Baby's First Christmas: The Christmas Twins / Santa Baby. Tina Leonard

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      Zach was busily tucking the plastic onto a large roll, while diligently keeping his back to whatever object he was removing the plastic from.

      “What the hell?” Duke asked. “You didn’t use Liberty’s wedding aisle-covering stuff, did you, Zach?”

      “Quite by accident,” Zach said. “You two go on back to the house and get warm. I’ll be done in a jif and bring this plastic with me.”

      “Yeah, but what the hell you used it for is what I want to know,” Duke said, approaching Zach. But Jessie already knew.

      “My car!” she said. “You jerk, you never got it repaired.” Anger flooded her. “Which means it was never broken in the first place.”

      “Well,” Zach said, and he would have said more, but Jessie turned away so she wouldn’t slap the excuse right out of his mouth before he could tell her any more lies.

      She got into Duke’s truck without saying a word. Duke also got in, leaving the plastic wrap behind, and silently started the engine. Unable to stop herself, Jessie peeked at Zach. He stood forlornly in front of her car, which was still half-covered with wrap. Sleet began pelting the roof of the truck and bounced off the barn roof.

      “Storm’s coming in,” Duke said gently. “I’m sure not making excuses for my brother, but you don’t want to drive that pretty car in this weather, anyway. It’s not good for a convertible.”

      She was too mad—and too hurt—to speak.

      Duke sighed. “I’ll drive you into Pansy’s. One of the old gals would just love to put you up for the night. Or longer. They’ll pamper you thoroughly.”

      She nodded. He turned the truck around, leaving Zach.

      “I’d like to say something good about my kid brother—”

      “You should arrest that car thief, Sheriff.” The words came out a whole lot more bitter than she wanted them to sound.

      “I never considered that,” Duke said. “You have a point. But you don’t really want him locked up, do you?”

      She sighed. “He’d just get on your nerves while you tried to work.”

      “Are you sure you don’t know my brother very well?”

      Well enough to be having children with him. “Better than I’d like to, at this point.”

      “When the weather clears and it’s safe for you to drive out from the ranch, I’ll make certain Zach gets your car to you, in complete working order.”

      “Thank you.”

      “I have to be honest, I’m a bit surprised by my brother’s behavior. Though I’m trying not to rush to judgment, I’d like to apologize on behalf of the Forrester family for my brother’s prank. I really am surprised by him.”

      Duke would be more surprised if he knew he was going to be an uncle.

      He pulled into a driveway. “But these three houses are friendly territory. Miss Pansy’s, Miss Helen’s and then Liberty’s house, which she’s also converted into a wedding shop. We still stay here when we need to be closer to town, though. When bad weather comes in, I like being near my office. I can walk from here.”

      The houses were small and quaint, certainly not like anything Jessie had ever lived in. “Are you sure I won’t be putting anyone out?”

      “The ladies will be delighted to have company. I promise.” He waved to them as they came out on their respective porches, and Jessie smiled, delighted to see the ladies again. Duke came around to her door just as Zach’s truck pulled up behind them in the driveway. He got out, slamming his door.

      “I can take over from here, Duke,” Zach said.

      “I don’t think so,” Duke said with a scowl. “You have a lot of explaining to do, and I don’t know that you’re operating honestly where this woman is concerned.”

      “I’m trying to marry her,” Zach said.

      “That might have nothing to do with honesty on your part,” Duke snapped, but Jessie’s eyes widened. Pansy clasped her hands together, and Helen’s mouth puckered.

      “That’s no proposal,” Helen said, coming forward to shoo Jessie toward her house. “Pansy, be careful coming down those steps. Come on over and I’ll make us some tea. It’s so good to see you again, Jessie. We wondered when you’d return.”

      “Yes,” Pansy said, giving her a hug. “When is the baby due?”

      Duke stared at her, surreptitiously shooting a glance at her midsection, which was concealed by her red wool coat. “Baby?”

      “How did you know?” Jessie asked Pansy.

      “You glow, my dear. You simply glow. And you’ve put on a teensy bit of very flattering weight.”

      Duke put his hands on his hips. “Is that why you stole her car?”

      Helen gasped. “Stole her car?”

      “Yes. It’s hidden in one of our barns.”

      Pansy gave Zach’s arm a light slap. “Shame on you, Zach. Your parents would be so disappointed.”

      Zach sighed. “You people are not helping.”

      “I bet those rascals found the car and never told us,” Helen said to Pansy. “I’m going to give them what-for when I see them.”

      Pansy nodded. “Jessie, we sent out a search team to check on your vehicle. But they failed us.” She gave a haughty sniff at Zach. “You can’t hijack a lady when you want to get to know her better, even if she’s having your child.”

      “Children,” Zach said.

      “Children?” Duke repeated, glowering at his brother.

      “We’re having twins,” Jessie said.

      Duke grinned. “Way to go, Bro! Nice shooting!”

      The women groaned. “Come on, Pansy,” Helen said. “We’ve had enough excitement for the night, and Jessie needs her rest.”

      Pansy wiped the delighted grin from her face so she could level a stern look at Zach. “And no climbing through windows or any other shenanigans to talk to Jessie. She’ll talk to you when we’re good and ready. You just go cool your heels, Zach.”

      Jessie was fine with that. She was stunned to find that Zach had lied to her. “Thank you for the ride, Duke,” she said, allowing Pansy and Helen to lead her away.

      “Hey! How about my marriage proposal?” Zach asked.

      “We never heard one,” Helen called over her shoulder as they walked away. “We heard a stubborn man trying to get his way with little effort, though.”

      “Thank СКАЧАТЬ