Sex, Lies & Sweet Tea Page 31

  “Nope, but thank you anyway, Randall. By the way—”

  “Yes, sir?”

  “I called the Montgomery police department yesterday and spoke with the captain. I think you should give him a call.”

  “Sir?” questioned Randall.

  “You were top notch out there against a man on the FBI wanted list. The FBI,” I emphasized. “Go back and take your test again. You’re missing your calling in life.”

  “Sir?” he asked again, not wanting to question my remarks.

  “You were made to be in law enforcement. Don’t let a little test anxiety keep you from your dream. Don’t let anything keep you from being who you’re supposed to be. Understand?”

  “Yes, sir. And thank you,” Randall said, stunned and grinning from ear to ear.

  I pulled out of Lone Oak and began the familiar drive to Autumn Valley. I crammed the Bluetooth earpiece in while steering with my knee and called Sam. She had taken time off from work, and no one faulted her for it. She’s wasn’t feeling very well the last few days. The anxiety of the investigation and shootout would have been enough to take anyone down.

  “Hello, handsome,” she answered.

  “Good morning, beautiful.”

  “What are you doing? Cause it sounds like you are out driving with the top down.”

  “That’s because I’m out driving with the top down,” I replied filled with happiness and sarcasm. “How are you today? Are you feeling better?”

  “I’m fine. When can I see you? It’s been so hectic. Between checking in on Mimi, meeting with the FBI, state police and the reporters, I feel like we’ve not been together alone for one moment.”

  “That’s because we haven’t. How is Miss Mimi?”

  “She’s fine. I mean she’s ninety-eight, for goodness sake. A feisty ninety-eight,” Sam added, knowing Mimi was a force no matter what condition she was in.

  “That’s good to hear,” I said. “Will you join me for dinner this evening? That is if you are feeling feisty enough.”

  “Feisty or frisky?” she asked with a giggle.

  “Whichever you prefer, baby.”

  “I would love to share your company for dinner,” she purred. “What time shall I come to Lone Oak, or are you picking me up?”

  “I’ll pick you up, or perhaps Timms,” I confessed. “It just depends upon how much I can get done today. How does eight o’clock sound?”

  “Sounds wonderful. I’ll see you or Timms then.”

  “Hey, baby?”

  “Yes?”

  “Have I told you how much I love you today?”

  “No.” I could hear the smile in her voice.

  “I love you, Sam.”

  “I love you too.”

  *

  I walked into Autumn Valley for the first time since the raid over two weeks ago. The administration office was closed and dark. I tipped my hand to Chuck as I walked through the front door and got a smile in return. It was already turning out to be a great day. I made my way to the D wing to have a visit with Momma and tell her of my plans. Giving the nurse across the hall from Mom’s room a wave, I knocked and entered.

  “Good morning? How are you today?” I chimed, beaming as I came through the door. Mom and Miss Mimi were in Mom’s sitting area looking at what seemed to be a photo album. Spread between both of their laps, they were laughing like schoolgirls going through a yearbook.

  “Hello, sweetheart,” Mom drawled. I was delighted she was having a good day. “Come join us.”

  I walked over and kissed her on the head, immediately taking Mimi’s hand and giving it a kiss as well. “How are you two lovely ladies?”

  “We’re good, Mac,” Mimi chirped.

  “What are you two giggling about? I thought I’d walked in on a slumber party.”

  “We were just going through some old photos and reminiscing about our younger days,” Mom replied.

  “How are you feeling?” Mimi asked, nodding to my sling.

  “I’m better,” I admitted, taking a seat beside them.

  “And how is…”

  “Samantha?” I filled in the blank for her. “She’s been a little under the weather the last few days, but I’m going to see her tonight, which is part of the reason for my visit.”

  “I already gave you the ring, didn’t I, honey?” Mom asked, astonishing me by recalling our last chat.

  “Yes, ma’am,” I agreed, smiling and shaking my head. I turned to look at Mimi.

  She raised one eyebrow and gave me a grin. “A ring?” she asked.

