Free Cameron's Quest by Lorraine Nelson Page A

now.”
    “Need a hand?”
    “Yeah, I could use one. She made dinner rolls to
go with lunch too.”
    “God, I love that woman, but I’d hate to see
your grocery bill. She supplies me with enough goodies as it is.”
    Luke smiled. “I try to get her to take it easy,
but she likes to keep busy.”
    They delivered the rest of the goodies to the
kitchen and rejoined the family. As usual, the twins had obtained center stage.
The boys sat on the floor in front of the triplets, their faces aglow with animation
as they listened to the answers to their questions. Had they ever changed
places to fool people? What kind of trouble did they get into because of it? What
was school like for them? Cheeky little
buggers!
    Cam
also noticed that Michael sat as close to the
girls as he could possibly get, perched on the arm of the sofa next to Rena. He
might just have to keep an eye on that boy, but for now, he’d allow them to become
acquainted. A young man’s attention would certainly help his daughters feel better
about fitting in here. And if they decided to stay, he hoped Lacey would too.
    ****
    Lacey stood and excused herself to the group. “Since
you ladies were kind enough to bring lunch, the girls and I will adjourn to the
kitchen and get everything ready.” She motioned to the girls to follow her.
    “You just sit yourselves back down,” said
Winnie. “You are the guests of honor. We’ll get lunch set out.”
    Zakia and Leah nodded, getting to their feet.
    “I remember what it was like to be pregnant,”
Lacey said, shaking her head. “And we don’t mind.”
    “Then our pregnant ladies can relax, and I’ll
give you a hand in the kitchen.” Winnie’s tone brooked no argument as she led
the way from the room.
    “We’re already on our feet, so we’ll come along
and keep you company,” Zakia said, hooking her arm in Leah’s and following the
other women.
    Lacey thought it a good thing that
Cam
’s kitchen was a large one as the seven of them filed
in. Still, she was used to being in control in a kitchen and today proved no
different. “Do any of the dishes need to be reheated?”
    “Mine does,” said Winnie. “It’s a ham and potato
scallop casserole.”
    “I brought salad,” Leah said, “so it’s okay.”
    “And I brought a mixture. The baked beans are in
the Crock-Pot so we just need to plug it in to heat up. We could warm the
dinner rolls if you like, and the tray of sweets is for dessert.”
    “My word, girl! You’ve been busy,” Lacey said as
she plugged in the Crock-Pot. “Where do you find the energy? You look as if you’re
due any day.”
    Zakia shrugged her shoulders and smiled. “I like
to keep busy. I’m not due for another two months.”
    Lacey considered the size of the woman’s
protruding girth. “Twins again?”
    “Lord, I hope not. The ultrasound only showed
one, but the technician thought she heard two heartbeats.”
    “And Leah? When is your baby arriving?” Lacey
asked as she turned to face her.
    “Sometime in June, I think. My ultrasound is
next week. I already know I’m having a girl,” Leah said as she rubbed a loving
hand over her stomach.
    “I hope we’re still here when the babies arrive,”
Abby said, a look of longing on her face.
    “Wouldn’t that be great?” said Rena.
    “Yeah,” said Lynne. “I’d love to see the ranch
in summer.”
    “It’s not uncommon to have an early spring
around here,” Winnie commented. “One good Chinook and the snow melts pretty
quick.”
    “What’s a Chinook?” asked Lynne.
    Winnie smiled at Lynne’s question. “It’s a warm
wind that swoops in and can melt a foot of snow in one day. I’ve seen
temperatures go from minus twenty degrees Celsius to twenty degrees Celsius and
stay with us for several days before plummeting again. Doesn’t take much of
that for the snow to disappear.”
    “Do you think there will be one this year?”
asked Abby.
    “We never know. Could be.”
    “Then I guess Dad better take us