He crossed the room and held out his hands. They latched on to them and they took their time making their way to the stables, just as they had every afternoon over the past week.
Winter was in full swing and this morning was no exception. The January air whipped through their clothes with cold gusts of wind as they strolled down the winding path, flushing Kayden’s cheeks and making Jayden shiver. Logan stopped, bending to fasten the top button on their jean jackets and tug their hats down firmer around their ears.
“We’re all right.” Jayden batted his hands away and strutted on with his brother.
“Yeah,” Kayden said. “We don’t get cold no more.”
“Oh, yeah?” Logan’s mouth twitched. “Why’s that?”
Kayden jerked his chin. “’Cuz we’re bone-a-fine cowboys now. Mr. Jed said they don’t never get cold.”
Logan clamped his lips shut, choking back his laughter. It was probably best to let that one go. Wouldn’t do for him to question Mr. Jed’s knowledge. The boys didn’t take too kindly to others criticizing the ranch hand’s words of wisdom.
They spent the first couple hours of the morning turning horses out and mucking stalls alongside the hands. When the twins’ shoulders began to sag, Logan took the shovels from them and suggested a break. He led them outside and lifted them to the top rail of the white fence lining the paddock, keeping an arm snug around each of the boys’ backs.
“We got a treat for Thunder.” Jayden dug around in his pocket then drew out a small, colorful lump. “It’s oats and carrots and the sugar stuff mixed together.”
“Yeah,” Kayden said. “Ms. Betty helped us make it last night.”
Logan held Jayden’s palm and tilted it from one side to the other. No sign of cayenne powder this time.
He smiled. “I think he’ll enjoy that. Hold it out and let him have a taste.”
Logan clucked his tongue and steadied Jayden’s outstretched arm as Thunder walked over. The stallion moved gracefully, his muscles rippling. Thunder nudged Jayden’s hand with his nose then wrapped his lips around the treat and nibbled.
Kayden giggled. “He likes it.”
Thunder’s soft breaths and chomping teeth filled the silence that followed until the treat disappeared. The stallion licked Jayden’s palm, setting off another round of laughter from the boys, then turned and strolled away.
Kayden tilted his head back, glancing up at him. “Uncle Dominic said you’re the best trainer there is. ’Cept for Aunt Amy.” He blinked and lifted his chin. “I ain’t scared of Thunder no more, and I can learn to ride him like Aunt Amy does. You think you could teach me one day?”
“One day. But not quite yet. Thunder might be having more good days than bad, but he’s still adjusting.”
Jayden pursed his lips. “Bet he misses Aunt Amy.”
Logan’s gut churned. He looked away, focusing on the other horses milling about in the field. “I expect so.”
Kayden sighed and picked at Logan’s sleeve. “We miss her, too.”
Logan tightened his arms around the boys, tugging them closer and whispering, “So do I.”
The twins huddled into Logan’s chest and wrapped their arms around his back. They stayed silent for a while, gazing across the fields and listening to the gentle sounds of the horses.
A breathless cry and pounding feet shattered the silence.
“It’s time!”
Logan glanced over his shoulder. Traci loped down the path from the main house. She stopped, bending with her hands on her knees and struggling to drag in air.
“Time for what?” Jayden asked, squirming against Logan’s chest.
“Time...” Traci gulped and grinned “...for the babies.” She straightened and pointed to the main house. “Mama and Pop just left for the hospital with Dom and Cissy. Mama said to come get you so you could drive the rest of us.”
Traci darted back up the path, flapping her hands and sputtering over her shoulder, “Well, come on.”
Logan made short order of loading Traci and the boys into the truck and took off for the hospital as fast as safety allowed. The drive seemed to take longer than usual and Logan’s hands shook harder against the steering wheel with every giddy exclamation from Traci.
“I can’t wait to see Grace and Gwen,” she gushed, biting her lip and bouncing in the passenger seat. “Bet they’ll be beautiful.”
“Yeah,” Kayden drawled, kicking the back of her seat, “’til they start cryin’ and poopin’. Mr. Jed said that’s all babies do.”
“Hush up, squirt.” Traci glanced in the rearview mirror and narrowed her eyes. “Mr. Jed’s full of hot air. You oughta be glad you’re getting cousins.”
Kayden wasn’t impressed. He curled his lip and turned to stare out of the window, remaining quiet for the rest of the journey.
The waiting room was crowded, and they filled up the last row of empty chairs by the window. Pop and Betty walked around the corner, a smile wreathing both their faces.
“Everything’s well underway,” Pop said. “The doc told us things are moving fast. So it shouldn’t be long now.”
“Dominic’s a nervous wreck.” Betty laughed. “Good thing it’ll be over with soon.”
Logan shifted in his seat and hoped that was the case. He ran his eyes over the others in the waiting room. Fathers, siblings and grandparents all moved with excited energy around the chairs. They tapped their toes, flashed nervous grins and sprang up for hugs at the delivery of good news.
This continued throughout the course of the morning, carrying over into late afternoon. For the other families. There was, however, no happy word on Dominic and Cissy, and the silence stretched into late evening.
Logan shoved to his feet and paced the waiting room. His legs tingled, blood rushing back in and tight muscles stretching.
Traci’s knees bounced with jerky movements and Betty wrung her hands in her lap. The twins hunched in their chairs, hats shielding their expressions. Pop left for the third time in the past hour to check for more news.
“You boys want to run down to the cafeteria and grab something to eat?” Betty smiled and crouched in front of the boys.
They shook their heads.
“Are you sure?” Betty asked. “It’s been a long time since y’all had breakfast and you didn’t have any lunch or supper.”
“I’m not hungry,” Jayden mumbled.
“I wanna wait for Aunt Cissy.” Kayden’s hat tipped up as he looked around the room. “Lots of other people got their babies already.” His voice shook. “Why ain’t
