Page 33 of Theirs to Treasure

“Most times he can,” Sam muttered. “That’s the fucking problem.”

“Does this have to do with your baker?”

“Her name is Josie.”

“I know her name. Hell, I know her. Caleb and I are fans of her cinnamon rolls.”

“That better be all that you’re fans of,” Sam damn near snarled. Then he dialed it back. “See, listen to me.”

Leif laughed again. “I am. You have it bad. Does Chance?”

“Yep. His problem is that he just thinks we’re destined to fall into a relationship like your mom and dads. I never believe in happily ever afters. I know better. Life is basically waiting to hit you upside the head.”

“So, you don’t think the woman is interested in you?” Leif asked as they got to the clearing where their trucks were parked.

“She seems to be. Hell, I understand why she would be interested in Chance. Fuck, I’d date him. But me? Leif, if anybody on this planet understands, it’s you.”

Sam looked at his friend and saw a flash of empathy. Leif might have come from the happiest home known to mankind, but he’d been overseas in the same sandbox, and it had altered him, too. They’d talked. Neither of them had come back the same.

Leif put his hand on Sam’s shoulder. “Do me a favor, Sam. Be my example. I have dreams of my own, and it would be nice if I could see someone like me who has walked the path.”

It took a while, but Sam finally nodded.

Chapter 13

These were the first flowers she’d received from Sam. Huge arrangements had been arriving at the bakery for the last week, but those had all been from Chance, even though each card on the extravagant arrangements had said from Chance and Sam. She’d known better. But when she’d walked up to her apartment tonight and found a bouquet of pink tulips with a sealed envelope with her name on it sitting outside the door, she’d instinctively known those flowers were from Sam.

She took the tulips inside and opened the card.

Beautiful,

The bakery is closed on Sunday. We’re taking you out to dinner tomorrow night. Wear flat shoes.

-Sam

Tomorrow was Sunday. The note was high-handed, and there was part of her that chafed at the tone.

“Cut the bullshit. Admit it, you love it!” She laughed out loud at her words. She did, she absolutely did love it.

Josie practically ran to her closet to decide what she would wear for her date. She intended to knock them dead. And wasn’t it a happy accident that she had made a couple of on-line purchases the last couple of days? Hmmmm, imagine that.

* * *

Chance couldn’t believe his palms were actually sweaty on the leather steering wheel of his SUV. He couldn’t remember the last time he was this nervous. Prom? Oh yeah, that’d be a no. He’d been dating Ellen for three months and had already had his way with her, so no nerves there. It had to have been when he’d gotten the news that Butch had been diagnosed with cancer.

“Man, you doing okay?” Sam asked from the passenger seat.

“Nope,” Chance answered succinctly.

Sam didn’t respond as they drove around the lake toward downtown Fate Harbor, which just made Chance more antsy.

“Why aren’t you nervous?” Chance asked.

“One of us has to have his shit together,” Sam said with a smile in his voice. “I’m enjoying the fact that it’s me for once.”

“Asshole,” Chance muttered.

“Anyway, I have this covered.”