Debra Holland - [Montana Sky 02] by Starry Montana Sky

a beaver on a tree. Would the lady be like Widda Murphy, always talking bad at them? She didn’t look like she’d lash out with a fist like Pa had. But Widda Murphy had gotten in a few stingin’ slaps until the twins had learned to dodge. The hand resting so soft on his shoulder could as quick slap across his face. Well, if necessary, he could move faster than a calf twisting to avoid a lasso.
    He tensed his body. As long as she remained this close, he’d better be ready.

    As the afternoon faded, the warmth of the spring sunshine slipped away. Samantha shivered. When they approached the barn, she could see it looked as run-down as the house. Her spirits sank. Paint had flaked off, exposing weather-beaten gray boards. The remains of last autumn’s leaves banked in piles against the walls, no doubt rotting the boards. Cobwebs dangled from the eaves. Samantha gave a wide berth to a brown spider scurrying up a web.
    Wyatt pushed the half-closed barn door all the way open, and then with a flourish of his hand, waved her through. Samantha stepped inside. As she waited for her eyes to adjust to the gloom, she inhaled the familiar barn scents: horses, fresh hay—
    Fresh hay?
    She hadn’t ordered any. She’d planned for their sacks of grain to last until she could get into town and order more feed. And theinterior of the barn looked suspiciously clean. She glanced up, checking for spiderwebs, but couldn’t see any. She looked over at Wyatt. “Are you responsible for the hay?”
    He nodded. “Sent some men to clean and stock the place.” A teasing glint lit his gray eyes. “Course, I didn’t expect a bunch of midget horses. Would have sent over half the amount.”
    “Falabellas,” she corrected automatically, feeling a glow kindle in the vicinity of her heart. “I appreciate all your help.”
    “You’re welcome.”
    “Come on, boys, let’s meet the horses.” She ushered them closer to the stalls.
    From the other side of the barn, Daniel pelted down the aisle, followed by Christine. “Mama.” At the sight of the twins he skipped to a stop, his eyes widening in curiosity. “Hello.”
    “Daniel, this is Jack Cassidy”—she patted Jack’s shoulder—“and his twin brother, Tim. Remember how we’ve talked? They’ve come to live with us.”
    Daniel eyed the boys and then met her gaze. “They’ll be my brothers?”
    She smiled at him. “That’s right, son.”
    “Good.” He seized Jack’s wrist. “Come on. Meet Chita.” Daniel turned, preparing to drag the boy down the aisle.
    With a growl, Jack jerked away. Fisting his hand, he punched Daniel in the shoulder.
    “Ow.” Daniel was no stranger to being picked on. Before Samantha could react, he’d hit Jack in the stomach.
    With a wuff of expelled air, Jack doubled up, but quickly recovered, clenching both hands in front of him. Ready to fight, Tim sprang forward next to his brother.
    Wyatt stepped in between the boys, grabbing one of Jack’s fists and blocking Tim with his hip. “That’s enough.” He stareddown at Jack. An unspoken communication seemed to pass between them, and Jack dropped his hands. Tim relaxed his arms.
    Wyatt glanced over at her, a sardonic look in his eyes. See, he seemed to say.
    Samantha avoided his gaze, instead focusing on Daniel. Her heart squeezed at the tense way he’d drawn his brows up—the hurt look in his eyes. She’d seen that look many times when Daniel’s cousins wouldn’t play with him. In her fantasy, she’d imagined having to win her orphan boys’ trust, but it had never occurred to her that Daniel would have to go through a similar process. She hadn’t intended for her son to suffer from adopting wayward boys. Had she made a mistake in taking in the twins?
    She suppressed a sigh at the thought of all the work awaiting her. The excitement and freedom that had buoyed her up for the last few hours seeped away with each new obstacle, until now she felt as flat as an empty pillow casing. Not wanting to