The Rancher's Twin Troubles

by Laura Marie Altom

  When he opened the door, Josie couldn’t quite believe her eyes. “It’s fantastic…”

  On the main level was a stone fireplace with flames merrily crackling and stone floor covered in thick throw rugs. A galley kitchen outfitted with a mini-stainless steel stove, fridge and wine cooler. All of the furniture was buttery leather strewn with throw pillows. On an upper level stood a wrought iron bed beside a sunken, glowing hot tub. Through a partially open door she caught a glimpse of a bathroom featuring an oversize, claw-foot tub. Lighting it all were at least a hundred ivory candles.

  “My ancestors knew how to live it up.”

  “I’ll say.” Warming her hands by the fire, she asked, “Who stays here?”

  “Some of Mom’s out of town friends. A few East Coast aunts and uncles. Occasionally, folks we’ve hired to bring out studs or bulls.”

  “Who lit the fire and candles?”

  “I bribed Henry. Wasn’t too hard, considering he hates big parties and this gave him an excuse to stay away.” On a love seat across from her, he cleared his throat. “Sweetheart, there’s a reason I brought you out here.” His gaze dropped to his hands. He’d clamped them tight. Was he nervous? If so, why? Her pulse took off on a runaway gallop.

  “I-if you’re calling it—us—quits,” she barely managed to get out without crying, “please just go ahead and do it.”

  “What are you talking about?” he asked with a laugh. “If I were breaking up, would I honestly have bought out all of Dollar General’s candles?”

  She quivered with relief. With Natalie, she’d put on a brave front, but the more time passed, the more her resolve crumpled. She didn’t want to have her baby alone, but with him.

  On one knee in front of her, he said, “Enough suspense.” From the chest pocket of his tuxedo jacket, he withdrew a gasp-worthy diamond set in platinum. “Josie Griffin, I know this has been kind of a whirlwind thing, but will you marry me?”

  Tears started and showed no sign of letting up. Tossing her arms around his dear neck, she hugged him for all she was worth.

  “Baby, what’s wrong?” Now, he looked even more stressed. “Is this a yes or no?”

  “Yes, you silly man. Yes, yes, yes.”

  “YOU MEAN MISS GRIFFIN is gonna be our mom?” Over her chicken finger kid meal at McGillicutty’s steak house in the neighboring town of Lakeside, Bonnie grinned. “Does that mean you have to give me a perfect report card?”

  “Bonnie Buckhorn,” Dallas snapped, “that’s a terrible thing for you to ask.”

  “Yeah, but, Daddy, you never said if it was true.” Betsy had chosen spaghetti and currently wore more than she’d eaten. Josie wiped the girl’s face with a napkin.

  “For the record,” Josie said, cutting into her medium well filet mignon, “since we’re planning a Valentine’s Day wedding, we both think it would be best if you two transferred to Mrs. Conklin’s room.”

  “But why?” Bonnie whined. “I really love you lots and if you’re not around to rescue me, who’s gonna save me if I fall?”

  “I really love you lots, too,” Josie said, “but have you ever heard of the big word unethical?”

  Bonnie shook her head. She wore her long hair in braids and they whacked her ears.

  Raising her hand, Betsy wriggled in her chair. “I know what it is. Uncle Cash drinks lots every Friday night.”

  “That’s alcohol,” Dallas said. “And I’d hardly say one or two beers are overindulging.”

  “Good guess, sweetie.” Josie took another bite of steak. “But in this case, the word means that if I had you and your sister in my class, some of the other moms and dads might say I was treating you better than the other kids.”

  “But if you love us more,” Betsy reasoned, “why is that a bad thing?”

  Josie turned to Dallas for help. “Look, ladies, let’s say I had one cow I loved more than all of the others.”

  “You do, Daddy. You named her Lola and she has superlong eyelashes and likes to lick us when we feed her.”

  “Her tongue is super scratchy,” Betsy said with a giggle.

  Tossing up his hands, Dallas admitted defeat. “I know—we know—switching classes isn’t going to be fun, but this is a grown-up thing and you’re going to have to trust we know what we’re doing.”

  “You don’t.” Bonnie sat with her arms crossed and chin hanging low. “I used to really love you, but now I’m mad at both of you.”

