Page 72 of Perfectly Matched: Harbor Falls Romance Collection

Lucki raised a hand and tried to speak. Sam’s back was to her and she was almost glad she couldn’t see his face, couldn’t connect with his eyes. It would be damned hard for her not to throw him an I-told-you-so look. Instead, she looked at Kathleen.

I’m going home. Kathleen mouthed the words and quickly slipped out the back door. The chicken. She knew to git when the gittin’ was good. Lucki, however, felt she needed to stick around, at least for a few minutes more.

“What are you talking about, Lamar?”

Sam’s hands were perched on his hips. He shifted from one side to the other in agitation.

“Them damned boys. That brother of yours and that Jones kid that lives just outta town. What’s his name? Tater?”

“Spud,”

Sam said quietly.

“his name is Spud.”

“Oh, yeah.”

Lucki watched Sam’s back as he heaved in a breath and exhaled.

“Just tell me, Lamar. What did they do?”

Lamar huffed out a breath, as well. Lucki didn’t know when she’d seen him so animated. Whatever had happened surely had riled him to the core. His expression was very different from the stone-faced statue he was in church.

“Three of my bird feeders are shot to smithereens!”

he began.

“Three of them! Them blasted boys shot them until the wood splintered.”

Sam’s shoulders fell.

“Lamar, I apologize. You’re sure it was J.J.?”

“I saw ‘em, Sam. Both of ‘em. Ran ‘em out of my garden and through the alley.”

“I’ll pay for the bird feeders. Better yet, I’ll make J.J. do it. And he’ll put the new ones up for you. If you want, I’ll talk to Spud’s mother.”

“I’d appreciate that. But that’s not all.”

If it were possible, Lucki was sure Sam shrank three inches in stature at Lamar’s last comment.

“What else?”

“They tore my Martin house to shreds as well. It’s ruined. But what really has me riled is that I found two dead Purple Martins underneath. They killed them, I guess.”

Sam’s hands dropped to his sides, clenching and unclenching. Lucki wondered if she should stick around.

“You’re sure?”

“I’ve got a backyard full of BBs and two dead birds. What would you think?”

Sam didn’t answer. Lucki watched him pace toward the window and look out. It took him several minutes of deep breathing and staring at the street before he responded.

“Lamar, I’ll handle this.”

He turned toward the older man, looking at him now.

“Thank you for coming to me. I assure you restitution will be made for the damages. As for the birds, there’s nothing I can do but offer my apology. You’ll get the same from by brother as soon as a get hold of him. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some things to tend to. I’ll be in touch.”

Lamar shook the hand Sam offered, dipped his head in agreement, and then left. Sam stared after him for a moment before turning around.

Lucki’s gaze instantly met his. He seemed startled that she was still there.

“Don’t say it,”

he warned.

“I wasn’t going to say anything.”

Sam glanced off and shook his head, his hands perched on his hips again. She didn’t know when she’d seen him look so defeated.

“If you don’t mind, Lucki, I need a few minutes.”

“I understand. I’m leaving.”

Sam headed toward the back.

“If you need anything, Sam, I’m just—”

He cut her off with a wave of his hand.

“No, Lucki. This is something I have to handle myself. And I guess it’s high time I do just that.”

****

Thirty minutes later Sam pulled into his drive, barely glancing at Lucki sitting on her porch swing next door. Dusk was quickly falling but he was sure she sat there alone. It was rare that Jim and Elaine weren’t sitting with her. A quick glance to the garage behind the house told him that the motor home was gone. The Stevenson’s must have taken off on another excursion.

Damn. He’d like to do that about now. Just keep on driving down the road. But he couldn’t. J.J. was his obligation and he had to come to terms with that. Finally, he’d sorted out what he needed to do. He hated to admit it, but Lucki was right.

The boy had been left to his own devices for too long.

The screen door slapped hard behind him as he stepped from the front porch into the dark living room, stopping shortly to orient himself.

A shaft of light came from the kitchen in the back of the house, along with the clutter of noise from the small television his mother had always kept on the counter to keep up with her soap operas. He rarely watched the thing. He just didn’t have the heart to move it.

Approaching the kitchen from the hallway, he came upon J.J. sitting at the table, shoving a ham sandwich into his mouth, watching the TV screen, and bobbing his head in rhythm to the music coming out of the headphones on his head. Alternately, he washed down the sandwich with a can of soda, then bobbed his head some more. Spanning the room, Sam caught sight of the BB gun propped against the back door frame.

He quickly crossed the room and picked up the gun. Turning, he caught J.J.’s eye.

“Take off the headphones.”

J.J. looked at him, scrunched his eyebrows in question, and bobbed some more.

Sam pointed to his head.

“The headphones,”

he shouted.

J.J. threw back his head, and then snatched them off.

“Hey, Sam., Want a sandwich?”