  “Yes ah, yes, ma’am.” I was stuttering through the conversation and my one good hand began twitching as I looked to it for the perfect words. “Miss Mimi, I know Samantha’s parents aren’t here, and I know you are her family. I will, of course, get in touch with her father, but I wanted to ask you first for your blessing. I solemnly promise to always take care of Samantha. I will love her with all my heart and soul. Everything I am, and everything I have will be Sam’s. I couldn’t love Dax any more than if he was my own flesh and blood, and I want him to be my son. I’m asking for your blessing and your permission to make Samantha my wife.”

  “Oh, Mac,” Mom gushed, clasping her hands in front of her mouth, too proud to hold her emotions without words.

  Mimi smiled and said one word before using her walker to stand and give me a hug. “Splendid.”

  37

  MAC

  I took Samantha’s hand and led her up the front steps to Lone Oak. Timms picked her up in the Bentley and brought her to me promptly at eight o’clock. She was a vision, dressed in a short baby blue silk dress and heels. She knew how her legs turned me on, and she was revving my engine early this evening. I was hungry, horny and so anxious to slip not one, but two rings on Samantha’s fingers.

  “Good evening, baby,” I crooned, kissing her long and deep. “I’m so happy to see you.” My shoulder may have been on the mend, but my libido was ready for duty, and duty was calling.

  “Mac,” she said with a sweet smile as I rubbed her sexy back with my one good hand.

  “C’mon in, sweetheart,” I said, allowing her to lead the way into the house. “Would you like to have cocktails in the study? Or on the veranda?”

  “I don’t think my stomach is in the mood for a cocktail,” she confessed, wrinkling her nose at me.

  “Maybe a little champagne later? We are celebrating.”

  “Really?” she asked as I guided her through the house and out to the garden.

  “It’s the first time we’ve been together in what seems like forever,” I whispered, pulling her to me again. I kissed her face over and over, holding her as tightly as I could without adding pressure to my shoulder. “You don’t know how I’ve missed you, babe.”

  “I’ve missed you too. And I need to have a chat with you. Can we go somewhere and talk before dinner?”

  “I need to have a word with you as well,” I said, raising my eyebrow wondering what she was up to. “Come with me.” Taking her arm in mine, I led her down the path and to the gazebo.

  “Wow,” remarked Sam upon arriving. “Did you buy every lilac in Alabama?”

  I had to admit. It was spectacular. The gazebo was engulfed in flowers—every side, every post and every single part—covered and twisted in beautiful smelling lilacs. It was starting to get dark, but Celia had set a small table and two chairs complete with candles, a bottle of Cristal in an ice bucket and two crystal flutes. “I just want tonight to be perfect. I want to make sure you remember this always.”

  “I don’t think there will be a problem with that,” she said, looking the gazebo up and down, giving me a nervous laugh.

  I walked Samantha up the steps where we had our first real date, our first real kiss. I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. “Samantha,” I began. “I have something to tell you.”

  “I have something to tell you too.” She teased me, running her finger over my lips as we stood face to face. “You can go first, Mac.”

>   I was beyond excited as I led her to her chair. She sat without saying a word, but lovingly stroked my face as I looked into her eyes.

  “Sweetheart, I need your right hand.” She gracefully held her hand out to me, palm up, as I slid my hand into my coat.

  “This was my mother’s,” I said as I slipped the antique box containing Momma’s large emerald ring out of my pocket, carefully opening it with one hand. “My father gave it to her the day he told her he would love her eternally. And tonight, I promise you, Samantha Peterson, I will love you like no other. I will be true to you like no other. Always and forever, yours and yours alone.”

  A single tear rolled down her face. She nodded and I placed the emerald on her right ring finger. Kissing it, I watched her face light up. Our love transcended any words.

  “It’s beautiful,” she whispered, placing her hands on either side of my face, passionately kissing me. I lifted her to her feet and looked out over the beauty that was my home. I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life here with Sam and Dax. And I wanted it to begin as soon as possible. I’d wasted so much of my life running from who I really was—a Callahan—man of integrity and tradition. I was destined to pass my legacy on, just as my father and grandfather had before me. Filius est pars Patris.

