Read Online Tina Leonard - Triplets' Rodeo Man by Tina Leonard - Free Book Online Page A

Do you have any questions?”
    Josiah looked around the room at his sons, their wives and the two women in his life. “Do I need muchmore reason to wake up after surgery with a grin on my face?”
    The doctor smiled and left. Josiah let out a sigh. “Gisella, I owe you an apology. Many actually. I was mad when you left. It doesn’t excuse what I did. It doesn’t save me from the damage I inflicted upon our children. I hope you can forgive me.”
    Gisella started to say something, but Josiah waved her quiet. “Hang on a minute, there’s more,” he said. “The Christmas and birthday presents she sent you for many years were given to charity. I’m sorry. It was a selfish thing to do, more than selfish.”
    Jack stared at his father, looked at his mother, who seemed fairly upset but not necessarily destroyed by his father’s confession. Then Gisella went over and kissed him again on the forehead.
    â€œYou are too hard on yourself, Josiah,” she said. “You are a good man. Let’s not think about the past anymore.”
    â€œWell.” Josiah sniffed. “I was still an ass.”
    â€œI knew that about you when I married you. I didn’t want a man who wasn’t strong.” Gisella smiled. “It takes a very strong man to ask forgiveness.”
    â€œYeah. I guess. I have a lot to ask.” Josiah looked around the room. “So, I have one more thing to tell the assembled family. By the way, I would like to see everybody together again and not necessarily on my deathbed next time—”
    A general groan broke out in the room.
    Josiah nodded. “Jack’s going to reside at the ranch for a year.”
    â€œI’ll try to,” Jack interrupted.
    â€œIn order to earn his million dollars, he’ll do it,” Josiah said, ignoring his son’s words. “However, I have begun the paperwork to cede the ranch to Gisella. It is now hers to do with as she sees fit, although it cannot be sold until after Jack completes his quest. Gisella, one year from today, you may sell it if you wish. I’m sorry I didn’t give you the home and the love you needed when we were married, but now I hope to make up for that.” Josiah looked at all his children, his gaze stern. “And I expect everyone to remember that my driving force is family. Visit your mother often.”
    He sat up and looked at Sara. “Get the nurses. I’m ready to be split open like a turkey at Thanksgiving.”
    She smiled at him. “Your family members may do it for you,” she said sweetly.
    â€œAnd that reminds me, no lawsuits over the land or ranch,” he said, wagging a finger at all of them. “Or you forfeit your portion of my will, little as it may be after Dr. Moneybags takes his chunk. Is that understood?”
    Everyone murmured a shocked assent except Jack, because he didn’t need anything, money or land, from his father. Thankfully, he was tied to no one.
    â€œJack?” his father said. “This means more to me than a kidney.”
    Jack looked at his father a long time. Then he glanced at his mother, whose gentle smile beamed on him so warmly that it was difficult to continue being a hard case. “Sure, Pop, whatever.”
    Laura, Suzy and Priscilla went to hug Gisella andwelcome her to the family. After a moment, the brothers did, too. Except Jack, who decided not to get caught up in the sentimental moment. It wasn’t the time for him to live in the Hallmark-card family moment, no matter how much Pop wanted it.
    Nurses entered the room to wheel Pop out. Jack’s throat closed up. The feel of family, of being hemmed in, of life being out of his control, threatened to overwhelm him. He needed some separation.
    He needed to ride. It was the only thing that would make him sane right now, feel in control. “Be well, Pop,” he said, gritting his teeth as his father was wheeled down the hall to