To her regret, Luke nodded. “I can hear him doing just that. Nothing less than lofty ambitions for his family. My side was much the same. Can you tune him out?”
“Today? Probably not,” she conceded with regret. “Once I’m 100 percent certain I’m on the right path, I won’t let him intimidate me.”
“Good for you.” He glanced toward the door. “You might want to brace yourself. I see him outside chatting with someone right now.”
“I don’t suppose you’d let me sneak out through the kitchen?” she asked wistfully.
“Of course I would, but you’d hate yourself for running away.”
“Surprisingly, not that much,” she replied, but she did stay where she was. “Not a word, remember? You promised.”
“He won’t hear this from me,” Luke agreed. “But don’t wait too long to fill him in, Carrie. It’ll only annoy him when he does find out.”
No question about it, she thought to herself, then managed a bright and hopefully innocent smile as her grandparents came through the door. She stood up and gave them both hugs.
“Sorry to bolt, but I have things to do,” she said, thinking of the reading she needed to do for her online classes. She’d ordered the books from the university bookstore and they’d been on her doorstep earlier. She could hardly wait to check them out and do her first assignment. Her enthusiasm was a far cry from the days when she’d hated wasting time on studying in college.
Her grandfather regarded her with suspicion. “You’ve barely touched your wine.”
“No time,” she said. “Love you.”
“Enjoy your evening,” her grandmother called after her. “I hope it’s a hot date that has you rushing off.”
“Hot date?” Grandpa Mick echoed indignantly. “What’s wrong with you, woman? You don’t say something like that to our granddaughter.”
“You don’t,” she corrected. “I’m the realist. If we want her to be truly happy, she needs someone in her life.”
Carrie didn’t linger to hear what her grandfather had to say to that, but she had a hunch her grandmother was about to get an earful. Better Grandma Megan than her!
* * *
Sam looked down into Bobby’s tearstained face and felt the urge to shed a few tears of his own. They’d just finished dinner at Sally’s—another burger and fries for Bobby—when Sam had tried to explain that he needed to get Bobby enrolled in school first thing in the morning and then he had to go back to work.
“I don’t want to go to school here,” Bobby had shouted, drawing stares from the other customers. “I want to go at home with my friends.”
“You have friends here,” Sam reminded him, unable to keep a note of desperation out of his voice.
“They’re not my real friends. I miss my old friends. I miss Mommy and Daddy. I want to go home.”
Sam knew that deep down Bobby understood that simply wasn’t possible. He even knew that Bobby had started to like Chesapeake Shores. He’d just bumped up against the reality of the huge change in his life. Sam seemed to do the same thing about a million times a day. The shock of it still hadn’t worn off, and he hadn’t come close to dealing with his own feelings about the loss of his sister.
Focused on Bobby now, Sam urged him out of their booth and headed outside, hoping to finish this delicate negotiation with some degree of privacy. He took Bobby’s hand and crossed the street to the playground on the town green. He chose a secluded bench under a majestic old oak tree and sat down, then patted the seat beside him.
For a minute, it looked as if Bobby might stubbornly resist, his little jaw set and more of those heartbreaking tears rolling down his cheeks, but eventually he heaved a sigh and climbed onto the bench. He did, however, keep some distance between himself and Sam.
Flying by the seat of his pants, Sam said quietly, “You know you live here now with me. I know how confusing it’s been and what a huge change it is, but we’re in this together.”
“But you’re going to work,” Bobby said, looking lost and scared. “What will I do?”
“In another couple of weeks, you’ll start school, you’ll meet lots and lots of new friends, and you’ll be so busy you won’t even have time to think about me.”
“What about tomorrow?”
Sam made an impulsive decision, one he prayed that Mack wouldn’t object to. “You can come to the newspaper office with me tomorrow, if you want to. You can bring your books and your games.”
Bobby’s silence suggested he was considering the idea. “I guess that would be okay,” he said eventually, though he didn’t sound very happy about it.
“Would you rather spend the day with Davey and Johnny?” Sam asked. “I can check with Shanna and Kevin to see who’s taking care of them and maybe work that out.”
Bobby fell silent, then heaved a sigh. “That might be okay.”
But when Sam called Shanna and learned that Henry was caring for his younger siblings, he couldn’t bring himself to ask that Bobby be added to the mix. While Davey might not be a problem, Johnny and the baby would be enough of a handful for the teenager.
“Are you looking for something for Bobby to do tomorrow, so you can work?” Shanna asked perceptively.
“How’d you guess?”
“It was bound to come up,” she said. “Call Carrie. She’ll be more than willing to pitch in, I’m sure.”
“She did offer when we first met,” Sam conceded, though he didn’t like the idea of taking advantage of her.
“Well, there you go. She’s wonderful with kids and Bobby already knows her.”
Sam glanced up and spotted Carrie crossing the green. “Thanks for the suggestion,” he told Shanna. “I’ll check into it.”
Just then it seemed Bobby saw her, too, and called out. “Hi, Carrie!” he yelled, scrambling down and running across the green to meet her. “I just had a hamburger for dinner. That’s my favorite.”
She laughed. “I thought pizza was your favorite.”
