Her Secret Twins

by Janette Foreman

  She crossed her arms. “Chillier out here than I thought it’d be.”

  “Well, you’re standing out where the breeze can catch you.” He motioned with a nod. “Come closer to the wall where I am.”

  With a shy smile, she scooted closer. Grant fought the sudden urge to wrap his arm around her shoulders by pushing his hands deeper into his jeans pockets.

  Back pressed against the door of his room, he angled a look at her face. Would she be receptive if he opened up?

  “I’m sorry about your job,” Kallie began before he could say anything. “I know I’ve told you that already, but I just feel bad that it’s all because of us.”

  He frowned. “Because of you?”

  “If you hadn’t been in South Dakota this whole time, you’d probably still have your job.”

  “No, Kallie. It has nothing to do with you. I chose to stay at the farm. And anyway, I think they’ve been trying to edge me out of the job for a long time. I just never saw it until now. There’s this new donor they’re excited about. Lots of money. But he’s got certain stipulations.”

  Kallie nodded her understanding. “The way he wants the rescue run.”

  “Yeah, that—and I found out today who it is. This guy, Charlie Erikson. He was a big-name dog trainer. But he got in trouble with the American Kennel Club a few years back for forging bloodline paperwork. Ruined his reputation and was permanently banned from the association.”

  “Wow. They’re serious about this sort of thing, sounds like.”

  “Very. Anyway, he’s sore about his failures. And since he was caught while teaching at a clinic with me, he’s kind of had it out for me ever since. It was pure coincidence that his crimes caught up with him while we were together, but he blames me anyway. Something about trying to keep up with the up-and-coming young bucks.” He shrugged. “I guess that’s me.”

  Kallie’s brows rose, her understanding deepening. “So he had you fired as part of his stipulations?”

  “I can’t prove it, but I think so. The pieces of the puzzle all came together for me when I found out he was their new major sponsor.”

  A slight breeze picked up, bringing Kallie a little closer. “Okay, but why would the board stoop to that? Bowing to some guy who’s proven to be shady in the past?”

  “Money makes people do weird things sometimes,” Grant said. “We lost a grant earlier this year, and the building burned down, too. It’s been a hard couple of quarters. Point is, I’m out now. And while I’m surprised, I know it’ll be fine. I’ll find something else to do, and I’ve still got the kids.”

  Nodding slightly, Kallie focused her gaze on the pool. “They’re happy to have you in their lives. I think they recognize you now.”

  “One day, I’ll get them to say ‘Daddy.’”

  “Yep, one day.”

  She stood close enough for him to wrap her in a hug. And had it been a different time and circumstance, he would have. But trust. He was still working on proving himself to her. So it was time to change the subject, to let Kallie into the thoughts that were bothering him.

  “So, I just got off the phone with my mom a few minutes ago.”

  “How’s she doing?”

  “Okay.” Grant glanced at the stars, exhaling and wishing he could make sense of his thoughts. “During a routine mammogram the other day, her doctor found an unusual mass.”

  “What?” Arm brushing against his, Kallie swiveled to look at him. “Is she okay?”

  “She seems to be. Taking it better than I am.”

  Her hand slid around the underside of his bicep. “What’s the next step?”

  “She has to go in for more testing. I don’t know when that’ll happen, or when she’ll know results.”

  “Wow.” Kallie paused, as if thinking through the scenario. “I’m sorry. I’ll be praying about her.”

  “Thanks.” He shrugged, wishing it would deflect his stunned state, and repositioned his shoulder blades firmly against the door. “I think it’s just a precaution to make sure it’s not something dangerous, but the whole situation still has me thinking I need to go see her.” He hadn’t seen her in at least a year—had just been so busy with clinics and the facility. But what good were all those things if he missed precious time with family?

  “Well, let’s stop there on our way home.”

  His brows drew together. “You’d be okay with that?”

  “Sure, it’s Norfolk, Nebraska, not Timbuktu.” She smiled. “And even if it were, it’s your mom we’re talking about. You should see her. It’s totally worth the detour to get home.”

