LENA*

"Yes, Bob, I understand. She won't be home for another hour or so, but go ahead and bring them down to the ranch anyway. Callie and I are here and can get them settled." I stand on my front porch, rubbing my temple with my fingers. I can feel a headache coming on as this phone call and news is earlier than expected.

Bob Terrell, a probation officer, has been talking to both Stef and I about the rehabilitation program currently being offered for juvenile delinquents, and it's been a very long process along with taking some classes and becoming certified just to get a few licenses and have everything settled. The fact that he's calling with this news about a month earlier than expected makes me nervous, for I am very much a planner. Beds still haven't been ordered, yet the fact that the first set of teens is a set of twins, a boy and a girl, kind of makes me even more anxious.

Both Stef and I have talked extensively about expanding our family, and after many late night talks along with talks with Callie, we decided that this was what we wanted to do right now. Callie was excited about it, and even though she was fully aware that we'd be taking in troubled teenagers, she still remained optimistic stating that she understood that there were teens out there who weren't as fortunate as she had been.

FLASHBACK*

"We want you to be fully aware as well as prepared that this may not be easy at times, and if you really don't want us to do this, we won't." Stef held out her hand as Callie placed hers softly in her mother's.

"I do. I want this! I know that I screwed up in the past, but I also know that you are really good with the horses, and you, Mama?" She looks over at me, and I smile. Over the past year or so, we had formed a special bond even though before Stef and I even married, she hated my guts telling me to get lost as I had broken her mother's heart. I am thankful every day that she not only forgave me, but she made being her mother even more special as Russ had signed over his rights so I could adopt her, thus giving her the last name, Adams Foster.

"I what?" I raise my eyebrow as she takes my hand as well, sitting between me and Stef.

"You are really good at talking to me, and I know that you have a heart for helping others."

"Awwww," I blush slightly, "That was nice of you to say, Cals. But it will be more than that. I want you to fully understand that we may have days where these kids act out, and they may say things you won't like. So, you can be honest, baby."

She nods. " It's ok. There's enough to go around." She squeezes both of our hands as Stef laughs softly.

"Enough to go around? Meaning?"

"Love, Mom. There's enough love to go around, and I'm ready. We can do this!"

"We will only be fostering for now, ok? And we are unsure how long these kids will be able to stay with us. It will all depend on their situation, and their parent's situation." I lean in and kiss her cheek softly as she beams.

"Well, I'd love to share a room if we get a girl...I mean, if that's allowed..." She looks between me and her mother, and Stef nods.

"Yes, let's take one step at a time. We should find out a week or so before they come here, but we've also been told it could happen within hours as these things sometimes spring on even them, and they aren't prepared." Stef looks around Callie's head and winks as we both move in to sandwich her in a big hug. "We love you so much, Callie, and no one will ever take your place in our hearts. I think I can speak for Mama as well."

"I love you, too, Moms...more than anything."

FLASHBACK ENDS*

And here I stand, taking the very call we knew we could potentially receive at the drop of a hat. "Ok, yes, I understand...mhmm...well, no, I, well, we'll figure something out," I laugh awkwardly as Callie walks out of the house, stopping when she sees my troubled face. "And their names again?"

I sigh as I hang up, shoving my phone in my back jeans' pocket, "Hey, Cals...sooooo, that was Bob!"

She looks at me puzzled, "I thought we had a month, but I overheard you saying to bring them down right now?'"

I smile nervously, "Yes, ummmm, apparently the judge misunderstood and appointed twins, a brother and sister." I nod as I draw my lips in a thin line, quickly pulling my wild hair on top of my head as I turn to head back inside.

Callie follows close behind, "Twins? Seriously? That's just calling for double trouble! Are you sure you shouldn't call Mom and ask her about this?"

Opening the fridge, I quickly scan it as I take inventory. "We'll be fine, Callie." We talked about this, remember?" I turn to look at her as she stands in front of me with her hands in her pockets, looking unsure as she anxiously steps from foot to foot.

"Ya, if you say so..." She dead pans as she sighs, "So, what are their names?"

"Jesus and Mariana, and they're actually from Cheyenne, and have been in juvie for a little over 6 months. Judge Matthews assigned them here for now." I quickly hurry to grab a pen and paper, scribbling down a grocery list. "Uhhhh, can you do me a HUGE favor?"

"Sure, why not," Callie replies sarcastically, and I look up.

"Please, try to understand...Callie, you were on board when we first sat you down to tell you about this..."

"Ya, I know...it's just, I have a really big event coming up in two weeks, and we weren't supposed to get anyone for another month." She sighs, "I'm sorry, Mama. I guess I'm really nervous, but I'm still on board. What do you need?"

