The Lewis Legacy Series Box Set: 4-in-1 Special Edition Page 23

  “Don’t, Sam,” Lexa warned in a quiet voice. “Soon you’ll be globetrotting the world for TeamWork. Besides, we’re only here on business, remember?”

  “Right.” She heard the edge of agitation in that deep voice. “Thanks for reminding me.” The waitress came to hand them menus and recite the specials of the day. Lexa couldn’t remember any of them a minute later. As Sam thanked the pretty waitress, Lexa buried her face in her menu, her eyes blindly scanning it while her cheeks burned. The flirtatious glance the waitress gave Sam did not escape her notice. Bless his heart, he was either oblivious or preoccupied.

  “You never answered my question.” Lexa waited as a server delivered ice water to their table at Sam’s request.

  “Which question was that?” Sam’s eyes sparkled.

  “You know very well which question. When did you make this momentous decision to go to work for TeamWork full-time?”

  He took a long, infuriatingly slow drink of his water before answering. “It’s something I’ve been thinking of doing for a long time. I’ve just kept it on the back burner until now.”

  At least it wasn’t a rash decision made in the heat of the moment. “It’s quite a step of faith, Sam. I’m sure it will be tough, but I imagine it’ll be a very gratifying decision in the long run.”

  He nodded. “I hope you’re right. There’s so much work to be done. There aren’t enough men and women ready to give up their jobs to spearhead the projects.” He shook his head and chuckled. “Not enough people crazy enough to do it is more like it.”

  “Not crazy. More like not enough people who are brave enough, smart enough and, more importantly—willing to trust God enough—to make it happen.”

  Sam smiled. “Thank you for saying that. Especially in the last few weeks, I’ve wondered if it’s all a pipe dream.” He leaned forward across the table. “Remember when I told you about my burden for the unsaved? That’s what motivates me. I want projects that will put me in direct contact with the people. With this particular project, I’ve felt a little . . .”

  “Stagnant?” Lexa remembered his use of the term soon after she arrived at the camp.

  “Exactly. I want to be wherever God leads me, and where TeamWork sends me, of course. But my heart is in the projects where I’m working side-by-side with people who need to see the love of the Lord in action.”

  “You’ve done that to a certain extent here in San Antonio, Sam.”

  “I hope so.” His eyes met hers. “The work projects are what energize me, keep me going, give me hope. Building churches in the Dominican Republic, starting schools in the jungles of deepest Africa, conducting open-air services in South America, or staying right here in the United States providing flood relief.” He shrugged. “Where He leads, I’ll go. That’s basically my philosophy.”

  Sam’s eyes lit with enthusiasm as he talked. How great to feel so impassioned about following the Lord’s will that he poured his energy, his very soul into it. “But . . .” Lexa began, hesitating.

  “But what?” Sam took another drink of the ice water, watching her closely.

  “What about a home?” She didn’t want him to read too much into the question. She didn’t want him to think she was asking for personal reasons. “I mean,” she continued, clearing her throat, “what about having a place to call home? I mean your own home, not just the Lewis family homestead in Houston. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”

  After a long moment, Sam nodded. “Yes, of course it means something to me. I want a home, and all that goes along with it . . . when the time is right.”

  “I see.” Lexa sat back against the cushions of her seat and waited as the waitress placed her salad on the table. “But . . .” she started again. She avoided looking at him.

  “Go on. Don’t be afraid to ask.” Sam tried to catch her eye again.

  “I’m not afraid to ask.” Raising her head and meeting his gaze once more, Lexa took a quick breath. “I’m just afraid of what you might read into the question.” Might as well plunge right in. Sam was pretty good at reading her emotions.

  “I guess what I’m trying to ask is how you ever hope to establish a permanent relationship, much less a home, if you’re always somewhere out there,” Lexa floundered, gesturing with one hand, “sleeping on rooftops and in makeshift buildings. It might be fine for a while, but don’t you think you’d get tired of it at some point?”

