Chapter 34
Samantha slid one ofher few dresses on over her head. She didn’t know where Brent was taking her, but he’d told her that she could get dressed up if she wanted. She took this to mean that other people there would be dressed up.
This was their fourth official date. It had been two weeks since they’d had that beautiful dinner together by the sea, since he’d given her her most prized possession, kissed her, and told her that he loved her.
They were back in the groove, and their love was better than ever, but she was still nervous. When was that going to go away? She hadn’t been nervous the last time they’d dated because she’d always been drinking. If shehadever been nervous, she was sure she’d used alcohol to get rid of those nerves.
But now, no alcohol. And that was okay. Her mind continued to clear, and her health continued to improve. She was sleeping better and had far more energy, and she could swear she was even getting smarter. She certainly hoped so because she was about to start a new job at the school in Carver Harbor.
It had seemed a bit silly to accept a job when she lived so far away, but she had been so desperate for a new job that she had jumped at the chance.
Someone knocked at her door, and she looked at the clock, a little panicky. He was early! She hurried to the door. “Sorry, I’m not quite ready yet. Come on in.”
It was the first time he’d been in her apartment, and she felt a little self-conscious. It was a pretty drab place.
“Make yourself at home.” She hurried back to her bedroom to get her jewelry on and touch up her makeup.
“How long have you lived here?” he called from the couch.
She rolled her eyes. Was he really going to have a shouting conversation? She returned to the living room, still putting the backs on her earrings. “Pretty much the whole time. I found this place before the divorce was even official.”
He looked sad. “Sorry, Sammy.”
She looked around, trying to see the place through his eyes. “It’s okay. Really. It has served me well. I know it’s not much, but I think I always sort of had the sense that this was only a temporary thing.” She’d thought her next step was probably death, not necessarily getting back together with the love of her life, but she left that part out.
He reached out, took her hand, and pulled her toward him. “Do you have a lease?”
She shook her head. “I do not. One of the reasons I picked this place. It’s a month-to-month deal.”
He smiled broadly. “Good. Because it’s a long commute from here to Carver Harbor.”
That it is. The question hung between them unspoken. Where would she live now? She didn’t want to presume and was trying to trust God that he would show her the next move. She hoped he showed it to her soon because rent would be due in a week.
“We should go.” Brent stood and gave her a quick peck on the lips. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” She didn’t really believe him, but she liked hearing the words anyway. She headed for the door, grabbing her coat and purse on the way. “I know you said this destination is a surprise, but can you tell me what town we’re going to at least?”
“Monmouth.”
“Monmouth?” she cried. “Why would anyone go to Monmouth?” And then she knew. “Oh my goodness, we’re going to Shakespeare, aren’t we?” There wasn’t much in Monmouth, Maine, but there was a Shakespeare theater.
His face fell. “Is that a bad thing? We don’t have to.” He was so cute, still working so hard to be romantic.
She ran to him and flung her arms around him. “No! I wouldloveto go!” She let go and stepped back. “Come on. I want a good seat.”
He laughed and followed her out of her building. He opened the truck door for her, and George moved over to make room. While Brent went around the truck, she did a discreet web search.
“Oh my word,” she said when he got in. “Romeo and Juliet? Really?”
He stared at her. “I can’t tell if you’re excited or if you’re making fun of me.”
Maybe a little bit of both. “I am very excited. It’s just so funny because we’re so not a Shakespeare-type couple.”