by Amanda Renee
Hannah sighed. “Clean up what you can of it, throw it in the garbage, put her in clean pajamas, check her diaper because usually when she does one she does the other, change the bedding and throw everything in the washing machine after you take her temperature. Do you want me to come show you?”
“Um, no. I got it. Go back to sleep.” He eased the door closed.
Hannah knew she’d have to get up and help him, but she wanted to see how far he’d make it on his own. She rolled over and grabbed the baby monitor from the nightstand. She squinted as he appeared on screen. “Is he wearing my latex gloves from under the bathroom sink?” Hannah shook her head. He held Charlotte as far away from his body as possible while still maintaining a hold on her. Hannah laughed. The man had completed four tours of duty in Iraq, had one of the world’s most dangerous jobs, and he was afraid of a little toddler vomit. “He’ll learn.”
After successfully changing Charlotte into clean clothes, he took her temperature. “100.6,” he announced. She didn’t know if he said it aloud for his benefit or hers, but she was thankful he did. It wasn’t high enough for her to be overly concerned, but she knew another trip to the pediatrician was on her agenda tomorrow. Correction...on both of their agendas.
Noah stayed with Charlotte until she fell back to sleep, then he disappeared from the screen. She heard the stairs creak and assumed he was on his way to do the laundry. When he returned a few minutes later, she fully expected him to check on the twins and head back downstairs to watch television. Instead, he propped his feet up on the ottoman and fell asleep in the glider. She had to give him credit. She hadn’t thought he had it in him. Confident he had everything under control, Hannah pulled the covers around herself and went to sleep.
* * *
NOAH AWOKE WITH a stiff neck and back. Easing out of the chair, he checked on the twins. He’d spent the last twenty hours cleaning up one toddler explosion after another. Relieved to see them both still asleep, he sat back down, wiped out after just one night. He couldn’t imagine the four days Hannah had dealt with. No wonder she’d craved sleep so desperately yesterday. Noah sneaked into the hall, careful not to wake her as he passed her door. He didn’t know what time it was. He tiptoed downstairs to make a pot of coffee when he noticed one was already made. Hannah was awake? He checked the clock on the wall. Six a.m. Of course she was. She’d probably mucked the stalls, cleaned the henhouse, exercised the horses and run a marathon by now. She did more before sunrise than he ever had in the service. At least she’d gotten a good night’s sleep, which was more than he could say. It was only fair, but it wasn’t the night he had planned during his flight back to Oregon last week. He had hoped for a romantic evening. A fire, a glass of wine, a movie on TV. It didn’t need to be anything epic, he just wanted some alone time with Hannah. Everything they did revolved around the kids, and while that had been great, he wanted some downtime with just her.
“Good morning,” Hannah said from the mudroom doorway. “How did you sleep?” Her lips curled upward devilishly.
“I think I’ve mastered your washing machine.”
“That good, huh?” Hannah frowned. “How many more times?”
“A few.” Noah filled two cups of coffee. “What happens now? Does she need to go back to the doctor?”
“I’ve already left a message with the pediatrician’s answering service. They will call when they get in and hopefully we’ll get an appointment today. I thought it was the same thing Cheyenne had, but she didn’t throw up this much. When in doubt, call the doctor.” She sat her coffee mug down. “Depending on when the appointment is, I may have to meet you there. I’ll give you directions.”
“You’re leaving?” Noah wasn’t sure he liked that idea.
“I’ve missed the last three days of work and I need to meet my students at the rodeo school for one final practice before they compete tomorrow. I have to finish my Christmas shopping at some point today, too. You don’t mind, do you?”
That meant even less time that Noah would have to spend with Hannah. “No, I told you all week that I wished I had been here to help you, and here I am. I can handle a sick child. I may not know what to do, but I’m willing to learn.”
He hated that Hannah had to go through so much of this alone. It was bad enough she still had Lauren’s belongings to contend with. She hadn’t told him much last week except she’d found a few shopping bags containing unwrapped toys and had assumed Lauren bought them for Christmas. Hannah had wrapped them, put Lauren’s name on them and set them under the tree, but when they spoke Wednesday morning, she still hadn’t decided when to give them to the girls. She was afraid it would ruin their Christmas.
“I appreciate it. You should get to know their doctor and I’m sure you probably have questions as a first-time dad.” Hannah crossed the kitchen, opened the pantry door and removed a key hanging from a nail. “This is for you.” She handed it to him. “I’m trusting you. I’ve never given anyone a key to my house with the exception of my family and Lauren. Everything’s going to be really crazy between now and Christmas, and in case I’m not here, you can get in.”
“Thank you.”
“Well, I have to get back to work. I saw the light on in the kitchen and thought I should come in and say good morning.”
“Good morning.”
Hannah’s face brightened for the first time since he’d arrived. It bothered him that this week had been so hard on her. At twenty-four, she should be out having a good time with her friends, not stuck at home with him and two toddlers. Either she was great at covering the letdown or she was even stronger than he’d originally thought. Out of all the women in the world, Noah was thankful Hannah was his partner in raising the children. He hoped one day soon that they could be much more.
