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Cassie was just leaving the pediatrician’s office the following morning, with Sachie in tow when her phone buzzed. As she juggled the phone and the toddler hitching a ride on her hip, she saw the number was not familiar.
“Ms. Valentine,” said a deep southern voice she definitely did not recognize. “Can you come down here? We seem to have a problem with the new plumbing contractor.”
“I’m sorry, who is this?” Cassie asked trying to keep her exasperation under control. She had cleared her schedule to go to the pediatrician’s office and the sports store to try and get everything Alex and Will needed before their first practice. She had to schedule time for such errands, or they just did not get done. Mrs. Tokarski didn’t drive, and she was off the clock and in her room at 8 p.m. sharp. When she had filed a new request with the au pair agency she had requested someone younger that would do a day off for the occasional evening on duty. She had also requested that the person be able to drive. She could then put to use Megan’s SUV which had sat in storage in the garage for the past two years.
“This is Charlie. I’m the crew foreman down here at the AreoMetz building.”
“Charlie, Mr. Thomson should be your first call.”
“He was, but I didn’t get him and this guy is getting out of hand with his demands. I’m afraid I’m going to have a situation here.”
Glancing at the toddler in her arms, Cassie decided there really was nothing else she could do. The jobsite was safe enough if she didn’t carry Sachie inside the structures. And it didn’t sound like there was time to drop her at the house.
“I’m only a couple minutes away. I’ll see you shortly.”
Cassie quickly strapped Sachie into her car seat, and got into the SUV. She looked over at the phone, and contemplated trying to get ahold of one of the Thomson brothers but decided she could diffuse the situation just as fast. She did have a meeting in an hour and a half, which meant she might not be able to get the baseball equipment. Mentally as she drove she looked for loop holes in her day to complete what she needed to get done. Best case scenario this took less than a minute...she chuckled to herself at the crazy thought.
As she hit the stop light she checked her make-up and looked down at her jeans and comfy t-shirt. It would have to do.
As she turned into the work site, she noticed a large red truck pulling in ahead of her. Quentin was getting out as she pulled up behind him.
“Man, I’m sorry. We were in a meeting when the call came in at another job site. I didn’t think Charlie would call you right off,” he said looking completely sorrowful.
“Hey, don’t worry about it. I was just up the road and besides, that’s what I’m here for,” she said. She turned to get Sachie out of her car seat and noticed Trent climbing out of the truck.
“Hi,” she said before quickly opening the rear driver’s side door, and reaching for the two-year-old. As she stood up fully to walk the short distance to where Quentin and Charlie were talking, Sachie was deftly removed from her arms.
“I got her,” Trent said taking the tyke and talking to her to allow Cassie free access to the meeting.
The plumber was getting very animated in his telling of the story, and Charlie looked ready to punch the guy.
“What’s up?” Cassie asked Quentin.
“We just got in to finish the flooring on the main floor, and the plumber wants to lay down the pipe today. We are afraid that it will cause damage before we have all the supports in. He is insistent that he has other work waiting, and if we let him go today than we won’t get him back on the job. Also, he says he is going to charge us for his crew for eight hours, due to our refusal to work with him.”
Cassie smiled at the man and extended her hand, keeping her tone emotion free. “Mr...”
“Jameson, Troy Jameson Ma’am,” he said taking her hand.
“Mr. Jameson here’s the deal. Your company was contracted to work out a timeline with Thomson Construction, not just show up on a whim. I do not show that the timeline of approved days of work was ever submitted, approved and returned to you. So I’m curious as to how you decided that today was the day and you were going to come in here and assert this type of pressure.”
“I am willing to put a call into the owner of your company, and ask him the same question. I understand that this is your first job with Thompson Construction... and with me. I fear that the loss of this project would be devastating in current and future revenue for your company, so I’m going to ask you once. Do you make the call to your boss or do I?”
She saw Quentin turn away slightly, and the look of pure adoration on Charlie’s face.
“I will ma’am.”
“I expect a firm timeline in my inbox, and reparations for time lost due to this concern documented by,” she flipped her wrist upward, “2 p.m. today. If for any reason, we have another flare up like this, I will see to it that your company is never awarded another contract that I work.”