  I looked deep into Samantha’s eyes, taking her left hand as I dropped to one knee. She gasped, bringing her other hand to her mouth. Her beautiful blue eyes filled with tears, and I found that mine were doing the same. I took a deep breath and began: “I can’t live another day without you by my side. Yours is the light by which my spirit’s born. You are my sun, my moon, and all my stars. You’re every dream I’ve ever had—every wish I’ve ever made. You are my everything, Samantha Peterson,” I paused as I pulled the second ring box from my pocket and opened it with one hand. “Will you do me the greatest honor of my life and be my wife?”

  We were silent in the moment. We’d both weathered so much in our short lives and our beautiful moments seemed amplified.

  “Yes, Mac. I would love to be your wife. I’d be proud to be Mrs. Mac Callahan.”

  I stood, and kissed her with all the passion and love I had inside me. “This ring is a symbol of our new life and family,” I whispered to her softly, pulling it from the box. “Someday, our great-grandson will give it to the love of his life.” I placed the four-carat princess cut diamond on Sam’s left hand as tears streamed down her face. “He will tell her the story of Samantha and Mac. How his great-grandparents met and how they fell in love. He’ll tell her our story.”

  “It’ beautiful, Mac.”

  “It’s not as beautiful as you,” I said, brushing the tear from her face and stroking her hair.

  “I have a surprise for you too.” She gazed down at both of her hands now sparkling in the candlelight. “Maybe you should sit down.”

  I smiled, taking her hands as we sat together in the chairs facing each other, not wanting to let go.

  “Remember the night you told me you’d come to terms with the fact that you’d never father a child?” she asked as I leaned in and kissed her neck.

  “Yes,” I murmured, continuing to work my way to her lips. “But I have Dax. And you even said biology has nothing to do with being a father.”

  “I remember.”

  I delicately touched her shoulder, aching to be with her. I wanted her so badly, right here in the gazebo. I loved my future wife and I didn’t care who knew it or saw us together.

  “But what if it did?”

  “What if it did what?” I asked, stopping only to breathe in her intoxicating scent. “What are you trying to say, sweetheart?”

  I pulled away from her, searching her face. The light bounced from her beautiful eyes as she smiled. “I’m pregnant.”

  38

  MAC

  I held onto Samantha tightly as we walked into Autumn Valley. It was a glorious spring morning in Alabama and we were walking on air. I couldn’t wait to give all the good news to Mom and Miss Mimi.

  “Mimi is anxious to see us,” Samantha said. “I spoke with her this morning. She said to come to your mom’s suite. She’s going there for a visit.”

  “That’s nice,” I murmured, tugging at the sling strapped to my arm and shoulder. “We can kill two birds with one stone.”

  “Can you think of another metaphor to use? We are in a nursing home after all.”

  “Luxury healthcare facility,” I corrected.

  “Touché.” She laughed, pulling me close to her trying not to bump my shoulder.

  We knocked on Mom’s door and were welcomed by Miss Mimi’s voice. “Come in, please.”

  “Oh, Mimi,” Samantha gushed. “I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to see your face. How are you feeling?”

  “I’m better. No one has killed me off yet around here,” she groaned, hugging Sam around the neck. I went straight for Momma, who sat silently in her easy chair.

  “Momma?” I said, kissing her on the head.

  “I’m afraid she’s having a bad day today, honey. She’s been quiet all morning, but we’ve continued our reading.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Now fill me in,” Mimi said, anxious to hear our entire story.

  “Well, Mac got shot, I shot a man, and the hospital administrator shot himself,” Sam said without hesitation. “But there’s more—”

  “I knew that Miller fellow was never up to any good.” Mimi said with a smirk.

  “He was a pretty honest guy, Miss Mimi,” I explained. “He was more or less caught in a bad situation at a very inconvenient moment.”

  “Yeah, well, most of us knew he was bumping uglies with the janitor for a good while now. I don’t see what the big deal is.”

  “Mimi!” exclaimed Sam, surprised by her grandmother’s knowledge.

