Page 126 of Risky Move

“I don’t know, Tom. I’m easy to please.” Cassie flashed a smile at him. “Have you seen anything you like?”

“Not really. We can keep looking…maybe we should rethink our decision not to move into any of the condos, villas, or apartments where the younger players live.” Tom looked at her, inviting a response.

“Maybe. But not on the same floor.” Cassie clutched his arm. “Remember, you have an open invitation from Lauren and Dave.”

“Let’s go a little further away from the hospital and campus next time. We’ll figure it out.”

* * *

Andrew placed a file folder on the coffee table when he joined Tom in the living area. “Good news—the team arranged for the company that handles player relocation to work with us on Mom and Dad’s move.”

“That’s a relief. They’re not planning to bring that much, right?”

Andrew shrugged with a wry smile. “You may find yourself with an apartment full of furniture.”

“Don’t think we’ve seen anything large enough. Wait until we get the manifest from the moving company—then we can figure out what to do with any extra furniture.”

Andrew nodded, then handed the file folder to his brother. “Take a look at these. Some options you may not have considered.”

Tom flipped through the contents and shook his head. “This is way out of our price range, Andrew. Not sure I could afford it even if I switched to private practice.”

“Do me a favor?”

Tom raised his eyebrows in a silent question.

“Please go with Cassie and look at these properties. Pick out your top choices, then let’s talk.”

“Andrew, we can…” Tom stopped when his brother held up his hand.

“Okay, we’ll talk first. Once Mom and Dad move here, it puts a huge responsibility on Caryn with the twins and our parents—especially during the season. We’ll arrange the live-in help, but I know Caryn will stress about something happening when she’s here alone.”

Tom nodded but didn’t speak.

“If you’re at work or living in town, you’re thirty-to-forty-five minutes away—on a good day. We’ve had you as our personal physician for years. I can never repay you for everything you did from the night I was injured to the day I was cleared to get back on the ice.”

“Andrew, you don’t need to repay anything. We’re family,” Tom said.

“Correct. And we accepted your help. All we’re asking is to allow us to help you find a home in our neighborhood. We’ll continue relying on your help—soon more than ever. Will you please take Cassie and look at homes in this neighborhood?” Andrew locked gazes with Tom. “We can work something out about the finances if that helps you consider this. Just remember, we’ve got more money than we, our children, their children, yadda yadda yadda can ever hope to spend.”

“You drive a hard bargain,” Tom said.

Tom saw the smirk forming on his brother’s face. “I’d prefer not to put the money in some irrevocable trust for you—let’s keep this simple.” Andrew slapped Tom’s knee as he stood. “You want to ride to the game with us?”

“Sounds good. Maybe once Mom and Dad are settled, Caryn can enjoy attending your games again.” Tom paused a beat. “You guyscouldalways ask Cassie to babysit.”

“I’m pretty sure I torpedoed any chance of her agreeing to babysit again.” Andrew turned to walk away.

“Hey, Andrew?” Tom waited until his brother met his gaze. “You ever consider that by not asking her, Cassie may think you don’t trust her with the twins? Just saying.”

* * *

Cassie felt awkward, expressing an opinion on a prospective home that Andrew and Caryn wished to buy for Tom.Even though he says it’s for both of us, I can’t assume that we’ll get married and raise a family in the home. We’ve talked about forever, but nothing about marriage. It’s too soon to expect that kind of commitment, right? I can dream about the house, picket fence, three or four children, and a dog and a cat…but that’s all it is right now—a dream. Tom might run if he knew about my fantasy. Couldn’t blame him—and he hasn’t met my parents yet. My mom as Tom’s mother-in-law? Nightmare in Tampa.

Cassie told Tom she’d enjoy living in any of the homes—who wouldn’t?—however, he wanted specific feedback on each house or condo they visited. She tried to give pros and cons on each property until they all began to look alike.

“I’m not sure about a condo—when the twins visit, I don’t want to worry about them stomping on the floor or thin walls.”

Tom looked at her with a wink. “The twins won’t be the only ones generating noise complaints.”

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