* * *
HANNAH WAS EXHAUSTED when she arrived home from the rodeo school. Noah had called and texted her a few times with updates on the girls. Cheyenne seemed to be holding steady and Charlotte had thrown up only once since they left the pediatrician’s office. It was a bug going around that they’d probably caught at church. Typical kid sickness. Noah had handled it better than she’d hoped.
She pulled around to the back of the house and fed the horses. She checked the henhouse, but Noah had already collected the eggs. She was grateful for any help he offered. When she stepped in the mudroom, the incredible aroma of pasta sauce made her stomach growl instantly.
“Oh, my God, that smells so good.” Hannah slipped off her boots and lifted the pot lid. “This doesn’t look like it came from a jar. Did you make this from scratch?”
“I told you I could cook. I just tend not to when it’s only me.” Noah gave his sauce a stir. “We’re having grilled chicken breast and whole wheat pasta topped with my famous sauce and a side of broccoli for dinner. I hope that’s okay.”
His voice had already begun to lull her into a better mood. “It’s more than okay.” He had set the table with the red tablecloth she had stashed in the pantry and had even placed a Christmas-scented jar candle she’d had in another room in the center of the table. He definitely had romance in mind. Hannah thought it was sweet. No one had ever done that for her before.
“Are the girls already in bed?”
“Charlotte could barely keep her eyes open after her last dose of medicine and Cheyenne was beat from trying to wear me out. They made a valiant effort to stay awake for you, but sleep won out.”
“My poor babies. I’ll check in on them. I’m going to go shower and change because I’m really horsey right now. I’ll be back down in fifteen minutes. And, Noah, thank you.”
* * *
HANNAH WAS SO FULL after dinner she could’ve rolled into the living room. Noah had made a fatal mistake tonight. By letting her know he could cook that well, she now expected him to do so more often.
“How would you like to watch Christmas movi
es tonight?” Noah asked.
“I’d love to, but I think there are only children’s movies on. I don’t get many channels.”
He reached under the couch and removed two DVDs. “That’s why I came prepared.”
Hannah couldn’t believe he stashed movies under her couch. “What else do you have under there?”
“You never know.” He leaned closer to her. “I’m full of surprises.” He took her face in his hands and held it gently. Her skin prickled in anticipation as his mouth covered hers, slow and intoxicating. She buried her hands deep in his hair, urging him closer. “I’d love to come home to this every night,” she said against his lips.
“Sweetheart, I was just thinking the same thing.” He kissed her once more before easing from her grasp. “If I don’t put this in now, we will never see these movies.”
Hannah couldn’t remember how much of the movies they actually watched. Somewhere between the first and millionth kiss, she gave a part of her heart to Noah.
Chapter Eleven
“Get out.” Fern Tanner startled Noah as she stormed into the kitchen.
He backed away from the children’s high chairs and into the counter. “Excuse me?” Noah quickly tried to run through what he could’ve done to upset the woman.
“My daughter is on the way to the Mistletoe Rodeo pancake brunch and you’re going to meet her there.”
Noah let out a sigh of relief. “I know she is, and I told her I would stay home with the girls.” He finished wiping off Cheyenne’s face. “Cheyenne’s feeling better, but Charlotte still won’t eat, which may be a good thing after last night.”
“That’s why I’m here.” Fern felt Charlotte’s cheeks with the back of her hand. “She’s a little warm. What’s her temperature?”
“It’s 99.2 and no.” Noah shook his head. “Hannah would kill me if I left them with you. She feels—and I agree—that you’ve already done enough. We don’t want you to get what they have.”
“Nonsense. Gage and I have both had our flu shots.” She squeezed between him and the girls. “I’ve had decades more experience with sick children than the two of you, so if I say you’re going to brunch with my daughter, you’re going.”
Noah folded his arms. “The first week I was here I wondered if you were playing matchmaker. Now I’m convinced.”
“I’m not playing matchmaker.” Fern feigned innocence. “I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. What happened to Lauren was tragic and I would do anything to bring her back. But there was a reason you found my daughter. That obituary happened to be in the right place at the right time. Maybe it was a sign from above or even Lauren herself. I believe you and Hannah are meant to be together. I would love to see something good come from this tragedy. I think it’s wonderful that the girls have you for a father, but I feel there’s something bigger there.”
Noah debated how much to tell Fern about his relationship with her daughter. He was surprised she didn’t know they were... They were what? They hadn’t even figured it out yet. No wonder Hannah had kept quiet.
“I probably shouldn’t be telling you this, but Hannah and I have discussed it.”
Fern’s expression sprang to life.
“Don’t get too excited. We’re taking things one day at a time. It’s hard living in two separate states.”
“Then maybe you should live in the same state. You’re already living together.”
“We’re—we’re not—It’s not like that. I have my own room.” He did not want to have this conversation with Hannah’s mother. “We’re working on the same state thing.”
Fern clapped her hands together in excitement. “You are! That’s wonderful, Noah.”
