by JoAnn Durgin
“Hey, Lexa. Does Will already have a commander action figure?” That’d actually be pretty cool. Her family and friends would be sure and snatch up that merchandise.
Her petite sister-in-law laughed. “Not yet, but give him time. It’s a generic shuttle, and I used black stick-on letters to put Pursuit on the side.”
“Uncle Will promised to take me to Mission Control again next week,” Joe announced. “I might get to meet some of his shuttle crew. There’s seven of them.”
The pride in the little guy’s voice made Caty smile. Kids loved her astronaut brother. Part of it was the whole astronaut thing, but Will was unbelievably patient and related surprisingly well to kids. He didn’t talk in overly scientific terms around them, and they loved hearing him talk about planets and the research they planned to do at the ISS. A popular, in-demand speaker, Will made it a point to travel to the local schools.
Caty offered her salad to Lexa. “Here’s my offering for today’s meal. I’m sorry it’s not homemade, and I hope it’ll go with whatever you’re making.”
“We’re just glad you could come, Caty. Sam and I know you’ve got a lot going on. Come into the kitchen with me while I finish getting everything ready. I’m keeping it simple and just made chili and cornbread. So, tell me how you’re settling in at your new home and in the office.”
“I’m getting there. More than anything else, I’m just thrilled to be home in Houston again.” Following Lexa into the kitchen, Caty was thankful the other woman couldn’t see her smile. What would Lexa say if she told her that she’d kissed her boss on Friday afternoon? Sat with him and his daughter in church this morning?
“Joe reminds me so much of Will,” Caty observed. “Eat, sleep, and breathe the space program. That was his motto. It’s gratifying to think Joe might continue the Lewis love affair with aviation. By the way, where’s that husband of yours?”
“Sam’s on a phone call in the study. The girls are with him. I’m sure they’ll be out soon.” Lexa retrieved a bowl for the salad and put it on the large island in the middle of the kitchen. “I invited Jensen Callahan to join us for lunch today, too.” She darted a glance at the clock on the wall. “She’s been coming to the church lately, and I thought it’d be good for you two to meet.”
“The Jensen-of-all-trades for Doyle-Clarke Catering?” Opening the salad, Caty dumped it into a bowl and then pulled out serving utensils from the drawer. “I look forward to it.”
“One and the same. I’d better check on my chili.” Lexa scooted over to the stove, picked up a long-handled spoon, and began to stir. “Jensen does a fantastic job with booking our events, and she’s coordinating all the advertising now. We were more than happy to turn it over to her. Time flies, and she’s been with us since before the Albuquerque mission. Winnie and I are so busy with the kids, and I’m busy writing my book series, that we don’t have time to do as much other than overseeing the business.”
“Understandable.” Caty pulled out a small silver pitcher for the salad dressing. “Do you miss it?”
Lexa sighed. “You know, I do. I know Winnie does, too. We still work a few events here and there, especially for friends. Our staff has grown—both full-time and part-time—and we have an off-site catering kitchen now, four managers, and five delivery vans.”
“Awesome blossom,” Caty said. “Sounds like it’s grown even more in the past year or so. How’s the New York catering branch coming along?”
“Still building a solid client base. Cassie’s doing a great job managing it for us. It’s been a huge blessing that Mitch, Amy, and Landon have tons of contacts, so it’s growing steadily through lots of referrals.”
“Amy and Landon had their baby around the same time as Kevin and Rebekah had their twins, right?” Caty stole a carrot stick from the salad.
“Right. Ava was born two weeks after Elizabeth and Jacob. The latest photos are on the side of the refrigerator. As you might imagine, Ava’s gorgeous with tons of dark hair, and she’s spunky and smart. She got the best attributes from both Amy and Landon. Sam and I were in New York a few months ago for book tours, and we got together with that side of the TeamWork family. Oh, Mitch and Cassie called a few days ago, and they’re expecting their first baby, a boy due sometime in late September. As you can imagine, they’re ecstatic and currently trying to agree on his name.”
Gnawing away on a second carrot stick, Caty pushed aside thoughts of Caleb, and wondering what he and Lauren were doing this afternoon. “I adore both Amy and Cassie. I’m going to have to meet their illustrious husbands one of these days.”