  “That’s too bad,” Josie said, “because we have more news for you, and this time, it’s good.”

  “Are we going to Disneyworld?” Betsy asked. “I hope so, because more than anything in the whole, wide planet, that’s where I want to go.”

  “Duly noted—” Dallas chewed a bite of his porter-house “—but tone it down a notch. And, anyway, this is way more exciting than a vacation.” Reaching across the table for Josie’s hands, he said, “Remember how much fun you two have with Robin? How you think of her like a real-life doll?”

  Bonnie dredged a chicken strip in ranch dressing. “Her poop is stinky.”

  “Yeah,” Betsy said, “and she does it a lot.”

  Josie laughed. “You two are a hoot. You should have your own sideshow.”

  “What’s that?” Betsy nabbed a French fry from her sister’s plate.

  “Give it back!” Bonnie demanded, snatching it by the portion still dangling from her twin’s mouth.

  “I hate you!” Betsy declared.

  Bonnie stuck out her tongue.

  “Break it up.” Dallas gave both of them a stern look. Once they’d stopped huffing at each other, he said, “I’d hoped this would be delivered with a lighter mood, but here goes…” Flashing Josie a reassuring smile, he announced, “Surprise! We’re having our own baby.”

  The twins were not amused.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Good grief,” Josie said across the table, giving Dallas her meanest teacher glare. Under her breath, she scolded, “We talked about your delivery and it was supposed to be sensitive.”

  “Miss Griffin?” Bonnie asked, “Is there really a baby inside you?”

  “Yes, honey, there is. But you know what?”

  She shook her head.

  “This is scary for your dad and me, too.”

  Betsy’s eyes were huge. “Our mommy died having us. Are you gonna die, too?”

  “No,” she assured, wishing Dallas would feel free to jump in. “What happened with your mom was a very sad thing, but not everyone who has a baby gets sick.”

  “Aunt Wren did,” Bonnie said. “She had to stay in bed all the time and then we went to see her in the hospital. She looked dead. Like when my frog died.”

  “That’s enough.” Dallas signaled to the waiter pushing the dessert trolley. “For the last time, no one’s dying.”

  Betsy started to cry.

  “Oh, honey…” Josie welcomed the little girl onto her lap. “You’ll see, once we’re a family, and the baby is born all pink and pretty and healthy, we’re going to be so happy.”

  Bonnie crossed her arms. “I don’t know if I like this baby.”

  “Now, you’re just being silly,” Dallas said. When the waiter finally arrived, he told his daughters, “Pick out some cake or pie. Sugar makes everything better.”

  “SO MUCH FOR MY SUGAR hypothesis,” Dallas said after leaving the girls with his mom and then driving Josie home. They sat at her kitchen table eating the chocolate cake they’d had their waiter box to go. “Guess I could’ve handled that better.”

  “You think? Your girls are five and everything in their whole world has been turned upside down. Considering how their mom died, they’re no doubt shaken by the implications of pregnancy itself, but also losing you to me or the new baby. On top of all of that, they have to change classrooms. They must feel lost.”

  “Sorry. I promise to from here on out be more sensitive.” Dallas helped himself to a glass of milk. He poured her one, too, setting it in front of her. “Drink.”

 
“Way to go on that pledge of sensitivity.” She shot a scowl his way, but did follow his suggestion. Finished, she put their cups in the sink and their take-out containers in the trash.

  “I could’ve done that for you.”

  “Why? I’m perfectly capable.”

  “That’s not the point.” Rising to rinse the glasses and put them in the dishwasher, he said, “In fact, I’ve been thinking, how about moving out to the ranch before the wedding? That way, you’d have Mom to help cook for you and I can make sure you’re taking your vitamins and getting enough rest.”

  “No.” Up from her seat, she went to the living room to see what was on TV.

  “Why?” He followed. “It’s a perfectly reasonable idea.”

  “Absolutely not. I have lots to do here before the wedding. And then there’s the not-so-small issue of letting the girls slowly adjust to us being a couple. I also need to deal with Em’s room.” Flipping through channels, she settled on Iron Chef. “I want to take my time. Keeping some things out for our baby, storing other items for me to pull out and reminisce over when I’m ninety.”