He had a feeling—a very strong feeling—that Fern assumed he meant he was moving to Texas and he didn’t have the heart to correct her. If she truly felt Hannah and he belonged together, then she would accept their living in Oregon. He hoped, anyway, considering his real-estate agent had shown him a couple of properties that had potential. They were great, but still not quite right. She’d had one more property on her list, but it had a sale pending. When she’d heard the potential buyers were having difficulty securing a mortgage, Noah had gone to see the place just in case the deal fell through. It was perfect. It was the ideal ranch for Hannah, with plenty of room for farming.
“I don’t exactly have the details worked out yet.” That was the truth.
“Answer me one question.” Fern urged him to sit. “Are you genuinely interested in pursuing a relationship with Hannah? Or do you only want to be with her because of the girls?”
Noah attempted to reassure her. “My family is not complete without Hannah. And it’s not complete without Charlotte and Cheyenne. I don’t know how to love one without the other. They’re a package deal to me.”
Fern gasped. “Are you telling me you’re in love with my Hannah?”
Noah wasn’t sure who was more surprised by his declaration, Fern or him. He could no longer imagine a future without the four of them together. But love? Warning bells sounded in his head. “You’re really putting me on the spot. Love is a very strong word with many different definitions.”
Fern grabbed his cheeks and kissed him on the forehead. “Then I suggest you go find my daughter and figure it out. And I don’t want to see you back here anytime soon. There are many events going on today besides the rodeo. Take her out somewhere tonight. I will take care of the kids. Don’t worry about a thing. If Charlotte gets worse, I’ll call you, but I’m sure we’ll have it under control. Gage will stop by later. Go and have a good time. You two deserve some fun.”
“Thank you.” Noah gave her a hug before kissing his daughters. He bounded upstairs to grab his wallet and phone, excited about having a day alone with Hannah. Well, as alone as he could get in the middle of a rodeo, but he’d take it.
Was Fern right? Was he in love with Hannah? He knew his feelings for her were intensifying, but love?
Does she love me? Noah didn’t know which thought terrified him more...loving Hannah or Hannah loving him. Either way, he’d never felt more alive.
* * *
NOAH SCANNED THE crowd at the church fellowship hall for Hannah. The scent of fresh pancakes and maple syrup cruelly taunted him. He’d already eaten breakfast, but he was positive he’d find room for another one. Spotting her in the far corner, he crossed the room to her table as half the town greeted him along the way.
“Noah!” Hannah jumped to her feet, almost knocking over her chair. “Why are you here, is something wrong with the girls?”
Noah placed his hands on her shoulders to calm her. “The girls are fine. Your mom came over and told me to get out. Actually said the words get out.”
Clay began laughing. “Yep, that sounds like Mom.”
“She told me to find you and make sure we have fun today,” Noah continued. “And she stressed that we’re not to come back anytime soon and not to worry about her and your father because they’ve already had their flu shots.”
Abby covered her mouth, laughing. “Fern really covered her bases, didn’t she?”
Hannah sagged against him. “You really scared me for a moment.” She moved over so he could take a seat at the table. “In the future all you have to say is Fern and we’ll understand.” Everyone laughed. She passed Noah the platter of pancakes and a jug of syrup. “This is an all-you-can-eat thing, but a word of warning, it will sneak up on you. You tend to realize you’ve had too much five pancakes too late.”
“Where are you off to after this?” Noah asked as he happily ate his second breakfast for the day.
“I have to head over to the arena. My girls are allowed to get in some practice time before the show.”
“You’re more than welcome to join us,” Abby said.
Clay nudged her. “I think the
whole idea of my mom kicking him out was so that they would spend time together, not with us.”
Abby shrugged. “Well, if you change your mind, we’ll be around.”
“You’re more than welcome to come with me to the arena. Maybe if you saw my little barrel racers, you wouldn’t be as worried about Charlotte and Cheyenne on a horse.”
He doubted he’d ever get used to the idea of his beautiful children on top of a half-ton animal. “Sounds like a plan.”
It didn’t take Noah long to understand what Hannah had meant about the pancakes. After brunch, he followed her to the arena and walked around the exterior stands twice before he felt like he wouldn’t explode from all the food he’d eaten. Then he watched from the stands as the girls practiced, almost dying from the adorableness of the three-year-old barrel racer on a miniature pony. If that was what his daughters would be doing, maybe the sport wasn’t so bad after all. Hannah came in second place during her event, and Noah suspected she may have lost on purpose to a woman overwhelmed with joy for the saddle she’d just won.
Between the rodeo clowns and ostrich races, Noah once again found himself laughing hysterically in Hannah’s presence. The rodeo scene had never grown on him. But whenever he was out with Hannah and her family, he had an amazing time. Maybe there was something to the lifestyle. It made him even more excited at the prospect of buying the ranch in Oregon.
After checking in on the twins repeatedly during the day, he felt relaxed enough to take Fern’s advice and treat Hannah to dinner.
“I saw a little honky-tonk joint the first night I was in town. Do you want to go there, get something to eat and take a spin on the dance floor?”
“Slater’s Mill? That’s definitely not the place to go unless you want an audience. Not only do my brother and Abby go there almost every night, so do the rest of my friends.”
“Then you tell me where.”
“Do you like chocolate?”
