Twins for Christmas

by Amanda Renee

  “If he didn’t respect you, he wouldn’t have chosen to look for a house you would like. Something that suited your needs. Not his and not the girls. They could live in a condo. This was very much about you.”

  “But he didn’t discuss it with me.” Hannah’s jaw ached from clenching it. “He didn’t take into account my feelings about leaving my family and friends behind.”

  Avery rose and walked around the front of her desk. “Did you take his into account?”

  “What?” Hannah shook her head. It wasn’t about him, it was about the girls.

  “You told me from the very beginning the girls needed to stay here. Did you give any thought to moving to Oregon?”

  “He asked me once.”

  “And what did you say?”

  Hannah sighed. “I got mad.”

  “But he attempted to discuss the situation?”

  She laughed nervously. “Am I on the witness stand?”

  “That wasn’t my point, but you need to realize if this goes to court because you two couldn’t work out a successful resolution, you will have to answer similar questions. Right now, I’m trying to be your friend. Did you ever consider moving to Oregon?”

  “No. It’s not that simple. I have a life here.”

  “I’m willing to bet Noah has a life in Oregon, too.”

  “What about the allowances I made for Noah while he was here?” Surely they had to count in her favor. She’d opened up her home to the man.

  “If this does go to court, that will be taken into consideration, but it could work against you, too. You allowed a man you didn’t know to move into your home.”

  Shock flew through her. “My brother did a background check on him.”

  “Just because someone hasn’t been caught committing a crime doesn’t mean a crime hasn’t been committed.” Avery waved her hands. “I’m not saying he’s guilty of anything, I’m saying a judge may very well question your decision making. I really wish you had consulted me first or even told me he was staying with you. The sentiment was lovely, but I would have strongly advised against it.”

  “I’m going to lose, aren’t I?” Icy fear coiled around her heart.

  “You might.” Avery squeezed Hannah’s hands. “Noah has a strong case. He can prove he was willing to make concessions in order for you to live with him and the girls. Offering to buy you a ranch is huge. He went above and beyond reasonable expectations in order for you to be comfortable and to give you a similar home to what you have here. His attorney may ask him if he would’ve considered moving to Ramblewood if his job hadn’t been a factor.”

  “He could’ve changed his job.”

  “You could have, too. You’re accusing Noah of not respecting your feelings or your job. Aren’t you doing the same thing?”

  Hannah didn’t like being wrong. Maybe she had been selfish. He made more money. And even if she had an extremely good year racing, it still wouldn’t match what he made. But money shouldn’t be the only factor. “My family is here. The girls’ family.”

  “And his mother is there,” Avery stated. “The girls have another grandparent they haven’t met yet. I’m sure she’ll want to be a part of their lives.”

  Hannah pressed her hands against the side of her head. “There has to be a compromise.”

  Avery smiled tightly. “I think Noah already offered you a compromise. Your education taught you organic farming beyond the Texas border. I realize you were specializing in regional produce, but you’re intelligent. With some more planning, you can do the same thing up there. You won’t have the extended growing season, but maybe you can tweak your business plan and plant some indoor crops. You have even more options when it comes to the work you do with horses. And you could still compete from Oregon. It wouldn’t be as convenient, but you could do it. Noah doesn’t have any of that flexibility as a heli-logger.”

  “I wish you would stop making sense.”

  “Unfortunately, making sense is my job.”

  * * *

  HANNAH SPENT THE majority of the night researching the ranch Noah had found in Oregon. Since there wasn’t a rodeo school nearby, she’d be forced to rely solely on organic farming. She might have the opportunity to train barrel horses after she built a reputation in the area, but that would require her buying the horses herself, training and then selling them. It was time consuming and less than lucrative. Boarding horses was still an option, but again, without a reputation, she would have to offer rock-bottom rates in order to gain a clientele.

  There were three similar organic farms within a five-mile radius of where Noah wanted to move. Competition would be steep, plus she would have to wait three years until her farm would be certified organic. The location near the pacific rainforest would definitely require her to rethink her crops. She had studied, pored over her books and lost sleep thinking about crops specifically for the Hill Country region of Texas. Now Noah was asking her to throw it all away. She didn’t know how to throw away four years. She slammed her laptop closed. She appreciated the effort he’d put into finding her a ranch—a pretty good ranch, but she couldn’t get past her pain. Noah hadn’t respected her enough to discuss their future with her, and that hurt. It really hurt.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Christmas was in three days and Hannah couldn’t get Noah out of her head...or her heart. The children had been asking for him. Actually asking for Daddy. Of course, they had to start that after he’d left for Oregon. Hannah still spoke to him every day, but only long enough to set up the video chat for the girls. She may be hurt and upset with him, but she would never cut him out of their lives. Noah’s flight was due around nine tonight, and Hannah had told him to book a hotel room. Her mother had been livid when she’d found out and had invited Noah to stay with them, but he didn’t want to come between them at Christmastime and had declined. At least he had considered her feelings that time.