  “You’re going to be a sexy senior,” he crooned, sidling alongside her on the sofa. He never tired of touching her, sharing her warmth. “I totally dig blue hair.”

  She kissed him. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “Want help with Emma’s room? Even if I’m just in the house for moral support?”

  “Thanks, but I don’t think so. You didn’t know her.”

  He wished he had. Didn’t that count?

  “Please don’t take that as a dig. I just mean that it wouldn’t have the same impact on you as it’s going to on me. It’s a task I’ve already put off for far too long. And if I want to cry or scream at the universe, I don’t want you getting concerned.”

  He sighed. “But as your future husband, isn’t it kind of my job to worry about you? Comfort you?” It killed him that on this issue, no matter how hard he might try, there was nothing he could do to help. As a take-charge man, it was inconceivable that there was a problem or pain he couldn’t fix.

  “Yes,” she said, cupping his cheek, “and I love you all the more for feeling that way. Please just try remembering that I had a life before meeting you. Emma… She isn’t a loose end to tie, but part of me.”

  He nodded and understood. And loved Josie all the more for holding strong to her convictions.

  “WHO DID THIS?” HANDS ON her hips, Josie surveyed her students, noting that all but a certain two weren’t afraid to meet her gaze. Her gorgeous new Coach purse—the one her future mother-in-law had given her for Christmas—had been scribbled on with red, black and green permanent markers. As a teacher, she’d been trained to keep her cool, but this was one time when her patience was sorely tested. “Betsy? Bonnie? Would you please come here.”

  “We didn’t do it, Miss Griffin.” Bonnie gave Josie her best wide-eyed innocent look, batting her Buckhorn blues.

  “Yeah.” Betsy stared at her feet.

  “I’m writing both of you passes to go to the office, where I’d like you to tell Principal Moody what you’ve done.”

  An hour later, while her students were at lunch, Josie sat at her desk with a peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwich and milk.

  Her classroom door creaked open and in walked Dallas. His scowl told her he was as upset with the girls as she was. “I’ll get you a new purse.”

  Rising, she stepped into his outstretched arms. “I’m not upset about the purse, but how the girls have suddenly regressed. I thought they’d be excited by our wedding and the baby.”

  “I know.” He left her to sit on a pint-size table. “What are we going to do?”

  “Nothing we can do other than be patient. I do think it would be best if you officially request to transfer them to Mrs. Conklin’s room sooner rather than later, though. It’ll give them time to adjust.”

  “Agreed.” Sighing, he swiped his fingers through his hair. “I suppose you think I should be the one to tell them?”

  “Until the wedding,” she teased with a kiss to his firm lips, “you are their primary caregiver.”

  Groaning, kissing her back, he said, “After that, I’ll gladly pass you the disciplinary reins.”

  “No such luck, stud. I’m afraid that with your new and improved parenting skills, you’re in this for life.”

  “HAVE I MENTIONED HOW EXCITED I am about you officially becoming my daughter?” Georgina Buckhorn had joined her son and Josie and the girls for a Sunday trip to the Tulsa zoo. The day might have been sunny, but blustery wind made it a relief to hide out in the balmy rain forest building.

  “Thank you.” Josie gave the once-imposing woman a quick hug. “I’m pretty excited to have you for a mother.”

  While Dallas and the girls ran ahead, looking at exotic fish, monkeys and birds, Josie and Georgina took a more leisurely pace. “It’s also an honor you’ve chosen to marry in the main house. Call me a silly old woman, but to have all of my children’s weddings there would be…” As her words trailed off, Josie wondered if she was thinking of Dallas’s runaway sister, Daisy.

  “It won’t hurt my feelings if you’d rather not talk about it, but have you tried looking for your daughter?”

  “Gracious, yes,” she said in front of the anaconda. “When she first left, we had a P.I. searching full-time. He explained that if a person wants to vanish, it’s really not that hard—especially if they’re off the so-called grid. Once she turned eighteen, with the entirety of her trust fund at her disposal, there’s no telling what she did. The man’s still on retainer and every so often calls to tell me he’s checked out another dead-end lead.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Me, too,” she said with a resolute nod. “It kills me, knowing she’s out there, but wants nothing to do with us. I can’t fathom what drove her to such an extreme.”

