Page 58 of The Prodigal Brother Returns

Reece finished the last of his ice cream. “We’d get to live near Timmy?”

“I’m not sure,” Malorie finished just as Andee pushed her empty bowl away. She had to be honest with the twins. That was their deal. She would always tell them the truth. “I think Timmy and his dad are going back to Sedona at the end of the summer.”

Both kids looked at each other and frowned but didn’t say anything.

“What do you say, Andee?” Malorie didn’t want to push them, but at the same time, she no longer saw a downside to making the move.

Andee was quiet for a long moment, but then she said, “I make a motion that we move to Strawberry Ridge.”

“I second the motion,” Reece said immediately, all but bouncing in his seat.

Malorie held back a laugh. This was serious business, especially for the kids. “All in favor, say ‘aye.’”

Three ayes erupted around the table.

“Okay. The ayes have it. We’re moving to Strawberry Ridge.” Inside, Malorie had peace about their decision. For the first time in a long time, she was excited about making a move. Especially one that was taking them into a bright future. There was just one other thing. “I’ll tell Jonas and get some time off so we can go to Ashland and make arrangements to move our things and put the house on the market. But would it be okay if we don’t tell anyone else and we keep this between the three of us until we get back?”

The twins had jumped up and were dancing around the table. They stopped mid-stomp and looked at her, their brows pulling together. Andee, always the more direct of the two, asked, “Why?”

“Well, because there’s a lot to arrange and I want to make sure Nathan’s progress isn’t slowed down because he thinks we’re abandoning him.” This was true, but also true was the fact that she didn’t want Blake to think they were moving to Strawberry Ridge because she was chasing after him like some fangirl. How awkward would that be?

Andee and Reece nodded and agreed together. “Okay.”

Reece added, “Can we ask Timmy if he and B.J. might be staying? That would be so cool if they did.”

“Sure. Just don’t give anything away. It’ll be a better surprise that way.” Not a horrible surprise, she hoped. “We’ll leave before noon on Monday. Maybe we can have lunch in Strawberry Ridge on the way out of town. We’ll do laundry and you can pack your travel bags tonight while I talk to Jonas.”

And find a substitute nurse for the eight days she figured she’d be gone.

“Okay, Mom,” Reece said as they put on their boots and headed out the door.

Andee stopped before following her brother down the stairs. “I’m glad we’re moving here, Mom. You like B.J., don’t you?” She didn’t know what Andee had on her mind, but “like” wasn’t a strong enough word for how she felt.

And the truth was—“Of course, I like him. We’re friends,” Malorie agreed, hoping her daughter didn’t notice how much feeling was lacking in her answer.

She and Blake were still friends. Anything more could have nothing to do with their move from Oregon without something more on Blake’s part. Maybe it was time to tell him how she felt, or at least hint at it. Ask him to go on a picnic. Or bolder, ask him out on a date at the best restaurant in town.

But not until after they got back from their trip, so she could plan a way to present the idea of the two of them spending more time together in a way that didn’t scareheroff.

Andee nodded, a twinkle lighting in her light-brown eyes. With a little skip, she followed her brother. Malorie loved that girl, but she was up to something.

Later that night, while the twins were busy with laundry and packing their travel bags, Malorie took care of her nursing duties, got Nathan comfortable for the night, and then approached Jonas. She hadn’t seen Blake since that morning. “Can we talk in private for a moment?”

“Sure.” He led the way into the office and gestured toward one of the chairs on the front side of the desk. “Have a seat. Can I get you something to drink?” She shook her head. “No? What’s on your mind?”

She’d already been in touch with a friend she’d gone to nursing school with. Rena had called and would be willing to take care of Nathan while she was away. Malorie had gotten lucky. “The kids and I have decided to move to Strawberry Ridge.”

“That’s great news.” And when she didn’t immediately respond, he asked, “Isn’t it?”

Malorie finally smiled. “We’re very excited, but it means I need to take eight days off and go to Oregon to close up our house.” She rushed on. “I have a colleague coming to take care of Nathan while I’m gone. I can vouch for her. Rena is very good with rehab patients. He’ll be in good hands while I’m gone.”

“We’re lucky to get her on such short notice.” Jonas leaned back in his chair, his steady gaze staying on her face. He had his lawyer’s look on.

Malorie nodded. “She finished her last assignment early, heard I was looking for someone last month, and called just a little bit ago to see if the opportunity was still available.”

“She was okay with the short time frame?”

Malorie didn’t want Jonas to think she was a flake, but the sooner she closed up her life in Ashland, the more money she would have toward buying a house in Strawberry Ridge. “It worked out because she’s on her way to Wyoming to stay the rest of her summer with her granddaughter, who’s due to have a baby in a month.”

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