Something told Sam he’d better win against Kevin. The last thing he wanted was to be humiliated for his ineptitude yet again by Carrie Winters.
“Are you convinced now?” Carrie asked Shanna as Kevin and Sam left the kitchen. “He barely even looked at me.”
Shanna waved off the comment. “That meant nothing. If anything, it was more telling than it would have been if he’d fawned all over you.”
“Seriously?” Carrie said, trying to follow her logic.
“Sure. Men act all indifferent when they’re feeling exactly the opposite and don’t want to give anything away.”
“It was just plain awkward,” Carrie corrected. “I should probably go so you all can have a pleasant evening.”
“And let him think he chased you off?” Shanna asked. “I thought you were tougher than that.”
“You’re thinking of my twin. It’s Cait who’s tough. I’m all sweet and sensitive.”
Shanna guffawed at that. “Since when? You didn’t survive in the shark tank of fashion by being anybody’s pushover.”
“You’re wrong,” Carrie said, instantly somber. “I was Marc’s pushover.”
“Whole different story, sweetie,” Shanna said. “It’s time you put that behind you. Let Sam be your rebound guy. Practice being a whole new you on him.”
“Now there’s a charming approach,” Carrie said. “I’m sure it’ll make him feel all warm and fuzzy about being chosen to play such an important role in my life.”
“You never know. He might like the idea of being a knight in shining armor for a little while.”
Carrie gave her an impatient look. “Haven’t you been married long enough to stop being such a romantic?”
“I hope I will always be a romantic,” Shanna protested. “It’s a good way to be. Look at your grandmother. Do you think she and Mick got back together without both of them being romantics at heart?”
“I certainly see the sparks,” Carrie admitted, “but I try not to think about exactly how they got back together or what they do behind closed doors. In fact, I’d be content to go to my grave without having that particular image engraved on my brain.”
“They’re great examples,” Shanna countered. “So are Nell and Dillon. Our family is crawling with wonderful role models who exemplify the importance of romance. Your mom and Trace are no slouches.”
“Another image I prefer not to dwell on,” Carrie said. “Though they are awfully cute together. And, just to be clear, I’m not denying the importance of romance. I’m just saying I’ve never encountered it, not in the way you’re describing.”
“And yet you tell us all the time that what you want most in life is to be a wife and mom. I’m telling you that requires romance and sappy, messy feelings and risks.”
Carrie sighed. “I know you’re right. But Sam? I think that’s a lost cause. He can’t possibly have time for anything these days beyond discovering if he has what it takes to be a dad.”
“He could probably use somebody to encourage him and show him the way,” Shanna suggested. “Somebody who’s a natural with kids.”
“You’re suggesting I coach him?”
“Something like that.”
“He hasn’t taken kindly to most of the advice I’ve offered so far,” Carrie told her.
“Advice?” Shanna repeated, her brow lifted. “Or criticism?”
A guilty flush crept up Carrie’s neck. “Criticism,” she acknowledged. “Okay, I see your point—about that, anyway. As for Sam and me as a couple, I think you’re way off base about that.”
Shanna merely gave her a knowing smile. “I guess we’ll see.”
Despite the difference in their ages, Bobby seemed to flourish under all the attention of the older boys. He even held his own when it came to teasing them. Sam watched the interaction with amazement, then uttered a sigh of relief. Kevin apparently overheard him, because he gave him a puzzled look.
“What was that sigh about?” he asked Sam.
“I’m sure you’ve heard the story of how Bobby came to be my responsibility barely three weeks ago,” Sam said, smiling when a belly laugh erupted from Bobby as Davey pinned him down and tickled him to get even for something.
Kevin glanced over. “Hey, watch it! Remember he’s younger than you.”
“He has it coming,” Davey retorted. “He was supposed to be on my side for this game and he helped Henry just then.”
“I didn’t mean to,” Bobby said, giggling and scrambling away. “Honest. I forgot. I was on his side before.”