Linda Hudson-Smith - Kissed by a Carrington

“Make it happen soon,” Austin recommended. “Is she under contract to travel with the team?”

“No.” Houston was quick to respond. “I can’t say I’m sorry about that. Things could get complicated under that scenario. I don’t want my teammates getting wind of this. If they do, they’ll ride me like a bucking bronco.”

“The guys will definitely find out if this relationship progresses into something serious,” Dallas advised. “You know how our teammates sniff out any hint of rumor or innuendo.”

Houston sighed hard. “There you guys go again, always jumping to conclusions. We haven’t had a next date, but you’re both talking like we’re already deep into something.”

“I hate to let you in on this, bro, but you are in deep,” Austin cautioned Houston. “You just won’t let go of the tight control on your silly commitment notions. Let yourself feel this woman. But we won’t harass you. Just don’t take too much time to make up your mind.”

“Yeah, man, we’re with you,” Dallas assured, knowing they’d harass Houston at every turn, more so if he decided to keep Kelly at arm’s length. “Make sure you know what you’re doing. You don’t want to hurt her. Maybe it’s time to let loose the Doberman inside you, the one guarding your heart. No one ever knows the beginning from the end, but finding out what’s in between can be a beautiful experience.”

“Dallas is right, Houston. Now that I have you two guys on the phone,” Austin said, “there’s something important we need to discuss.”

Seated in the cavernous kitchen inside Austin’s ranch-style home, Houston looked tired. He had gotten up earlier this Saturday morning than he’d intended. It had been hard to get out of bed. After talking with his brothers about Kelly last night, he’d lain awake until the wee hours of the morning thinking of the lady doctor.

The conversation had ended with Austin calling a meeting to discuss plans for Angelica’s birthday. The brothers wanted to do something extraordinary for their mother, their biggest supporter. It was a daunting task since they showered her with special gifts all year long.

“Dining in a fancy restaurant is old hat,” Houston drawled lazily. “We do it all the time.”

Dallas’s fingers raked through his dark, satiny curls. “We need to do something original, something we haven’t done for her yet. Mom deserves the best.”

Pushing his coffee cup around in circles on the table, Austin looked thoughtful. “We know that much. We’ve given her everything but the sun. This gift has to be extraordinary.”

Houston’s eyes lit up. “What about a cruise?”

Austin pumped one fist in the air. “Great idea! She’s talked about going on one but hasn’t done it yet. What do you think, Dallas?”

“Works for me. Dad would love it. Old Beaumont will have a fit if we send Mom away without him. They’re extensions of each other—where one goes the other follows.”

Austin and Houston laughed at Dallas’s old reference to their dad. They all did it from time to time, but never in his presence. They had the utmost respect for their father. He was the man who’d named the triplets after various cities of his native Texas, the person who’d taught them to become strong, independent, upstanding black men. Beaumont led by example. His boys had followed along in his footsteps without getting lost in his oversize footprints.

Looking a bit concerned, Austin stroked his chin. “We can’t be gone for too long. Since Ashleigh’s in her third trimester, a three- to five-day cruise will work best for us.”

Dallas nodded. “The time frame is cool with me, big brother. We can sail to Cozumel right out of the Port of Galveston or the Port of Houston.”

Austin, the firstborn triplet, was a born leader. Houston and Dallas looked up to Austin and also went to him for sound advice on personal guidance and growth and life in general. Dallas was the money man, sought out for discussion on financial issues and relied on heavily for his recommendations on various investments. Houston was the knowledgeable one, referred to as a walking encyclopedia. Black history was his favorite subject and he researched it relentlessly, sharing with the family the unusual things he’d learn. Each brother supported the other in individual and joint ventures.

Austin nodded. “Great suggestion. Ashleigh’s not keen on flying until after she delivers. I don’t want her isolated from proper medical care, either.”

“Maybe we’d better come up with a good backup plan,” Dallas suggested.

“If all of us can’t go on the cruise, we’ll just send Mom and Dad,” Houston said.

Liking Houston’s suggestion, the guys nodded in agreement.

Ashleigh, Austin’s golden girl, suddenly appeared in the doorway. She was a beautiful woman with a fiery copper-colored mane of thick, unruly curls and a sun-kissed champagne-gold complexion. “Did I just hear my name?”

Dallas and Houston rushed to Ashleigh’s side, giving her warm hugs. The guys genuinely loved their sister-in-law, who was once a foster sister. As a foster child, Ashleigh had resided in the Carrington home for many years. Years later the family had been reunited on a Valentine’s Day cruise.

Houston always noticed how mesmerized Austin was by his wife’s gentle beauty. He kept his eyes on her as the brothers made their normal fuss over his adorable wife.

Smiling brightly, Ashleigh waddled into the room, her stomach clearing the doorway first. The brothers followed along behind her, reclaiming their seats at the table.

Ashleigh plopped down on Austin’s lap, kissing him passionately. “Talking about your favorite subject, huh?”

Austin kissed Ashleigh back. “You know it!” As his hands rubbed her stomach tenderly, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. “How’s our little one today, Mommy?”

Ashleigh smiled sweetly. “Just fine, Daddy. No kicks yet from our future star punter. I’m sure he or she is just gearing up for the day. We haven’t been awake very long.”

Houston loved the way Ashleigh referred to herself and their child as one body. He was also enamored with the fact that his sister-in-law thought a girl was as capable of being a star athlete as a boy. Male or female baby was just fine with the couple. A healthy child was the daily prayer. Wanting to be surprised, Austin and Ashleigh had refused to learn the baby’s gender.

Ashleigh sniffed the air. “Who fixed coffee?”

Houston laughed. “Who else, Ash? We used to get our coffee from McDonald’s restaurant in the mornings. Glad you took time to teach us how to brew, but Austin is still selective about when he makes coffee for us.”

Austin tossed Houston an intolerant glance. “I already do enough for you and Dallas. You guys eat and sleep out here at the ranch almost as much as Ashleigh and me.”

Houston grinned guiltily. “You shouldn’t have built those fabulous guesthouses. Ash, would you like a cup of herbal tea or a glass of orange juice or milk?”

Feeling a tad uncomfortable, Ashleigh moved over into the chair next to her husband’s. “Orange juice would be nice. Thanks, Houston. Has anyone eaten breakfast?”

All heads shook in the negative.

Slowly, with extreme caution, Ashleigh arose. “I’ll rustle up something real quick. We’re ravenous this morning,” she said, rubbing her stomach.

“Not a chance, Ash. I’ll do it.” Austin leaped out of his seat then helped Ashleigh back into hers. “Be still. Just sit there and look beautiful for me.”

Ashleigh playfully swatted Austin’s behind. Pulling his head down, she gave him a flurry of gentle kisses. “Husband, I’m not disabled. I’m merely pregnant.”

Austin kissed her forehead. “That’s why I wait on you hand and foot. Enjoy it, babe. Once the baby comes…Well, we already know what’ll happen around here, Mommy.”