Page 187 of Running to You

Those words had emotion rising in Sam’s throat. He wasn’t sure he’d ever get accustomed to this.

His amazing, energetic, trusting little boy.

And the woman he loved.

She played along, peeking behind Sam’s back. “Why, he sure does look tasty.” Her accent was even worse than Sam’s.

“Mommy! It’s me.”

“Oh, Levi? I thought you were a giant deer. Darn. Now what are we going to eat for lunch?”

While Levi recounted the menu for today’s anniversary party, which he’d questioned them about multiple times—the kid did like his food—Sam kissed Eliza.

“I missed you.”

“I missed you,” she said.

She and Levi had been staying at the B and B in downtown Shadow Cove, but they’d spent the vast majority of every day in the weeks since the events at the campground by Sam’s side. They’d gone for walks at the beach and along trails in the nearby state park. They’d shared meals. They’d watched movies. Sam had read countless books to his son and had even started tucking him in every night. And then he and Eliza would huddle on the little couch in her suite’s sitting area and dream about their lives together.

They’d practically shut out the rest of the world.

That was going to change today.

The caterers were hard at work in the kitchen and on the deck. The rest of the family would arrive soon.

Sam put Levi down, and he ran upstairs to the bedroom that would soon be his. Thanks to the magic of online shopping, Sam had filled it with toys, some new since the last time Levi’d been there two days before.

“Did he ever learn to walk?” Sam asked. “Or did he go straight from crawling to running?”

“Maybe a few steps.” She’d gotten her hair cut a few days earlier. It wasn’t as short as it used to be, and he liked the extra length. He’d taken them shopping and bought them both new wardrobes. Today, Eliza wore a pretty silk blouse tucked into trim slacks. With the crisp jacket and new boots, she looked as fashionable as ever. Not that he cared. He’d take her in that ugly plaid shirt and those terrible work pants if those were the only option.

But he liked this version too. He loved every version of Eliza.

He tugged a lock between his fingers. “You’re beautiful.”

“You’re beautiful.”

“No.” He tried to look stern. “I’m handsome and rugged.”

“And gorgeous.” She slid her arms around his back. He didn’t miss her sigh against his chest.

“What’s wrong?”

She leaned back to see his face. “Are you sure they’re going to be happy?”

He kissed the top of her head. “Positive.”

“They’re not going to hate me for keeping their grandson from them all this time.”

“Quit worrying. They already love you. And they’ll fall head-over-heels with Levi in about five seconds. I promise.”

When the doorbell rang, Eliza bolted upstairs to play with Levi—and hide.

Sam waited until she was out of sight, then opened the door to his parents. Dad was still tall and broad in his midsixties. Gray hair, but it made him look distinguished. Mom was downright short compared to her husband and boys. She claimed five-five—nobody bought it—and had blond hair, though her roots were getting whiter all the time. She flashed a wide smile as she leaned in for a hug. “Good to see you.”

Sam hugged her, then his father. Maybe he was a little nervous, but he did his best to hide it as he led them into the living room so they would have privacy from the caterers. Mom and Dad settled on the couch where, just a few weeks before, Eliza had barely been able to remember her name.

All her memories had come back since then, even those from that night.