The Texan's Twin Blessings
Stand-In FatherAs temporary guardian to his twin baby nieces, William Barns barely knows a diaper from a burp cloth. The well-meaning but meddling neighbor ladies suggest a wife–namely Emily Jane Rodgers. Although William isn't in the market for a bride, he needs a loving woman to watch over the children, and Emily Jane fits the bill nicely.Emily Jane agrees to care for William's nieces–not become his betrothed. Fully determined to find her own way in life and to open her own bakery, Emily Jane isn't looking for a husband. But no matter how hard she resists, Emily Jane is roped in by the twins' little hugs and William's tender regard. And soon she longs to be a permanent part of this ready-made family…
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Stand-In Father
As temporary guardian to his twin baby nieces, William Barns barely knows a diaper from a burp cloth. The well-meaning but meddling neighbor ladies suggest a wifeânamely Emily Jane Rodgers. Although William isnât in the market for a bride, he needs a loving woman to watch over the children, and Emily Jane fits the bill nicely.
Emily Jane agrees to care for Williamâs niecesânot become his betrothed. Fully determined to find her own way in life and to open her own bakery, Emily Jane isnât looking for a husband. But no matter how hard she resists, Emily Jane is roped in by the twinsâ little hugs and Williamâs tender regard. And soon she longs to be a permanent part of this ready-made familyâ¦
âI hope I havenât kept you waiting,â William said, giving Emily Jane a hand up onto the wagon.
âNot at all. I needed to visit a little while with Beth anyway.â She sat down and then turned and kissed each twin.
They giggled and tried to get her hat.
William pulled himself up beside her. As he took the reins he asked, âNew hat?â
âBeth loaned it to me.â
He smiled over at her. âItâs very pretty on you.â
A compliment? She felt a little uneasy.
A soft laugh drifted from his side of the wagon seat. âWeâre friends, Emily Jane. No need to get all nervous about a compliment.â
How had he known? She cut her eyes under the hat to look at his profile. Was it possible that over the past few weeks theyâd grown so close that they knew what each other was thinking? If so, that was dangerous. Maybe after today she should put some distance between herself and William. From her experience with people, those who could read each otherâs minds and expressions seemed to be in love. She wasnât ready for love.
Yes, distance after today would be the best solution for them both.
RHONDA GIBSON lives in New Mexico with her husband, James. She has two children and three beautiful grandchildren. Reading is something she has enjoyed her whole life and writing stemmed from that love. When she isnât writing or reading, she enjoys gardening, beading and playing with her dog, Sheba. You can visit her at rhondagibson.net. Rhonda hopes her writing will entertain, encourage and bring others closer to God.
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!
âIsaiah 43:18â19
Tina James, thank you for always believing in my stories and trusting me to get them written on time. James Gibson, your love means more to me than you will ever know. Thank you for keeping the midnight oil burning so that I can find my way after a long night of writing. And as always, thank You, Heavenly Father, for giving me my heartâs desires.
Contents
Granite, Texas Late Spring 1887
Hot, aggravated and about at the end of his rope, William Barns stood on his grandmotherâs porch juggling his year-and-a-half-old nieces, Rose and Ruby. The little girls squalled louder.
âEat!â Rose twisted sideways, her little voice pleading.
They were hungry, so was he, and as soon as his grandmother opened the door from the other side, sheâd help feed them. Of that he had no doubt. He shifted the twins higher on his chest. Today theyâd had milk and bread in their diets and little else.
The heat was getting to them and making the girls cranky; him, too, if he was honest about it. Colorado springtime and Texas springtime were very different in the way of weather, and the effects on him and the girls were going from poor to bad fast.
Why was his grandmother taking so long? If he remembered correctly, the house was not that big. Heâd been a kid the last time heâd stood on this porch, and even then it had seemed small. William clinched his jaw in an effort not to get impatient with the girls and his grandmother. Surely sheâd heard him knocking.
The trip from Denver, Colorado, had been exhausting. Rose and Ruby demanded his undivided attention. Heâd had no idea how much was required of his late sister, until sheâd been killed and heâd taken over the twinsâ care. What a load she had carried and carried well.
His heart ached at the loss of his sister, Mary. If only heâd gone to the bank that day, instead of her. The throbbing in his ankle reminded him why heâd stayed with the napping twins while his sister had gone to town and faced down two bank robbers. If only he hadnât slipped on the frozen snow and broken his ankle after the last ice storm theyâd had, he would have been the one at the bank.
Rose, apparently tired of the juggling, chose that moment to throw up sour milk all over his shirtsleeve. Ruby, spying her sisterâs distress, let out a wail that pierced his eardrums.