Bobby nodded. “They’re both the best food ever!”
Sam winced at her reproachful expression as she approached. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m weak. What can I say? Hamburgers and pizza are my favorites, too.”
“Mine, too, when it comes right down to it,” she admitted, sitting next to him. “What happened to your resolve to have healthy meals?”
“Guilt,” he said at once. “I had to break some news and this was meant to pave the way.”
She immediately frowned. “What news?”
“Sam’s gotta work tomorrow,” Bobby announced sorrowfully.
“Ah, I see,” she said. “And school hasn’t started yet.”
“Exactly.” Sam hesitated. “I just spoke to Shanna, but Henry is watching her whole gang. I didn’t want to add one more. She suggested you might have an idea.”
“I’m sure she suggested I’d be happy to have him at my house, and normally I would, but I’m not going to be around tomorrow.”
“That’s okay, no problem,” Sam said at once. “I’ll figure something out. Worst case, he’ll come to work with me.”
Her expression turned thoughtful. “I do have an alternative. Can I make a quick call?”
“If you think it might lead to a solution, go right ahead,” he said at once. “You know, though, this is not your problem to solve.”
“I know, but this could work out.” She held up a finger as her call connected, then stepped away so the conversation couldn’t be overheard.
“Done,” she said, smiling when she rejoined them.
“Please tell me you didn’t change your plans on my account,” Sam said.
“Not at all. I just checked to make sure it would be okay if Bobby came along.”
“Where?” Bobby asked suspiciously.
“First you have to tell me if you’re any good at keeping secrets,” she said.
“I never told Kevin about the dumplings, just like I promised,” he said solemnly.
“Excellent.”
> Sam regarded her curiously. “What on earth are you up to and why is it a secret?”
“Because I’m not sure how my family will react,” she said, then shook her head. “No, actually I know exactly how they’ll react and I’m not quite ready to take them on.”
“This is getting more intriguing by the minute. Do I really want Bobby drawn into this scheme of yours?”
“I’m volunteering at a day-care place over on the highway,” she said. “You have to admit taking Bobby along is an ideal solution.” She turned to Bobby. “Today was my first day and we had lots and lots of fun. We did finger painting and played games outside. You’ll be one of the older kids, so you even get to help with the little ones, like a big brother. There were snacks and a really good lunch. I think you’ll like it. Do you want to come with me?”
Bobby looked skeptical, his worried gaze going from her to Sam and back again. “You’ll be there the whole time? You promise?”
“Absolutely.”
“I guess it would be more fun than going to the paper with Sam.”
“It’ll be tons more fun,” Carrie agreed. She met Sam’s gaze. “How does it sound to you?”
“If you’re sure it’s not a problem and Bobby’s willing, it’s okay with me. They don’t mind that you’re bringing him?”
“Not for the next couple of weeks. School will start then, so it won’t be an issue any longer, right?”
“Right,” Sam confirmed. “I’d be happy to pay their fee.”
“Hey, they’re getting me free. That’s an extra pair of hands. The owner had already offered to let me bring Jackson, my nephew, on the days I have him. And, as I said, Bobby will be a big help with the littler kids.”
Sam studied Bobby’s face. “You’re okay with this? Carrie will have my phone number, so you can call me anytime.”
“It could be fun to be like a big brother,” Bobby said. “Davey says it’s really cool having Johnny around.”
“Then I guess it’s decided,” Sam said, not even trying to hide his relief. “Thanks, Carrie. You’re a lifesaver.”
“Can I go climb on the jungle gym?” Bobby asked, his mood improved.
“Sure,” Sam said, standing up to follow along behind, as did Carrie.
“So, tell me,” he began. “Why wouldn’t you want your family to know you’re doing volunteer work at a day care?”
“Because the whole purpose of it is to get enough experience to see if I really want to open my own,” she said.
“Ah,” Sam said. “And you don’t think they’d approve?”
“Some will. Some won’t. I’m not sure which side will be in the majority.”
“And their approval is that important to you?”
“Sure. They’re my family,” she replied simply. “Life is a whole lot easier when they’re on your side.”
“I’ve heard enough about Mick to imagine he must be a force to be reckoned with,” Sam conceded.
“Stubborn and opinionated are a couple of words that usually come to mind.” She met his gaze. “Which reminds me, I was probably remiss in not swearing you to secrecy, too.”
Sam laughed. “A little late now, don’t you think? I think maybe I like having something to hold over your head.”
“You’d blackmail me?”
“I’m beginning to think I’d be foolish not to,” he said. “This incredible opportunity just fell into my lap.”
She shook her head at his teasing. “Okay, what’s it going to be? You already have my great-grandmother teaching you to cook, thanks to me, and now I’m providing day care for Bobby. That’s a pretty good deal, if you ask me.”
“It’s an excellent deal, but I’m thinking there could be one more thing,” he said, not sure why he was heading in this direction despite all of his reservations about timing, and even about Carrie herself. He just knew he felt better when he was around her, happier and more in control of things. “Have dinner with me.”
Her eyes widened with shock. “You’re blackmailing me into going on a date with you?”
