Sam had been waiting and watching, hoping to see Wyatt. It started the second he stepped out the door of his room above the hardware store, and his watchfulness continued at work.
Eyes straying to the windows, scanning the street all the time, Sam was kicking himself for being so stuck on Wyatt already. It was an improvement. He used to be watchful like that because of Brian. That fear still remained, but his yearning to see Wyatt was overtaking the fear.
He was in the kitchen of the café, helping Hannah get together the order she was delivering to Mr. Jasper. He had to have surgery on his leg and was stuck in bed for now.
Hannah stepped out to make the delivery when Sam noticed that she forgot the small salad that came with the order. He went out and found Hannah talking with her brother, Shawn, who was ten, plus the whole Hayes crowd.
"We're making a delivery," her brother was telling DJ and Riley while acting all important until his big sister cut him down to size.
"I'm making the delivery. You're just tagging along," Hannah said. She was in high school and only worked at the café part time. "Old Jasper isn't feeling good. I'm delivering roast chicken dumpling soup to him and some other stuff."
"And this salad too," Sam told her as he went over. He put the container with salad in the takeout bag she was carrying then he greeted everyone. "Hi, guys."
"Hi, Sam," DJ said and gave him a smile.
"Hi, Sam!" Riley said and gave him an even bigger smile. He then turned to Hannah. "Mr. Jasper likes Barney."
"If you all are friends with Mr. Jasper, you wanna come with and bring the dog to cheer him up?" she asked Riley and DJ. "I'm already letting Shawn tag along. The rest of you might as well do it too."
"Can we?" Riley asked his uncle as both boys looked up at him eagerly.
"You don't need to come," Hannah said to Wyatt bluntly. "Just the kids and the dog."
Instead of answering, Wyatt looked over at Sam like he wanted his input. He didn't say yes until Sam gave him a nod and said, "It would be nice if they went to visit him."
"OK. Then they can go. Be good," Wyatt told them and kissed them each on top of the head. As he and Sam watched the group leave, Wyatt sighed. "I have been deemed of no therapeutic value."
"Are you in town to have lunch?" Sam asked him. He hoped that Wyatt and the boys would come to the café.
"I'm on my way to the post office, but since I have you here, I'll put in an order for lunch and pick it up when I get back," Wyatt said, and Sam was disappointed they wouldn't be eating in. Of course with Barney coming along everywhere they went, that wasn't easy to arrange.
Sam got out the order pad from his back pocket. "What would you like?"
"Sandwiches, whatever you think is good," Wyatt said. Sam was about to try and get him to be more specific, but then Wyatt distracted him with a question. "Any chance you can join us? The boys told me about some big stump where we can sit and eat." Wyatt gave him a hopeful look, and Sam's breath caught in his throat. It was just an offer to have lunch. He didn't need to make a big deal out of it.
"I haven't taken my lunch break yet," Sam said. Here he was jumping at the chance to spend more time with Wyatt. He had already been too eager with him, and now he was doing it again.
"Perfect. I'll probably be back before the boys, so I'll see you soon." With a wave, Wyatt went toward the post office.
Sam watched him leave and then realized he never got a proper order from him. Everything at the café was good, so it wasn't like he could go wrong whatever he ordered.
Just like he said, Wyatt was back before they saw any sign of Hannah and the boys. He took a seat at the counter, and Sam was about to tell him what he ordered for him, but Wyatt gave him a smile that made him forget what he was going to say.
"Should I get you something to drink?" Sam asked so he could cover how Wyatt made him feel.
"Mineral water or club soda with lime," Wyatt said. "And let me pay for the lunch order now. You're definitely coming with us, right?" He gave Sam a searching look.
"Yes. I already told you I was a fan of outdoor eating," Sam said.
"Great. I was sure I'd be lonely here. And before I even arrive properly, I meet you," Wyatt said and gave him another one of those smiles that undid him.
"Glad to be of service," Sam said trying to sound casual, but how could he when Wyatt was right there, and his blue eyes teased and tried to seduce him.
Over his shoulder, Sam spotted Hannah and the kids in front. He pointed them out to Wyatt.
"I guess they're back, but they don't look happy," Wyatt said.
It did seem that DJ and Riley looked agitated, so Wyatt went right out there and Sam followed. At the last second, he remembered to grab the takeout bag.
