Page 28 of Hard To Love

Summer was in full swing. An august summer heat wave had hit us in a way that made it feel like it was never going to end. Thankfully, my beautiful husband had thought ahead and made sure our new place had central air. But nothing helped. The heat was that bad.

Plus, my feet looked like two badly packed sausages they were so swollen. After four kids, you would think I would be used to it. I wasn’t.

Not in the least.

I heard laughter ring out and pushed off the couch and stood. Wobbling to the window, I smiled at the sight of our three kids running around while throwing water balloons at one another. Heavy footsteps sounded behind me, and the smile on my face grew. He was early. But then again, Auggie tried to get home for lunch as early as he could manage.

He loved spending time with his family.

Strong arms banded around my waist, and his hands, open-palmed, warm, and calloused, rested on my belly.

“Why didn’t we ever have a water balloon fight on one of our picnics?” his deep voice drawled slowly. I could hear the smile in his voice.

“Because back in our day, it would have taken us all day to fill up that many balloons,” I teased, turning my attention and body to face my handsome husband. “Hi.”

“Hey, beautiful.” He dipped down and kissed me. Like every time we kissed, the world slowly started to disappear around us.

Before we got too caught up in the moment, he pulled back and bent to kiss my belly. “How are my little donuts doing?”

“They’re doing cartwheels, is what they’re doing.” I pouted playfully, and he grinned. He kneeled in front of my belly, and I watched as he spoke to the twins, who would be here before we knew it.

“Kids! Lunch!” I heard my mom call out. After Corey was born, my mom decided to return to West Ranch.

She moved into the cabin next door after Auggie insisted. I’d worried we were a little too close, but like most of the time, my husband was right. Not that I would ever tell him that. Having Mom there was nice. We gave one another space when we needed it, and she helped out with the kids. She said it made her younger.

Which was good because our family of five was about to become a family of seven.

Pregnancy with twins was a whole other ballgame.

“You okay?” he asked. I fought from rolling my eyes. It was just Auggie’s way. I was pretty sure he would ask me that about twenty more times before the day was over.

“I’m good.” I sighed, and he nodded, kissing my forehead.

“Let me go wash up, and I’ll make us lunch.”

“You know I could make it.” I grinned as I followed him into the kitchen.

“You could, but you won’t. Now go sit.”

“Bossy,” I muttered, and he smiled. I

“’ll show you bossy later,” he teased. My body hummed with sparks from the promise in his threat. I didn’t mind Auggie bossy. Not one bit.

But then again, an August kind of love was the most beautiful of all.

Sneak Peak

Did you enjoy Sandy and Auggie’s story? Ready for another West Ranch Story? Check out cousin Troy’s story as he falls hard and fast!

Things on the West Ranch are heating up!

October Kind of Melody will be here before you know it!

Prologue

Troy West

“That was fun.” She winked at me, and I was dying to say something.

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