Chapter 26: Chapter 26

An awkward silence descended on the trio and Sam once more was subjected to another round of scrutiny from Ryan's mom.

"Ryan, please go and get the rest of my luggage." Kelsey said, while keeping her eyes fixed on Sam, a thoughtful expression on her features.

And leave me alone with her?

Panicked, Sam shifted her gaze to Ryan and caught his worried expression that mirrored her own feelings. She shot him a pleading look, silently begging him not to leave her alone with his mother and received an apologetic grimace in return.

"How about we both go, Mom?" His voice held a hint of desperation as though he knew this was one battle he had no shot of winning. "I won't be able to tell which bags are yours and might accidentally…"

"There should be two green suitcases, marked with the organization's logo." His mom cut him off, her voice firm and brooking no arguments.

Before he could think up another word, she smiled disarmingly at Sam, stepped close and hooked an arm through hers.

"I spy a coffee shop over there," She announced to two stunned people. "And I'm dying for a good cup of macchiato after the poison that passed for coffee on the flight. Sam, you don't mind accompanying this old lady, do you?"

Before Sam could get in a word edgewise, she was pulled along, struggling to catch up with Kelsey's brisk strides. She shot a helpless look over her shoulder at Ryan but he looked just as helpless to stop his determined parent.

In a daze, she could only follow along as Kelsey entered the shop and directed them to a table.

"Now," Kelsey began, once they were both seated. "We don't have much time before that son of mine comes to rescue you, so I'll cut to the chase. What exactly is the relationship between you two? And don't worry anything you say is remains strictly between us."

Sam felt her face heat. What exactly was the woman getting at?

"Ryan and I are co-workers, Mrs. Wilson." She replied, struggling not to squirm under that knowing gaze.

"Yes, yes...and you're his new boss," Kelsey added with a hint of impatience. "I'm aware of that, and will get to that later. But what I'd like to know is what you really feel when it comes to my son."

"I…"

"And please, there's little point denying what I can clearly see with my own eyes."

How did she even? Sam couldn't help but marvel at the woman's almost superhuman deductive powers. Or could it just be she was unintentionally wearing her emotions on her sleeves for the entire world to see? The thought was enough to worsen the pounding in her skull. With a barely concealed grimace, she absently reached out to massage her temple, mind frantically scrambling for a suitable reply.

Goddess, save me from meddling mothers.

All too aware of Kelsey’s expectant gaze drilling a hole into her thoughts, she sighed, recalling Ryan’s earlier warning about his mother and had to agree that overwhelming was a huge understatement.

“Mrs. Wilson, there’s nothing between Ryan and I, other than a working relationship.” She said firmly, careful to keep her gaze steady, fingers crossed underneath the table. “I’m afraid that’s all there is to it. A professional relationship”

Plus, there was no way she was ever going to admit to doing decidedly unprofessional things with the mother of the man she’d slept with.

Disappointment crossed Kelsey’s expression.

“I see. Pity, but when I saw you, I couldn’t help but hope…” She trailed off, with a slight shake of her head and leaned forward again.

“I can see I’ve made you uncomfortable, Sam, and I’m sorry about that. It’s just that I got so excited at the prospect of Ryan finally moving on from the past that I overstepped boundaries. I’m sorry if I offended you.”

A pang of guilt hit Sam and she shifted uncomfortably. “Please don’t apologize, Mrs. Wilson, no offense taken. You were just worried about your son, and I understand.”

“My children often tell me I have the personality of a bulldozer and the tact of an ant when I get an idea in my head.” Kelsey offered a wistful smile. “I was rather tactless, just now, wasn’t I?”

Sam chuckled, “Just a smidge.”

Kelsey threw back her head and laughed, her amusement setting Sam back at ease. She grinned at the older woman, glad the awkwardness had passed and she’d even managed to survive intact.

