Before heading up to sit with them, I glanced out at the field. Alex was standing with some of the players, including his son Peter and Tyler, giving what looked like a pep talk.
Seraphina turned when I was four steps from the top. She took off her sunglasses to look at me, her eyes full of surprise. “You made it.”
“I’m a little late. Got wrapped up in something,” I said.
“He’ll be really happy to see you.” She smiled up at me, squinting slightly in the sun. “Want to sit?” She patted the spot next to her.
I couldn’t sit down fast enough. “I brought banana bread. From Margaret.”
“That was nice of her,” Seraphina said.
Vance reached over to shake my hand. “Nice to see you.”
“Same. Thanks for letting me crash your group.” I leaned over to get a better look at baby Leo, asleep in his mother’s arms. “What a beauty.”
Gillian beamed. “Isn’t he though? My little lion.”
“Are you well?” I asked her.
“Tired, but yes, I’m doing great,” Gillian said.
“I told her not to come,” Seraphina said. “But she didn’t listen.”
“I’m fine,” Gillian said. “And I want to be here for the boys. First game of the season’s a big deal. For Alex too.”
I nodded toward Delphine, who sat on the other side of Vance. She gave me a polite smile. I was never sure if she liked me or not.
The teenage girls all said hello. Madison, in her usual exuberance, said, “Hi, Hunter. Do you want to pet Trevor?”
“Hey, ladies,” I said. “And yes, I’d be honored to pet Trevor.” I twisted slightly to give him a good scratch behind the ears. He lifted his tail for a few thumps, before closing his eyes again.
“Do you like dogs?” Madison asked.
“I adore them,” I said.
“Why don’t you have one, then?” Madison asked.
“I never thought I’d be home enough, and I didn’t want him or her to be lonely,” I said.
“Where’s your home?” Madison asked.
“It used to be Nashville, but now it’s here,” I said.
“Good. Because we all want you to stay,” Madison said.
Robbie, who had his head in a book, looked up to greet me. “Hello, Hunter. Are you a baseball fan?”
“I like baseball,” I said. “Plus, I’m a Tyler fan, so here I am.”
“My brother Peter’s on the team too,” Bella said. “He and Tyler are the best players.”
“Can’t wait to see them do their thing,” I said.
“Does anyone want a slice of banana bread?” Lila asked. “I heard Hunter say that Margaret made it. And, look, she cut it into pieces for us.”
Everyone but Grace wanted some. Lila held it out for everyone to take a slice. Robbie leaned closer, examining it like a doctor with a problematic patient. “Nuts,” he said. “No, thank you.”
“Do you not like nuts?” I asked.