  Avery had called earlier in the day and given her their court date. It was the Monday after New Year’s and Noah was staying in town until then. They had each asked for sole custody but had allowed the other visitation. Hannah had begun having nightmares about losing the children and Avery had done her best to prepare her in case it happened. She repeatedly urged Hannah to try to work things out with Noah, but Hannah didn’t feel that would be fair to any of them. How could she love a man she had no business loving in the first place? And what example would she be setting for Charlotte and Cheyenne if she sacrificed her life and happiness for a man? One question had plagued her every night since Noah left. Would living with him in Oregon have been that much of a sacrifice? The ranch he’d shown her was still for sale and she’d looked at it a few times. Okay, every day. Maybe ten times a day. The stables were nicer, and she wouldn’t mind a house with newer plumbing and more than one bathroom. It had many of the upgrades she had eventually intended to do on the farmhouse and the exterior was a soft yellow... Lauren’s color.

  But the more Hannah thought about it, the less she could imagine herself in Oregon. She had a hard time believing Noah had really loved her for herself and not just the girls. He may have thought it was love, but he was only fooling himself. It had been easy to get caught up in the moment, especially where Charlotte and Cheyenne were concerned. Staying together would have been the easiest option. And maybe there was some genuine attraction on his part, but she doubted he would have taken such a big step so early on if it weren’t for the girls.

  A tear rolled down her cheek. She missed her best friend more than anything. Whenever she’d had a problem, she’d always turned to Lauren. She’d never felt more alone, even with her family around her. She didn’t know what she would do if she lost the girls. A nagging voice kept telling her Lauren would’ve wished for her happiness regardless of where she lived or whom she lived with. She wanted to be with Noah, but only if he truly wanted her, t
oo.

  * * *

  NOAH HAD SPENT three of the last four days preparing for his looming court date. His company had secured the heli-logger from British Columbia, affording him more time off. His attorney had managed to get him a home inspection...at his mother’s house. The location of Noah’s house was just too dangerous. It hadn’t mattered anyway. He’d listed it for sale on Monday. It hadn’t been as painful as he’d expected. Material items held very little value to him now that Charlotte and Cheyenne were in his life. But it felt empty. He saw Hannah’s face on his phone every day, but he missed her smile. He missed her laugh and he missed laughing with her.

  He’d been able to catch an earlier flight to Texas, anxious to be in the same town as his girls. His heart was heavy with the memory of what was. The excitement was gone. He still looked forward to seeing his daughters, but it wasn’t the same. He wouldn’t be waking them up, feeding them or dressing them. Instead, he would be allowed to swing by for a couple hours to visit with his children. It wasn’t what he would call quality time.

  Noah stuffed his bag in the overhead bin and took his seat near the window. Hannah had said he was selfish. Maybe she was right. He hadn’t considered her jobs. He tended to be on the hubristic side, thanks to his time in the air force and his career. He was used to being special, but in reality he was no more special than anybody else, regardless of what he did for a living. Spending time with Hannah had humbled him in many ways. Unfortunately, the lesson hit home a little too late.

  The seat belt sign flashed and the flight attendant began her speech. By the end of the day he’d be holding his daughters in his arms. He never wanted to let them go again. Leaving the last time had been too painful. He had a sinking feeling the judge would grant Hannah custody of his daughters. His attorney was hopeful but had warned him that character references may come into play, and Hannah had the entire town of Ramblewood on her side. His friends and coworkers would vouch for him without question. His mom was another story. She felt Noah had been inflexible and had overstepped when it came to wanting to move the girls to Oregon. She’d added more validity to Hannah’s argument by reiterating that Charlotte and Cheyenne would be in day care most of the day if they lived with him, versus being surrounded by family and friends in Texas. She also reminded him that she had worked multiple jobs to support him when he was a kid and then asked how he would have felt if a stranger had come in and ripped him from the only home he knew. The plane taxied down the runway, picking up speed. He gripped the arms of the seat. He may be one of the top helicopter pilots in the world, but he was a horrible passenger. He hated not being in control.

  Noah had made a big mistake. He could have looked into other job options and he hadn’t. There was a helicopter flight school an hour from Hannah. Since he planned to be in town over the holidays, he’d gone ahead and set up a job interview with them. He’d taught a few seminars there over the years and he might have the opportunity to train future heli-loggers at their location. It was a compromise he was willing to make for the sake of his girls...all three of them. He wasn’t willing to take the chance of losing them. He would leave everything behind in order for them to stay a family.

  * * *

  HANNAH WATCHED THE CLOCK. Noah’s plane was scheduled to land in two hours. She didn’t want him to stay in a hotel over Christmas and New Year’s. She wanted him here with her and the girls. She owed it to them to give her relationship with Noah one last try before they went to court. One way or another, she needed to know if they truly loved each other.

  Hannah picked up the phone and dialed her brother. “Would you mind if I borrowed your truck tonight?”

  “Only if it’s for a worthy cause.”

  She rolled her eyes. Somewhere along the line, Clay had become a Noah supporter and he’d given her a hard time ever since she told Noah to leave last Sunday.

  “It’s for a good cause.”

