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.”