Page 24 of Sycamore Circle

Joy had shot him down, and Bo wasn’t sure how he felt about it. It wasn’t like he thought he was all that, but it wasn’t an exaggeration to say that he was usually the one being pursued. He couldn’t remember the last time a woman had politely said that she didn’t want to see him.

Come to think of it, he was kind of into the refusal. It wasn’t because he liked playing games—not that he thought she was doing that—it was because he liked her being so honest. He also liked that she was protective of her girl. Joy hadn’t been shy about letting him know that he was going to prove himself a whole lot more before she’d risk getting her daughter involved.

When their text conversation had ended, he realized that he was going to need to be real patient if he wanted a chance with Joy—and that he was going to have to bring his A game too. She was not the kind of woman to accept a date on the fly or put up with him being anything but respectful and kind.

It had been noted.

But that still left him wondering what to do with the rest of his Saturday. Well, besides head over to the house and check on the guys.

His sister Carrie’s phone call was a welcome distraction. Almost.

After they exchanged greetings and pleasantries, Carrie blurted, “Sam, I can’t believe you’re sitting at home all alone. If you’re doing nothing, you should have been doing nothing with us. You know how much we miss you.”

Carrie would never know how much comments like that meant to him. He’d experienced some pretty dark days in the middle of his incarceration when he’d been sure he’d lost his whole family. Their love had gotten him through it. Well, their love, Lincoln, and the Bible study he’d started going to. “I miss y’all too, but I can’t.”

“Uh-huh.”

He never could pull one over on her. Not easily, anyway. “Carrie, you know I wish I could.”

“You’re just five hours away.”

“A ten-hour drive, round trip, is not insignificant, girl.”

“Oh, hush. Hey, want me to call Janie? Maybe we could come up and see you.” Sounding even more excited, she added, “We could go to that diner you like so much, and then spend the night. It would be like old times.”

Bo rolled his eyes. They’d never had a whole lot of fun times hanging out together on Saturday nights. He’d gone out as much as he could get away with. “Sorry honey, but no.” The last time his two sisters had come to town they’d drawn attention from some unsavory types, and he’d come real close to beating up four guys. His sisters were too cute and too friendly and attracted men like nobody’s business.

“You know Brian won’t mind.”

“Well, he should. Ross County is a long drive from y’all. Besides, all you two ever want to do is hang out with me and my friends—the majority of who are ex-cons.”

“First of all, Brian treats me like a grown-up.” She laughed softly. “Secondly, everyone knows that you are twice as protective as he is. Or a Doberman.”

“Sorry, sugar, but I’m not heading down to Kentucky today and you and Janie can’t be coming up this weekend.”

“Why not? Do you have a date or something?”

“No, I do not.”

“Are you working?” She lowered her voice. “Are you taking off your clothes for that catalog again?”

Unable to help himself, he laughed. “No. I told you they only ask me to model for them twice a year.” He kept his being the face of Renegade Clothing on the down-low. Hardly anyone knew that two times a year he went to a warehouse in Chillicothe, hung out with the team from Renegade, and got his picture taken wearing—or almost wearing—their sports and outdoor wear. He’d been horrified the first time he’d modeled and was asked to just wear a pair of pants and “hold” one of their T-shirts, but he got over it soon enough. The money was insane, and he gave a good portion of it to their mother.

He wouldn’t have even told her or his sisters about the gig if they hadn’t been so sure he’d started doing something illegal.

“I swear, I think some of Renegade’s clients buy those clothes just to keep that catalog coming their way. Janie and I are sure that there are folks pinning those pictures of you on their walls.”

Just the thought of that made him feel squidgy. “I hope not.”

“Come on.” She lowered her voice. “I don’t know how you got that six-pack, but it’s impressive.”

His cheeks were heating, and not much could embarrass him. “Geeze, Carrie. Please don’t mention my stomach ever again.”

“Fine. I’ll shut up about it.”

“It’s about time.”

“I’m not going to ask you anything else about women, either. I’ve learned my lesson there.”

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