Chapter Fifteen

S ince the kids were occupied with their game, Blake slipped unnoticed into the main house to work on the ranch’s books. He still couldn’t figure out why the numbers didn’t add up, so he decided to put the last five years into a computer ranch accounting program and see what answers that gave him. It would take some time to input the numbers, and the discrepancy wasn’t much in the bigger scheme of things, but he didn’t want to confront his brothers without solid figures to back up his math.

While he was there, Malorie and Nathan finished his brother’s physical therapy. She never missed a beat. Every day she worked to get him more mobile. Not that Blake was keeping tabs on their time together. Or, unfortunately, maybe he was. Nathan was very eager to leave his hospital bed and get around without any assistive devices, so he happily—for his brother—went along with Malorie’s instructions.

Leaving her in the barn had been the hardest thing he’d done in a long time. He’d been so lucky to have Tina. Nathan deserved the same. Even if it hurt to think about Malorie being with someone else.

What else could he do? He hadn’t figured out how much she meant to him until Nathan confessed he loved her. Blake tried to be happy for his brother. He wanted what was best for his family, which meant all he could do was stay out of Nathan and Mel’s way and let their budding relationship take its natural course.

The house was quiet. Forcing his brain to forget how much he ached so he could concentrate on the numbers wasn’t working. Blake went to the kitchen to get a soda. A quick glance on the way found Nathan sleeping.

Back in the office, he slapped the mouse he was using sharply on the desk. How in the world had he fallen so completely in love with the woman? Everything about her was wonderful. Especially how dedicated she was to her job and her family.

It wasn’t that he’d forgotten everything he and Tina had shared. He would always remember their life together as special, a window in time he’d been lucky to have. He loved his wife for her gentle understanding. Being with her had turned his grief into something he could live with and not fight all the time by letting his loss eat him alive from the inside out.

Leaning back from the computer, Blake heard his mother’s voice. Every day and the gifts they bring are their own seasons. And when that season is done, sometime after that, it’s time to move on to what’s coming next.

What he felt for Malorie was different than what he’d felt for Tina, not better or less, just different in the sense that he could finally accept that sometimes a person got a second chance at finding that one person who could make his life brighter. Warmer. Fulfilled. A person who would make his heart swell with hope, and who made him want to be better than before, especially now that he was a dad too.

Malorie might have been his next season if Nathan hadn’t fallen in love with her too. He shouldn’t be surprised his brother loved Malorie. How could he not? It made Blake’s chest hurt.

The whole situation, two brothers in love with the same wonderful woman, had not been what he expected when he first got to the ranch. His heart ached at the loss of a dream he hadn’t known he had. Timmy. Malorie. Andee and Reece. A new chance at having a family who would always be there. A family he could be there for.

He straightened. No running away this time. Pushing all that aside, he got back to work, ticked off the boxes in his head.

His dad’s truck was almost finished. All he had to do was give it a good wash inside and out. After that, and adding a big bow, his amends would be complete. He was halfway through the next Timmy book.

That only left convincing Nathan that he wouldn’t have to give up any of his childhood memories by getting on board with some of Blake’s ideas for putting the ranch back on solid financial footing.

Sounds from the kitchen interrupted the round-robin swirling in Blake’s mind. Giving up on the books, he went to see who was there. Nathan was still sleeping. When he saw it was Jonas and not Malorie, his pulse slowed down.

“Do you need help with dinner?” Blake asked. Jonas was the best of the brothers when it came to making meals, whereas Blake was just so-so. He and Timmy didn’t starve, but it was simple comfort food in their house, which reminded him... the kids should be finishing their game soon. “Timmy and I can be your sous chefs if you want.”

Hands dusted with flour, Jonas looked up. “I’ll take that offer. I need to get these pies in the oven.”

“Apple?” Blake leaned against the counter to watch. Apple pie was Jonas’s specialty. It was good that at least one of them had learned baking skills from their mother.

Their mom was the mistress of the household and kept the books. Her apple pie was unbeatable, but Logan came in a close second. Their dad was all about the ranch property, the buildings, and the horses. The one thing he would stop working with the horses for was his wife’s pies.

“Nathan invited Malorie and her kids for dessert.”

“I heard,” Blake allowed, not letting how he felt show on his face.

“Well, I think that calls for apple pies, don’t you?” Jonas sent Blake a curious look as he put the two pies in the already-heated oven.

Pushing his emotions deep—Jonas was tricky that way; he could almost read minds—Blake stepped back from the counter. “You make a good pie. What’s for dinner?”

“Dinner hash.” Jonas wiped his hands on the towel slung over his shoulder. “You can cut up the potatoes.”

“Sure, but first, I need to check on the kids.”

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.

“Go get the next Timmy book 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.”

Nathan stared at the book, then gave Timmy a crooked smile. “Yes, you are, kiddo.” Switching his gaze to Blake, Nathan finally let go of his barriers. “So, what would bring in the most money the fastest?”