The photograph of Marc and Natalie Thompson and their kids laughing and romping in the snow made her smile. Even though she’d never met Marc, Caty was acquainted with Natalie. Her love story with Marc had touched her deeply. Marc’s devotion to his wife after a horrible fall when they were still newlyweds was a strong testament of God’s faithfulness. She loved how Sam and his TeamWork crew traveled to Montana to rally around the couple. Close to Thanksgiving, no less. The close friendships they all shared were rare and precious.
“Marc and Natalie’s girls are beautiful,” Caty said. “I think you need some more boys in the TeamWork gene pool. I’m glad to hear that Mitch and Cassie are doing their part. I have the feeling Marta and Eliot will have an announcement one of these days, too. Those two have already agreed on names.”
“Oh?” Lexa grabbed an oven mitt from the drawer and peeked on the progress of her cornbread. Caty’s mouth watered. Lexa’s cornbread was one of her favorite things in life. Her recipe had won a few cooking contests.
“Jalapeño?” After plucking a cherry tomato from the salad, Caty popped it into her mouth.
Lexa laughed. “Surely that’s not one of the names Marta and Eliot picked out?”
“No, silly woman,” Caty teased. “Your cornbread. Henri and Sophie are the names. Subject to change, of course. Hey, I heard about the possibility of Josh running for lieutenant governor in the future. Wouldn’t that be something?”
“Yes, and everyone but Josh seems to think it might actually happen.”
“Continuing on with the TeamWork roundup, where in the world is Gayle these days?”
“Funny you should ask. Gayle was offered the opportunity to live and work overseas for a year. She left right after the first of the year. It’s a very exciting opportunity for her since she’s been commissioned to paint a number of family portraits across the European continent. Last time we heard from her, she was in Austria. She lives with a family until their portrait is done, and then she moves on to the next. Kind of a referral thing, but it’s a great way to get to know the culture and to get to travel around Europe.”
Caty sighed. “Tough job, but someone has to do it, right? She must be very talented.”
“She is. Gayle made a portrait of Sam for his early birthday gift and gave it to us before she left. We couldn’t wait and unveiled it, and it’s hanging in the study. Be sure and stop in to see it while you’re here today.”
“I’ll definitely do that,” Caty promised. “What about Sheila and Dean? Angelina and Felipe?” The foursome lived in San Antonio and came to Houston for occasional weekend visits.
Lexa broke into a wide smile. “Sam married Sheila and Dean last month in San Antonio. Angelina gets prettier every day, and Felipe’s completely enamored with her. He’s doing well and keeping himself out of trouble. Angelina’s focusing on her art, and she’s encouraging Felipe to work on his stories.”
“I’m sure you are, too. Seems there are some wonderful writers in the TeamWork family. It’s a talented group of people.” Another thought popped into Caty’s mind. “Wait a second. Wasn’t Felipe living with Dean? I can’t help but wonder how that’s working out.”
“Felipe’s living with the pastor and his wife from their church now. They’re a lovely older couple. Their children are grown, and they adore Felipe. All things considered, it worked out best for everyone. Sheila doesn’t allow Angelina to date one-on-on
e yet. Felipe knows the rules, and he’s going with her to the youth group at the church. They do supervised activities together and are really cute together.” Lexa smiled as she stirred the chili again. “I think the time in New Mexico on that mission was the start of another beautiful TeamWork romance., but they have plenty of time.”
“Who’s in this photo?” A darling, dark-haired young man and woman, dressed in wedding attire, stood on the steps in front of a white church. Fat snowflakes fell around them, and their love for one another was clearly displayed in their clasped hands and the joy in their faces.
Lexa peeked around her shoulder. “That’s Ellie and Ryan, the young couple I told you about before. Remember, I told you how Will and Eliot flew to Germany to escort Ryan home after his helicopter was shot down in the war zone in the Middle East?”
“Ah, yes. Are they part of TeamWork now, too?”
A smile curved Lexa’s lips. “They have a ministry they started together before they were married. It’s called Perchance to Dream, and they provide toys, clothing, and Bibles for kids in the Cleveland area. The ministry’s been growing by leaps and bounds each year, and Sam’s been talking with Ellie and Ryan about TeamWork coming onboard as a silent partner.”
