Chapter 2 #2
Sammy frowned thoughtfully. “I think maybe a golden retriever or maybe a Chihuahua.”
“Those are two very different kinds of dogs,” Suzanna replied with a laugh.
“A retriever I could run and play with outside, but a Chihuahua I could play with inside. Both of them could sleep in bed with me at night,” he said with a sideways glance at his father.
“It’s not the right time for a dog yet, son,” Seth replied.
Sammy released a deep, dramatic sigh. “I hope the right time is on my birthday.”
“When is your birthday?” Suzanna asked.
“November 17,” Sammy replied.
“That’s coming up really soon. Are you planning on having a party?” Suzanna hoped to change the subject from the dog.
“I don’t know yet. Dad, am I having a birthday party?” Sammy asked.
Seth laughed. “I don’t know, son. Do you want to have a party? You’ve made a lot of new friends at school.”
“Yeah, I’d really like to have a party and invite everyone in my class. Would you come to my birthday party, Mrs. Michaels?”
“I would love to come to your party,” she replied.
“And maybe I could get party hats with dogs on them,” Sammy added with another look at his father.
As the meal progressed, Suzanna couldn’t help but think about the fact that this was what families did. They shared a meal and listened to their child’s dreams and wishes.
She and Davy had planned to have a family, but it wasn’t meant to be. He’d died before that could come true. Still, this time with Seth and Sammy was very pleasant, and she enjoyed it tremendously.
There was a warmth in the room, and Seth gazed at her often, causing a slight flutter in her chest that was more than pleasant.
After dinner, she insisted on helping with the dishes, and as they worked together, they talked about Sammy’s birthday party and the dog.
“I suppose I’m going to have to break down and get him a dog for his birthday,” Seth said softly.
“That would definitely make him very happy,” she replied.
“Yeah, I know. But I also know that if Sammy gets a dog, that means I get a dog.”
She laughed. “That’s the truth.”
When the kitchen was clean, she and Sammy got to work as Seth went into the living room to wait until the tutoring session was over.
Sammy was particularly attentive, and the time flew by. It was a few minutes before eight when she stopped the teaching for the night. They’d run later tonight because of dinner. Seth came back into the kitchen.
“Sammy, bath and right into bed,” he said.
“No tablet time?” Sammy asked.
“No necklace, no tablet time,” Seth replied firmly.
“Just ten minutes?” Sammy wheedled.
“No necklace, no tablet time,” Seth repeated.
“Maybe just five minutes?” Sammy continued. “Please…just five minutes, okay?”
“No necklace, no tablet time. And there are no exceptions to that rule.”
“Okay,” Sammy replied in defeat. As he left to get ready for bed, Seth made two cups of coffee and served them each a piece of the peach pie.
“I’m so glad you stuck to the rules,” she said to him. “Consistency is so important with discipline.”
“He certainly tried me,” Seth replied with a small laugh.
“So now you have a birthday party to plan,” she said.
He laughed. “Yeah, I figure we’ll have the party Saturday after next. I’ll make it easy on myself and order pizza from the pizza place in town and get a cake from the Sweet Tooth Bakery. I’ll also have to figure out some party favors. It’s a good thing there are only thirteen kids in the class.”
“If you need any help with things, just let me know,” she replied.
“I appreciate that.” His gaze held hers for a long moment, and once again her heart fluttered as a wave of heat swept over her. Drat the man. He obviously had no idea how powerfully his long gazes affected her.
She broke the eye contact and took a bite of the pie. He did the same and then smiled. “Now that’s a good pie,” he said.
“Compliments of the local bakery,” she replied. “I’ve never tried to make a peach pie, although I’ve been told I make a mean apple pie.”
“I like apple pie, too. I’ve learned how to cook a lot of things since I became a single dad, but I haven’t tried my hand at pie-making.”
“Maybe one of these nights I’ll bring you one of my apple pies,” she said.
Once again, his gaze held hers. Oh, it would be so easy to fall into the blue depths and lose herself. What was wrong with her? He was just the father of one of her students and a friend. So why was she so attracted to him?
“I’d love to taste your apple pie,” he said.
The two of them talked about different kinds of pies as they finished up their coffee and dessert. They were just about finished when Sammy came running back into the kitchen.
He was in navy-blue pajamas with dancing dogs all over them, and he smelled of soap and shampoo. He sidled up next to Suzanna. “Will you tuck me in, Mrs. Michaels?”
“Sammy,” Seth began.