“The easiest to organize would be trail riding events or horse riding lessons.” Relieved, Blake sat across from his brother. Just those two wouldn’t get the Triple L completely out of the hole, but it was a start and would give them time to regroup. “With all three of us involved, it wouldn’t take too much upfront cash to put either one together. We could ask Malorie and the kids to help.” He forced the words out. It was time to get used to including Nathan and Malorie in the same conversation.

Not sure which way his brother would jump, Blake gave Nathan time to mull his suggestion over. That had always been their problem. Even when they were kids, Nathan kept so much close to his chest. In some ways, he was a little like Timmy, who sometimes had a hard time getting out what was on his mind.

When the silence stretched out, Blake couldn’t wait any longer. “What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking that I can’t make any promises, but I’ll listen to your ideas—” Blake arched his brows. Nathan’s lips twisted into a half smile. “And I’ll think about it.”

Nathan had taken over their dad’s role, and he’d been running the ranch for too many years to circumvent his sense of ownership now. Still—

“You can’t think about it too long,” he reminded his brother.

Nathan held out his hand. “I know.”

Blake didn’t hesitate. He took the offer and gave his brother’s hand a firm shake.

They’d finished eating and Timmy was telling his uncles what he liked best about the ranch when Malorie, Andee, and Reece came in. It was the horses, of course. His kiddo had become especially attached to Bella.

“We brought vanilla ice cream for the pie,” Andee announced, handing over the quart to Jonas.

Jonas put the ice cream on the counter next to the pies and smiled at Andee. “Do you want to help me dish this up?”

“Sure!”

While Andee passed around plates of pie and ice cream, Blake hung back. Everyone sat around the table, talking and laughing. Even Timmy, who didn’t always hold up his end of the conversation.

This was what family should be. No matter how different they all were, or their dreams. Nathan and Malorie seemed very comfortable with each other and would probably end up starting their own family. Blake finally conceded he could no longer hold on to even a thread of his past anger and disappointment. It all had to go. It was time to move on to the next season.

His original plan that had him bringing Timmy to the ranch was the most important. No matter what it took, he and his brothers would save the ranch. The Triple L was his and Timmy’s home now.

Blake took the pie and ice cream Andee offered and joined the conversation at the table. Nathan was the most relaxed he’d seen his brother since arriving at the ranch. Malorie sat next to Nathan and joined in the laughter at a story he told about the brothers when they were younger.

Nathan tired out first. Malorie helped him to his room and pulled the panels for privacy. Everyone else helped clean up. When it was all put away, Blake knocked on the wall that bordered one side of his brother’s cubicle.

Malorie slid the panel open. She was so beautiful and her heart so big.

Blake couldn’t let himself go there. “If it’s okay, I’ll take the kids back to your place and get them started on a movie while you finish up here.” He nodded in Nathan’s direction. His brother was already half-asleep.

“Thanks. I have a few more things to do, then I’ll come home.”

Home? Did she mean that? Had she and Nathan come to an understanding while the rest of them cleaned up the kitchen?

Blake didn’t want to know. “Take your time. I’ll stay with them until you get there.”

He gathered up the children and herded them to the guesthouse, got them into their pajamas, and settled them in for a movie. This time The Princess Bride . They were halfway through when Malorie came in.

“I made hot chocolate. Do you want some?” he asked quietly. The kids were so engrossed in the movie, they barely looked up at Malorie’s arrival.

She smiled at him, pushing his heartbeat into overdrive. “Thanks. That would be great.”

While he poured hot water into a cup half-filled with the chocolate mix, she sat on the couch next to Reece. Blake handed her the mug and took a seat on the floor on the opposite end, leaning against the couch, with Timmy’s legs next to his arm.

They finished the movie that way and all Blake could think of was he wished Nathan had fallen for a different girl. Blake wanted to believe it wasn’t Malorie who’d captured his brother’s heart, but how could he when his recalcitrant brother had opened up about his feelings with the one brother he hadn’t wanted on the ranch?

Had Nathan told Malorie about his feelings?

The movie ended. Timmy’s eyelids were drooping. Blake shook himself free of the debate going on in his head. “Come on, kiddo. Let’s get you to bed.”

“Can I sleep over with Reece?” he asked, half-asleep on his feet.

Blake looked at Malorie. She nodded. “He’s more than welcome. And there’s a rollaway in Reece’s bedroom he can use.”

“Do you need help setting it up?” he offered, reluctant to cut their time short.

She walked him to the door. “No, I can handle it.”

“I’ll come get him in the morning.”

She stepped out onto the front porch and looked up at Blake. Their gazes locked. He was so tempted to kiss her.

“Something on your mind?” he asked, the words coming out more gravelly than he intended.

She studied him a heartbeat longer. “I’ve been thinking about staying on the ranch after my assignment with Nathan is completed. He’s asked me to be the ranch’s nurse if you guys decide to add some trail rides.”

There it was. Nathan and Malorie. Malorie and Nathan. If his brother was asking her to stay—That meant no kissing. Ever.

“Should I stay?”

Blake took a deep breath and stepped off the porch. “Sure. If you want to.”