It gave Corbin a few things to think about.
With a yawn, Ivey stretched. “I have work tomorrow, so I suppose I should get going.”
Hope quickly said, “Me, too.”
“Awww,” Justin complained. It was clear that he hated for the fun to end.
Corbin hated for it to end, too, especially since Justin had enjoyed it so much.
Ivey smiled at him. “Daisy is used to seeing me in the mornings. Even on the days I don’t work, I go by to visit with her. And if I stay here much longer, I’m liable to sleep past my alarm, and then I won’t have as much time to play with her. Plus I need to get home to my kitty, Maurice.”
“Will I get to meet Maurice when we visit?”
“Of course, but remember, he’s old and grumpy so we have to be really calm and quiet when we’re around him.”
“I’ll pet him real easy, okay?”
Ivey gave him a smile full of affection. “You were so good with Daisy, I’m sure you’ll do great.”
Justin beamed.
Lang started putting away the empty pizza boxes. “I have The Monster Squad saved to my iTunes account. Since the ladies have to leave, you want to watch it with me?”
“Heck, yeah.” Justin glanced at Corbin with open yearning and heartbreaking uncertainty. “You wanna watch with us, Dad?”
He’d never tire of being called Dad.
Wondering if that was another one he shouldn’t let Justin see, Corbin shot a look to Ivey, but her easy grin told him it would be fine. “You’ll love it. Super fun for all ages.”
“I can’t imagine a better way to round out a perfect day.” The happiness on Justin’s face made Corbin feel like he could take on anything. “If you two can wait until I walk Ivey and Hope over, then yeah, I’d love to watch it with you.” Already he imagined Justin snuggled in close to his side, maybe sharing a big bowl of popcorn.
“Not a problem.” Lang stood there holding empty boxes and a trash bag. “Justin can show me where to find the garbage can and maybe whatever room you want me to use?”
Just like Lang to immediately pitch in. Their mother hadn’t raised any slugs. “Justin, why don’t you show him the room downstairs, okay?”
“It’s cool,” Justin promised. “There’s a bed, but the rest is empty. Dad says we’ll put a gym down there.” He took the bag from Lang. “Come on, I’ll show you.” Then the imp added, “I found a spider down there the other day.”
“Don’t taunt me, boy, or I’ll be camping out in your room.”
Grinning, Corbin watched them go—and realized both Hope and Ivey were doing the same. Hope actually looked confused, as if she wasn’t sure what to make of Lang, but Ivey looked merely amused.
“A domesticated man.” Ivey nudged Hope. “It’s a pleasure to see, don’t you think?”
Hope went pink in her cheeks.
“We were taught well,” Corbin explained. Being tidy had become a habit, learned under his mother’s watchful eye. Because he’d been looking at Hope, he saw her flush and turn away—with a small smile. Interesting.
Putting a hand to Ivey’s back, and with Hope preceding them, they headed out. “Lang is terrific,” Corbin said. “I’m glad he’s here, but it’s sooner than I expected.”
“I guess he didn’t let you know he was on his way because he wanted to surprise you?”
“With a boat.”
Still smiling, Hope headed for the path that led to the guesthouse. “He said he sold his business?”
“That sounds crazy, right? But we’re family, so...” Corbin stepped ahead of Ivey and moved aside the branches of a prickly bush. It’d make sense to clear the path a little more. He’d see to that soon. “I knew Lang was selling his sports complex, but he got it done quicker than I expected.”
“A sports complex?” the women said almost in unison.
Dusk had fallen, yet streaks of red and orange clung to the horizon. Without the baking sunshine, it wasn’t quite as muggy. The throaty trill of frogs on the lake mixed with the constant chirping of crickets. It was a peaceful night. He wouldn’t mind spending more like it.
“Yeah, you know. Batting cages, indoor soccer, outdoor baseball and softball diamonds—”
“Wow,” Ivey said. “It was his, or part of the family business?”
“All his, and it was the perfect job for Lang.”
“Because he’s athletic?” Hope asked, as she moved around a spiderweb.
It amused Corbin that she was skittish with men but thought nothing of insects. Like Lang, he’d just as soon not tangle with some types of bugs. He wasn’t quite as squeamish, and put to the test he’d definitely man up. But given a choice? Yeah, he’d avoid spiders.
“Lang is one of those natural athletes that did well at every sport he played,” Corbin said. “He never took any of them too seriously, though.”
Ivey snorted. “Does he take anything seriously?”
“Family.” Lang would do just about anything for him, their mom and now Justin. “It was hard enough on him when I moved closer to where Justin lived. At first, I didn’t want to change too many things in his life, but it didn’t take me long to rethink that.”
“You wanted a clean break?” Ivey asked.
“Since his mother walked away, and he didn’t have any close ties there, it seemed like a good idea. Make everything different but better.”
Ivey nodded. “Give him a new focus and a fresh start.”
“Lang would have been there right away, but I wanted it to just be us, you know? I figured we should get acquainted before the rest of my family closed in. It’s mostly Mom, Lang and me, but we have other relatives we see on holidays. How about you two?”
Hope was suddenly giving all her attention to where she stepped.
Corbin knew he’d said something wrong, but he had no idea what.
Catching his hand, Ivey squeezed. When he glanced down, she gave a small shake of her head so he’d know to let it drop with Hope, but then she followed up with, “I’m an only child. My parents were one and done.”
“Because you were a handful?” he teased.
“Probably, though the way Mom tells it, I wasn’t bad, just determined to do things my own way. She said I never minded hard work. Honestly, though, I am self-absorbed.”
Hope snorted in disagreement.