Chapter Ten

Jessie placed both girls in the middle of the large, braided rug. Barlow jumped up from his usual place in front of the sofa and claimed a spot not far from the babies, his tail thumping against the floor.

“Okay, kids. Playtime.” But Daisy crawled toward the dog, and Poppy scrambled the opposite direction.

“Girls, girls, where are you going?” Jessie softly blew a puff of air, moving bangs from her eyes just as the family pet licked Daisy’s forehead. “No, Barlow, don’t.” She shooed him away, but the little girl tipped sideways, giggling and clapping her hands together.

It had been a long day. Jessie was tired, and this activity certainly wasn’t going as planned. A nice, long nap sounded heavenly. But that was not even remotely possible.

“Come here, Barlow.” Birdie entered from the kitchen, and her firm tone drew the dog’s attention in her direction. She tossed a biscuit at the collie’s feet. “Be a good boy.” Then she handed off a stack of nesting measuring cups to Jessie before scooping up Poppy and setting her back down on the rug.

Jessie breathed in the mouthwatering aroma of dinner while spreading the brightly colored cups across the blanket. “Something smells delicious. Roast beef?”

“Yep, with plenty of vegetables and buttermilk biscuits.” Birdie joined them on the floor, sending Daisy scurrying into her lap. “Those cups are plastic, so they won’t hurt their gums too much if they chew on them. Might even help with the teething and all the crying that comes with it.”

“Let’s hope. C’mon, girls. Look. Time to stack.” Jessie grinned. She loved seeing the progress the twins were making. They caught on so easily to new things. The challenge was coming up with interesting games for them to play.

Poppy grabbed a measuring cup in each hand, nearly falling over in the process, and smacked them together with cheery delight.

“Good noisemakers, too,” she remarked. “Let’s stack them. Okay? This is red. Let’s put red down here first because it’s the biggest. Now blue goes inside it.” She slipped the plastic cup inside the first one. Daisy picked up the yellow one near her feet and chewed on the handle. “No, sweetie, let’s put yellow inside blue. Okay? Then green. Like your socks. See all the colors? Red, blue, yellow, green.” She smoothed little Daisy’s hair from her eyes before she looked over at always playful Poppy, who was tugging at her toes. Jessie’s heart sank. “That knot on Poppy’s head looks even worse now than it did this morning. It’s already starting to turn purple.”

“Yeah, it’s about the same color as that flowery top you’re wearing. And it’s gonna be a while before it goes away.” Birdie scooted Daisy over to the side, stood, and shook out her apron. “I’ll be back in a minute. I need to check the pot roast and potatoes. Almost time to eat. Chase will not be happy when he comes in for dinner and sees her. Especially when it dawns on him he’s to blame.”

Jessie agreed. “Girls, your uncle is going to feel awful when he realizes he didn’t latch that baby gate this morning on his way through the mudroom.” She stroked Poppy’s soft cheek, remembering the tearful event. “A tumble down a step or two is a pretty big deal when you’re so tiny, isn’t it, sweetie?”

“He shouldn’t have been in such a rush getting out of here,” Birdie griped. “He’s usually very careful with anything concerning those two little girls. They are the apple of his eye, I’ll tell ya. I’ve never seen him happier than when he’s looking after those babies. Of course, having you around isn’t hurting anything either.” The housekeeper winked.

She bit her lower lip. I sure hope that’s true. But Birdie has a way of embellishing things at times…

“When Milo called early this morning, he seemed very concerned,” Jessie commented. “That’s why Chase was in such a hurry. He said there was a section of fence down and several horses had wandered off.”

“Those horses are pretty doggone important around here,” Birdie replied as she headed toward the kitchen. “I don’t deny that. I hope he got them rounded up before we lost any.”

Barlow raised his head and barked loudly.

“Yes, yes, you’re pretty doggone important, too. Aren’t ya, boy?” Birdie stopped to pat the canine’s head. “But Chase still should have been more careful. That’s a nasty little fall Twinny took. I’ll bet she nearly cried her eyes out.”

“She did, but she seems fine now.” Jessie gathered up the measuring cups. “Hey, I’m curious. How come she’s Twinny?”

“I guess ’cause Daisy is older by a few minutes. I called Poppy that the first time I saw her at the hospital, and the nickname stuck.” A short, quick whistle brought the family pet alongside. “Come to the kitchen with me, boy. We’ll be back in a minute.”

The twins jabbered merrily to one another while Jessie picked up the measuring cups and gave them a gentle toss toward the babies. “C’mon girls. Let’s stack them one more time. Then we’ll get ready for supper.”

