Noah and Sami met 32 days ago.

ENDING OF PREVIOUS POST:

When Noah and Sami walked up the sidewalk, Laura, Sami's mom, stood with the door open. Sami sighed. "Mom, are you supposed to be standing?"

She hugged her. "Yes, I'm supposed to be as active as possible. I'll heal faster that way." She smiled at Noah. "Welcome. I'm glad you're with Sami. Thank you for all you've done."

Noah returned the grin. "I'm sorry I had to take her away."

Laura turned. "I'm glad she's safe. Let's go inside." She pushed her walker into the living room and asked, "Sami, before you sit will you get three glasses of iced tea?"

"Sure will."

Watching, Sami walk into the kitchen, Laura said, "I understand you want to propose to my daughter."

TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 27 B

"That's my plan." Noah grinned.

Laura continued with the eye contact.

"I don't know when I'm asking. I have some issues that need to be addressed with my job first. I want to have the ring ready. Do you know her size?"

"I think it's a six. We'll figure it out in a few minutes."

Sami returned with three glasses of iced tea, passed them around, and then sat on the couch beside Noah. "Mom, how are you really doing? I don't want the stock answer."

"The doctor says I'm healing fast. It shouldn't be long before I won't need the walker."

"Don't push yourself. You need to heal."

Noah chuckled. "Imagine a Martinez woman pushing too hard."

"You know my daughter too well. She's has more in common with her dad than me." Laura hesitated. "Sami, that reminds me. Under some clothes in my bottom dresser drawer is a small chest. Would you bring it here? The key's in my Bible, on my nightstand. It's marking John 3:16. Bring it too."

"I'll be right back."

Moments later Sami returned and handed Laura the chest and the key. "Mom, what's in there?"

"You'll see." With the chest open, Laura searched until she held up a sapphire ring. "Found it."

Sami studied the ring. "That's Grandma's ring."

"You're right. Traditionally, when a grandma dies, the eldest grandson gets her engagement ring, but we only had daughters." Laura faced Sami. "While you were gone, your dad and I discussed giving you this."

"Shouldn't Angela get it? She's the oldest."

"We decided it should go to you because you spent the most time with Grandma Leya. My mom died when you were still a baby. Your sisters had started school and Leya babysat you, often."

Laura placed the ring on Sami's left hand ring finger. "Does it fit? We had it sized a couple weeks ago. It's a six."

"It does, but you put it on the wrong hand." Sami switched it, held out her right hand, and admired it. "It's perfect. I remember how proud Grandma was of it."

"She was. They didn't have much money, but Grandpa loved her so much he wanted to get it for her. Grandma told their story often."

"She did. It's a beautiful story." Sami glanced at Noah. "I'll share it with you this evening." She thought a moment. "Mom, starting Monday, I plan on being here every day. I'll hang around the gym for summer weights until midmorning and then come here for a few hours. Figure out what you need help with."

"You don't need too."

"Then I'll do what I think needs to be done."

"You always were headstrong."

Noah eyebrows rose. "That's not on your list, is it?"

"What list?" asked Laura.

Exhaling, Sami said, "Noah has a list of my more enduring qualities." She held up her fingers as she repeated them, "First is frustrating, and then feisty, impossible, rule breaker, obstinate, her highness, impetuous, bad influence, incorrigible, and finally perplexing. Ten in all."

Laura's eyes met Noah's. "I see you got to know my daughter quite well. I agree with your assessment."

"I thought you might. Sami, do we need to add headstrong?"

"I hope not. What do you think?"

"Don't bat those big brown eyes at me."

"She learned to use them on her dad." Laura sipped her tea. "They don't work as well on me."

A timer went off on Noah's phone. "Sorry, but Sami we have an appointment."

"What appointment?"

"You'll see." He stood. "Laura, we'll will see you for Sunday dinner."

Sami hugged her mom.

"You're coming to church, aren't you?" asked Laura.

Glancing at Noah, Sami held her breath. When he nodded, she faintly said, "Yes."

*****
Inside Noah's car, Sami said, "You don't need to attend church. I can meet you at the restaurant."

"Growing up in an orphanage, I've never been to church. It should be interesting. All I can promise is I'll try it, once."

She touched his hand. "Thank you. I appreciate the gesture."

"I'll never stop you from attending."

She smiled. "Now where we going?"

"Be patient, Sunshine."

*****
When Noah pulled into the parking lot at the Urban Krav Maga training center, Sami's eyes widened. "Why we here?"

"Humor me. I need to see what you're capable of."

"I'm not dressed for a workout."

"Do you think perpetrators will wait until you are?"

She exhaled. "I guess not."

"I'm only watching. I've made arrangements--"

"Is this a test?"

"That's one way to put it."

"It's because I didn't fight back against Big T, isn't it?" She hesitated. "I explained that."

"You did." He touched her hand. "The next time something happens it could be worse than what Big T did."

Sami opened the car door. "Okay, let's do this." Not waiting for Noah, she went into the building.

The room was set up for a private session. Scanning the area, Sami noticed her former trainer, Levi. "You're in on this?"

