Read A Valentine's Choice: A Montana Sky Series Holiday Novella (The Montana Sky Series) for Free Online Page B

Whitson.
    She heard the clatter of feet and turned to see a group of children flood into the room. Upon closer inspection, she narrowed the count to five—four boys and a girl. But surely they couldn’t be siblings? Except for two of the brown-haired, green-eyed boys, who looked even more identical than her and Alana, none of the children resembled each other.
    The girl was the image of the woman in the portrait over the fireplace. She looked about nine or ten.
    Bridget recognized Samantha’s blue eyes in the youngest boy, who appeared to be about ten. But his dark hair, golden skin, and slanting eyebrows looked nothing like his mother’s.
    The oldest boy’s skin was even browner than the youngest one, and he had black hair in a long tail down his back. He caught her looking at him and gazed back with dark solemn eyes.
    The rest of the children halted in front of the twins and stared at the two women, eyes wide.
    The young boy hopped a step closer, and his eyebrows winged upward. “I’m Daniel. Are you twins like Jack and Tim?” Without waiting for an answer he rushed on. “I’ve never seen girl twins before. Too bad you’re so old, or you could marry Tim and Jack. They’re twelve.” His wide grin showed his delight with the idea.
    Old? I supposed twenty-two seems old to him. Bridget’s eyes met Alana’s, and they both burst out laughing. How good it feels to once again laugh with my sister! Although giggles continued to bubble in her chest, she sobered her expression lest she hurt the boy’s feelings.
    But instead of looking abashed, Daniel watched them with an irrepressible grin.
    Little imp, she thought, liking the boy right away. She’d never had a brother but had befriended the stable lads at the squire’s. She suppressed a pang from missing them.
    Daniel’s comment caused one twin to roll his eyes.
    The other elbowed Daniel in his side. “Don’t mind him. We try not to. When he goes on like that, usually we just sit on him.” He jabbed Daniel again. “I’m Jack, that’s Hunter—” he indicated the dark-skin oldest boy, who looked about fourteen “—and my quiet twin over there is Tim. He’ll talk with you when he knows you better.”
    Tim gave the two of them a shy smile and a slight nod, before his gaze slid away.
    “I know what ye mean,” Bridget said to Jack in a mournful tone, all the better to get in the friendly dig at her twin. “Alana’s the same way. Do you find ye have to talk for him?”
    Alana nudged her, acting as if they, too, were children. “Sure and I can speak for meself, thank ye very much,” she said, playfully thickening her Gaelic accent. She turned to address the girl. “I’m Alana. And my sister who talks too much is Bridget.”
    “I’m Christine.” The girl tilted her head and studied Alana. “I like the way you talk. Sounds pretty.”
    “We’re from Ireland, dear one. That’s how everyone speaks there. In fact, we have our own language called Gaelic.”
    Samantha Thompson walked into the parlor on the arm of a man who must be her husband.
    Mr. Thompson was tall and dark-haired, with high-cheekbones, a slightly aquiline nose, and a formidable expression. His gray shirt made his dark eyes gleam like pewter.
    Mrs. Thompson wore a pale blue dress with a rose pattern, well cut, but not fancy.
    Bridget doubted the woman was wearing her best. She probably hadn’t wanted the twins to feel out of place in their simple gowns.
    With a wide smile, Mrs. Thompson tugged her husband over to them. “Alana, Bridget, my dears. You must meet Wyatt.”
    “Mr. Thompson, I must thank ye for allowing us to be guests at yer ranch.”
    He raised his eyebrows at his wife, and his eyes twinkled, softening his intimidating expression. “I doubt I had anything to do with it. So save your thanks. And please, call us Wyatt and Samantha. You’ll find we don’t stand on ceremony around here.” He gestured to the children. “I see you’ve met our brood.”
    “They are