Free Maverick Wild (Harlequin Historical Series) by Stacey Kayne Page A

Skylar leaned back, her usual tanned complexion frightfully pale against the mountain of white softness. “I want to see my girls,” she said, looking at Cora.
    Tucker sat beside her and looked expectantly at Cora.
    Carefully walking to the bed, she passed Emily to her father. His hand supported her head, the rest of her fitting in his other large palm.
    “She’s so tiny,” he said, easing back and leaning toward Skylar so she could see their daughter.
    “Seven pounds,” said Margarete. “Big for two.” She picked up a tin pail filled with bloodied linens from the end of the bed and started for the door. “I will bring the linens back por la mañana. Buenas noches .”
    “ Gracias, Margarete,” Tucker said, looking up from his daughter.
    “Don’t thank me. Was your wife who did all the work.”
    He slid closer to Skylar and placed their daughter in her arms. “You done good,” he said, pressing his lips to Skylar’s sweat-dampened hair.
    “Come get me if she takes to a fever or starts feeling ill.”
    “Will do,” Tucker said, his eyes on Grace as Chance tucked her into Skylar’s arms beside Emily.
    “How are you holding up, little brother?” Chance asked, glancing at his twin.
    Tucker shook his head, his eyes bright with tears. “They sure are pretty.”
    “Everything okay?” Garret stood in the doorway.
    “Want to see your nieces?” Skylar asked, her tired voice barely carrying across the room.
    “Do I ever.” He rushed over and crowded in beside Chance.
    Cora stepped back and was instantly moved by the scene they created, a circle of family, the warmth and love shared between them nearly tangible. Emotion stole her breath. Tears stung her eyes. Not wanting to intrude on their moment, she slipped quietly from the room.
    She hurried down the stairs to the great room, trying to stop the delayed rush of nerves. But it came nonetheless, in sharp gasps and scalding tears. She stopped in a patch of moonlight streaming through the front windows and clamped a trembling hand over her mouth.
    “Cora Mae?” Chance’s hand closed over her shoulder.
    She tried to turn away from him, unable to stop the overwhelming wave of emotion.
    “It’s all right,” he said, taking her into his arms. His embrace shocked her, but she didn’t pull away, accepting his comfort, the heat of his body helping to calm her shivers. His chin touched the top of her head as he hugged her close. The feel of his breath against her ear steeled her spine. His strong arms pulled tighter, and suddenly his closeness was intolerable.
    Chance seemed to sense the change in her and released his hold. He stepped back and stuffed his hands into his pant pockets, and her fear quelled as quickly as it had risen. Moonlight gilded his hair. His lips bore the hint of a smile, his expression revealing what she’d hoped to see in him since she’d arrived. Warmth.
    “An incredible night, huh?”
    She nodded and rubbed her hands over her damp cheeks. “I’ve never witnessed anything so wondrous, or frightening .”
    “I can’t disagree with you.” He pressed his hand to the small of her back and guided her to the kitchen.
    Cora forced herself to relax at his touch.
    “My breath didn’t come easy until I saw both those babies tucked in their mama’s arms,” he said, pulling a chair out for her at the kitchen table.
    “Really?”
    He struck a match, his incredulous expression clear in the glow of the flame. “I guess you didn’t notice me and Garret quaking in our boots?” He lit the table lamp, spreading the warm light across the room before he walked into the pantry.
    She’d seen Garret’s fear, and Tucker’s, but Chance had seemed as calm as ever. He came back to the table with a corked bottle and two glasses. Cora tensed, certain the bottle contained some sort of liquor.
    “Tension has been riding our spines since the moment we knew she was carrying two babies.” He set a glass in front of each of them, then uncorked the