“No, it’s fine,” Suzanna assured him. “Sammy, I would love to tuck you in.” She rose from her chair, and Seth did the same. All three of them headed down the hallway to Sammy’s room. Once there, Sammy got into bed, and Suzanna sat on the edge as Seth remained standing in the threshold.
She smoothed the wet hair off Sammy’s forehead. “I hope tomorrow you’ll have a good day in school and you get to wear the necklace home.”
“I will,” Sammy replied, his blue eyes gazing at her earnestly. “I promise I’ll behave better tomorrow, and I’m sorry I didn’t behave very good today.”
“I’m sure it will be a better day tomorrow, and I hope you have sweet dreams to carry you through the night.” She started to rise, but Sammy placed his small hand on her forearm to stop her.
“Will you kiss me on the forehead?” he asked.
Suzanna leaned over and kissed the little boy and then once again started to rise from the bed. And once again Sammy took hold of her arm and stopped her.
“Mrs. Michaels?”
“Yes, honey?”
“Could you be my mom? Mine went away, and I really, really need a new one.” There was a deep yearning in Sammy’s voice.
“Sammy!” Seth exclaimed in obvious surprise.
The plea of the motherless child broke her heart. “Sammy, I’m your teacher, but I can’t be your mom,” Suzanna answered softly.
“That’s enough now, Sammy. It’s time for Mrs. Michaels to go home, and it’s time for you to go to sleep.”
This time when she stood up, Sammy didn’t stop her. “Good night, Sammy.”
“Good night, Mrs. Michaels, but I still think you would make me an awesome mom.”
“Good night, Sammy,” Seth said and quickly ushered Suzanna out of the room.
He didn’t speak until they were back in the kitchen, then he turned to her, deep embarrassment evident on his handsome features. “I’m so sorry,” he said. “Sometimes I just don’t know what gets into that boy.”
“Please, there’s no need to apologize.” She carried her empty coffee cup and pie plate to the sink and then turned to look at him once again. “Have you ever thought about remarrying?”
“That’s definitely not in my plans,” he replied firmly. “I have no intention of ever marrying again. Once was quite enough for me. In fact, I have no intention of dating again.”
“That’s the way I feel, too. Although for me it’s the love I had for my husband that keeps me from ever wanting to marry again. And on that note, it’s time for me to head home,” she said.
It was really a shame he had no intention of remarrying and giving his son a loving stepmother. Sammy obviously wanted a new mommy, but it was all really none of her business.
They walked back into the living room, where she pulled her coat on. “Thank you for the delicious dinner,” she said as they walked out the front door.
Despite the darkness that had fallen, the nearly full moon shone down a silvery illumination that made it relatively easy to see.
“Thank you for being such good company and for bringing me a peach pie. I have to say, you’re very easy to talk to.”
She smiled up at him. “I can say the same about you. I enjoy spending time with Sammy, but I’m also really enjoying our coffee time together.”
“Would you be interested in going to the café for dinner one night?” His eyes glowed with warmth in the moonlight, and the warmth rushed through her.
“I would love to have dinner at the café,” she replied.
“Good, then how about tomorrow night? I could pick you up around six.”
She opened the car door. “That sounds perfect.” She slid into the driver seat. “So, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Great. Good night, Suzanna.”
“Good night, Seth.”
Minutes later as she drove home, she wondered what had possessed her to agree to have dinner with him at the café. And what had possessed him to even ask her.
It felt like a date. And she didn’t date. He’d just indicated to her tonight that he didn’t date, either. So what in the world were they doing?
It’s just a meal with a student and his father and nothing more, she assured herself.
He hadn’t been in town long and probably hadn’t made too many friends yet.
That was probably why he’d asked her out.
However, that didn’t explain the sweet anticipation that flooded through her veins at thoughts of the night to come.
“You be a good boy for Mrs. Winnibaker tonight,” Seth told Sammy the next evening. “I should be home in time to tuck you into bed, but if I’m not here when it’s time, you just go on to bed as usual.”
“Okay,” Sammy replied. He sat on the sofa with the television remote in his hand.
The older woman smiled at Seth. “You go on and enjoy your evening. Sammy and I will be just fine here. Later, I intend to beat him at Go Fish.”
“Ha! I bet you don’t beat me. I’m gonna beat you big time,” Sammy replied with little boy bravado.
“Good luck to both of you. May the best player win, and I’ll be home later,” Seth replied with a laugh, and within minutes he was in his car and headed to Suzanna’s place.
He also owned a pickup truck that he used for working around the farm, but the car was the vehicle he used most of the time when he was out in public.