The One She Left Behind (Harlequin Super Romance) by Kristi Gold

stranger. Ride to her home with Sam.
    She picked up her purse, threw the strap over her shoulder and said, “Just keep your horns and pitchfork to yourself.”
    “You used to like my pitchfork.”
    Some things never changed. “Shut up or I’ll reconsider and walk home.”
    Without further commentary, she started toward the door to a chorus of whistles and catcalls from the aforementioned bar dwellers. She wouldn’t be a bit surprised if Sam had paid them to prove his point.
    After she pushed her way through the exit and walked into the welcome night air, Sam trailed behind her as she scanned the rutted parking lot—and immediately located his truck. Not the shiny black one she’d seen at the diner, but the red single-cab 1968 Chevy that he’d driven in high school. “Manny,” short for Manly Truck.
    Savannah turned around and paused in her tracks. “You still have Manny?”
    He walked past her and opened the passenger door that squeaked like a rusty gate. “Yeah,” he said. “If you take good care of something, it can last a lifetime.”
    She immediately thought of Rachel and Matt’s marriage. “You’re right.”
    “Man, I’m actually right about something? It’s a miracle.” His tone was dry and somewhat accusatory.
    “Yes, it is a miracle,” she said as she climbed onto the black cloth seat.
    While Sam rounded the truck to the driver’s side, Savannah studied the familiar surroundings as a host ofmemories tried to force their way into her overly tired mind. How many times had she sat in this truck snuggled up next to Sam? Many more than she could count. But tonight she would remain on her side of the cab, not parked in the center next to a man who’d probably prefer she ride in the truck bed.
    Sam slid into the driver’s seat and slammed the door shut, jarring Savannah out of her momentary stupor. He switched on the ignition, turned to her and said, “You can stop choking the door handle. I’m not going to jump you.”
    Irked by his observation, Savannah rested her hands in her lap. And just when she thought she could relax, Sam draped his arm over the seat as he backed out of the parking spot, his fingertips practically brushing her shoulder. She immediately recalled the day his dad had given him this truck. She remembered how proud he’d been when he’d come to pick her up to show off the gift. Remembered the times they’d sat in the cab while she’d cried on his shoulder after arguing with her mom. Remembered other times when they hadn’t talked at all.
    She mentally stopped short, wondering how on earth she’d climbed on board that train of thought. Evidently reason had briefly left her, thanks to a patently tempting man. A man with whom she’d shared a bittersweet history.
    After Sam pulled out of the lot and onto the rural road, Savannah rolled down the window, allowing the breeze to blow across her face. The smell of fresh-cut hay and damp air thrust her memories back into overdrive. She’d forgotten how dark the nights could be inthe country, how bright the stars. Wishing stars that shot across the sky in plain sight, only most of her wishes failed to come true, including her wish that she and Sam would have a future together. Marriage and children together, like Matt and Rachel. She’d been a child back then, with a child’s view of the perfect life. Now she was grown, and she’d come to learn that some things simply weren’t meant to be, exactly what Sam had said earlier that day.
    They didn’t speak for the next few miles, the low hum of the engine the only sound breaking through the quiet until Sam asked, “Do you remember what’s around the next bend in the road?”
    “What’s left of the old drive-in,” she muttered without much thought.
    “Beyond that.”
    She knew where he could be heading, yet she wasn’t sure why. She did know she didn’t dare play along. “My house.”
    “The road to Potter’s Pond.”
    The name that had been bandied about during dinner.