  The family across the pool laughed as the child ripped wrapping paper off a present and let forth an excited scream at whatever was inside. Grinning, Kallie broke their stare to peer at them. “Looks like they’re having fun over there.”

  “Yep. I was just thinking earlier I need to teach the kids how to rip the wrapping paper off presents like that kid.”

  “That’s right. And if you don’t, I will.”

  “What? No, you never rip wrapping paper.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “No, you carefully tear it off at the tape and don’t even leave so much as a wrinkle.”

  Kallie laughed. “That’s your sister, not me.”

  Grant raised a brow. “Jill? No way.”

  “Yes!”

  “Okay, smarty-pants. We’ll settle this when we get to Norfolk.”

  “You’re on.”

  Kallie’s blue eyes glittered with challenge, and Grant couldn’t get over how beautiful she looked just now.

  Or any time, really. She was captivating. Two years hadn’t changed his attraction to her. All he wanted to do was take her in his arms. Somehow find something that made sense.

  But two years had definitely changed their relationship, and it would never be what it once was. He dared to hope they could actually be friends after all this—but more than that? She probably wouldn’t give him another chance.

  But there was a big part of him that wanted to try anyway.

  * * *

  Jill’s house stood on a small acreage not far from town, though far enough to feel secluded. Grant had said it was a furnished rental and that the owners were on a long-term mission trip overseas. It had worked out for Jill to acquire this place and keep it up while building her business as a hairdresser until she could afford her own house in town. And Kallie guessed it was also nice to have the company of her mom, rather than living here alone without family nearby.

  Grant had turned onto the gravel road that wound past the property, but then he’d promptly pulled off onto the shoulder.

  Kallie looked to him. “What are we doing?”

  “Taking a minute.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “I think so.” He turned to her. “Are you okay?”

  “I think so?” She’d feel better if she knew what was up.

  “Because they know about the kids, and they know we’re not a couple—but I don’t know how they’ll treat us.”

  “You mean how they’ll treat me.” For keeping the kids a secret.

  Her actions had had consequences that reached further than she’d originally imagined. When she hadn’t disclosed Peter and Ainsley to Grant, she’d ultimately kept them from everyone in his family.

  “I mean, I’m sure they’ll be kind,” he clarified, “but I don’t know how awkward it’ll be.”

  “That’s okay. I get it.” She tried to smile, but it came out a little on the wobbly side.

  “You’re sure?”

  “I’m sure. Let’s go.”

  Grant put the pickup in Drive and drove the last hundred yards to the circle drive belonging to Jill’s house. He parked and got out to unbuckle Ainsley from her car seat, Kallie working on Peter’s on the other side.

  A boisterous ba
rk came from the kennel in the back.

  “I cannot believe you got another dog while we were there,” Kallie said. “Going back this morning before we were awake. Sneaky.”

  Grant grinned, and only showed a hint of remorse. She would have preferred a tad more. “I’ve had my eye on this dog for a couple of months. I wanted to get him into a permanent home while I still could.”

  “I thought you were going to check on your car?” His ’52 Mercedes-Benz, a classic car that he’d bought as an old junker from a hunting buddy. Now restored, it was apparently worth a pretty penny.

  Grant had recognized its potential and had worked to make it all it could be. He often saw the potential in things and had to see them through until the end. Hence the two-year-old bird dog pup in Grant’s truck bed right now.

  A dog he hadn’t considered mentioning to her until it was already adopted. She recognized it was his money, his decisions. But at the same time, the dog was coming to land that she co-owned, to interact with Ruby and the kids. She would have at least appreciated a heads-up.

  “And you named him Dakota.”

  “Hey, after his new home.”

  The front door opened—almost as if they’d been watching from the window.

  Nancy Young laughed as she hurried down the porch steps, her arms outstretched. “Well, this is just the grandest surprise!”

  Holding Peter, Kallie hung back a few steps so that Grant went ahead of her. He stepped into his mom’s arms, with Ainsley in his, and from Kallie’s view, Nancy’s grin couldn’t have been brighter.

