Isit a little way off from the family, at a bench under a maple tree. I’m pretending to look at some files on my knee, but I’m watching Amos throw the ball with Sam. From a distance, they could be any father and son.
Amos told me that Sam looks a lot like his brother at that age, and Amos has the same sandy hair.
As far as first meetings go, it's been good.
In the brief meetings I've had with Sam since the accident, he's been quiet. Understandably so. He's been through a lot.
The state provides some counseling for kids in his position. Losing a parent is a lot for a child to deal with. Then being thrust out of your home into a whole new world. He must be terrified. I hope to hell Amos can come through for him.
I glance at my watch. The hour is almost up; it's time to go.
I pack up my folder and shove it into my backpack, then walk over to the family. Amos glances up at me as I approach, and I try to ignore the fluttering in my stomach.
Sam throws the ball and Amos, distracted by looking at me, misses it. It hits him square on the shoulder. He gives an exaggerated wince. Sam laughs, then covers his mouth. There's a flash of doubt on his face, like he isn't sure he's allowed to make that sound.
Amos laughs with him and goes over to ruffle his hair. The look of longing on Sam's face as he gazes up at Amos has my heart wrenching. I wonder if this boy has ever had a father figure in his life. We know little to nothing about his mother. I uncovered some diaries in the apartment that might have clues, but I'm unsure if I should hand them over to Amos. They seem too personal.
I find myself wishing again that this will all work out for Sam. But for that to happen, Amos has a long way to go.
"It's time to go, Sam."
His face shuts down, and he nods once.
Shona comes over and hugs him tightly, blinking away the tears in her eyes. Her husband puts out a hand and Sam shakes it stiffly, looking up with fright at the retired Rear Admiral.
But it's Amos that Sam turns to as we're about to get in the car.
"Will I see you again?" His voice is so soft I barely hear him, and the hope in it makes my heart squeeze.
Amos crouches down, so he's at eye level with Sam. "Yes, buddy." He ruffles Sam's hair. "I'll see you again real soon."
I walk to the car with Sam and help him into the back seat. I close the door and spin around to find Amos waiting for me.
"I have questions."
I raise my eyebrows. "I need to get Sam home. I don't want to talk about the situation in front of him."
Amos nods. "Sure. Can I follow you home?"
His eyes drop to my chest. Then to my lips. Heat flashes through my body at his look. I know he just wants to talk to me about Sam. But damn, what is it about being around this man that makes me hot and flustered all over?
"No," I say quickly. "You can't come to my house." I don't want him coming around when Kyra is there with my neighbor looking after her. "I can meet you somewhere."
"The Landing." He mentions a bar in the center of town. "I'll buy you dinner."
I shake my head. "You're persistent. I'll meet you to talk, but I'm not having dinner with you."
"Not yet," he says softly.
Thirty minutes later, we're seated opposite each other in a booth at the Landing. Amos nurses a beer, and I sip a cool glass of soda.
"What did you want to talk about?"
"I don't know anything about kids." He runs a hand through his hair. "You and my parents were right. I'm not prepared for this. I couldn't even get Sam to talk. He didn't eat any of the snacks. What do kids talk about? What do they eat? What do they like to do?"
There's a panicked note to his voice. He sounds like any concerned new parent.
"I thought it would be easy, but five minutes with Sam and I don't know what I'm doing. I want to do this, but I'm going to need help. Tell me what I need to do, and I'll do it."
