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  Amy spoke the truth. “You’re right. I do feel a part of the group. I don’t think I would have had the guts to talk back to someone like that even a few weeks ago. Not that I was a meek little mouse when I went for the TeamWork interview in Houston, but I’m surprised I was even approved for this project in the first place.”

  “Maybe that’s why you’re here.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, maybe the interviewer saw unique potential in you, Lexa. Maybe he or she saw someone who needed TeamWork as much, if not more, than the project needed her. All I know is, I’m glad you’re here, and I know the other ladies are, too.” Amy smiled. “What you did for Margarita was really cool. You’re my heroine.”

  “Maybe you wouldn’t feel that way if you knew what I’m thinking about Margarita’s mother right now.”

  “We need to pray for her. That’s the best thing we can do right now.”

  “Oh, I’ll pray all right. But I’m praying for Margarita to grow up quickly to get away from a bad mother like that.” Lexa frowned.

  “I know. It’s a bad situation for a kid.” Amy released a long sigh and shook her head sadly. “Unfortunately, there’s not much more we can do about it.”

  Lexa wasn’t satisfied with that response. It wasn’t good enough. Margarita deserved better. There’s got to be something we can do, and I’m going to try and find it.

  Chapter 20

  A short time later, the trio walked into Maxie’s. It was on a quiet street not far from the scene of her disastrous first date with Sam on the Riverwalk two weeks earlier. As they were seated at a table in the crowded, popular club, Lexa tried to be nonchalant as she glanced around the room, hoping to catch a glimpse of their TeamWork leader.

  “Don’t worry. He’ll be here.” Winnie patted Lexa’s hand in her motherly, comforting way. Either Winnie was very astute or she was being way too obvious. Lexa slanted her a sheepish grin. Listening to the alternative rock band, they traded skeptical glances. She felt old and was tempted to stick her fingers in her ears to block out the loud noise. Amy and Natalie seemed to enjoy it, and their heads bobbed in rhythm.

  A server stopped by their table and took their order for soft drinks, tortilla chips and salsa. When she returned a short time later with their food, the trio happily munched away. They didn’t even attempt conversation.

  “Save some of those for me, will you?” The familiar deep voice startled Lexa, the warm breath tickled her ear. Turning her head with a welcoming smile, she unintentionally grazed Sam’s lips as he dropped into the empty seat beside her. Talk about timing. A few of the other TeamWork men seated themselves at the table behind them, smiling at the women. Josh was conspicuous in his absence, and Lexa felt relieved. She’d rather not fend off his flirtations tonight. Tonight was about Sam. She hoped they’d get some time alone.

  “That’s the loveliest greeting I’ve had in a long time.” Sam’s bright smile reached his eyes. “I could definitely get used to it.” He licked his lips. “Tasty, too. A little salty.” He grinned as Lexa shook her head and laughed.

  She was grateful for the dimness of the coffee house. She tried to cover her sudden attack of nerves with a casual air and handed him a chip as the band completed their set. At least now they could share conversation without having to shout. Lexa prayed she could carry on a coherent conversation with Sam sitting so close. It was disconcerting, but altogether wonderful.

  “When did you get here?”

  “Just now. I made a beeline for you. Missed me, did you?”

  “Don’t flatter yourself. Salsa?”

  “No, thanks. How quickly they forget. Remember, I prefer my spice in my women.” Biting into the chip, Sam leaned his chin on one hand, staring at her, unashamed in his flirting. “Like that greeting a minute ago. It was great.”

  “Flirt.”

  “Takes one to know one. Another chip, please.”

  Turning back around, she heard Sam’s low chuckle. She also caught the shared grin between Amy and Winnie as they bantered with some of the TeamWork guys. Lexa concentrated on the new band taking the small stage. As they began their set, Lexa recognized some of the songs as covers of current Christian pop hits. Natalie and Amy played a Christian station on the small radio in the dorm, often to the point of overkill. Recently, she’d hummed those songs under her breath out at the worksite and shared them with Margarita and some of the other children in the schoolroom. Most of the songs were based on verses of scripture, and it was a delight when she found them in her Bible reading.

