Page 38 of The Prodigal Brother Returns

“They sure are, kid,” Nathan agreed, a rare smile etching across his face.

When he awkwardly patted Timmy’s arm, it surprised Blake at how quickly his brother’s defenses dropped.

Timmy didn’t pull away, which was his usual way of dealing with anyone but Blake who got into his personal space. “Do you want to come see them?”

“Maybe tomorrow.” Nathan resumed his slow trek back to the house, with Malorie following. She cast a quick look in Blake’s direction.

Timmy’s shoulders slumped. “He didn’t want to pet the horses.” Timmy rarely took to anyone so quickly. His best friend, Franklin, in Sedona, and now his cranky uncle, and the twins, but not many others.

“That’s okay, kiddo. Uncle Nathan probably isn’t feeling well today.”

That was a good enough reason for Timmy because he went back to Andee and Reece, his sadness at Nathan’s dismissal forgotten. All three peered over the stall doors at the new mares like they were looking into the window of the candy shop in Strawberry Ridge.

As the horse trailer disappeared down the long drive, Blake put the packets aside and joined the kids. Nathan’s cold shoulder only made him more hell-bent than ever to break his old ways and win over his injured brother. Fixing the truck was his primary plan, but bringing the ranch back to life would be an equally good peace offering.

The addition of Rosie and Grace, giving the Triple L Duke and four mares, was just the beginning. Bella was already expecting, according to the vet Jonas had hired to come and check on the stallion and his two-mare herd. Five horses were enough to start trail riding classes with Malorie and the kids as his first students.

“So what do you think, guys?” he asked, keeping an eye out for Malorie in case she came back.

Andee sighed. “They’re beautiful. When can we ride them?”

“Not yet. But soon. We want Rosie and Grace to get comfortable in their new home, and I’d like to be sure the three of you are not skittish around the horses. We can do a lot of that work in the arena.” He was probably being too cautious, but as a parent, that was his job. “Maybe next week.”

“Sweet!” Reece scratched Rosie’s face.

“I said ‘maybe.’ I have to check with your mom first,” Blake warned, then cheated. “Do you think she’d like to ride Rosie?”

Andee grinned at him, her eyes sparkling. “I think she would.”

Uh-huh. Using the kids as an excuse to spend more time with the lady wasn’t his best move, but—

Before he could rescind his question, Timmy pulled on Blake’s sleeve. He leaned over so the kid could whisper in his ear. “Dad, I like living here.”

“So do I,” he whispered back. And that easily, he almost had the title for his nextTimmybook. WasTimmy, the Superhero Comes Homethe story he wanted to tell? Or was itTimmy, the Superhero Helps Save the Ranch?

Blake shook his head, thinking about the notes he’d made so far, as he straightened to watch Timmy go back to leaning on the front of Grace’s stall. Malorie came into the barn just as he’d been hoping she would. “Break time?”

“Nathan is taking a nap. That was his first trip this far. It wore him out.”

“He’s okay?”

Malorie nodded in that competent way she had when she was reporting about his brother’s condition. “He’s fine. He’s just a little too eager to spread his wings. It takes energy he’s still getting back.”

“You’re sure?” Blake believed her, but still—Nathan wasn’t an easy patient. He wasn’t even an easy brother. And he wouldn’t be happy to find out his prodigal brother worried about him.

“Positive.” Malorie put a hand on his arm, making all thought skid to a stop. “You have a funny look on your face. What’s going on?”

Oh, man.If she could read him that easily, he was in big trouble. Because she didn’t let go of his arm, he told her, “I have a deadline looming in three months for the nextTimmybook and I’m still having trouble deciding which story to tell.”

“What are your choices?” Mischief twinkled in her cinnamon-colored eyes, making him curious to find out which story she would find more interesting.

“Timmy, the Superhero Comes Home. OrTimmy, the Superhero Helps Save the Ranch.”

Timmy glanced over his shoulder at them. “I likeTimmy, the Superhero Comes Home.”

Blake laughed. He should have asked the kid sooner and saved himself hours of angst. “I do too.”

“I think either one would be a good story,” Malorie said with a shrug as she smiled and let his arm go.

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