Page 50 of The Prodigal Brother Returns

Putting all of their hearts on the line was not an option. She wasn’t ready to deal with the fallout if and when a relationship with Blake, or whoever—as good friends or more—didn’t work out.

They got to the stairs leading up to the apartment when she remembered Nathan’s request. “Timmy, Nathan wants to know if he can borrow your nextTimmy, the Superherobook.”

Timmy nodded.

“I’ll have Andee bring it to you,” Blake said. He looked at her for the first time since Timmy’s accident, his brows raising as if thinking the silent part out loud,See? You have a patient to take care of. Nathan needs you.

She sat on a bale of hay and waited, her thoughts going round and round. She liked her job and taking care of people. Blake and Timmy didn’t need her to take care of them, so why was she so bothered by the idea that he seemed to be on a course that was taking him—for some unknown reason—away from her and the twins?

If she had serious feelings for Blake, shouldn’t she just admit it and see where they led her? Just in case what was going on inside was more than a crush on a handsome guy who was nothing like her ex and extra good with kids?

Was she secretly dreaming that the five of them would make a great family unit? Once committed, Blake would never desert her for his job or another woman. He would be there for the tough times along with the good times. She was sure of it. But Blake didn’t seem to have the same dream.

She’d been so mistaken with Mark. She couldn’t make another mistake like that.

Malorie shook off the argument in her head and stood as Blake came down the stairs. He stopped in front of her, a frown pulling at his brows. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.” She pushed her hands into her scrub pockets and told him part of the truth. “I’m just sorry I couldn’t reach Timmy in time to prevent him from getting hurt.”

He put his hands on her arms, in an attempt, she thought, at reassurance, but that reawakened her senses and made her want to lean into him. “Hey, accidents happen. I can’t tell you how many times my brothers and I fell off our horses, or fence railings, or accidentally got in Dad’s way when he was riding in the arena.”

He bent over to look her straight in the eyes. Heat pulsed in waves over her skin. He was going to kiss her. What if she kissed him first? Did people barely beyond the acquaintance phase lock lips like there was no tomorrow?

Blake blinked and stepped back. “Timmy’s fine. The kids are playing Star Wars Monopoly. That will keep them busy all afternoon. Timmy wants to give Nathan the next book himself.”

“Oh. Okay. Then I guess I’ll go.” She gestured toward the main house. “We still have to do his physical therapy.”

Blake took another step back, the lines of concern leaving his face. “I’ll let you get to it then.”

Malorie started to ask if he wanted to come to the guesthouse for dinner and a movie that night, but before she got the words out, he was out of the barn and headed for the horses in the pasture.

And that was that. She’d brought Andee and Reece to the Triple L to heal the wounds left by Mark’s abandonment. Plan accomplished. Just because she’d met a guy who was his polar opposite didn’t mean Blake was part of their new beginning. It just meant their wounds were healing.

Her heart wasn’t battered anymore. She would not be lost without Blake Lohmen. She was responsible for her happiness, not anyone else, and especially not Blake. He might bethatguy, but she wasn’t a risk-taker anymore and wouldn’t be for the foreseeable future. Not until she had her future figured out.

The one thing she could say was at least she took the hard knocks and moved on. Nathan would be happy to see her when she returned to put him through his exercises. And Jonas had returned from his trip with good news. He’d taken care of his business in Denver and his friend Sloane, the town’s mechanic and part-time real estate agent, had found him office space in Strawberry Ridge. There was a lot to talk about while she was working to get Nathan ready to be up and about on his own.

Blake was right. She’d better get to it.

When she entered the house, Nathan was waiting in his hospital bed. He was channel surfing. He put the remote down when he saw her. “I thought maybe you’d forgotten me... my PT.”

“No, of course not. Timmy fell and had the breath knocked out of him—”

Nathan pushed his hands into the bed, scooting back so he was sitting straighter. “Is he okay?”

“Yes. Just a scratch on his hand.” She wasn’t about to bring up her lackluster conversation with Blake’s brother. “Blake has the kids playing a game. Timmy will bring the nextTimmybook over later tonight.”

“They’re coming to dinner tonight.”

You see? They couldn’t have come for dinner and a movie, anyway.

Somehow that didn’t make her feel any better.

“You and the twins should come to dinner too.” When she hesitated, he said, “At least come for dessert.”

Maybe she should. And Andee and Reece would vote in favor of dessert. “Okay.”

Nathan took her hand. “I’ve been thinking. Blake has some ideas for the ranch. I don’t know if they will work out or not—” Malorie stared at their hands. “But since Jonas is in agreement and I can’t talk either of them out of trying, anyway, I’m wondering if you’d like to stay and be our ranch nurse for the summer. You know, to make sure there are no injuries out on the trails they’re talking about making. I’ll be back on my feet, so you’ll be done with the contract you signed with Jonas. We’ll pay whatever rate you normally get—” He leaned back and asked with a smile that reminded her of Blake, “Together we’d make a good team, don’t you think?”

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