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CHAPTER 1

With his hands locked behind his head, Trinity Billodeaux stretched his modest length out on the lounger of Teddy's new patio. His brother had chosen the location of his rambling ranch-style home well. Situated on a ridge created by a once mighty river, the house had a view over two pastures dotted with white cattle, red horses, and a passel of ponies right down to the edge of the placid brown bayou fringed with clumps of cypress trees. A low brick wall enclosed three sides of the patio, leaving one side open for a paved ramp. An overhang provided shade on this hot June day, but he wore his prescription sunglasses anyhow since they were less geeky than his usual eyewear. A couple of picnic tables sat in the sun near a built-in grill and what his sister-in- law, Jessie, said was a bread oven.

Trin reached out an arm and took a swig from a cold beer. "This is the life, huh, X?"

On the other side of a mosaic table sporting a cheery yellow sunflower in its center, now obscured by the chilled six-pack, Sinners' football player X- avier Hopkins relaxed with his long running back legs reaching to the end of his lounger. He freed his second beer from its ring and popped it open. "Sho is. Teddy built a real nice place here for his family. It's modest but has everything needed just like the man hisself. I wanted to get my mama a place in the country, but she won't leave the hood. Her church and all her friends are there, she says. Best I could do was get her to move into a gated condo complex just across the road. At least, it's out of the high crime area, so she's not likely to get robbed or hit by a stray bullet."

That sobering statement made Trinity Billodeaux appreciate Lorena Ranch, his dad's acreage, all the more. "No worries about that here with all the security Knox Polk has built into the surroundings. I like this house because it makes me, the runt of the Billodeaux men, feel tall with all the cabinets lowered to wheel-chair height. Even with his spina bifida, Teddy is only an inch shorter than me, and he was adopted."

X-avier studied Trinity for a moment. "I'd say you about average height. Me, at barely six feet, I'm considered short for a running back. We all got our physical challenges. Shouldn't stop us from getting what we want." Sweat beaded on his mocha-colored forehead and deflated his carefully fluffed fro some. He rolled the cold can of beer over his brow. "When you think they'll get back — or did we show up too early?" He checked a massive sports watch on his sinewy wrist. "It's past six."

"Note on the door said they needed to step out for a few items and would be back soon, but I've observed my brothers with their kids and wives. A guy goes to the store alone, gets in, picks up what he wants, and gets out. Drag along the wife and two kids, and you can triple the time it takes to buy so much as a carton of milk. That is not the life."

X raised his eyebrows in his rather narrow face that went with his lean and fast as a whippet body on the playing field. "You don't want to marry someday? Right now, I'm just fooling around enjoying my fame and my Super Bowl ring, but one day I want to settle down and give my mama those grandchildren she wants."

Trin raked his unruly black curls, damp and growing tighter with the heat and humidity, off his neck. "Sure, you can get any woman you want when you're ready. Computer geeks aren't so lucky."

Again, he earned X-avier's scrutiny. "You not so bad. Looks like you been working out a little and got a nice tan, not pasty like most nerds. But when was the last time you had a haircut? I'll bet not since your sister Annie's wedding back in December. Right, you didn't get one then either."

"No, I think I've had a haircut since the wedding. Hey, my brother Mack has his hair all down around his shoulders, and people think he's sexy. Besides, this isn't a tan. It's the Billodeaux olive complexion you're seeing. It will get darker since I'm on pool patrol when Camp Love Letter starts tomorrow along with the computer workshops I'm giving. So, I have been working out a little. Don't want to look puny on lifeguard duty."

"Like a bunch of poor crippled and sick kids are going to notice." X's face displayed an a-ha moment with a flash of white teeth. "Somebody else gonna be around you want to impress?"

"Nope."

"Let's play a little game. If you could have any woman in the world, who'd you want to do?"

Trin took the high road. "I don't do women."

"Didn't think you swung that way," X-avier said with a teasing glint in his dark eyes.

"Come on. You know I'm not gay. I mean I'd make love to a woman, not do her. My mom would let me have it for playing a game like this."

"Mine, too, but women play it all the time. I know for a fact since a few female fans have told me I'm at the top of their list."

Now that was a man with a smug smile, Trin thought. He wasn't at the top of anyone's to do list. "Are you fulfilling their dreams, X?"

"My mama also said a gentleman don't kiss and tell. Come on, think about it. Who's the first to come into your mind."

Under pressure to prove his manliness, Trinity blurted out the truth. "Josee Riley."

"The model, leggy, blonde, and bodacious, the one on the cover of the last swimsuit issue. You do aim high. Say, wait a minute. Wasn't she at Annie's wedding?"

"Yep, she's Connor Riley's daughter. He was my dad's favorite wide receiver back in the day. I've known her since she was a baby and danced with her more than once, but she hardly notices me with all my six-foot-plus brothers standing in the way. She's close to that height herself and always wears high heels. Whenever I dance with her, I want to rest my head on her shoulder."

"Don't do that, man. She'll treat you like her baby brother."

