Part 592

After lunch, Howie and Sarah headed to the great room where Howie grabbed his guitar.  Sarah settled on the couch as Howie sat on the coffee table in front of her and he began to play.  She loved watching Howie play his guitar, the way his fingers danced over the strings.  As he played a familiar song, she sang softly, her voice blending perfectly with his. 

“Want to work on the duet?” asked Howie. 

Sarah yawned, “Not now, ‘D’.” 

Howie set his guitar down and reached over to finger her hair.  “Why don’t you take a nap?” 

“You gonna play some more for me?” 

“I’d rather hold you.” 

“I can handle that,” answered Sarah as she slid over to make room for Howie. 

Howie lay on his back allowing Sarah to drape a leg across his and rest her head on his shoulder.  He loved playing with her hair and as he held her, he ran his fingers through it, letting a strand wrap around his finger. 

“I really miss Mama,” whispered Sarah as she played with his free hand. 

“I know, ‘Angel’.  So do I.” 

“Everywhere I look, I see her.  I fully expected her to come down the steps this morning wearing her old blue robe, her hair wrapped up in a kerchief, and wearing a pair of Daddy’s socks.” 

“But instead you got Kryss wearing your brother’s shirt and Stephanie looking like you felt.” 

Sarah laughed softly, “It really didn’t bother me about Kryss and Dusty.  He’s been so afraid to love someone after Tammy.” 

“You never have told me about Tammy.  What happened to her?” 

“She was killed in a car wreck on the way to a doctor’s appointment.  She was eight weeks pregnant and Dusty was totally devastated.” 

“I can understand,” answered Howie as he held her a little tighter.  “How long had they been together?” 

“For as long as I can remember.  They dated all through high school.  Tammy was the one who finally got hold of Dusty to tell him I’d married Russell and that I was pregnant.  She and I were really close.” 

“How long after that did she die?” 

Sarah took a deep breath.  “She died while I was in ICU.  To this day, Dusty blames Russell for her death but nothing could ever be proven.” 

Howie pressed his lips into her hair and squeezed her hand. 

“You know, I don’t really mind Stephanie or the fact that she’s pregnant.  When Mama died, I didn’t think I’d see Daddy happy but Stephanie makes him smile.” 

“Your mother would be very proud of you.” 

Sarah looked up at him, “You really think so?” 

“Yeah, I do.” 

Sarah sighed happily and put her head back on his shoulder as she slipped her hand under his shirt.  She drew little designs on his skin as she closed her eyes. 

As he held her, Howie started to sing to her softly in Spanish, lulling her to sleep, and he watched as she slept peacefully.  It had been almost three weeks since she’d had a nightmare.  She really had come a long way since they’d first met and he couldn’t imagine his life being any different.  This woman in his arms loved him so unconditionally and had gone through so much to be with him.  He had never in his life imagined loving anyone so completely like he loved her but the minute their eyes had met, he’d been hooked.  Her peacefulness worked on him pulling him into dreamland with her and that’s where the couple stayed for the rest of the afternoon.

Part 593        Index