rode, the sun was still shining, the brown grass of late fall ready to be covered with the pristine white of a fresh, clean winter.
Every month that had passed, every moment Blake had watched as his family had taken a long hard look back, seeing them enjoy the memories then turn to the future with bubbling enthusiasm.
Okay, maybe that last part was mostly Jaxi. His heart.
But here and now, his father needed to hear a powerful message.
“Travis is someone I trust with any part of the ranch. Trust him with my kids, and I like spending time with him.” Blake pictured his brother with Ashley and Cassidy, and while what they had wasn’t typical, it was totally right and so full of love, only a fool would try to deny it.
“Matt’s gone a little quieter over the years, but it’s a contented thing. He and Hope are like one of her quilts. Beautiful and yet content to stay at home and enjoy each other. Still, he works his ass off every time we’re out in the fields, and I can barely keep up.”
Mike was nodding, his smile growing. “Tell me about Daniel.”
His father was too smart and too perfect. The man had already clued in to what Blake was doing. “He’s my little brother, yet he’s already shown me there’s a solid path to follow where I’d feared to tread,” Blake admitted. “He and Beth have built something amazing, and they’re close to sending three mature, productive and caring adults into the world. Plus those boys of theirs are just as much a part of this family as any of the kids being born into it.”
Mike leaned forward in the saddle again, lips curled into a full out grin. “What about your little brothers?”
“Still learning. Still making me laugh and making me roll my eyes at times, but they don’t give up. Not on each other, never on family.” Blake examined his father from top to bottom then shook his head. “You had your brothers, but each of you had your own dreams, and for a short time, they pulled you apart. Plus, you had your troubles, and they were big, but Dad?” Blake paused to gaze out over the Coleman land. Over everything that had been accomplished during the past hundred years. Then he met his father’s eyes. “You were one man, and there was no way you could do it all. But you sure the hell tried.”
Mike laughed. “I guess I did.”
“You succeeded,” Blake told him plainly. “You might tell us that you didn’t do everything right, but still you somehow got six fiercely independent boys to all see which direction they need to head. You made it clear by the way you treated Ma over the years that she’s the number one thing in your life. And then us, and then your extended family, and then the rest of it. Every one of your children-in-law thinks you hung the moon because they know it was you who taught us by example how we’re supposed to treat our wives, and husband.”
Mike was listening, his expression gone a little tighter.
“So really, it doesn’t matter one bit if I have to tell you every day from now until you’re a hundred and ten how much I love and admire you, I’ll do it gladly. So will the rest of your sons. And your brothers. And your grandkids, and everybody else in this town you’ve made an impact on over the years.”
His father took a deep breath. Stared out over the land for a moment before dipping his chin firmly. “Then I guess I did all right after all.” He took a peek sideways. “Proud of you. And I’ll say it—I love you.”
Before Blake could respond, Mike tugged the reins, moving his horse into a little brisker of a walk. Blake followed, wiping at his eyes quickly before catching up and riding beside his father.
He didn’t need to take Mike’s place someday. No one could take Mike’s place. That was kind of the point.
But with their roots gone deep, the tree that was the Coleman family was strong and sturdy. Lots of branches, beautiful foliage. Good fruit.
They would be able to stand strong going forward.
Family, forever.
Coleman Memory book
~Dana (Wild Rose) Coleman~
July first. Canada Day. My wedding day.
The flowers are in full bloom at Wild Rose ranch, and the deck platform Mark built nearly a year ago is completely surrounded by fragrant blossoms. Rafe and Gabe built an arbour, and Allison and