“I’m asking you to go on a date,” he corrected. “Keeping your secret is just a tiny incentive for you to consider saying yes.”
She laughed. “And if I say no?”
He shrugged. “I guess we’ll see what sort of a risk taker you are.”
Even as he uttered the taunt, Sam wasn’t sure which answer he really wanted. He’d always been drawn to daring, adventurous women. Everything he knew about Carrie told him she fit that description. But was that the sort of woman he needed in his life now? He and Bobby needed stability more than just about anything. He had a feeling it would be impossible to find both in one woman.
Then, again, he was already discovering that Carrie was pretty remarkable.
10
Mick took his wife’s offhand comment about Carrie needing someone in her life to heart. He’d been so focused on getting her grounded and working at something that would fulfill her, he’d forgotten about the importance of a strong relationship with someone suitable.
As he and Megan strolled home from the pub, he sensed Megan studying him with concern.
“What?” he asked, to get whatever was on her mind out in the open.
“You’ve been awfully quiet,” she said. “That usually means you’re up to something.”
“I’m right here with you,” he reminded her. “What could I possibly be up to?”
“I don’t know and that worries me,” she replied.
“Okay, the truth is that I’ve been thinking about what you said earlier,” he admitted. “About Carrie needing someone in her life.”
Alarm immediately filled her eyes. “I was not suggesting that you go out and find that someone, Mick O’Brien! Carrie can do that all on her own. She’s a very resourceful young woman.”
“Isn’t she the one who found that Marc person, who overworked her and broke her heart? Are you suggesting her judgment’s better than mine?”
She chuckled. “I’ll give you that one. I certainly can’t defend Marc Reynolds, but Carrie learned from the experience. She’ll be more discerning next time.”
“Meggie, I love you for having faith in our granddaughter, but I wasn’t blind to the fact that she dated every man who crossed her path all through college.”
“And had sense enough not to choose one who was wrong for her,” Megan reminded him. “An old expression comes to mind, something about having to kiss a lot of frogs before finding a prince.”
“I don’t want our girl kissing any blasted frogs,” Mick grumbled.
“Darling, it’s a metaphor.”
“Whatever. This will go better if I give things a little push. Now, who do we know who’s available?”
As they approached the town green, he noticed that Megan was no longer listening to him. He followed the direction of her gaze and spotted Carrie with a young man and, apparently, a boy who’d climbed to the top of the jungle gym. She and the man were laughing and applauding the boy’s achievement.
“Who’s that?” Mick demanded, studying the scene intently and trying to assess any potential there. Was the man a married acquaintance or an available single dad?
“I’m not 100 percent sure,” Megan equivocated.
Mick frowned at her. “Who do you think it is?” he asked with considerable patience. Sometimes it required ingenuity and a trained prosecutor’s skills to get his wife to reveal anything she wanted to keep to herself. This appeared to be one of those times.
“I’ve heard that the young man Mack hired as a web designer at the paper just took custody of his nephew. I’m guessing that’s him. Sam Winslow, I believe.”
Relieved to know that the man was employed by a family member and likely both single and responsible enough to be given custody of a child, Mick eagerly turned to head in that direction. “Let’s go over there and say hello,” he suggested, only to have his wife take a firm grip on his arm.
“Not on your life. They’re obviously enjoying themselves,
and that’s the goal you had in mind, right? Leave them alone. Let nature take its course.”
“Sometimes nature takes too darn long,” Mick said, but he did allow himself to be persuaded to take the long way around the green en route home in order to keep the peace with his wife.
Tomorrow, he vowed, he’d do a little investigating and determine if this young man was the right sort for his precious granddaughter. After all, not just anyone would do.
* * *
Carrie felt as if she’d been frozen in place for a solid ten minutes. First there’d been Sam’s unexpected dare that she go on a real date with him. While she was still absorbing that and deciding how to answer, she saw her grandfather and fully expected him to charge right on over and start interrogating Sam about his intentions. Grandpa Mick was not known for his discretion, his subtlety or his timing.
The one man she’d risked bringing home from college had been reduced to stuttering once Mick got started. Despite an impeccable background, a path to a law partnership in his father’s very respectable New York law firm, poor Nathan hadn’t been able to withstand Mick’s cross-examination. Carrie had concluded that didn’t bode well for his career in a courtroom or for their relationship. Any man who couldn’t hold his own with Grandpa Mick was doomed. Surprisingly, she wasn’t quite ready to put Sam through that test.
“Carrie?”
Sam’s questioning tone snapped her attention right back to him. “Sorry. I just saw my grandparents.”
He grinned. “And what? It required all your concentration to will them not to come over here?”
She laughed. “You’re amazingly perceptive. See how well it worked? They’ve already moved on.”
“Which raises the question of why you didn’t want them to meet me,” he said. “Or am I misinterpreting?”
“Oh, no, you got it exactly right. Well, not about them meeting you. The other way around.” She sighed. “It’s complicated. It’s not that I don’t want you to meet them ever, just not yet.”
“Because?”
“Let’s just say that once Grandpa Mick gets an idea in his head, he tends to run with it, and that includes running roughshod over anyone in his path. Neither of us needs that sort of pressure.”
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