Sam snorted and shook his head. The kid had the audacity to smile at him. Act like everything was normal. Well, it wasn’t normal. And he was mad as hell.

“We need to talk.”

Reaching over, Sam switched off the television. He registered the look of annoyance on J.J.’s face.

“Hey, I was watching that!”

“Not now, we have something to discuss.”

“Can’t it wait? I was really into that show.”

“I don’t see how. you never heard a word of it.”

“So, what’s it to you? I want to watch it.”

J.J. stood and reached for the television knob.

Sam caught his wrist and looked his little brother square in the eyes.

“Not now, J.J. We have something to discuss. Sit down.”

J.J. rolled his eyes and sat. Sam propped himself against a stool at the snack bar. Glancing down, he raked his gaze over the gun still in his hands.

“I’m taking the BB gun.”

J.J. shrugged.

“Where are you taking it to?”

“Don’t be sarcastic. I’m keeping it for a while.”

“Why?”

Sam huffed out a breath and glanced away.

“Do we really have to get into the details here? I think you know darned well why I’m taking the gun.”

J.J. lifted his chin and crossed his arms over his chest.

“No, big brother, I have no idea why you’re taking the gun. Tell me.”

Sam couldn’t believe his ears. The little runt was goading him. What the hell had happened to him over the past few months? Dammit, Lucki was right! His brother was turning into a miniature, juvenile delinquent with an attitude.

“Lamar Thompson paid me a visit today.”

“His rheumatism acting up again?”

Sam ignored the remark.

“Someone shot up most of Lamar’s bird feeders today, destroyed them and his Martin house. And killed two Purple Martins.”

J.J. jumped up, his hands curled into fists.

“I didn’t kill no birds at Lamar Thompson’s.”

Sam stepped closer.

“But you shot up the feeders, didn’t you?”

“I didn’t do none of it!”

The fact that J.J. was lying really ate a hole through Sam. His voice rose.

“J.J., I will not tolerate your lying to me! I know you and Spud did it. Lamar saw you. Said he chased you down the alley. Now I don’t want you denying it, either. You understand me?”

Before Sam realized it, he’d grasped J.J. on both of his upper arms. The kid jerked away and stepped back.

“I thought a person was supposed to be innocent until proven guilty in this country. How come you didn’t come in here and ask me if I did it? You just assumed I did it, and that’s that. Some kind of a brother you are.”

The brown depth of J.J.’s eyes flashed so much anger that it was difficult for Sam to form the words he wanted to say, but he tried.

“J.J., Lamar saw you and here’s the gun. You’ve been out today with it, haven’t you? And after that stunt you pulled with Lucki....”

“Aw, heck, Sam! You thought it was as funny as we did. I don’t know what you’re complaining about, you got to feel her up and everything right here on the table. That’s what you wanted, wasn’t it?”

Something prickled at the back of Sam’s neck. He stepped forward and grasped J.J.’s arm. He was straining for control—not of the situation, but his anger.

“Go upstairs and take a shower. Get ready for bed. I don’t want to continue this conversation.”

J.J. jerked away and glared at him.

“Hit a little close to home there, Sammy boy?”

“J.J., you better get out of my sight. I’m really angry right now and I don’t want to settle this thing in anger. Now go.”

J.J. laughed.

“You don’t know a damn thing about being a parent, do you?”

The comment came from out of the blue. Sam felt a sliver of resentment crawl up his spine. His skin turned clammy. J.J. was exactly right. He’d never wanted to be J.J.’s parent and maybe that was wrong. Suddenly, all his insecurities about raising his little brother over the past year came flying at him. He’d been doing an inadequate job. He guessed it was about time he started setting things right. Swallowing the dry lump in his throat, he peered deep into his little brother’s face.

“Yeah, that’s right, J.J. I don’t know anything about being a parent because that’s not what I am. I’m your brother. But I’m also your legal guardian and I’m about to tell you how things are going to be different around here. First, the BB gun stays with me. Second, you’re getting a part-time job after school so you can make enough money to buy new bird feeders and a Martin house for Lamar, then you’re going to put them up for him. Third, I’m restricting all your privileges as of this moment—no Spud, no TV, no headphones, no computer, and no outside activities. Indefinitely. From this moment on, you don’t move without my permission. If you want a parent, then by God I’ll be one. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”

The immediate silence that enveloped them both was almost deafening. J.J. simply stared at him, his eyes peering out beneath hooded lids. The expression on his face reminded Sam of one he’d seen on James Dean in an old movie years ago.

“Yeah, Sam. Right. I understand.”

“Good. Then get upstairs and get ready for bed.”

J.J. crossed his arms again and shifted his weight to the other hip.

“Sure Sam. You’re the boss. Anything you say.”

Sam eyed him.

“Then get going.”

“Sure.”

