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They’re going to make great fathers,” Anna said then
    covered her mouth to try and hide the tears.
    Stacy reached over and touched her hand.
    “They are going to be great fathers. They will be thrilled.”
    “I’m so happy for you, Stacy. I think you should do something
    really romantic with them. Maybe I can stay at the hotel in town
    tonight.”
    “Don’t be silly. I wouldn’t make you leave the house.”
    “Well, I just thought you might feel a little uncomfortable with me
    in the house while you have a romantic evening at home with the
    men.”
    “Your presence hasn’t stopped us from having romantic evenings
    yet,” Stacy added sarcastically.
    Anna giggled and blushed before she cleared her throat.
    “Don’t you sass me, girl. I so don’t need to be picturing such
    activity going on while I’m alone and sleeping on the other side of the
    house.”
    “Well, I’m sure if you want to leave the house for the night, you
    could just mention sleeping over at Wyatt, Ben, and Charlie’s place.
    They would love to have you.”

    For the Love of Anna

    87
    Anna froze in a stunned stare at Stacy.
    Stacy laughed as she pulled into the driveway at the Triple C
    ranch.
    As they parked the truck, the men seemed to come out from
    everywhere.
    Eric came out from the stables, along with Ben, and Charlie came
    around from the other side of the horse training stables. It was as if
    they waited to hear the sound of the truck arriving.
    Anna turned toward Stacy. “You can have the house tonight to tell
    Eric and Max the good news. I think I’ll try that little hotel in town. It
    looked really nice. I’d love to get the whole town of Pearl experience,
    really.” Anna rambled on and on, and Stacy continued to laugh at her.
    “I give you all of about two seconds after telling your men that
    you’re going to a hotel before one of them is tossing you over his
    shoulder and bringing you to their place to stay. So don’t be silly.”
    “My men? Who would that be?”
    “You know damn straight who I’m talking about. Two of them are
    headed this way, and one had his mouth all over you on Main Street
    just about twenty minutes ago.”
    With that, Stacy opened her door and stepped out and into Eric’s
    arms.
    “Hey, honey. How did it go? Does Francine’s have a new cook?”
    Eric asked as he led Stacy around to the front of the truck where Ben
    and Charlie stood with Anna. They had helped her out of the truck
    and both had a hand on her shoulder.
    “Come on, honey, tell us the news,” Charlie asked.
    “I am the new cook at Francine’s starting tomorrow.”
    They each cheered and gave her a hug, then Charlie pulled her to
    him and checked her forehead for fever.
    “Tomorrow seems kind of soon. Are you sure you’re up to it?” he
    asked, sounding concerned but also controlling. Anna didn’t like the
    feeling she got, but she forced a smile.

    88
    Dixie Lynn Dwyer
    “I’ll be fine. Plus, I need to make some money. I don’t have much
    left.”
    Anna felt another hand lay across her back as Ben whispered next
    to her ear. “We’ll take care of you, honey. Any money you need, you
    just come to us.”
    Anna swallowed hard. This was getting to be a bit much. She felt
    smothered at the moment, like everyone was in control of her life
    except for her.
    She took a step away from them and placed some distance
    between her and Ben and Charlie.
    “Listen,” she stated, louder than she meant, causing everyone to
    look at her, including Eric and Stacy.
    She took a deep breath and began more calmly.
    “Listen, please…I appreciate your kindness. I truly do, but there’s
    no need to patronize me. I’m a grown woman, I’ve been down and out
    and then some, so believe me when I tell you that I can handle things.
    I will not accept money from you. Any of you. I am taking that job
    and starting tomorrow, so things will get better.” Charlie began to
    object, and Ben looked ready to yell. She stopped them with a raise