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

"If you're planning on going shopping for the little ones, you're going to need all your strength. There's a lot to be buying."
    "Don't go spending too much money." Gretchen said.
    Hunter waved a dismissive hand. "They're our children, Gretchen. I'll get them what they need, no matter what the cost. That's the way things are going to be from now on. You can bet on that."
    Hunter's voice had a familiar defiant and determined tone. Gretchen recognized it from the few mild disagreements they'd had while planning the wedding. Hunter liked to get his way in things, almost as much as Gretchen did. It had usually meant for interesting times. It looked the weeks and months and years to come weren't going to be any different.
    Gretchen reached across and checked the children. They were snug in their baskets. The impulse to reach in and lift Lewis out and hold him close to her was almost impossible to resist.
    Gretchen saw Hunter watch what she was doing. There was a slight smile that creased the corners of his mouth. She realized she liked being watched by him. Especially when she did simple things that had to do with the care of the children.
    Mrs. Roper cleared her throat while she started to clear away some of the remains of the breakfast preparations. "Forgive me offering my opinions on a personal matter," she started to say.
    Hunter rolled his eyes. "Watch out. Here comes trouble," he said with a grin.
    Mrs. Roper picked up a wooden spoon and waved it at Hunter. "You know what real trouble means around here," she said glancing at the spoon.
    Gretchen smiled. "I don't think that's necessary, Mrs. Roper. Tell us what you're thinking," she said.
    Mrs. Roper nodded her head once at Gretchen. "Thank you, Gretchen. Nice to see that at least one person around here has manners," she said.
    Hunter sighed and shook his head. "I'm saying nothing."
    Gretchen looked at Mrs. Roper and made it clear she wanted the housekeeper to continue.
    "Unless you two are still fast asleep," the housekeeper said, "it can't have escaped your notice that this is the first day you've both had a chance to spend some time together in a long while. And I mean time alone."
    "But I can't leave the twins at the ranch while I accompany Hunter into town," Gretchen said quickly.
    She saw Hunter's eyes narrow after she uttered the words. "Then don't," he said bluntly.
    Gretchen felt the color on her face change.
    "I don't have to go anywhere right now," he continued his gaze locked firmly on Gretchen.
    "But what about the ranch. Doesn't that need supervising?"
    "That's why I employ men," he responded. He drew in a deep breath and leaned forward, planting his elbows on the wooden table. "I have men I trust. Men who can take over the affairs of the ranch on days like these. Special days."
    Hunter sighed and peered at Gretchen. There was a determination in that gaze that made something shift inside Gretchen. "If I want to spend time alone with my wife, then I get what I want," he said slowly.
    Hunter's eyes shifted from Gretchen to Mrs. Roper and back again to his wife. Did he suspect what she was trying to get him to do? Had he guessed that she was actually trying to get him to leave her at home with the twins? Had he cottoned onto the fact that she was trying to persuade him not to spend their first day back together as a couple?
    Gretchen hadn't figured out in her mind why she would even want that. What was the barrier between herself and Hunter that was forcing her to try and get him to leave her alone? She'd tried to suggest it in the most subtle way. But, the truth was, it looked like both Hunter and Mrs. Roper had both figured out what Gretchen was trying to do. Even if Gretchen herself couldn't understand why she was even doing it in the first place. Wouldn't it be the most wonderful thing in the world to be with Hunter for the rest of the day. Alone. Talking.
    And in that moment she realized, with a start, with a jolt of the awful truth, just what it was she didn't