Colton's Spring

Chapter 6

Dinner was a jovial affair as Kennedy's step-children Morgan and Benji were always entertaining. Spring had never asked why they had come to the ranch in search of help as it had been none of her business. All she knew was the kids were now healthy and happy, Ted and Kennedy were married, and now there was a baby on the way. Spring was wondering if the kids were aware of the upcoming addition to their family when Benji turned to her at dinner.

"Did Kennedy tell you about the baby?"

Spring chanced a glance at her sister who simply nodded. "Yes, she did." She hesitated. "Are you excited?"

"Yeah," Benji said, "because I won't be the youngest anymore."

Morgan rolled her eyes. "But that's not the real reason. Neither of us has ever been around a baby before and we're excited about that."

"I'm sure you'll make great older siblings," Chantale offered.

"You'll have lots of practice with Zephyra's baby," Kennedy said. "Now that you're old enough to babysit."

"Both of us," Benji asked, hope in his eyes.

"Of course," Ted said. "I suspect once Rafe and Zephyra get over the feeling of being a new parent they'll bring the baby over from time to time and they'll probably want some alone time with the adults."

"Cool," Benji said and Spring wondered what the legal age of babysitting was. She herself had never babysat since there had always been an older sibling in the house. She wondered if she would know how to cope with an infant. How hard could it possibly be?

"I was too close in age to babysit Torah," Kennedy offered, "but starting from when I was thirteen, I would watch Zephyra, Sunshine, Rainbow and, eventually Spring." She paused. "It was Rainbow who watched Autumn and Summer."

"The twins," Benji confided in Chantale. "Which is pretty cool – to have aunts who are twins."

"I can imagine," Chantale said. "For me, it was just my older sister and myself. She never babysat me because we had nannies and then housekeepers."

Morgan and Benji exchanged an odd and unreadable look. When Spring looked up at Kennedy, her sister gave a quick shake of the head, so she moved on. "How are you two adapting to school? Is the curriculum in a Canadian high school that much different that the American schools?"

Nodding, Morgan smiled. "I have a class in geography and the history is Canadian, but that's cool because our grandmother is Canadian. We're going up to meet her after Sunshine and Hawk's wedding."

The kids had never met their grandmother? Again, Kennedy gave Spring a quick shake of the head. Apparently, there were lots of landmines.

"You two will be at Sunshine and Hawk's wedding?"

The two teenagers nodded.

"It will be the first wedding we've ever gone to," Benji confided. "Aside from Dad and Kennedy's."

"And they'll be on their best behaviour," Ted assured Spring.

"Of that I have no doubt," Spring said, a smile playing on her lips. "You're good kids. We're lucky to have you as part of our family."

Both children preened under the praise.

As they neared the end of the meal, Morgan turned to Kennedy. "May I be excused? I have some math homework."

"Of course," Kennedy said. "Just put your plate in the dishwasher first."