Their Inherited Triplets, page 4
It had made him want to claim her again.
As his woman.
As his...
He cut off the thought before it could fully form. Knowing there was no way either of them could go back to that tumultuous period of time, even if the hot, intense connection that had always been between them was definitely still there. And she knew it, too, as he felt her begin to tense the way she always did when she began to have second thoughts.
With a sigh, he drew back. Sure of what he was going to see.
She gazed up at him, eyes awash with the kind of turbulent emotion that had always signaled trouble for them. Lower lip trembling, she flattened her hands over his chest and pushed him away. “We can’t do this again.”
And once again, the need to possess her got the better of his common sense.
“Why not?” he demanded gruffly.
“Because we already proved it will never work between us,” she whispered, the shimmering hurt back in her pretty eyes, “and I really don’t want to go there again.”
* * *
To Lulu’s relief, after a moment’s consideration, Sam seemed to concede it wouldn’t be wise to complicate their situation any further.
And when he greeted her at the door of his sprawling ranch house the following afternoon, his manner was appropriately circumspect.
Which left her free to forget about the heady aftermath of their passionate embrace and concentrate on the changes made to the Hidden Creek cattle ranch since she had last been there.
The thousand-acre spread was as tidy and filled with good-looking cattle as ever, the barns, stables, bunkhouse and other buildings meticulously well kept. He had updated the main house with dark gray paint on the brick, white trim and black shutters. She admired the beautifully landscaped front lawn and the circular drive directing guests to the covered porch and inviting front door. A quartet of dormer windows adorned the steeply pitched roof.
Most arresting of all, though, was the ruggedly handsome rancher who ushered her inside. The corners of his sensual lips lifted in an appraising smile. He came close enough she could smell the soap and sun and man scent of his skin. “A little early, aren’t you?”
Her heart panged in her chest. “I wanted to make sure I was here when they arrived, but if you’d like me to wait in my SUV...” Aware she was fast becoming a bundle of nerves, she gestured at the Lexus in the driveway.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” He ushered her inside.
Aware the atmosphere between them was quickly becoming highly charged and way too intimate, Lulu turned her attention elsewhere. There’d been a lot of changes since she’d been here last, she noted as she followed him. The ecru walls and dark wide-plank wood floors were the same, but the fancy upholstered pieces and heavy custom draperies favored by his late mother had been exchanged for large leather couches, mahogany furniture and modern plantation shutters. A lot of the knickknacks and elegant paintings were gone, replaced by a handsomely redone white brick fireplace and mantel, a complete wall of built-in bookshelves and a state-of-the-art entertainment center.
His gaze dropped to the hamper in her hand “Planning a picnic?” he drawled.
Lulu’s hands curled around the wicker handle. “I’m open to whatever the kids need, although I don’t really know what to expect when they do arrive.” Which was one of the reasons she was so uncharacteristically on edge.
Evidently that was something they had in common. Sam sighed. “Me, either.” He led the way down the hall to the back of the ranch house, where changes also abounded. The kitchen’s flowered wallpaper and frilly curtains were gone, replaced by stainless steel appliances and concrete countertops and sleek white walls washed in sunlight. The breakfast room table and eight captain chairs were the same, although all had been refinished with a glowing golden-oak stain. The family room had become a work space, with file cabinets, a U-shaped computer desk, scanner/copier phone and printer.
He squinted at her. “Meet your approval?”
With effort, she met his probing gaze. She set the hamper on the island—also new—in the center of the large square kitchen. “It’s very nice. You’ve outdone yourself,” she said.
He shrugged, all affable male again. “Can’t take all the credit. My sister Lainey is an interior designer now, so she helped. Tara, the computer expert, set up all my business systems for me. Liza, the chef, taught me how to cook. Betsy, the innkeeper, showed me how to properly stock a pantry and freezer.”
Like the McCabes, the Kirklands always had each other’s backs. “Your sisters are scattered all over now, aren’t they?”
“Yep.” He lounged against the counter, arms folded. “I’m the only one left in Texas.”
Trying not to notice how well he filled out his ranching clothes, she asked, “You miss them?”
His gaze skimmed her appreciatively. “They visit.”
Not an answer. But then, he had never been one to own up to anything that hurt. He just moved on.
As he was about to do now...
He inclined his head. “So what’s in there?” he asked.
“I wasn’t sure what you had on hand or what they were sending with the kids, so I brought some toddler favorites like applesauce and kid-friendly mac and cheese for their dinner, just in case.”
Another nod. “Thanks,” he said, as a big, sleepy-looking Saint Bernard came around the corner. The brown patches of fur over the pet’s eyes and back and chest contrasted with the fluffy white coat everywhere else. An extremely feminine flowered pink collar encircled her neck.
Lulu watched the big dog pad gracefully over to stand beside Sam. She sat down next to him, pressing her body up against his sinewy leg and hip. Tail wagging, she gazed up at Sam adoringly. Waited, until he petted her head, then let out a long, luxuriant sigh that Lulu understood all too well.
Pushing aside the memory of Sam’s gentle, soothing touch, she asked, “Who is this?”
“Beauty. As in Beauty and the Beast.”
