In the Family Way

"Uncle Dane," Robert spoke up suddenly, polishing his plate with his slice of bread-and-butter, "what does 'fill the nursery' mean?"

Silence reigned for a long moment. Irresistibly, Dane and Margaret's eyes were drawn to each other, and they exchanged a smile across the table. Dane saw Shem's brows rise as he looked from one to the other.

"Ahem," said Dane. "It means, er, to be 'in the family way'."

Robert looked blank.

"Have a baby," whispered Aaron helpfully.

"Oh!" said Robert.

"But we haven't got a nursery," Molly observed, round-eyed.

Fanny turned to her with a big-sisterly air. "We don't need one," she informed her. "We haven't got a baby."

The Westovers are back! For Dane and Margaret's lively household of brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces, the summer of 1891 is a busy one. With Dane now sheriff of two communities, his days are already full; but he and his deputies - his brothers Shem and David - are stretched even thinner by challenges at home, needy townsfolk, and a string of mysterious railroad robberies. Soon every member of the house on Harmony Street must join in to help - in the family way.