Chapter 79: The Cost of Time

Samuel hesitated before answering, his gaze drifting to the window before returning to her.

“Yeah, it’s for one and a half months. Six weeks, Kate.” He let the weight of those words settle between them.“That’s—what, forty-two days? Over a thousand hours away from you. That’s the hardest part for me.”

Kate’s breath hitched at the finality in his voice, and she felt an odd tug in her chest. Six weeks. She could already picture the long stretches of silence between them, the empty hours where his absence would feel like a gaping hole.

But then, as if the thought were a balloon, something inside her popped it—Kate couldn’t help but smile to herself. There was a part of her that felt the loss already, the absence of his protective presence. Samuel was a distraction from the stress, from the noise in her head, from the heaviness of the case.

And with everything going on—the murders, the mystery of the goat-headed monster lurking in her home—she had no doubt she’d need the time away from him. The motel was an escape, a place where she could finally focus on gathering evidence, where she could begin unraveling what felt like an impossible knot. Six weeks felt like the perfect amount of time to dig deeper into the case, to solve it all before he came back.

Samuel’s voice broke through her thoughts. “Hey, what’s going on in that head of yours?” He was studying her, his brows furrowed as though he could see the gears turning behind her eyes.

Kate blinked, a little startled by the intensity of his gaze. She realized she’d been lost in thought longer than she meant to be. “Nothing,” she said, forcing a smile.

“Just thinking. Yeah, six weeks is a lot of time.”

Samuel frowned. “It is. But I’ll be back, Kate. I promise. I won’t let the distance get in the way.”

“If we were married, you would’ve been accompanying me,” he added, his tone softening as if he were making a subtle admission.

Kate raised an eyebrow, a playful spark lighting up her eyes. “Oh, so now you’re suggesting we get married just so you can take me to Germany for training instead of a honeymoon?” She leaned back slightly, her lips curling into a teasing smile. “Well, that’s not going to happen, dear. Sorry.”

Samuel’s lips twitched, but he didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he shook his head, trying to hide a grin. “You always know how to keep me on my toes.”

Kate couldn’t help but laugh lightly, the sound bubbling up effortlessly. It felt good to share this easy moment with him, especially after all the tension and uncertainty she’d been carrying around. “When are you leaving?” she asked, her tone shifting a little, more serious now.

“Tomorrow,” Samuel replied, his voice clipped but not without a trace of regret.

Kate blinked. “Tomorrow? Isn’t that a little early? Aren’t you rushing things?”

Samuel smirked, stepping closer to her. “I’ve got to go, Kate. The training won’t wait. I’ve been selected, and this is a huge opportunity. But don’t think for one second that I’m not dreading leaving you behind.” His voice softened at the end, his eyes searching hers.

Kate looked at him for a long moment, the mix of emotions swirling inside her. It was hard to admit how much she was going to miss him—how much she already did—but she knew this was something he couldn’t pass up. She had to respect that.

“So,” Samuel said, shifting the mood a little. “You should get ready. We’re going out for dinner tonight.”

Kate blinked. “Dinner?” Her stomach flipped at the sudden shift in plans. “Where?”

“It’s a surprise,” Samuel said with a wink. “But get dressed. I want to spend this night with you. Just the two of us before I leave.”

Kate hesitated for only a moment before she nodded, trying to push away the lump in her throat. “Alright, alright. I’ll get ready. Just... don’t be late.”

“I won’t,” Samuel promised. “You know I’d never miss a chance to spend time with you.”

Kate stepped into the bathroom, taking a moment to gather herself before getting ready. The weight of everything—her case, her emotions about Samuel leaving, the strain of the past few days—seemed to settle in her chest, but she pushed it aside. Tonight, she told herself, was about enjoying the time with Samuel before the clock ran out.

She ran her hands through her hair, loosening the tight bun she had been wearing all day. After a few moments of deliberation, she decided on a simple but elegant look: a sleek, fitted black dress that reached just above her knees, accentuating her figure without being over the top. She paired it with a pair of heels, just high enough to give her an extra edge, but still comfortable. When she checked herself in the mirror, she felt the usual confidence that came from a good outfit—but this time, there was something more: she was going to look her best, for him.

The soft lighting of the motel room flickered as she stepped out of the bathroom. Her heart skipped when she saw Samuel standing near the window, his back to her. His profile was framed by the soft glow from the outside streetlights, and the way he was looking out into the night made him seem distant, lost in thought.

But when he turned around and saw her, his eyes widened for a moment, a breath catching in his throat. There was something so genuine in the way he looked at her, like she was the only thing in the world that mattered.

“You look…” Samuel trailed off, the words getting stuck in his throat. “You look incredible, Kate.” His voice was low, sincere, and full of admiration.

Kate smiled, a soft laugh escaping her lips. “Thanks. You clean up well yourself,” she teased, her eyes scanning his attire. He’d traded his scrubs for a dark blue shirt that fit him just right, and the black jeans gave him an easy, casual look. But there was a quiet intensity in the way he stood, in the way he looked at her.

Samuel shook his head slightly, still processing the way she appeared. “You always know how to make my words feel inadequate,” he said with a playful grin, his voice rougher than usual.

Kate couldn’t help but laugh, and the tension between them shifted, lifting into something lighter, something more relaxed. “Come on, let’s go. I don’t want to keep you waiting,” she said, grabbing her small purse as she moved toward the door.

As they left the motel room, Kate could feel the subtle shift in the atmosphere. Samuel was quiet, but the air between them was charged with an unspoken understanding.

They went to a cozy Italian restaurant tucked away in a quiet part of town, a little hole-in-the-wall place with dimmed lights and soft jazz playing in the background. The atmosphere was intimate, just what they needed to unwind and enjoy each other’s company before the looming separation.

They talked about everything and nothing. They laughed about silly things, like how Samuel managed to spill his wine on his shirt just as the waiter approached with their main course. They talked about their childhoods, the awkwardness of their first meeting, and even their mutual love for spicy food. But the longer the night went on, the more the conversation turned serious, and the weight of the looming separation hung over them, unspoken but felt.

“Six weeks is a long time,” Kate said quietly, her eyes tracing the rim of her wine glass. “I don’t think I’ve ever gone that long without seeing you.”

Samuel leaned in slightly, his gaze soft but intense. “I know. I don’t want to be away from you, either. But we both have to do what we need to do.” He reached across the table, taking her hand gently in his. “I’ll come back, Kate. I promise.”

Kate squeezed his hand, the gesture comforting but bittersweet. “I know you will.” She paused for a moment before adding, her voice a little softer, “I just… I don’t want to be stuck in the motel all alone, you know?”

Samuel’s lips curved up in a soft, reassuring smile. “You won’t be alone. I’ll call. I’ll text. I’ll check in with you every day if I have to.”

Kate smiled back, her heart fluttering at the promise in his words. “I’ll hold you to that, Doc,” she teased, her voice light.

When the bill came, Samuel insisted on paying, though Kate put up a small protest. The night was winding down, and despite the bittersweet undertones, there was a sense of contentment between them.

On the drive back to the motel, the silence was comfortable, but when they reached the parking lot, the weight of the night seemed to settle back in.

“Here we are,” Samuel said, the words coming out in a tone that was almost final. They both lingered in the car for a moment, neither of them ready to step out into the cold night.

Kate took a deep breath and turned to him, her eyes searching his. “Goodbye, huh?”

Samuel didn’t respond right away. He just looked at her, his eyes full of something deeper, something that spoke volumes without a single word.

“No,” he said finally, his voice steady but firm.