Page 22 of Dreaming Without Heartache

“I’m surprised Kara called to invite us over.” It isn’t really a question, but her curiosity is obvious. She knows Kara is grounded.

I pull a footstool closer and sit by the fire. I sigh, then turn to Sam. “I need someone to talk to, and I can’t think of anyone better than you.” I shrug in defeat. “Do you mind?” It isn’t easy for me to do this—ask for advice, open up like this to someone other than Steven or my sister.

“Of course. You can talk to me about anything.” Sam leans forward, her long brown hair falling over her tanned arms.

I pause. She looks stunning like this—relaxed, natural. The firelight catches her green shirt, making her hazel eyes stand out even more beneath those dark lashes.

“I need this to stay between us, please.”

“Cross my heart.” Sam draws an X over her chest.

“In all honesty, I want to drive over to the girls’ Gigi’s house and beat her ass right there in her own home. I know that’s bad.” I hold my hands up in surrender. “But I can’t take her hurting my sister’s babies like this.”

“What happened?” Sam asks, her brows furrowing with concern.

I clear my throat, uneasy about revealing something so personal about my niece. “Maisie’s been wetting the bed on occasion since Annie and Bill passed. She’s been seeing a therapist, but it hasn’t stopped. She had an accident at Judy’s last night, and that woman made her sleep in it all night long.” I shake my head and turn back to poke at the fire, my tears threatening to spill.

A warm hand touches the back of my neck, squeezing gently. “Allie,” Sam says softly. “I’m so sorry. That’s cruel and unjust. I’d like to go with you to beat her ass.”

I turn toward Sam, a laugh and a tear slipping out at the same time. She smiles, her hand moving from my neck to gently wipe my cheek.

“Hey!” Kara says, storming through the patio door with Olivia and Maisie. Sam jerks her hand back. “We’re hungry.”

“Okay, girls.” Sam stands. “Help me get the food and bring it out.” The kids turn back toward the kitchen. As Sam passes me, she brushes her hand across my back. I know she’s giving me time to regroup.

I take a moment to wipe my eyes, then poke the fire and let out a slow breath. “Annie,” I whisper, staring into the flames. “I miss you.” As I stand to make my way inside, the girls come barreling out again, laughing, with their hands full of food.

“I’ll grab the roasting sticks,” I tell Sam.

My stomach twists under the weight of our eye contact. I find her incredibly attractive. And I’m getting vibes that there’s something there beyond friendship. I just…I don’t know. I’m super sensitive lately with my life being turned upside down, thrown sideways, and trying to build a new track to travel on. It’s hard to feel certain about anything right now.

“Allie,” Sam says, stopping my progress inside. “Could you grab the girls some drinks and maybe you and I some wine?”

“You got it.” I grab three sodas from the fridge. The roasting sticks are somewhere in this cabinet next to the sink. I bend down to search for them when I hear the patio door open.

“Aunt Allie,” Maisie yells out, not knowing where I am.

“I’m here, honey.” I wave my hand above the counter for her to see. Footsteps get closer before stopping next to the open cabinet.

“Sam asked me to help bring stuff out.”

I lean back on my hands. “Well, thank you. That’s super thoughtful. Want to carry the sodas?” Maisie nods. “I got you all Sprite. Is that okay?” She nods again, more vigorously this time, then gathers the cans in her small arms and takes off. I finally find the roasting sticks hidden way in the back. Tucking them under one arm and the wine under the other, I grab two wineglasses and a bottle opener.

“About time!” Kara rushes over to help. She’s full of energy tonight. She pulls the sticks from under my arms.

“Careful,” I say, shifting things so I don’t drop them. Sam takes the wineglasses from my hand. Her smile is charming. I set the wine on the table and move to help the girls with the hot dogs while Sam busies herself opening it.

“Hold it back like this.” I show Maisie before handing it over. She’s done this before, but it still makes me feel better to reiterate. Kara and Olivia are old enough to do their own. I grab two more and fix one for Sam.

“Trade you,” Sam says, holding out a glass of wine.

“That seems like a fair deal.” I hand her the stick as she passes me my wine. We stand around the fire pit turning our hot dogs. I catch Maisie sneaking glances at me before quickly looking away, and then it clicks. I teased her about cooking mine. “Maisie girl,” I say, narrowing my eyes at her. “I thought you were in charge of mine too.”

She giggles. “I am.” She reaches out her free hand for my stick. I gladly hand it over, knowing she didn’t forget our conversation. I move in behind her, guiding her when to turn them and praising the fantastic job she’s doing.

Across the fire, I catch Sam watching us while still keeping an eye on Kara and Olivia. She’s a good mom. I see why Annie trusted her so much with Kara.

“Is this done?” Maisie lifts the hot dogs from the fire to show me.