The Texan's Tiny Dilemma. Judy Christenberry

jumped from her chair. “It’s not good for the babies or for you to get agitated.”

      Teresa sank back into her chair, assisted by Jim, and took deep breaths. “I’m sorry. I’ll be careful. My sisters will check in on me. That will be sufficient.”

      In a fatherly manner, the doctor said, “My dear, you should never turn down a friend. We all need any help we can get.”

      Jim watched Teresa’s jaw tighten, just as it had when he’d asked who was the father of her babies. “She’ll be careful, doctor. She loves children.”

      “Good.” He stood and held out his hand first to Teresa and then to Jim. “Let me know if you have any questions.”

      Teresa nodded and headed out of his office, not waiting for Jim. He sighed but caught up with her. “Teresa, are you mad at me?”

      “Yes, I am. You had no right to talk to my doctor. You’re poking your nose in where it doesn’t belong.”

      “We didn’t discuss anything except that I’m a twin. Unlike you, he didn’t feel I was being nosy.” About the time he finished that statement, he noticed she was carefully carrying a paper. “What’s that?”

      A warm flush covered her cheeks. “A copy of the sonogram. The nurse printed it out for me.”

      Jim hadn’t realized Teresa would have a picture. “May I see?”

      “You were there, Jim.”

      “I know, but…it all went by so fast.”

      They had reached his car and he held open the door for her. Then he circled the car to get behind the wheel. Without a word, Teresa handed over the sonogram picture.

      Jim noted that his hands were shaking as he took the picture of his sons. There they were. Two baby boys. “Dear God, Teresa, this is so wonderful. You might have preferred triplets, but…” His voice trailed off as he looked at the two small shapes.

      “No. I’ll have to struggle to manage with two boys. Three would do me in,” she said with a small smile.

      “And now, more than ever, I want to help you. After all, I’m a male twin. I can give you advice, help you deal with…anything.”

      She closed her eyes and laid her head against the headrest. “I don’t need any help, Jim. Please take me home.”

      He carefully put the picture back in her lap and started the car. “Are you going to show your sisters the picture?” he asked.

      “Probably, the next time I see them.”

      “But—”

      “Jim, these are my babies and my decision. They don’t have to know immediately. The babies and I aren’t going anywhere!”

      Jim pressed his lips together to stop himself from arguing with her. That was the last thing she needed. It would make her blood pressure go up.

      When they reached her house, she got out of the car before he could reach her door. As she started for her house, he said, “You unlock the door. I’m going to get something out of the trunk.”

      Teresa turned around to stare at him. “What? I don’t need anything.”

      “I’ll be right there.” He took a large flat box out of the car and started toward her.

      Teresa stared at the box, unable to figure out what it could be. Then she saw the writing on it. That couldn’t be a television.

      Jim hefted the box through the door while she held it open. Then she followed him into the living room.

      “Jim, what is that? What are you doing?”

      “I thought I’d loan you a television for your living room, so you can rest.”

      “I have a television in my bedroom. I can rest there. Besides, that’s too flat for a television.”

      “It’s a new—uh, relatively new plasma television. And it has that new picture. I’ll just hang it on the wall.” He put down the box and looked around. “May I take down this picture?”

      “Jim, I don’t need a television. And I like that painting.”

      “Sit down and take deep breaths, Teresa. Let me just show you how this will work.” He removed the picture and went about hanging the TV in its place. A while later he moved back and picked up the remote control. A blast of noise came out of the flat television, cheering as the camera panned the audience at a baseball game.

      “The game’s on already?” Teresa asked, immediately captured by the big screen and sharp clarity.

      “Yeah. It just started.”

      Teresa reluctantly turned from the television to look at Jim. “I really don’t need this television. I don’t want to take it away from you.”

      “The doctor said you should be pampered,” Jim reminded her. “I’m just following his directions. Mind if I stay and watch the game?”

      Chapter Three

      Jim was opening the door of his condo when his phone rang. Catching it on an umpteenth ring, he barked a hello.

      “Where have you been, Jim?” It was his mother. “I’ve tried to reach you all evening.”

      Actually, he’d had a pleasant afternoon and evening with Teresa, but he wasn’t about to tell his mother that. She’d read more into it than there was. After the game he’d ordered in some Chinese food, which they ate while they discussed safe topics like baseball strategy. Then on his way home he’d stopped at a coffee shop and drank coffee he hadn’t really wanted because he was afraid of spending time alone with his thoughts.

      But all he told his mother was “I was out, Mom. Is something wrong?”

      “Can’t a mother call her son without there being a reason?”

      Jim stifled a laugh. Yeah, like that ever happened. “Well, thanks for calling. How are you?”

      “I’ve decided I need to have the house repainted. Whom should I call?”

      At ten o’clock at night she wanted him to thumb through the Yellow Pages? He said, “I don’t think your house needs painting. Didn’t you just have it done last year?”

      “Yes, but I want to update it. Maybe I’ll just have the interior done. I could do one room in blue, one in pale yellow…oh, and I saw a red room on one of those home-improvement shows. It looked so chic!”

      “Okay, if that’s what you want, Mom. Maybe hire a decorator to advise you.”

      “A decorator? Why, that’s a wonderful idea. I could ask Teresa and Tommie. They did such a good job on Pete’s new house. I’ll invite them to lunch and ask their advice. Thank you, dear. I knew you’d know what to do. That’s why I rely on you so much, Jim.”

      Jim could practically see her beaming through the phone. “I love you, too, Mom.”

      When his mother hung up, he phoned Tommie himself. But for another reason altogether. It was late, but he didn’t want to waste one more minute putting into action the plan he’d come up with tonight.

      When Pete answered, Jim asked, “Is Tommie awake?”

      “Yeah, Jim…but what do you want her for?”

      “I’m not hitting on your wife, bro. I want her to find me a house. And I have to warn her about Mom.”

      “What about Mom?” Pete asked. “And what’s this about a home?”

      “I can’t tell you over the phone. Besides…Hell, I don’t know if I should tell you at all.”

      “Look, we’re still up. Why don’t you come over and Tommie will make