“Hello? Lexa?” They heard a knock on the side door leading into the kitchen. A tall, pretty blonde with long, straight hair appeared at the side door.
“Come in, Jensen. You don’t need to knock.”
The other woman nodded to Caty and set a grocery bag on the counter. “I picked up saltines and oyster crackers, as well as a few varieties of shredded cheese for chili toppings.”
“Jensen, I’d like you to meet Caty, Sam’s youngest sister,” Lexa said. “Caty, this is Jensen.”
“I’ve heard some wonderful things about your work at Doyle-Clarke Catering,” Caty said. “You sound like a native Texan, too.”
Jenson’s eyes were an unusual shade of pale yellow gold. Honey-colored is probably what it was called. “I’m originally from Justis, a tiny town in the western part of the state.”
“Justis,” Caty repeated. “Why does that sound so familiar?”
Jensen retrieved small serving bowls from an upper cabinet. She must have spent time in Lexa’s kitchen, too. “Our town’s claim to fame is a soccer phenom named Dante Moretti. It’s all very recent. He just got drafted straight from West Texas A&M to the Italian Soccer League. It’s a pretty big deal.”
Caty snapped her fingers. “That’s it! I saw an interview with Dante on Good Morning America! Do you know him? I was very impressed. He seemed quiet but surprisingly humble.”
“It’s such a tiny town that everyone in Justis knows everybody else.” A slight frown creased Jensen’s brow as she opened the bags of cheese and began to fill the bowls. “Dante’s story is rather tragic, and I’m sure that’s part of the draw for the media outlets. His parents and little sister were killed in a plane crash a year or two ago. He was playing in a tournament and their private plane crashed. The whole town rallied around Dante, and we’re all rooting for him to make it big in Italy.”
“How awful for him, but I wish him the best.” Caty swiped another cherry tomato.
“Will Dante be living near Rome or Florence?” Lexa moved back to the stove to check on her chili again.
“He’ll be living in Rome. His family’s roots are Italian, and I’m sure the ladies will love him. He’s a gorgeous man.”
“Hi, ladies.” Sam walked into the kitchen with blonde-haired Hannah and dark-haired Leah skipping on either side of him. Caty smiled since she often called the four-year-old twins his little shadows.
“If you heard what Jensen just said, we weren’t talking about you,” Lexa teased.
Sam laughed. “I didn’t hear a thing.”
“If success doesn’t spoil Dante, I’m sure he’ll be fine. All things considered, he had a good childhood, and he’s a man of faith.”
“You must be talking about Dante Moretti,” Sam said. “I heard about his story earlier this week. I’ll be watching for him in the Italian Soccer League. Sounds like he has a bright future.”
“Aunt Caty!” Running to her, the twins wrapped their arms around Caty’s waist. She hugged each one of them in turn and then peppered their faces with the silly, noisy kisses they loved. One of the things she’d missed most in living away from Houston was the birth of Joe and then the twins eighteen months later. Although she’d visited them as often as possible, Caty wanted to make up for lost time. They were only this young for such a short time, after all.
After she released them, the girls smiled shyly at Jensen.
“Girls, you remember Miss Jensen from church?” Lexa said.
“You’re pretty.” Leah beamed at Jensen.
Hannah slipped her hand in Caty’s. “You’re bee-u-tee-ful, too, Aunt Caty.”
Caty squeezed her niece’s hand. “Thanks, Hannah Banana.”
A short time later, they all sat around the table. The meal of salad, chili, and cornbread was delicious and satisfying. Caty liked how Lexa was a low-stress hostess. Keeping it simple allowed her to sit and enjoy the time around the table with her guests. Joe entertained them with stories of his make-believe space adventures, and the girls chattered away about their latest activities. Lexa answered Jensen’s questions concerning ministry opportunities at their church. Caty told them what she could about her new office and a few amusing anecdotes about her co-workers. Joe thought Miles sounded like a cool guy. He was, actually.