  “I couldn’t believe it when you called and said you were only a couple of hours away.”

  “Yeah,” Grant said, “I could have told you last night when we decided to come, but I didn’t figure you’d like waiting that long.”

  Nancy laughed some more. “You know me well, my boy. Grandma doesn’t like to wait.” She gently pushed back from Grant’s hug so she could get a good look at Ainsley. “My, my. You are precious! Hello, sweet thing. You must be Ainsley Elise. I’m Grandma. I love you.” It was obvious she wanted to take Ainsley in her arms, but her spirited baby wasn’t quite ready to leave Grant for someone brand-new. Not yet. But Kallie had full confidence it wouldn’t be long before Ainsley ventured out.

  “Which makes this Peter Allen, of course.” Nancy headed toward Kallie.

  It was sweet that Nancy used their middle names—Grant must have told them what they were. Just extra evidence that these babies were already loved here, filling Kallie with relief.

  And then Nancy did something Kallie hadn’t expected. She wrapped them both in a hug without a hint of hesitation. “Glad to have you here, Kallie,” she whispered in her ear.

  Kallie’s heart warmed. “Glad to be here,” she murmured in return. “How are you doing?”

  Nancy must have known Kallie referred to the medical tests, because she waved away the question. “Oh, no one wants to hear about all that. I want to meet my darling grandson.”

  While Nancy showered kisses and compliments over Peter, Kallie glanced up at Grant. He and Ainsley had moved to the porch, where Jill had stepped out of the house, a purse-size dog at her ankles. Their embrace spoke of their shared history and the close relationship only shared by siblings—something Kallie had never known, being an only child.

  Peter leaned out of her arms, bringing her attention back. She reached to catch him but realized he was trying to get to Nancy. “Well, that’s interesting. Of either baby, he isn’t the one I would’ve guessed being the first to warm up.”

  “Grandma has the magic touch,” Nancy cooed and laughed a low, rich, buttery laugh as Peter snuggled right in, draping his arm around her shoulder like he belonged there. “Come on. Let’s go inside, shall we?” She winked at Kallie and headed for the house.

  Kallie fell in line beside Nancy, carrying only the diaper bag. It was a rare moment of walking any distance without holding at least one baby in her arms. The extra help felt nice—but also a little strange.

  They filed into the house, Nancy ahead of her, leading them into the living room. “Have you guys eaten? We were just about to sit down for lunch.”

  “No, not yet.” Though Kallie’s stomach was starting to growl. On the way out to Jill’s, she’d been so busy thinking, brainstorming how to earn and save more money for Dad’s bills that she hadn’t paid any attention to the clock. If she would have, she’d have had everyone eat before arriving so as not to inconvenience their hosts by their last-minute arrival.

  And to make matters worse, she hadn’t come up with any other viable moneymaking ideas.

  “Let me see this little guy.” Jill approached her mom and tilted her head to catch Peter’s attention. “Hey, there, mister. You’re right, Grant. He looks just like you—except he’s cute.”

  “Hey!” Grant’s voice carried back from the kitchen.

  Laughing, Jill made eye contact with Kallie, and both froze for a millisecond. What was Jill thinking? The protective nature behind Grant’s sister’s eyes was starkly clear, and suddenly the mountain Kallie needed to climb to atone for her sins seemed infinitely taller.

  “Hey, Jill.” Better to make the first, friendly move. “I love your home. And thanks for letting us visit on such short notice.”

  Jill slowly smiled. “Thanks. And also, thanks for bringing the kids by.” She turned back to Peter. “It’s fun to meet my niece and nephew.”

  By this time, they’d trickled into the kitchen, Nancy chatting a mile a minute. “We were just about to make sandwiches,” she was saying. “But I took the liberty of making something I thought the kids might like. Hope that’s okay. What do they think of peas?”

  “Love them.” Grant eased himself into one of the blond wooden chairs at the traditional-style table. “The more the better.”

