Harlequin Love Inspired March 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 by Patrice Lewis (best large ereader .txt) 📕

“I know. But we’re trying to help you,” Stacia soothed.

They fell into a trot side by side back toward the barn with the cow following close behind. This was the most relaxed, easiest to be with Stacia he’d encountered since knowing her.

“I appreciate you getting the calf.” Her gaze never strayed from the path ahead, though her horse knew the way. “I couldn’t have done it on my own and I don’t think Daddy, with his bad knee, could have lifted him onto his horse.”

“Not a problem.” He hadn’t let her down after all. “Let’s settle the calf and get back to work then.”

Just because she halfway trusted him with the twins and a newborn calf, didn’t mean she was ready to hand over her heart. He needed to treat her like the twins’ aunt and nothing more. Or he could end up in a heap of hurt.

* * *

Another Saturday, with the kids out of school for the weekend, but she was stuck working. With Ross.

The door from the workshop opened and Daddy stepped through. “Good news. My salvage guys got a bid for tearing down two old hotels in Austin.” He showed her a picture on his tablet with corbels galore all along the porch. “There are more than enough claw-foot tubs and old doors to complete the B and B order, so you and Ross won’t have to make another scavenging run.”

“That’s wonderful. But kind of sad about the hotel.” Such architectural detail deserved to be preserved.

“I agree. But we’re making sure some of the pieces live on at least. Ms. Heathcott will love the history.”

“When will they be here?”

“They’re starting the job Monday. Should be done by Wednesday or Thursday.”

“Perfect.”

“Carry on.” Daddy went back into the store.

“That’s a really nice piece.” Ross eyed the coffee bar she’d just painted, with Queen Anne legs and detail. “It might be my favorite. Except for the girly colors.”

“It might be mine too. My mom loved Queen Anne and lavender. She’d love this.”

“You haven’t talked about her much.”

“She was a great mom. I miss her.” She pulled her goggles up on top of her head, tried to keep the quiver out of her voice. “The teen years are hard enough without losing your mom. Larae’s mom died a little before mine did, so Stella became like a mother to the three of us. She tried with Calli, but she was just so angry after mom’s death.”

“And then you lost her in your twenties. You’ve had your share of grief. But instead of crumbling, I think it made you stronger.”

“I had to be strong. For Mason and Madison.” She caught his gaze, held it, then eyed the claw-foot tub she should be sanding instead of chitchatting with him. But this was more than idle prattle. Maybe if she gave him insight into her world, he’d see how important the twins were to her. “They’ve become my world. Especially since I can’t have kids.”

“I can see that.”

“I do have some respect for your brother’s generosity.” She never asked for a dime, but the checks just started coming. “Even though his financial responsibility ended when he signed custody over to Calli.” She glanced his way for half a second. “The checks still come and I can assure you that every penny is spent on Mason and Madison or deposited into their trust fund accounts I set up. I can show you the bank statements.”

“No need. I can tell you’re not living the lavish lifestyle. And I trust you.”

He trusted her? The feeling definitely wasn’t mutual. Not completely anyway.

“I’d say it’s hush money, except that scandal feeds Ron’s career. So maybe for once in his life, he’s taken responsibility.” Sadness coated Ross’s tone.

It was obvious that his brother’s actions had hurt him too. “I’ve always been terrified he’d change his mind someday and come to claim them.”

“That’s one worry you can put to rest.”

“I always wondered if he was telling the truth about not having any family. I mean, everybody has parents. I thought a lot about them over the years—if they knew about the twins, if they cared.”

“I can see how imagining Ronny Outrageous with stable, Christian parents is difficult.” He paused in his work, dropped his gaze to the dusty concrete floor. “But I can assure you if they’d known, they’d have been a part of Mason’s and Madison’s lives from the beginning.”

He didn’t even try to stand up for his brother, plead his case. But Ron was Ron. And apparently Ross had come to terms with it.

“I thought about trying to find out, but I was terrified of losing the twins.”

“You’re doing a great job with them. My parents will want to be grandparents. But I’m pretty sure that’s all. Callista left them with you.”

Raised in church, with both parents. The way Ron had turned out didn’t make any sense. Yes, Calli had gone through a wild stage, but she was reeling from their mom dying. Maybe someday, Ron would return to his raising, the way Calli had in her last few years. But if Ron accepted Jesus, would he want the twins?

“I’ll do anything to keep Mason and Madison.” Her voice cracked. “Your parents can visit as often as they want.”

“It’ll all work out. As long as we’re all willing to compromise.”

“When do you plan to tell them?”

“I figure it needs to be done in person. But I feel obligated to stay here until the B and B order is complete. After that, I’ll go home and break the news.”

“I need some air.” She jerked the goggles over the back of her head, but the strap snarled in her hair at the base of her neck. “Ouch.”

“Here, let me.” His hand grazed hers as he gently took the goggles from her, easing the weight on her hair. His knuckle skimmed her shoulder.

Too close. “Just cut it.”

“I’ve almost got it. Just be still.” His breath fanned her neck as his fingers brushed against sensitive skin.

She gasped as