Montana Creeds: Tyler (38 page)

One year later…

T
HEY WERE ALL GATHERED
at the main ranch house, and there was so much noise—so much
love
—in that place that Lily half expected the walls to burst.

The kitchen was bigger now, since the renovations were finally finished, and it was still the heart of the house, just as it had always been.

“You come right in and tell us when you see them coming,” Briana told Alec, for about the third time that morning. It was Logan's birthday, and they were planning a major celebration, as soon as he and Tyler and Dylan got back from riding the fence lines.

Along with Josh, Alec had been hovering over the antique cradle Logan had rescued from the attic during Briana's last trimester, admiring his new baby sister.

There was a lot to admire about four-month-old Maggie Creed. She had her mother's strawberry-blond hair and her father's dark, solemn eyes—a winning combination.

Dylan and Kristy's boy, Tim, born a week after Maggie's arrival, was already trying to sit up. His blue
eyes went round whenever he saw his big sister, Bonnie, and he'd reach for her with his chubby little arms.

Three years old now, Bonnie was a miniature lady—when she wasn't getting into mischief. And she adored her baby brother. If Kristy hadn't been keeping a close eye on her, in fact, she probably would have climbed right into his playpen with him.

Last, but not least, there were Tyler and Lily's own twins, a boy and a girl. Davie had named his brother Michael, and Tess had chosen Molly's name—after Lily had dissuaded Tess from calling her Eleanor.

Her heart full, Lily admired her babies, sleeping cozily in the bassinette they shared. They'd come along a week after Tim's birth, without a problem. Delivered so quickly, in fact, that Lily had almost had them in the truck.

Over at the sink, Eloise was busy peeling potatoes for a salad. It still amused Lily, seeing the woman in jeans, working away in a ranch house kitchen like she'd been raised in the country.

Six months into Lily and Tyler's marriage, Eloise had called to ask, in a shy and hopeful voice Lily hardly recognized, if she could come to Stillwater Springs and visit Tess.

Lily had agreed almost immediately.

Her relationship with Eloise was still a little tentative—maybe it always would be—but Tess had a grandmother again, and that was the important thing.

There had been no visits to Nantucket, or the mansion in Oak Park, but Lily supposed that was coming. She might never be ready herself, but when Tess was ready, they'd discuss it.

The back door sprang open just then, and Lily's gaze swung to the opening, expecting Alec to burst in and report that the men were back.

But it was her dad, standing on the threshold. Her dad and his soon-to-be bride, Madeline. She'd been singing in the choir at his church for years, and they'd always been friends. Then, a few months ago, Madeline's cat had taken sick in the middle of the night, and she'd called Hal in a panic.

He'd rushed over, played big-strong-veterinarian, and the cat had survived.

Since then, the romance had been hot and heavy.

Lily smiled. Her dad was like a new man. He'd cut back his practice to part-time and, after hearing stellar reports from Floyd and Dorothy Book on their cruise to Alaska, he and Madeline spent a lot of time poring over travel brochures.

Lily had already agreed to mind the cat while they were away.

“Jim and Caroline just pulled up,” Hal said, to the gathering at large. “They have a present. Were we supposed to bring a present?”

Briana, being closest to the door, greeted him with a kiss on the cheek. “No presents,” she said. “Just come in and make yourselves at home.”

Jim and Caroline came in next, with their little boy, Sam, between them. Caroline was expecting, at any minute from the looks of things, and she glowed with joy. Jim, the proud father-to-be, looked cocky as a rooster.

Everybody exchanged greetings, all the babies were
carefully inspected, and then Alec shot into the room like a bullet.

“They're coming!” he yelled. “They're coming!”

Lily got to her feet.

Briana and Kristy beamed.

“Go,” Hal said, to the three of them. “There are enough of us here to keep an eye on the baby crop.”

Lily, Briana and Kristy all hurried outside, quick-stepped it to the rail fence.

Their husbands rode toward them on sturdy Montana horses, three abreast, making the kind of picture a woman never forgets.

Lily bumped shoulders with Briana, and Briana did the same with Kristy.

“Aren't they something?” Briana asked.

“More than something,” Kristy agreed.

Lily smiled, and tears of happiness welled in her eyes.

As the men drew nearer, her gaze went straight to Tyler's face.

She knew Briana was looking at Logan, and Kristy at Dylan.

Three husbands.

Three fathers.

Three brothers.

Strong. Happy.

And together.

This time, for good.