Chapter 4 #4
With that, he turned and headed back to his car. As he drove home, his thoughts were on the wreck she’d had. Surely it had truly been some sort of freak accident…a run-in with a drunk and not an attempted murder situation.
Suzanna was loved and respected in the small town, and he just couldn’t imagine anyone who would want her dead. Some drunk driver, he thought again. Even though he hadn’t been in town long, he’d already heard the rumors about some of the drunks.
From what he’d heard, Burt Ramsey was a handyman who liked his liquor and lived at the town motel.
Carl Winters and Effron Thomas were two more men who were drunks and often drove their cars home from the bar no matter what condition they were in.
Seth had overheard several men in the feed store talking about how if any of those men were on the road, then best beware and give them a wide berth.
He didn’t talk to Suzanna for the rest of the week, although he thought about her often. On Saturday morning, he got up extra early to start the preparations for the birthday party. He knew Sammy would be up early on this special day.
Not only did he have pizza being delivered later in the day, he had also rented a bouncy house for the kids to enjoy. It was already set up in the backyard, although Sammy hadn’t seen it yet. He’d made sure the bouncy house had arrived the night before, long after Sammy had fallen asleep.
He’d picked up the birthday cake the day before and now set it in the center of the decorated table. The cake was a masterpiece with different breeds of smiling dogs as decoration. Harper at the Sweet Tooth Bakery had absolutely nailed the cake for a little boy who loved dogs.
He hung streamers, blew up balloons and did everything he could to make it a great party atmosphere for his son. He wanted Sammy to enjoy his day, and he had a feeling Sammy would be a very happy little boy before the day was done.
Once Sammy woke up, he danced around the kitchen with excitement.
Excitement of a different kind whirled around inside Seth.
He was definitely looking forward to spending more time with Suzanna today.
He missed the closeness they had momentarily shared while she’d been tutoring Sammy.
It had been a long week without seeing or talking to her.
“Daddy, did you get me a birthday present?” Sammy asked, breaking into Seth’s thoughts of the beautiful blonde teacher.
“I did,” Seth replied. “It’s wrapped up and on the dining room table.”
Sammy couldn’t quite hide his disappointment. “I guess it doesn’t bark.”
“Sammy, I just want you to enjoy your party,” Seth replied.
“I will.” Sammy brightened. “I can’t wait to bounce with some of my friends in the bouncy house. It’s gonna be an awesome day no matter what.”
Love for his son buoyed up in his chest. “I love you, little man,” he said.
Sammy grinned at him. “I love you, big man,” he replied.
They ate breakfast, and Seth cleaned up the kitchen. It seemed like the rest of the morning flew by and before he knew it, it was party time.
At two o’clock, kids began to arrive. Seth was kept busy answering the door while Sammy greeted each of his friends who came in. Laughter filled the air as the boys all fist- and chest-bumped each other and the girls stood in one corner of the living room and giggled.
When Seth thought all the guests had arrived, he led the kids out the back door, where they all ran for the bouncy house and the swing set that had been in the yard when Seth had bought the place.
Thankfully the weather had cooperated perfectly.
A warm front had moved into the area earlier in the week, and today it was warm enough that most of the kids didn’t even have jackets on.
The weather at this time of year was definitely unpredictable.
You could be sunbathing in the morning and then cuddled up with blankets in the snowy evening.
Seth stood at the back door, supervising the fun and also listening for the doorbell to announce the arrival of the pizza. He was really hoping Suzanna would arrive before his special guest showed up.
When the doorbell rang, he hurried to answer. Suzanna stood on his doorstep. Clad in a short-sleeved pink-and-white polka-dot blouse and black slacks, she held in her hands a pretty blue-wrapped present. Instantly a strong desire surged up inside him.
“You look so beautiful,” he blurted out before even telling her hello.
Her eyes widened slightly, and a smile curved her lips. “Thank you, Seth.”
“I’ve missed seeing you, Suzanna. I’ve missed talking to you.”
“I… I’ve missed you, too,” she replied.
For a long moment they stood in the doorway, their gazes locked together.
All he knew was at that moment, with her standing so close to him and her familiar stirring scent surrounding him, more than anything he wanted to take her into his arms and kiss her long and deep.
And there was something in the depths of her eyes that let him know she wouldn’t deny him.
However, before he could act on his sizzling desire for her, a car honked from the driveway.
The pizza had arrived.