Page 20 of The Prodigal Brother Returns

Malorie followed his gaze to Jonas, whose brows shot up. The twitch of his lips clearly said,You’re on your own, kid.

Damn straight. She smiled sweetly at Blake. He was good with Andee and Reece, but that didn’t give him the right to interfere with her nursing duties. “Let me show you how it’s done. Then you can help him in and out of bed if you’re here and he needs to use the restroom.”

Nobody liked using a bedpan.

“You guys don’t need to talk about me like I’m not right here.”

Blake turned a faint shade of red. Served the man right.

Ignoring Nathan’s grouchiness, she instructed his brother, “Watch and learn. Be sure to lock the wheels before you get started. Nathan put your hands on my shoulders.”

Leaning back, she reached under his arms and around his chest and helped him ease onto his feet. She’d given him pain medication thirty minutes earlier to make his transfer easier. With a controlled pivot, she gently lowered him into the chair. He winced when his bottom made contact with the thick pad in the seat, but otherwise, the transfer went smoothly. “How are you doing?”

“I’m fine.” Nathan closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Thanks.”

After placing his feet on the footrests, she turned an appraising look on Blake, unable to wipe the humor from her eyes. “Do you think you can do that without accidentally dropping him?”

She was certain Blake wouldn’t drop Nathan, but as well as the brothers got along,accidentallywas the keyword.

“What I think is that you’re stronger than you look.” With a teasing smile that began in his eyes and caused a ripple in her generally steady pulse, Blake grabbed the handles on the back of the chair and gave a gentle push. “Come on, Timmy, Nathan. Let’s get out of Malorie’s way so she can get her work done. We don’t want her to start givinguschores now, do we?”

Jonas cocked his head with a grin and, after they left the house, said, “Impressive. You have a way with my brothers. Usually, they don’t listen that well. I’ll get you a fresh set of sheets,”

Suppressing her own smile, Malorie stripped off the bedding. If she let herself, she could like... reallylike...Blake Lohmen.

Not going to happen, she sternly informed the girl inside her head weighing the idea. It was just respect. That was all. Nothing more. Respect for how he included Andee and Reece when he had ranch chores to do. Respect and curiosity because there was Timmy. Andee was right. TheTimmy, the Superherobooks were about a real boy. A boy Blake had introduced as his son, with no other explanation. Not that she was due one. But she couldn’t help thinking there was more to Blake and Timmy’s story than could be gleaned from the books stacked on the twins’ bedside tables.

She wasn’t looking for someone to warm her battered heart, but dang, she’d better be careful, or she’d be in big trouble. Her job on the Triple L was only temporary, an excellent thing to keep in mind. None of them, she or the twins, could get too comfortable, or get attached to the Lohmen brothers or their ranch. Because when Nathan didn’t need her nursing skills any longer, the Harpers, mother and children, would be heading home to Oregon.

That was right.Home.At least it would be again when they’d worked the memories of Mark’s desertion out of their systems.

It was just unfortunate that the twins especially liked Blake, and Nathan, and the ranch, with its beautiful horses and many acres to explore. Sighing heavily, she took the stack of bedsheets Jonas handed over.

“Let me help you with that,” he said instead of leaving her to her task.

Malorie struggled to mind her own business, but not long enough to talk herself out of asking questions she shouldn’t. Finally, she gave up. Her practical side warned her... If Blake wanted her to know anything about his life, besides the fact that he didn’t seem to have much in common with his brothers, he’d tell her. Most likely.

She proceeded with caution. “Did you know Blake has a son?”

“Not until yesterday.” Jonas frowned. “We don’t know much about him and what he’s been doing since he left the ranch when he was a teenager.” Jonas’s frown deepened as he pulled the sheets tight on his side. “We haven’t kept in touch.”

That surprised her. If she had siblings, she would do her darnedest to keep the lines of communication open. At least she would try. She straightened the sheets on her side. “Is that why they don’t get along?” Jonas studied her for a long moment. Too long for comfort. “I know. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t ask about your family’s business.”

Embarrassed, she flipped out the multicolored quilt that was Nathan’s blanket and laid it across the bed. That’s what she got for poking her nose in where it didn’t belong.

“It’s not the only reason.” Jonas sighed heavily, smoothing out his side of the quilt. “They haven’t gotten along since our parents died.”

Malorie ran her fingers across the hand stitching. “Did your mom make this?”

“She made all of us a quilt when we turned thirteen.” He suddenly looked up as if he’d come to some silent decision. “I need to ask you something.”

She stood back, taking in the neat space, and then faced her employer. “Okay.”

“I’m closing my office in Denver and moving my law practice to Strawberry Ridge, so I can help on the ranch and be closer to my brothers.”

More than a little curious, she followed him to the kitchen. He’d already started coffee. “Why?”

It was an easy enough question to answer, even if he didn’t want to divulge all the Lohmens’ secrets.

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