He nodded confidently. “Absolutely. They’ll want to know the subject of that beautiful portrait in the library.” Unbeknownst to her, Chandler had borrowed a picture of her son from Alice long enough to sketch and render it onto canvas. He painted it in secret, giving the finished work to her in a private moment following their wedding. She’d never received anything more special. “You ready to head inside, where it’s warm?”
“I am.”
He held the door open for her and closed it once they were inside. He removed their coats and hung them up. Everyone had gathered in the living room, Alice included, and there were enough presents under the tree to fill a small barn. Chandler lowered to his haunches as four kids ran into his arms—even Matt was afoot these days, much to his parents’ chagrin. They dispersed again, knowing it was time to open gifts.
“Look what the cat dragged in,” CJ joshed. “A fine-looking woman and her tall, gangly husband. Anybody ever tell you that you got the better end of this deal, Chandler?”
He laughed in reply. “Only myself, every morning I wake up beside her.”
Taylor had grown adept at ribbing her brother-in-law. “CJ, are you getting crow’s feet?”
“Afraid so, ma’am,” he answered quickly. “Too much squinting in the sun.”
“Too much squinting in the mirror,” Alison retorted. CJ punished her with a loud kiss that she clearly enjoyed.
“Didn’t the two of you have an appointment this week?” Christa asked helpfully, her smile affectionate. “An important one?”
“Don’t keep us hanging in suspense, bud,” Mark added. “Give us the good news.”
They huddled together on a loveseat and watched the children open their gifts. “It’s very good news,” Chandler replied. “According to the doctor Taylor’s pregnancy is developing at the normal rate, she’s completely healthy, and you’ll need to set another place at the table next 4 of July.”
“Did they look for a boy or girl this time?” Alice wondered.
“Hopefully that’s the next appointment, Mom,” Taylor confirmed. “Baby Chandler was uncooperative this time, just like his or her father.”
He looked at her and smiled. Either she was reddened from the cold or flushed with the joy of impending motherhood—she was positively glowing. “No arguments here.”
Chase lifted to his feet and withdrew a tall, slender package from behind the tree. “You two can open this,” he stated. “I don’t think you’ll get much use from it for a while.”
Chandler held the box while Taylor carefully tore the paper. The box contained an old-fashioned broomstick horse, hand-painted and crafted just a month earlier. “Your grandchildren will be happy to have that,” she said in gratitude.
“Grandchildren?” Chase inquired. His smile was abundant with curiosity.
“Chandler?” Bryn asked with a smile. “Anything you’d like to share with the room?”
He withdrew the sonogram from his pocket and held it aloft. It was a mere blur to everyone else, but contained his entire world. “Twins,” he announced.
About the Author
Tommie Conrad is also the author of Windswept, Kentucky Summer, Windswept Hearts, Heart of Tennessee, and Mended. He grew up in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, a rural upbringing that strongly influenced his writing. He studied at the University of Kentucky, earning degrees in Psychology and Library and Information Science. You can follow his writing at http://tommieconrad.blogspot.com
Copyright 2013 by Tommie Conrad
This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, and places are either products of the author's imagination or used fictitiously.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
About the Author
Copyright
The Art of Love (The Windswept Saga) Page 35