Two Years Later....

 

“Mommy, Mommy , Daddy’s coming!” Little Holly Haller jumped up and down on the porch in her excitement as she spotted Sam heading for the house from the barn. Joey ran along side him, talking nineteen to the dozen as usual.

Lisa stayed on the rocker, keeping an eye on Holly so she didn’t get too excited and tumble off the steps. She’d done that once months ago when first learning to walk and scared six months out of Lisa.

“He’ll be here in a minute, honey, don’t get near the edge.”

Holly spun around and ran to Lisa, flinging her arms up.

“Up!” she demanded.

Despite her bulk, Lisa readily complied. She loved holding this child of her heart. Holly was sweet and loving and a joy to be around. The prophesy had come true. Lisa had fallen in love with Holly the day she was born the very moment, she often thought. Margot had graciously allowed both Sam and Lisa to be in the delivery room. She’d signed the adoption papers while still in the hospital.

Every once in a while she’d drop by to see her daughter, but she had no regrets about relinquishing her care to Lisa and Sam.

“So how are my girls today?” Sam asked, stepping up on the porch.

“I painted, Daddy,” Holly said, struggling to get down as quickly as she had to get up.

Lisa laughed and reached up her hands. These days she needed assistance in getting up.

“We had a lovely day, thank you. How about you and Joey?”

“He rode all the way to the property line without a lead, right partner?” Sam asked.

“I did, Mommy. I can ride all by myself now.”

At five, he was growing so fast she could hardly believe it. In September, he’d start school. She’d miss him being around all the time, but by then, his new brother or sister would have arrived to fill up her time. With Holly just two and a new baby, she’d have plenty to do.

And Sam. She spent as much time as she could with Sam. They had so much they liked doing together, she almost resented the time they spent apart. But the ranch and her work did place certain demands.

Which enable their time together to be all the sweeter, she’d decided long ago.

Sam kissed her, rubbing her swollen belly gently. “I’m crazy about you,” he said for her ears alone.

Lisa smiled. It was more than enough.