  “I’ll have to answer that after I’ve done it for a period of time. For now, I’m only committing to a period of one year to see how it goes. No more, no less. When the year’s up, I’ll have the option of applying for more time as a TeamWork director. On the other hand, at the end of the year, I could also suspend or permanently terminate my working relationship with them.”

  “Oh.” Even though she was relieved, Lexa wasn’t sure she wanted him to see it.

  “Sounds like you might have a personal interest at stake,” Sam observed with a wry grin.

  Snapping her head up to look at him, Lexa frowned. “Don’t flatter yourself, Mr. Lewis. Why don’t we pray for this food before it gets any colder?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. I think the conversation’s starting to get pretty warm.” Sam laughed at Lexa’s frown, and bowed his head to ask the blessing.

  She wished he’d grasp her hand for their prayer, but he didn’t. But neither did she reach for his hand.

  Their conversation flowed freely, without too much unease or awkwardness. He was almost the same old Sam, but without so much of the teasing. Today, he was a caring lunch companion. He asked polite questions, listened to her answers, and gave her his undivided attention. She liked this side of him, and appreciated his kind gesture in bringing her to this special place.

  “How about you?” Sam stabbed another bite of his prime rib and plopped it into his mouth with a look of extreme satisfaction. It was gratifying to see his healthy appetite had finally returned. “What are your plans when you go back to Houston?”

  “I haven’t thought too much about it,” Lexa admitted, wiping her mouth with the napkin. Should she tell him her job might not be waiting for her when she returned? “I suppose I’ll go about my life as usual.”

  “You don’t sound particularly enthusiastic about it.”

  “I suppose I’m not.” She took another small bite of her chicken breast, chewing slowly. “It’s not like I have many other options.”

  “My point exactly.” Sam placed his knife across the edge of his plate, fixing Lexa with the intensity of his gaze. “Here’s something for you to consider.” He leaned closer across the table, covering her hand with his, lacing his fingers with hers.

  “Come with me, Lexa.”

  Chapter 31

  “I beg your pardon?” Lexa blurted out, shocked.

  “You heard me. Come with me. Apply to be an assistant director of TeamWork. We can work together, and get to know one another better in the process.”

  “Are you . . .” Lexa started. Noticing the curious stares of other diners, she forced her voice lower. “Have you lost your mind, Sam? How on earth can I possibly do that? What makes you think I’d even want to do such a thing?”

  She shook her head in disbelief. “The last time I checked, you spouted serious accusations that prove you don’t trust me any further than you can see me. Has something happened to change your mind?”

  Sam waved one hand in dismissal. “Have you already forgotten our conversation under the tree? I was wrong and knew it the minute those words came out of my mouth that awful night. You don’t have a dishonest, cheating bone in your body. I know I have to prove to you that I trust you, but I do trust you, Lexa. Surely you must know that.” He hesitated. “After what happened with Shelby, I’ve had a little trouble trusting people.”

  “You mean trusting women.” Sam had been deeply crushed by Shelby’s betrayal. It had been hard, if not impossible, for him to trust again.

  “All right,” he admitted. “You’re right. Look, I hope you can forgive me, beca
use I really care for you, Lexa. I’d love to have a relationship, a romance.” Sam’s expression was sheepish. “With you. But if all you’re willing to give me is friendship, then fine. So be it. Above all else, I want to see you happy. It’s more than obvious you’re not particularly content with your life in Houston.”

  Sam leaned across the table again, his expression as earnest as she’d ever seen it. “You’re also growing by leaps and bounds in the love of Christ. I’d love to see that continue. I’m afraid that if you go back to your old life in Houston, you’re going to get stagnant, and what you’ve started here will wither and maybe die. I don’t want to see that happen. I care too much about you.”

  His words were blunt and they stung, but what Sam said was true. “It’d be exciting and you know it. Think of all the fun we could have together.” His brows rose in a provocative manner.

  “You must have an awfully high opinion of yourself, or else a very low opinion of me.” Lexa flung her napkin on the table, her appetite gone. “To think that I’d follow you . . .” Maybe her attitude was childish, but his words stirred her up inside, made her want to shout with anger. And jump for joy. All at the same time. Oh, it was maddening.

