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

communicate her exhaustion to anyone, she struggled to keep her step light, and prayed for some extra energy. They all needed her to be strong—to be in control.
    Wyatt looked at Jack and gently nudged his shoulder. “I think you should go with Daniel and Christine.” A hint of steel slid under the suggestion in his words. He softened his command by grinning. “I think you’ll like what you find.”
    Christine slipped her hand inside her father’s and leaned against him. She studied each twin. “Please come see the little horses,” she coaxed. “You’ll like them.”
    Jack glanced away, then back again, his gaze caught by Christine’s blue-eyed appeal. Samantha watched the resistance fade from his face. He stiffly nodded his head.
    Christine’s answering smile would have been hard for anyone to resist. She dropped her father’s hand, waving for the twins to follow.
    Samantha suppressed a smile. In a few years, Christine’s suitors would be cluttering up the porch of Wyatt’s house—unless he was the type to stand guard with a gun. She noted the harsh set of his face as he watched the children and had her answer. Definitely the protective father-with-a-gun.
    Turning to him, she cocked an eyebrow. “Let’s see if the Falabellas can work their magic.”
    “Midget magic. That’ll be somethin’,” he said, his tone wry.
    In spite of her tiredness, Samantha refused to have Wyatt’s poor opinion of the twins bog her down. With time she’d be able to help them. Then he’d see…She fell into step behind the children.
    Daniel unlatched the first stall door, holding it open for everyone. “This is my mare, Chita.” The little black horse nuzzled Daniel’s hand.
    Tim stepped forward, gently touching Chita’s back, then ran his palm across her side, dislodging the dust of the journey. “I’ll be damned.”
    Daniel’s eyes widened, and he looked at Samantha in inquiry.
    She bit her lip, shaking her head at him in silent communication.
Don’t say anything.
Now that Tim had finally spoken, she didn’t want to reprimand the first words he’d uttered. She was sure there’d be plenty of other opportunities to teach the boys proper language.
    Jack remained mute, but the eager look in his eyes went straight to her heart. She leaned over and touched his shoulder. “There are more.” She smiled at both boys. “Chita is Daniel’smare. Chico’s my favorite. You each can pick out a horse to be your own friend.”
    Wary disbelief froze their faces, as if they were afraid to trust her.
    She held up an admonitory finger. “But they will be your responsibility to care for. Including the mucking out.”
    That seemed to reassure them. Silently they went from stall to stall, running their hands over each small body, and making soft clucking noises. Without a word, Tim ended up on his knees in Bonita’s stall, his arms wrapped around the little chestnut mare. Jack crouched next to Mariposa, stroking the dusty gray coat and murmuring low words into a twitching ear.
    The scene tugged at her emotions, and Samantha blinked back tears, already feeling a mother’s connection with the boys. Relief pushed away some of her weariness. Watching the gentle way the twins interacted with the horses, she relaxed.
My new sons. There’s good in them. I know it. I’ll just have to bring it out.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    Wyatt rode next to Samantha’s small buggy, his mind whirling. Behind him on the horse’s rump rode Jack Cassidy, loosely clutching Wyatt around his waist. On the other side of the buggy, Christine chattered away to Daniel. Trailing behind them, Tim doubled up with Manuel.
    He shook his head, still amazed at his impulse to invite his new, unwanted neighbors to stay the night. How could he keep the Cassidy twins at a distance from Christine, when he’d gone and welcomed them into his home? He’d have to worry about that later. In good conscience, a man couldn’t let them sleep in Ezra’s dusty, dilapidated house.
    The