the table a few steps, she smiled up into his face, well aware of their audience. It took all her willpower to resist the urge to slap him silly. “Have you lost your mind?” she said, keeping her voice low.
The corners of his mouth were tight as he returned her smile. “Apparently.”
“Fix this. You have to fix this.”
“That’s what I’m trying to do.” He smoothed a stray hair from her cheek. “Trust me.”
No way. Julia didn’t trust men. She had a long line of heartbreak in her past. Mountains of collateral damage that made her sure she was the only person she could trust to take care of her and Charlie. “Don’t touch me,” she whispered through gritted teeth.
His hand dropped from her face. “I’m going to help you. But you can’t fight me. Not here.”
She glanced over his shoulder at the attorney and Charlie’s grandmother. For a fraction of a second, worry marred Maria Johnson’s perfect features. Julia didn’t understand the break in the ice queen’s armor, but it must have had something to do with Sam.
“Fine.” She reached forward and clasped both of his rock-solid arms, as if she could make him understand the gravity of her situation through a simple squeeze. “You better make it count. Charlie’s future is on the line.”
He searched her gaze for a long moment, then bent onto one knee. He took her fingers in his, tugging softly when she would have pulled away.
“I didn’t mean...”
“Julia Morgan,” he said, and his deep, clear voice rang out in the restaurant. “We’ve kept this quiet—no easy task in Brevia—but it’s long past time to make things official.” He cleared his throat, adjusting the collar of his starched uniform shirt. “Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Julia blinked back sudden tears. A marriage proposal was what she’d wanted, once upon a time. She’d wanted Jeff to see they could build a real life together. Foolishly sure he was the one, she’d been reckless and selfish. Then the universe had blessed her with a beautiful son. She was working day and night to make a good life for Charlie. Now that she wanted to do the right thing, she risked losing him.
Not for the first time, she wondered if he’d be better off with the Johnsons and the privileged life filled with opportunities they could provide.
She squeezed her eyes shut to clear her thoughts. She was Charlie’s mother, no matter what, and wouldn’t ever stop fighting for him.
Sam ran his finger along the inside of her wrist. “Are you going to answer the question? My leg is cramping.”
“Oh, no. Sorry.”
“No?” he asked over the collective gasp.
“I mean yes. Get up, you big oaf.” Heat flooded her face and her stomach churned. What was she doing? She’d learned not to rely on a man for anything and now she was putting her entire future in Sam’s hands. Impulsive as ever, she repeated, “Yes. My answer is yes.”
He stood, rubbing one knee. “Cool it on the name-calling. We’re in love, remember.”
“You betcha, honey-bunny.”
That produced a genuine grin from him, and she was again caught off guard by her body’s reaction as tiny butterflies did a fast samba across her belly. Oblivious to his effect on her, Sam turned to the booth.
Before he could speak, an older man wrapped them both in a tight hug. “This is amazing.”
Amazing? Not quite.
Sam caught her gaze, his eyes dark and unreadable. “I forgot to tell you earlier. My dad came to town today. Meet Joe Callahan, your future father-in-law.”
Uh-oh.
Joe cupped her face between his large hands. “You’re just what he needed. I can already tell.” Tears shimmered in eyes the same color as Sam’s, only sweeter and looking at her with such kindness a lump formed in Julia’s throat. “You remind me of my Lorraine, rest her soul.”
“Okay, Dad.” Sam tugged her out of Joe’s embrace. She took a step back but Sam pulled her against his side.
Joe turned to the booth. “I’ll buy a round to celebrate. Any friends of...”
“Julia,” Sam supplied with a sigh.
“Any friends of my future daughter-in-law are friends of mine.”
“We’re not friends,” Lexi Preston ground out. “As I said earlier, I represent her son’s biological father and his parents. They’re interested in exploring a more viable custody arrangement. The Johnsons want what’s best for the child. They can give him opportunities—”
“They want to take my baby,” Julia mumbled. Sam’s arm tightened around her waist.
If Joe was surprised to hear she had a child, he didn’t let on. His posture went rigid. “That’s ridiculous. She’s the boy’s mother.”
“Dad, this isn’t the time or place—” Sam began.
Joe wagged a finger at Lexi Preston and Maria Johnson. “Now listen here. I don’t know what all this nonsense is about, but I can tell you my son will take care of that child and Julia. He’s the law around here, for heaven’s sake.” He leaned closer and Lexi’s nervous swallow mimicked Julia’s. Joe Callahan might look like a teddy bear but he had a backbone of steel. “You’ll have to come through both of us if you try to hurt her. We protect our own.”
“I’ve had quite enough of this town for tonight.” Maria pushed at the attorney, who stood quickly. “I don’t care who you’ve got in your backwater little corner of the world, we’re going to—”
Lexi put a hand on Maria’s shoulder to silence her. “The less said tonight, the better. We have a court date next week.” She gave Julia a curt nod. “Ms. Morgan, we’ll see you then.”
“Take care of the check, Lexi.” Maria Johnson barked the order at her attorney before stalking out of the restaurant.
“Does that mean she’s leaving Brevia?” Julia asked.
“For now. I’ll stay for the duration of the process. The Johnsons will fly back and forth.” Lexi leaned toward Julia. “I don’t want to get your hopes up, but a stable home environment could change the situation.” She clapped a hand over her mouth as if she’d said too much, then nodded to the group and scurried away.
Julia reached forward to hug Joe. “Thank you, Mr. Callahan. For what you said.”
“I meant it. Sam isn’t going to let anything happen to you.”
Sam.
Julia turned, but focused her attention on the badge pinned to Sam’s beige shirt, unable to make eye contact with him. Instead she looked out at the tables surrounding them. “Sorry for the commotion. Go back to dinner, and we’ll get out of your way.”
“Wait a minute.” Sam’s voice cut through the quiet.
Julia held her breath.
“As most of you heard tonight, Julia and I have something to celebrate.” He grabbed her hand and drew her back to him. Her fingers spread across his broad chest of their own accord. “We need to make this believable for the gossip mill,” he whispered against her ear.
A round of applause rang out in the restaurant followed by several clinks on glasses. “Kiss. Kiss. Kiss,” came the call from the bar.
Julia froze as Sam gazed down at her, his expression heated. “Better give them what they want.”
“It’s totally unbelievable and I had garlic for dinner,” she muttered, squirming in his arms.
“I’ll take my chances,” he answered with a laugh.
“Have