Free In Too Deep by Mary Connealy Page A

been lost in his planning. “What are you sorry for?”
    â€œI can tell you don’t want to do it.” Her brow was wrinkly again.
    â€œI was just planning whether I should head for Texas myself and snatch her away and bring her home, or take you with me. Reckon she’d be scared if I showed up. If she didn’t want to go, I’d be kidnapping her.” Ethan looked at Seth. “The law might take a dim view. But if I take you, Audra, then I have to take the babies—”
    Audra cut off his planning by laughing. “So we can do it? We can bring her here?”
    Ethan nodded. “Sure. She’s my sister now, too. Your pa sounds like a polecat, so we’d best get her away from him. And we probably oughta fetch your little brother along. Your pa’s gotta be a mighty bad example of a man for him to grow up learning from.”
    Audra leaped out of her chair to throw her arms around his neck. He scooted back in time to make room for her to end up on his lap. And a whole lapful of Audra Kincaid was one of the sweetest things Ethan had ever known. Ethan decided he was taking to this husband business right quick.
    â€œThere’s no rush.” Audra kissed him on the cheek, then stood up way too soon to suit Ethan. She sat back down in her chair. Her eyes were shining with unshed tears, but Ethan decided they weren’t all that scary, so he didn’t scold her for them.
    â€œYou want to bring your ma out, too?”
    Audra laughed.
    â€œBecause if it’ll get a kiss and a hug out of you, I’d probably let you move your whole family into the house.”
    â€œProbably not Mother.” Audra giggled as if she couldn’t quite get herself under control. “I suspect she’d kick up a fuss if we stole her away. But thank you for offering. Now let’s eat. The food’s getting cold.”
    They were about halfway finished with the meal when the first baby cried.
    â€œLily’s awake.” Ethan pushed his chair back. “I’ll fetch her.”
    He left the kitchen quickly, thinking to prevent Maggie from waking up, but it wasn’t to be. By the time he swung the door open, Maggie was crying, too. She was sitting on the edge of her mattress on the floor, her little bare feet hanging down. She looked forlorn in her little white dress, all crumpled from sleep, rubbing tear-stained eyes, her bottom lip trembling, her fine white hair sticking up in all directions like thistledown.
    Lily lay on her back in the drawer, her arms and legs kicking, working her way up to a temper tantrum. Ethan needed to get a crib built for the baby. Maybe a big one for Maggie, too.
    He smiled at Maggie and she instantly smiled back. Ethan picked them both up without coming even close to dropping one of them on her head. He was real proud of his handiness.
    When he got downstairs, Audra already had potatoes dished up for Maggie.
    â€œI heard her.” Audra smiled at him as if they were a real team at being parents, and Ethan liked being married even more. “Hang on to them for just a second, Ethan, while I pour some milk. Then I’ll take Maggie.”
    â€œI’ll take one of them.” Seth reached out his arms.
    Maggie smiled at him and stuffed about eight of her fingers into her mouth. Ethan looked at Audra, who gave him a very hesitant nod of approval.
    With Maggie on Seth’s lap, Ethan could finish his meal and bounce Lily at the same time. Audra scooped potatoes into Maggie’s wide-open mouth.
    Except for Seth ending up splattered with potatoes, the meal went well.
    Ethan figured they’d feed them and tuck them back into bed. But he still had a few things to learn about children. They were rested.
    The evening grew late as Maggie played on the floor in front of the fireplace. Seth applied himself to keeping her out of the blazing fire while Ethan bounced a fussy Lily. They had one rocking chair, which Ethan sat in until Audra came in