The Bad Boy of Butterfly Harbor(44)

“Actually—” Luke swallowed a forkful of sausage and potato, felt the spicy hint of paprika dance along his tongue “—I’m hoping your dad’s going to help me on another project I’m getting off the ground.”

“A project?” Holly said. “Dad, that’s great. Something to get you out of the house.”

“It’s not as big a deal as you might think,” Jake said, and Luke purposely avoided the former sheriff’s gaze. “In fact, you might not think it’s so great when all’s said and done.”

“Why wouldn’t I— Oh, never mind.” She waved them off and headed over to escort her customers to a table on the other side of the diner.

“Where’s Charlie this morning, Simon?” Jake asked his grandson.

Simon spun on his chair, aiming timid eyes at Luke before answering his grandfather.

“Paige said she wanted to stay in bed this morning.” Simon’s gaze dropped to the floor. “I miss her.”

Given the trouble the two of them had gotten in to, Luke didn’t doubt it. Harder to bend and break the law without a trustworthy lookout. Something told him the station was safe from another of Simon’s attacks. For today, at least.

“Would you like to come join us?” Jake asked.

Another appraising look at Luke. “M’kay.” He scooped up his notebook and pencils and scrambled over next to his grandpa.

“I heard you and Charlie rode over to the community center the other day?” Luke asked as he refocused on his breakfast.

“Yeah.”

“When I was a little older than you, I knew a lot of kids who hung out there. They had classes and activities, met there for field trips and stuff.”

Simon shrugged, his superhero T-shirt bunching on his chest.

“They don’t have that anymore?” Luke persisted.

“Nah.” Simon’s nose curled. “Nothing like that. Just school, which is bor-ing.”

“What if there was a place that did have activities like that? Do you think you and any of the other kids would want to hang out there?”

“Would there be computers?” Simon’s eyes brightened like an HD screen.

“I sure as heck hope not,” Jake muttered.

Simon frowned. “Huh?” He looked at his grandpa.

“If we found someone willing to sponsor part of it, it’s possible,” Luke said.

“Wait.” Jake set his fork down. “What are you talking about?”

“Exactly what I said. I want to reopen the community center, but make it a youth center. Someplace safe, fun and productive for kids and even adults to hang out. There are plenty of people in town with skills to teach different classes, maybe do some community outreach. Bring in lecturers. Computers,” he added with a point in Simon’s direction. “There isn’t much going on in town to keep kids occupied and out of trouble. Or help them figure out what they want to do with their lives.”

Jake’s eyes narrowed. “You’ve been looking at the crime statistics.”

“I have.” Luke nodded. The more he’d thought about it and his conversation with Holly in his office, the more sense it made. “Bored kids make for trouble. Troubled, bored kids mean the lines between acceptable and illegal get blurred. I bet Simon here would like a place to go during the day without having to be stuck in the diner.”

“Mom likes to keep an eye on me.”

“Well, this would give your mom a break.”

“It’s a lot for you to take on,” Jake said. “You’ve got enough on your plate as the sheriff. When are you going to have time to get something like that up and running?” Jake resumed eating, a sour look on his face. “Good idea, though. Wish I’d thought of it. Not that Mr. Mayor would have approved something like that.”

“Which was why I presented the idea at the town meeting.” Luke said when Jake’s eyebrows went up. “He’s on board and it’s on record. It’ll be my responsibility, but I get to choose who runs it, from start to finish.” He leaned his arms on the table and stared at Jake. “What do you say?”

“What do I say to what?” Jake mumbled around a mouthful of eggs.

“You want Grandpa to open the center?” Simon’s eyes went so wide Luke was afraid they would pop out of his head.

“You’re serious.” Jake stared hard at Luke.

“I am. You’re the only person I want for the job. You say yes, it’s your baby. Say no...” Luke shrugged. “Status quo. I’ll do what I can, but...”

“Does the mayor know you’re asking me?”