“TELL ME ABOUT YOUR FAMILY,” KATRINA SAID AS THEY made the drive from the airport to the ranch.
Grant’s game had been Saturday night, and they’d left town early Sunday morning, because Grant wanted to maximize the time they could spend at the ranch. It was a lengthy drive, but fun. Grant had talked a lot to Leo about the mechanics of football and how to get himself in shape. Katrina had enjoyed listening to their conversation. He and Anya chatted about music. The man had very eclectic taste.
They’d stopped at a mall so Anya and Katrina could do some shopping for more clothes, and they’d still had plenty of time left to get there, since the ranch was only about fifty miles from Austin.
“I already told you I have three other brothers. Flynn is the oldest. I’m second oldest. Then there’s Tucker and Barrett, the twins. And Mia, the youngest.”
“And your dad is Easton Cassidy,” Leo said. “He went to school at Texas, was drafted in the second round by Green Bay, and played his entire career there as quarterback. Fifteen seasons. Won two Super Bowls, too.”
Grant laughed. “You know your football, kid.”
“Who wouldn’t know about your dad? He’s a legend.”
Easton Cassidy was more than a legend, at least to Grant. He had always just been Dad, the guy whose shoulders he had ridden on when he was a kid, and the man who broke up the fights he’d had with his brothers.
When his dad spoke, everyone listened.
Okay, everyone but Mom. Because as powerful a man as Easton Cassidy was, Lydia Cassidy was even more formidable.
“Yeah, he was a great football player. He’s an even better father. He set a strong example of responsibility and honor and how to treat a woman. I’ve tried very hard to follow his example. Of course it helped that he married one hell of an amazing woman, who set some pretty fine examples herself.”
“Tell me about your mom,” Katrina said.
“Her name is Lydia. She was an attorney. She gave up her career after the twins were born and Mom and Dad bought the ranch. She decided she was a lot happier running after us crazy kids than she was dealing with the courtroom.”
“What kind of law did she practice?”
“She was a prosecutor. Damn good at it, too. But it demanded a lot of her time and Dad kept getting her pregnant.”
Katrina laughed. “I’m guessing he didn’t get her pregnant against her will, but that she likely wanted a lot of kids.”
“Okay, yeah. She did. I think you’ll really like her. She’s super smart, like you.”
“That’s a very nice thing to say, Grant. Thank you.”
“It’s the truth.”
As they made the drive through the Double C’s gates, Grant felt a pull, as always. No matter where he lived, this was always home to him. It represented family.
The dirt road blew up dust along the side of the car. He slowed down, navigating the bumps, hoping he wasn’t jostling his passengers too much.
“This. Is. Amazing,” Anya said. “So much space. Do you know how much land there is to roam around in New York City? None. Not at all.”
“That’s not true. There are plenty of places to get out and walk. And there’s Central Park,” Katrina said.
Leo snorted. “That’s not what I would call land, Kat. How many acres do your parents have here, Grant?”
“About four hundred acres. You can do plenty of roaming around while you’re here.”
“Freakin’ awesome,” Anya said.
The dirt road turned onto the paved one about a quarter mile from the house.
“Wow,” Katrina said as she spied the house up ahead.
“That’s the main house where my parents live.”
She tore her gaze away from the house to look at him. “There’s more than one?”
His lips curved. “Yeah. There’s more than one.”
He pulled around the circular drive and parked along the side of the house. Grant got out, as did everyone else.
The front door opened and he saw his mom first. He’d been busy a lot lately so he hadn’t seen her since the spring. He walked over to envelop her in a hug.
“How’s my baby boy?”
He always smiled hearing her say that. She said it to his brothers, too, which always amused them since they all towered over her small, five-foot-four frame. “Good, Mom.” He kissed her, then put an arm around her. “Come meet everyone.”
She gave him a squeeze. “I can’t tell you how surprised—and happy I am that you brought company.”
Katrina and the kids were standing by the side of the SUV he’d rented. He motioned for them to join him, so they walked over.
“Okay, everyone. This is my mother, Lydia Cassidy. Mom, this is Katrina Korsova, her brother, Leo, and her sister, Anya.”
Katrina felt suddenly nervous, but stepped forward and shook Lydia’s hand. “It’s very nice to meet you, Mrs. Cassidy. Thank you so much for having us.”
“Please call me Lydia. Nice to meet you, too, Katrina.”
Anya and Leo shook her hand, too.
“This ranch is awesome, Mrs. Cassidy,” Anya said. “I can’t wait to get out and explore. Grant made us buy several types of boots—the non-fashion kinds without heels.”
Lydia laughed. “First, call me Lydia. Yes, you definitely might need boots. It’s always dusty around here, and Grant might have a mind to take you hiking. Grant, bring the kids’ luggage in while I show them around. I’m putting you and Katrina in over at the other house.”