  As they listened, Lexa felt the vibrations on the wooden floor, both the sounds from the band as well as from Sam’s foot tapping in rhythm. She caught the sound of his voice as he sang along. It sounded in-tune and rich, just as it did at the bonfire. Lexa stole a glance when he turned to speak with the guys. He looked great in his jeans and white polo and a lightweight, navy jacket perfectly tailored for those strong, broad shoulders. This man was more ruggedly handsome than any male model she’d ever seen.

  Lexa inhaled a couple of deep, calming breaths. Seemed she’d been doing that a lot in recent hours, first learning about Shelby and then the incident in the marketplace. Her smile sobered, and she frowned. She couldn’t allow the incident in the marketplace to spoil the rest of the evening.

  “Do you like Christian music?” Sam helped himself to another chip during a break between songs and offered one to her.

  “I haven’t really had the opportunity to hear a lot of it,” Lexa admitted, accepting the chip. “I like it better if I can understand the lyrics.”

  “Good point. It loses power and meaning if you can’t understand what they’re singing.” He nodded his head in the direction of the door with an inviting grin. “What do you say we get out of here?”

  “What, and miss all this marvelous entertainment?”

  Sam chuckled. “I think they’ll do just fine with four fewer hands to clap for them at the end of the set.”

  “But what about the others? Can we just leave them here at Maxie’s for a while?”

  “Why not? They’re big girls and boys. They don’t need me to chaperone. Trust me. They’ll understand.”

  Clasping his big, warm hand around hers, Sam pulled her up with him. He didn’t even give her a choice. Not that she cared. Lexa shot a quick look at Amy and Winnie. She almost laughed out loud when she glimpsed their beaming faces. If she didn’t know better, she’d think they were the world’s biggest matchmakers. With a small wave and a smile, Lexa followed Sam as he threaded his way among the small tables as they left the coffee house together.

  “Now, that’s infinitely better.” Sam exhaled a deep breath when they reached the outdoors.

  The sounds of the night enveloped them, and Lexa glanced upward at the lovely twilight sky. There was nothing in the world like the wide expanse of a Texas sky on a hot summer evening.

  “Well, I suppose it is if you like high heat and humidity.” The air stifled and threatened to overwhelm her as they stood to the side the entrance. Sam still held her hand. It felt good, it felt right. She left her hand in his, and smiled when he squeezed a little.

  “I mean this is more like it. And I’m not talking about the temperature, or the percentage of humidity.” His eyes met hers.

  “What’s more like it?”

  Sam sighed. “Must you always answer everything with another question?” Keeping his hand wrapped around hers, Sam strolled with her to the nearby walkway.

  Her heart thrilled at his gentle smile as he watched her. “I can’t help it. I’m a naturally curious person.”

  “And just what are you naturally curious about right now?”

  Lexa gave him a sly grin. “People, for one. What makes them do the things they do, say the things they say, that sort of thing.” Sam wanted her to admit to something more personal, but she wasn’t ready.

  “Ah, a student of psychology . . . or is it sociology?” He stopped walking and turned to face her.

  �
��Both, probably. How about you? What are you curious about?”

  “Lots of things.”

  In one fluid motion, Sam surprised her by reaching his hands around her waist. He lifted and then carefully lowered her onto the stone wall behind them. He paused a moment to collect his thoughts and planted his hands on either side of her. She didn’t feel trapped. She felt protected.

  “I want to know why God gave birds wings to fly but gave man two feet and made us learn to walk. I want to know why women are so emotional and men so logical.” Catching her bemused grin, Sam was quiet a long moment. Then the line formed between his brows.

  Lexa wanted to reach out and smooth away his frown, but left her hands in her lap instead.

