A Texas Sky (Yellow Rose Trilogy) by Lori Wick Page A

girls. I know how special this
    baby's going to be."
    "So you believe me?"
    Calder kissed her.
    "Certainly. You know the signs in your own body better
    than I do."
    "Thank you, Calder."
    He didn't like being thanked for what he considered to
    be the job of a normal loving husband; that is, trusting his
    wife and caring for her.
    "Did you really think I wouldn't believe you?"
    Merry looked up at him. "I don't know. I just feel a little
    uncertain. I look into the girls' faces and I can't imagine
    loving another baby as I do them."
    "Don't forget what your mother has been heard to say:
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    Love multiplies; it doesn't divide."
    Merry sighed a little, feeling more tired than ever. "I
    might have to experience that to believe it."
    Calder didn't comment. He knew she would love this
    next baby. He knew her well enough to be at complete
    peace on the subject. But just then he had another thought
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    that wasn't quite so restful. What if this birth was also
    twins? Calder was opening his mouth to ask Merry if she'd
    thought of that when he looked at her face. She was nearly
    asleep against him. He realized he was not going to fall
    asleep as swiftly, but not for anything would he mention
    the idea to Merry, at least not tonight
    S^Sr^L-
    "Where
    is him?" Dakota heard one of the little girls ask
    before he actually spotted them.
    "Where is he?" Calder corrected. "I think he's out back.
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    Why do you ask?"
    "I wanna see him."
    Calder decided not to comment. He wouldn't mind
    seeing Dakota Rawlings either, but he didn't know quite
    how to go about it As he and the girls walked from the
    back porch into the yard, Calder tried to determine why he
    was so drawn to the man. He knew there was something
    more to it than simply wanting to share Christ if he had the
    opportunity.
    Maybe he reminds me ofChet was his last thought before
    Vivian spotted him.
    "I see him! Hey!"
    Dakota had been watching for them to come into view
    and now smiled as one of the twins came forward.
    "How are you?" Dakota asked her.
    "I'mViwy."
    Dakota smiled. He didn't care that she'd gotten the
    question wrong. It was too much fun having her talk to
    him.
    "If you were looking for peace and quiet, Dakota, you're
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    in the wrong place."
    Dakota smiled again. The huge tree stump, along with
    the shade thrown from a neighboring tree, was as inviting
    a place as Dakota had seen in a long time. He had read his
    Bible early that morning and was now trying to pray. He
    56 * Low wick
    wasn't finding it as easy as he thought it would be, and that
    made him wonder if he might have missed something.
    "Is this where the girls play?" he asked, glad for the distraction.
    "Just about every day, and always 'house'*
    "Sounds like fun."
    "How'd you sleep?" the doctor asked.
    "Good."
    "And the bleeding?"
    Dakota smiled. "There's no getting around you guys, is
    there?"
    "Not on your life. So tell me, are you still bleeding?"
    "Yes, and I suppose you want to check it"
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    "Indeed I do, and if you don't mind an audience, I'll just
    look right now."
    Dakota gently pulled the shirt from his waistband.
    Calder joined him on the stump, and the little girls moved
    in to watch as though it were an everyday occurrence.
    "Are you sleeping on your other side?" Calder asked as
    he probed.
    "As much as I can."
    Calder looked up at him, his eyes thoughtful. "How
    many holes do you have?"
    "Five."
    Wondering how he could have missed this, Calder
    snorted in disgust and mumbled under his breath, "Might
    as well be your Uncle Chet sitting right there in front of
    you, girls."
    "Areyouhurted?"
    "No," Dakota answered automatically, and to his surprise,
    Vivian turned to her father.
    "Ishehurted?"
    "Yep," Calder said mildly, a small smile on his mouth.
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    "He just doesn't know it."
    Dakota laughed a little and then winced.
    "I need my bag," Calder announced and stood. "Stay
    put, girls."
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    Dakota watched him walk away before looking down at
    the twins. They seemed