Page 96 of Evening Shadows

“I’ve never been to Baltimore before,” Cody said.

“I can show you all over if you want.”

“Reagan says I need to see the aquarium.”

She wondered how many statements from him would begin with “Reagan says.” “You do. I’ll take you as soon as we can go.”

“Can Reagan and Jason go too?”

“I’ll see what we can do.”

After another uncomfortable silence, anxiety ruled her, so she asked, “What did Jesse tell you?”

“Oh, Mr. Jesse reminded me I’m the man of the house and am supposed to look out for you. I’m not sure how I’ll do that.”

She held back her chuckle but couldn’t stop the smile that crept across her lips. “Did he now?”

“Yep. And he said that even if you get married, that I’m supposed to look out for you, but I can let your husband be the man of the house.” He quieted for a moment. “I like that idea because that’s a lot of pressure being the man of the house. I mean I don’t even have a job to pay the bills.” He sighed and based on the noise, he kicked at the back of the passenger seat. She let it slide since this seemed so important to him. “If you don’t get married, I guess we’ll have to cut back until I can get a job. Mom always spent a lot of money on clothes, so you might wanna not do that.”

It got harder to not laugh. Jesse had tried to pump up the boy’s importance, but Cody had taken it all wrong. “I’ll tell you what. Since I already have a job, how about I just pay the bills and you can just watch out for me?” She hadn’t wanted to add the last because she feared to what lengths he’d take it, but she figured since Mr. Jesse—who had made hero status in Cody’s eyes—said it, Cody would do it.

“That might work. We don’t have to make a decision right now.”

So grown-up already. While Cody was the same age as Reagan, Kate had warned her that kids were more grown-up than they appeared.

Seeing the business she needed to visit, she navigated traffic to enter the parking lot. Turning in her seat, she looked back at the excited Cody. “We won’t be long here, and then we’ll get you settled into your new room.”

Objective completed, she drove the few miles to her modest two-bedroom starter home. After parking, Cody stood in the driveway and looked around in circles.

“Do you like the area?”

He nodded. “Just checking for bad guys.”

Her heart nearly stopped. She didn’t want him always worrying about Bev and any goons she’d had around. “Do you expect any?”

Shrugging, he joined her at the open trunk. “No, but if I’m going to look out for you, I need to know my surroundings.”

Well, well. Jesse had gone a little deeper than she’d have wanted. “Did Mr. Jesse tell you that?”

“No. Reagan did.”

Shaking her head, she held back a laugh. This had been serious business to him. “Well, I promise that I’ve checked out this neighborhood and I feel good about it.”

“All right. You told Mr. Ken you’d be stopping by the grocery store and you didn’t.”

As she inserted the key in the door, she told him, “I already have what he’ll eat.”

“What about me?”

“Do you like pizza?”

His eyes lit up. “What kid doesn’t?”

She pushed the door open, turned off the alarm and closed the door behind them. “We can order you some if you don’t like what I’m cooking.”

“Maybe if I’m the man of the house, I should eat what you and Mr. Ken eat.”

Sam smiled brightly. “Can I tell you a secret?”

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