Chapter 21

Sam went with Jake on roundup again this year. Nate didn't go because Vanis was so close to her due date.

Brynna had given birth to a little girl a week before roundup began. Dad was torn whether or not to stay home or go on roundup. Gram convinced him that Brynna could take care of herself and that Maxine was at the next ranch if Brynna needed her.

Debi went to her first roundup and Quinn was being overprotective. He was worried about her falling off a horse, getting hurt or a hundred different things.

Sam enjoyed having Debi there. The two women liked each other and Debi rode drag with Sam during the day.

It was during roundup that Debi started feeling ill in the mornings. Gram gave her a look the first time as Debi threw up behind one of the tents.

"Could you be pregnant, dear?" she asked.

Sam could tell that the idea never crossed Debi's mind. Then in the next instant, her face was radiant as she realized the truth.

"Oh my gosh," Debi's eyes were huge in her face. "I'm pregnant."

"Congratulations, Debi," Sam gave her a hug.

"Quinn's gonna be a daddy," Sam started to giggle.

"Lord help us all," Gram murmured before turning away.

Debi and Sam burst out laughing.

"Hey maybe you'll have twins," Sam grinned.

Debi groaned and threw up again.

Sam was repentant. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that."

"I didn't realize I was pregnant," Debi said. "Twins never occurred to me. Of course, it could be twins since Quinn is a twin. Oh my gosh, I could have twins."

Debi put her hands on her belly and Sam saw the radiant smile again.

"I need to find Quinn," Debi said suddenly. Sam watched as Debi ran towards camp. Sam followed at a distance.

"She's not going to ride is she?" Gram asked when Sam reached the camp.

"I'll make sure she realizes if she doesn't," Sam promised.

"She can ride with me," Gram said, and Sam nodded. She spied Jake saddling Witch and went to her tent to get her tack before joining him.

"What's going on?" Jake flicked his eyes to her.

"Debi might be pregnant," Sam told him with a smile.

Jake's hands stilled and he looked at her.

"Lord help us," Jake said and Sam swatted him with a laugh. Jake grinned crookedly at her.

"You're so mean," Sam told him as she started saddling Toby. "You're going to be an uncle."

"I'll be an uncle in a week or so," Jake reminded him.

"Debi could be carrying twins," Sam pointed out. She could tell Jake hadn't thought of that either.

"So could you," Jake responded.

"Not now though," Sam raised her eyebrows.

"Not now," Jake murmured. "Would you mind twins?"

"As long as they don't end up like Quinn," Sam teased and Jake's mouth twitched.

Debi rode with Gram the rest of the time on roundup. Quinn, everyone could tell, was thrilled with the idea that Debi could be pregnant.

"Lord knows we tried enough," Quinn announced to anyone to would listen.

The rest of them snorted.

"I guess statue boy had something in the tank, huh?" Sam teased.

"I tried telling you I didn't need to pad my hammock, Sammy," Quinn grinned at her.

Jake rolled his eyes.

"I may be sick," he grumbled under his breath.

"Hey, Jakey's pregnant too," Bryan shouted.