“Yes ma’am,” he said through clenched teeth. He yanked his cell phone out of his pocket and started punching in numbers as he stomped away from them.
“Impressive,” Trent said from beside her. “Remind me not to ever really make you mad.”
She chuckled, and then realized Quentin and Charlie were still present.
“You don’t mess around,” Quentin said.
“Nope, no time. I have a behind budget and timeline project to turn around, and plenty of contractors needing work. I won’t waste time with a person that is demeaning and negative.”
“I’m sorry I took you away from a day off,” Charlie said.
“No, just a couple hours trying to get some errands done when my kiddos weren’t all present. I was headed to the sporting goods store and home, no harm done. I have business meetings in a little while anyway.”
“Okay, well I have to get back to guys,” Charlie said. “Thank you again for responding so quickly.”
Cassie smiled at the kind hearted foreman, and turned to see how Sachie was doing. The little traitor seemed happy as a kid in a candy store playing with Trent’s hat. She was putting it on her head, and then his, then pulling it off again, completely oblivious to anyone but the big man entertaining her.
***
Trent was not enthralled enough with the toddler to ignore Cassie’s backside in those jeans. He had thought her casual shorts the other night a good look for her, but the bottom hugging apparel she was sporting took first place.
The second Sachie had set eyes on him, the thick little arms had shot out, seeking his acceptance. He couldn’t resist the little princess. She was a keeper, with all those riotous curls and long-lashed brown eyes. She was going to be a heartbreaker as she grew up. As she took his hat on and off, he allowed Cassie time to work out the situation on the work site. He had faith there were enough people involved, that he could take a minute to distract one toddler without being missed.
The meeting was brief, as Cassie handed the contractor his balls. She didn’t miss a beat, and the smile she kept in place the entire time was impressive. He wasn’t kidding when he told her that he wouldn’t want to get her too mad, she was a force with which to be reckoned. As everything was resolved they started his way, and Quentin caught his eyes. He was nodding his head in Cassie’s direction behind her head. And then he made a duck bill sign with his hand, that Trent’s brain took a minute to decipher. Clarity finally dawned, and he realized that his brother was telling him to have the talk with her now. It was an open space and at least if she decided to swing, he was holding a toddler.
As she walked up to collect Sachie, he swallowed back his nerves and went in for the kill.
“So...you really have six kids?”
“Yes, I really have six kids. “
“How do you...I mean... six.” he still couldn’t quite believe the staggering number.
“Yep...six. Understand my no marriage rule now? Hard to get to that point, when as soon as a man hears about my small tribe he flees the scene.”
“You know, not every man is like your ex-fiancé,” he said before his brains had the good sense to filter.
The red splotches that broke out on her neck, told him what the sunglass covered eyes shielded. She was mad!
“Cassie, I’m sorry. I just meant...”
“I know what you meant. But see...here’s the thing. I dated Jason for years, planned a future with him, and loved him enough, I thought. Then in my darkest moment when my life came crashing down around me and the only family I ever had was gone, he made me choose.” She swiped angrily at a tear that escaped below the glasses rim. “But there really wasn’t a choice you know.”
Trent couldn’t help it, he moved Sachie to the other arm and reached out for her. In a moment of weakness, he almost wrapped her in a hug, but then dropped his hand, not wanting to cause a scene.
“Cassie, I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“It’s okay. This is why I keep the professional and personal separate though. I shouldn’t have been so harsh. I don’t usually talk about Jason. But somehow you have the uncanny ability to make me say and do things, I shouldn’t.”
He chuckled. “Good. I thought it was just some magical power you had over me.”
“Really?” He saw the dimple peeking out of her cheek, and knew the worst had passed. “Hey listen though. Alex and Will joined a really competitive team, and are going to struggle to make up ground this year.”
“Oh, I didn’t know. Ms. Abbott at their school recommended the team.”
“Yeah, she and Wyatt... were...are friends. She thought it would be great for the boys to have...well...”
“A good male role model?” she asked without a flinch or even getting defensive.
“Yeah. Although it was probably Wyatt she was thinking about and not I.”
