Page 54 of The Prodigal Brother Returns

“Go get the nextTimmybook you want Uncle Nathan to read,” Blake said gently, briefly resting his hand on Timmy’s shoulder. The kid was teaching him so much about family. How important it was to keep things solid and real between them. And that being part of a family was not all about getting his way. It was about sharing the dream. And the love.

Malorie’s sweet face flashed through Blake’s mind. If he had let it, his heart would have taken her in, along with the feeling that she was his home now.

Timmy returned quickly with the book clutched to his chest. “I’m ready.”

“Off we go then.” Blake wished things could be different, but he had no idea how to give in to his growing feelings for Malorie and not hurt Nathan in the process.

He saw how his brother looked at her, how she made him laugh, the sound rusty, as if Nathan hadn’t laughed in a long time. He couldn’t take that away, even if Malorie shared his feelings, which he was pretty sure she didn’t. He had to let the idea of him and Malorie making a life together go.

He waited until Andee and Reece went inside the guesthouse, waving as the door closed behind them. The sound of Malorie’s voice as she greeted the twins almost made him change his mind.

“All right, kiddo. Let’s go help Uncle Jonas with dinner.”

Jonas was back in the kitchen when they walked through the door. Washed potatoes were stacked on the counter, waiting for them. The panel hiding Nathan’s cubicle was pushed to the side, his bed empty. Water splashed in the bathroom.

“I’ll cut up the potatoes, Uncle Jonas,” Timmy said with a little too much enthusiasm.

Blake grabbed the knife before Timmy could get his hands on it. “How about we both cut up the potatoes?”

“Dad, I can do it.”

Blake started on the first potato. “I know you can, but you need to make sure I’m doing it right first.”

“Oka-a-y,” Timmy said, elongating the word as he moved closer and watched carefully. He pointed. “You forgot to cut that piece. It’s too big.”

Jonas caught Blake’s eye. Humor spread across his brother’s face. Blake did what he could to contain his laughter. It was a challenge, but an unexpected joy to be the adult in Timmy’s world.

“Timmy, would you do me a favor and pour four glasses of orange juice from the carton in the fridge?” It took a village and Jonas had always been good at distraction.

Nathan joined them.

“What did you do?” Blake demanded. He’d seen Nathan unstable on his crutches when he first got them, but not lately. “You’re limping.”

“I banged my foot getting out of the shower.” Nathan carefully eased into a chair at the table.

Keeping one eye on Timmy as the kid juggled the juice carton and one of the glasses Jonas handed him, Blake shook his head at Nathan. “Malorie isn’t going to like that. You could have fallen and spoiled all her hard work.”

“Let’s not tell her, okay?” Nathan pulled his brows together.

Blake passed the chopped potatoes to Jonas before responding to Nathan. He wasn’t above a little bribery. “Only if you’ll listen to my ideas for the ranch and seriously consider them.” He grabbed the glasses and scattered them around the table.

“Didn’t we already have this discussion? And I believe my answer was that I’m not interested.” Nathan shifted in his chair.

Blake shrugged. “Then I guess Malorie would love to hear how clumsy you are.”

The bribe didn’t show his better side, but, hey... There was more than one way to get his point across.

“Jonas—” Nathan called on their older brother to arbitrate their disagreement, just like when they were kids.

In a weird, crazy way, the throwback to their past made Blake feel better. Why? Maybe because it showed they were still family. For the first time in years, Blake was glad.

Jonas held up his hands. “Don’t drag me into this. Besides, you know we have to do something to bring the ranch around. We’re running out of time. If you don’t like Blake’s ideas, then come up with some of your own. Though if you can’t get out of the shower without hurting yourself, I’m a little skeptical about how you’ll save the ranch. Doing nothing isn’t going to cut it.”

Nathan rolled his eyes, obviously sputtering for just the right words to put his brothers in their places. He had nothing, which left the ball in Blake’s court.

“Timmy, can you give Uncle Nathan the book you brought for him to read?” Timmy had left it on the buffet table.

“Here, Uncle Nathan.” Timmy pointed with a skinny finger, not quite touching the cover. “That’s me. I’m a superhero.”

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