“Not at all. I just don’t want you accusing me later of not giving you a proper heads-up.”
“No chance of that,” she said. “I am duly warned and still desperate enough to take my chances.”
Now Wade laughed. “I knew you were made of tough stuff. See you soon.”
As soon as he’d disconnected that call, he made one to his sister. “I’m bringing a friend to dinner. Any problem with that?”
“A female friend?” she inquired hopefully.
“A female friend,” he confirmed.
“Well, hallelujah! Did you warn her about the chaos?”
“I warned her about the chaos and about you.”
“Me?” she asked innocently.
“Yes, you. Try not to pull a full-blown interrogation on her, okay?”
“Are we talking Gabriella Castle?” she asked.
“Yes.”
Silence fell.
“Louise, is something wrong? You don’t have some problem with Gabi that I don’t know about, do you? Is me bringing her by a bad idea?”
“I heard she’s pregnant, Wade,” she said, her tone somber.
“I’m well aware of that.”
“Under the circumstances—your circumstances—are you really sure getting involved with her is smart?” she asked, genuine worry in her voice.
Wade understood his sister’s concern. “Believe me, sis, it’s the best idea I’ve had in a very long time.”
“Okay, then,” she said, though she sounded far from satisfied. “I’ll be on my best behavior.”
“I’m counting on it,” he said. That, and a whole lot more. He hoped Gabi would see his sister’s family, hear about Louise’s mostly successful juggling act and realize it was possible to have it all. And that he wasn’t a bad person to have around for that particular ride.
* * *
Louise Johnson Carter’s home was in a gated golf community. Designed in the Carolina architectural style so popular in Sand Castle Bay, it was built up off the ground to protect the living space from storm surges. There were balconies on every level and sweeping views of the golf course and water. Inside, the space was one giant living area, with kitchen, dining area and comfortable seating for a large group of people. Bedrooms were on a separate floor.
“Be careful where you step once we’re inside,” Wade warned as he led Gabi up the first set of exterior steps. “Even though the kids have a gigantic playroom, their toys are underfoot everywhere. Periodically Louise or Zack do a sweep of the house and stuff everything into toy boxes, but that generally doesn’t last more than a couple of hours, and that’s if the kids aren’t home or are sound asleep.”
Gabi chuckled as she reached the landing and had to sidestep to avoid a fire truck, a baseball bat and a tea set. “A home is supposed to be lived in,” she said. “This one obviously is. I’d be more worried if it were too neat.”
“What a refreshing attitude,” the frazzled woman at the top of the steps said as she waited for them. “Some people seem to think this ought to be a showplace 24/7.”
“She means Zack,” Wade said as he reached his sister and kissed her cheek. “Lou, this is Gabriella. She prefers Gabi, though.”
“Then Gabi, it is,” Louise said at once. “I’ve heard a lot about you, but I don’t think our paths crossed back in the day.”
“I don’t believe so, either,” Gabi said. “And I love your home. The views are amazing.”
“Thanks. I try to make it a point to sit on the deck with a glass of wine from time to time and enjoy them. Unfortunately, most of the time, I just fall straight into bed at the end of the day.”
“Wade says you have a thriving law practice and five kids. I’m surprised you’re not comatose by midafternoon.”
“I would be if I slowed down long enough to realize how exhausted I am. Now what can I get you? Soda? Tea? Water?”
“Water would be great. And directions to the nearest restroom.”
Louise laughed. “Oh, do I remember those days! It’s right here on the left.”
“It’s awfully quiet around here,” Wade commented. “What have you done with the kids?”
“Zack took them for a walk. Sometimes that wears them out enough that they’ll be civilized through an entire meal.”
Wade regarded her indignantly. “You never shared that tip with me.”
“Because, my sweet brother, you can’t handle all five of them on a walk. You can barely keep up with them when they’re contained right here in the living room.”
“That is not true. They mind me.”
Louise rolled her eyes. “They might if you ever corrected them.” She grinned at Gabi. “Every night after he leaves here, I have to undo all the damage he’s done. He is not a disciplinarian, which is why my kids adore him. You’ll see. Just stay out of the way when they get back. They’ll head directly for him.”
Sure enough, just then a downstairs door crashed open and a child’s voice shouted, “Unca Wade’s here!”
Feet thundered up the steps. Gabi took a few steps back as four kids threw themselves at Wade with an exuberance that might have knocked him down had he not braced himself for them.
Louise shook her head at the sight, then turned to Gabi. “Why don’t you come into the kitchen with me? He’s going to be under siege for a while.”
Gabi made a quick stop in the restroom, then followed Wade’s sister into the huge open kitchen with endless expanses of granite countertops, tons of cabinets and a refrigerator that looked as if it could stock enough food for six families. For anyone who loved to cook, it was a dream kitchen. The aromas suggested Louise was one of those people.
“Something smells wonderful,” Gabi said as she accepted a glass of water from Louise. “How on earth do you find time to cook a real meal and keep up with everything else?”
“To be honest, it doesn’t happen every day. I manage some time on Sundays to put a few things together for the week ahead, but we rely on takeout more than I’d like.”
“I’ve just about lived on takeout since
