Page 68 of Secret Billionaire

“That’s a mother’s number one duty,” she said, laughing.

He rolled his eyes heavenward, “If you say so.”

“What else is troubling you dear?”

“Besides the fact that my girl, who says she’s no longer my girl, has an ex stalking her, and that even if we manage to climb those mountains and wind up at the top, what’s waiting for me on the other side? Her father, who will have a hard time accepting a blue-collar suitor. I’ll never be good enough.”

“You don’t know any such thing! And Jesse, everyone wants a family’s blessing, but we don’t always get it. If there is an issue at first, I think that given time, if he gets to know you, he will accept you. But you can’t take on all of that. Remember what you have control over and what you don’t. Then let what you can’t change go.”

“Uncle Jesse, Grandma!” Jesse’s niece came flying onto the porch and threw herself at Jesse.

“Hey Matilda, how’s my favorite niece?” Jesse said.

She rolled her eyes. “I’m your only niece.”

“Oh, I forgot.” He hugged her tight. “It’s been a minute. How’s school?”

“I’m ready for summer.”

“Won’t be long.”

His oldest brother Dylan, along with his wife Jen, came up the stairs lugging a cooler. After depositing it in the kitchen they joined them on the deck.

“You ready to get your sorry butt kicked little brother?”

Jesse snorted, “Good luck with that old man. Remember what happened the last volleyball tournament? We took your team to the cleaners.”

“I try not to live in the past. Today’s a new day.”

Jesse stood up. “Let’s go set up the net.”

Turning to Ruby, Jesse said, “Thanks for the talk Mom.”

“You always were a mama’s boy,” Dylan said.

“Yeah? Look who’s talking. You cried like a baby when you left for college.”

Dylan grinned. “That’s only because I was going to miss Mama’s home cookin.”

“Ha! If it makes you feel better.”

“Get out of here you two!” Ruby said.

They set up the net, and more people started showing up.

Joe was the first to arrive, his sister tagging along. “Hey anything we can do to help?

“You can set up some chairs on the sideline,” Jess said.

Jesse did a mental head count. Now that his other two brothers had showed up, there was at least enough for two teams and some bench warmers.

The Carlisle volleyball seafood boils were famous with their friends. It was always a great time. Fun and sun. Guys in their swim trunks, girls in their bikinis, some spiking and athletically diving to save the ball for their team, lots of laughter and teasing. Music, ocean breeze, salty air, gulls shrieking, it was a quintessential South Carolina beach party. Jesse’s youngest brother Sam was in charge of the music and he had the speakers set up and the country tunes streaming. The drinks were already flowing.

Jesse and Dylan designated themselves as team captains on opposing teams. The competition had evolved over the years to become a legend of sorts. All in good fun, the Carlisle brothers took their bragging rights very seriously. Jesse and Sam always teamed up against Dylan and Connor, the two youngest verses the two oldest. Jesse was up first to serve the ball, and he easily muscled it over the net.

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