The Rancher's Texas Twins. Allie Pleiter

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      Avery had heard a few harrowing tales of the woman who preceded her into Haven claiming to be Cyrus Culpepper’s flesh and blood. The kind folks called her things like “a piece of work” and “up to no good.” Others had far harsher terms for the woman. High heels, long nails, fancy cars? Avery thought she surely must look dumpy and unsuccessful when compared to that imposter! It just made everything in this crazy mess that much more complicated.

      “I know Gabriel was downright relieved to know that other woman wasn’t going to stay in Haven.”

      Avery didn’t know how to answer. She wasn’t going to stay in Haven, either.

      Marlene clucked her tongue. “I wouldn’t want that woman in this house, and Gabriel would have never made the offer, that’s for sure.”

      Which brought the conversation around to Avery’s original question. “Why did he offer to put us up? I don’t get the sense he’s fond of children.”

      Marlene let out a soft laugh. “Oh, he’s not. Your girls stump him but good. Kind of entertaining, actually. His face when he saw those pink sheets? Priceless.”

      It would be amusing—if it wasn’t so disconcerting—to see commanding Gabe Everett overrun by little people in pigtails. “All the more reason not to offer. I’m sure we could have found someplace else to go—if we chose to stay,” Avery felt compelled to add. “Waited it out until there were rooms at the Blue Bonnet. Or convinced Mrs. Sackett to keep us on.”

      “If you couldn’t contain the girls at the Haven Boardinghouse, they’d have been impossible at Carol’s fancy Blue Bonnet place. And as for Roz Sackett? No one convinces that woman of anything but her own importance. Frankly, I’m amazed she put up with your sweet girls as long as she did.” Marlene sipped her own coffee. “No, what got you here was Gabriel’s determination to do whatever it took to save the boys ranch. Oh, I know he talks a good game, all serious and determined and the like, but if there’s one thing that man can’t resist, it’s a good cause that needs saving.”

      Avery had no intention to be thought of as a cause that needed saving. She’d make it with the girls on her own without Danny. She’d head back to Tennessee when—or before—this was all over and give the girls a good life and fine futures.

      “Comes from the way he was brought up, I expect,” Marlene continued. “He and his mom went through some hard times. Makes him eager to give back now that he has so much.” Marlene swung her hands around the large kitchen. “And so much space! This big old house practically echoes emptiness some nights. I’m glad for you and the girls. He will be, too, although don’t hold your breath to hear him admit it. The girls will settle in, though, honey, you just watch. Why, in no time I expect—”

      Her words were cut off by a loud crash, a tiny wail and the unmistakable sound of little feet running down the hallway floor. Avery practically tossed her coffee on the counter and ducked down the hallway to see Dinah tumbling at her with wide, frightened eyes. “Mama!”

      “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

      Dinah just buried her face in Avery’s shoulder, clinging tight. “Mama. Mama. My pink’s all gone. All the pink is gone.”

      It took a minute for Avery’s undercaffeinated brain to process what Dinah was saying. “Your pink’s not gone, sweetheart.”

      Dinah pulled away and rubbed her eyes while she looked at Avery. “I woke up and it was all gone.” Her pout was as sweet as it was serious. Avery stood up, took Dinah’s hand and began walking back toward their bedrooms. “It’s still there. You and Debbie just crawled in bed with me last night. Look.” She reached the girls’ adjoining room and pushed the door open.

      “My pink!” squealed Dinah, instantly joyful. She grabbed at the candy-colored sheets and turned to look at her mama. “I thought I dreamed it.”

      “Well, isn’t she the sweetest thing ever,” Marlene said from behind her. “Do you like cinnamon toast, Miss Dinah?”

      “Cinnamon toast?” Dinah’s eyes grew wide.

      “I make the best cinnamon toast in the county. Want to try some for breakfast?”

      Dinah nodded. “Ebbie, too?” When Dinah was sad or tired, she often dropped the D in her sister’s name. Avery, who’d never had brothers or sisters, adored how her daughters always thought kindly of each other. Except when one had a toy the other one wanted, in which case kindness went out the window in a heartbeat.

      Marlene smiled. “Why, of course Debbie gets some, too.” She hunched down to Dinah’s level. “Let’s go roust her up, shall we?” She slanted her glance up toward Avery with a knowing grin. “That way your mama can have a long, hot shower while we eat our breakfast.”

      That, and the hot coffee, had Avery ready to nominate Marlene Frank for Woman of the Year. She’d have to find some friends like Marlene back in Tennessee. There had to be someone in Danny’s hometown who didn’t think she’d driven him off, who would believe that it was he who abandoned them. The only home the girls had ever known was back there; she owed it to them to build her business up enough to make it work with Danny’s alimony.

      She was a fighter, always had been. Maybe she’d consider staying just long enough to see if Gabe was right and Cyrus really did leave her something worthwhile.

       Chapter Four

      Gabe knocked on the weather-beaten door of Harley Jones’s small cottage on the west side of his ranch Friday morning. It was early, but Harley was an early riser like himself. The old man would be glad for the pot of hearty food, and Gabe liked to check in frequently on the widower’s deteriorating health. “Harley?”

      The sound of shuffling came from the other side of the door. “Hold your horses, I’m a’comin’.”

      The door creaked open, and Gabe made a mental note to bring oil on his next visit. Harley was trying to hold the place together on his own, but he needed help.

      “Gabe.” Harley pulled open the door, then hobbled on his cane back inside to the cabin’s meager kitchen. “The league meeting’s not today, is it?”

      “Not today, Harley. I just thought you might help me finish off some of Marlene’s good stew. She always makes enough to feed an army, and now with our—” Gabe groped for some way to describe Avery and her daughters’ descent upon his quiet household “—houseguests, she’s making even more.”

      He opened Harley’s fridge, scanning the near-empty appliance as he settled the casserole dish Marlene had sent. Harley wasn’t eating nearly as well as he should. Gabe made a note to visit again soon with some groceries. The pretense of escaping the noisy state of the ranch house would work well for everyone.

      Not that he needed any incentive to visit Harley. Even as a young man on his stepfather’s ranch—back when things were still tight, before Gabe stepped in as owner and made Five Rocks the prosperous ranch it was today—Gabe loved to spend time with Harley at this cabin. Leon, the last of Gabe’s two stepfathers, had been a hard man who’d grown harder when Gabe’s mother died.

      Gabe warmed at the welcome sound of Harley putting on coffee—the old-fashioned way, in a blue enamel СКАЧАТЬ