staffing and the dangers of wildlife. But if you want to do your 5K at night, I can figure that out.”
Emma considered the offer briefly but shook her head. “I want everyone to be able to participate. Nighttime makes it harder for families and older adults to join in. More people are likely to do this if it takes place in the morning.”
“And we want as many people as we can get to go,” he agreed.
The sound of the front door opening and closing had Jack stepping away from Emma and Barnaby darting off.
“Anyone here?” Sam called from the foyer.
“In the kitchen.” Jack’s gaze connected with Emma’s, and he saw the disappointment in her eyes. He hated letting her down. That hadn’t been his intention in coming here this evening.
Sam strolled in and looked between them. “Am I interrupting? I can go back out and skateboard some more if you two need some private time.”
Jack felt the corners of his mouth lift into a smile. “Private time?”
“That’s what Mom calls it.” Sam shrugged a bony shoulder, looking slightly embarrassed. His hand went to pat Barnaby’s head, which quieted the dog.
“We don’t need you to leave.” Jack turned back to Emma, who was smiling now.
“I just came in because I’m hungry,” Sam said. “Lunch was hours ago, and I can usually raid the pantry at my house for snacks. You don’t really have anything, Uncle Jack.”
Jack massaged a hand over his forehead. “Right. I’m not used to having a teenager live with me. I’ve heard the rumors that they can eat you out of house and home.”
Emma laughed, the sound making his heart skip around in his chest. Then he had an idea that would suit everyone—even though his ideas seemed to be striking out tonight. “What do you say we all go grab something to eat? Something better than cold cereal.”
She folded her arms over her chest. “I happen to like Lucky Charms.”
“Me too, but I never turn down a free meal,” Jack countered.
“Free?” She lifted a brow.
“I’m buying. It’s still your birthday week after all. What do you want to eat?” Jack asked. “Anything at all.”
Before she could answer, Sam did. “Burgers and fries. And not the fast-food junk. The real thing. I could probably eat two.”
Jack turned to Sam, hearing Emma giggling behind him. “So it’s true. You really are going to eat me out of house and home this summer. You’ll be a foot taller and broader by the time I return you to your mom.”
A sheepish smile swept over Sam’s boyish face.
“Burgers actually sound amazing,” Emma said. “I’m in.”
Jack wanted to punch a victory fist into the air. He felt like she’d just said yes to a date, which of course she hadn’t. This arrangement wasn’t real. There was nothing more than friendship going on between them. It only felt like more.
Chapter Seven
Emma hurried toward her bedroom and changed into something fresh to go out in tonight. This wasn’t a date so she opted for a pair of pale blue shorts and white blouse instead. Cute sundresses were reserved for dates, which she hadn’t had a lot of lately. She was tired of dating. It never led anywhere—mostly her fault. She couldn’t find a guy she was interested in. At least not one who was also interested in her.
She stopped in front of the mirror, powdered her face just enough to take the shine off, and brushed her hair. Then she hurried down the hall where Jack and Sam were waiting on her couch and giving Barnaby the attention he craved. “I know you’re starving so I changed as fast as I could,” she said.
Sam gave her a wide grin as he popped up off the sofa. She didn’t know Jack’s nephew well. He and his mom had moved away from Sweetwater Springs when Sam was a baby. Amanda was five years older, and Emma had hung out with Jack more than her. Amanda had always been sweet though. Emma regretted to hear that she was struggling with addiction these days.
Emma knew that Jack and Amanda’s father had struggled as well. Jack never talked about it, but she remembered going to his house a couple of times when they were young and noticing that his dad wasn’t acting quite right. Then there was the one time that he’d passed out on the couch, never stirring as they played loudly around him.
“Ready?” Jack stood from the couch as well and headed toward the front door.