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Jack shot his youngest daughter a questioning look Then he looked back at Tess "What is it?"

Tess was the picture of innocence "A surprise"

"Really?"

Savannah struggled with a smile of her own "You'll be real surprised, Daddy"

Jack set down his ax "All right, then See you soon"

Tess let her grin loose "Great 'Bye"

" 'Bye, Daddy," the girls said together

Jack frowned at them " 'Bye" The word came out in a slow, confused drawl, as if he suddenly suspected so on

It is, Jack, Tess thought Welcome to fatherhood

"Coo" With a quick wave, Tess and the children took off through the hilly pasture at a run

Jack watched therass and crawl under the fence at the far end of the field The carefree sound of their giggling peppered the cool spring air

Curling his thu red suspenders,

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he strode purposefully to the house His bootheels drove deeply into the dirt road, crunching over pebbles with each step He passed the shady oak tree and climbed the porch

steps He hadn't even opened the back door when he heard