Page 57 of One Hot Daddy

Heidi Petrescu had hung back a bit, listening to our conversations, clearly amused by what the other wives had said."Have you girls ever watched Damian deal cards for a reading?Now that's damn hot."

Emery links her arm around mine, guiding me toward a row of chairs set up under a large canopy."Come sit with us.We've got comfy chairs and the best view of the pitch, not to mention emergency ice packs ready just in case."

I follow them, grateful for the company, and settle into a comfortable folding chair that has padding.Nice.Someone hands me a cold glass of lemonade, and I suddenly realize how thirsty I am.

"So," Rae begins, leaning toward me, "how are you adjusting to being Mrs.Murgatroyd?Four kids, brand-new husband, and now a houseful of international guests?I don't know how you do it.Two kids are enough for me."

I take a long sip of my lemonade, grateful for the cool liquid that soothes my suddenly dry throat."It's been overwhelming at times, in the best possible way.The children have adjusted faster than I expected.I love them all so much."

"Children are resilient like that," Chelsea says with a knowing smile."And from what I've heard, you were part of the family long before the wedding."

"True," I admit."Though going from nanny to wife was quite the promotion."

My new friends laugh, and I realize I'm relaxing into their easy camaraderie.There's something comforting about being surrounded by women who understand exactly what it's like to be thrust into this whirlwind of British and Scottish traditions.

"Oh!They're starting!"Keely points toward the pitch where the men have formed into teams.

I lean forward in my chair, my heart rate picking up as I watch Fletcher position himself on the pitch.He seems confident holding that borrowed bat, despite the slight tension in his shoulders that suggests he's more nervous than he's letting on.

"That's my husband with the wickets," Emery says, pointing toward a tall man with dark hair who's setting up behind the stumps."Rory's actually really good at this, though he'll never admit it.The MacTaggart men think shinty is the only true sport."

"Fletcher looks nervous," I admit, unable to tear my eyes away from my husband as he takes a few practice swings.

"They all do at first," Rae assures me, settling back in her chair with the ease of someone who's watched countless shinty matches."But once they get into the rhythm of it, they become absolute children again.It's endearing, actually."

Chelsea nods in agreement."Dominic transforms the minute his feet hit the pitch.One second he's my girls-school cricket coach husband, the next he's ten years old again, showing off for his friends."

I watch the men divide into teams, with Fletcher joining Dominic's side.They're laughing and jostling each other, passing around that whisky bottle like it's water.I hope he doesn't guzzle too much of Thane Buchanan's whisky.

"They've been drinking," I observe, trying to keep my voice neutral.

Keely snorts."That's cricket tradition.Liquid courage.Don't worry---they're not really drunk.Yet."

Oh, great.I thought Fletcher would only take a swig to calm his nerves.

"First cricket match jitters," Emery tells me, patting my knee sympathetically."We've all been there."

Another woman approaches our group, and Emery leaps out of her chair to sling an arm around the newcomer."Ladies!Look who finally showed up.It's Ashley Murdoch.I don't think you've met Jennifer yet, have you?"

Ashley Murdoch turns out to be a warm, friendly American woman with an infectious smile.Her brown hair is pulled back in a practical ponytail, and she's wearing comfortable, casual clothing that immediately puts me at ease.

"Jennifer!I'm so sorry I'm late," Ashley says, giving me a quick hug like we're old friends."I got caught up helping wrangle some of the younger kids.Your Henry is quite the little explorer, isn't he?"

My heart skips a beat."What did he do now?"

"Nothing much," Ashley quickly reassures me with a laugh."He just convinced three other children that they could build a fort out of cricket equipment.I found them constructing what they called a 'cricket castle' using stumps and protective pads."

"That sounds like Henry," I sigh."He has a gift for turning any situation into an adventure."

"He'll fit right in with Lucas," Ashley declares."He's a little adventurer too, just like his daddy."

Once we've all settled down again in our chairs, the practice game begins.Fletcher is on Dominic Rigby's team.Declan Wilde helms the opposing team.

First up is Errol Murdoch.

The Scot they call the fire starter whacks that ball like it's lit on fire and launches himself several feet into the air before smacking down onto the grass again.And then he whoops.Loudly.

Jeez, I pray he's the only one who plays cricket like that.