“Well, I appreciate you guys letting them join. I need to try and get their gear today still, at some point.”
“I was hoping that you could maybe get them to practice a bit early or let them stay late. I was going to try and spend some time batting with them.”
“Why?”
“I’m sorry what?” he was confused the question seemed straight forward to him.
“Why? You don’t like me or kids especially, why spend extra time with the boys?”
“Well, every kid deserves people in their corner. Word on the street is you do a great job with them, but six on your own. I think you could use a bit of a hand.”
He could see her mulling it over.
“Momma,” Sachie said reaching out to her suddenly.
As she took the toddler, and planted a kiss on her head she looked back up at him. “Okay. I’d appreciate any help. Baseball is definitely not my thing.”
She turned to put Sachie in in the car and then straightened pulling the sunglasses off and met his eyes directly.
“I will see if I can’t get there early. My housekeeper slash nanny keeps a strict 8 p.m. bedtime and bringing four the ages I have out that late...not good,” she said with a slight shake of her head.
“So you do have some help during the day it sounds like.”
“Yeah, a cranky Polish nanny that told me she expects to be able to go home in December. So in addition to everything else, I need to fit in finding someone new for that position. But it’s all good,” she shrugged her shoulders. “I make it all work.”
“I’m sure you do. Do you have any family left at all?”
He saw her back straighten.
“No. Megan was the only family I had...I...ah,” she stuttered and seemed uncomfortable.
“Okay, well enough sharing for one day,” he gave her an out. “Why don’t you just let me give the boys a lift home when we are done?”
“Are you sure that wouldn’t be an imposition?”
“Not at all, it would be a heck of a lot easier than your trying to bundle up four kids to come out that time of night.”
She sat in the driver’s seat and he positioned his hand above her to close the door. “Trent...thank you.”
“Anytime,” he said and realized he meant it. He would be happy to help her any time she needed him. He stood watching her drive away, when a hand clamped on his shoulder.
“Well there’s no blood,” Quentin teased.
“Nope. I’m going to help the boys, and even take them home after practice. You happy?”
“Yeah. She doesn’t have any help?”
“Apparently one cranky old nanny who goes to bed at 8 p.m.,” he laughed.
“Wow, no other family?”
“No, and that’s definitely a closed subject she won’t discuss.”
“Well, you’re doing a very nice thing.”
“Yeah, yeah...Mom had better not hear about this or she will come out to the field to meet her and try to take that entire tribe home with her and feed them,” he shook his head with a grimace.
“She would too, you know her and kids. And as for matchmaking...Cassie wouldn’t be such a bad match for you. She puts color in your face, brother.”
“Seriously...she has six...count them, six... kids. And she is tolerating me because I offered to help with two of them. End of story!”
“I won’t say anything to Mom. But I disagree completely on your take of the situation. There is something there big brother. Trust me. I’ve watched you kick plenty of women to the curb in the last fifteen years. I can’t recall one that lasted six weeks. You’ve just made the biggest commitment of your adult life for the next four months with those boys. We will see,” he chuckled heading toward the truck.
***
Cassie finished wiping down the table, and picking up the living room. Glancing at the clock she noticed that it was 8:45 p.m. She tried to not obsess about how the boys had done, Trent coming to her house, or any of the other little details. Not giving in, she wiped all the kitchen countertops down one last time, and deciding there was nothing else to clean, took her glass of water to the porch to wait. She tried to look carefree and unassuming in the rocker all the while conjuring a thousand possible scenarios of how the evening had gone.
It had been the first night in two weeks that all of the younger kids had come home tired from school and thus had been cooperative all evening. Dinner, baths and all were tucked in for the evening by 7 p.m. At eight when she had made the rounds, they all were sound asleep. So she had time to worry and fret.
As she sat down, the big red truck from the job site earlier that day pulled up. Alex and Will were falling out of the back cab and trying to be heard one above the other by the volume increasing in their stories as they made a beeline to the porch. Suddenly Trent spoke from the side of the truck.
“Guys, did you forget something?” he asked chuckling.
“Oh yeah,” they both made quick turns and headed back his way.
“Thanks Coach,” Alex said grabbing a couple bats.
