Maxwells Smile

minutes total. It was far too early to start picking out sexy dresses and planning dates.
    She glanced up toward the window of Maxwell’s room, overlooking the backyard. The delight in her son’s eyes when they’d run into Sam in the grocery store had been undeniable.
    What did he see in Sam Jones that her own blinders were blocking?
    * * *
    A half hour later, Rachel wandered around to the driveway to find Sam leaning against the hood of his truck, jotting numbers in a notebook.
    “So what’s the bad news on the garage?” she asked.
    “It’s going to cost a couple thousand in materials, for sure. But I can give you a deal on the labor.”
    “Yikes.”
    He shrugged. “Building materials are spendy. And you really should reshingle, but that’s another job entirely. Your house is old, like mine. This little town boasts a lot of 1960s homes. There’s a point when repairs get unwieldy and maybe you should consider looking for something newer.”
    “You’re telling me, a real estate agent, that? I’d love to find something newer, and less costly when it comes to repairs, but good housing is expensive.”
    “You’re a real estate agent? That’s cool. I’m looking for some land.”
    “Is that so? To build on?” “Yep. I would love to find a plot north of the cities, with lots of trees, maybe a creek to attract wildlife. A place to build my dream house and raise a family. Maybe even get some goats. I like goats.”
    The man liked goats. And he had a dream. Nice.
    “I’d like to help you make that dream come true. Are you working with a Realtor?”
    “No, haven’t gotten that far yet, but if you’re offering, I’m in.”
    “Depending on how much acreage you’re looking for, I think I can find a few properties for you to look at next week, if you’re interested.”
    “That would be awesome.” He slipped a business card from a paper clip on the notebook and handed it to her. “Give me a call when you’ve got some places in mind,” he said with a hopeful smile.
    From around the corner, they heard the echo of giggles from a nine-year-old boy.
    “Maxwell?” Rachel called. Her son was sitting in the side door to the garage.
    He got up and wandered out to the driveway. When Sam offered a high five, Maxwell met it with a hearty return slap. “Can I ask Sam a question, Mom? It’s about my project.”
    “Sure, Maxwell.”
    Blocking the sun from his eyes with his hand, Maxwell looked up at the tall man. “I was wondering if you could help me plan my campaign, Sam.”
    “Oh, Maxwell, I don’t know—” Rachel started.
    “Is that for the DVDs for the hospitals?” Sam asked.
    “It is. And after consideration, I realize I need a wish man.”
    “Uh, I think you mean wing man, buddy.”
    “Oh, right. Wing man.” Hands clasped behind his back, shifting from side to side a little anxiously, Maxwell asked, “Would you be my wing man, Sam?”
    “Two great offers in less than five minutes?” Sam flashed Rachel a wink. “Today is my lucky day. Deal.”
    “Awesome! I have a presentation prepared. Do you have time to come look at it?”
    “I, uh…” Swiping a palm down his chest, Sam looked to Rachel for approval.
    She appreciated that.
    “That would be fine,” she said. “But don’t keep Sam too long, Maxwell. I’m sure he’s a busy man.”
    “Great! It’s only a couple minutes,” Maxwell assured him as he took the man’s hand and led him toward the house.
    “Bring your stuff out to the patio,” she called. “So I can keep an eye on you.”
    It was Sam who saluted her before he disappeared into the house behind her son.
    Rachel leaned her elbows on the truck hood and sighed. Sawdust, goats and sexy winks. That man was dangerous to a woman’s heart. Especially a heart that hadn’t realized it was wanting until now.

Chapter Four
    The next day, Sam was back at the McHenry household, but he didn’t have a tool belt buckled around his hips. Instead, he wielded a green crayon and studied the poster design Maxwell had created in his PowerPoint presentation. Thanks to the McHenrys’ pastor, who lived three houses away, the industrious boy had already gone ahead and secured the local church’s parking lot to hold the DVD drive. He planned to put up posters advertising the event throughout the neighborhood and at his school.
    “I’ll need you to be my delivery and shipping man,” Maxwell said as he went over a checklist on the iPad screen before him. “Can I count on you for