Hunter's Montana Bride (Montana Ranchers and Brides #8) Read Online Free PDF Page B

sight of the rotund, friendly faced housekeeper.
    Mrs. Roper screeched with delight and clasped her hands to her face. "Babies!" she cried, glancing toward Beatrice who held little Lewis on display. Like his sister, little Lewis' face had lit up on hearing the overjoyed tones of Mrs. Roper's voice.
    "Two babies!" Mrs. Roper ejaculated. "My dear sweet Lord. What little treasures," she screamed, reaching out welcoming arms toward them.
    She hesitated and glanced toward Hunter. Her brows lifted questioningly and Hunter smiled at her, because given the circumstances there was simply nothing else he could possibly do but smile.
    "But..." she started to say, looking as incredulous as Hunter himself felt.
    Hunter interrupted her. "I think these little ones will be better off in the parlor. Don't you agree Mrs. Roper?"
    "Of course," she answered waving them all in the direction of the parlor. "Everyone get inside. Don't be standing here in the hall. I'll get some tea brewing. Or do you want coffee?"
    "Either would be fine," Gretchen answered. Hunter thought Gretchen looked genuinely pleased to see Mrs. Roper. Given how long they'd both known each other it was no surprise.
    Mrs. Roper went to Gretchen and laid a welcoming hand on her elbow. "It's so lovely to see you Miss. Gretchen," she said, her voice filled with genuine warmth. "So good to have you back," she concluded with a glance toward Hunter. Once again there was a query in that look which went unanswered.
    They made their way into the parlor.
    "You'll have to forgive the mess," Mrs. Roper said picking up cushions and shifting chairs. Hunter smiled at how she was fussing, but he knew his housekeeper would move heaven and earth to make anyone in the house feel at home. Only after she was sure that everyone was fine, did Mrs. Roper head back toward the kitchen.
    Gretchen took a seat on the sofa, still clutching Hannah. She glanced up at Hunter. He was still clutching the empty basket. He suddenly knew what she was asking him to do, without having said as much. It was as if he could read her mind. He rapidly laid the basket down by Gretchen's side on the sofa. She smiled up at him and he felt a surge of gratifying pleasure at having at least done something right without having to be asked.
    Beatrice took a seat on the chair by the unlit fireplace.
    "Do you want me to go and get the other basket?" Hunter asked Beatrice.
    With a glance at Lewis's little face, Beatrice shook her head. "I think he's fine for the moment. Please, take a seat," she said gesturing toward Gretchen.
    Hunter hesitated and glanced down. Gretchen looked up at Hunter. "Can you give me a hand to put her back in the basket?" she asked.
    Hunter felt himself go rigid. "Give you a hand?" he asked quickly.
    Gretchen smiled slightly and nodded. "Yes. Could you pull the blanket to one side so I can pop her in there?"
    Hunter felt his throat tighten. He glanced at Beatrice who was watching him with intense interest.
    "Uh. Of course I can do that, " he said, reaching down.
    He drew the blanket away and reached into the basket, pressing the empty space into shape for his daughter to lie upon. He glanced across at Gretchen who nodded in approval, leaning forward and placing the tiny little figure of Hannah inside the basket. As they both worked to ensure that Hannah was comfortably placed inside the basket, Hunter felt his hand touch Gretchen's as they drew the blanket into place. The sensation of their hands meeting while attending to the needs of their daughter filled his entire being with a torrent of confusing emotions.
    His mind immediately filled with insistent questions. Could this even be real? What was he supposed to do? How was he expected to react?
    Moments before he'd been idling on the porch, thinking about the usual things he'd been running over in his mind for so long. Now he was here with his wife, attending to one of their children in the most intimate and familial manner. It almost made him question his