"I wish. Arjay is way taller than she is and plays football. I don't stand a chance. I'm not slick with women like you."

X-avier mimed an offended expression. "I am not slick. I am sincere. That's the secret. I never tell a woman something I don't mean. When I hit on Jessie, I told her I admired strong women who could give a good massage. Totally true as she was working a cramp out of my leg back when she was a trainer."

"You hit on Teddy's wife, a woman in a wheelchair!"

"Didn't know they was a couple at the time. She set me straight fast enough. But sure, Jessie is a beautiful woman, chair or no chair, and I do not discriminate against the disabled. Besides, I think I gave her confidence a boost she needed since that accident crippled her."

A red van rigged for the handicapped turned onto the long drive that led to the house. Its bright color flashed between the thick trunks of the live oaks that shaded the way. Trin got up and watched its progress. "Here they come. Prepare yourself to be hugged."

"By Teddy?" X-avier questioned as he also stood up to greet the family.

"Nope."

The first one out of the van was Teddy's adopted daughter, a few months shy of two, racing her way up the ramp like a puppy toward an open gate. Her mass of black curls fanned out behind a red headband that matched the little sneakers hitting the concrete. Her startling blue eyes, so much like Teddy's since she was actually his niece, were set in a honey-colored face that homed in on Trinity. "Unc Trin, we home!" She roped her arms around his legs to deliver that hug. "Up!" Lizzy commanded.

"How far up?" her uncle teased. He raised her above his head and spun around a few times. She held out her arms and shouted, "I an airplane! Down now."

Trinity brought her in for a landing. The second her feet hit the ground, Lizzy embraced X-avier's legs. "Hiya, X. You gonna play music for us?"

"Right back at ya, Dizzy Lizzy. If I do, will you sing along?"

Lizzy nodded. "I sing wit' you at Annie's wedding. I throw flowers, too."

"You remember I DJ'd for your Aunt Annie. Well, bless your heart. But we don't need no flowers thrown tonight, baby. Save them for Uncle Trin's wedding."

Trinity snorted. "They'll be turned to dust by then."

The rest of the family joined them, Jessie in her wheelchair holding their three-month-old daughter, May, in a sling that left her hands free. Trin blurred his eyes and deleted the wheelchair. Big hazel eyes, light brown hair streaked with blonde, a perfect face with a cute nose and delicious lips, she truly was beautiful. He felt a bit ashamed for not noticing before X pointed that fact out to him.

Teddy clomped behind on his armband crutches, a diaper bag slung over one shoulder, his fine blond hair flopping in his pale face, his ever-present smile in place. "Sorry that took so long. Jessie noticed Pommier's bakery had the red light on for their hot French bread, and I had to stand in line for that before we even got to the grocery. I only wanted to pick up some beer. Now I see you've brought your own. Anyhow, the steaks are marinating in the fridge. Jessie already made the salad. The potatoes are twice-baked and just need to be heated in the microwave. We'll get this show on the road fairly quickly."

Teddy took a remote from his pocket and aimed it at the sliding glass doors that gave access to the interior. They opened almost magically. Jessie rolled ahead. "Ladies first. This one needs a clean diaper and a feeding. Come on, Lizzy, go potty."

"Don't need to potty."

Trin gave her a wink. "Big girls go potty."

"I go potty." She followed her mother inside the cool roomy space of the large living room, free of clutter that might get in the way of a wheelchair, and boasting a large fireplace totally unnecessary in the Louisiana climate but nice to gather around.

"Give me a hand by getting the groceries, guys. Four kinds of ice cream are melting in the van because the girls couldn't make up their minds which they wanted. Then meet me in the kitchen. You can come in through the front door. I'll unlock it."

Trin and X followed the path to the drive and loaded up with bags containing the long loaves of bread, the endangered ice cream, carriers of bottled beer, and an array of other groceries. They hauled it all in one trip, entering through the stepless portico beside the two-car garage. An open floor plan, the kitchen sat to the right of the entry. Teddy, in a great balancing act with one thing stacked atop another, had already removed the pan of steaks, the bowl of salad, and the potatoes from the fridge to a low counter. He spread the food out in a line and removed a bread knife from a drawer.

"Ice cream goes in the top drawer of the freezer. Hand me those loaves and get the butter out, Trin."

He put the bread on the counter and held up the bags still ringing his arms. "Where?"

"Ah, wherever it fits. Just leave the dry stuff on the counter. We'll get to it later." Teddy sliced the loaves lengthwise and slathered both sides with whipped butter. He shook on garlic salt from a spice rack. "This will be worth the wait. Hey, X, nuke those potatoes in the microwave for two minutes each. Got to get the bacon bits nice and warm and melt the cheese in the mixture."

Stripping the plastic wrap from the salad bowl, Teddy rummaged in one of the bags for premium steakhouse dressing and tossed some with the greens. Trin admired his ability in cooking. He'd never learned how and mostly ate in the cafeteria at Hartz Technology, often taking some meals home for his dinner. Teddy, wanting to be independent of others, had taught himself to make plenty of easy dishes.

