One Bright Morning (54 page)

“
No. Back there. About a
family.”

Maggie smiled a bit wickedly. “Oh,” she said
with a soft, sly little chuckle, “didn’t I mention that?”

“
Mention what?” Jubal was
glaring at her now.

“
Mention that Annie is going
to be having a little brother or sister in about eight
months?”

Jubal could only stare at her for several
seconds. Then he whispered, “Oh, my God,” dropped the reins, and
grabbed his wife.

Dan rode up at a dead run, scared to death
when he realized the mules were wandering. When he saw Jubal and
Maggie in a fierce embrace, he seemed torn between anger and
amusement.

“
What the hell’s going on
with you two?” he hollered.

Jubal reluctantly let go of his wife and
turned a face toward his oldest friend that held an expression Dan
had never seen there before.

“
What’s going on?” he asked
again. He sounded confused. “What’s wrong?”

“
Not a thing,” said Maggie
primly.

“
Not a goddamned thing,
Danny,” Jubal confirmed. “Everything’s just perfect.”