  “I didn’t say anything about following me. It’s purely your decision. But we’d be working the mission together, side-by-side as much as possible. I can keep all the exotic animals away from you, and you can try to keep me in line.” The smile lines surfaced, and the man had the audacity to wink.

  Sam looked much too calm—and way too smug—for her liking. “You’re incredibly infuriating!” Lexa started to rise from her chair. “I don’t know why we can’t sit and have one decent meal without me getting all steamed at you. You just . . .” she spouted, searching for the right words, “you just have this way of bringing out the worst in me sometimes!”

  Sam surprised her by laughing. “Sit down, and let’s talk about this rationally, like two adults. You can’t keep flying off the handle and running away from confrontations, you know.”

  Lexa stared at him, open-mouthed. “How dare you talk to me like that?” Not wanting to cause another public scene, but not quite able to contain her extreme reactions to this man, Lexa slumped back down into her chair. “Contrary to what you may believe, you don’t know everything about me. I’m beginning to realize you know very little, as a matter of fact.” She crossed her arms.

  “I know one thing. You’re much more beautiful when you smile. That little frown thing you’ve got going on there doesn’t do justice to your features.” His words sounded as dispassionate as if he was repeating the weather forecast.

  A nervous giggle slipped out. She simply didn’t know how else to react. “Maybe I am acting childish. Point taken.” The beginnings of a grin tugged at the corners of her mouth even as she tried to prevent it. “I’m not sure we’d make such a good team. Seems we’re always pulling the wrong strings with each other.”

  “Well, for one thing, we could work on it,” Sam offered, taking another long sip of his water. Lowering his glass to the table, he released a satisfied sigh. “I know I’m certainly willing to try, and I’d embrace the opportunity.”

  “You never stop, do you?” Lexa shook her head as she took another bite of her lukewarm chicken, not really tasting it.

  “I try not to. After all, I have to keep you interested, don’t I?”

  “Flirt,” Lexa accused, laughing again.

  “Takes one to know one.” The man didn’t miss a beat.

  “Just promise you’ll think about it,” Sam said a short time later as he drove them back into the camp. “Think about joining TeamWork with me.”

  “I don’t know.” Doubts clouded her mind, confusing her. “It’s an awful lot to consider.”

  “Of course,” he said, surprising Lexa by his ready agreement. Turning toward her in the car, Sam put his arm across the back of the seat. He was close enough to touch her arm and shoulder with his fingers if he wanted. Following her gaze, Sam moved his hand away, but not where Lexa hoped. She climbed out of the car and headed in the direction of the women’s dorm with slow steps.

  “Lexa?” She heard the hope, the optimism, in his deep voice.

  Turning back around, she gave him a brilliant smile. “Okay, Sam. I promise.”

  A wide grin spread from ear-to-ear across Sam’s handsome face. That incredible smile was getting way too addictive.

  Chapter 32

  During the next few days, all Lexa could think about was Sam’s proposition about joining the TeamWork foreign mission. With him. It was only a week until she was scheduled to leave TeamWork and return to Houston. Seven days.

  Sam talked more openly and freely with her again. Although they resumed much of their previous teasing relationship, he didn’t make a move to reconnect with her on a more personal level. Lexa wasn’t sure whether to be sad or worried. They both must have a problem trusting others.

  Still, Sam wouldn’t have asked her to join him on the TeamWork foreign mission if he didn’t care about her. He’d suggested it as a way for them to spend more time together and get to know each other better. It was a big step of faith. Am I ready to take such a big step?

  “How do you feel about it?” Winnie asked after Lexa confided in her. She wanted to talk about it with Rebekah since she was so close to Sam, but the younger girl had been quiet and withdrawn ever since Josh left the camp, and didn’t talk much with anyone. Lexa wanted to help but didn’t know how. She had the odd feeling the feud between Sam and Rebekah’s twin had something to do with her, although she couldn’t be sure and no one said anything. She’d been tempted a few times to ask Sam about it, but chickened out at the last minute. Especially if it had nothing to do with her, she’d feel foolish for asking.

