New In The Territories (Book 1) COMPLETED

Chapter 7 Sam

 "Well I guess this is a good as it's going to get." Talking to myself, again. Checking out myself as well as my rear end in the floor length mirror in my bedroom. I did have to admit that out of everything my hair was probably my best feature. Long red silky hair with soft curls that hung halfway down my back and looked amazing against the deep green long sleeve, fitted low V-neck tee, with a pale yellow tank underneath. I needed comfortable jeans but also ones that looked decent so the medium wash hip huggers where the best choice. Add on a pair of white running shoes and I was done. Not too shabby. Grabbing my purse and black leather blazer and I was ready. Knots in the stomach and all. It was time to head down stairs.

I haven't seen Mady since we apologized to each other. I hoped the tension between us was gone. It was going to take everything I had to keep me smiling and not show just how I really felt about this BBQ thing. I spotted Mady through the window rocking back and forth on the three-seater swing outside on the front porch. Taking in a deep breath I headed outside.

Mady was resting her head against the back of the swing with her eyes closed; looking quite peaceful. Not wanting to disturb her I decided to sit on the rail of the porch, looking out the front yard savoring the silence. Swiftly falling into my own little world while admiring and enjoys the scenery and fresh air I was startled when Mady spoke.

"Well shit," Mady gasped. "You do have a body under those oversized tees," she teased.

I snorted, not the most lady like thing to do but hey that's me. "I'm not a size 6 or 8 for that matter, but I don't mind it at times."

"No seriously, Sam, you look great. Umm...I need to warn you that you will probably be centre of attention for at least half the day." She looked apologetic.

"Mady it's alright, I figure I will be like the shiny new toy for all about 5 minutes then everything will be back to normal. I will be fine and by some chance if it gets to be too much I'll let you know."

"You promise?" Mady pleaded.

"Yeah I promise, but if you're going to be all mopey and worried about me all day, then you won't enjoy yourself, which then for sure I won't enjoy myself."' Not sure I was going to anyways, but would try for her.

"Ok, I need to relax," Mady said, with a sigh.

I laughed. The tension was gone between us and I was grateful "Now, you get it."

"You ladies ready?" Nate yelled, from inside.

Mady laughed, "I bet you he still thinks we are upstairs getting ready. Hon, we are ready and waiting for you outside," Mady called out to her husband.

Nate walked out patting down his pockets then stopped dead in his tracks when he looked up. Right at me.

"What?" I asked him, looking down at myself to see what was wrong. The pained look in his eyes as he looked me up and down, the same way I did him the night before, was so not helping with my confidence level.

"Ah, nothing," he said, as he finally found the keys and locked the door then added with his back to her. "You look different is all, I mean nice," he stammered.

"Ah, thanks?" Not quite sure if that was a compliment or not.

Mady giggled, "What my big lug means, is you look hot and you have killer knockers," Mady gloated and enjoyed what I would suspect the very rare chance to embarrass her husband.

The downfall to that was he was not the only one who was embarrassed. "Thanks."

"Ah Mady, I was going to tell you early that I wasn't sure if I could keep that promise to you and now..." he gestured toward me, "I am sorry but...there is no way I can keep them away from her."

"I know," she sighed, unable to disagree with him.

"Does someone want to tell me what you're talking about? Being talked about as if I am not here is a bit annoying." Between being completely in the dark and feeling more and more uncomfortable it was getting harder to keep my calm composer. The way Nate looked at me alone had my stomach turning.

Mady gave a nervous laugh. "I sort of asked him to promise to keep people away from you."

"Ladies your chariot awaits," Nate called as he opened our doors.

Before I could ask her what she meant Mady was already at the SUV. I was just about to ask for the house keys to change into something a little less snug fitting, but once again the old Mady was able to read me. "You look great Sam! Come on we are running late so no time to change."

Thirty minutes ago I looked decent but now I felt like I was failing some big test. What I felt was extremely uncomfortable with the way Nate first looked at me and was now avoiding to look in my direction all together. Add in the bad feeling I was getting about this BBQ I was borderline an internal mess. They were keeping something from me that I did not like one bit. Taking a deep breath, straightening my spine, head held high I bounced down the stairs. I knew how to fake my happiness so this should not be any different. A nagging feeling itched between my shoulders, tonight was going to change things in my life. The question was am I really ready for that?

* * *MADY

Sitting in the front seat staring aimlessly out the windshield, still wondering if this is a good idea. Sam insisted it was, but I could smell the reservation coming off her in waves. Ringing my hands together until my knuckles turned white, and my hands were saturated with sweat. The nervous energy that was coming from Sam was almost unbearable.

"Turn around Nate, we're not going." The words shot out of my mouth before I could stop them.

"What, why?" Sam snapped out.

"Listen I can sm...I can feel your nervousness from up here. Let's just go home." I was almost begging.

Sam let a harsh laugh, "Listen Mady, I want to go and yes I'm nervous, meeting new people has never been in my top 10 list of favourite things to do. But, I really do want to go. And you're feeling the whole nervous thing from me?...Well hell, we can pretty much cut the tension with a knife that's coming from you."

Looking at Nate for help, but he just sat there, relaxed as if nothing was going on. Closing my eyes and rubbing my temples before taking a deep breath. "I'm doing it again aren't I?"

"Hell yes, so knock it the hell off. One of us wound up tighter than a virgin on her wedding night is bad enough, never mind both of us!" Sam blurted, giving Mady a cheeky grin.

Nate lost the battle on keeping is calm face, and started to snicker. "Damn, Sam, you're something else."

"Why thank you very much, Nate," Sam said with her new calm confidence that came from sarcasm and joking. I started to remember her safeguards. With Sam it was always hard to figure out what she was truly feeling. "You need to work on that detached face thing you got going on, it needs some work," she teased.

Laughing harder, "I was doing just fine till yesterday," he informed her.

Sam mocked shock, with eyes opened wide. "Are you saying that it has to do with my presences?"

"Not at all...OK that's a lie. I just never know what to expect to come out of that mouth of yours."

"Hell I don't either, I just open wide and it comes flying out." She battered her eyes and gave a not so sweet smile.

I had to laughed. Grateful to see the tension gone and happy my friend and husband got along so well. It's like she was always a part of this family. Not just mine but Nate's as well.