“The bouncing one is Jasper. Eli is the one standing beside him, staring at you all wide-eyed. The shy one is Theo.”
She searched the boys’ identical faces for some differences. “How do you tell them apart?”
“Mostly by their personalities. They’re each pretty distinctive. If you get confused, just call one of their names. They’re usually pretty good at responding to their own.”
“Well, aren’t you little fellas smart?” She listened intently as Eli started babbling to tell her how right she was. Once he finished, she nodded. “Yes, that’s exactly what I think, too.”
David walked over to the chest of clothes to show her where they kept the baby clothes, diapers and other supplies. “Everything you need should be right in here.”
Matthew walked over to peer into the crib. “So these are the three cowboys causing such a fuss in town. They’re pretty cute.”
Caroline bumped him with her shoulder. “It won’t be long before you have a little one just like this causing a fuss in your house, too.”
“I can’t wait.” Matthew grinned. “Listen, I’d better head back to the ranch. Have fun with the kids, Caroline. I’ll see you soon.” Matthew turned to David. “David, would you walk me out?”
There was a questioning little lift to David’s brow, but he nodded. “Of course.”
Left alone with her three charges, Caroline clasped her hands behind her back and paced in front of the crib. “All right, boys, listen close. The four of us are going to make a deal. I promise to feed you, keep you clean, sing you to sleep and whatever else is necessary for your comfort. I have two conditions, though.”
The shyest one finally stood up next to his brothers.
She stopped pacing to grin at him. “Well, hello, Theo! Thank you for joining the discussion.”
He gave a little heart-melting grin and babbled something to his brothers.
“I do appreciate the stamp of approval, but it’s a bit early. You haven’t heard my conditions yet. The first one should be very simple. In return for my services, you must each continue to be adorable. Do you think y’all can do that?”
Eli yelled something unintelligible.
“I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t have questioned your talents. I just want to make sure the terms of our agreement are clear. The last and final condition is not so simple.”
Jasper reached out for her.
She lifted him into her arms and hugged him close. “I’m only going to be here a short time, so you little honeybees better not make me fall in love with you. My poor heart’s been through enough, and it can’t take any more breaking. Is that understood?”
David cleared his throat. She spun around to find him watching her from the doorway. A blush rushed over her cheeks as she met his amused gaze.
“It was a nice speech, but I don’t think they have any intention of obeying.”
“You can’t blame a girl for trying.”
“No, I guess not.” He sobered as sincerity filled his voice. “Caroline, I wanted to thank you for being so kind to Maggie after finding out she was involved in spooking your horse.”
“You’re welcome, but there’s really no need to thank me. Maggie is easy to be kind to. Of course, that might have something to do with the fact that I was a lot like her when I was younger.” She laughed at his surprised look. “I didn’t go quite so far as wearing pants, but I was forever chasing after Matthew. Anything he did, I had to do or at least attempt.”
“I never would have guessed that.” She followed his gaze as it swept over her bottle green skirt, black shirtwaist and cream blouse. From the lace on her collar to the puff sleeves and the slender, tulip-shaped skirt that smoothed over her hips, everything about her clothing was as feminine as it was fashionable.
“What changed?” he asked with more than a hint of desperation. “I mean, what made you want to be ladylike?”
She shrugged. “I made friends with several little girls my age and wanted to be more like them.”
His mouth settled into a discouraged frown. “Maggie’s been around girls her age, but that hasn’t changed anything.”
“That’s because you’re more important to her than they are.”
He tilted his head to stare at her. “What do you mean?”
“She could be trying to emulate you just like I was trying to emulate Matthew.” She could see him thinking about it, but she didn’t have time for him to reach a conclusion. Dampness was beginning to seep through Jasper’s diaper. She turned toward the changing table. “Uh-oh. Someone needs a little changing.”
“They probably all do.” He strode closer. “Would you like some help getting started?”
“No, I’m sure I can handle it. Why don’t you head on down for breakfast? I’ll bring the boys as soon as they’re ready.”
He hesitated. Eventually, the confidence in her smile must have convinced him she could handle this, because he nodded and left the room. That was a good thing because it took all her concentration to remember the lessons Emma had given her last night about changing diapers. She probably should have accepted David’s help, but she wanted to start out being a help to the McKays, not a hindrance.
She finished changing Jasper and set him on the floor to crawl. He found her luggage intriguing. Since everything was still closed up, she let him fiddle with it to his heart’s content. She opened the window that was far out of reach of the triplets to let in some fresh air before taking on the other boys. With them all clean and smelling good, she took a few moments to freshen up herself. She was just pondering how she was going to carry the triplets down the stairs to the kitchen when a tentative knock sounded too far down on the door to be anyone other than Maggie.
“Is that Maggie McKay I hear?” She opened the door to find the little girl looking at her with a mix of sheepishness and surprise.
“How’d you know it was me?”
Caroline winked. “Just a feeling. How are you this morning?”
“Good. I’m glad you’re here. Oh, I’m supposed to tell you that Grandma says breakfast is almost ready.”
“Then we’d better head down—whoa, little man.” Caroline caught Eli as he made a break for the stairs. Or was it Jasper? Setting them loose in the bedroom had scrambled their identities a little in her mind. It was rather like watching that street magician’s game with the pea in the walnut shell. If she had to guess, she’d say this sweet pea was Eli.
Refocusing on Maggie, she realized the girl was exactly the extra set of arms she needed. “You know, Maggie, while I’m here, I could use a special helper to assist me now and then. I don’t suppose you have anyone you would recommend?”
Maggie brightened. “Me, Miss Caroline. You’ve got to choose me. My pa said I’m supposed to help you whenever I can.”
“Wonderful! I knew I could count on you. Right now, I could use an assistant to help me get the triplets safely down to breakfast. Do you think you can carry one of them while I carry the other two?”
“I can do it.”
“Thank you, Maggie. Here. You take Eli.” Caroline transferred the baby to Maggie, making sure she had him safely in her grasp. “Go right on down the stairs, and I’ll meet you at the table.”
She watched to make sure Maggie made it all right, then turned to hunt down the two others. Soon enough all three boys were sitting in