Whose babies

[Lovely]

June 16, Year 1
afternoon


Rebecca was up on the ladder fixing some shingles that needed attention when Sloane came back to the house. She was his cousin's widow who'd come to live with them only couple of weeks before and they were still in the getting used to each other stages. When he asked her why she was doing what she was doing, she gave him a straight forward reply. "You didn't think I was going to wait for a man to do it, did you?"

"Well, you have to ask one first fore you yell at him that he didn't... come on down from there." He kept a look out for anyone else trying to look up the... ladder.

She smiled down at Sloane with a roll of her eyes "I'm up here now.. wouldda asked, but you boys are all too busy off dilly dallying.. now hand me the hammer."

Sloane handed her the tool and headed into the house, mumbling to himself about how he may be takin' to sleepin down at the jail house if she's staying anywhere near the Palmer's place.

Ciara was inside to hear him and chimed in with her own thoughts. "Well while you are off playing.. she's at the house, tending babies, milking cows, mucking the barn, killing chickens, cleaning and cooking the bird, building fences.. fixing shingles!"

He blinked. "Babies? whose babies.. what?"

Ci giggled softly. "That's too cute."

"CHANCE!!!... Get your moontanned backside in here right now!... Bring Joshua with you..."

"What are you yelling at him for? and why are you yelling?"

"Whose babies?" He repeated the question.

"Ci winked and swatted his bum with a shingle as she passes. "Well yours of course. You sly charmer, you."

"Wh... what?!?!?"

She rolled her eyes "She's your cousin's widow.. hmm think hard.. maybe you'll figure out who their daddy is." She couldn't help teasing him and winked.

"Ciara... anyone told you you make too much sense for a girl? Why are you here? Thought you were down at the store."

"Was helping to tend to all your babies." She teased him a little more.

[Lovely]

"They're not m.. dang fool girl. They aren't mine. Just cuz I'm the oldest don't make 'em mine."

"Sure does... cause the other boys are too young." She giggled.

"Uh huhn... sure they are. Now I have a reason to yell. CHANCE... get in here, now!"

"Ooh but look.. this one definately has your eyes.. and cute cheeks.."

"Well tell him... her.. ..er... to spit 'em out and give them ba... whose got cute cheeks?"

"You do.. and so does this little bub.. here hold him, while I go fetch some milk."

holds the baby like a smelly fish, somewhat away from himself. "What? How.. I ... but... Ciara, get back here. Only thing I know about them when they're this small is throwing them back in the pond til they get bigger. Ciara?"

Pats his shoulder as she lays the burp cloth there. "I know you can handle this.." Turns and scurries out of the room, calling over her shoulder. "Hold him close.. like you care.. like you gave a rat about protecting him from the world.. we both know you can be protective.." She spoke around a rattle of dishes.

"Oh no, you're not making me do this. And you don't get any ideas of making me, either." looks at the baby. "Huh... like I care. I care, Ciara. I care that you're making entirely the wrong man do this."

"Sloane.. his daddy has been dead longer than that little bub has been in the world.. his momma spent two winters alone up in the mountains before she got word back from us and for the warm to come again so she could travel with those kids.. She gave birth to him, she was by herself with no help.. there is a little miracle in your arms right now.. so don't you complain for having to hold that baby for two minutes while I fetch some milk!" She scolded softly, sure that none of the boys knew what there new arrival had gone through after Edward passed. She wasn't likely to complain or tell them either, but Ciara.. just came out and said what needed to be said.

By the time she'd finished jawwing at him, he had the baby resting awkwardly on his shoulder, trying to figure out where to put his hand to pat or support or whatever he was supposed to be doing. "Just go on and get your milk... before he decides that he wants to do something other than fuss."

"That's what the cloth is for." She tossed back, going out the back door.