by JoAnn Durgin
“So, Twin Number Two is still off for dinner with her intended but have you seen Twin Number One since this morning?” he asked, pushing aside his empty plate. Six-foot-five and the man only had one helping. Go figure. She took another bite of her roll as she pondered it all.
“Lexa?”
“Sorry. No, I haven’t seen Josh since he and Beck drove off together to Kevin’s work site this morning. Unless I’m totally off the mark here, I imagine they’ll both have big news when we see them in the morning. What?” she asked, seeing those smile lines deepen as she finished the roll. She loved her husband’s smile but his intense scrutiny at the moment wasn’t welcome since she felt like a gluttonous pig. She couldn’t seem to stop eating, and she’d gained a pound in the last week alone. She didn’t want to think about the reason.
“Baby, you seem awfully hungry these days, not to mention a little forgetful.”
“Trust me, if you had to nurse a baby countless times every day and run a catering business, you’d understand.” Her eyes widened. “Sorry, that didn’t come out right, and not to discount everything you do.”
“You put up with a lot from both the men in your life.”
She waved her hand. “Like you’re hard to take. But, I will say our son is going to be a big strapping cowboy like his daddy based on the way he’s draining me. I mean that quite literally.” She shushed him when he laughed. Getting up from her chair, she lovingly shoved his hands aside and positioned herself on his lap, inching her hands around his neck and kissing him the way she knew he loved best. “I love you, handsome cowboy.”
“I love you, beautiful girl, but I think we’d better move this into the living room. Unless you’d rather finish up the dishes and go upstairs early?” He quirked a brow.
She teared up, and he tightened his hold on her. “I know I’m eating like a pig. I can’t seem to help it. No two ways around it, I’m getting fat.” She attempted to slide down from his lap. Stopping her, Sam pulled her next to him, tightening his hold on her.
“You’re not fat, but I do think you’re pregnant again.”
“Of course I’m not,” she said. “Not that you don’t do your part, but I’m not ready for that. Joe’s still so young, and the business is just getting started.”
“Is that why you got so bent out of shape about that emergency catering job a few months ago?”
“No, that was legitimate panic.” She laughed even as a tear slipped down her cheek.
“Shh. Then why the tears? You’ve already hired additional help, and you couldn’t ask for a better partner than Winnie.”
“Who will probably be expecting within six months herself.” Lexa leaned her head against his chest. “I didn’t think I’d get pregnant again since I’m still nursing Joe.” She pulled back and lifted her eyes. “You’re okay with it?”
“I’m more than okay, Lexa. Remember, I come from a family with six kids. Plus assorted animals. I’m used to chaos and some would say I even thrive on it.”
She giggled and moved her hand over his heart. How she loved sitting with him like this. “I’ll try to keep the level of chaos under control. But, wait, you wanted to move so I don’t break down this chair.” She started to push away, but he held her steady.
“Stay,” he said, caressing her cheek before moving his hand to her stomach. “Hello, little Lewis baby.” He grinned when he saw the corners of her lips upturn. “It’s awfully soon, yes, but the Lord knows best. Don’t worry, Lexa. It’ll all work out. Now,” he said, standing with her in his arms, “I’m going to take you upstairs and tuck you into bed. I’ll do the dishes and join you shortly. In the morning, if you’re not too tired, you can make your delicious pancakes and we can share in everyone’s joy.”
“I don’t want to detract from their news by saying anything yet. Not until we know for sure.”
He nodded. “Agreed, but I know the Lord has blessed us again. Even though I’m biased, we do make beautiful babies together.”
“As long as this isn’t some crazy race between you and Marc. I don’t want to be pregnant all the time, you know.”
He laughed, climbing the stairs with her still in his arms. “Maybe we’ll have twins this time.”
“Sam, did you say anything to Josh and Rebekah yet?” she asked as he carried her into their bedroom.
“Not yet.” Lowering her onto the bed, he winked. “That’s tomorrow’s big surprise.”
