Free Inherited: Instant Family by Judy Christenberry

came in, dressed for school, and Sarah busied herself with their breakfasts. “You have to eat at least a spoonful of eggs with your cinnamon rolls,” she reminded them.
    Davy made a face and Robbie laughed.
    Nick spoke up. “She means you, too, Robbie.”
    “But she’s not my mama!” Robbie protested.
    “Sarah is helping us out and you’ll do as she says, or I’ll be talking to you out in the barn, so we won’t upset your mama.”
    “Yes, sir, Daddy.” Robbie’s hangdog air didn’t bring laughter to Davy. He reached out to share his friend’s feelings.
    Within minutes, Brad picked up his cup and plate and placed them in the sink.
    Nick looked at his brother. “Are you in a hurry this morning?”
    “We’ve got a lot to get done. And I heard on the news this morning that a storm is moving in.”
    “What kind of storm?” Sarah asked.
    “A snowstorm. It’s early, so it probably won’t last long,” Brad said.
    “But I don’t even have winter coats for the kids,” Sarah said.
    “Don’t worry,” Nick assured her. “Robbie probably has an extra one for Davy. And we can check if Julie left one that Anna can have.” Robbie took Davy to his room, while Anna followed Brad to his sister’s room.
    Each of the kids came back with a jacket that fit. Nick told them they could keep the coats. “Say thank you to Nick,” Sarah told them, and she looked on them proudly when they did.
    At the sound of a vehicle outside, she called, “There’s the bus. Have you got your books?” She held out their lunches as they passed, and wished them a good day.
    Since the men followed the kids out the door, Sarah finished cleaning up the kitchen. She realized how glad she was to be back. Even if Brad wasn’t speaking to her.
    Later, she picked up after the kids and decided to start a load of laundry. She finally got to Brad’s room to collect the linens. He’d sort of made his bed, but she stripped it and gathered the dirty clothes from his trip. His scent clung to the sheets and the shirts, and she couldn’t help herself. She buried her face in the fabric and inhaled. They smelled of the outdoors, of his cologne, of Brad. Surprisingly she felt nostalgic for their time together in Denver.
    Until now she hadn’t realized how much she missed Brad since their ride home.
    She worked for another hour before Abby came into the kitchen.
    “Cinnamon buns!” she exclaimed. “And to think I almost stayed in bed longer.”
    Just then, Kate entered, too.
    “The smell of cinnamon does somethingto me!” she said with an exaggerated spasm of glee.
    “I’ve heard it’s the way to a man’s heart,” Abby said, playing along. She cupped her palms around her cheeks and turned to Sarah. “Is that why you fixed them for breakfast this morning?”

CHAPTER SEVEN
    “O F COURSE not!” Sarah caught on quickly. “I fixed them for the kids.”
    “But did Brad eat one?” Abby asked, smiling.
    Sarah jumped up to clear the table, hoping that would change the subject.
    “I think Brad is particularly susceptible to cinnamon,” Abby added. “It’s a Logan trait.”
    Kate laughed, too, but Sarah shushed them. “You mustn’t tease about things like that in front of Brad,” she told Abby.
    “Why not?”
    “He doesn’t want anything to do with me.”
    Abby’s smile disappeared. “Why do you say that?”
    “He made it very clear to me that Iwould be managing alone to take care of Anna and Davy.”
    Kate frowned. “That doesn’t sound like my son.”
    “I’m sorry, Kate, but he left me in no doubt.”
    “Then, maybe, she’s right,” Kate said with a shrug.
    “Okay, I won’t tease you anymore.”
    “In that case, I’ll make a special dessert for you tonight,” Sarah said to lighten the mood.
    “Does that mean we’re invited for dinner, too?” Kate asked.
    “I’m happy to welcome you, but I guess that’s up to Abby.” The more people there were, the less likely she’d feel the strain of her and Brad not speaking