Jessie returned with the children. "I do love a man who can fend for himself in the kitchen. Here we are, Daddy, all nice and clean. Lizzy went potty."

Teddy applauded, and after a shrug, so did Trin and X. "Did you wash your hands, Liz?"

She nodded and was rewarded with the duty of carrying four wooden bowls out to the picnic table while Trin toted the salad. X-avier loaded the warmed potatoes onto a platter and followed. Teddy managed the pan of steaks. Jessie snagged a caddy of cutlery from the counter, checkered napkins from a drawer, and joined the procession. While Jessie set the table, Teddy turned on the gas and heaved the steaks onto the grill. They were the thick-cut rib eyes all the Billodeaux men, including Trinity, preferred, leaving no doubt Teddy had been raised as one of them.

"How do you like your steak?"

Trinity said, "Medium rare, pink but not bloody." X preferred his charred. Teddy sent Trin back for the bread and a shaker of parmesan. "Bring the bottle of Dad's hot and spicy sauce. Someone might want it."

While the steaks sizzled, Teddy splayed the loaves of bread butter-side down and placed them on the grill. A few flames shot up as the spread dripped into the fake charcoal. He flipped them swiftly, each loaf beautifully marked with grill lines. A minute later, he placed them in a long basket rummaged from a nearby storage cabinet and showered on the parm. He found a platter in the same space and removed the medium rare steaks. X's choice remained until well done. Trinity envied his brother's deftness and his grill. His own was a small hibachi on the balcony of his apartment. He didn't possess the beautiful wife and pretty children his handicapped brother had either.

Shaking off the feeling he never would, Trin distributed the three remaining beers while Jessie helped herself to a canned iced tea from the minifridge in the outdoor kitchen. They gathered around the picnic table with Jessie on the end, the baby so blond it seemed almost bald still nestled in its sling. May's big hazel eyes zoned in on her mother's chest, and she began to fuss and root.

"Mind if I nurse her while we eat?"

"Uh, no," Trin said. "Most natural thing in the world, right X?"

"Ah, yeah, very natural." Still, both men raised their eyes skyward as Jessie released a breast, offered it to the baby, and covered both with the light cotton blanket lining the sling.

"Good, because I'm as hungry as she is." Jessie tore off a piece of bread and set it beside the perfectly cooked steak spurting red juices when she cut into it. Each claimed a potato and passed around the salad. Lizzy, perched on the end of the bench nearest Jessie, ate tidbits from her mother's plate.

"Pass me some of Joe's Hot and Spicy Sauce," X-avier said.

"You sure? You're sweating already," Teddy jested.

"I love this stuff, but it's not for wimps." X doused his meat. "Anyone else?" None of the others fell for the challenge.

"Good thing someone likes it since the proceeds go to support Camp Love Letter. Connor Riley's sweet sauce sells better, but I'd never say that to Joe. Breast change," Jessie warned.

"Would you look at that view," Trinity said, averting his eyes. "Yeah, camp starts tomorrow. What have all of you been drafted to do? I'm giving some computer workshops in the pool house, doing a life guard shift, and helping Edie with the newsletter like old times when Teddy and I did it as kids."

"I love helping, but Annie and I got a pass since we both have small babies," Jessie admitted.

"I'm scheduled for wheelchair basketball, horseback riding, and dragon boat captain since you grabbed all the computer stuff, Trin. X, this is your first year. What does our mom have planned for you?

"Well, I suck at computers, don't swim, and stay as far away from horses as I can. It's their ugly, yellow teeth and big feet. I'm down for the football toss and catch, bonfire jam session, and making all the ladies feel special. Those are my talents, but I really think we should help Trin out with a certain babe. Make him our project. Sing his praises."

All eyes swiveled toward Trinity. He restrained his urge to stab X in the ribs with his steak knife. "I can get my own woman."

"Not what you said befo'," X reminded him.

"Who?" asked Jessie.

"Gotta be Josee Riley. He's been crushing on her since she turned sixteen and went into modeling. Before that, Josee was only the kid who tagged along after the triplets, always pretty though. She's here for a week — makeup classes for the moms and older girls, I think, and just being one of the featured celebrities, mixing and mingling."

"Thanks for sharing, Teddy. Fat chance I have since Mack is coming, too."

"No. I met her at Annie's wedding, and she seemed very down to earth and friendly to everyone, not the stuck up 'don't hate me because I'm beautiful' type at all. Mack is mostly show and no substance. You should let her know how you feel. We'll all help you get time with her," Jessie said.

"To give the man credit, Mack is an awesome wide receiver and a ladies' man like some other people I know." X-avier polished his nails on the tight black Sinners T-shirt he wore. "But I think we can clean this boy up some and work on his lines, ya know. Be almost as good as winning a Super Bowl if we can do it, a real challenge."

His complexion might have been olive, but Trin knew his face burned red by its sudden heat. "I don't need help."

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Excerpted from "Dream for a Sinner"
by .
Copyright © 2019 Carla Hostetter.
Excerpted by permission of The Wild Rose Press, Inc..
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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