Page 66

Sam

I had a car waiting for us at the airport, and Josie had confirmed that she had arrived home just before we landed.

We planned to stay at Josie and Jake’s place on Lake Travis until Wednesday.

After that, we would head toward Houston and stay in the home they used during the football season.

I had a couple of sit-down interviews scheduled before the All-Star Game on Thursday night, and Josie had promised I’d have space in Sugarland to host them at their place.

While my house in Boston had likely cost more than Josie’s house, real estate here was very different from Boston.

Josie’s home was a sprawling six-bedroom lakefront property, and while there was a guesthouse, I’d asked that we stay in the main house with her and Jake.

Kelsey’s jaw dropped when we arrived at Josie’s house.

“What the?”

“Wait until you see the view and the pool.”

“This is amazing.”

“Just remember, everything is bigger in Texas. Their Houston place is also next level, but this is where Josie is more comfortable.”

“It’s insane thinking about how much we do with such small spaces in Boston. Even your place seems small in comparison.”

“I love the city, but I always wonder if I’d ever want to live outside the city. I don’t think I’d ever go for something this big, but some of the suburbs outside Boston would be nice. If you could live anywhere, where would it be?” I asked her seriously.

“I love the city, too. I can’t imagine living in a suburb, but maybe that’s because I was raised here. But getting away to a lake house on the weekends or Cape Cod in the summer would be perfect. Did your mother always have a home in the Hamptons?”

“Yeah, we spent our summers there for as long as I can remember. But enough delay, Josie is likely wondering why we’re standing outside the house.

Let’s go inside,” I said. I opened the door and pulled Crew’s car seat out of the back.

Josie’s staff had greeted us, pulled the luggage out of the trunk, and was halfway to the guest room before we stepped into the foyer.

Josie came barreling out of the kitchen with Jake close behind her.

He could only stay here for the night before returning to Houston for training camp.

Josie wanted to bring Kelsey out for a day trip shopping and lunch to get to know her.

I had already warned her that Kelsey would need an extra push to spend money, but if anyone could encourage someone to spend money, my sister could.

“Hey, long time no see. How was the flight?” She asked as she stole Crew’s car seat and set it down to unfasten his seat belt.

“Not bad. Based on his behavior at the airport, I thought he would have a hard time, but he fell asleep on Sam’s chest once we got on the plane,” Kelsey explained.

“Who would have thought that Sam would be so good with babies,” Josie said, searching out her husband’s eyes and giving him a knowing look.

“Yeah, this explains Josie’s baby obsession. I don’t think I’m getting out of this one with a puppy this time,” Jake said as a yellow lab came bounding into the room to greet us.

“Hey Bob,” I called, scratching the young dog’s ears.

“Bob?” Kelsey asked with a grin.

“Jake named him; giving dogs human names is a family tradition.

“Josie wanted to name him Lucky. I think Bob fits him better.”

Crew quickly took to Josie at dinner the other night.

Kelsey explained to me later that he was still at an age where he was adaptable to new people.

Soon, he’d reach a stage where he’d be less likely to accept new people, probably in time for him to meet his father.

I’d thought a lot about that. Here I was, swooping in and playing daddy when this other guy hadn’t had the opportunity.

Jake and Josie took turns holding Crew while their staff prepared dinner.

“I see Jake took care of dinner?”

“Yeah, I figured it would be easier on everyone if we ate at home. With all the traveling everyone has been doing, I wouldn’t have wanted to rush right out to a restaurant.”

“You also wouldn’t want Jake to cook for you,” Josie laughed. “It won’t be terrible, but it won’t be very good.”

“Jake’s diet is about the same as mine,” I explained to Kelsey, and she nodded in understanding.

“So, no salt, no fat, and only perfectly balanced macros?”

Josie nodded, “He won’t be cheating until the season is done. ”

“And then I put on my winter layer,” Jake said, rubbing his belly.

We all took turns holding Crew while we ate dinner, giving Kelsey a break, as Josie and Jake enjoyed having the baby around.

Josie asked Kelsey a thousand questions about her pregnancy, birth, and what it was like to have a baby.

I’d be willing to wager that they would be trying for a baby soon if they hadn’t already started.

“What are you going to do while we go shopping tomorrow?” Josie asked.

“I have something planned, but it’s a surprise,” I said, changing the subject. I had ordered a custom-made necklace for Kelsey and planned to pick it up while they were distracted. I wanted to give it to her while we were in Houston.

“Would you mind if I excused myself? I need to get Crew set up for bed,” Kelsey said.

“Oh, sorry. I never showed you to your room. Crew’s bassinet should be set up by now, but Melinda said she had never set one of those up before, so you two should double-check it before you put him to bed.”

I jumped up to lead the way and help Kelsey with the baby. “I can handle him if you want to visit with your sister.”

“No, we can do this together, then visit with them.” Kelsey tipped her head, meeting my eyes before nodding and following me to our guest bedroom.