Wyoming Christmas Quadruplets

“Will I be taking care of the quadruplets all by myself?”

“No, I’ll help, too.”

Him? But what about their mother?

“Don’t you think Belle should be involved?” she asked. Six weeks would pass in a blink, and it would be better if Belle was as hands-on as possible. Ideally, Raleigh would be changing diapers and feeding babies during the day, too, but given his ranch duties, she doubted he’d have time. Hopefully when Ainsley left, Belle wouldn’t be overwhelmed trying to care for the children on her own.

“Yes, she should, and if all goes according to plan, I can resume helping Raleigh outside soon.”

Nothing ever went according to plan, not in her life, at least. That’s why she didn’t leave anything she could control to chance. As far as this situation went, she might as well take charge now.

“I suggest we color-code these babies. I’ve got stickers and markers in my car. I’m going to need you to show me where everything—bottles, bibs, diapers—is stored. When I arrive each morning, I’ll make up bottles for the next twenty-four hours and put them in the fridge. All we’ll have to do is warm them up. And we’re keeping track of how much and when each baby eats. Don’t worry. I have charts.”

A sense of empowerment rushed up her spine. Maybe she’d been looking at this all wrong. Instead of seeing the potential pitfalls—like four tiny infants and an absent mother and father—she’d focus on the pluses. No system? No problem. She’d impose her own methods on the quadruplets. She’d get them on a schedule.

When Ainsley left, Belle would be comfortable caring for her babies. A surge of purpose filled her chest.

A shuffling sound came from the hallway.

“What is going on?” A beautiful woman with flashing brown eyes and a mane of long black hair appeared in the archway. “Why is this stranger in my living room, Marshall?”

* * *

Just when he’d been concentrating on the delicious phrases of color-code these babies and don’t worry I have charts, his sister had to go and kill his good mood. He’d told her he was hiring a baby nurse. He’d gotten Raleigh’s approval, too.

“This is Ainsley Draper, the baby nurse we hired. Ainsley, this is my sister, Belle Dushane.” He held his breath, waiting to see how Belle would react. His twinstincts told him not well.

“Your babies are beautiful.” Ainsley sailed across the room to shake Belle’s hand. Her smile brightened the atmosphere. “It’s so nice to meet you.”

Belle regarded her with distaste and limply shook her hand. Glaring at his sister, Marshall clenched his jaw. She merely raised an eyebrow. He’d always wished he could do the same. His sister certainly had the haughty gesture down pat.

“We don’t need a baby nurse.” Belle made a shooing motion. “So thank you for coming, but—”

One of the babies let out a cry. Marshall rubbed his temples. Here we go again.

Ainsley gestured to the hallway. “Since I’m here, do you want me to stay awhile and help change them?”

Belle’s face flushed. “Marshall and I can do it.”

Was his sister crazy? Did she honestly think they were in any way succeeding at taking care of quadruplets? They were in way over their heads.

“I understand.” Ainsley slowly turned to leave.

“Ainsley, wait.” Marshall thrust his hand out. “Stay for a while. We’ll sort this out.”

Belle snapped her fingers at him. “Come on.”

That did it. His sister had crossed many lines lately, and he’d had enough. One of the other babies joined in with the crying. His head began to throb.

“No, Belle.” He widened his stance and crossed his arms over his chest. “Don’t snap your fingers at me. And don’t even think about sending Ainsley away. We need help.”

Her chin inclined, and her eyes glinted. “I don’t need anyone taking care of my babies.” Tossing her hair over her shoulder, she stormed down the hall. Marshall debated whether to follow her. If he hadn’t shared a womb with her, he’d be tempted to run out the door.

“Should I talk to her?” Ainsley’s confused face eased his tension. She didn’t seem horrified by his sister’s behavior, although he certainly was.

“No, I’ll handle it.” He entered the babies’ room, and his annoyance vanished. Silent sobs racked Belle’s back as she stood with her face in her hands over the girls’ crib.

“What’s wrong?” The girls were crying, too, but he figured they could wait.

“I don’t know which one is which, Marsh. I don’t know my own babies.” She stared up at him with those eyes that had pleaded with him so many times over the years to fix it, and he muttered under his breath.