“Right, let’s go find that son of mine.” Kelsey finally subsided enough to pick up her bag and rise, slinging the strap over her shoulder. “I’m sure he’s just about worried himself into an early grave by now, and I still need to whoop his ass for hiding something as monumental as this from me.”

“Mrs. Wilson, wait.” Sam shot to her feet, wincing as another bolt of pain reverberated in her head. She ignored it to concentrate on what she needed to say.

Kelsey shot her a puzzled look. “What is it?”

“Please, go easy on him.” She replied quietly. “I know he should have told you sooner, but he’s been having a rough couple of weeks since it happened and he’s been trying really hard to set things right. I’m sure in all the chaos; the thought just slipped his mind. Plus, I’m sure he really didn’t want you to worry about him and that’s probably why he didn’t say anything.”

Nervous once more under Kelsey’s assessing look, she managed an awkward laugh and stepped back, eyes looking everywhere but ahead.

“It’s what I would have done anyway, if I were in his shoes.” she finished.

Seconds passed while Kelsey simply studied Sam. “And is this your opinion as a professional, or as a friend?”

Confused, Sam took a minute to ponder the question. Why had she stuck up for Ryan like that? A million answers sprang to mind, but she hastily dismissed them all, and merely focused on giving the right answer.

“A little bit of both, I suppose,” she replied.

“Hmm,” A gleam that didn’t bode well entered the older woman’s eyes, paired with the Cheshire grin that brought a wave of uneasiness.

Why did it feel like she'd just willingly stepped into a trap? She heartily regretted opening her mouth in the first place.

Just then, she spotted a sight that almost made her weep in relief.

"Oh look, he found us," she needlessly exclaimed, at this point not caring if her relief was evident and hurried over to meet Ryan, her eyes silently pleading for rescue. He took one look at her and let out a curse, aiming a reproachful glare in his mother's direction.

"Get me out of here, please." She muttered to him under her breath as soon as she reached him.

"What did she do?"

"I'll tell you later, let's just go." Without waiting for a reply, she grabbed one of the cases and made a beeline for the exit, face burning, head throbbing ceaselessly.

Mercifully, the rain had finally let up to a mere drizzle and she plunged ahead, pulling the bag behind her towards their parking spot, sparing a glance over her shoulder to see Ryan and Kelsey following a few meters behind, engrossed in conversation.

Well, Ryan seemed to be doing all the talking, while his mother simply listened, still wearing that unsettling smile.

Just as she reached the car, a wave of dizziness and nausea, coupled with a sharp lancing pain at the back of her head sent a small moan of pain past her lips. Steadying herself against the cool metal of the car, she shut her eyes briefly, drawing in deep breaths while silently praying for endurance to hold in until she could get a hold of some medication.

***

"What did you say to her, Mom?" Ryan watched Sam hurry away, tension evident in the set of her shoulders and frowned, a mix of worry and irritation building within.

The irritation was directed at his mother, worsened by the smug smile plastered on her face, clearly pleased about something.

"Me?" Kelsey asked in a deceptively mild tone, which Ryan knew from experience meant she was hiding something. "Oh just some girl talk, that's all."

Yeah, and he was a four hundred pound orangutan. “Mom, I already told you we’re just co-workers. Was the Spanish Inquisition really necessary? You made her uncomfortable.”

To his surprise, his mother managed to look guilty. “I suppose I went a bit too far.”

Suddenly, she gripped his arm tight, nearly cutting off circulation. He winced, prepared to ask what had gotten into her when she suddenly let go and broke into a run.

“Call nine one one!” She yelled over her shoulder just as Ryan saw what had set her off in a panic.

His blood ran cold at the sight of Sam crumpled to the wet ground, unconscious.

“Oh Jesus!” He was by her side in seconds, with no recollection of how he got there, heart pounding frantically, her name a prayer on his lips as he scooped her limp form into his arms, oblivious to his mother’s yelling or the small crowd that had gathered.

Please, God. Please.

“Sam? What’s wrong? What’s happening? Sam?” Frantic, he held her close, too panicked to think rationally.

