Page 18 of Free to Live

He chuckles. “I know. I thought I was lucky it was my day off, and all the siblings were at a wedding, so I could get my time with Kalie and the twins. Then they told me they wanted to come here.” He rolls his eyes.

I chuckle even as I ask, “Twins?”

“My brother-in-law Caleb should be here soon with his two. Keene went to get us coffee. He hates the park.”

“He’s not alone.” We both start laughing.

“I haven’t heard from you in a few years. I thought maybe you didn’t want to be reminded…” His voice trails off, and guilt settles in hard.

“I swear, Jason. I went to call you one day and couldn’t find your card. I figured I washed it along with something that Grace had just thrown up on.” Muttering, I tack on, “That’s probably why I wanted to call in the first place.”

Jason chuckles. We stand there in silence as childish screeches of joy pierce the morning air.

“So, who’d have thought your niece and my daughter? Tied at the hip?” I remark as Kalie grabs Grace’s hand and drags her off to the sandbox. I wince thinking of all the places that sand is going to end up, with the coat being the least of my concerns.

This is my actual punishment for everything I did to turn my mother prematurely gray—all things sand and glitter.

“I think it’s perfect.” Jason brings me out of my thoughts. “Two girls from very unconventional families found something in each other they’ll likely cherish for the rest of their lives, providing one or the other doesn’t move away.”

“Unconventional? I’ve met Ali and Keene. They seem pretty normal.”

A boisterous male laugh behind us has us both turning. “Keene? Normal? That’s hysterical. I can’t wait to tell Cass.” I don’t recognize the dark-haired stranger, but Jason obviously does as his lips turn up.

“Caleb, would you give ammunition to your wife just so she can make fun of Keene?”

He doesn’t hesitate. “Yes.” Looking down at a boy and a girl who are raring to be let loose, he orders, “Stick close to Kalie. Be nice to Grace. Jon, don’t do anything to get your sister mad or we won’t go for hot chocolate when we’re done.”

“Dad,” the little boy whines. And the man mercilessly continues.

“Laura, don’t do anything with Kalie that makes your brother come over and complain to me, otherwise same goes. No hot chocolate.”

“Yes, Daddy.” Both children blink bright blue eyes up at their father before he sighs.

“Go.”

They race off yelling, even as he turns to me. “Caleb Lockwood. Cassidy’s husband.”

I give Jason a helpless look. Jason laughs. “Cassidy is Ali’s older sister. Caleb, did you give Keene your order?”

Caleb answers Jason’s question with a question. “Do you really think I can handle taking my two to the park without a shot of caffeine from Ava and Matt?”

At the mention of the owners of The Coffee Shop, my mouth begins to water.

“Then have him get something for Joe. I have a feeling he’s going to need it if we’re going to give him an abbreviated who’s who.”

“Too late,” I hear Keene say. We turn as one to see him carrying a tray with four cups. “I’m already back. You can just give him Phil’s drink, Jace.” He begins passing out drinks.

Jason rolls his eyes. “Of course you would say that.” He accepts his drink before taking a sip.

“It would be cold by the time you give it to him, anyway.” Keene hands me a cup with aPon it. “I hope you like lattes made with cream instead of milk. Cassidy is still paying her brother back for something he did, what? Four years ago now?”

Caleb pulls his cup down from his lips and nods. “A little more than that.”

I gape at them. “You all hold grudges that long?” And yet, here’s Jason amicably drinking coffee with me.

“Don’t worry. That’s just the how the siblings act towards each other. By the way, Caleb.” He holds out a hand.

“Joe Bianco,” I mutter. I’m beginning to wonder if it might have been easier to hang out with the crazy moms when all of the men burst into laughter. I realize I spoke out loud. Caleb claps a warm hand on my shoulder.