Marti: Seven Sisters, #7

By Kirsten Osbourne

Marti McClain is frustrated. After graduation from a good college with a perfect grade point average, she was sure she would find a job anywhere. After four months, she's still jobless. When a vision tells her she needs to be in Idaho helping her sister, she packs her things and leaves immediately, knowing it won't be forever. She'll be back in Texas soon.
As soon as Josh Muir sees Marti in his brother's house, he knows she is the woman he's meant to spend his life with. He immediately sets about convincing her that he's the man for her. When something changes her mind about him completely, he doesn't know what's happening, and she won't open up to him about it.

 

Will he be able to get past her fears? Or will they go their separate ways?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Unlimited Dreams
• Release date: Dec 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201286897

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Chapter One

Marti McClain got out of her car and slammed the door, more than a little annoyed. Another long day of job hunting, and there was nothing. The economy was bad, but surely someone needed a bright young managerial type to work for them. She wished her power would work for telling her what she was supposed to do now. Four years of college and graduating with a four-point zero GPA should be enough to get a job.

She walked into the house where she’d grown up and kicked off her gray heels that went with her gray power suit—the suit that was supposed to land her a job in whatever company she wanted to work for. Stupid suit. Stupid shoes. Stupid degree that was getting her nowhere.

She walked to the back of the house, to the family room where she’d spent so many fun nights playing games with her sisters and parents. What was she supposed to do now?

As soon as the question popped into her mind, a flash of her oldest sister was there. Their mother was with her, and she was surrounded by babies. Four baby girls, and one of them seemed to be looking into her eyes through her vision.

Marti blinked as she had her answer. She needed to fly to Idaho and help her sister out. It wasn’t a long-term solution, but Heather needed her. Maybe that’s why she hadn’t been able to find a job. Because fate knew she was needed elsewhere.

She hurried to her father’s office. I need to go to Idaho and help Heather with the babies. Would you make sure my car is ready for the drive?

Bob McClain looked at his youngest daughter for a moment before shrugging. Yeah, sure. Send your mom home, would you? She’s been there forever!

Two weeks isn’t forever. Heather’s needed help with the quads. You know that. Marti shrugged. I’m going to pack!

I guess the job hunt didn’t go well today!

Marti didn’t bother to answer as she rushed to her childhood bedroom and started packing her things. She was an expert at packing after four years of college, so she would be ready to go in a jiff.

Two hours later, she went into the kitchen and found her father leaning against the counter. I miss your mother’s cooking, he lamented.

I’m sure you do. How’s my car?

Oh, it’s fine for your drive. Do you have a map?

I do. I have a US Road Atlas from that drive I took to Branson a couple of years back. Remember?

No, but that’s okay. I have seven daughters.

Marti shook her head. Help me carry my suitcases out, would you?

Bob nodded. Sure. Nothing better to do until I go find myself some supper.

You could take this opportunity to learn to cook, Dad . . .

As soon as the words were out of her mouth, they both laughed. That was a good one, Marti!

Minutes later, she was on the road. She swung by Taco Hut before leaving town, though, because Heather had talked about the lack of good tacos in Idaho. She’d get one last fix before she ran away.

As she drove through Bagley, she could still see a lot of the damage the flood had done the month before, but it looked so much better than it could have. She was so glad her sister Candice had worked so hard to save the town from devastation.

THREE DAYS AND MANY stops later, Marti pulled into her sister’s driveway in Muir, Idaho. The place was even more rural than Bagley, which surprised Marti to no end. She looked around her at the ranch her brother-in-law ran for a moment before getting out of the car. She was surprised there wasn’t snow everywhere already, but apparently winter was starting late. She’d thought there would be snow by October in Idaho.

She got out of the car and pulled one of her suitcases from the trunk, carrying it to the door. Knocking loudly, she waited for someone to come to the door. She had never been to Idaho before, so it was all a new experience for her.

Her mother came to the door, looking a bit harried, which was very unusual for Barbara McClain. She had raised seven girls and had never seemed to be out of sorts in any way. Now she looked positively frazzled. Hi, Mom!

Come in. I’m not going to stand here holding the door when I have babies crying in the other room. With that, Barbara hurried away, leaving Marti to bring her own things in and figure out where the other room was.

She stood in the kitchen for a moment, which was where the door she had gone to opened into. It was a beautiful, modern kitchen, and she was sure Heather adored it. From there, she stepped into a large dining room, and she was able to hear the cries. Then it was easy. She simply followed the sound of crying babies into the living room, where her sister sat nursing a baby, while her mother paced back and forth with two more.

Heather looked at Marti. Reinforcements! Wash your hands and take a baby from Mom.

Marti dropped her suitcase and hurried into the kitchen to obey her sister. She’d never been the most obedient of sisters, but for some reason, she knew this time she had to listen. And listen good.

Back in the living room, she took one of the babies from her mother and started pacing with her. Which one do I have? she asked.

Heather looked up, a bewildered look on her face. I don’t even know which one I have. Just pace, and we’ll figure it out later.

Marti bit back a giggle. She knew now why she was there. Her sister really did need the help. She paced back and forth, surprised when an older woman she recognized as Michael’s mother walked into the room with the fourth baby. I can’t figure out if it’s better they’re all on the same schedule or if I wish they were on different ones. This way we all get breaks, but the time when they’re all awake is exhausting! She looked over, as if noticing Marti for the first time. You’re one of Heather’s sisters. Glad you’re here.

Marti nodded, used to being just one of the sisters of any of her siblings. I’m Marti.

I remember you vaguely from the wedding. With those words, Mrs. Muir went back to bouncing the baby in her arms. Melanie had a dirty diaper.

Heather looked at Marti, shaking her head. You’re not holding Melanie, so it must be one of the others. For some reason, Michael’s mother is the only one who can tell the babies apart. I think she must be part witch.

Marti bit back a giggle. With the powers she and her sisters had, some people might consider them witches, and here her sister was calling her mother-in-law a witch. Of all people! She must have lost her mind.

Forty-five minutes later, all four babies were sound asleep, and the four women were left sitting in the living room, exhausted. Is it always so tiring? Marti asked.

Heather nodded, hiding a yawn behind her hand. Yes! Four babies at once is no sane person’s idea of fun.

"And you don’t even have the excuse of resting for five anymore .