“All right. Let’s do that.”
Phillip rarely asked anything of him, and that wasn’t right. They were supposed to be partners, and that inferred a fifty-fifty split, not just of responsibilities but of affection and concessions, too.
The front door opened before they had a chance to knock. The woman who opened the door was a woman he’d seen the night before but hadn’t met. Her dark hair was swept up in a topknot, with only a very few silver threads sparkling through the black. Her face didn’t hold any wrinkles. Jason wasn’t good at judging a person’s age. But the way she smiled at them, he thought she might be close to ageless. “There you are! We didn’t get a chance to meet last night. I’m Bernice Benedict. I’m one of Kate’s daughters-in-law, married to her sons Caleb and Jonathan. Please, come in!”
Jason hadn’t formed any images in his mind as to what the interior of this very large house would look like. The surprise to him was that it felt so homey. The décor was tasteful but definitely what he would call expensive. Neat as a pin, too. The house smelled fresh, the way his mother’s house had smelled that first day after the annual spring cleaning. I wonder how many staff they have. Likely quite a few, judging by the number of cars parked outside.
Bernice led them to the left, through a very large dining room, and on into another large and airy space.
As soon as Bernice stepped into the room, the men in that room—six of them—got to their feet. “We’re gathered here in the great room. Lunch will be ready, soon.” Then she turned and gave them a big smile. “I’ll leave you in capable hands. I need to return to the kitchen.” And then she did just that.
They immediately headed over to Grandma Kate, who’d just gotten to her feet.
“I’m so happy to see you both.” She hugged Jason, and he couldn’t help but be in awe of her obvious strength. Phillip was treated to the same greeting.
He had no trouble reading Phillip’s surprise on his face.
One of the men, a burly fellow with streaks of gray in what otherwise might have been blond hair stepped forward. “I’m Caleb, Kate’s oldest. Welcome home, gentlemen.” Each of the other older men stepped forward and introduced themselves in turn.
They learned that Jonathan was a twin to Caleb, a retired rancher to Caleb’s retired cop. Carson and Michael, the next oldest of Kate’s sons, were married to Abigail, currently in the kitchen with Bernice, working on lunch. Carson had been the CEO of Benedict Oil and Minerals, as well as Benedict International. Michael was a retired professor of English.
“I’m Matt, and that’s Steven. Caleb, Jonathan, and Bernice are our parents. And the lovely woman sitting in the comfy rocking chair is our wife, Kelsey. She owns Lusty Appetites, where y’all partied last night.”
Both he and Phillip stepped over to shake Kelsey’s hand. Jason didn’t know much about pregnant women, but to his eye, Kelsey looked ready to give birth.
“How much longer for you?” Phillip asked.
“Theoretically, early April. In actual fact?” She grinned. “I’m carrying twin boys, so it could be any time, now.”
“Their arrival will give us three children,” Steven said. His pride and his love were in his eyes. “Our daughter, Amanda Rose, is currently with our sister, Susan, and her husbands. Mandy and Susie’s little guy, Michael, are both going to be six in the fall. They’re best friends and take turns having sleepovers and play dates.”
Everyone made them feel welcome. Both he and Phillip chose to sample Shiner, the Texas-brewed beer they were offered. Before long, they were sitting with this accumulation of honorary uncles and cousins, getting to know these people who were all Benedicts.
A pretty blonde woman, her hair cut in a chic style, stepped into the room. “Lunch is ready.”
“Jason and Phillip, this is Michael’s and my wife, Abigail.”
He and his cousin had both gotten to their feet when Abigail had entered the room. She gave them each a smile as she extended her arm.
“We’ll come help carry, sweetheart,” Carson said.
“That would be nice.”
There was nothing fancy about the dining table, except there was. Jason recognized Wedgewood dinnerware when he saw it. When everyone was seated—there were twelve of them—Caleb said grace, and then the food was passed around.
Sliced roast beef and ham, along with several salads—a green salad, a bean salad, and one that surprised him—a potato salad—comprised the lunch. He’d heard that Texans didn’t eat potatoes much. Jason thought it might be a good idea to set aside all his previously conceived notions about this large state.
The food was good, and the company? Once more Jason was surprised by how congenial everyone appeared to be. He realized there were three triads sitting at the table and learned, over the course of the conversation, that Kate was the widow of Gerald and Patrick, who’d been brothers and about ten years her senior.
As soon as the food had been eaten, all of the senior men and Steven got up and made short work of clearing the table while the women, who’d apparently made the meal, relaxed. Matt stayed by Kelsey’s side. Jason had learned they’d been married at least six years, but they acted like newlyweds. Both of her husbands doted on Kelsey.
He thought back to how his grandfather had catered to his grandmother and how his dad and uncles were with their wives.
Doting on a wife is a pretty good family tradition. Jason had figured that, at some time in the nebulous future, he’d marry. He watched the way Phillip watched everyone—not just their cousins but the uncles and aunts, too.
His closest cousin wasn’t nearly as inscrutable as Jason could be. The longing was right there on the man’s face.
He didn’t think anyone but him had seen it.
A cart was wheeled in carrying coffee, hot tea, sweet tea, and a couple of very tasty-looking pecan pies.
“How many staff do you have
