Page 99 of In Colton's Custody (Coltons of Mustang Valley)

“Wait. You didn’t give the rest of the details about Jace’s arrest.”

Asher paused, shaking his head. He’d given her no more than the basic information from the road, but now wasn’t the time to fill in the blanks. He needed to get to his daughter and then to the woman he loved.

“I will later, okay?”

“That’s fine.”

Still, she followed him as he reached one of the sets of French doors at the back of the house.

“Oh, Asher. Hope you don’t mind, but Marlowe brought along a friend or two.”

He drew his brows together and then stepped outside. In the shady end beneath the second-story deck, a play tent had been made of old quilts thrown over a nylon rope, anchored between two six-by-six posts. That the structure wasn’t collapsing over its inhabitants signaled that his sister must have received help in building it. Dulcie apparently had skills with play tent construction, as well.

“Marlowe, are you in there?”

A loose flap of material moved. His sister emerged, stooped over, before she straightened.

“What is all this?” he couldn’t help asking.

“Just getting a little practice for my own upcoming event.” She grinned and settled her hands on her rounded stomach. “And having a little playdate.”

As if responding to her comment, the side of the makeshift structure rippled with movement from inside. The squeal that joined it sounded strange to him. Not like Harper at all.

“Was this your idea?”

“Not really.” She pulled the flap farther open for him. “Come inside.”

As he bent to enter the tent, several things suddenly made sense. His mother’s knowing smile and hovering. His sister’s uncharacteristic choice of activity. Even the happy-baby cheep that hadn’t sounded like his child.

Not one but two infants scooted around on the blankets covering the cement slab, and just beyond them, sitting cross-legged, was the woman he’d been dying to see.

“Hello.”

Her voice squeaked when she spoke. He could relate to her nervousness. His hands were so sweaty that he had to wipe them off on his jeans.

“What are you doing here?”

This time she smiled. “Didn’t you hear? We’re in our tent, having a playdate.”

“I mean why are you here? On the Triple R?”

“We came to see you two.”

“And how long have you been here?”

“Two hours or so.”

As their gazes connected, his heart thudded in his chest. She’d not only come to see him, but she’d waited for him. Another delighted squeal, this one from his own child, split the silence. Like always, Harper reached out her arms to him.

“Your baby wants you to join us.” Willow’s tongue darted out to dampen her lips. “I do, too.”

Asher glanced back at his grinning sister as he slid off his boots. “You coming in?”

Marlowe shook her head, holding back a smile. “It’s getting a little crowded in there. I will go and get some lemonade, though.”

Good thing since his mouth was dry as he scooted inside, settled with his legs crossed as Willow’s were and reached for Harper.

“Your sister told me what you found out about Jace. I’m sorry about that.”

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