Inherited: Instant Family by Judy Christenberry Page A

home with the babies.”
    “She’s going to bring them home?” Davy asked. “Why?”
    Sarah laughed as she tousled his hair. It was just the levity she needed after the drama of the day.
    Two days later, Abby and the babies came home, brought to the ranch by Nick in his truck.
    Sarah had cleaned constantly after she’d come back home that first night. She wanted everything to be fresh for Abby. She’d even added a sprinkling of perfume to the fresh bed linens.
    She dressed up the kids and told them tobehave and not to touch the babies unless Abby said they could.
    “But I thought they would play ball with me!” Robbie said.
    “Not until they’re older, Robbie.”
    “But—”
    “Robbie, just remember the rule. Ask your mother about touching the babies. They aren’t tough like you and Davy. They have to grow first.”
    “Can they talk?” Davy asked.
    “Not yet, Davy.”
    “When you were born, Davy, you couldn’t talk for a long time,” Anna said.
    “That’s right. They’ll soon be able to talk, but not this year.”
    Robbie crossed his arms. “I don’t think I want those babies. They can’t do anything!”
    Brad came in in time to hear Robbie’s remark.
    “Sorry, pal, but you can’t give them away. Your mom and dad love them as much as they love you.”
    “But, Uncle Brad, Sarah said they can’tplay ball or talk or anything. And we have to ask Mommy’s permission to touch them!”
    “That sounds about right,” Brad said with a smile.
    “Then what’s the point of having them?”
    “Do you remember when you picked your dog out? Baby? She couldn’t do much then, could she? But you loved her anyway. That’s how it is with real babies. You have to take care of them until they can take care of themselves.”
    “Okay, but I don’t like it.”
    Sarah spoke up. “Just don’t tell your mother yet. It would hurt her feelings, and you don’t want to do that. And that goes for you, too, Davy. We only say good things about the babies. Nothing bad.”
    “Okay, Sarah,” Davy said grudgingly.
    “They’re here!” Brad called. He went out to help Nick with the suitcase and everything they’d brought home with them.
    As Sarah stood by the door, she felt the cold wind blowing and thought of the fragile newborns. But Abby would have wrappedup her babies, she told herself. Then she remembered Abby had left without her own coat as they rushed to the hospital. She ran back to Abby’s closet and picked up her coat and hurried out to Brad.
    “What are you doing out here?” Brad asked.
    “Here’s Abby’s coat for her.”
    He looked at her. “And where’s yours?”
    “I’m fine.” She hurried back inside.
    Nick carried Abby in and Brad toted in the babies. After everyone oohed and aahed over the infants, Abby asked for a cup of coffee. “I’ve been dying for coffee for nine months,” she moaned.
    “Can you, though?” Sarah asked.
    “Absolutely. The doctor recommended I not breast-feed the babies because I have to take antibiotics for two weeks. Besides, as he said, how can you feed two at one time?”
    “In that case, then, I’ll pour you a cup of coffee right away.”
    Brad and Nick were each holding a baby, but while Nick’s boy was sleeping, Brad’s girl was fussing.
    “That’s Sarah Beth,” Abby said. “She always wants food before Michael George.”
    Sarah stared at Abby. “You named her—”
    “After you, of course.” Abby smiled at her. “I wanted my little girl to know who had helped her come into this world.”
    “Oh, Abby, that’s so sweet.”
    “So do you have a bottle for this young lady?” Brad asked.
    “Yes, they’re in the diaper bag, already fixed. Would you get them, Sarah?”
    “Of course.” She dug in the diaper bag until she found two bottles. “Does it matter which bottle she gets?”
    “No. Would you mind feeding her?” Abby asked.
    “Could I? Thank you, Abby,” Sarah said, beaming as she moved to take the tiny little baby wrapped in