Taking Chances by Ann Omasta (books for 7th graders .txt) 📕

Even though I had figured out that Seth’s family was wealthy, I was not prepared for the estate that we pulled into. The stone mansion was massive and gorgeous, with clean lines and a classic look. The house paled in comparison to the grounds, though.

The perfectly manicured yard had the feel of an English garden with an abundance of comfortable sitting areas, bright flowers, and quirky fountains. I laughed in surprise as we walked down the brick path to the backyard and a charming, winking baby elephant statue sprayed a mist of water on us.

Seth shook his head, “My mother enjoys searching for the most whimsical oddities.”

“We should introduce her to my boss, Annie,” I answered. “She’s the most whimsical person I’ve ever met. They would probably get along famously.”

It seemed like Seth was about to disagree with that when he opened the gate to the backyard, which caused me to completely forget about our conversation. It was the most breathtaking setup I had ever seen. From the amazing view of the lake and marina, to the full outdoor kitchen and infinity pool, this was a backyard that was meant to be in magazines.

My eyes drank it all in, and then I felt him. He had just stepped out of the sliding glass door at the back of the house. I didn’t have to look to know. The hair on my arms was standing up and my body felt tingly. I swept my gaze quickly past him, just to confirm what I already knew. Sam was standing there, looking amazingly gorgeous, just like his brother. He lifted his glass in greeting, and Seth nodded at him.

Seth’s mother walked over to welcome us. Janice was classy and lovely, and I felt like a frump standing next to her. She tsk’d me for stealing Seth away from the charity auction before dinner had even been served, and I started stammering my way through an explanation. Seth gallantly saved me by saying he had wanted to leave early, due to a headache. Thankfully, she seemed to buy that.

Janice told me to make myself at home and glided off to check on the caterers. I shook my head, pondering the idea that anyone had caterers for a weekly family brunch. It was beginning to feel like I had somehow stumbled my way into the Kennedy compound, yet they all seemed so down-to-earth and likable, with one glaring exception.

Sam was making his way towards us when a little girl came running to him at full speed. “Kit Kat!” he said as he picked her up to twirl her around, both of them beaming. That’s kind of likable, I admitted, grumbling silently to myself.

Jessie walked up the path, carrying a Barbie backpack. “Abby, I’m so glad you’re here,” she said, smiling kindly. Then she leaned in to whisper, “It will give me a break from having to attempt to make small talk with the latest ‘I’ girl.” She snickered, nodding her head to the left.

I followed her eyes and saw the longest, tannest, most perfect pair of legs I’d ever seen sticking out from a lounge chair by the pool. I couldn’t see the rest of her from my angle, but could only assume that these gorgeous legs belonged to Sam’s date. I don’t know why my stomach did a little flip-flop at that idea.

Sam set the little girl down and she quickly ran over to greet Seth. He kneeled down to her level and said, “How’s my little Katiedid today?”

I watched her tell him about her many adventures since she had last seen him. She talked animatedly, and he seemed to hang on every word. The little girl had huge blue eyes and long blonde hair. She didn’t look like her dark-haired mother and uncles, but she had inherited their striking beauty.

Suddenly, she took notice of me. “Who’s that?” she demanded.

Jessie jumped in to answer. “Katie, this is Uncle Seth’s date, Abby.”

Katie squinted her eyes, looking me over, then gave a ‘humph’ and asked Seth to push her on the swing. He gave my hand a squeeze before following the little girl to do her bidding.

Her mother chuckled and said, “Don’t mind her. She’s just not used to Seth bringing women around. That’s usually Sam’s forte. She’ll warm up to you once she gets to know you,” she reassured me. “She doesn’t usually bother with Sam’s friends because he never keeps them around long enough for us to get to know them.”

I wondered why Seth didn’t bring women around more often, but Sam walked up to join us, so I didn’t have a chance to ask. “Hello, ladies,” he greeted his sister and me, slinging an arm casually around Jessie.

Before we could answer, the blonde goddess in the lounge chair bellowed, “Sam Darling, the wait staff hasn’t bothered to check on me. I’m parched. Would you be a dear and have someone fetch me a mojito?”

“Of course,” he responded and turned on his heel to go track down someone.

Jessie raised her eyebrows, but refrained from saying anything about the exchange. She smiled as she watched Seth playing with her daughter.

“He’s really sweet with her,” I observed aloud, thinking silently that he would make a terrific father someday.

“He is,” she agreed. “They both are.” We watched Sam personally deliver the requested mojito