Jack shook his head, deciding on the ATV today. It wasn’t as smooth a ride as the truck, but it would definitely add a little excitement to Sam’s day. “Maybe next time. Take notes.”
Once Sam had climbed on beside him, Jack set off down a trail and through the woods, driving for an hour before returning to the office.
“Hungry?” Jack asked, parking under the shelter.
“Starving. You forgot to feed me breakfast.”
“Ah, geez.” Jack shook his head. “I thought you were old enough to feed yourself.”
Sam shrugged. “I didn’t want to go through your stuff.”
“You’ll be at the cabin with me for a while, and if you expect to eat, you need to feel free to help yourself to my fridge.”
“The beer too?” Sam asked as Jack pulled his truck keys out of his pocket and headed to his Toyota.
“I don’t keep beer. Also, you’re too young to even think about drinking.” He glanced over, wondering if Sam had overheard him talking with Amanda about his past with alcohol. He didn’t think Sam was baiting him. He wasn’t that kind of kid. He was easygoing and friendly, and he deserved the best summer that Jack could offer. Which meant Jack needed to do better than this.
The best he could do right now was Joe’s Pizzeria on Red Oak Street.
Jack climbed into the driver’s seat as Sam hopped in on the passenger side. Jack had to carry most of the conversation as he drove because Sam was looking at his phone.
“So your mom has a boyfriend?”
“Reginald.”
Jack looked over. “That’s a name you don’t hear too often. What’s he do?”
“He drives an eighteen-wheeler,” Sam said. “He’s gone for several days, and then he’s home.”
“Home?” Jack looked over. “As in, home with you two? He lives in the house?”
Sam laughed. “Come on, Uncle Jack. They’re adults. I’m sure Emma stays over with you all the time too. She doesn’t have to stay away on my account, you know.”
Jack wasn’t sure what to say. He didn’t want to lie, but he’d always been the overprotective brother. Amanda needed her health, and Sam needed his mom. “Noted,” Jack said simply.
He pulled into the parking lot of the pizzeria, recognizing his buddy Granger’s vehicle parked nearby. Hopefully he hadn’t had his lunch yet. Then Jack could grab a table with him and at least have someone to help carry the conversation.
They headed into the dimly lit pizza parlor, laden with the aroma of Italian spices and pasta. Jack let his gaze roam around the room, and sure enough, Granger was sitting alone with an open menu.
“Come on, buddy,” Jack told Sam. “I see a friend of mine.”
Granger looked up as they approached the table. “Hey, guys. Is this Sam?” Granger asked.
Sam looked between them. “How do you know my name?”
Granger chuckled. “Your uncle is very proud of you. Want to join me?”
“I was hoping you’d offer.” Jack plopped down in the booth next to his friend and gestured for Sam to take the bench. “Sam is staying with me for a while.”
“Dude, that’s bad luck,” Granger told Sam in a teasing tone. Sam nodded in agreement, but Jack didn’t think he was joking.
“What kind of job do you have?” Sam asked, grabbing a piece of bread from the complimentary basket that the waitress had laid at the center of the table.
Granger grinned. “I own a tree farm.”
Jack slapped a hand on his back. “And if you get too bored with me, I’m sure Granger can put you to work.”
Sam pulled back. “Seriously. Mom said I was going to have fun while I was here.”
The guys laughed. When the waitress came to take their orders, they ordered an extra-large pizza pie to split.
“I’ll have a Bud Light,” Granger said.
The waitress nodded, took Sam’s order, and then looked at Jack. “And for you?”
“Just a lemonade. I’m on the job,” Jack explained.
Granger looked at him. “I am too.”
Jack ignored his friend. “Just a lemonade,” he told the waitress. He didn’t need to explain himself. Granger had known him long enough to know he didn’t drink anymore, but Granger had never asked why. Jack guessed most of his friends assumed it was because of his dad.
“So,” Granger said, “Sophie Daniels was talking about you the other day in the Ladies’ Day Out group.”
The Ladies’ Day Out group, or the LDO, was a club in town that served to get the local women in the community together for the sole purpose of having fun. Jack had often wished