Unable to resist, Lulu guessed, “And you’re the Beast?”
Although he tried, he couldn’t quite contain a smile. “Very funny.”
Lulu chuckled. “I thought so.”
Although, the moniker fit. The 120-pound dog was absolutely gorgeous. And not really the type of canine she would have expected a rough-hewn rancher like Sam to choose.
“When did you get her?” Lulu smiled and made eye contact with Beauty, who appreciated her right back.
Tilting his head, Sam paused, calculating. “A little over four years ago.”
“As a puppy?”
“She was about six months old at the time.”
Lulu paused. “I didn’t know you wanted a dog.” He certainly hadn’t mentioned it when they were together. Back then, all he’d talked about were horses and cattle. And of course the importance of keeping one’s commitments. Which he definitely did not think Lulu had done.
He smiled as his dog stood again and then stretched her front legs out in front of her, dipping her tummy close to the floor in a play bow. “She’s not mine. She belongs to my sister Hailey.”
Hence, the romantic pet name.
Lulu turned back to him, confused. “But...you’re keeping her?” She watched Beauty rise again and turn back to Sam for one last pet on the head.
His big hand sank into the soft, luxuriant fur on the top of Beauty’s head, massaging it lightly in a way that made Lulu’s own nerve endings shudder and her mouth go dry.
“It was never the intention,” Sam admitted, oblivious to the effect his tender ministrations were having on Lulu. “But Beauty was too big for Hailey’s apartment, and she suddenly had to travel internationally for her job. Constantly boarding Beauty didn’t seem fair. My sister asked me to help out temporarily, since I have plenty of room. I agreed.”
Lulu observed the free-flowing affection between man and pet. “Looks like you made the right decision.”
And possibly, Lulu thought as Beauty lumbered over to stand next to her, the right decision regarding the three kids, as well.
Because if Sam wouldn’t turn out a dog who had come to live with him, she knew he would never abandon three little orphaned boys. And that meant if she was going to form a permanent, loving connection with Theresa and Peter’s triplets, she would have to forget the difficulties of their past and find a way to forge an enduring, platonic connection with Sam, too.
The next twenty minutes passed with excruciating slowness. Sam settled down to do something at his desk while Lulu paced, looking out one front window, then the next.
Finally, a large dark green van made its way up the lane. It stopped next to the ranch house. The doors opened. Hiram Higgins and three other adults stepped out. And even though there was no sign of the children they were going to care for just yet, Lulu’s heartbeat quickened.
“Sam! They’re here!” she exclaimed.
He rose and strode briskly through the hall to her side.
Together, they walked out the front door and down the porch steps. Hiram introduced his wife, Winnifred, a kind-faced woman with gray hair, and Sandra and Jim Kelleher, the thirtysomething couple who had been looking after the triplets.
Seeing that Lulu and Sam were chomping at the bit to meet the kids, the Kellehers proceeded to unfasten safety harnesses and bring the children out, one by one. All three were holding stuffed animals and clutching well-loved blue baby blankets. In deference to the shimmering June heat, they were wearing blue plaid shorts and coordinating T-shirts, sandals, plaid bucket hats and kiddie sunglasses. All appeared shy and maybe even a little dazed. As if they’d been napping and were still trying to wake up.
“This is Theo,” Winnifred introduced the most serious-looking toddler.
Sandra brought forward the one with the trembling lower lip. “And Ethan.”
“And Andrew,” Jim said, shifting the weight of the only one starting to fidget.
“Hello, Theo, Ethan and Andrew,” Lulu greeted them in turn.
They simply stared at her, then eventually turned away.
Her heart sank. She was a McCabe. She’d been around children all her life. Not once had one responded to her with such indifference.
But then, these children had been through hell. It was probably no surprise they’d become...numb.
Hiram retrieved his briefcase and inclined his head at Sam. “We probably should sign the papers first and then unload the belongings they brought with them today.”
“Lulu,” Sam said, “you want to take them all on in?”
“Sure.” She led the way inside as Sam and Hiram adjourned to a corner of the front porch. Winnifred and the Kellehers took a seat in the living area, a child on each lap. Once they were all settled, Lulu sat down, too, and they got down to business.
“I brought a folder with me of everything I’ve been able to piece together about the children’s previous routines, plus everything that did or did not work for us, in terms of their care,” Sandra said.
Jim exhaled, then turned to look at Lulu. “I hope Sam has better luck with them. It’s good you’re going to be helping out, too.”
Winnifred chimed in, “Hiram and I can both attest to that. They can be a handful.”
Suddenly feeling a little unsure they were up to the task, Lulu nodded her understanding. Had she and Sam underestimated the task of helping the orphaned triplets?
Sam and Hiram walked in. After Sam set the papers on the entry table, Jim handed the still-fidgety Andrew to Lulu and all three men headed back outside. Short minutes later, a trio of car seats, travel beds, booster seats, suitcases, and a big box of toys were stacked in a corner of the living room.
“Probably best we be on our way,” Hiram said.
Lulu expected the kids to wail in protest at the impending departure of yet another set of guardians. Instead, they took it stoically in stride. Too stoically, in fact, to be believed.
