Read Online Being Emma by Jeanne Harrell - Free Book Online Page B

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and has worked everywhere. He came highly recommended by Bill and
his firm, so Dad hired him.”
    “How’s the well coming along?”
    “I think it’s about wrapped up. Which will
probably wrap their relationship too.”
    “What makes you say that? You don’t think
it’s serious?”
    Colt rubbed his face and looked at him. “I
think Janie’s a pretty tough nut to crack open. The guy who gets
her is going to have to peel her back layer by layer. There’s
shining treasure there, but the guy’s gonna work for it.”
    Craig thought about that…
    “Come on. Let’s get back to the house.
Mandy’s looking forward to seeing you tonight… She hasn’t told the
kids or they’d be driving her more nuts than usual.” Craig
laughed.
    “Let’s go then.”
    Galloping back to Colt’s house, they put
their horses in a corral, removing saddles and other gear. Colt
made sure the horses had hay and water. Then they walked to the
house, stamping their boots and brushing off their jeans before
going in. The dogs started barking and ran up to them, which set
off the shrieks of three little children. Colt laughed and scooped
up the first one he saw. He got Sammy, who was usually faster than
his sisters.
    Craig caught Lucy as she launched herself at
him and juggled her, while also picking up Olivia. Both little
girls laughed and threw their arms around him.
    He kissed their little cheeks and then walked
into the family room with Colt. Mandy waved from the kitchen.
    “Craig! Wonderful to see you again… You can
put those sweeties down anywhere.” She laughed.
    Colt walked up to Mandy and put Sammy down.
Then he took off his hat and leaned in to kiss her. Colt gazed into
her eyes for a moment and then kissed her again. Watching from the
living room, Craig was almost envious of how they obviously felt
about each other. He was beginning to think that he needed a change
in his life. What that was, however, was the $64,000 question. He
didn’t know.
    “Let’s get everybody to the table, Colt and
I’ll bring in dinner. Craig, you know where to sit?”
    “Yup. Same place as usual.” He put Livy in a
highchair to his right and Lucy in her highchair on his left.
    “Since you’re being so helpful tonight, Sir
Craig, how about giving the girls their dinners as well.”
    “I think that’s the only reason you two have
me over… Free childcare.”
    “Ha.” Mandy laughed while getting Sammy to
stop struggling and sit on his chair. Somehow, between the three
adults, they got the three children to down some dinner. It took
determination and Craig figured a little skill on his part,
especially since he had the twins. And they were notoriously picky
eaters.
    After dinner, Mandy did cleanup while Colt
and Craig corralled the kids. It was bath night, so Sammy was in
one tub as Craig tried to get him clean. The girls were splashing
in the other tub, making a mess of that bathroom, while Colt tried
to wash them. When the men finally got the children dry and in
their pajamas, Mandy came in to put them to bed. She looked at the
guys and laughed.
    “You’re both soaking wet. The children are
supposed to be the ones taking a bath, not you…”
    “Funny, Mandy… very funny. Get me a beer,
Colt, before I collapse.”
    Colt snorted. “Get your own. I’m crawling to
the couch.”
    Craig snagged two beers from the fridge as
Colt sat on the couch and tugged off his boots.
    “I can’t believe Mom and Dad had six kids. No
wonder they’re both so thin. They probably didn’t sit down for
years.” Colt smiled at the thought.
    “And you know, I don’t remember them
complaining either. Even when Miles and Joey were pulling all their
shenanigans… I think they truly loved having us all underfoot.”
    Mandy came back out, got a glass of wine and
joined them. She sank back on the couch by Colt.
    “I earned this today…” She took a grateful
sip.
    “…Bet you did.”
    “What are we talking about?” She looked at
both of