I dig in my purse and hand her my car keys, "Head into town and pick this up for me? I need to make up the guest room, and see what else needs done. Your mom will be home in a few hours, probably around the time they arrive."

She nods and kisses my cheek. "I'll be fast."

"Drive safely, young lady! Fast doesn't sound so safe!"

She puts her hand up as she reaches the door, so much like her mother, "I know! I know! Be back in a few!"

I sigh as she leaves, and I quickly sit down by the kitchen table. Being the organized planner that I am, my need to make a list and start on it, is strong right now. A couple of hours doesn't quite seem like enough time. Not only that, I'm praying with everything in me that Stef shows her face before they arrive. If I'm completely honest, I'm just as nervous, if not more so, as Callie. I just hide it well.

STEF*

As I pull my truck into the driveway, I'm a bit surprised to see Bob's SUV there as well. I was completely exhausted as well as starving; so, it takes me by complete surprise as I walk into our kitchen only to see not only Bob, but also a girl and a boy, no more than 15 or 16 sitting next to him with Callie and Lena sitting across the table from them.

"Oh, hello, everyone!" I paste a smile on my face as I remove my cowboy hat and walk over to the sink to wash my hands.

"Babe! You're home!" I hear Lena say as she stands. Everyone else stands as well...well, everyone that is, except for the girl and boy who are sitting in their seats, a sullen look on each of their faces.

I peck the side of her mouth before looking at Bob, "Who do we have here?" I stand close to Lena as I run my hand up and down her back.

Bob smiles as he points to each kid, "This here is Jesus Gutierrez and this is his twin sister, Mariana Gutierrez. They're just about identical twins as I'm sure you've noticed by now."

I smile as I walk up to the teens and hold out my hand, "Hello, Jesus and Mariana! My name is Stefanie Foster, but you can call me Stef."

Jesus stands and smiles as he shakes my hand, but Mariana just stares at me, not blinking an eye or moving. I watch her carefully as I step back. I can't tell, but it seems as if I'm going to have some trouble with this girl as she stares me down rather hard, her dark eyes boring a hole into me. I stare right back at her at first, not willing to back down, but Lena must notice as I feel her hand on my back trying to calm me down. So, I sit back down next to her.

"So, as I was telling Lena, they'll be staying with you until they complete the equine program. They know that they can't goof up or they'll be sent to the maximum juvenile center in Cheyenne. So, it's really up to you on the rules you set for them, and how you'll reward both their good and bad behavior. Before I go, can I talk to you and Lena on the porch?" Bob waves at the twins as I nod, and we make our way outside.

I grab Lena's hand and link our fingers as Bob places his pen on his clipboard. "So, I didn't want to tell you some of this in front of the twins, but both of their parents are drug addicts. And they've been in and out of foster homes now for going on eight years. The reason they were both in juvie was because they ran away from their last foster home. They are a flight risk, but the judge felt that going through your equine program would help them immensely. They know what will happen if they do try to run from here."

I soak this all in as he explains some of their history knowing that both Lena and I have our work cut out for us. "So, you think they'll try to run?" I make a face hoping that I won't have a repeat of what Callie did to us a couple of years ago.

"Well, I think they learned their lesson. Jesus does have ADD; so, he is on medication for that. As for Mariana? You may have a hard time getting her to talk. Jesus usually does the majority of the talking for her as she seems to be completely closed off."

"What about school?" Lena asks the obvious.

"Right, I was going to leave that up to you two to make that decision. They can either attend the school with Callie or you can choose to homeschool them with the school's help."

I think for a moment as we follow Bob out to his SUV. We surely have a great deal to think about, and considering we are faced with making decisions and fast, I realize that we'll need to learn to think on our feet. Not that I'm not already used to that, but I'm almost sure that working with these kids will be trying. "Hey, Bob?"

He turns to look at me as he unlocks his car door. "Don't second guess yourself, Stef. I have faith in you, and from what I've learned, you have a strong hand anyway, and any person who can tame a wild horse is sure to be able to figure out a wild child."

"I'm not second-guessing anything, Bob," I look at Lena. "We just...I just need to know where their parents are currently. Do you know anything?"

He sighs, "Their mother, from what I found last, is out in Los Angeles most likely still into drugs, and I did find out just last night that their father is back in prison on an armed robbery charge. Don't worry. We'll keep you in the loop when it comes to them."

I feel Lena squeeze my hand as he drives off, and as we walk back, she says softly, "It'll be okay, my love." My eyes meet hers so thankful we are in this together.