Page 9 of A Baby Changes Everything

What impeccable timing. First, he finds out he's going to be a father. Then Wakefield offers him a partnership. And now, his grandfather wants him to come home for the holidays to convince him Lone Oaks is where he belongs. Throw in that Hope may decide she wants to give their baby up for adoption, and his life took on a whole other level of complicated.

"I've got a solid practice here, Pops."

“You can have an even more solid practice right here as well.”

"But your practice isn’t only dedicated to horses."Nor is it part of a prestigious equine clinic where I could be a partner. But more importantly, it isn’t where the mother of my unborn child resides.How in the world could he consider leaving Louisville for six weeks with Hope pregnant and indecisive?

"The horse industry is growing by leaps and bounds around here. Granted, it's not Louisville or Belmont, but it's a whole lot bigger'n it was. And Pimlico's barely an hour away," he emphasized, referencing the home to the Preakness, the second leg of the Triple Crown.

"I know, but..."

"Now, don't say no until we've talked in person. I'm sure you have some vacation time built up, so how about you come on home for the holidays? While you're here, you can go with me on calls and get a first-hand account of the people as well as the animals. That way, you can make a more informed decision."

Three months ago, this would have been an easier conversation to have with his grandfather. Now, with Hope and the baby combined with the bleak news she'd just received from her father’s attorney, there was no way Drew could leave her and go back to Virginia for an extended stay, especially through the holidays.

Her first without her father.

And what about the partnership? If Drew chose to go home after Neil's offer, if only for Thanksgiving and Christmas, what message would that send? That he was fickle? Ungrateful? Would it cause the elder vet to reconsider his proposition?

Who the hell knew?

"I'm not sure this is the best time to leave Kentucky, Pops."

"Why not? It's the holidays."

"And yesterday, Neil Wakefield asked me to consider becoming his partner at the clinic." Might as well lay it all out there.

"Perfect timing, then. Gives you the chance to see both sides of the coin before you make a decision either way."

Maybe, but still. "You're talking about being away for over a month, Pops." Getting the time off wouldn't be an issue, not at this time of the year, but leaving Hope? No freaking way.

"Yes, but during the slowest time in horse racing," Pops pointed out. "Besides, if Wakefield thinks enough of your abilities to offer you a partnership now, I'm sure he'll welcome you back with open arms if, after giving things a look-see up here, you decide Kentucky is where you want to continue practicing. All I'm asking is that you don't make up your mind until you've given things here a fighting chance."

Apparently, the old man wasn't going to make this easy on him. Or take no for an answer. But what else was new? Zeke Blackwood was not only known for his veterinary acumen but for being a stubborn ol' coot as well.

"Your Mama and Daddy miss you, Andrew. And your grandmother, well, you know how she dotes on you boys. I'm sure you don't want to disappoint all of 'em by not coming home for the holidays again this year, do you?"

Oh, so now he was pulling out the big guns.

"And none of us are getting any younger, you know. Plus, there's Reese. That boy's still struggling with his grief over losing Livvie. Trying to run the farm and raise two motherless little boys isn't easy. Having his brother around would be a boon for him, too, 'specially since the two of you were always so close."

Now, the old man was throwing both shameandguilt into the mix. Drew realized he should be in better touch with his family, especially his oldest brother, who'd lost his wife to cancer seven months ago. The last time Drew returned to Lone Oaks had been in April for Olivia's funeral, and since it was prime horse racing season, he hadn't been able to stay as long as he should have.

"Look, son, I know you have a big-time gig down there, but your family's here. Family that needs you right now. Come home for the holidays, Andrew. If after the new year you decide Kentucky is where you want to be, I promise to honor your decision and stop badgering you to come back to join my practice."

Yeah, like that would ever happen as long as there was breath in the old man's body. But how could Drew say no to the rest without seeming heartless and insensitive? Selfish and cold?

"You know, if family isn't enough to entice you to return, Julie Hansen is back in town. I bet your Mama and Grandma would be glad to invite her to some holiday festivities at Lone Oaks."

If Pops thought Julie Hansen was a temptation, he was sorely mistaken. "You trying to get me to come home or run in the opposite direction?"

His grandfather's answer was a booming chuckle.

If Drew needed a reasonnotto return to Virginia, the matchmaking efforts of his mother and grandmother did the trick.

"I'll make you a deal. You agree to my proposition, and I'll see to it the womenfolk refrain from trying to hook you up while you're here."

Like anyone, least of all his grandfather, could control Anna and Sarah Blackwood when they set their mind to something.

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