Texas Lullaby (Texas Montgomery Mavericks Book 7) by Cynthia D’Alba

remembered the sleeping kids. “That’s hysterical.”
    “What I’m trying to say is that I am in the same boat as you except I have help with rowing. Don’t try to row and steer all by yourself. You have lots of friends who would love to give you a hand. All you have to do is tell us what you need.”
    “I guess I need someone to help with the children so I can go back to the office. I haven’t figured out how to take on-call yet, and I hate I’m leaving you in such a lurch there.”
    “It’s been quiet, so that hasn’t been a problem. Bringing on Paige as a nurse practitioner was one of the smartest decisions you ever made. I mean, I realize she’s married to my husband’s brother, so I might be a little prejudiced, but she’s smart as a whip and the patients love her. She’s taken night call for me a few times. You know a lot of those after-hour calls are medication refills or medical questions or things that don’t constitute an emergency. We’re covering for you for now, but I admit, I’m looking forward to having you back in the office.”
    “You’re lucky to have Mrs. Webster to keep Austin and Britney so you could go back to work.”
    “And don’t forget Jackie and Lane for backup.”
    “Right. Like I said, you’re a lucky duck. I need a Mrs. Webster in my life.”
    “I talked to your parents at the funeral. Have you thought about asking them to move to Texas? It might be a win-win for all of you. Your mom could give you some time off and give you a chance to keep a closer eye on them at the same time.”
    “I know and I’ve thought about it. But—”
    “But you want to do this without their help.”
    “I want to do it without requiring their help. Mom would push herself too hard. Dad is still not back to tip-top shape and won’t be for a while. Every time I talk to her, I tell her how great things are going. She’s got enough to worry about without my adding to her plate.”
    “So we need to find you a babysitter, right?”
    “Daytime, for now, if you and Paige can continue with the night calls.”
    “I’ll make some calls and get back to you.”
    “Thanks, Caroline. I wasn’t kidding when I told Travis I was so glad he married you for my benefit.”
    Her friend laughed.
    “I’m hungry.” Ellery stood in the door rubbing her eyes.
    “Me too,” Echo Annie said.
    Lydia glanced at the clock. Almost four. “I gotta go, Caroline. Thanks again.”
    “Don’t forget to call if you need anything. I mean it.”
    “Thanks.” Lydia dropped her phone on the pile of unfolded clothes and turned to the girls. “How about I make you some triangle sandwiches?”
    Lydia had fond memories of growing up eating sandwiches with Meredith that their mother had cut into shapes. Neither she nor Meredith cared what was between the bread. It had been the various shapes that had drawn them in.
    She got the girls set up with their individual plates of tiny peanut butter sandwiches on the floor in front of a movie and went to check on Levi. He was waking up when she entered. When he saw her, his face lit up with a bright smile. Her heart swelled so large she was sure it would explode.
    “Hey, Little Man. You’re awake. I bet your college tuition that your diaper is wet or dirty. Want to take that bet?”
    He laughed and clapped his hands. It didn’t matter what she said to him. It was all in her tone, and apparently this kid believed her to be the best thing ever. If only the other two did.
    And, yes, his college tuition was safe since he knew better than to take her bet. She put on a fresh diaper, shirt and shorts and carried him to the living room where his sisters were both enthralled with The Little Mermaid movie running and didn’t notice when Jasper snuck a sandwich triangle off a plate. The dog looked up at her with a goofy open-mouth smile. Oh well, the girls would be hungrier at dinner.
    She got one of Levi’s bottles out of the refrigerator and his greedy little hands reached for it. As