On Sunday, Carrie introduced Sam and Bobby to her relatives, taking great care to stress that he was a neighbor and new to town, then adding his connection to Susie and Mack. At least that’s what she did until they reached her grandfather.
“Grandpa Mick, you already know Sam Winslow,” she said. “I understand you met him at the newspaper office.”
If there was a tiny flicker of guilt in her grandfather’s eyes, it was hastily replaced by a satisfied gleam. She hoped Sam was oblivious to it.
“And who would this be?” Mick asked, reaching out a hand to Bobby.
“This is my nephew, Bobby,” Sam said. “I believe I mentioned to you that he’s just come to live with me. Bobby, shake Mr. O’Brien’s hand.”
Bobby hesitantly reached out for Mick’s hand, then looked surprised when he came away with a wrapped piece of penny candy. Carrie chuckled.
“Bobby, you’re going to find that my grandfather has a never-ending supply of candy from Ethel’s Emporium.”
Bobby grinned shyly. “Cool.” He looked up at Sam. “Can I have it now?”
“I don’t think one piece will spoil your appetite,” Sam said, then gave him a look of mock severity. “But just one, understood?”
“You may be telling that to the wrong person,” Carrie told him, nodding toward her grandfather.
“Oh, stop your fussing,” Mick grumbled. “You enjoyed your share of treats from me when you were his age. Now why don’t you introduce Bobby to some of the other kids, while Sam and I have a chat.”
Carrie regarded her grandfather with alarm, but knew better than to argue. “Come on, Bobby. I think there’s a whole slew of kids playing in the yard. Shall we look for them?”
Bobby looked hesitant, but Sam gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “I’ll be right here,” he promised.
Carrie held out her hand and Bobby immediately took it, then followed her outside where a half a dozen O’Brien grandchildren were racing across the lawn in an improvised game of hide-and-seek. The instant they spotted Carrie, they stopped and ran over.
“Carrie, are you going to play with us?” Sean asked, his blue eyes regarding her hopefully. Sean was the surprise blessing who’d come into her uncle Thomas’s life after he and the younger Connie had married.
“Not right now, but I’ve brought along someone who would love to join you,” Carrie told him. “This is Bobby.” She knelt down and put her arm around Bobby’s waist, then pointed out each of the children. “This is Sean, and that’s Emily Rose. You already know Davey and Johnny. And this little guy here is my brother, Patrick. He doesn’t run as fast as the others yet, so maybe you can look out for him.”
Bobby’s chest swelled just a little at being asked to be the younger boy’s protector. “I can do that.”
“Come on, then,” Sean encouraged. “Henry’s it and we’re supposed to be hiding from him. I can show you the best spots.”
Bobby glanced up at her. “Is it okay?”
“Of course. I’ll be waiting for you right here on the porch.” She lowered herself to the top step and watched as Bobby joined in, hesitantly at first, and then with the exuberance of a typical six-year-old.
“He’s having fun.”
She heard the surprise in Sam’s voice and glanced up. “Sometimes the chance to just be a kid can help with all the grown-up emotions a little boy doesn’t know how to handle.”
Sam dropped down beside her. “I’ve tried so hard not to let him see how sad and scared I am.”
“I’m sure you’re doing fine.”
“I wish I could believe that.” He glanced sideways at her, his eyes shadowed. “It’s pretty overwhelming sometimes. I can’t believe Laurel and Robert are gone or that they left Bobby in my care. What were they thinking?”
“That you’d do a great job with him,” Carrie said. “You are, you know. Despite all the adjustments you’re having to make, you’re managing.”
He looked startled. “That’s high praise coming from you.”
“You’ve earned it.” She nodded in the direction of the house. “How’d it go in there?”
Sam turned to face her and grinned. “I had the oddest sensation that once again I was being interrogated as potential husband material. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”
Carrie could feel a blush staining her cheeks. “Grandpa Mick is an inveterate matchmaker. I warned you about that. Pay no attention to him.”
He nudged her with an elbow. “Tell the truth, Carrie. Did you invite me here today to give him the idea that we’re dating?”