****

The kitchen door flew open with a gust of wind. Barlow jumped up from his place by the stove and sauntered over to his owner.

“Sorry,” Chase said, catching the door and pushing it shut against the frigid air. “Didn’t mean to bring the bad weather in with me. That storm is really blowing out there.” He leaned down and patted the dog’s warm coat. “You are toasty, old fella. Must be from sleeping in front of that stove. Hey, Birdie, why don’t you stay over tonight? Roads are getting bad with all the new snow coming down.”

“Sounds like a plan. Did you get the fence repaired? Horses back in?” Steam rose in the air as she dished potatoes into a large bowl.

“Yep, we got everything fixed and the horses rounded up, but it took long enough. I don’t know what I’d do without Milo. In fact, I don’t even want to think about him retiring.” Chase grimaced at the thought of losing his ranch manager. He’ll be impossible to replace. He moved to the sink, turned on the faucet, and let the hot water run over his cold hands.

Birdie clucked her tongue. “Milo is still talking about retiring?”

“Yes, but I’ve offered him free room and board in the first cabin on the north side, if he’ll stay.” Chase reached for the soap.

The housekeeper stuck a serving spoon into the potatoes. “The cottage with the stone fireplace and flower boxes?”

“That’s the one. Your favorite.” He grinned as he studied her dazed expression. Could be there really is a match to be made between those two.

That would suit him just fine.

“Maybe you can influence Milo to stick around a while longer, Birdie. What do you think?”

She waved a hand at him. “Don’t go getting any ideas,” she added just as a lovely round of silly giggles from the babies filled the air.

“Hey, sounds like my girls. I’ve been waiting all day to see them.”

“They’re in there with Jessie.” She pulled coleslaw and butter from the fridge. “It’s been a long afternoon with the teething and all. But they’ve been playing for hours, so they ought to sleep well tonight.”

“That’s good.” He dried his hands, tossed the towel on the counter, and headed toward the pleasant sounds he loved emanating from the next room. “How are my baby girls?”

The twins squealed with delight and reached up, clamoring for attention as his gaze landed on Poppy’s marred forehead.

“What the hell?” Picking her up, he smoothed blonde curls from her face, carefully avoiding the dreadful injury. His heart ached. “Poppy Jo, what did you do?”

“She took a little tumble on the stairs this morning,” Jessie said. “Just a step or so down to the landing and bumped her noggin.”

He froze and moved his gaze to her. “That baby gate.” Had he forgotten? He'd been in a hurry—had he been careless? He could scarcely say the words. “The latch?”

Jessie barely nodded. “But she’s okay.”

“I was rushing out of here this morning because of the horses. I didn’t double-check the gate.” Anguish seared his heart. “This is my fault.”

Both girls babbled loudly, and Jessie raised her voice. “It’s only a bruise. She’s been fine all day. Honestly.”

“Dammit,” he muttered under his breath as a headache began to pound.

“That’s not going to help,” she whispered, tipping her head toward the twins. “They hear you. They learn from you.”

“I am so sorry, baby girl.” He gently kissed Poppy’s mass of blonde curls. “I thought I was doing better with them, but—”

“You are,” Jessie insisted. “Kids get bumps and bruises all the time. It’s not the end of the world.”

Her words were meant to soothe his pain. Chase knew that. But they didn’t help. Looking at little Poppy’s bruised head sure felt like the end of the world.

“Let’s eat dinner.” Jessie tapped a tiny nose. “I smell something tasty in the kitchen. Do you, Daisy Jane?”

But the dinner hour was quieter than most. Chase didn’t add much to the conversation. He barely ate anything despite the abundance of Birdie’s popular pot roast. His guilt-soured stomach just wouldn’t hold it.

After the meal and the dishes were done, Jessie took the girls upstairs for their usual bath, but Chase didn’t follow. Instead, he disappeared silently into the library at the end of the hallway. She looked from one wiggly twin to the other. “Looks like we’re on our own tonight, girls.”

Footsteps on the staircase drew Jessie’s attention that direction. “Birdie, thank goodness. I’m not used to handling their bath alone.”

“Not a problem. I’m here,” she said, wiping her hands on her apron. “I’ll turn on the water.” Then she opened the linen closet and retrieved several towels. “Let’s go, girls.”

Within minutes, the babies were splashing happily in the tub.

“Thanks for helping me,” Jessie offered as she shoved a handful of bothersome hair back over a shoulder. “I’m worried about Chase.” She wiped water from her cheek and rinsed soap suds from Daisy’s back. “Do you think he’ll be okay?”

“Give him time. Feeling guilty is rough. It takes a while to process.”

Birdie is right, but still… I wish there was something I could say to make it easier. She smiled at the jabbering babies. For now, I’ll just focus on these two cuties.

