully stocked. We were discussing vacations and when I mentioned I was looking for a house, he told me about this. He said there was a cancellation at the last minute and, lucky for us, we get the place for four whole days. We can leave the day after tomorrow.”
“Two days?” Tara repeated. “That doesn’t give us much time to plan.”
“And Mommy promised me we could find a new bathing suit,” Marley added. “I want a purple one.”
He sat her on the floor and tapped the end of her nose. “Then I guess we better get shopping.”
Sam was not letting this opportunity pass him by. The opening had presented itself and he was taking his family on the promised vacation...though a year late. Even though Tara remained across the room she continued to stare at him with wide, wondering eyes.
“Maybe we should wait a little bit,” Tara stated as she continued to stare at him. “I mean, we do have a lot going on.”
Sam was not going to let her back out of this. He had vowed to be there for his family and he was going to start by making good on all of the promises he had broken. He refused to let them down again, no matter how minor the situation was.
“But, Mommy, I really want to go now,” Marley said as she wiggled out of Sam’s arms. “Can we please go in two days? Please, please? You don’t even have to get me a new suit.”
Tara sank onto the edge of the bed to be eye level with Marley. “We will go. We all could use a getaway.”
“I hope you don’t mind if I take this for my new suit,” Sam stated as he pointed at his dollar-store ensemble.
Marley giggled and shook her head. “I don’t think so, Daddy. Maybe you should take your swim trunks.”
Sam reached behind his neck and pulled the string, then untied the string behind his back. He tossed the coconut bra onto Marley’s bed.
“I suppose you’re right,” Sam stated. “I can take you shopping tomorrow if you want to find a new suit.”
Marley’s eyes widened. “You will take me shopping?”
Sam shrugged “Sure. I’d love to buy my favorite girl new things for our vacation.”
Before he could say anything else, Tara came to her feet, holding the comforter up and gesturing for Marley to get under the covers.
“It’s time for bed,” Tara said as she tucked Marley in. “We can talk vacation tomorrow.”
Tara kissed Marley on the head and turned to face Sam. Was it his imagination or had her eyes narrowed? He couldn’t tell if she was turned on or angry. Perhaps a good mixture of both.
“Good night, baby.” Sam moved forward and kissed her on the forehead. “Sweet dreams.”
He turned off her bedside light and walked out of the room, easing the door shut behind him. When he shifted, the edge of the grass skirt tickled his knees so he reached around the back and jerked the knot on the skirt.
Fisting it, he went into his bedroom, where Tara stood with her arms crossed, lips thin, shoulders squared. Clearly ready for a fight. And here all he’d come to battle with was a plastic costume.
“Something you want to say?” he asked as he tossed the skirt onto the floor.
Once again, her eyes raked over him as he stood before her wearing a pair of running shorts. If she kept looking at him like that, he was going to start to believe there might be a chance for them. He had never stopped wanting his old life back. Even those nights he had spent in rehab alone, shaking and afraid, he’d held on to the memories of his family and the love they’d created. He had wanted Tara, had needed her, but he’d been of no use to her at that point.