The Nanny's Temporary Triplets

by Noelle Marchand

  Today had made that pretty easy, seeing as it was Sunday, her day off. He had to admit he’d breathed a sigh of relief when Matthew had arrived to pick her up, even if Maggie had pouted something awful in the several hours since then. That was a shame really because for the first time in days he felt free to move around his own home. While Maggie retreated to her room to read, David took the opportunity to play with the triplets in the parlor. He gave Jasper a light toss in the air, caught him easily, then blew on his tummy, still slightly rounded with baby fat. Jasper screeched and giggled in delight. Eli grabbed on to David’s knee to pull himself into a standing position. Theo crawled closer, then banged his hand on the floor and yelled out something in the language only the triplets understood.

  David exchanged Jasper for Eli and kept making the rounds until his arms got tired. Finally, David collapsed on the floor with them and let them crawl over him at will. Jasper seemed to mistake him for a fine piece of cabinetry and the building block for a hammer. Eli had been rather fascinated with ears of late, so David let the boy pull and twist his as long as he kept it gentle. Theo was content to snuggle up on David’s chest. Now, if Maggie would only join them, David would be content.

  “Mags!” he bellowed, knowing full well the girl’s bedroom was above the parlor. “Maggie! Magpie! Sweetheart, come down here.”

  “David Bartholomew, how many times have I asked you not to yell like that?” Ida yelled from the kitchen.

  David grinned. “Too many times for me to remember. The funny thing is you’re always yelling when you do it.”

  Ida poked her head in from the kitchen, where she was making lunch, and lifted an eyebrow. “Are you sassing me, David Bartholomew?”

  “Yes, but I’ll stop as soon as you let my middle name rest in peace.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with Bartholomew.”

  “Makes me feel like a day-old kitten.”

  “It does not.”

  “Mew. Mew. Mew.” He meowed in a high-pitched voice that absolutely delighted the triplets.

  Ida shook her head, then disappeared back into the kitchen. “You’re awfully unencumbered today. I don’t suppose that has anything to do with a certain nanny we know.”

  He flopped his arms out on the rug while whispering under his breath, “Freedom.”

  “There’s no reason you can’t have freedom while she’s here. If you weren’t so afraid of feeling what I know you feel—”

  “How on earth did you hear me?”

  “I told you. Mothers have special hearing when it comes to the children.”

  He harrumphed. “Then how come you never hear when I remind you about finding that table leaf?”

  “What’s that? A stable wreath? Why would you want one of those? It isn’t even Christmastime.”

  “Funny.” He stared up at the ceiling, a sudden suspicion growing. “Maggie? Come down here right now please!”

  Silence filled the house. Ida stepped into the parlor. “Oh, David, you don’t think she climbed out her window to run through the woods again. Not after she almost got someone seriously injured.”

  “And after I expressly told her not to? I sure hope not.” He gently freed himself from the triplets’ grasp and went up the stairs two at a time. He opened Maggie’s door, hoping against hope she was lounging inside with a book and a sullen expression that would explain her reluctance to answer. The room was empty. Her window was wide-open. It didn’t take much imagination to envision her stretching herself across the gap between the windowsill and the oak tree outside. He checked the other hiding places in her room and the rest of the second floor. Coming up empty, he shook his head and headed back downstairs. His mother exited the study. Resignation filled her eyes as they met his. “She isn’t in the house.”

  David grabbed his hat from the hat rack. “I’m going to look for her. Ring the dinner bell if she comes back.”

  Within minutes he was searching the woods on horseback and checking all her known hideouts along the path toward the Murray ranch. Matthew was just leaving the house when David rode up. “Matthew, is Maggie here?”

  “No. I haven’t seen her. You might want to look down by the creek. Caroline and Emma were headed there. I was on my way to join them. Why don’t you ride ahead and check?”