“Thanks Coach,” Will mimicked grabbing a sports bag with bottles of water and mitts she had packed up for them earlier.
She couldn’t help but smile. They were so cute, and excited as they once again headed her direction, babbling excitedly.
“You should have seen it Mom, I hit a ball over the wall,” Will said trying to catch his breath.
“And I was catching all the balls Tre...Coach threw at me,” Alex said.
“I’m so proud of both of you, and can’t wait to hear all about it. Why don’t you both...quietly,” she emphasized the word, “go upstairs and take showers. I’ll have cookies and milk out for you and we can talk when you are clean.”
Without a word of dissension they both ran in the house, bouncing the door as they went. So much for the quiet part, she thought.
“Great house,” Trent said taking in the old Victorian structure. It had been Megan’s dream house, and she and Bruce, through some great life insurance and planning had made sure that she was able to pay it off and raise the kids in it. It was a perfect size for all of them, and had over an acre of land for them to roam. The huge country kitchen allowed everyone to eat together and she couldn’t imagine a better place to grow up. This was the picture of home she had envisioned as a kid and she had grown to love the house as much as Megan had.
“Thanks. We like it.”
“I can see why. It’s got great bones and many of the original features. It must be a bear to keep up?”
“Not really Megan and Bruce put a ton of work into it, before they...before I inherited it, so there hasn’t been much for me to do. Most of it is just staying ahead of child-induced disasters. A broken window last summer, a rocking horse through a wall...don’t ask,” she chuckled at the questioning look on his face. “Overall...it’s perfect for all the kiddos and me. So how did they do tonight?” she asked, trying to hurry the conversation along.
Trent moved up several stairs until they were about a foot apart and she still stood eye level with him. “They actually did great. They want to learn and please so much, that’s half the battle. Many of the boys just do it because Mom or Dad is making them, hoping for a scholarship someday. Alex and Will put their hearts into it tonight though. I think they will be fine,” he said with feeling.
Putting her hand on her heart Cassie could feel the relief wash over her. “I’m so glad. I worried that they wouldn’t be up to par, and give up or get teased...I don’t know. I always go to the worst place first...” she said cutting herself off.
“No, I think we will have them in great condition by the first games. I wanted to ask you another favor. My brothers and I are going to go out and watch an exhibition game at the university this Saturday. I realize its college baseball, but I thought they might like it and could use it as a bit of a learning experience. Would you mind if I took them?”
“Oh,” she hesitated. “That seems like a bit of a stretch for your coaching role.”
“I know, but I think...please don’t get mad...” he said looking her in the eyes.
She crossed her arms, already wary.
A second later, he reached out and gently laid his hands on her crossed arms. “Cassie, I’m not interfering or trying to tell you how to raise those kids. You seem to be doing a great job, but there are some activities that boys that age...like to do with guys. And if you aren’t planning on getting married and they don’t have uncles for that type of thing, then what’s the harm in letting someone like me help a bit?”
She looked down and realized he hadn’t removed his hands; for a moment her brain short circuited. No one touched her, except for the kids. Besides Megan and the kids she couldn’t remember anyone ever reaching out to her in anything but anger. Those memories still came to her sometimes at night. It was almost as if she was someone else looking down at the scene. Jason had not been an affectionate person, and only a few times had he dared touch her and that was on his terms for completely different reasons. She shook off the thought and tried to focus on his words.
“Okay, I would really appreciate it,” she said trying to swallow around the lump in her throat.
“Great. I can pick them up around 2 p.m. if that will work.”
“Yeah,” she inhaled deeply. “Thank you again. You’re right. I think it will be good for them.”
“It’s no problem.”
She backed away from him and he dropped his hands to his sides.
“Thanks for bringing them home...and for...for everything.”
“Good night Cassie.”
“Night.”
She watched as he turned and walked back to his truck, and silently prayed he would look back. She wanted to know, even if it was a pipe dream, if he was as affected as she was by their encounter. Just as she decided he wouldn’t, he looked back over his left shoulder, and when they made eye contact he waved before opening his truck door. She was not successful in keeping the happiness or smile tamped down as she went into the house to the colorful stories of two equally happy boys.