  “I want to know how man can soar through the atmosphere to the moon and back, but not come up with a cure for the common cold.” Sam bowed his head, and when he lifted it again, his eyes were bright with emotion. “I want to know how we can legally kill unborn children, and then execute someone for killing a grown man.” Leaning back against the wall, he crossed his arms over his chest and blew out a sigh. “I guess I want to know why.”

  “You don’t wonder about much, do you?” Her smile teased, but her voice was quiet. “You’re a deep thinker, Mr. Lewis.”

  Covering Lexa’s hand with his own, Sam stared into her eyes as though trying to read her mind, her heart, her very soul. Lexa’s smile faded as she memorized his face—those incredible, expressive eyes, the passionate full lips. Lexa wanted to experience the thrill of his kiss again, his lingering touch.

  “I sense you’re bothered by something tonight, Lexa. Everything okay?” He jumped up to sit on the wall beside her.

  She struggled with how to answer him. She didn’t know men could be this sensitive. Sam had an uncanny way of reading her emotions. Should she tell him what happened with Margarita and her mother? “It’s nothing.” Lexa averted her gaze, not wanting anything to spoil this night. It seemed something always happened to put a damper on their time together, and she didn’t want it happening again. Not tonight. It wasn’t the time or the place.

  “Well, if you decide you want to talk about it, please know I’m here for you.”

  Lexa smiled, touched by his sensitivity. “Thanks. I know.”

  “Want to take a little walk?” Sam suggested after they sat in silence a couple of minutes, enjoying the night and each other’s company. When she nodded, he slid back down from the stone wall, reaching to pull her back down from the wall. Lowering her gently, his warm hands around her waist, their eyes locked and held.

  The way Sam stood there, not removing his hands, Lexa felt sure he’d take the opportunity to kiss her again. She was more than ready, and she sensed he knew it. Instead, he reached for her hand, and turned to resume their walk. As they strolled along the tree-lined walkway together, Sam told her about his plans for various TeamWork missions in the coming years.

  “You really put your heart and soul into TeamWork, Sam. It must be wonderful to be so passionate about something.” She hoped her tone conveyed her admiration for his dedication.

  He nodded. “It’s my life’s true work, more than the financial planning. I’ve seen so many needy people—emotionally, physically and spiritually needy people—come to Christ through our work, I can’t even fathom not doing these projects.”

  Watching Sam talk about his work, his eyes alive with excitement, Lexa loved the resonance of his voice, adored the smile lines around his eyes and mouth, and simply loved being in the company of this honest, compassionate man.

  “It’s refreshing to be with someone who feels things so deeply.”

  He held her gaze. “There’s something else you have to know about me, Lexa.”

  “What’s that?” Lexa forced a calm into her voice. She only prayed it would be good. This night was too special otherwise. She took a quick breath and waited.

  Chapter 21

  “I’m financially sound, but I’m frugal. I have to be, especially working with TeamWork every summer. I get a small stipend, but I’ll never get rich doing it.” Sam laughed. “You’ve seen the car I drive, after all.” Relief was etched into her expression. He wondered what she’d expected him to say.

  “Earthly riches don’t bring happiness, love or forgiveness, Sam. They don’t give strength of character or conviction.”

  He nodded, pleased by her sentiment. “I’ve done most of the talking. That wasn’t my intention. Tell me more about your family, your work, your hopes, your dreams.” He wanted her to feel comfortable enough with him to share such personal things.

  “How much time do we have?” Lexa reached out and squeezed his hand. From the look on her face, Sam could tell she surprised herself by the instinctive reaction. Starting to remove her hand from his warm grasp, she smiled as he resisted and held on tight.

  “You reached for my hand because you wanted to, Lexa. Leave it there. Please. It was a great instinct.”

  “Well,” she began, taking a deep breath, “I was an only child. I was pretty spoiled. Rotten, I’m afraid. Bad to the core. Seriously, I think my mother would have given me the moon if I’d asked for it.” Lexa paused, and when she looked back up at him, tears shone in her eyes. “I wasn’t as close to my dad, but he loved me in his own gruff, quiet way.”

