Autumn Promises Read Online Free PDF Page A

between feedings. If the twins had awakened, they were up early and had been unusually quiet in their demands for once.
    But when she opened her door, she let out a sigh. It was Jack talking in a low timbre to one or both of his children. As quietly as she could, Meg crept to the door that was slightly ajar and peered inside. Jack sat in a glider that had clearly been bought for Beth’s frame and not her son’s wide-shouldered build. Heheld both twins, one in each arm, as they slept the sleep of the innocent in their father’s embrace.
    “She really misses you two,” he was saying. “I’m going to download those pictures I just took and blow them up to poster size. That way every time Mommy opens her pretty green eyes she’ll see the best reason I know for her to fight to get better. Daddy’s going to miss you two, but I’ve decided to stay near the hospital to be with Mommy. I know it’s important for me to be with you two, but right now Mommy needs me there to be strong for her. Grandmom and Granddad are here for you, so I know you’ll be fine. But you both have to be good for them.”
    Meg couldn’t handle the heartbreaking scene for another moment. She started to turn away, but the floor gave a telltale squeak, giving away her presence. Jack looked up and their eyes met.
    “Mom. Join us. The kids and I were just having a chat. I guess you heard. I’m going to take a room at the motel near the hospital so I can be with Beth more.”
    “That’s a good idea, Jack,” she said, and walked to stand next to him. With a hand on his shoulder she continued, “Beth really does need you right now. Your father and I will be fine here with Maggie and Wade.” Meg tilted her head, looking down on the sweet faces of the infants in Jack’s arms. “My, but Maggie looks like Beth.”
    Jack smiled. “Except her coloring is all Taggert.Who does Wade look like, do you think? He has Beth’s blond hair, but…”
    Meg shook her head, feeling a poignant tug on her heartstrings. It seemed that history—or more truthfully, the Lord—had a way of righting inequities. “He has Wade’s hair. Actually he looks exactly like his grandfather. Right down to that little dimple in his chin. I’d keep him away from helicopters, if I were you. And most definitely the hayloft. Your father apparently tried to fly sans chopper when he was seven.” She chuckled, remembering Wade’s boyish smile as he told her about that chapter of his too-short life. “He broke both his legs and several ribs. He swore he’d still have been grounded if his parents hadn’t been killed when he was in his teens.”
    “You loved him a lot.” Jack paused. “But isn’t it time, Mom?”
    Meg frowned. “Time?”
    “Time to start living life for yourself and not everyone else.”

Chapter Four
    E van heard the babies whimper, and tossed back his covers as he glanced at the clock. Eight o’clock! The babies had done well, sleeping since two. He nearly stepped into the hall half-dressed, but at the last moment he remembered the presence of Meg Taggert in the house. Martha’s house. He shook his head as he stepped into his jeans. It was Jackson’s house. Jackson and Beth’s house now.
    His daughter, Crystal, had moved to Pennsylvania to marry a state police detective. She’d embraced the East every bit as much as his daughter-in-law had embraced Colorado’s high plains. Over Jackson’s objections, Cris had insisted Jackson take ownership of the ranch and house, agreeing to take a higher percentage of the profits each year as payment.
    It hadn’t really surprised Evan. His daughter hadbeen restless for some time before her trip east. And her love for the big blond Pennsylvania State Police detective was obvious. Still, though he was happy for her, he missed Crystal and regretted not being able to get to know his grandchildren when they came along.
    “Good morning, darlings,” he heard the Taggert woman saying to the twins as he stepped into the