“Whatever you say. Love you, Jack-o-Lantern.”

He laughed. “Love you, too, Samwich.”

“Oh, good one!”

At the doorway, she glanced back at him, her heart breaking all over again at how small and vulnerable he looked. She experienced yet another white-hot burst of anger at Spencer for doing this to his son and the rest of their family. As quickly as the anger hit, it morphed into empathy. Spencer in his right mind never would’ve done anything to hurt his family.

Sam would spend the rest of this day seeking justice for her late brother-in-law, but what would justice mean to Jack? He would still be without his beloved father for the rest of his life.

Chapter Ten

Sam waited until she was sure Jack was all right before she signaled to Vernon that she was ready to go. He and Jimmy walked on either side of her as they escorted her from the building. Every person they passed stopped and stared, their mouths falling open in disbelief. Sam ignored them all, intent on getting to work.

As Vernon helped her back into the SUV, he paused. “That was exceptionally well done just now with Jack. You answered some hard questions beautifully.”

“You really think so?”

“I do. It was all I could do not to lose my composure listening to you two.”

“Same,” Jimmy said from the passenger seat.

“Well, thank you both. It’s hard to know what to say to a child at a time like this.”

“You handled it just right. You told him the truth without making it scary. That’s what he needs. I lost my grandfather when I was ten. People were vague with me about what happened to him, and that made it worse.”

“I’m so sorry, Vernon.”

“Thanks.” He closed her door and got into the driver’s seat. “Bottom line is the truth matters to everyone, especially a grieving seven-year-old.”

“You’re right. I was just hoping I wasn’t being too real with him.”

“You were spot-on. And you’ve been where he is, having lost your dad.”

“When I was much older, thank goodness.” Sam couldn’t imagine what her life would’ve been like without Skip Holland at the center of it for thirty-six years. That thought made her even sadder for Jack than she already was.

“It’s a big loss no matter how old you are.”

“Yes, it is,” Sam said with a sigh. “I’m glad my dad isn’t here for this. He really loved Spencer and respected how good he was to Angela. This would break his heart for her and the kids—and for Spence.”

“He’s here, and he knows,” Vernon said. “He’s also there with Spence.”

“I’d like to think both those things are true.”

“They are. I promise.”

“Thank you both for all your support. I feel like I’m saying that a lot lately.”

“We’re not so bad, are we?” Vernon said, grinning at her in the mirror.

Sam smiled back at him. “Not bad at all.”