“We’re going to change that.” With his finger, he raised her chin to look at him. “Four infants are a lot. And I can’t do this all by myself, Belle. I know you don’t feel well. I don’t expect you to be some superwoman. But I’m clueless—I don’t know what I’m doing. Ainsley is good with the babies, so let her stay.”

He picked up one of the girls. “Here’s Lila. The one with the black pinkie nail is Grace. Let’s change them.”

She swallowed, looking as if she faced a rattler instead of a baby.

He took Grace to one of the changing tables and began unsnapping her coverall. “Who’s the prettiest little cowgirl this side of Sweet Dreams, Wyoming?” He cooed. “You’re going to break hearts, darlin’.” When he’d finished, he picked her back up and turned to see how Belle was doing with Lila. She wasn’t in the room. He checked the crib. Lila wasn’t either.

He held Grace to his chest and returned to the living room, hanging back at the sight before him. Belle was handing the baby to Ainsley.

“I’m not feeling well.” Belle’s face was pinched. “I’m sorry I was rude earlier. Of course we want you to stay.”

Ainsley’s eyes widened, but she nodded and took the baby. “Why don’t you tell me what your expectations are? I want us to be on the same page with their care. I did some research before driving here, and I’d like to use a color system to help manage them.”

Belle fidgeted with her wedding ring. “Yes, the color thing sounds good.”

“Sit with me?” Shifting Lila to her other arm, Ainsley patted the couch. “Tell me about the babies. What are their personalities like? Should I be concerned about anything?”

Belle’s throat worked. She shook her head. “I...I don’t feel well. We’ll talk later.” Then she spun and fled past Marshall down the hallway to her bedroom.

He exhaled, his cheeks puffing out. At least she’d apologized to Ainsley. But what if the damage had been done? Was the apology enough to make Ainsley stay?

“I’m sorry,” he said. “This must be the worst first day ever for you.”

“No, I’ve had some doozies.” Her lips curved up and, though her eyes twinkled, concern radiated from them. “Do you think your sister is all right? Should I check on her?”

“I’ll do it. Be right back.” Still holding Grace, he retreated down the hall to speak with Belle. Grace blinked up at him, and he kissed her little nose. Then he knocked on Belle’s door.

“Go away.”

“I’m coming in.”

“I wish you wouldn’t.”

“Too bad.”

He slipped into her room. The closed curtains, unmade bed and darkness made the air feel thick, stale. She sat slumped on the edge of the bed with her face in her hands. He lowered his body to sit next to her, keeping a firm grip on Grace as he did.

“What’s going on, sis?”

“Nothing. I’m tired.”

“I know you are. It’s not easy being a mama.” He patted her knee. “Are you okay with Ainsley staying?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. I wish I felt good enough to take care of all the babies myself.”

“Well, four is a lot. You’re being too hard on yourself. I don’t think most people could do it all on their own. But eventually you will, and in the meantime, I’ll pop in and out to help Ainsley—until you’re up to it yourself, okay?”

“Thanks, Marshall.” She looked ready to cry again. “I guess I could use help with the babies.”

“Good. Why don’t you take a nap? I’ll show Ainsley her cabin later.”

“Cabin?” Her spine went rigid. “She needs to sleep here. In the main house. How else will she take care of the babies at night?”

He squeezed his eyes shut. Did his sister think Ainsley was going to work round the clock? “I hired her to help during the day.”

“But you’re here during the day.”

All the sympathy he’d mustered disappeared. He tightened his hold on Grace.

“Belle, I can’t do this. Not by myself. Not all the time.”

“Well, I can’t either. Do you know how hard it is to feed four babies at night?”

“Yes, I do, because you text me to come help every single night. I’m exhausted.”

She dismissed his words with a backward wave. “Well, it’s worse for me. You don’t know. I’ll have Raleigh put the blow-up mattress in the babies’ room for her.”

He gaped at her. “Do you hear yourself? She’s not sleeping on the floor in the babies’ room. She needs her own space.”

Belle glared at him.

“Look, Ainsley already agreed to work ten-hour days, which is more than most people would. She’ll be here from eight in the morning until six at night. You two can get the babies figured out, and when she leaves after the holidays, you’ll be an old pro at it.”

“But January is so soon.” She looked nauseous. “You need to hire someone else. Someone permanent.”

“I tried. No one replied to my ad.”

After a few minutes of silence, she gave him a sheepish grin. “You couldn’t have found an ugly baby nurse, could you?”

