Page 41 of Catching the Coach
We walk in and into the living room, which flows into the kitchen. Off to the right of the kitchen is the dining room. Mom’s talking to Hudson about his game and leading him through the dining room and through the sliding door off the back, where I see my brother and dad at the grill. Lucy smirks. “Well I guess I don’t have to worry about Hudson.”
I chuckle. “Mom loves kids. She’s been dying for a grandkid to dote on for years now.”
Lucy tries again to pull her hand from mine but I tighten my grip slightly. “Please Lucy, just let me have tonight. Whatever you decide I will respect, but let me have this night with you and Hudson.”
She stares up at me and I can see her brain working overtime, but she nods her head and keeps her hand in mine. I take that as a good sign and lead her through the sliding door. We see Hudson talking animatedly to my brother, who is laughing at something he said. My dad is at the grill, flipping what looks like burgers. My mom sees Lucy and pats the seat next to her. “Come sit next to me dear,” she says. I reluctantly let go of her hand so she can go sit next to my mom.
I head over to my dad, grabbing a bottle of water from the mini fridge on my way. I gifted my parents an outdoor kitchen for their 30th wedding anniversary, and even though they balked at the idea of me spending my money on them, it’s been well utilized.
“Kessler. How’s the shoulder?” Dad asks, closing the grill lid and turning to me for a hug.
I return my dad’s hug and we pat each other on the back a couple of times. “Hey, Dad. The shoulder’s good.”
“Burgers should be done in a few minutes. Hope everyone brought their appetites,” he announces to the table.
“Thanks honey!” my mom calls to him then turns back to her conversation with Lucy.
Judd has his phone out and is showing Hudson something, and they’re both laughing. I pray that it’s kid-appropriate.
Dad leans back against the built in counter and crosses his arms over his chest taking in the sight before us. “It’s nice to have some more people at family dinner,” he says casually.
I take a swig of my water and nod my head. “I’m hoping it becomes a regular thing,” I admit.
He looks over at me, eyebrows raised. “Why wouldn’t it be? I thought you guys just started dating?”
I grimace and grab the back of my neck. “Yeah, about that. This is technically our first date. She has reservations about dating me, or anyone for that matter.”
Dad gives me a wink. “Well, hopefully we make her change her mind tonight.”
I reach over and pat my dad on the back a few times. “Thanks, Dad.”
He nods his head, then turns back to the grill to check the burgers. “Burgers are done!” he yells over his shoulder at the table. “Come eat!”
CHAPTERTEN
lucy
“I don’t thinkI could eat another bite,” Hudson says, flopping back in his chair.
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that because I have stuff to make S’mores for dessert,” Marlene tells him.
Hudson sits up in his chair, bumping the table slightly. “Really? I could probably find room for S’mores.”
We all laugh and Marlene assures Hudson once the table is cleared and dinner is put away we’ll go make S’mores around the fire pit.
Judd reaches over and ruffles Hudson’s hair. “Come on bud, let us men go build the fire.”
Hudson looks to me for permission. “Go ahead, just be careful and listen to Judd please.”
He pumps his fist and gets up out of his chair following Judd to the fire pit out in the middle of the yard.
Marlene gets up from her seat and starts clearing the table. I get out of my seat and start grabbing cups. “Oh dear, you don’t have to help,” she assures me.
“Please, it’s the least I can do after you guys provided that lovely dinner,” I tell her. Kessler and Henry move to help but Marlene stops them.
“We have it under control here. Why don’t you go supervise the boys to make sure they behave.”
Kessler puts the bowl down he had grabbed and turns to me giving me a quick peck on the cheek and follows his Dad down to the fire pit. I stand there stunned, trying to wrap my head around what just happened.
