Sarah went along with the introductions. “Hello, Jamie. I’m so happy to meet you. I can’t wait to introduce you to—”

“Your brothers,” Trish interjected. “We told her she’s coming over to see her brothers.”

Sarah nodded. “They’re right in here.”

They all walked into the huge living room and the boys ran over.

Jack stared up at the little girl. “Are you Jamie?”

The toddler stared down at him wide-eyed.

Trish helped out. “Hi Jack. It’s nice to see you again.” She bent down. “This is Jamie. Your sister.”

Jamie wiggled to get free of her mom’s arms. Trish let her go.

Jack took her hand. “We have toys. Come see.”

Nick took her other hand. “I’m bigger than her,” he said to Luke.

Luke ran his hand over Nick’s head. “Be careful with her.”

“I will.”

Luke held his hand out toward the kitchen. “Can I get you something to drink?”

“I could use one,” Brett said, following Luke.

Trish hung back and stood beside Sarah as they watched the boys playing with the balls they pulled out of the toy box. Emma joined them and all four kids played like they’d been friends forever.

“It’s so easy for kids to just be friends.”

Sarah stood there, watching them, loving having them all together. “It’s only hard for adults because we make it hard by holding grudges and not giving someone a chance. Let’s not do that.”

“I appreciate that, Sarah. It’s more than I expected or deserve.”

“And that’s the last of that. You’re my guest. In time, we’ll be more because they need us to be.”

Trish touched her arm, then took her hand back. “Thank you, Sarah. I think I’ll go get that drink.”

Sarah didn’t move. She glanced around the huge room and took it all in.

Lyon and his wife were engaged in conversation with Margaret, James, and Lila by the back sliding doors. Tyler was on the floor, his back against the sofa where Jack had sat a moment ago, both of them with controllers in their hands as they played video games together. Sophia sat on the opposite sofa watching something on her tablet. Jason, Brett, and Luke sat on the steps that led up into the dining room, each with a beer in hand, watching over Emma and Jamie play with a ball, rolling it back and forth between them. Abby stood with Michelle, Bridget, and Trish. The ladies all had a glass of wine and conversed like they were old friends. Nick ran out of the kitchen with a cookie in his hand and slammed into Luke’s back and wrapped his arms around Luke’s neck. Luke reached back and ruffled Nick’s hair and kept talking to Jason until Jamie stood up and put her hand on Luke’s knee. He immediately picked her up and held her to his chest. Brett handed him a sippy cup, which he gave to the little girl, who didn’t seem afraid of strangers. And Sarah didn’t think any girl, young or old, wouldn’t fall for Luke.