  The section of the creek Matthew described was on Murray property, which meant Maggie would have had to have gone farther than she ever had before. Emma waved at him as he got closer. “Maggie was here. She’s fine. Caroline is taking her back to your place on the northern path.”

  Relief filled him. No wonder he hadn’t seen her. They’d been on the other side of the creek. Likely they’d crossed each other in passing. With a quick thanks, he rushed back home. He strode into the parlor, where Caroline played the piano. His gaze landed on his daughter, who sat next to her on the piano bench. He desperately searched for any sign that she might be hurt. “Are you all right?”

  “Yes.”

  Relief filled him even as his jaw tightened. “Good. Come with me, please.”

  Maggie swallowed, “But, Pa—”

  “Now.”

  Maggie hopped up from the piano bench and followed him into the study. Hands clasped behind her back, she stared down at her muddy boots as she stood in front of the desk. David turned the desk chair toward Maggie and sat in it, letting the silence build for a moment. “What do you have to say for yourself, young lady?”

  She heaved in a deep sigh. “I’m sorry, Pa.”

  He nodded his acceptance. “Do you remember why I told you not to disappear without telling anyone and why you shouldn’t wander through the woods on your own?”

  “Because it’s dangerous.”

  “So why did you do it?”

  She opened her mouth, then set her lips in a line that soon began to wobble. Tears were surely on their way. Or so he thought. Right before his eyes, his remorseful daughter turned reticent. Defiance glinted in her eyes. Her jaw clenched in pure stubbornness. She stared straight at him and said absolutely nothing. He gave her one more chance. “Why did you leave, Maggie?”

  She glared or at least got as close to that as she dared.

  Her actions proved there was a definite reason behind her actions. If they could address that, then he could nip the behavior in the bud, which meant there would be no need to punish her in the future. It would keep her from getting hurt or injured out in the woods with no one knowing where she was. He was determined to get to the bottom of this once and for all. “Go to your room. You can come out as soon as you are ready to tell me.”

  She whirled on her heel and marched out the door. He followed behind her to make sure she was headed for her room. She flew up the stairs. Her door closed with enough force to rattle the hinges. Before he could stop himself, he yelled up the stairs. “We do not slam doors in this house.”

  Realizing he’d all but issued a challenge and knowing how he might have reacted in his rebellious youth, he waited to see if she’d slam it again. Much to his relief, silence filled the house. Caroline stepped into the hall. He’d forgotten she’d been in the parlor with his mother and Maggie when he’d walked in. Embarrassment filled him at the realization that she’d been privy to their little drama. She seemed to suffer from the same malady for she offered an apologetic smile that looked more like a wince. “I’m heading back to my brother’s place now.”

  “David,” Ida called from the parlor doorway. “You should walk her back.”

  “Oh, there’s no need. I know the way.” She paused at the bottom step and glanced back up the stairs. “On second thought, would you walk with me a bit of the way?”

  “Of course.” David ignored the speculative look Ida was giving them and sent her a warning look of his own. Honestly. This was hardly the time for matchmaking. Caroline’s request likely had nothing to do with romance. His
suspicions were confirmed as soon as they’d put a little distance between themselves and the house.

  Caroline slid her hands into the pockets of her skirt as they walked down the rise toward the creek. “Maggie and I talked on the way over here.”

  “You did?” David stopped, then gently caught Caroline’s arm to make her do the same. “Did she tell you why she left the house?”

  Caroline nodded and stepped a bit closer. The intensity in her eyes told him she was just as concerned about this situation as he was. “She said that she left because she didn’t think anyone would notice she was missing.”

  “What? Of course we noticed. Why would she think we wouldn’t?”

  “She said that you and Ida were both playing with the triplets.”

  “What does that have to do with anything?”

  A soft, knowing smile drifted across Caroline’s lips even as she gently said, “David...she’s jealous.”

