The Rancher's Wife by April Arrington Page B

thing, her shoulders barely reaching Amy’s chest. But her blue eyes were rich with welcome and happiness.
    â€œI’ve heard so many wonderful things about you,” Cissy said.
    Amy masked her expression with a polite smile. That couldn’t be the case. There weren’t that many good things for anyone to tell.
    â€œDominic talks so much about how you two got up to no good back in the day,” Cissy added with a laugh.
    That sounded more like it.
    â€œSo this is where you boys snuck off to.” Betty swept in, smiling as the twins rushed over and wrapped their arms around her waist.
    â€œWe’re hungry,” Jayden said, tipping his head back and pouting.
    â€œYeah.” Kayden frowned. “And Aunt Cissy won’t let us have a cookie.”
    â€œI’ll let you have one,” Cissy said. “ After supper. I’m sorry, Betty.” She flashed an apologetic smile. “The boys were supposed to be washing up with Traci. Not sneaking away and stealing cookies.”
    â€œAw, come on, Aunt Cissy,” Kayden said. “You can smell ’em all the way down the hall. And we only wanted one.”
    â€œYou can have one after you eat dinner. Not before.”
    Kayden poked a grubby finger at Amy. “But she’s gonna eat one.”
    Betty ruffled their shiny hair and laughed. “Well, she should know better. I never let her or Traci get away with grabbing a cookie before dinner either.”
    Jayden elbowed his brother. “Hush, Kayden. Aunt Amy didn’t rat us out, you know.” He nodded up at Betty. “Aunt Amy can have one. We’ll wait ’til later.” He jerked his chin at his brother. “Come on.”
    The two boys scampered out, pausing to press a quick kiss to Cissy’s belly.
    â€œCan’t blame them for trying.” Cissy giggled and rubbed her palm in smooth circles over her protruding midsection. “Even the girls kick harder when I get close enough to smell your mother’s cookies.”
    Girls . Amy stared at Cissy’s middle. She’d almost had a girl of her own. Sara.
    The ache behind Amy’s eyes spread, streaking in painful bolts to her temples. Heaven help her, she thought she’d gotten past this. Thought she’d set this pain down long ago.
    â€œCongratulations,” Amy managed to choke out on a strangled whisper.
    â€œThanks.” Cissy laughed. “We’re having twins. Once you add the boys, Dom and I are in for quadruple the trouble. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
    Betty’s arm curled around Amy’s waist and squeezed. Lines of worry creased her brow.
    Amy lifted her chin, hugged Betty closer to her side and summoned up a sincere smile. “I’m so happy for you both. Dom’s a good man.”
    Cissy nodded. “One of the best.”
    Betty lifted to her toes and kissed Amy’s cheek. “Well, I think it’s about time we got a home-cooked meal in you. Whatcha say we get this table set?”
    Ten minutes later and only five minutes beyond Betty’s designated six-o’clock dinner hour, the family Thanksgiving table was packed. Utensils clanged, napkins flapped in the air and settled in laps. Dishes stuffed with sweet and savory samplings were passed from one end of the table to the other.
    The twins, tucked snugly between Cissy and Dominic, barely paused to breathe between bites. Traci ate with the same enthusiasm, shooting smiles Amy’s way between each extra helping. Logan went for seconds, his muscular arm brushing against her as he stretched across the table.
    Amy shifted in her seat, still whirling from the rush of reunions and welcomes. The only moment she’d had to herself was when the men had left to check on the guests while Betty and Cissy rounded up the boys and Traci. Amy had seized the opportunity to sneak off and stow her purse in her bedroom.
    She winced. Their bedroom. Hers and Logan’s. The same