  “I also have shredded chicken and cooked carrots. They’d like those, right?”

  “Perfect, Mom. Hey, Jill. Who is this little mop that keeps nipping at my shoelaces?”

  Jill’s hands popped onto her hips. “That’s Pepper, and she’s a cockapoo. Also, she’s an excellent judge of character.”

  Kallie hid a grin as she placed the diaper bag out of the way on the counter. Heavy thing. She needed to clean it out sometime. She didn’t know anyone who packed as much as she did.

  “I’m just kidding. Trying to press my sister’s buttons, that’s all.”

  “Right back at you, bro.”

  Peeking over her shoulder, Kallie watched him reach down and pet Pepper’s curly golden hair, using the same affection he used when greeting Bella, Chief and Ruby. On his lap, Ainsley made a few eager noises, reaching for Pepper, and Grant spoke quietly to her about the puppy.

  In search of Peter, she looked over her other shoulder. He still clung to Nancy, and she was telling him about yummy peas and carrots as Jill blew on a warm spoonful before giving him a taste.

  Both kids were taken care of. Not much for Kallie to do but wander over to the opened loaf of bread and deli meat to make herself a sandwich. She should relax into this unexpected moment of free time. Breathe easy, knowing these kids were loved and watched after. So why did she suddenly feel unneeded? And even more so, invisible?

  * * *

  “Okay, Mom. When do you get the next test done? You said you were going to call down to the clinic today and see.”

  Bobbing Peter on his knee and wrangling Dakota with a tug-of-war chew toy, Grant had taken up residence on the floral couch. In a chair opposite the couch, Ainsley sat on Mom’s lap, while Jill was in the kitchen preparing popcorn and snacks that she’d insisted were necessary staples, regardless of what activity was taking place. So long as the family was involved, it was a celebration-type night.

  Kallie sat beside him, hands sandwiched between her legs, looking about as relaxed as a cactus.

  “I go in for my test on Monday.” />
  So a few more days to pray, as today was Friday. “And when will we get test results?”

  “Should be the same day. As of yet, I won’t be having a biopsy done or anything.” Mom stared at him pointedly. “Son, there’s nothing to worry about. I shouldn’t have told you.”

  “Do you have insurance to cover all this?”

  “Yes.”

  “Because if you do need extensive testing, or it turns out to be cancer, you’re going to need that protection.”

  “You worry too much.”

  “You’re my mom. You worried about us for eighteen years. It’s time for me to return the favor.”

  At that, Mom smiled. “Honey, have faith that everything will work out. Cancer or no cancer. God’s in control, and He takes care of His children. That’s a promise.”

  Kallie’s hand suddenly slipped onto his knee, touch as light as the volume of her voice. “We should probably get the kids to bed.”

  Grant glanced at the clock, then peered around Peter to see his face. Perfectly timed, the little rock star yawned and rubbed his eyes.

  “Sounds good.” He stood, and Kallie retrieved Ainsley before they headed down the hall to what would be Kallie’s and the kids’ room for the night. Dakota trailed them the entire way and even slipped inside. Thankfully, in Kallie’s room, the pup rolled up with his chew toy and entertained himself while the kids went to sleep.

  It took Grant and Kallie a while to get Peter and Ainsley to settle down—Grant chalked it up to being in a new location and having too much sleep during the day while traveling. Partway through, he got a text from Jill saying that Mom had gone to bed and she had headed out to do hair for a friend’s wedding—quick to joke that maybe she could have moved it if she’d had any heads up that Grant was going to be in town.

  He still smiled at that last part as he followed Kallie and Dakota out into the hallway and quietly shut the bedroom door on the sleeping babies. Jill would joke with Grant until the cows came home, but it took her a long time to become that comfortable with someone. Honestly, he didn’t think she’d opened up that much with anyone else since Alec, her high school boyfriend who’d passed away just after graduation. She’d sort of shut down after that. Moved to Nebraska, got her hairdresser license. It was good to see her joking around now.