  “Jealous? Of the triplets?” He shook his head in a denial. Yet it made sense. In fact, it would explain a lot. The distance she kept from the babies, how much she avoided helping with their care, the snake in the previous nanny’s bed, her once asking if someone else could take the boys. To be fair, he had been giving them a lot of attention since they’d arrived. Perhaps more than Maggie. It was hard not to when the babies screamed and wailed for help. Then again, hadn’t Maggie been doing the same in her own way?

  “I think she’s been feeling overlooked. She misses having her father’s undivided attention. I realize that isn’t entirely practical with the triplets living at your house. They need care and devotion, too. Perhaps you...”

  Barely mindful that Caroline was still talking, he glanced up at Maggie’s window. Was his daughter really up there thinking he didn’t love her anymore? He staunched Caroline’s words with a hand on her arm. “I’m sorry. I have to go.”

  “But—”

  He gave her arm a small squeeze, hoping she’d understand the apology and appreciation in the gesture, then turned on his heel and hurried toward the house. Whatever else Caroline had to say could be dealt with later. Right now his little girl needed him.

  Chapter Seven

  David wasted no time in knocking on Maggie’s door. Not a peep sounded from within. Worried that she may have managed to run off again, he opened the door. Maggie lay on the bed, pretending to sleep fully clothed on top of the covers. Tear tracks showed on her cheeks. He knelt beside the bed and gently rubbed his thumb across them. Her pale lashes fluttered, then lifted to reveal her blue eyes. She froze. Emotion flickered across her face as she seemed to be trying to decide whether or not she was still angry or sad. He didn’t give her the chance to think too hard on it. He kissed her forehead, then looked her in the eyes. “I love you, baby. You know that, don’t you?”

  She shrugged and looked away as her eyes filled with tears. He scooped her into his arms and placed her in his lap as he sat on the floor. That was all it took to convince her to cuddle with him. “It’s true. I love you so much. I guess I don’t tell you enough.”

  He pressed a kiss on her hair. “You need to know something, Maggie, and I want you to remember it, all right?”

  She nodded.

  “People may come and go in our lives, but you and me—we’re forever. You will always be my precious Maggie. I’ll always be your daddy. Nothing and no one is going to change that. Do you understand?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Now, here’s the thing about a love like ours. It’s big. So big that it can’t help but include the other people in our lives. People like Grandma, for instance.”

  “And Miss Caroline.”

  David held back a frustrated sigh and worked to keep the droll tone from his voice. “And Miss Caroline.”

  Her next question came softly. “And the triplets?”

  “Yes, Maggie. Them, too.”

  She pulled back slightly to look up at him. “They’re going to be staying awhile, aren’t they?”

  He nodded. “They are. Do you know why?”

  “They’re orphans.”

  “Right.” He eased her head back onto his chest and settled his chin on it. “I’ve got a story for you, sweetheart.”

  Suspicion filled her voice. “A real story or a made-up one?”

  “This is a real story. Many years ago there were three brothers who were the very best of friends. Granted, the smallest one wasn’t much bigger than a mite, but they enjoyed playing together all the same. They were all real happy until one day both of their parents went up to heaven to be with the Lord.”

  “Like Mama did when her horse threw her.”

  He sighed. “Yes. Now, these little boys had cousins and uncles and aunts just like you do, but the three boys were going to be a lot of work to take care of, so it was decided that they would be separated. The oldest, he ended up with a real nice family who taught him how to be a good man with a family of his own. The youngest boy lived with a widowed relative. She didn’t treat him all that well, so he struck out on his own and had a rough time of it. Despite all that, he turned out to be a good man and made a family of his own, too. The middle boy was taken in by a maiden aunt who gave him to a loving couple. He grew up and had a sweet little daughter named Maggie.”

  She pulled back again to grin at him. “I knew the middle one was you.”

  “You’re a very smart girl.”

  “The other boys are Uncle Josiah and Uncle Edmund.”