Sam heaved a deep breath, trying to expel some of the anger welled up inside him. J.J. turned and Sam raked all ten ringers through his hair as he watched the boy round the table—except J.J. didn’t head for the hall stairway as instructed, he headed for the back door. And in a flash, before Sam could react, he was gone.

****

Sam’s house had been quiet for the last hour, but Lucki was still hesitant to leave her front porch. The fact that Sam and J.J. had argued made her a bit uneasy. She hadn’t wanted the two of them to have words, she’d simply wanted Sam to acknowledge the fact that J.J. was getting out of hand.

But when the younger brother had stormed out the house, Lucki literally felt Sam’s anguish. She was troubled for him. With the splat of the screen door, she knew nothing had been resolved between the two of them. She was tempted to follow J.J., to give him a piece of her mind, but thought better of it. The child probably needed some down time. Time to be alone to sort out what was going through his head. She’d at least grant him that.

He’d come back about forty-five minutes later, quietly easing through the front door. She’d heard no angry words from either brother, only saw lights turn periodically on or off in the house as they’d readied for bed.

Now the house next door was dark, and Lucki realized she should be heading to bed herself—but something nagged at her insides, refusing to let go. She hurt for Sam and J.J. And she didn’t know how to put things right between them.

The shuffling feet along her sidewalk nearly startled her at first, then she recognized Sam’s silhouette in the dim streetlight glow. She watched his dejected form slink up the porch steps and slide into the seat beside her on the porch swing. It was dark, and she couldn’t actually make out his expression, but as he stared straight ahead, she knew he was about at the end of his rope.

“Rough evening?”

she whispered.

Sam heaved in a huge sigh and reached over to grasp her hand in his. He closed his fingers over hers and thumbed her knuckles lightly as he propped their clasped hands on his thigh. Lucki had to stifle the shiver that wanted to burst up inside her at his touch, reminding herself that this was Sam. Her friend. Her neighbor. All he was after was comfort. And she shouldn’t be feeling what she was feeling.

Not for Sam.

She looked at him.

“Are you okay?”

“I royally screwed that up,”

he replied.

“He’ll survive. The question is, will you?”

Sam looked at her then.

“I’m not sure.”

At that moment, Lucki wanted to reach out and stroke the back of her fingers over his cheek, but she stopped herself. It was just that he looked so lost, so forlorn. She gulped and kept her hands where they were.

“Tell me what happened.”

Sam blew out a breath.

“He lied to me, Lucki. He said he didn’t do it.”

“Do you think that’s possible?”

He shrugged.

“You heard Lamar. What do you think?”

“I think it’s probable that he lied.”

“Yeah, me too.”

“But you didn’t make accusations, of course, did you?”

“What?”

Sam released her hand and turned toward her on the swing.

“Of course, I accused him. What else would I do?”

Lucki pulled her hand back onto her lap. Her palm was hot where they’d touched.

“Well, for starters, you could have asked for his side of the story.”

“Ah, hell, Lucki. He just would have made something up.”

“Maybe, but you might have gotten the real story out of his own mouth, rather than putting him on the defensive by making accusations.”

Sam stared into her eyes.

“I did that, didn’t I?”

“It sounds like it.”

“Where did you get so smart?”

“Six years working with kids in the parks department and a minor in child development, that’s where.”

“I should have listened to you all along.”

“That’s not the problem here, Sam. You have to deal with J.J. again. And it’s going to have to be soon. You didn’t actually get anything settled, did you?”

Sam gazed out over her front yard.

“Sure, I did. J.J.’s on probation, indefinitely. He doesn’t sneeze without my permission. No Spud. No gun. No extra activities. And he has to get a part-time job to pay for the damages at Lamar’s. I’ll make sure that kid doesn’t do squat without clearing it by me from now on.”

He settled his gaze back on her face.

Lucki blew out a breath that lifted her bangs.

“You didn’t put it all to him like that, did you?”

Sam rose and peered down at her.

“Hell, of course I did! The little juvenile delinquent has pulled his last stunt.”

Reaching out, Lucki grasped Sam’s wrist and pulled him toward her, making him sit down again. She ignored the stirring she felt at the touch.

“Sam, you’re really an ass, you know that?”

“What?”

Lucki almost chuckled at the amused look on his face.

“You’re a complete ass. No wonder J.J. stomped out of the house. You can’t treat him like an equal one moment, giving him free rein for months, then pull the rug out from under him and act like a dictator the next! Talk about sending conflicting messages.”

Sam stared at her some more. She could see the uncertainty and even the hurt playing over his face.

“Where did I go wrong, Lucki?”

he asked quietly.

“I thought raising J.J. would be simple enough. I provide for all his needs. I’m there every evening but it just isn’t enough, I guess. It’s just that with opening the clinic, every minute I have is devoted to something there. I never realized how much Harbor Falls could benefit from medical services. It takes a lot of my time. The thing is, I know I should be there for him, it is just impossible to do so. What am I going to do?”