Chapter 46
The next morning, they all sat around the dining room table, laughing and talking. Winnie had her hand in Josh’s and she kept stealing glances at Beck and Kevin, their hands clasped together—whenever Josh wasn’t sneaking kisses from her. They all had hearty appetites for Lexa’s pancakes, both peach and strawberry.
“Lexa had a wonderful suggestion,” Sam said as they finished breakfast. “If you’re game, we think it’s time for some Texas two-stepping tonight. I believe you’re all here until at least tomorrow,” he said, “so what do you say? Time to pull your partner close and share a few dances?”
“I’ve heard that can be dangerous for your wife,” Josh said under his breath.
She giggled and shot a glance at Lexa.
“I’m willing to take my chances,” Lexa said, planting a kiss on the top of Sam’s head as she carried another empty platter back into the kitchen.
Winnie eyed her business partner. The last couple of weeks, she’d alternated between scarfing down her food or else turning a little green and excusing herself from the room in a heartbeat. Little Joe might be getting a little brother or sister sooner than later. Chloe would be ecstatic.
“Sounds like a great idea,” Kevin said, bringing her back to the posed question.
Beck nodded. “We’re game.”
Winnie suppressed a smile. Josh’s beautiful sister wouldn’t care where she was, as long as Kevin was beside her. She was so happy for them, and they made a great couple.
Josh squeezed her hand. “So are we.”
“Okay, how about we all meet here tonight at seven, and head out together,” Sam said. He called to Josh and Rebekah as they got up from the breakfast table, asking for a word with them.
Winnie shared a glance and a shrug with Kevin as they gathered the breakfast dishes, following Lexa into the kitchen. Even though Lexa must know what it was about, she had the suspicion she wouldn’t be talking. No doubt, they’d find out soon enough.
~~**~~
Something about his tone told Josh the TeamWork leader had something serious on his mind. “Come into the study. We need to talk privately.”
“Yes sir,” Josh said with a mock salute. Beck looked at him, a question in her eyes. He shrugged as Sam led the way, closing the door behind him as they took seats across from his desk and he sat down in the massive black leather chair.
“Have we done something wrong?” she asked.
“Relax. I have something I need to discuss with the two of you. I wanted to talk with you first so you can think about it before giving me your answers.”
“What’s on your mind?” he asked.
“Josh, have you and Winnie discussed your plans as far as where you’ll be living and working?”
At least he got right to the point. “We haven’t worked through everything yet, no, but we’ve talked about it. I know how important the catering business is to both Winnie and Lexa, and I’m not planning on asking her to break up that partnership. I enjoy my work at the firm but mergers and acquisitions and the whole corporate thing—pushing numbers around to make everybody happy—isn’t what I want to do the rest of my working life.” He met his friend’s piercing gaze. “It’s not where my heart is.”
“So you’re at least considering a possible move to Houston?”
He nodded. “Definitely.”
“Do you have any idea what you’d like to pursue? Are you talking about leaving your law practice entirely?”
“No. I’ve always wanted to practice in some capacity, but I’m thinking more along the line
s of family law or something where I could work in conjunction with social services. I’ve done a lot of pro bono work in Baton Rouge, helping families get benefits and insurance payouts. Plus the TeamWork project in New Orleans has been great. I’ve prayed about it, and I believe the Lord’s leading me in a different direction. I’m open to finding out what that is.”
When Sam nodded, Josh couldn’t miss his look of pleased satisfaction. Knowing Sam like he did, something was on his mind. He suspected he’d find out very soon.
“What about you, Beck?” Sam asked. “Have you and Kevin talked about where you’re going to settle?”
“A lot is up in the air right now since he’s not sure how long he’ll be here in Houston once the business is up and running. For the foreseeable future, except for frequent trips to Baton Rouge, it looks like he’ll pretty much be stationed here.”
“You sound like it’s the military,” Josh said.
“It sorts of feels like it,” she said. “At least it’s only temporary.”
