Page 53 of The Prodigal Brother Returns

Tossing the towel on the counter, Jonas set the timer, then followed Blake. “I’ll go with you. I’ve been wanting to check on the new mares. What do you think of them?”

Blake gave Jonas the rundown as they walked to the pasture. Grabbing two leads from the fence, he approached Bella and Grace, who were stretching their noses to see if he had anything good in his pockets. “Come on, girls. Let’s get you settled for the night. There’s a bowl of oats in it for you if you come easy.”

“How’s Bella’s pregnancy coming along?” Jonas attached leads to Angel’s and Rosie’s halters.

“She’s doing great.” They left the gate open for Duke to follow. He didn’t like being far from his ladies. “If we don’t start separating Duke from the other mares, we’ll have more than one foal come next spring.”

Blake let Jonas go into the barn first.

“That wouldn’t be a bad thing, would it?” Jonas asked as he led first Angel, then Rosie, into their stalls.

Similarly, Blake took care of Bella and Grace. As he figured, Duke waited outside, scratching the ground impatiently with his front hoof. The sunset glistened off the white blanket on his hindquarters.

He got the stallion into his stall without rousing the horse’s temper. In many ways, Duke reminded him of Nathan. “It would be one way to start making money for the ranch. Except it won’t happen fast. The good news is Duke has great bloodlines. His offspring should give us a firm foothold in Colorado’s breeding community.”

“Bringing back Dad’s breeding program is great for a long-term plan, but unfortunately, we need a steep infusion of cash into the ranch now.” Jonas closed Duke’s stall door.

“I could put some of my book advance toward the ranch. It won’t be much, but it will help.”

Jonas looked at him long and hard. “That money is for Timmy, isn’t it?”

“It helps pay for his therapies.” Blake shrugged. How his brother knew that was a puzzle, but it didn’t matter.

“It should stay that way. Timmy’s more important than the Triple L.” Blake felt the same way, but Jonas had contributed enough of his own income to keep the ranch going.

“Timmy and I want to move and live here on the ranch. We can help with the finances—”

Jonas waived aside Blake’s sudden announcement. “I’m glad you’re coming home, but we’ll think of something else besides taking money from Timmy’s care.”

So, they were back to square one. There was an answer here, but so far, Blake couldn’t find a way through the roadblocks. “Then the person to convince is Nathan. He’s pretty resistant to trying new ideas.”

“Yeah,” Jonas agreed.

They fed and watered the horses together. Blake wondered what Jonas was up to, but decided not to worry. Like Tina always said, some things just had to be let go before the magic could work.

He wasn’t feeling all that magical, but he would do what he could for what was left of his parents’ dream that had somehow, unexpectedly, become his dream.

Jonas leaned against a post. “What do you think of Malorie? She’s nice, isn’t she? And her kids... wow. I notice they get along well with Timmy.”

Nice didn’t even begin to describe the incredible woman. Andee and Reece? Yeah, great kids. Jonas had that right. “Timmy really likes them. He doesn’t usually get that comfortable with people as quickly as he did with the Harpers.”

Jonas grinned. So he was fishing. Blake had no information to give his big brother.

“I’d better check on those pies. It’s time for them to come out of the oven.” Jonas took off.

And speaking of... Andee and Reece came barreling down the stairs. Timmy followed a little bit behind. He was wearing a rare smile.

Blake couldn’t help the pride that pushed his shoulders back. Being here, with the twins, was exactly what his little guy needed. “So, who won the game?”

“Timmy,” Reece said, and laughed. “I kept forgetting it was my turn, but Timmy didn’t. He made sure we all took our turns.”

Blake was swamped with relief. He and Timmy had been practicing taking turns. The kid was growing up. They were both growing up. That’s what he had to focus on.

“Good job, guys. We’ll take you to your mom and then see you for dessert later. Uncle Jonas made apple pie.”

“We love apple pie,” Andee and Reece said together.

Timmy moved closer to the twins. “Me too.” Letting others into his personal space was something new.

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