“C’mon, Twinny, stop splashing,” Birdie reprimanded with a smile. “That’s enough fun for one night. Let’s dry you off.”

Soon the twins were clean and warm, snuggled safely in their cribs, and Birdie headed downstairs for the evening. Jessie kissed the girls, hoping they would settle in and go to sleep. But both remained wide-eyed and restless. Waiting, Jessie knew. Should she go ahead and read a story to them? It won’t be the same without Chase. Nothing ever is.

“Missing your uncle, aren’t you?” she whispered. So am I.

She stepped out of the nursery and glanced down the hall, hoping for some sign of him, just as he emerged from the library. Chase looked weary beyond reason with a five-o’clock shadow darkening his features. She longed to reach out, to assure him things weren’t as bad as they seemed, but folded her hands together instead to avoid a gush of emotions.

“You okay?” A simple question was all she could muster.

He nodded. “Are they still awake?”

“They can’t sleep without their nightly story.” Those girls adored him, and she understood why. Nodding toward the door, she smiled. “They’re waiting for you.”

He hesitated for a moment, concern clouding his striking blue eyes. “Jess, just so you know, I’ve decided against extending the season for guests at the lodge. It would mean hiring more employees and lots of extra work hours away from this house.”

She blinked, taken aback by his words. He’d seemed so positive about the expansion when he’d first mentioned it. Why this sudden change? “But…but I thought it was what you wanted?”

“I just can’t see it working out. I need to be around for the girls more than I am. And I’ll be even less available if we make those changes. Maybe, later, when they’re older.” He raked a hand through his disheveled hair. “I see how good you are with them. I’m envious. It’s like second nature to you.”

“I’m falling a little bit in love with them,” she admitted, her heart near to overflowing with affection for those babies. “It’s easier for me because I’m accustomed to children, but you’re doing great. Honestly. Better every day.” What else could she say? How could she encourage him? “That little misstep this morning doesn’t define you. You’re not a careless man, Chase. Not latching the gate properly? It could happen to any of us on any given day. Please, don’t be too hard on yourself.”

“Can’t help it,” he confessed with a firm set to his jaw. “Not only is Poppy hurt, but it makes me think of Charlotte and all the things I couldn’t save her from.”

She frowned. What did he mean? “It was never your responsibility to save Charlotte. She’s a grown woman.”

“I tried to protect my sister from her own bad judgment, but I didn’t succeed. Now, I’m trying to protect those two little girls in there. Tonight, I realized I won’t be able to do that either. Not now. Not later. I didn’t even keep Poppy safe from a terrible bump on the head that could have been prevented. Maybe I’m not the right guardian for these babies.” He cast a wary gaze into the nursery. “But I can’t bear to give them up to someone else. I don’t think anyone else will love them the way I do. Is it just my ego talking? Does that make any sense at all?”

“Perfect sense.” The sadness in his eyes was nearly unbearable. She reached out, tenderly brushing fingers against his stubbly cheek. “You love the girls, making you the absolute best person in the world for them. Don’t doubt your ability because of one little incident. With kids this age, there will be plenty of mishaps along the way. Stop expecting perfection.”

Chase’s hand, strong and warm, covered her fingers, pressing her hand gently against his face. “Thank you.” Then he guided her palm to his mouth and brushed it with a warm kiss.

She could barely breathe. His touch, just something that simple, felt like nothing she’d experienced before. It was a perfect moment in time, like coming home.

His steady gaze held hers until she had to look away for fear he’d read her overwhelming emotions in her eyes. Her heart pounded against her rib cage. Love. That’s what this was. And the depth of it startled her.

It would be a long fall from here, if he didn’t feel the same.

“The…the girls are waiting for you.”

He gave an acknowledging nod and headed into the nursery.

The happy gibberish of the twins suddenly coming from the room brought a smile to her lips and a welcome distraction. She peeked into the room and saw Chase open a book of nursery rhymes and begin reading just as Poppy called out, “Da! Da!”

Looking up in a sweet mixture of wonder and relief, he gathered the tiny girl clad in red pajamas into his arms. He hugged the babe close, and Jessie raised a hand to her heart as something that looked a lot like forgiveness seemed to rain down on him.

Jessie slipped away to her room, allowing them their moment alone. The girls were his flesh and blood, not hers. And yet, in that moment, she felt like they belonged to her, too, in some indefinable way. If Chase didn’t fall in love with her, walking away from this household would be the hardest thing she ever had to do.

She placed a warm hand against her middle. “Oh, Peanut. What am I gonna do?” Love was more complicated than she’d ever imagined.