  “I’m not sure.” Lexa slumped down onto her bed with a heavy sigh. “I’m tempted because, let’s face it, my life’s not exactly thrilling back in Houston. I love this work camp because I’m doing something to help someone besides myself. But, then again, I’m sure I could find a project back in Houston through one of the local churches.” She waved her hand as though mentally dismissing the idea. “Besides, it’s not like I need to go globetrotting halfway around the world to find a worthwhile project when there are so many at my own back door.”

  “Lexa, don’t get mad, but I want to ask you something.” Lexa looked over at Winnie in surprise, scooting over on the bed so she could sit beside her. Whenever anyone prefaced a remark with that particular phrase, she was always wary, knowing it usually meant a compliment was not forthcoming.

  “Go ahead.”

  “You keep alluding to how dull your life is back in Houston. At the risk of sounding trite, life is what you make it.” Winnie slid an arm around her shoulders. “Why have you settled for anything less than what you really want?”

  Lexa frowned at the question, but she wasn’t upset. “Maybe it’s because I haven’t known what it is that I want.”

  “And now you do?”

  “No, but maybe working with TeamWork will help me figure it out.”

  “Sounds to me like it will help you decide if you and Sam belong together.” Winnie squeezed her shoulder. “Are you afraid you’ll lose Sam if you don’t go with him?”

  “I hadn’t really thought of it in those terms, but maybe you’re right.” Lexa shrugged. “Between you and me, Sam’s the most thrilling—not to mention the most infuriating—man I’ve ever met. He’s got that charming smile, those witty comebacks, he’s knowledgeable, he’s strong in his relationship with the Lord, he’s a great leader . . .”

  Winnie giggled. “Yes, I know. Our Sam has many fine qualities. But, the main question here is, do you love him?”

  Lexa’s heart pounded at the question. She stared at Winnie for another long moment, not speaking, not daring to admit her feelings to someone else. She hadn’t known Sam long, but she loved him with everything in her heart and soul. So much so it scared her witless.

  Winnie smiled. “Sweetie, the look on your
face tells me everything I need to know, not to mention the way your voice softens when you talk about him. Your eyes positively glow with happiness when you’re around him. Don’t even get me started on the way you and Sam look at each other. It’s downright combustible between you two.”

  Lexa opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Had she and Sam been that obvious to everyone in the camp?

  “Maybe you should ask Sam why he kicked Josh out of the camp.” The voice came from a dark corner of the room. Neither Winnie nor Lexa noticed Rebekah sitting quietly on her bed.

  “What was that, Rebekah?” Winnie darted a quick glance at Lexa.

  “I think Lexa should ask Sam why he kicked Josh out,” Rebekah repeated, staring at the ground, shuffling her feet. Her hair was a bit disheveled, and dark circles rimmed her eyes.

  “I think you should ask him that, Rebekah.” Lexa tried to gain eye contact, but Rebekah avoided her probing stare. Pulling up her knees, she clasped her hands around them. She looked so forlorn and sad, as if she’d lost her best friend. Maybe she had.

  “I don’t know that it’s any of my business. Since Josh is your brother, Sam might tell you, especially considering the fact that you’re such close friends.”

  Rebekah snorted. “Right. Friends. I thought that’s what we were, but then again, that’s what Josh thought, too, until Sam ruthlessly stabbed him in the back.” She shook her head. “No, thanks. Friends like that, I don’t need.”

  Lexa bristled at Rebekah’s harsh words, spoken out of hurt and anger. She took a deep, steadying breath. “I know I haven’t known Sam as long as you, but he’s a fair man. I know he must have had a valid reason for what he did. He takes his position as a TeamWork director very seriously.”

  “Yeah,” Rebekah muttered. “Maybe too seriously. Maybe the power’s gone to his head. He’s got you and everyone else at this camp snowed under with his abundant charm and overwhelming personality.” She rocked back and forth on the bed, staring at the floor.