"You didn’t answer my question," Sam said. "What are we gonna do today?"
"Well, it’s Sunday. How about we get our chores done early and spend the day relaxing with Holly. I owe her a walk around the ranch."
"A walk? Boring!"
"You can stay here with Luisa if a walk doesn’t appeal to you. Holly and I can take Lacy and Max with us. They’ll love it."
"No, I wanna go," Sam said.
"Good," Holly said. "We’d love your company." She meant it. The little boy had wormed his way into her heart in but a day.
"Yep, we sure would, pal." Jack slid the pancake onto Sam’s plate. "You wa
nt another, sugar?"
"Are you kidding? I’m stuffed. I shudder to think how much you’re going to have to feed Sam when he hits his teens." She laughed. "You’ll go broke."
"Just like my mom and dad did." Jack let out a chuckle. "Teenage boys are bottomless pits. Don’t I know it." He turned to Sam, who was busily buttering his flapjack. "You stay here with Holly for a few minutes. I need to make a phone call in the office."
"Okay, Daddy."
Holly eyed the boy as he slathered syrup over the pancake, and then dove in. He was a beautiful child. If only....
"What kind of things do you like to do, Sam? Other than ride horses and help your dad."
"Lots of things," he said through a mouthful. "Play games with Luisa and Carlos. Sometimes I get to spend the night at their house. Or at my grandma’s. That’s fun. She makes really good cookies. Chocolate chip are my favorite."
"They’re my favorite, too." Holly smiled.
"Plus, there’s some kids my age who live close to my grandma and she invites them over when I’m there. Derek and Kathleen. They’re twins."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. They’re six, too and it’s fun to play with other kids. There aren’t any who live around here."
"I’m sorry about that. Do you get lonely, Sam?"
"Sometimes. When Daddy’s workin’ all day and Luisa’s busy. One day, I hope I’ll have a little brother. I really want a little brother. I’ve wanted one forever. Daddy says maybe someday. I’ve been waitin’ a long time."
Holly’s throat constricted and her tummy sank to her bowels. Icy fingers crept along her spine. Sam wanted a little brother.
Luisa hurried into the kitchen waving a dust rag. "Off, you two. It’s time for me to clean up in here."
Holly stared at Luisa, and then said in a robotic tone, "Please, let me do it."
"Nonsense, it’s what I’m paid for. You go have a fun day with Jack and Sam."
A fun day with Jack and Sam. Right. The air in the kitchen seemed thick, suffocating.
Little brother? Oh, God.
"Luisa? I need a favor."
Luisa turned from the sink. "What do you need? I’ll help if I can."
"Sam? Can you run along and play for a little while? I need to talk to Luisa."
"Sure thing. See you later." He ambled off, whistling a lively tune.