  From farther down the trail came a familiar voice issuing a Tarzan jungle call.

  “Oh, dear…” Georgina gritted her teeth. “Looks like one of my darlings is in trouble again.”

  After hustling in that direction, Josie was appalled to find Bonnie swinging from a vine hanging at least ten feet over where they stood.

  “Look, everybody! I’m Jungle Girl!”

  “You’re Grounded Girl,” Dallas scolded. “Get your behind down from there.”

  A zookeeper came running. “Sir, we have strict rules about that sort of thing.”

  “I know.” Turning to Josie, he asked, “What do I do?”

  “Knock her down with a spear,” Betsy suggested. “I told her not to be climbing.”

  Hands on her hips, Josie said, “Bonnie Buckhorn, scoot right back the way you came. That vine is for monkeys—not you.”

  Bonnie stuck out her tongue. “You’re not my mom or my teacher. You can’t tell me what to do.”

  The zookeeper momentarily vanished only to return with a ladder. As if he’d had prior experience at this sort of thing, the man calmly scaled to Bonnie’s height and plucked her down.

  “Thank you,” Georgina said, reaching into her oversize leather purse. “Are you allowed to accept tips?”

  “No.” He folded the ladder. “But I’m afraid per zoo rules I’m required to ask you to leave.”

  Betsy crushed Bonnie’s toes with the heel of her sneaker. “Thanks a lot, monkey brain.”

  “You’re a monkey brain!”

  Dallas sighed. “So much for our big day of family fun.” Just when he’d thought he had everything together, why did he now again feel as if he was letting his girls and Josie down? Where were the manuals covering what to do when your kid goes nuts at the zoo? Had he been premature in proposing? If he couldn’t handle his kids, how would he cope with yet another child and wife?

  “IT’S PERFECT,” JOSIE SAID, gazing at the dreamy white wedding gown in Special Day Bridal Shop’s octagonal mirror. “Think it’ll still fit in another three weeks?”

  Natalie cocked her head sideways. “From this angl
e, it looks like there’s room to spare in the waist. And surely to goodness you’re not going to put on that much weight before the wedding.”

  “It’s ugly.” Bonnie stopped twirling in her purple bridesmaid dress just long enough to cast Josie a mean look.

  “I think so, too,” Betsy chimed in.

  With a knot in her throat, Josie made it to a count of five in her head, but Nat beat her to the punch.

  “Why did you say that?” Natalie asked the girls.

  Bonnie pressed her lips tight and crossed her arms.

  Betsy resumed twirling.

  “Conference time,” Josie said to her future stepdaughters. Hands on their respective shoulders, she marched them to the nearest chair. “Bonnie, we’re going to talk first. Remember when you used to sit on my lap and give me your best hugs? I thought we were friends?”

  The girl didn’t say a word.

  “And, Betsy,” Josie continued, “you once told me I was not only the best teacher, but the best movie friend ever. What’s happened for you two to suddenly be so mean?”

  “Are you upset about the wedding or the baby?” the school counselor in Natalie asked.

  “I hate that baby,” Bonnie said. “It’s not gonna be cute like Robin. We’re gonna have a ugly baby.”

  Tears sprang to Josie’s eyes and she was dubious as to whether she’d be able to hold them at bay. She knew the girls—Bonnie especially—were just acting out over hurt feelings. They were not only upset about having to change classrooms, but no doubt about how much time Josie had spent with Dallas and their grandmother in planning the wedding.

  “Bonnie Buckhorn,” Nat scolded, “you should have your mouth washed out with soap.”

  “If you did that,” the girl said, raising her chin, “I’ll tell Daddy and he’ll ride his horse over you.”

  Hands covering the tears on her cheeks, Josie asked her friend, “Please help me get out of this dress. I think it’s best we go.”

  FRIDAY NIGHT, WITH THE GIRLS at a sleepover, Dallas lounged with his future bride in the ranch’s guest cabin. They’d just finished practicing for their honeymoon and if practice made perfect, they’d have an awesome time. “Sure you can’t get in the hot tub? It looks inviting.”