An unattractive helper would make things easier on him, but he wasn’t concerned about romance. He didn’t think he was capable of having a loving, committed relationship. He hadn’t found a woman who understood his devotion to his sister, and he doubted he would. The only family he had was Belle and the quadruplets, and he wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize it.

He patted her shoulder. “You have nothing to worry about. You’re the most beautiful woman around.”

“Yeah, right.” She held out the bottom of her faded blue T-shirt. “You’re such a liar.”

“Me? Nah. I’m going back out there and making sure you didn’t scare her off. Now give Grace a kiss, and we’ll let you rest.”

Fear flashed in her eyes so quickly he wondered if he’d imagined it. She kissed Grace’s forehead and squeezed Marshall’s hand. “Thanks.”

He stood, hitching his chin to her. “I’ll always be here for you.”

With watery eyes, she nodded.

One hurdle cleared. He walked by the babies’ room and heard Ben and Max stirring. Continuing into the living room, he stopped in his tracks.

Lila was strapped in her bouncy seat.

And Ainsley was gone.

Chapter Two

The babies and Marshall needed her.

Ainsley reached into the trunk of her car in search of a bag she’d packed. Snow had begun to fall, and the wind was gentler than when she’d arrived. Shivering, she stomped her feet. Her favorite blanket was folded neatly on top of her supplies, and she spotted a patch of blue beneath it—the tote with markers, stickers and charts.

Belle needed her, too, but didn’t want to admit it. Ainsley kind of understood. She didn’t particularly enjoy asking for help either. As long as Belle didn’t resent her presence, everything would be fine.

Well, that wasn’t quite true. The resentment issue wasn’t the only problem. Belle didn’t expect Ainsley to take over all of the babies’ care, did she?

And what about Marshall? Working with a hot, doting cowboy had better not blur her focus. She had big goals and couldn’t lose sight of them. She had to take care of herself. No one else was going to.

After pulling out the tote bag, she slammed the trunk shut. She had over six weeks to make a difference in the quadruplets’ lives, and she was ready to start now. She was getting these infants on a schedule.

Tightening her winter jacket around her throat, she ducked her head against the snow and scurried to the porch. The ranch house was a long, one-story wooden building with a covered porch devoid of decoration at the moment. She could imagine the posts strung with white Christmas lights and a large evergreen wreath hanging on the door.

Glancing up, she almost jumped. Marshall had stepped outside onto the faded welcome mat. He opened the door for her. “For a minute I thought you’d taken off.”

She shook her hair free of snow and pushed past him into the house. “Why would you think that?”

“Well...” He scratched the back of his neck, closing the door behind them. “My sister wasn’t exactly welcoming.”

She took off her coat and hung it on a hook in the entry. “Oh, no worries. She wants me to stay.”

He searched her face until heat blasted her neck. Why was he looking at her so intently? With the tote over her shoulder, she strode into the living room, where both girls were in their bouncy seats, happily sucking on pacifiers. The boys’ squawks from their room hadn’t gone into full-blown crying...yet.

“Let’s get the boys changed.” She waved for him to follow her. “Then we’ll figure out a way forward with these babies.”

“Has anyone told you you’re efficient?” He was at her side in lightning speed.

She almost laughed, continuing to the boys’ crib. “Yes, and it’s usually not a compliment.”

“Trust me, it’s a compliment. At least from me.”

Ainsley picked up Ben, and Marshall took Max. Side by side they changed diapers, then went back to the living room. After settling the boys in their bouncy seats facing the girls, Ainsley and Marshall took opposite couches.

“If you’re too tired to do this right now...”

“No, I’m fine.” She was tired, but she wanted to get a plan nailed down as soon as possible. She placed a pouch with markers, a folder full of stickers, her trusty clipboard and the stacks of various charts she’d printed on the coffee table. Laying them out in precise order, she reviewed the spread to make sure she wasn’t missing anything. With a satisfied nod, she straightened and gave Marshall her full attention. “First, let’s assign each baby a color.”

“Okay.” Skepticism thinned his lips.

“What?” She excelled at three things: organizing, helping those in need and reading people. “Something’s bothering you.”

“It’s not bothering me, but...could you explain the color dealie? My expertise is not in babies. I’m good at fixing large farm equipment and taking care of cattle. I’m pretty new at quadruplets.”

