Page 44 of Secret Baby for the Triplets

Emerson grins and follows my lead. “Will he be upset?” she asks innocently.

I cast her a sidelong look. “Not if he doesn’t find out?”

“Or next time, we’ll just have to invite him along,” she quips, slipping on her clothes.

My jaw slacks as she sails toward the door. Did she really just say what I think she said?

“You coming?” she asks.

Dumbfounded, I simply stare after her before I burst out laughing. “Hell yeah, I’m coming,” I say, hurrying to catch up. “Gimme a minute to catch my breath.”

* * *

Her flyers are distinct and to the point, stating the date and time of the next council meeting. We pepper the parking lot of local bars and the church parking lot before circling back to the ranch to join the bunkhouse for dinner. It’s late, though, and most of the ranch hands have already eaten by the time we arrive.

“Are you sure we can just pop in here like this?” Emerson asks worriedly. “It doesn’t feel right.”

“That’s the way things are done around here,” I reassure her. “In fact, you should have already done it by now. Didn’t anyone tell you to pop by the bunkhouse already?”

“Owen did when I first arrived, but I told him I don’t go out much…”

“It doesn’t matter. It’s like… they’re your neighbors, your extended family. You look a little standoffish sitting alone in your place every night.”

She looks abashed by my admonishment. “I didn’t realize that. I’ve just been trying to get a handle on the job.”

“I know, darlin’,” I tell her. “You’re still learning. That’s why I’m taking you tonight. Come on. Once you make some new friends, it won’t be awkward when you come alone. You don’t have to come every night, and you certainly don’t need to open your doors to them if they ever stop by your place, but they are good allies to have.”

I lead the way toward the bonfire.

“Don’t tell me there aren’t any burgers left,” I complain as we amble down the pathway, past the mishmash of Adirondack and lawn chairs sprawled about. Couples lounged on picnic tables with their beers, waving at us as we pass by.

“Toby!” the collective cheer erupts, and I beam at my long-time staff, nodding and patting them on the shoulders.

“You know, Emerson? You’ve met Emerson?” I ask as we sweep through.

The ranch hands and trainers stop to greet her properly, making small talk, but when Andy sees us, the ranch manager retreats toward the barn with a scowl on his face. I’m actually surprised he’s still here, since he has his own house in town.

My eyes narrow.Am I really going to have to give that man a talking-to?

“Here, sit down,” I urge Emerson. “I’ll get you a burger and a beer—er, a soda? Water? What’ll you have?”

She smiles appreciatively at me. “Water would be great, thanks, Toby.”

“Sit right there. I’ll be back,” I promise.

I leave her with a couple of trainers and head toward the barbecue.

As I round the side of the barn, I catch a glimpse of Andy talking to one of the other hands.

“Hey,” I call out, grabbing a hamburger bun and plate. “Come here.”

The ranch manager’s mouth turns downward as he exchanges a look with his companion, but he ambles toward me. “What’s up, Toby?”

“You tell me? I heard there was an issue with Brock a couple of weeks ago?”

He scoffs rudely. “Issue? He fired Lana for no good reason. But I can see why now, I guess.”

I arch an eyebrow. “Care to elaborate on that?”

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