Twins For The Texas Rancher

“What do you think?” Amelia asked.

“You know what I think. It stinks,” he said.

Her aunt crossed her arms over her chest. “Stampede would be the first town in the area to offer trail rides and a petting zoo. Rocky Point and Mesquite don’t have anything similar.”

“If you’re bored, find a new hobby and stop messing with Stampede,” he said.

“You can’t afford to be your stubborn self—not when the ranch is at stake.” Amelia drew in a deep breath. “This is a win-win situation. Paradise Ranch stays in your possession and brings in added income, and the town has a new tourist attraction.”

“What man in his right mind would agree to turn his ranch into a three-ring circus?”

Amelia’s face softened. “A man on the verge of losing what he’d hoped to keep in his family for generations to come.”

Emmett’s cheeks drooped as the reality of his situation sank in. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to let your niece have a look at the books.”

“Aunt Amelia.” Sadie jumped into the conversation. “Reviewing the finances of a large ranch will take hours or even days, and I have the boys to think about.” The twins were too much for her aunt to handle for more than a couple of hours at a time.

“We’ll figure out what to do with Tyler and Tommy later,” Amelia said.

Emmett nodded to Sadie. “Logan will have to show you where everything is. I don’t go into the office much anymore.”

It was one thing to have a grumpy old man breathing down her neck while she pored over bank statements and ledgers, and another to have a handsome man close to her age watching her every move.

Emmett got up from the table and walked outside. As soon as the door closed behind him, Amelia clapped her hands together. “That went well, don’t you think?”

“I’m not comfortable prying into Emmett’s finances.” Besides, her trip to Stampede was supposed to be a chance for her and the boys to catch their breath and spend time together while she figured out her next steps.

“Nonsense.” Amelia walked to the door. “With your experience it won’t take long to uncover the truth, and then Emmett will have no choice but to go along with my plan.”

“I apologize if I’m stepping out of line,” Sadie said. “But it’s not like you to bully someone, and Emmett doesn’t want you digging around in his private affairs.”

“I may have come on a little strong, but it’s for his own good.”

“You still have feelings for him, don’t you?”

Amelia pressed her hand over her heart. “I’ve never stopped caring for Emmett, not even when I was married to Robert.”

Back in the day, Emmett and their aunt had broken up after an argument. A few days later Uncle Robert, an oil executive, had passed through Stampede on business and had swept Amelia off her feet.

“Let’s find out what time Logan will be available to help you in the office tomorrow.”

Sadie followed her aunt out the door and they cut across the yard. The sound of laughter met their ears as they approached the barn and they paused in the doorway to take in the scene.

Emmett sat on a hay bale in a corner next to Tyler, grinning as he watched Logan trot down the center of the barn pushing a wheelbarrow with Tommy seated inside. At the end of the aisle Logan applied the brakes and her son catapulted through the air and disappeared into a gigantic pile of hay. A moment later his head popped into view and he gasped for air between giggles.

“I want a turn!” Tyler shouted.

Sadie gaped in astonishment. Tyler hadn’t smiled since Pete said his goodbyes and left town.

“Give the other young’un a turn,” Emmett said.

Her aunt stepped forward, but Sadie grasped her arm and pulled her back into the shadows, then pressed a finger against her lips.

“That was cool, Uncle Logan!” Tommy crawled out of the hay.

Logan set Tyler in the barrow and backpedaled down the aisle, then said, “Ready?”

Tyler nodded.

“Go, Tyler!” Tommy yelled when Logan took off running. Tyler flew into the hay just like his brother had, his giggles warming Sadie’s heart.

“Your turn.” Tommy yanked Emmett’s shirtsleeve.

“I’m too old for that nonsense.”

Tommy tugged harder. “It’s fun!”

Aunt Amelia’s mouth dropped open when Emmett said, “Maybe I’ll give it a try.”

“Look out, Gramps wants a turn,” Logan said.

Tyler walked over to Tommy’s side and both boys planted their hands against Emmett’s backside and pushed him forward. “Don’t be afraid, Gramps,” Tyler said. “You won’t get hurt.”

Sadie’s throat grew tight when Tyler called Emmett “Gramps.”

“You think you can push me?” Emmett asked Logan.

“Uncle Logan’s got big muscles. He can push you,” Tommy said.

Sadie’s eyes skimmed over Uncle Logan and agreed that he looked plenty strong enough.

Logan helped his grandfather climb into the wheelbarrow. Once the old man was seated with his knees pulled up to his chest, Logan spoke. “You boys want to help me push?”

Tommy stood on Logan’s right, Tyler on his left, both grasping the handle behind Logan’s grip. “On the count of three,” he said. “One...two...three!” They took off running.

“The old fool is going to break his neck,” Amelia whispered.

Emmett went flying face-first and landed with his butt sticking up in the air. The boys jumped in after him, pushing the hay away from his head.

“Was it fun?” Tommy asked.

Emmett chortled, his chest shaking. Sadie watched her aunt’s lips curve in a soft smile—she definitely had a crush on the old man.

“Give Gramps another ride!” Tommy and Tyler helped Emmett stand.

Amelia cleared her throat loudly and stepped out of the shadows.

“Busted,” Logan said.