After asking the blessing, Sam had seemed content for everyone else to carry most of the conversation. She knew her oldest brother loved Sunday afternoons with his family when he didn’t have to deal with the day-to-day responsibilities of the TeamWork office. More than once, Caty caught his loving gaze on his wife. That might explain why Lexa had worn her hair down today. And why Marta had worn red lipstick again today, now that she thought about it. Yes, she could take lessons from her married friends.
Caty declined dessert, and Leah climbed onto her lap with her bowl of vanilla ice cream and fresh strawberries. “I have a new baby doll.”
“You do?” Caty pressed a kiss to her niece’s dark head. “What’s her name?”
“I named her Caty, just like you, and she has black hair like us. Hannah has Lexa, and she has yellow hair. Like Mommy.” She darted across the table. “And Miss Jensen, too.”
“That’s nice, sweetie,” Caty said. “Did you get the dolls for your birthday?” The girls had been born on Valentine’s Day which always made the date easy to remember.
“Dolls are for sissies.” Plopping his elbows on the table, Joe made loud slurping noises as he tried to suck a piece of strawberry through his straw.
“Elbows off the table, Joe.” Lexa motioned to him, and he reluctantly obeyed.
“You’re sposed to set the sample,” Leah reprimanded her brother.
“Example,” Hannah quietly corrected.
Taking her spoon, Caty swiped a strawberry from Leah’s ice cream. Giggling, the little girl picked another piece of fruit from Hannah’s bowl and hand-fed it to Caty.
“I used to have a doll,” Sam said, sitting back in his chair. “Aunt Caty can tell you.
“Yes, he did have a doll. An Army guy, wasn’t it?”
“Air Force,” Sam said.
“Of course, it was.” Caty tried not to laugh at Joe’s expression as he sat up straighter and shoved a huge bite of ice cream into his mouth.
“I think they called it an action figure, but he was awesome,” Caty said. “I tried to play with him a few times, but your dad wouldn’t let me.”
“There’s dolls for boys?” Joe shook his head. “Dad, how old were you?”
“Six or seven.” Sam smiled at his son. “Your Uncle Will had one, too.”
Joe clamped his hands on his cheeks. “No way.”
“Dolls aren’t so bad, Joe.” Sam gave Lexa a wink as he finished his bowl of ice cream with fresh peach slices. Did the man ever eat a meal without peache
s?
“If Uncle Will has a Pursuit action figure, you’re going to get it, aren’t you, Joe?”
Caty’s question appeared to stump her nephew. “Not sure,” he said, lifting his bowl to his mouth. “Maybe I’ll just play with my shuttle.”
Caty stole another bite of Leah’s ice cream so she wouldn’t laugh out loud. Life was never dull in this house.
“Joe, did you leave your manners at church today?” Shaking her head, Lexa handed her son a napkin. “Wipe your mouth, please. You don’t see your father eating like a horse at the trough.”
“I saw Daddy drink out of the milk carton,” Joe protested. “At breakfast yesterday.”
Lexa’s brows lifted and she looked at Sam. “Oh?”
Sam chuckled. “I only drink from the carton when I know I’ll finish it. Next time, use the straw for its intended purpose, Joe, especially at the dinner table.”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“It might be time to put away the straws,” Lexa said. Joe’s eyes widened at that statement.
After helping Lexa and Jensen clean the dishes, Caty slipped into Sam’s study to see the portrait Gayle had painted. It was quite large and occupied a good portion of the side wall. In the painting, Sam was seated on a backless counter stool with his signature black Stetson perched on his right knee. His head was angled to give a glimpse of his face even as he studied his well-worn Bible balanced on his other knee.
“What do you think?” Sam came into the study and stood behind her.
“Gayle captured you well. Isn’t this pose similar to the one in your author photo?”
Sam nodded. “I believe that’s what she used to paint the portrait. It was a complete surprise. She presented it to us right before she left for Europe. I’m not sure how I feel staring at a picture of myself while I’m working here in the study, but Lexa loves it.”
“Stop being so humble and enjoy it,” Caty teased. “It’s a precious labor of love and, from what I hear, this painting might be valuable one day. Lexa tells me Gayle’s work is in demand. You really are the Papa Bear of a terrific group of people, Sam. You’ve made such an impact on them.”