Sam grinned. “I’m traveling by foot, so no worries for me about the road.”
“With all due respect, I’m not sure that’s the best idea. By foot will be even more dangerous.” He said a brief, silent prayer for wisdom. “You’ll have no protection from the elements.”
“Why don’t I get you a room at the motel for the night, and you can head out come morning?” That would buy Derek time to strategize a better plan to help this man who, by all accounts, had no home.
“Thanks for the offer, but no can do.” Sam started to stand. “I need to get back out there. I just stopped in to warm the old bones a bit.”
Times like this, Derek wished he had more authority as the mayor, but even if he called the police chief over, what good would it do? They couldn’t detain Sam without cause. He slid his arms out of his jacket and slipped it off his shoulders. Unwound his scarf and removed his hat. “Take these. If you’re going to be out there all night, you’ll need better protection.”
Sam shook his head. “This coat has served me just fine since Nam.”
“Even so, please take my coat.” Derek pushed the items toward him again. “I’ll rest better tonight knowing you had extra layers of warmth.”
The man twisted his lips but ultimately took the offerings. “Thank you.”
Vanna stood to the side of him. “Can I get you anything else, sir?”
“You’ve done more than enough.” Sam smiled at her and sat back down. Derek noted the lines around his eyes. “If it’s okay with you, I think I would like to sit here for a few more minutes and warm up a bit more.”
“Take all the time you need, Mr. Houston.” Vanna moved behind him and shrugged, not hiding her confusion.
The situation was rather peculiar, but Derick wasn’t sure what else he could do. If the man wouldn’t let them help, they had to accept that. Sam was a grown man who made his own decisions. He said goodbye and left the bakery, running the conversation through his head multiple times. Who was Sam Houston, and how had he found his way to Noel?
