His Twin Baby Surprise. Patricia Forsythe

nice. Meeting ol’ Zach couldn’t have been the best day.” His expression said he expected them to dispute that, which they did with declarations of how much they would miss him.

      “We came along to make sure he arrived safely,” the other twin offered. “We would be heartbroken if anything happened to him.”

      All three women sighed and Zach shrugged one shoulder and ducked his head modestly as he removed his cowboy hat, revealing a shock of thick, black hair touched with gray. He held his hat over his heart as he said, “My guardian angels.”

      Who is this guy? Ben wondered, returning his attention to Zach, who was smiling at the three women with a fond expression. The guy was fifty if he was a day, possessed of a hawk-like nose that had been broken at least once and deep-set eyes that were so black and intense it was impossible to distinguish the pupil from the iris. He had a winning smile but was missing a bicuspid on the top right side. Maybe that added to his appeal to these women.

      Obviously looks weren’t everything, Ben decided. Zach had some admirers.

      “It’s wonderful that he’s got, um, friends like you ladies,” Ben said in response, though he knew none was expected. He could have disappeared into thin air and none of his guests would have noticed. He wondered fleetingly why the three of them hadn’t ridden together, but when he saw the snapping, side-eyed looks they were giving each other, he figured there had been danger of one of them pushing the other two out of the vehicle as they followed Zach to Reston.

      The Choctaw charmer turned a smile on the ladies. It was so full of sweetness and gratitude they all seemed to blush in unison. “You girls made my stay in Fayetteville a visit straight to heaven. I hope you come back and visit me again real soon.”

      “I will,” they said, once again passing a challenging glare between them.

      “I’ll hold you to that,” he said, beginning to walk his three admirers to their cars.

      “Now, Zachie, don’t forget to call me. You’ve got my number,” Denise said. “I put it in your phone myself. It’s listed under my name and also under Sexy Lady.”

      Ginger and Cinnamon snorted in disdain, but Zach said, “I sure do have your number, honey. And you other two beautiful women, too.”

      Gallantly, he opened the driver’s doors for each of them in turn, gave them a kiss on the cheek and then watched, his face full of regret, as they made the big turn in Ben’s driveway and started out for Fayetteville. Zach gave them a sad wave as they each pulled out, their arms stuck out the windows, hands flapping in goodbye as they went.

      Ben had to admit it. The old guy had some moves. When the last car in line pulled out of sight, Zach turned to Ben, rubbed his hands together and said, “I’d like to go down and take a look at the horses as soon as I get my trailer hooked up to power and water. I’ve got a hot date tonight.”

      He hurried to his Airstream as Ben gaped after him. Things just got a lot more interesting at Riverbend Ranch.

      * * *

      “YOUR MOTHER? YOU mean Maureen, right?” Carly asked, a slice of pizza suspended in front of her mouth. Slowly she returned it to the plate and sat staring at Lisa. Gemma appeared to be equally astounded.

      In spite of husbands and family responsibilities, Gemma, Carly and Lisa had vowed to continue their Girls Night In at least once a month. Fortunately this one had fallen on the night after Maureen’s arrival, so Lisa had an excuse for delaying her return home. They had gathered around Carly’s dining room table to enjoy their feast of pizza, salad and soft drinks. Carly’s husband and son had gone to play cards with Nathan.

      “That’s right. Showed up yesterday, out of the blue, asked to stay.” Lisa told her friends everything that had happened, including her talk with Ben.