LITMIR.BIZ

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like sleeping with a pair of mules on espresso.”

      That made Marlene laugh. “I was sure Jethro and I had worn them out. We tried.”

      The older couple really had gone out of their way to play with Dinah and Debbie, especially after supper, when Avery felt drained from the stresses of the day. “At least they’re still out cold, the little darlings. My bed is up against the wall, so when I smelled coffee, I propped up a few pillows on the open edge and slipped out. I’m hoping that will buy me at least five minutes to grab a cup.”

      “Oh, honey, the way you look I ought to send you out to the porch swing with a thermos and a blanket. Young ones take so much out of you, don’t they?”

      Avery sipped the coffee, letting the bracing hot brew pull her toward clarity. The coffee at the boardinghouse was passable, but this coffee was marvelous. And not all the way down a flight of stairs, where she didn’t feel right leaving the girls. She wrapped her hands around the stoneware mug and breathed a sigh of gratitude. A cup of morning coffee in quiet felt like the grandest of luxuries. “I wouldn’t trade them for the world,” Avery answered the housekeeper, “even when they stomp on my last nerve.”

      “And we all know little ones can surely do that.” Marlene put a compassionate hand on Avery’s shoulder. “I’m glad you’re here. Truly.”

      “I hope Gabe can say the same.” Avery ran her hands through what must be a bird’s nest of bed hair. “Where is he?”

      “Off into Waco on business bright and early this morning. That man has risen before the sun every day I’ve known him. If you like the coffee, you can thank him—he makes it before the rest of us even open our eyes.”

      Her mind concocted a vision of Gabe vaulting into his truck and peeling down the gravel road, eager to escape the girlish invasion. It would have been smarter to refuse his offer. He must be regretting it after yesterday’s chaos, but he’d been a gentleman and hidden any sign of it. Either that or the boys ranch must be truly desperate to win her compliance.

      The discomfort must have shown on her face, for Marlene squeezed her shoulder. “Oh, I know Gabriel can look like a stiff old bull sometimes, but he’s got a heart of gold down under it all. It’ll work out just fine, I promise you. Just takes a little adjusting.”

      Avery leaned up against the counter. “What I don’t get is, why did he make the offer in the first place?”

      “Well, you know the obvious reason.”

      Avery put her hand to her forehead. “My grandfather and his kooky demands.”

      Marlene sighed. “That old coot was a puzzle if ever there was one. Kept to himself mostly, and grumbled when he did speak up. You could have knocked me over with a feather when Gabriel told me about his bequest.” She straightened up suddenly. “Listen to me talking ill of the deceased. Forgive me.”

      Avery glanced up from her coffee. “That’s just it, Marlene. He wasn’t my grandfather. I mean he was, but I never really knew him. I was surprised when Darcy found me and sent those messages. I ignored them at first, thinking they were some kind of internet hoax. Then I got to thinking...” She let her words trail off. “I don’t know what I got to thinking.” Avery knew she was too tired to get into this now, but the words seemed to tumble out of her without permission.

      Marlene’s hand covered Avery’s own. “This has to be hard, all the demands and the messy history. And that other Avery! You two are night and day—and I can’t tell you how glad I am it’s you who’s the real granddaughter.”

      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

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