Cupping her pale face in one hand, he felt for a pulse with the other, and almost wept to find it, weak and unsteady, but a pulse nonetheless. A quick, visual inspection showed no external injuries of any sort, nothing to explain why she had passed out.

Muttering a prayer to whatever deity was listening for her to be okay; he got to his feet unsteadily, gently holding onto his precious burden. Her head flopped against his chest, arms dangling free as with quick strides he made a path back to the shelter of the terminal, barely aware of his mother speaking on the phone, keeping pace.

“The medics are on their way,” she informed him, ending the call. “Meanwhile, we have to make sure she’s comfortable until they get here.”

As she spoke, she reached up to tug loose the pins holding Sam’s hair in place, the entire mass tumbling down over Ryan’s arms in a silken cascade.

“Did they say how long till they arrive? I can just drive her to the hospital.” He glanced down at Sam, relieved to see some of her color return, eyelids fluttering as she slowly came to. Seconds later, her eyes opened, but she winced and shut them tight with a moan, even as she buried her face closer against his chest.

“I’m…okay.” She whispered the words into his chest. “No hospital, don’t need to go.”

Ryan sank down on a chair, settling her over his lap, even as relief washed over him.

“Hey Princess,” his tone was filled with gentle relief. “We have to get you checked out by a doctor to find out why you passed out.”

“It’s just a headache.” Her voice was stronger now. She wriggled against him in an effort to climb off his lap, but he wasn’t ready to let go of her just yet.

He was still scared shitless and holding her close was the only thing keeping him sane right now.

“Headache’s don’t cause a fainting spell, Princess.” Reaching out, he brushed strands of hair off her face. “Best to make sure we catch whatever caused this now.”

“I already have medication for it.” she protested, hands pushing against his chest in a futile effort. He caught one of those hands in his, and her eyes flew up to meet his only for her to wince and shut them again.

“Mom, in the car, there’s a pair of sunglasses in the cubby. Could you help me get them?” Tearing his gaze off Sam’s face, he spared a look at Kelsey.

“Sure.” Kelsey made to hurry off, but Sam spoke up.

“Please, could you call off the medics? I’m alright, really. Just need to take some pills.”

“Where are the pills? In your purse?” Ryan asked.

She shook her head. “Office, but I’m okay for now.”

“I’ll get some water too, you must be thirsty,” Kelsey said, patting her arm in reassurance. “And don’t worry about the medics, I’ll make the call.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Wilson.”

His mother smiled and hurried off, already placing the call.

Guilt stabbed a hole in his gut. He’d caused this by dragging her here and leaving her alone to deal with the tornado that was his mother. “I’m sorry.”

“You’re always apologizing.” A soft smile caressed her lips and pierced his heart.

He chuckled. “When you grow up with a mother and sister like mine, an apology is always the safest bet in any situation.”

Her frame shook with silent laughter and she relaxed in his arms. “I thought my mother was a handful, but yours puts her to shame when it comes to interrogation. My mother’s specialty is endless badgering.”

“What did she ask about?” He already had a fair idea of the subject, but he was curious to know firsthand.

“I don’t think she’s convinced we’re just colleagues.” Sam responded, heaving a tired sigh. “And I think I may have made it worse somehow.”

He tilted his head down to look at her. “How so?”

To his fascination, she flushed and hastily changed the topic. “Do you think you could drop me off at work first before taking your mom home?”

Disappointed, nevertheless, he let the matter drop. “Sure, but those pills, you have them at home too, right?”

Her eyes opened a crack and she shot him a puzzled look. “Yes. Why?”

Gathering her in his arms, he stood. Caught off guard, she panicked at the sudden shift, arms rising to wrap around his shoulders for dear life.

“I’m taking you straight home,” he announced in a tone that brooked no arguments. “Where you’ll take the medication and get some much needed rest.”

“But I…”

“No buts, Sam. That’s an order.”