Hunter's Montana Bride (Montana Ranchers and Brides #8) by Maya Stirling Page B

world had seemed boundless and full of opportunity for the newly married couple.
    A curling twist of nerves started in her stomach as her memories came to that fateful day.
    But, before she had a chance to recall any of that, she felt Hannah stir by her side, and within a few moments the little girl started to cry out. The sound of the little voice filled the room with a surprising forcefulness and insistence. Gretchen reached across and drew the blanket back, whispering to her daughter. She heard the sound of Hunter shifting on the other bed.
    "What's wrong?" she heard him ask, concern filling his voice.
    Gretchen continued to attend to Hannah, worried that Lewis would also become equally unsettled. So far the little boy hadn't stirred, despite the noise his sister was making. Gretchen checked Hannah and concluded that the first thing which had come to her mind was indeed the case.
    "I think she needs changing," she told Hunter.
    Gretchen saw Hunter sit up on the edge of the bed, running his fingers through his hair. By the light of the moon Gretchen was sure she saw Hunter's eyes widen in alarm.
    "Changing? What do you mean?" he asked hesitantly.
    Gretchen smiled to herself in the dark. "You know. Changing," she said tentatively.
    There was a long pause. "Do you mean what I think you mean?" Hunter said eventually.
    "Well, it does happen, Hunter. Babies need changing pretty regularly," Gretchen said.
    Hunter stood up quickly. "So. What does that involve?" he asked. Gretchen was sure she detected an edge of anxiety in his tone.
    "The usual," Gretchen said.
    There was a knock on the door. Hunter went quickly to the door and thrust it open. Mrs. Roper was standing in the hallway with a candle. "Is there anything wrong?" she said, her eyes wide.
    Gretchen sat up on the bed and looked at Mrs. Roper standing there dressed in her white nightgown. "Hannah needs changing," she explained.
    Mrs. Roper sighed. "Is that all? Thank goodness," she said entering the room. "Let me give you a hand Gretchen."
    Gretchen smiled, picking up Hannah who was still making plenty of noise. "I'll be fine Mrs. Roper. No need to disturb your sleep," she said.
    "I was still awake anyway," the housekeeper explained.
    Mrs. Roper went to the bed and gazed down at Gretchen and the babies. "Oh, my. What a sight for sore eyes," she said, a warm smile on her face.
    Mrs. Roper turned quickly and looked at Hunter. "You still here?" she asked him in a curt voice.
    Hunter stiffened and his brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
    "Just what I say. What exactly do you think you're going to do?" Mrs. Roper asked Hunter defiantly.
    Hunter looked questioningly at Gretchen, obviously seeking some kind of assistance. Gretchen shrugged her shoulders.
    "I was going to give Gretchen some help. If I could," he said tentatively.
    Mrs. Roper strode over to Hunter and started to usher him out the door. "Never you mind that for now. Plenty of time for you to learn about such things later," she said.
    Gretchen had to contain her laughter as she saw Hunter succumb to the pressure of his housekeeper's forceful, pushing hands. In the hallway he turned and looked back into the room, his eyes wide with a combination of incredulity and barely disguised relief. He raised a hand as if to say something, but he was cut off as Mrs. Roper closed the door firmly.
    Mrs. Roper turned to Gretchen. "Now. Where are all the things we need?" she asked.
    And in that moment Gretchen just knew that the next few days were going to more than a little bit interesting.

CHAPTER SEVEN

    After he left Gretchen and Mrs. Roper, Hunter decided it would be best to sleep in the next room. Give Gretchen some space to look after the twins.
    As he closed the door to the small bedroom, he could hear the sounds of the crying children and the concerned voice of Mrs. Roper, no doubt savoring the chance to assist Gretchen in looking after them. Hunter flopped down onto the small single bed and lay his arm across his