  He rubbed a circle on her back. “That’s right. Those boys reunited, as you know, but they’re still kind of sad about all that time they missed having together when they were growing up. That’s why I am so set on keeping the triplets together, Maggie.”

  “Oh.” She narrowed her eyes in consideration.

  He should have made sure she understood why they’d taken in the triplets long ago. The babies had set the household in upheaval, and in the hectic busyness of it all, it hadn’t occurred to him that he needed to explain why taking them in was so important to him. “They don’t have any relatives like I did. They’re all alone. They need someone to look out for them and make sure they have the chance to grow up together, knowing each other. I don’t know how long they’re staying, but I do know God’s got a reason for putting us in those babies’ lives—especially you.”

  “Me?”

  “Sure. God gave them you so they’d have someone special to look up to and to look out for them. You can teach them the things a big sister would. You can play with them and let them know they aren’t alone in ways grown-ups can’t. You’re real important to them, Maggie. They may not be able to say that just yet, but they would if they could.”

  She was quiet for a while. Finally, she asked, “I’ve never been a big sister before.”

  “Well, here’s your chance.”

  “I suppose...” She rubbed her chin. “It could be fun.”

  He held back a grin. “It sure could.”

  “But they’re going to go away, and they aren’t my real brothers.” She paused, and he let her deliberate. “Seems to me this could be good practice, though, for when I do have real brothers. I am going to have real brothers, aren’t I? And a sister?”

  “Uh...well... Maggie, you can’t have real brothers and sisters unless I get married again so they have a mother.”

  “Shouldn’t I have a mother?”

  Heartache competed with laughter. His mouth opened and closed without a sound. She seized on his silence. “When will you get me a mother?”

  “Oh, Maggie, I never said—”

  She brightened. “I like Miss Caroline. Can she be my mother?”

  He frowned. “Maggie.”

  “Grandma says you—”

  “Maggie!”

  She blinked at him.

  He patted her ba
ck weakly. “You just focus on being a good sister. Leave the rest up to God.”

  She didn’t seem all that satisfied with that answer. Truth be told, he wasn’t, either. Not if leaving it up to God meant he’d fall in love again. After all, that was the only way David would ever have more children. He wasn’t ready for that. He wasn’t even ready for the possibility of that. Then what in the world had he been thinking sending out a letter to a mail-order bride?

  He’d been thinking he needed help—desperately. At the time remarriage had seemed like the only option. Now that Caroline was taking care of the triplets and Maggie, he had some breathing room, some thinking room. He was beginning to suspect there might be a better way out there. A less drastic one that didn’t involve him tethering himself to a stranger for the rest of his life.

  The children’s home could be that option. He almost had his proposal ready. There was nothing he could do until the meeting but hope and pray that it got approved. In the meantime, he wouldn’t borrow trouble by worrying about it or the nanny he was still determined to keep his distance from even though she had proved herself helpful.

  * * *

  Caroline had hoped that her unfinished conversation with David two days ago would prompt him to spend more time with Maggie. That didn’t seem to be the case. However, whatever he’d rushed off to say to Maggie had spurred a major change in the girl’s attitude toward the triplets. While Maggie had done her best to make herself useful to Caroline, she hadn’t displayed much warmth toward the triplets until now. Her favorite new activity seemed to be finding ways to make them laugh.

  The girl was a little firecracker, no mistake about that. There was rarely a dull moment around Ida, either. When she wasn’t doing chores, the woman always seemed up for anything that smacked of mischief. If Caroline didn’t know better, she’d think some of that mischief was directed toward trying to matchmake.

  That didn’t make a bit of sense, though. Caroline had made it clear she would be going back to Austin eventually even if she hadn’t shared any of the particulars about the botched wedding that had brought her to Little Horn. As far as she could tell, David didn’t seem to think anything was amiss. Of course, he’d either been shut up in his study or out working the cattle, so perhaps he hadn’t had time to notice. In fact, he—