To Win Her Love by Mackenzie Crowne Read Free Book Online Page A

foot.
    Mary clucked her tongue. “It’s cold enough to freeze Hades out here!”
    Charlie craned her neck to look over her shoulder at the housekeeper, framed by the open door. “Who is Hades?”
    “Never you mind, Charlie girl.” Mary rolled her eyes at Gracie’s chuckle. “Come inside now, the lot of you. Before you catch your death.”
    The twins raced inside with Murphy at their heels. Gracie hefted the duffle and rose to her feet. Mary bent to grab the handle of the suitcase.
    Gracie followed her inside. “Have you heard anything?”
    Mary shut the door, rolling the case to the foot of the stairs and turned. “Not a peep.”
    A shudder of cautious hope rippled through her. No news was good news in this case. The grandfather clock in the corner of the foyer showed five eighteen. Two hours and forty-two minutes. She swallowed her nerves and glanced into the den. On their knees in the center of the antique rug with a wriggling Murphy between them, the twins competed for his attention and argued over who should unclip his leash.
    “Do they know?” She shed her winter coat without looking away from the trio.
    “About Jake Malone, you mean?”
    She nodded and met Mary’s somber gaze.
    “Aye. It was left to me to explain. They know nothing about the terms of the will concerning custody but, well, considering the circumstance, they needed to know about him.”
    She chewed her lip. “How’d they take it?”
    “How do you think? What little girl wouldn’t be excited to learn they have a big brother? I’m surprised they didn’t pin you down first thing and tell you about him. He’s all they’ve talked about since I told them.”
    Childish giggles drew her attention. Gracie’s lungs constricted and she fought against a sudden rush of threatening tears. The warm arm slipping about her shoulders dragged her right up to the edge of losing the battle.
    “You’re worrying over a situation you can’t control and, if you ask me, it’s unnecessary. From what I saw, the man isn’t interested. I’d bet a pound he doesn’t show up on our doorstep. And if I’m wrong, well, the girls may be dazzled by the idea of a big brother, but they love you.”
    “I hope you’re right.”
    “Of course I’m right.” She gave Gracie’s shoulder a quick squeeze before slipping the duffle from her fingers, along with her coat, and turning toward the staircase. “Shall I be leaving your things in the blue bedroom or would you rather the master suite?”
    “The blue room is fine. It’s closer to the nursery and the girls.” She shot a glance in the den and lowered her voice. “He can have the master suite. If he shows up.”
    Mary nodded. “We’ve had dinner already. I left a plate for you in the kitchen if you’re hungry.” She winked and headed up the stairs.
    In the den, Angel’s eyes flicked to Charlie in silent communication. They looked up to meet Gracie’s gaze across the distance. A shadow of uncertainty darkened Angel’s bluebell eyes. Older by three minutes, she had instinctively taken on the position as her twin’s protector from the time they could walk, boldly accepting responsibility for the many instances of mischief the pair created. Unfortunately, the current situation was beyond a six year old’s understanding.
    “Daddy went to heaven.”
    Grief tightened Gracie’s chest at the quiet comment and squeezed a bit tighter when Charlie straightened from her romp with Murphy to slip her hand into her twin’s. Gracie crossed the room to set her laptop on the coffee table before joining the girls on the floor. With an arm around each of them, she hugged them close. “Yes, he did.”
    “He went to see Mommy and Jesus.” Charlie cocked her head, peeking up from beneath thick lashes. “Miss Mary said Mommy must be happy to see him. She missed him a lot. She misses us, too.”
    Gracie smiled even as her heart wept for Sarah’s girls. “That’s exactly right. She misses you both terribly, but