Page 6 of Home Team Advantage
“Well, what do you say about a game of spades?”
Why not? It wasn’t like he had anything better to do, and it might keep the personal convos to a minimum.
“I say, bring it on.”
He, Oliver, and Kate played cards for a while. It was a nice way to pass the time. Kai fell asleep at some point with a pink pillow wrapped around his neck, and Corey was watching a movie or something on his phone.
It was low-key. Pleasant. Exactly what he needed.
After several hours, Kate picked up her backpack and said, “Guys, it has been great. I’ve got to get to my gate.” She stopped at the door and offered a few parting words over her shoulder. “Just remember, whatever Blessing told you today, do it. Don’t second-guess her. It will make your life so much easier.”
Chapter Three
ANNA
There were angels on earth, and Elsa Campbell was one of them, Anna decided. It was the only possible explanation for why the older woman had been so open to bringing a stranger into her home. Well, either that or a touch of divine intervention. Most of Anna’s life up to that point could be summarized under a wrong place, wrong time banner with occasional instances of wrong place, right time or right place, wrong time.
Right place, right time was so much better.
Anna discreetly pinched herself again as Mrs. Campbell gave her the tour. It was better than she could have imagined.
The house was a three-bedroom, two-bath ranch, located outside the town proper in a nice, quiet neighborhood. The homes were far enough apart to provide privacy, but close enough to not feel isolated. The house and the property were well maintained on the outside, tastefully decorated on the inside. Everything had been modified to be wheelchair accessible, so Mrs. Campbell was able to move around easily and do a lot of things for herself.
After making tea, they sat at the kitchen table and discussed specifics. Mrs. Campbell was physically frail, but no more than one would expect of a woman close to a hundred years old. Her mind was sharp, though she did admit to being forgetful sometimes. In terms of care, she required nothing special. Help getting dressed, assistance with meals and cleaning, scheduling appointments, and transportation.
Transportation wouldn’t be an issue either. The immaculate two-car garage held a relatively new, adaptive van. According to Mrs. Campbell, she’d driven herself and her friends around until only recently, when balance and stability had necessitated the use of a wheelchair. Driving was more of an effort for her these days, so she often relied on the county-run senior citizens transit bus, known fondly to Elsa and her friends as the Bingo Bus. No one liked using it though because they sometimes ended up riding for hours, based on the schedule.
In return for her service, Anna would get her own bedroom and bathroom, meals, and a modest salary. It was more than she could have hoped for.
By early evening, they’d hammered everything out. Med schedules, appointments, and upcoming commitments. Anna helped Mrs. Campbell prepare to retire for the evening, then went to her own room to settle in. It didn’t take long; most of her things had been in her car when it was stolen, although the state police had managed to recover one suitcase that had been discarded along the highway at some point. A trip to the nearest Walmart was definitely on the agenda.
Still revved up from the excitement of the day, Anna padded back into the kitchen to make herself a cup of chamomile tea. As she waited for the kettle to heat, she looked out the sliding glass doors to the massive patio beyond. Snow began to fall in big, heavy-looking flakes, and Anna felt a sense of peace and cautious optimism that she hadn’t felt in a long time.
When one door closes, another one opens, indeed.
Chapter Four
MATT
Despite the early morning hour, Kieran was waiting when Matt stepped out of baggage claim. The guy was impossible to miss, a giant among regular-sized humans. His black hair was just starting to show strands of silver, but his blue eyes were as bright and alert as ever.
Kieran’s smile was wide as he pulled him in for a manly hug. Though not related by blood, he was the closest thing to a father Matt had ever had, coming into his life when Matt was fourteen and he and his mother had moved to the tiny little town of Pine Ridge, Pennsylvania. Kieran and his six older brothers were the strong male role models Matt hadn’t known he needed.
“How was the trip?” Kieran asked, releasing him.
“Uneventful.”
“Best kind. You had a long layover in Atlanta, yeah?”
Matt thought about Blessing and the people he’d killed time with. All military, all at their own crossroads. “Wasn’t so bad. I hung out in the USO. Had some interesting conversations.”
Kieran smiled knowingly. “Blessing’s still there then?”
That surprised him. “You know her?”
“Oh, yeah. Did she hit you with the woo-woo and say something cryptic?”
Matt nodded. “She reminded me a lot of Aunt Maggie, but without the baked goods.”
