“Aunt Carol. Aunt Carol.” Toby held his hands out for her.
She lifted him into her arms.
Heath tugged on her skirt. “Me, too.”
Grant shook his head.
“One at a time, Heath.”
“I’m quite capable of lifting up both my sweet boys.” Aunt Carol kissed Toby on the forehead and bent down and lifted Heath up. Together the boys weighed over sixty pounds.
Greg smiled, never failing to be impressed by his wonderful aunt.
“I won’t be able to do this much longer the way you two are growing,” she said. “Now, let’s get inside. Be quiet, though. The girls and I stayed up all night talking. They are still asleep.”
He wondered what Maude had talked about with Aunt Carol and Mary. Had they discussed their date? Grant and I definitely need advice.
Uncle Jack took Nate, who lit up whenever he was in his arms. “You’re looking good, little cowboy.”
Uncle Tom carried Seth, following the rest of them into the kitchen.
They got the boys set up in their high chairs and booster seats.
“I’ve got this covered, boys,” Aunt Carol said. “After getting your call this morning, I filled up the coffee urn in the barn for your talk with your uncles.”
“Do you ever sleep?” Grant asked.
“Only when I need to,” she said with a grin. Aunt Carol taught biology at the high school. She was one of the favorite teachers there. He and Grant had loved taking her class, though she hadn’t been easy on them. She actually expected more from them, since they were her nephews. “I’m chaperoning the church dance tonight with your uncles, so I’m going to take a nap today.”
Uncle Will held up a basket. “My darling also made us some muffins to go with our coffee.”
“Those are for Grant and Greg, honey. You three have already had a big breakfast.”
Uncle Will put his arm around her. “I can’t resist your blueberry muffins.”
“None of us can,” Uncle Tom chimed in, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
Uncle Jack grabbed her hand. “We won’t be long. We’ll be back to help you with these boys.”
“Take as long as Grant and Greg need. Now, scoot. All of you.”
He and Grant followed their uncles out to the barn.
“We’ll be more comfortable in the ranch office,” Uncle Jack said.
The office was connected directly to the barn. The plush room had three desks, one for each of his uncles, and a big conference table in the center where a lot of business had been transacted. The wood-paneled walls warmed up the space nicely, and it was decorated by a famous artist who painted Western landscapes.
The Wilde Ranch was the biggest in the county. The Strong Ranch was the second. How his three uncles had been able to run the ranch before Dan, Dillon, and Craig got old enough to help was still a mystery to him. But somehow they had succeeded. He had always admired his three uncles.
After everyone got their coffee and one of Aunt Carol’s blueberry muffins, Uncle Tom said, “Although we love seeing you and those wonderful boys, we all know there is more to this visit. So tell us what’s on your mind.”
“We’re in love with the same woman,” he told their uncles. “And Grant and I don’t know what to do.”
Uncle Jack grinned. “You mean you haven’t heard about the birds and the bees yet, boys? I’m no expert, but since you’ve had four babies of your own, I would think you would know a little at least.”
They all laughed.
“Seriously, Uncle Jack,” Grant said. “We’ve both fallen in love with Maude. How do you…uh…take turns…or…you know what I mean.”