Sam sat up straighter and clasped his hands together on the top of his desk. “Let me tell you what I have in mind. As part of my position as Domestic Missions Director of TeamWork, I have the authority to appoint new positions within the TeamWork organization, both here in Texas and around the country. Josh, I’m in the market for a full-time general counsel. You’d need to take the Texas bar exam, but I know that wouldn’t be a problem for you. Our current general counsel is retiring in about three months. There’s no way I can promise you the type of salary I know you’re accustomed to at the firm in Baton Rouge, but this is what I can offer.”
Taking out a sheet of paper from his desk drawer, he pushed it across the desk. On it were printed facts and figures. Sam waited as he scanned it and noted the generous benefits package. That would be a big consideration with a wife and daughter, and hopefully more children in the not-so-distant future.
“I don’t know what to say,” Josh said.
“Don’t say no right away. I know your future wife is making some decent money these days with the catering business, and it promises to take on even more clientele in the near future.” He smiled. “People always need to eat, thank the Lord. You could work in the TeamWork office, from home or wherever you’d like.”
“Do you have something in mind for me?” Beck asked. Josh shot her a grin. She sounded like a kid impatient to get her present at Christmas.
Sam’s eyes softened as he looked at her. “As a matter of fact, yes. The woman who’s the head of our school operations is leaving the organization to stay home and raise her children, so we have an immediate opening. You’d be able to work from home for now, or you can have a small space in the TeamWork main office, if you’re willing to put up with me.”
“What would I be expected to do?”
“You’d set up all the schoolroom operations for all the TeamWork missions around the country. It takes a lot of planning that most people don’t understand. With your experience as a teacher, and with your past TeamWork missions, you understand better than anyone else the conditions and what’s needed. You could scout out the locations, make recommendations, coordinate plans for curriculum, that type of thing. I know you’ve felt like you’ve been searching for something, needing to fill a void in your life. While Kevin is probably the answer to a lot of that, I know you’ve been seeking more professional fulfillment. I’m offering this to you as a possibility, combining your teaching expertise with TeamWork and doing the Lord’s work.”
It was Rebekah’s turn to echo his words. “I don’t know what to say.”
“All I ask now is that you both pray about it, talk with Winnie and Kevin, and give me your answers when you’re ready. I’m not in a hurry. If possible, let me know your thoughts before you leave Houston. I’ll be happy to answer any questions.”
Josh looked over at his sister with raised eyebrows. As soon as he saw her smile, and felt the squeeze of her hand, he knew. “We accept.”
Chapter 47
They all piled into the Volvo station wagon after dinner, headed downtown for a fun night out of Texas line-dancing. They wore their jeans and boots, and the guys all wore Stetsons. Winnie caught Lexa’s grin as Josh pulled her inside the back of the station wagon, practically on his lap. She smiled as Kevin stole a quick kiss from Rebekah before settling in beside her.
“I didn’t know you owned a cowboy hat,” she said to Josh, nestling into the curve of his arm in the backseat as they waited for Lexa to finish giving her instructions to the babysitter before joining them. Dottie was with Chloe, and being Josh’s preferred sitter, she could rest easy for one night she wouldn’t get the third degree.
“I don’t wear it much, but I have the feeling I’ll be wearing it a lot more in the future. I hear it’s the first thing Marc bought when he got back to Boston after the Montana mission.” Tipping it further back on his forehead, he laughed and caught it before it toppled off his head.
Winnie giggled. “There’s definitely something about a man in a Stetson. Natalie learned that lesson in Montana, and Marc is a very wise man. I, for one, love it.” She gave him a quick kiss.
“Watch it, buddy. This backseat can get dangerous,” Josh said.
The comment made its mark when a slow flush crept into Kevin’s cheeks.
“Now you see why I never double date with him,” Rebekah said, rolling her eyes.
“Would you two please stop it over there?” Josh said, winking at his sister. “You’re embarrassing me.”
“Only if you do the same,” Kevin shot back.
“I didn’t know you had it in you,” Josh said, laughing, winking at his brother-in-law-to-be. “Sarcasm and public displays of affection all in the same night.” He planted a quick kiss on Winnie’s nose. “What’s the world coming to?”