  “What about your grandparents? Were they around much?”

  She shook her head. “Only my grandmother on my mom’s side. The others died either before I was born or within a year or two. Nana was very special. Dad took me to her house most Saturday afternoons. She lived in Galveston. We did all sorts of fun things together—string pearls, paint by the numbers, read books together, watch movies, pick apples from the tree and make a pie . . .”

  “Maybe that’s where your fondness for the apple began.”

  Lexa smiled. “Maybe so. Nana had this little summer porch in-between the messy garage and the rest of her interesting house. But she didn’t care about the clutter. She cared more about investing herself in my life and spending time with me. I was her only grandchild. She taught me so much, and I cherished every minute with her. We’d sit out there on that summer porch for hours, talking and drinking iced tea. I loved riding with her in the car. Especially at Christmas, she told the best stories about Santa’s Toyland at the North Pole.”

  Sam encouraged Lexa to share more memories of her family as they started back in the direction of the coffee house. He nodded, listened, and asked questions every now and then. Lexa’s eyes misted as she talked more about her mother and grandmother. Pausing outside the entrance to Maxie’s, Sam leaned back against the steel railing, listening. He loved the sound of her voice with her native drawl. He could listen to it forever. He’d heard her sing at the bonfire some nights, and her voice was clear and sweet, but surprisingly low, like her enchanting laugh. Their voices would probably blend well in a duet.

  “Nana loved to tell me all about what she expected to find when she went to the happy hunting grounds.” Lexa’s laughter was quiet. “That was her term for heaven.”

  “She must have loved you very much.”

  “Yes, and I loved her with all my heart. She showed me in so many ways.”

  “And your dad continued to take you to your grandmother’s house for weekend visits, even after . . .”

  Lexa lowered her eyes. “Yes, even more so after Mom died. He didn’t know what to do with a little girl. It was easier to take me there and have Nana take care of me than try and figure out how to act like a real dad.”

  Sam brushed her cheek with a whisper of a kiss. “I’m sorry, Lexa.” It made his heart hurt for the little girl she’d been with a father who couldn’t share his love. And he ached for her losing her mother so young. “Where’s Nana now?”

  She smiled. “Wreaking havoc in the happy hunting grounds, most likely. I’m . . . I’m a lot like her.” When she reached to wipe away a stray tear, Sam gently moved her hand and kissed her. Breaking away, Lexa cried softly and then leaned against his shoulder.

>   “Sometimes I thought Nana loved me more than my father did, but now I realize it was an unfair comparison. My dad just didn’t know how to show love.” She let out a long, shuddering breath, and lowered her eyes. “I think Mom was tempted to leave Dad a few times.”

  “Why?” It was major for Lexa to share something so personal with him. It revealed more than she’d ever know. She trusted him with her secrets. It was hard for her, letting him get this close. But she’d done it.

  Lexa hesitated. “He wasn’t abusive or unfaithful that I know of, but he neglected her.” She shook her head. “Dad was a workaholic, dedicated to his job, and he put it before his family.”

  Her slender shoulders lifted in a shrug. “It had to be lonely for my mom even though she never said much. She was the type to suffer in silence.” She paused, and Sam moved aside as a few patrons emerged from Maxie’s. The sounds from inside the coffee house—music, and voices mixed with kitchen noises—invaded the quiet of the evening.

  “Your dad was a cop, right?” Taking her by the hand, Sam led her away from the door. He didn’t want their time together to end, but their time in town was all too quickly drawing to a close.

  “Right.” Lexa released a prolonged sigh. “He prided himself on protecting and saving virtual strangers, yet he couldn’t see his own marriage dissolving in front of his eyes. He was blinded to it. I realize that sounds harsh, but it’s true. It’s like his identity was wrapped up in being a cop.”

  He’d heard that was sometimes the case with public servants, but Sam didn’t voice that thought aloud. It would only serve to reinforce Lexa’s sadness. “Why do you think your mother stayed with him?” Maybe that was too personal, but she didn’t seem to mind.