Lucki studied Sam’s face. Her heart went out to him.

“Sam, look. J.J. is going through a bad time. He grew up without a father. You left when he was just a toddler. And his mother died only a year ago. It’s been a big adjustment for him with you coming in here and playing the parenting role, just as I know it’s been an adjustment for you. Being the small-town doctor was never in your plans, I know that, but sometimes plans have to change.

“J.J.’s hurting, Sam. It’s difficult for him to express his feelings. And the fact that he’s going through adolescence isn’t helping things either, you should know that. I’m not so sure that what you did tonight was all that wrong. Probably most parents would have handled it the same way. In fact, if your own parents were here, they probably would have gotten the same treatment you did from J.J. You haven’t done a bad job, Sam. Really. Nobody ever said raising a child was a piece of cake. It’s hard work. Tonight, you just found out how hard it can sometimes be.”

Sam swallowed. His eyes played over her face as he contemplated her words. After a moment, he said.

“I thought I was the smart one, here. The medical doctor. The guy who left small town Harbor Falls to see the world and make something out of himself. Guess I was wrong. Somehow, during all the time I was gone, you went and got all smart on me.”

Lucki smiled. This time she reached out and took Sam’s hand in hers. She wasn’t prepared however, for the intense look that crossed his face.

“I’ve just had a little more experience with kids, Sam. That’s all.”

She released his hand and patted his thigh. A thought flashed through her head.

“Come to think of it, that’s not a bad idea.”

“What’s not a bad idea?”

Lucki stood and walked to the porch railing; her hands deep in her jeans pocket. She refused to acknowledge that she put them there simply to keep from touching Sam.

“I think I may have a solution to your problem. At least a start, anyway.”

“Yes?”

Sam had stepped up beside her and they stood facing each other as they leaned against the railing. He was close. Lucki backed up a step.

She hesitated, and then blurted out her idea.

“Let me take J.J. for the summer. He could go to work with me every day, kind of act like my assistant. Lord knows I could keep him busy. I could get him involved in some of the sports programs I have going. We have a dirt bowl basketball league for kids his age that meets during the day. Every Friday afternoon we have sand volleyball. And of course, he could sign up for baseball. It’s already started, but I can get him on a team. He needs this, Sam. It will get him into shape and let him meet some new kids. And it will keep him occupied and out of your hair this summer while you’re trying to work things out at the clinic. I think it’s the perfect solution, what do you think?”

Sam stood before her shaking his head.

“I see no reason for J.J. to be with you all day, every day. It’s a nice idea, Lucki, but he’d be a nuisance before the first day was out. This is your job. I don’t want to put it in jeopardy.”

“Oh, pooh.”

She waved a hand at him.

“J.J. isn’t going to do anything to put my job into jeopardy. Besides, keeping kids off the streets and active in something other than shoplifting, sneaking smokes, and littering the city with graffiti is my job. One more kid won’t be a problem. Besides, I really can use the help. Please, Sam. Think about this. It might make a difference.”

Sam exhaled heavily, still keeping his gaze on Lucki’s face.

“I’d have to pay you something. I can’t expect you to take him off my hands all summer without some sort of compensation.”

Lucki pushed at his chest with both hands, and then wished she hadn’t.

“Don’t insult me, Kirk. I’m not taking one red cent from you if we do this. I love J.J. like he was my own brother. I want to help.”

“Then there’s got to be something else I can do for you, Lucki. What is it?”

Lucki watched Sam’s eyes. At some point, he’d stepped closer again. It was difficult to read exactly what those eyes were saying. In reality, she didn’t want to know.

A thought crossed her mind.

“Actually, Sam, there might be something you could do for me.”

“What is it?”

His voice was way too low and husky. Almost sexy. Lucki bit her lip.

“I need a date.”

His eyes widened.

She hurriedly added.

“You know me, Sam, I’ve gotten myself into a pickle. I kind of, sort of, told someone at work that I already had a partner for the Harbor Falls Parks Department Fourth of July picnic. I told them that because this guy I work with is always coming on to me.”

Sam’s eyebrows arched.

“Anyway, I need a date. I’m sure you have a friend around somewhere you could fix me up with, don’t you? Just one date. For one afternoon. Oh, and make sure he has a little bit of athletic ability because we are going to compete in all the two-man events. Can you do that for me Sam?”

By the time Lucki finished her little speech she was completely out of breath. At least she guessed it was from her speech. Sam hadn’t taken his eyes off her lips for the past two minutes. “Sam?”

“Uh, yeah, Lucki. Find you a date? Sure. Piece of cake. You got it.”

“Thank you.”

Lucki sighed and grinned.

Sam frowned and then walked back to his house.