  “Are you taking the girls with you?” he asked. “Or do you need Abby and me to babysit for you?”

  “Normally I wouldn’t bring them, but Daddy is their new favorite word. And I know how much it would mean to him to see them right when he gets off the plane. Maybe it will help soften my decision.”

  “You finally came to your senses?” he teased.

  “If I didn’t know better, I would say you’re trying to get rid of me. And my decision has conditions.”

  “I just want you to be happy, sis. Give me a few minutes and I’ll be over. You can drop me back off on your way out.”

  “Girls?” Hannah walked into the living room, where Charlotte and Cheyenne were playing in the middle of the floor. “How would you two like to see Daddy?”

  Cheyenne rose to her feet with the aid of her sister’s head and toddled over to her. “I see Daddy.”

  Hannah knelt on the floor in front of her. “You’ll see Daddy once you get dressed.”

  Charlotte’s face lit up brighter than the Christmas tree. “Daddy!” Hannah held out her arms for Charlotte, feeling more confident than ever she was making the right decision. She belonged with Noah, even if that meant moving to Oregon. “Daddy!” Charlotte toddled past her and into the foyer. Hannah turned to catch her, and that was when she saw him.

  “Hello, beautiful.”

  “Noah!” Hannah’s hand flew to her chest. “How did you—Where did you—”

  “I took an earlier flight and the key I left in your wreath was still there.” Noah crouched as his daughters ran to him. He attempted to scoop them into his arms, only to be tackled backward onto the floor. His laugh echoed through the foyer and the entire house.

  “Look, girls, Daddy’s home.”

  Noah sat upright. “Am I home? Because I’d really like to be.”

  Hannah covered her face with her hands. “What are you saying? I thought you wanted us to come to Oregon.”

  Noah shook his head. “Oregon isn’t for you. You would never be happy there. Your home isn’t just composed of four walls and some land. It’s made up of friends and family, too. This is your home.”

  “Are you saying you could be happy here?” She attempted to make sense of his words. “What about your job?”

  “I could be happy anywhere you and the girls are.” He gave each of the twins a kiss on the cheek, causing them to squeal in delight.

  Hannah slowly rose to her feet and offered Noah help up. He took her hand and knelt before her. Laughing, Hannah kept pulling on him to stand, but Noah wouldn’t move.

  She looked down at him, trying to register the significance of his posture. He was on one knee.

  “Noah, don’t tease me.” He couldn’t possibly be proposing after all the crap they’d been through.

  He removed a black velvet box from his pocket and lifted the lid.

  Hannah’s heart lurched as her pulse leaped with excitement. “Noah.” A knot rose in her throat.

  “Your mom asked me the morning of the pancake brunch if I was in love with you. And I couldn’t answer her, because even though I thought I knew what love felt like, being with you was unlike any other feeling I’d ever experienced. Every emotion, every sensation is heightened and exciting when I’m around you. These past few days have been the worst days of my life. I need you by my side. I love you, Hannah Tanner. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife...in Texas?”

  She knelt before him and wrapped her arms around Charlotte and Cheyenne. “What do you two think? Should I marry Daddy?”

  “I love Daddy,” Cheyenne said.

  Hannah’s eyes met his. “I love your daddy, too, very much.”

  “Is that a yes?” he asked.

  Hannah nodded, words escaping her and tears streaming down her cheeks.

  Noah slipped the ring on her finger and eased her to her feet. “I love you, Hannah.”

  “And I love you, Noah Knight. Now and f
orever.”

  Epilogue

  Three days later, on Christmas morning, Noah and Hannah joined Charlotte and Cheyenne around the Christmas tree, opening gifts. Noah had fully supported Hannah’s decision to wrap and give the girls the presents from Lauren. Neither one of them had been sure how the twins would react when they heard who they were from, but they handled it better than expected. Noah was quickly learning how resilient children were. They amazed him more each day.

  Noah’s mother had caught a last-minute flight, eager to meet her grandbabies and join them and Hannah’s family for Christmas. Every time he looked at his expanded family, he learned something new. He couldn’t imagine his world without them. Hannah and the twins were the best gifts he’d ever received.

  Later that evening, Noah waited on Hannah’s front porch for his bride. His mother stood by his side as his precious Charlotte and Cheyenne tossed red rose petals around the porch, Abby attempting to keep the flowers out of their little mouths.

  Some might call him crazy for wanting to make it official so soon. He may have even said the same if he were on the outside looking in. He hadn’t known a love like this could exist, and once he had, he couldn’t let it go.

  The front door swung open. Hannah, escorted by her father, stepped out wearing a long-sleeve, cream-colored ruffled lace gown. It was country, it was beautiful and it was 100 percent Hannah.

  His heart danced in his chest every time he looked at his family. Thirty-five days ago, he hadn’t known they existed. As they said their “I dos” before their friends and family, a single star shot across the sky...a Christmas gift from above.

  Noah wrapped his arms around all three of his girls and held them close.

  “Merry Christmas!”

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from THE COWBOY SEAL’S JINGLE BELL BABY by Laura Marie Altom.

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Western Romance story.