A Father's Secret

Erin gave herself a swift mental shake. Thinking about the past was no way to justify her reactions to Sam. He was a paying guest. That was all. She just needed a sharp reminder to keep it that way. She, better than most people, knew how life could turn on a dime. How feelings and emotions could lead a person into difficult, and sometimes terrible, situations.

As she neared the café she saw Sam seated at one of the outdoor tables. He looked up and directly at her, then raised one arm and waved. She waved back automatically, wondering just how long she’d been standing here wool-gathering. She walked briskly toward him. As she grew nearer, she saw that his table held an empty plate, a crumpled takeout cup and a newspaper that was folded open before him. Turned to the business section, Erin noted as she drew closer.

“Sorry I took so long,” she said. “Would you like to head back to the lodge?”

He flung her a smile that made the knot in her stomach tighten a little more, but this time for an entirely different reason. So much for her resolution of just a few minutes ago.

“I promised you coffee first,” he said, rising from his seat. “Although, if you’re in a hurry to get back to Riley…”

“No, it’s okay. I nursed him not long before we left and I also left a bottle with Sasha, just in case. He’ll be fine.”

“What would you like?”

“A cappuccino would be great, thanks.”

He was back a few moments later, setting the coffee on the table in front of her.

“Thanks,” she said, lifting the takeout cup to her lips and taking a sip.

“I didn’t know whether you wanted chocolate or cinnamon on top, so I told them to go for both. Is that okay?”

“More than okay. It’s what I usually do,” she said with a smile. “Saves making a decision that way.”

Sam stiffened, his face suddenly pale.

“Are you okay?” Erin asked, concerned at the rapid change in him. “Did I say something wrong?”

“No, of course not. You just reminded me of someone for a minute.”

He rubbed at his right hip and upper thigh. It was a subconscious action, Erin was sure, but she’d noticed him do that every now and then and his limp would always be more pronounced afterward.

“You’re sore, aren’t you? Don’t bother denying it,” she said with a smile. “We can head off now if you like, I can take my coffee with me.”

“Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“Hey, it’s no problem. I did what I came here to do.”

Was it her imagination or did his expression harden again? Surely she was imagining things. Sam bent to pick up a large plastic shopping bag, emblazoned with the office supply store’s logo.

“You got what you wanted then?” Erin asked as they walked to the car.

“Yes. It’s not high tech but it’ll do the job.”

He stiffened as they stopped by the car, drawing in a deep breath as if he was steeling himself for the ride back.

“Is my driving really that bad?” Erin half joked as they got in the car and Sam secured his seat belt. This time without incident.

“Don’t worry about me,” Sam said. “I’m just not a good passenger.”

“Bad experience?” Erin probed.

“Car wreck. I’d rather not talk about it,” he replied, his voice a little harsh. “Can we get going?”

“Sure,” she said, clipping her seat belt safely and starting up the car.

It must have been some wreck, she thought as she negotiated her way out of the city and onto the road leading them back to the lake.

When they arrived back at the lodge Sam excused himself to head upstairs immediately, asking for his lunch on a tray, if possible. Erin was only too happy to oblige. He’d become distant and reserved—nothing like the man she’d come to know during the past few days.

Erin knew they had a spark of something between them. She couldn’t possibly have imagined it. Maybe he was just one of those moody types whose disposition swung back and forth like a weather vane in a storm. She gave a mental shrug, telling herself it didn’t matter at all, even while her heart gave a little twang of denial. Sam Thornton wasn’t her problem; she had far more pressing matters on her mind than worrying about him.

She went through to her private rooms. After the emotional strain of telling Janet the whole story, she needed the comfort of her son.

“How did it go?” Sasha asked the instant she saw Erin.

“Okay, I guess.” She looked around for Riley. “Is he down for a nap?”

“Yeah, but I don’t think he’ll be asleep for long. I had to give him that extra bottle you left. He’s a hungry wee beast, isn’t he?”