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I walk outside and to my surprise find a guy who looks just like Caleb with a baseball cap on talking to Brad as two little boys stand on either side of him. I saunter closer as they continue to talk.
“Here’s my card. With an arm like that, he has a future. I’d be happy to mentor him. There’s a spot in the league for him for sure if you keep him on the right track,” Brad says as I stop.
“Thanks. I know more about baseball, but they love both.”
Brad narrows his eyes. “What did you say your last name was?”
“Perry. Cameron Perry.”
“Aw hell. I knew you looked familiar.”
“I thought you knew who this was,” Nico says as he and Uri exit the SUV and walk over. “Nico Donati. We spoke last week.”
“Right, the job offer in New York. M.H.D. Group, right? You need a batting coach,” Cameron says while shaking Nico's hand.
“Not a batting coach, you. You’re right for Justice. He’ll listen to you. You’re what we need to earn him top dollar,” Brad says.
“As in Justice Mack? You guys signed him?” Cameron asks with narrowed eyes.
“Yeah, we got him and Tim Essex. Our MLB rooster has been shaping up nicely,” Nico says proudly.
“Dad, you’re going to coach J. Mack?” one of the little boys with Cameron says excitedly with awe in his eyes.
The other boy looks up at his father with expectation and pride. They’re cute kids. If I’m not mistaken, they’re identical twins.
Cameron places a hand on each of their heads. He shoots them both a smile. I hate to tell Brad, but I don’t think this guy wants the job. He’s interested, but I can see something is holding him back.
“I don’t know,” he finally says to his sons.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pressure you or anything,” Brad says.
“No problem. It’s a small world. Clearly, we were meant to meet. Give me some time to think your offer over and speak with my wife,” Cameron says.
“Sure, sure. My offer still stands for you boys. Actually, my brother’s boys are going to a friend of mine’s football camp this summer. I’ll be doing a workshop. I think I can get your guys in if you want,” Brad says.
“Yes, Dad, please,” the boys say in unison.
“Sounds good. I’ll text you for more information.”
Caleb appears and Cameron nods his goodbyes before placing a hand on Caleb’s shoulder and whispering something in his ear. Caleb nods and they all take off for their car. Cameron’s boys waving excitedly at Brad as they go.
As Cameron goes to get in the driver’s side of his car, Uri stops him and whispers something in his ear while pressing a piece of paper into his hand.
I watch as Cameron opens the paper then swallows hard. He looks over at the men with Brad as well as my brother. Then he brushes his forearm across his face.
My curiosity is piqued, but Brad draws my attention. “Scoot and Bam are back at the house with Tam and the kids. They want to stay a few more days. You know Snacks was welcome to come along too,” he says.
I chuckle and shake my head. My kids have the craziest nicknames. My youngest daughter, Paige aka Snacks, had plans of her own. Going to Uncle Brad’s will never hold a candle to her long-standing summer visits with Nanna.
“If you can pry that girl from Agatha’s side, you’re welcome to it.”
Brad pats his stomach. “She still cooking like she used to?”
“You know it. Snacks spends every summer in that woman’s kitchen.”
“I can’t blame her. Now I get that look on her face when I asked if she wanted to come over when I picked up the boys.”
I chuckle. Agatha Galveston has been a staple in my children’s lives. I tried to keep my distance. However, as I essentially became a single father when Jess was little, Agatha stepped in to help me. When my parents gave Cliff the ranch and moved, Agatha was the closest to me.
She and Darla would give me a hand with Jess. Then when the twins came, I was grateful to have them to lean on. Especially over the last two years as I’ve had four growing kids.
I don’t know where I’d be without the Galveston women. Pain sears through me as I think of the one Galveston woman I wish was still in my life.
My phone rings. I pull it from my pocket and look at the screen. A smile comes to my face.
“Your ears must be ringing. We were just talking about you. Snacks isn’t giving you any trouble now, is she?”
“No, she’s no trouble at all. Although, I will have to cut our visit short. Honey, Moses had a stroke. Darla didn’t want to worry me, so she just called. I hate to do this, but is it okay if I drop Snacks over with Cliff?”
