Harlequin Love Inspired March 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 Patrice Lewis (i read book txt) 📖

“Not a problem. I love them too.”

“I can tell.” She sized him up. “I’ve just had them for so long. I mean Daddy helps, but the bulk of the responsibility for raising them and making sure they’re healthy and happy has been mostly on me.” She closed her eyes. “I have to admit, it’s been nice to have someone to take up the slack. I’ve wanted to get in that hot tub for years.”

“Are you saying you’re glad to have me here?”

“In that instant of chaos—yes.” She pursed her lips. “But don’t get used to it.”

He’d thought they’d made headway. “You can trust me, Stacia. Yesterday should have proven it. I could have left you to the lifeguards and fled with the kids, called my folks, and disappeared with them. But I didn’t.”

That familiar current of suspicion widened her eyes. “Sounds like it crossed your mind with a plan in place.”

“Come on, I came up with that scenario because it’s what you expect. I have their best interest at heart, just as you do.”

She blew out a big breath. “The whole situation is impossible. I’m not good at sharing them. Especially when your folks live so far away. I just don’t want them constantly dragged back and forth.”

“It’s only four hours.” He ran his hand along the fireplace mantle, one of the most exquisitely restored pieces he’d ever seen. “And I’ve been trying to come up with a solution. Maybe my folks could come visit every other weekend. And on holidays and in the summer, maybe I could come get them for a visit.”

“It’s not ideal. But I guess it’s better than them going to Houston.” Her voice cracked. “Permanently.”

“Uncle Ross.” Mason scurried down the stairs with Madison and Maverick lagging behind. “Are you going to church with us?”

“I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Let’s load up.” Maverick clapped his hands.

Ross opened the door, held it as the Keyes family members filed out. In the last week, he’d seen enough to realize the twins were happy here. Stacia and Maverick loved and nurtured them. The kids needed to stay here, the only home they’d ever known.

But he had no idea how his parents would react when they learned they’d been robbed of grandchildren. He didn’t think they’d go to court in an effort to reclaim the years they’d lost. He’d do his level best to convince his folks to be content letting Madison and Mason stay with people who’d loved them from the beginning. But he couldn’t make any promises.

* * *

Stacia turned into her friend’s drive. At the end of a very long Monday in the workshop with Ross, she was due a break. Despite the grilling she’d get, her sore back longed for Larae’s hot tub. Even though the heat of the day had hit eighty-seven.

“Can we ride the pony?” Mason leaned to the side peering between the front seats.

“I don’t know. You’ll have to check with Denny.” Since she was banged up and hadn’t been as productive as usual today, Daddy had promised to work on coffee bars and tubs with Ross for the evening, leaving her to supervise the twins alone for a change. She parked in the drive and disengaged the child safety lock on the back doors. Both doors opened and the twins bolted toward the barn.

Most of the time, she got out first so she could corral the twins. But here, it was just like home—they knew the rules about staying on this side of the fences unless they were with an adult. Gingerly, she eased herself out with the muscles in her back protesting loudly.

Denny popped out of the barn, gave her a wave to let her know the kids were supervised.

“There she is. Granny lost her get up and go.” Larae walked across the porch with a bit of a waddle, wearing shorts and a tank top. As petite and lean as she’d always been, except for her belly.

“You got that right.” Stacia stretched, then made her way to the house.

“You two make me feel young and spry.” Lexie chuckled.

“I look and feel like I swallowed a beach ball.”

“Stop it, you’re the cutest pregnant woman I’ve ever seen.” Stacia bit her lip, forced a smile. “I always figured I’d gain all over the way Calli did.”

“Well she did have twins, so that might have been part of it,” Lexie reasoned. “But if you’re day-dreaming about babies, you might want to find a husband.”

“I’m not in any rush.” Conversations like this hurt the most. When she tried to keep things light, act like she was normal, that the only thing keeping her from having a family was the lack of a husband. “Are you sure your dad’s okay watching the kids?”

“Jayda’s with him and Rance is too. They’re fine.” Larae linked arms with both of them as they made their way down the side of the wraparound porch to the well-shaded hot tub in the back. “I think Ross is a prime candidate for husband material.”

“No way.” Stacia shook her head. “He makes my brain want to explode.”

“Only because you’re worried about the twins. I can tell he’s fallen in love with them.” Lexie gave her a gentle elbow jab. “Men who love kids make excellent husbands. Just think about it. If he was just some guy with no ties to the twins, would you be interested?”

“I can’t separate the two. He’s Mason and Madison’s uncle. All he makes me feel is anxiety. And aren’t we trying to relax here? Subject change in order. How are the wedding plans coming along?”

“Making me want to pull my hair out and elope,” Lexie admitted.

“Just stick with it.” Larae ushered them into the hot tub, then claimed a lawn chair. Three lemonade glasses lined the rim. “You’ll be glad someday when you have the pictures and memories of having your family and friends celebrate your special day. I just hope this baby gives up the nest soon so I don’t go into labor in the middle of the