Page 36 of 5+Us Makes Seven

“There’s nothing wrong with having one of those,” I said with a smile.

“You drink scotch?” Carter asked.

“No man worth his salt doesn’t,” Craig said.

“Then it’s settled. Maybe one Saturday you guys could come over and we’ll share a drink while the boys play out back,” Carter said.

“That sounds wonderful. Doesn’t it, Craig?” Betty asked.

I looked up and smiled at Carter and found his eyes twinkling with happiness. Was this what he wanted? A domesticated life? Scotch and wine dates with other couples while the kids ran amok in his massive backyard? Somehow, that life seemed to suit the busy billionaire. He had traded his tailored suit for a pair of slim-fit jeans and a t-s

hirt, and somehow he still felt real.

Genuine.

Like home.

We all traded numbers, though I was hesitant to take Betty’s information. This wasn’t the role I served in their family, but it did feel nice to be treated that way. I went to gather up the kids as Carter and Craig continued to talk, loading them into the SUV and buckling them in.

“When can I have another story?” Nathaniel asked.

“After we get you cleaned up from your game,” Carter said.

“I had so much fun, Dad!”

“I know you did, buddy. You did great out there,” Carter said.

“Did you see the goal I made, Miss Nattie?” he asked.

“I did. I was cheering as hard as I could for you,” I said.

“I could hear you. It made me smile. Will you come to my game next weekend?” he asked.

I looked over at Carter and he nodded his head.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” I said with a smile.

Twelve

Natasha

“Can you tell me the story now?” Nathaniel asked.

He was settling into bed as Joshua and Clara were perched on top of the covers.

“If I tell you guys another story, you have to go to bed. Okay?” I asked.

“We promise,” they all said.

“Okay. So, this was about five months into my stay in Africa. There was a little girl, maybe no older than Clara, and she was behind in some things.”

“Like what?” Joshua asked.

“She wasn’t walking very well. She had some lisps.”

“What’s a lisp?” Nathaniel asked.

“You know how some kids don’t say ‘ar’, but ‘uh’?” I asked.

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