“Well, I for one think God’s world, and the TeamWork world, in particular, is fabulous,” Winnie said. She smiled when Josh snuggled her closer.
“We’re pairing off quite nicely, don’t you think?” Rebekah said. “Let’s see, we’ve got Sam and Lexa, Natalie and Marc, Winnie and Josh, me and Kevin. Dare I ask who’s next? Amy? Dean? Eliot, anyone?”
“Don’t forget Marta and Cassie,” Winnie said. “And Gayle.”
“I’m sure some of us will marry outside the fold, so to speak.” Josh’s tone was wry.
“Tell me Sam,” Rebekah said, raising her voice so he could hear, “what is it about TeamWork that brings about all these romances, do you think?”
Sam chuckled. “First of all, I hesitate to use the word romance.”
Lexa patted Sam’s arm. “You are such a man’s man, Sam Lewis. Okay, then, pick another more appropriate term. ‘Relationship,’ perhaps?”
“In answer to your question,” Sam said, ignoring Lexa’s barb, “I believe it’s a case of the Lord planting workers where they’re most needed among others of His choosing. Then He sits back and watches all the fun, shaking His head while we make fools of ourselves before we finally awaken to the great love He’s blessed us with right in front of our eyes.”
“My husband, thank you very much,” Lexa said. “See what we started, Sam?”
“Yeah, and ain’t it grand?”
Josh laughed and shot a look at Kevin. “Just serve my sister frog legs for every anniversary, and you’ll enjoy lasting bliss the rest of your lives.” He planted another kiss on Winnie’s cheek. “I’ll stick with my guppy.”
She gave him a love swat and reached for Beck’s hand. “Let me see that diamond again. It’s gorgeous. You did very well, Kevin, and I’m not just talking about the ring.”
“Don’t I know it,” Kevin said. He shot an amused look at Josh. “Guppy?”
~~**~~
“Maybe I should have stayed home tonight,” Lexa whispered to Sam. She’d hired a young college student from their church to watch Joe, but she still worried as Sam drove them to the highway. She hated leaving her son at home although she knew it was important to get out of the house with thei
r adult friends every now and then. “I feel like I’m abandoning our child.” Crossing her arms, she stared out the window.
“You’re doing it again.” Sam reached for her hand, dislodging her crossed arms.
“Sorry. Old habits die hard.” She squeezed his hand. Glancing over her shoulder to make sure none of their four passengers heard their conversation, she sighed. “I am. Pregnant again.” The next minute, she wanted to burst into tears. It was a wonder the man put up with her.
“I love you, Lexa.”
“Remember the night of the barbecue at church? We couldn’t wait to get home. There was a lot of playfulness.”
“That’s pretty much a given with us.” Sam chuckled. “We’re getting a great start to our own TeamWork family. Kind of like TeamWork: the Next Generation. Has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”
“Sounds like a sci-fi TV show, but yes, it does sound very nice.” She laughed a little but then brought one hand up to her mouth.
“Are you okay?” He touched her arm. “Oh, oh. I remember that look. Breathe deep. In and out, in and out.”
~~**~~
“So, tell us about the plans for your weddings,” Lexa said a short time later, waving her hand as the bowl of nachos passed her by. Better not tempt anything. For the last couple of hours, her stomach had been a roller coaster. “You go first, Beck.”
“Kevin and I are thinking of an early December wedding.” When Rebekah reached for his hand, he looked at her with such adoration it stilled Lexa’s heart. She’d been praying for them ever since the trip to Milestone Ranch in Montana. Sam nudged her knee under the table, reaching for her hand. He probably loved this as much as she did, hearing their plans, sharing in their joy.
“It doesn’t give us much time,” Rebekah said, “but I’m sure we can do it. I’ve always loved that time of the year, and it will brighten Mom’s holiday season especially since it will be our first without Daddy around. I know she’ll love helping with all the details.” She darted a glance at her twin. “I don’t want to be insensitive, either. Do you think that’s too soon, Josh?”