"I agree with Agent Taylor. You two are a couple, and his work is dangerous. We need to make sure you can defend yourself. I have a few different people helping. You won't know who or where somebody will show up." Glancing at Noah, who now stood beside them, Levi said, "Sami, you need to be alert at all times."

Sami closed her eyes. "Okay, give me a minute." She turned her back on the men.

The men's eyes met, and they nodded.

A man walked behind Sami and pretended to hold a knife to her throat. She turned. "I said I need a minute."

Levi's voice was firm, "Sami, you may not have a minute. Crimes don't take breaks. No matter what's going on in your life you need to be ready. You may be unloading groceries, getting into your car, or unlocking your front door. You never know."

She studied Noah. "I wasn't prepared to defend myself against Big T. I let the previous events affect my response."

"That's right, Sunshine. I hope you're never in that situation again, but you always need to be ready."

"He's right." Levi nodded. Walk around but be alert."

Sami strolled around the interior of the room. A few moments later, Noah handed her his phone, and she said, "Hello." She listened. "Hi, Bob." Again, she listened. "Sure, I'll be home in the morning. I look forward to my car being returned. As of right now, I don't have any plans. Can I speak with Sarah?" After a silence, she asked, "How'd your doctor's appointment go?"

While she listened to Sarah, a man came from the right and attempted an attack.

Sami elbowed him in the stomach. When he leaned over, her leg extended for a kick to his chest. In the process she became off balance and knocked down a lady walking past.

"I'm so sorry." Sami bent to help the lady. "Are you all right?"

The man that Sami had kicked grabbed her from behind in a choke hold.

She immediately lowered her chin to protect her neck. Then she grabbed his elbow and wrist while stepping aside. She then moved the hand that held his wrist and punched him in the groin. When he doubled over, she elbowed him below his chin. Escaping, she walked straight to Noah. "I need a minute." Outside she sat on the curb.

Noah followed and sat beside her.

Sami studied him before she asked, "I failed, didn't I?"

"No. Your form and execution were excellent."

"I hear a but."

"But..." Noah exhaled. "When I see people, I don't know, I'm suspicious and see them as a threat. When you meet the same people, you see them as friends you haven't met. We see the world differently."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"Not really. You have a different perspective on life than I do. Yours is much happier." Noah took her hand in his. "Unfortunately, not everybody is nice. You're going to have to look at things a little differently and be ready to always defend yourself, especially if we're together." He exhaled. "Or I'll assign you a bodyguard. Your choice."

"Only if it's you."

Chuckling, Noah said, "That can't happen as often as you'd require."

"I figured." After a loud sigh, she added, "I guess I'd better work on being alert to my surroundings."

"Probably a good idea."

Sami tilted her head. "You knew this would happen, didn't you?"

"I didn't know but suspected it."

She leaned her head against his arm. "Are we going to be able to make this work?"

"I'm planning on it. We'll both need to make a few adjustments. I'm willing. Are you?"

Reaching up, she kissed him. "Yes."

Noah glanced at his watch, stood and offered his hand. "Ready to go home?" After Sami nodded, he said, "I'll run in and tell Levi we're leaving. Want to join me?"

"Not really, but I should."

They walked in holding hands, and Levi said, "Sami, you're one of my best students. Just remember to always be alert. I can't impress that enough."

"You two proved your point. It's an area I need to work on. I'll start right away."

Noah thanked Levi for allowing him this time. As Noah and Sami went to the car, Noah asked, "Remember the day I got shot picking up the watermelon?" When she nodded, he continued, "That day, I got careless. It never occurred to me at a farmers' market I could get shot."

"I'm glad you had your Kevlar vest on."

"Me too."

The ride to Sami's apartment was silent.

After they walked Jasper, Sami checked the groceries in the house. "It's a little early for dinner."

"Why don't I order Chinese? The last time I promised we'd do it again and I'd ask what you want."

"I'm surprised you remembered."

"Of course, I remember. I ordered roast duck and didn't ask what you'd like."

"You did ask about the rice."

"I did do that." Noah's eyes met hers. "Sunshine, what would you like me to order you?"

"How about roast duck and fried rice?"

"Sounds good." After he ordered, he said, "While we wait, tell me the story behind that sapphire engagement ring."



~~~~~
CHARACTERS:

Sami Martinez - Twenty-five-year-old high school teacher, who's working to find a kidnapped teenage girl.

Noah Taylor. - Homeland Security team leader, who works in the Human Trafficking department. Alias - Trey Morgan

Jose, Bob, & Sarah - Agents who work under Noah. Bob and Sarah are married.

Laura Martinez - Sami's mom.

Jasper - Sami's Great Dane, a large breed dog.

Myra Rodriguez - Kidnapped teenage girl whom Sami was close to.

Julia - Teenage girl, who was friends with Myra and Sami works with.

Big T - Neighborhood pimp; not a friendly person

Numerous Team Members - They will show up periodically but not really important to the story, except they're there.

Chen - Charles Henry Edward Nichols - Human trafficker and into some really bad stuff.

Chief Galvin Baldwin - Noah's supervisor.

Marc - Sami's old boyfriend.

Mateo Enrique Aguilar de Pereira - a very close friend of Sami's; a rich playboy

Juan Pablo Enrique Aguilar de Pereira - Mateo's father