“Of course.” She peeked at the children—all quiet, thankfully. “Each child is assigned a color, and everything will be marked with it.”

“You mean their clothes?”

“Yes, we’ll dot the tags with permanent marker.”

“Most of their clothes don’t have tags.”

“Well, we’ll figure it out. The clothes aren’t the main thing. We’ll color the bottom of each bottle. And we’ll place stickers on the bouncy seats, car carriers and so on.”

“Oh, I get it.” He brought his hands behind his head, leaning back. She couldn’t help noticing his muscular arms. “What about pacifiers and stuff?”

“I think it will be too difficult to separate pacifiers. I guess we could put them into plastic storage bins labeled with their color. We can keep marking the pinkies of Grace and Max with markers, and I think this will be another way for us to keep the twins straight. Especially at bath time when the marker might wash off.”

“Good idea.”

“Let’s assign the colors.” She slid out a sheet of red, blue, green and yellow stickers. “Who gets what?”

“I don’t know.” He tapped his fingertips against his jeans.

“Who’s the happiest?” It would be fun to match the babies with colors representing their personalities. She waited for Marshall to reply.

“Easy. Lila.”

“She gets yellow. It’s the color of sunshine and joy.” Ainsley held up a yellow sticker. She then placed it on a piece of paper and wrote Lila next to it. “Who’s the most energetic?”

“Ben. Definitely. His cries go from zero to ten like that.” He snapped his fingers.

“Ben gets red. The color of fire and passion.” She placed the red sticker on the paper and wrote Ben next to it. “What about Grace and Max? Do either show signs of being a peacemaker? Or like they are attentive to the other babies’ feelings? I know this might seem silly considering how young they are.”

He considered it for a moment. “You know, I think Grace does. I never realized it, but if Max and Ben are crying, she usually joins in.”

“It bothers her to see her brothers upset.”

“It’s possible.”

“She gets green, the color of nature and harmony. Does Max seem to be more stable than the other babies? Trusting?”

“He’s five weeks old. I really couldn’t say.”

“You’re right.” She laughed. “Whether it suits him or not, Max gets blue, the color of the sky and stability.” After writing his name, she took out another sheet of stickers, crossed to Marshall and handed him one. “Let’s mark the bouncy seats, then make up bottles for the rest of the night.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He grinned, rising. “You’re not going to ask me to put these on their foreheads, are you?”

“No, of course not.” She shook her head. Marshall had a good sense of humor. Another trait she admired. She circled the bouncy seats, not seeing a good place to put the stickers. “Where do you think these should go?”

“Why don’t we put a couple on each? One on the back, and we’ll wrap two around the front legs.”

They marked the seats and surveyed their work. It was a start. Max’s pacifier fell out, and he made loud grunting noises.

“I know what that means.” Marshall rolled his eyes. “I’ll take this one.”

She knelt in front of the other three while he changed Max. They were so little. Smaller than the average baby the same age. They looked like newborns. Humming, she placed her index finger next to Ben’s fist. He flexed his hand, then curled it around her finger. The pacifier bobbed as he sucked on it.

“You’re a little cutie, aren’t you?” She opened her mouth and made faces at him. His hand tightened around her finger. What a sweetheart.

Marshall returned, carrying Max. “You’re glad you missed that one.” He waved his hand in front of his nose.

She chuckled, but it turned into a yawn. It had been a long day of packing, driving and...this.

“Hey, why don’t you kick up your feet on the sofa and rest? When Belle wakes, I’ll show you to your cabin.”

“You don’t mind? I’d like nothing more than to cuddle with these sweet babies for a while.”

“Really?” He frowned as if the concept was foreign to him.

“Yes.” She unstrapped Ben and took him in her arms; then she unstrapped Grace and brought both babies to the couch. “Infants grow up so fast. I’d like to enjoy this while I can.”

He blinked, then followed her lead, taking Lila and Max to the other couch.

Neither spoke for several minutes. The silence gave Ainsley the space she needed to register things she’d missed. The decor was homey. A framed picture of Belle and her husband on their wedding day stood on the end table. The dining room table was stacked with supplies and a pile of what appeared to be unopened mail. In the corner, a laundry basket held stuffed animals and baby toys. Burp cloths and rattles were scattered around it. Two used bottles had rolled under the coffee table.

