Summer Love by Rashelle Workman Read Free Book Online

this?”
    “Yep, you got it. Now just gently rub her back.”
    Sam carefully did and Sabrina burped twice more.
    “Easy, right?”
    “Not too bad,” Sam agreed.
    Simone snickered. “Good, ‘cause when you’re done feeding her you get to change her diaper.”
    He grimaced and then winked. “No problem. I can handle it.”
    “I’m going to make something to eat. Any requests?”
    “Whatever you’re having,” he said, his focus back on the baby.
    Simone made two bologna and cheese sandwiches with a little mayo, a side of chips, and a bunch of red grapes. She set the plates on the table and went back into the living room. Sam was burping Sabrina again.
    Simone leaned against the wall and watched. When he glanced up at her, she smiled. It would be easy to get used to a life with Sam in it. But the fact remained he was oil royalty. He had responsibilities, meetings to attend, money to make, an image to keep up, and probably a lot of women with no kids and no cancer vying for his attention. Whatever he was doing in Bandon was nothing more than another Summer fling. It wouldn’t last long. His vacation would end or he’d tire of her and the baby and leave again. Leave her again.
    Even if he said he didn’t want to, he’d have to. It wasn’t like he could give his life up for Simone.
    “Lunch is ready,” she said, trying to fight back her sadness.
    “Good, I’m starved,” he said, standing and handing over Sabrina’s empty bottle.
    “Give her to me. I’ll change her and let you eat.”
    Sam shook his head. “I’ll change her. You just show me what to do.”
    “Can’t wait to see this,” she said, following him into Sabrina’s bedroom.
    He laid Sabrina on the changing table and scooted over. “Will you stand beside me and walk me through this?” A combination of fear and determination crossed his features.
    Simone went through the steps, talking as she did them until Sabrina’s diaper had been changed. “Think you can handle it next time?” she asked when she finished.
    “Of course,” he said waving his hand at her nonchalantly. “Although you might have to show me a couple more times.”
    She laughed. “Fine,” she said with mock sarcasm.  “Let’s wash our hands and then we can eat.”
    They took turns cleaning up in the bathroom before walking into the kitchen. Sam cuddled Sabrina close to his chest.
    Simone opened her arms. “Let me put her in her bouncy chair.”
    Sam raised an eyebrow. “What’s a bouncy chair?”
    “Well,” Simone began, taking Sabrina and setting her in what looked like a banana chair adorned with elephants, monkeys, and birds. “This is a bouncy chair.” Simone buckled her in and Sabrina started to kick her legs. The chair bounced with her movements. “See, it bounces.”
    She picked up her baby and the chair together and set it on the table. “Never leave her on the table or a counter unattended. The whole chair moves and she can fall, okay?”
    “Good to know.” He reached out and covered Simone’s sure hand with his large one.
    She pushed his plate in front of him. It contained a whole sandwich, plus half of hers. “Hope you like bologna.” She gave him a cheeky smile, ready for him to get totally grossed out. He’d probably never even seen bologna up close.
    He surprised her and took a big bite of the sandwich. Chewed, swallowed and smiled. “Delicious. The best sandwich I’ve ever had.”
    “Really?” Simone couldn’t help but laugh. It felt good. She took a grape and popped it in her mouth.
    Sam reached out and touched her shoulder. “I’ve noticed you seem thinner than the last time I saw you. Is that because of the medication?”
    She swallowed and nodded. She wasn’t ready to discuss her cancer again. It was what it was.
    “I made some calls. Since it’s the holiday it was difficult to get a hold of her, but I finally did, and Dr. Freedman agreed to look at your chart and meet with you on Monday.”

 
     
    Tears Still