  “Sorry, honey. I didn’t mean to shock you, but if you live long enough in the South, it’s pretty easy to spot crazy.”

  “I don’t think he was crazy, Mimi,” Sam said.

  “Really? He shot himself in the head in front of a bunch of G-men because some bitch had photos of him getting his di—”

  “I see your point, Mimi,” Sam said, cutting her off. “Crazy.”

  Mimi nodded. “Crazy. Now,” she continued. “Tell me what sort of plans you two lovebirds have.”

  “I’m taking some time off to heal up and make some decisions about our future,” I said, nodding at Samantha.

  “Well, at least he didn’t say his future, Sam,” Mimi replied.

  “No, I definitely said our future,” I reiterated, looking to Mom.

  “Momma, it’s Mac,” I smiled at her blank face. “Momma, I wish you would chat with me a little. I have so much to tell you.” She stared out the window, more distant than her last bad day. Sam came to her other side.

  “Miss Nancy, I’m Samantha Peterson. It’s so nice to meet you.” Sam looked to Mimi for guidance and she urged her to continue. “You don’t know me, I’m Mimi’s granddaughter. I just want you to know that…. well, I want you to know that I love Mac very much. He makes me very happy, and I promise you, I’ll take good care of him.” Samantha looked to me, her eyes glassy with tears. I smiled at her and tried to pull Momma’s hand from its tucked position under her leg.

  “I wanted you to finally meet the girl of my dreams,” I said, realizing she was holding on to something. “Momma, what do you have?”

  I pulled a book from her hand and recognized it immediately.

  “Mom, how did you get this?” I gulped. I’d left Dad’s book of poetry on the desk in the study. No one had access to that room, but the house staff and me. “Momma?” I questioned her again.

  Slipping it from her hand, there was a new addition—a red satin ribbon. I knew the book like the back of my hand and I’d never seen a bookmark before.

  “Mac?” asked Sam, her voice trembling. “What is it?”

  “Something’s marked,” I said, opening the ragged book to the page.

  “In time of daffodil
s, who know the goal of living is to grow, forgetting why, remember how. In a time of lilacs who proclaim the aim of waking is to dream, remember so, forgetting seem. In time of roses, who amaze our now and here with paradise, forgetting if, remember yes. In time of all sweet things beyond whatever mind may comprehend, remember seek, forgetting find. And in a mystery to be, when time from time shall set us free, forgetting me, remember me.”

  “It’s beautiful,” said Sam, still stunned as I was.

  “There’s more.” I sank into the chair behind me, dizzy from the sight of his handwriting. “It’s a note from my dad.”

  I quickly sat and dropped my head between my knees, suddenly feeling sick. Sam rushed to my side, taking the book from my hand.

  “You cannot teach a Callahan man anything. You can only help him discover it in himself.” Sam read the words quietly and with tender care. “Son, you are my life’s work and my greatest accomplishment. Filius est pars Patris. Kiss your mother for me.”

  I allowed the words to wash over me, my eyes quickly welling as I lifted my head to meet Samantha’s tearful gaze.

  I shook my head in disbelief, trying to piece together the events that just unfolded as my coat pocket buzzed.

  DAN KELLEY: Just picked up surveillance footage at Autumn Valley. Hector Quintes is alive and well. Call me.

  EXCERPT FROM BOOK TWO

  SEX, LIES & LIPSTICK

  1

  MAC

  I waited for her at the end of the petal-strewn aisle inside the flower-covered gazebo. The minister at my side, I gave a nod to my best man, Dan. I wasn’t nervous. I was excited.

  I felt my shoulders rise and fall as I took a deep breath. I closed my eyes and wished my father were alive to witness the day. I could hear the string quartet over my shoulder and I knew what was coming next.

  I looked to my feet, twisted the Callahan crest ring on my right hand and told myself to hold it together. I wasn’t a man who cried. I was an FBI agent for God’s sake. But after witnessing the birth of my daughter three months ago and signing Dax’s adoption papers just yesterday, I found the emotional lump in my throat reassuring. I’d led a disconnected life in the past and I was beyond thankful to now have moments that moved me beyond words or sentiment.