C.J. Urban - Julie Townsend 01 - Hidden Intent by C.J. Urban

with her so soon, but she was glad he trusted her. “I’ll take you there,” he said. “And I’ll tell you how my dad ended up there.”
    “Thank you, Skye, for telling me. And for helping me. I doubt they would let just anyone in a place…like that…” she fumbled to a stop, not wanting to offend him.
    But he smiled. That smile. “Pretty lucky you know me then, huh?”
    “Very lucky. I wonder if your mom could watch Sam. They could get to know one another, before Friday night.”
    “I’m sure she could. Let me call her, though.” Skye pulled his phone out of his pocket and speed-dialed his mom’s number. Julie waited while he talked for a minute or so, and then hung up. “She’d be happy to watch him,” he told her.
    Sam was waiting patiently for them. Now Julie turned and knelt to her little brother. “Skye and I need to go somewhere for a little while, Sammy. You remember his mom, Gloria? She’s the nice lady we met the day we moved in. You’re going to stay with her while I’m gone, okay? ”
    Sam thought a moment, considering. Then he replied, “Yeah, I remember her. She’s nice. Alright. But where are you going?”
    Julie gave Sam a tender brush on the cheek. “We’re going to a hospital to visit someone we think we can help.”
    He seemed satisfied, if mystified, with her answer. He didn’t question any further, for which Julie was grateful. They followed Skye out of the hardware store to his truck.
    “Am I following you?” Julie asked.
    “Naw,” Skye answered, “I’ll drive. I do know the way, after all.”
    Julie opened the passenger door and pushed the front seat forward for Sam to climb into the back, then got in and shut the door. She looked behind her to make sure Sam was buckling himself up, and noticed several black bags, one of which was open. Julie saw the sheath of a knife poking through one of the bag’s openings.
    “Don’t touch it,” she told Sam, interpreting his fascinated gaze.
    Skye reached back and zipped the bag closed. “Sorry about that,” he said, “I’m a hunter, and I keep most of my gear with me.”
    “Phew,” Julie said, feigning relief. “I was afraid we were getting ourselves into some trouble, after all.”
    Skye gave Julie an amused look as he started his truck and they began to drive. “My mom’s house is just down the street.”
    They arrived in front of the small, one-story home and all three alighted the truck. Skye led them to the front door and knocked. They could hear Gloria’s muffled voice from inside. Then she opened it, and stood there in a bright pink shirt and jeans smeared with mud.
    This didn’t seem unusual to Skye. “Hi, Mom,” he said, stepping aside for Julie and Sam to enter ahead of him.
    “Hi, everyone,” Gloria said. “I’m sorry I’m all muddy. I’ve been weeding in the back yard. Weeds grow so thick in the summer.”
    “Well, at least you know what you’re doing,” Julie said, attempting to compliment Skye’s mother. “I don’t have a green thumb at all.”
    Gloria waved them all further into her home. “It takes practice, dear. Lots of practice. When I first started gardening, I killed everything…twice!”
    Julie laughed. “That’s encouraging. And it’s nice for your plants that you know better now, huh?”
    Gloria chuckled as well, and then smiled down at Sam. “It’s nice to see you again, young man.”
    “You too,” he said.
    Julie was relieved that Sam seemed comfortable with Gloria. “Thanks for agreeing to watch him.”
    “No problem at all. I’ve already thought of lots of things to keep us both occupied. Sam, have you ever made a fresh apple pie?”
    The three adults held back a chuckle as Sam’s eyes grew wide and he shook his head in wonder at the thought. “Really?” He asked her. “That’s my favorite! I’ll help you!”
    “Well, let me wash up and then we can get started. You can help me weed while it bakes.” Gloria winked at Julie, and motioned for Sam to follow her