She was brave, too. Courageous.
And if he was completely honest with himself, he was completely in love with her.
He wanted to be the one standing at her side. Holding her close. Putting himself between her and the world.
He'd consider himself lucky beyond belief if she kept him in her life.
Sam covered her with her blanket and reached for the glass to head to the kitchen.
"Sam?"
He looked down and saw her hand on his.
As he watched, she folded their fingers together, holding his hand.
"Please." Her eyes were slowly closing. "Stay with me."
He nodded, but he doubted that she saw the gesture.
Leaving the glass on the nightstand, he toed off his shoes, thankful that he was wearing his dress shoes for court instead of his boots from work.
He lifted the edge of the blanket and slipped under, lowering it back over his body before he put his head down on the pillow.
Stirred by the shift of the bed, Seaton's eyes opened for a moment and she smiled.
She let go of his hand and moved closer wrapping her arm around him.
Sam wrapped his arm around her, too and felt her cuddle in close.
He pressed a kiss to the top of her head and leaned his cheek there, surrounding her with his warmth.
Being so close, he knew the moment she slipped off to sleep. He felt her body relax into his.
And a moment later, he fell asleep.
CHAPTER 8
CADDO
It was only a few weeks after the TRO hearing in court that his shift had their camping weekend at Calaveras Lake Park.
The woman beside him in his truck had made a transformation during that time. Not only had his friends been stopping by the diner to see her and get to know her, but some of the other women connected to the firehouse had picked her up if they were headed to Station Seven for a visit.
And at home, May March from across the street had invited Seaton over to work in her garden and that meant Seaton had a regular supply of flowers and greens to brighten up her table.
Well,theirtable. If he wasn't on shift and she wasn't working at the diner, the two of them would eat together and sleep together.
No, they hadn't even kissed, yet, but that didn't matter to him.
His heart was filled with her and at night, his arms were.
That was enough for him.
Being with her, sharing her life, was incredible.
And seeing how she was growing in confidence without Daryl's shadow hanging over her, was a true joy.
Driving to the lake,he was treated to an amazing view.
