Page 69 of Peach Tree Family

"Sounds romantic," Lara said to them.

"Any drive with my man is romantic," Rico said and he draped his arm over Mitch's shoulders as he leaned into the driver's side to talk to them.

"OK, Sammy is in good hands. Now you can get handsy with Mitch while he drives," Lara instructed him.

"I like how you think, lady," Rico gave her a wink and they drove off.

Wyatt and Sam arrived with the boys, but it turned out Sam couldn't stay long. "I have to go back to the café. I just want to congratulate Seth on his new job."

"He's finishing up some cooking. I better go see if he needs help," Theo told them.

"I'll come with you," Sam said.

Sam and Seth got into some cooking talk, and Theo took more food out. The kids were playing among the trees while the adults stayed closer to the house.

Coming out, Sam told Theo. "I'm so relieved that Seth got that job. Hannah was saying that he planned to leave."

Theo tried not to make a face when her name was mentioned. "Ace was very happy about that too."

"And you." Sam didn't make it sound like a question so Theo didn't say anything in reply.

The food was all set out on the picnic table Seth made. He was done cooking, but Theo could swear he lingered inside longer than he needed to.

Theo went over to find him cleaning up. "You did most of the cooking. I can take care of clean up later. This party is to celebrate your new job."

"Right," Seth said and came outside just as Julian and Rob arrived with Danny and Lenny.

"They take that dog everywhere," Theo noticed.

"I think he makes Danny feel safer," Seth said. "Sam mentioned the little guy had some trauma and he was trying to get over being afraid of cars and loud noises." He then went over and greeted everyone but the dog especially.

Theo hung back thinking about Ace and his fears. Most of the time he was doing OK. But at night he sometimes woke up from nightmares, or just called for Theo when he got scared by noises outside.

Shaking himself out of it, Theo went to greet Julian and Rob as they joined the others. There was some kind of cooking discussion again.

"Sam can't forgive us because we weren't born knowing how to cook," Julian said and then he and Sam glared at each other.

Lara shook her head and put a positive spin on it. "When people don't know how to cook, it just means you get to show off."

"And then there are sexy cooking lessons," Wyatt said and gave Sam a provocative leer.

"God knows what they're going to imagine us doing," Sam complained.

"Don't worry about them. It's my imagination that's running wild." Wyatt nuzzled his neck, but Sam pushed him away.

"I have to be going," Sam said. He waved to the boys as he started going to the car, but then he turned back to where Theo and Seth were standing with Wyatt.

"Missed me already," Wyatt said and grabbed for him.

Sam dodged and turned to Theo and Seth. "I was thinking you guys could come over for some homemade pizza. Maybe Sunday."

"Homemade pizza. Who can say no to that?" Wyatt said.

"Sounds great," Theo said then he looked at Seth like he was challenging him. "You in?"

"I don't know my schedule yet. Sorry. But you all have fun." It didn't surprise Theo that Seth wanted to get out of it.

Wyatt didn't take it as a final answer though. "We'll firm up the plans when you find out your schedule."

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