This was a warm home, but, from the looks of it, the babies’ arrival had chilled it a bit. She’d tidy everything later. For now, she’d enjoy the wonder of two precious little ones in her arms.

Babies. How she’d love to have some of her own.

The jagged scar down her heart throbbed. Love and marriage came before kids. She didn’t know if she had it in her to try that combination—even for children. Love clouded a woman’s judgment. And marriage came with commitment. She couldn’t cut and run from a husband the way she had from her father.

She’d stick to getting into nursing school. A career could never let her down the way love could.

* * *

“What’s so funny?” Belle sounded irritated.

Marshall peered at his sister over the open refrigerator door later. Her mussed hair and puffy eyes told him she’d woken from a long nap. He hadn’t seen her for hours, not since he’d talked to her about Ainsley staying. Speaking of Ainsley, she was holding one of the girls and had propped bottles up for the other three in their bouncy seats. Not one of them made a peep. Usually they took turns crying all afternoon. But the on-and-off crying session had lasted only forty-five minutes today—all because of Ainsley.

Maybe with more peace and quiet, Belle would get more involved with them. And maybe the strain between her and Raleigh would go away.

Marshall stepped back. “Oh, Ben’s tongue curled over his lip when he woke up. He looked silly.” He motioned for Belle. “Check this out. All the bottles you’ll need for the night.”

“I’ll need?” She popped a hand on her hip and glowered at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

His good mood collapsed. “Let me rephrase that. You and Raleigh will need.”

“Like Raleigh will do anything.” She pushed her hair behind her ear.

“Did I hear my name?” Raleigh came in through the back breezeway, his cheeks red from the cold and his hair flattened against his head from the hat he’d taken off. He shivered and rubbed his palms together. “Wait. Something’s different.” He squinted. “Why aren’t the babies crying?”

Belle studied her fingernails.

Marshall waved for Raleigh to join him in the living room. “Come and meet Ainsley Draper.”

“Oh, right, the baby nurse.”

Ainsley winced as she hauled herself to her feet. Guilt tugged on Marshall’s conscience. She’d been helping with the babies since the minute she’d arrived, and she looked worn out. After Raleigh grinned and wiggled his fingers at the babies, Marshall made the introductions.

“I sure am glad to have you here, Ainsley.” Raleigh jerked his thumb toward Marshall. “It’s been brutal not having him helping me with the cattle.”

She smiled politely. Marshall didn’t know what to say. These were Raleigh’s babies, for crying out loud. Didn’t the man care that the quadruplets needed him more than the cows did? He had other ranch hands. It wasn’t as if Marshall was indispensable out there.

“Seeing how the ladies have the babies under control, you’ll be out tomorrow to prep for the cattle sale, right?” The tall, lean man with piercing blue eyes had tough written all over him. Raleigh had grown up on this ranch working the land with his father.

“No, Raleigh, he won’t.” Belle charged into the room. “Marshall promised he’d be around to help Ainsley.”

“Why can’t you?” he asked quietly, a defiant glint in his eyes.

“I can’t believe you even asked that.”

Marshall could feel the tension building. Grace’s bottle rolled out of her mouth and she began to cry.

“See what you did?” Belle pointed to the baby, then to Raleigh. “She was fine until you marched in here. You’re so loud.”

“Come on,” Marshall said to Ainsley. He knew where this was heading, and he didn’t want Ainsley getting any more reasons to leave. “It’s been a long day. I’ll show you to your cabin.”

She nodded, setting Lila in her seat before going to the hall to get her coat and bag.

He glanced over his shoulder. “Belle, there’s a casserole from one of the church ladies in the oven. Give it thirty minutes. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

“You’re leaving?”

He didn’t respond. Instead, he swiped his coat and cowboy hat before ushering Ainsley outside. He led the way to her car. After opening the door for her and waiting for her to get in, he leaned over. “Follow the drive around the house and stay left. You’ll see a row of cabins. Park in front of the first one. I’ll unlock it for you.”

“Don’t you want a ride?”

“Nah, I like the fresh air. Clears my head.” He straightened and shut her door.

Once her engine started, he hiked down the driveway to the cabins. Darkness had fallen, and the wind drove small snow pellets to the ground. He shrugged into his jacket collar and shoved his hands into his pockets.