Free Twins Under His Tree by Karen Rose Smith Page A

enough liquids, probably not enough food. I forget to eat when I’m busy. Please don’t scold.”
    He would have, but he could see she realized what he’d known could happen all along—she was overwhelmed.
    â€œLet’s see if you can stand on your own.”
    He held her around the waist and helped her to her feet. She felt slight to him. She’d definitely lost weight. He should have been checking in with her daily, no matter how uncomfortable things were between them. So much for looking after her.
    His body was responding in ways it shouldn’t as he kept his arm around her waist and they walked a few steps down the aisle.
    â€œDo you think you can walk to your car on your own steam? I’ll drive yours then walk back here for mine.”
    â€œI drove over here for the diapers because I didn’t want to bother anyone,” she muttered, then added fiercely, “I’m capable of walking to the car.”
    At least she wasn’t protesting him driving her home. He wanted her to understand the seriousness of what was happening to her. But that discussion would have to wait until she was on the sofa with her feet up and Sophie and Grace were fed and diapered.
    In the house a while later, they sat on the sofa, hips practically touching, watching the babies in their cribs on the monitor. Mitch had found laundry in the washer and dryer, bottles in the sink, and had coaxed a little information from Lily. The babies now had a fussy spell that lasted from after Angie left in the evening until well after midnight. And they were nursing at least everythree hours. She was exhausted and dehydrated and had to do more to take care of herself. But she couldn’t do that unless the twins needs were met first.
    Mitch began, “You need help, Lily, and you’ve got to get it before you can’t take care of Sophie and Grace. Hire an au pair who will stay at the house for free rent.”
    He shifted so they weren’t quite so close as he expected Lily to protest. She didn’t. Rather, she just looked pensive. “I really hadn’t thought about doing that. I don’t know if Angie would like having a stranger move in.”
    â€œShe can probably see you need help, too, but doesn’t know what to do about it. Talk to her. Talk to Raina and Gina. Maybe they’ll know of someone who needs a job and is good with children. But you can’t go on like this.”
    â€œI know. Believe me, Mitch, I do. What just happened scared me. I just wish—” She swallowed hard. “If Troy were here—”
    Mitch watched as she blinked fast and faced the cold splash of reality once more. He didn’t know whether to cover her hand with his or move even farther away. Everything had become so complicated between them.
    After a few moments of silence, Lily seemed to pull herself together. “Thinking about Troy…” She stopped. “His sister Ellie might be the perfect person to help me.”
    â€œIsn’t she in Oklahoma?”
    â€œYes, but Troy’s mom and Ellie have wanted to visit. Maybe they could come and help out and maybe…” A smile bloomed on Lily’s lips. “Maybe Ellie could stay! She could set up her web business from here. I’m goingto call Angie first. If she’s agreeable, then I’ll phone Ellie.”
    Lily picked up the handset from the end table.
    As she dialed a number, Mitch realized he should be happy she was going to get the help she needed. Yet part of him knew that if Troy’s sister came to assist her, Lily could stay entrenched in the past instead of moving on.
    That shouldn’t matter to him. But it did.

Chapter Five
    L ily hung up the receiver and glanced at the glass of juice Mitch had brought her, now empty. She knew better than to let herself become dehydrated. She knew better about a lot of things. She should be grateful Mitch had called right when he had. Troy had always