“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.”