“Goddamn it! That ump ought to be shot in the head. That pitch was a mile high.”

Sybill arched an eyebrow at the furious male voice from the next room. Phillip merely smiled and jiggled Aubrey on his hip. “Ball game. Cam’s taking this year’s pennant race personally.”

“The game! I forgot.” Seth slammed the refrigerator door and raced out of the kitchen. “What’s the score, what inning is it, who’s up?”

“Three to two, A’s, bottom of the sixth, two outs, a man on second. Now sit down and shut up.”

“Very personally,” Phillip added, then set Aubrey down when she wiggled.

“Baseball often becomes a personal challenge between the audience and the opposing team. Especially,” Sybill added with a sober nod, “during the September pennant race.”

“You like baseball?”

“What’s not to like?” she said and laughed. “It’s a fascinating study of men, of teamwork, of battle. Speed, cunning, finesse, and always pitcher against batter. In the end it all comes down to style, endurance. And math.”

“We’re going to have to take in a game at Camden Yards,” he decided. “I’d just love to hear your play-by-play technique. Can I get you anything?”

“No, I’m fine.” More shouts, more cursing burst out of the living room. “But I think it might be dangerous to leave this room as long as your brother’s team is down a run.”

“You’re perceptive.” Phillip reached out to curve his hand over her cheek. “So, why don’t we stay right here and—”

“Way to go, Cal!” Cam shouted from the living room. “That son of a bitch is amazing.”

“Shit.” Seth’s voice was cocky and smug. “No stinking California outfielder’s going to blow one by Ripken.”

Phillip let out a sigh. “Or maybe we should head out back and take a walk for a few innings.”

“Seth, I believe we’ve discussed acceptable word usage in this house.”

“Anna,” Phillip murmured. “Coming downstairs to lay down the law.”

“Cameron, you’re supposed to be an adult.”

“It’s baseball, sugar.”

“If the pair of you don’t watch your language, the TV goes off.”

“She’s very strict,” Phillip informed Sybill. “We’re all terrified of her.”

“Really?” Sybill considered as she glanced toward the living room.

She heard another voice, lower, softer, then Aubrey’s firm response. “No, Mama, please. I want Seth.”

“She’s okay, Grace. She can stay with me.”

The easy, absent tone of Seth’s voice had Sybill considering. “It’s unusual, I’d think, for a boy Seth’s age to be so patient with a toddler.”

Phillip shrugged his shoulders and walked to the stove to start a pot of fresh coffee. “They hit it off right away. Aubrey adores him. That has to boost the kid’s ego, and he’s really good with her.”

He turned, smiling as two women walked into the room. “Ah, the ones who got away. Sybill, these are the women my brothers stole from me. Anna, Grace, Dr. Sybill Griffin.”

“He only wanted us to cook for him,” Anna said with a laugh and held out a hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’ve read your books. I think they’re brilliant.”