Chapter Four
“How long do you think they’re going to sit there like that, before they decide to get comfy and stay awhile?” Sam quipped to Lulu a good half hour later. Although he was the one with legal responsibility for them, she was the one who seemed to inherently understand what was going on with them. That put them all in the awkward position of really needing her soothing maternal presence in a way Sam hadn’t expected. And that he wasn’t sure how to deal with, given his ever-present desire for her.
Oblivious to his chaotic thoughts, Lulu looked up from the toy fort she was building in the center of the living room floor and turned her glance in the direction Sam indicated.
The triplets were right where they’d initially settled. Cuddled together in the middle of his big leather sofa. All still wore their hats and sunglasses. Their blankets and stuffed animals were on their laps. Thumbs in their mouths. All previous attempts, and there had been three thus far, to gently separate them from their head-wear had failed.
“I don’t know.” With a shrug, Lulu continued pulling toys from the box. Unlike him, she was completely at ease, despite the fact that, like him, she’d been rebuffed at every attempt to get acquainted with the children, too. Her turquoise eyes sparkled with amusement and her soft lips curved into a sweet, contented smile. “Until they’re ready to do something else?”
Sam edged closer and caught a whiff of her signature fragrance. With effort, he concentrated on the problem at hand. Helping the boys acclimate.
“With those sunglasses on, this place has to look dark to them, even though we opened up the blinds and turned the lights on.” He wondered if they were scared.
Lulu dusted off her hands and stood. Looking incredibly fetching in a pretty floral sundress and casual canvas flats, she came close enough to go up on tiptoe and whisper in his ear, “Would you relax, cowboy?” Her hand curved over his biceps. “I think your anxiety is making them tense.”
Was it his imagination or was it getting hot in here? “I’m not anxious.”
Clearly, she didn’t believe him.
She let go of him for a moment and stepped back to study him from beneath a fringe of thick, dark lashes, then lightly clasped one of his forearms just above his wrist. “Let’s just give them a moment to acclimate without us staring at them, okay?” She gave a little tug when he didn’t budge. “Come on. You can help me set their booster seats up at the kitchen table. Maybe set out a snack or...” she glanced at her watch, noting that it was nearly five o’clock “...dinner.”
Her soft skin feeling like a silky manacle around his wrist, she guided him down the wide hallway to the kitchen. Sam pushed away the evocative memories her touch engendered. Exhaled. For once, he was all too willing to let her be in charge of what went on with the two of them. In fact, the knowledge that she had some idea of what to do was reassuring.
His sisters had done all the babysitting when they were growing up. Not him. And the truth was, he had no idea at all how to handle a situation like this.
Sam peeked back into the living room, far enough to be able to surreptitiously check on the three little boys and see they were just where they had been.
Then he moved back toward Lulu. Stood, back braced against the kitchen island, feet crossed at the ankle, arms folded. “You think they’re hungry?”
She ran a hand through her sun-streaked honey brown hair, pushing the silky waves off her face. As she squared her shoulders, the luscious curves of her breasts pushed against the bodice of her dress. “I’m sure they are. Thirsty, too.” She removed three small cartons of apple juice and a container of Goldfish crackers from the bag, then set them all on the counter.
“I also know they’ve had a very rough time, being shuffled from home to home for the last two months.” She paused to look into Sam’s eyes. “They’ve got to be very confused.”
He let his gaze drift over her, surprised at how good it felt to have her here, in his home, with him. When all they’d done for years was try to stay as far apart from each other as possible. He was beginning to see what a mistake that was. Clearly, there was a lot of unfinished business between them. Aware they were definitely on the same page about one thing—making the triplets happy again—he murmured, “I want them to feel good about being here.”
“I’m sure they will,” she reassured him softly. “But we have to give them time, Sam.”
Without warning, Beauty, who’d been sleeping on her cushion in the corner of the kitchen, lifted her head. Got to her feet. And ever so slowly moved toward the hall.
Wondering what the Saint Bernard had heard, Sam turned in that direction.
There it was.
The unmistakable sound of childlike chatter.
Lulu started in surprise. Pausing to give him a quick, excited glance, she tiptoed down the hallway toward the living room. Sam was right on her heels, moving just as soundlessly.
And there they were. All three boys. Finally sans bucket hats and sunglasses, sitting on the floor, in the middle of their toys.
“You were right,” Sam murmured, standing close enough to feel the heat emanating from her slender body. “All we needed to do was give them a little room to maneuver.”
Lulu nodded, although to his consternation she didn’t look nearly as relieved as he felt to see them up and about.
Figuring it was his turn to comfort her, he reached over to give her forearm a companionable squeeze. “Maybe acclimating them won’t be so difficult after all,” he theorized.
* * *
Except as it turned out, Lulu noted in despair many times over the next eight hours, it absolutely was.
The three boys all refused their snack, and, except for a few sips of their apple juice, also made a mess of their dinner. Squishing the mac and cheese between their fingers and smearing it on their plates and the table in front of them. Banana slices, applesauce and chopped green beans shared a similar fate. In fact, once they’d finished, it looked as if there had been one heck of a food fight in Sam’s kitchen.
