"I don't need anything fancy. I just need something that will fit everyone," Jack told her as they drove to the car dealer in Billings.

"So an SUV or minivan."

"Exactly but it needs to be good in snow, so all wheel drive makes sense."

"It needs to have room for seven," she mentioned, thinking ahead.

"Yes. Although, if we lease for two years, we technically would only need room for us and three kids," he said, thinking logically.

"What if we have Claire and Kendall some time?"

"Ok, seven passenger would be better."

A while later they looked at the Honda Odyssey that Jack liked. It was all-wheel drive and had room for seven. The lease was three years and the price was comfortable for their budget. "So, what do you think?" the salesman asked.

Jack looked at Elizabeth and she smiled, leaving it up to him. She knew it was practical and more affordable than buying a brand new one. She could see he liked it so she supported his decision.

"We will take it."

Charlotte had the kids so they had a free morning. They decided to have brunch at the Coney Island just outside Billings.

As they sat in their booth, Jack's arm around her shoulder, his phone buzzed. "Its Tom. I'm going to take this outside." He kissed her quick and slid out of the booth. "Tom! It's good to talk to you."

"You too, big brother. It's been too long."

"I agree. I'm so sorry I haven't visited more. Life has been crazy."

"The road goes both ways, Jack. I should have put forth more of an effort too. Look, the reason I called is because I'm in town, we are in town. I was hoping we could talk."

"Of course. Elizabeth and I aren't home though. We are in Billings now eating brunch. Give us about two hours. Feel free to head to the house though. Make yourselves at home."

"Thanks. I think we will."

"And Mom is there with Fin and Joe."

"Great. Thanks bro."

"See you soon." Jack walked back in the restaurant just as their food was delivered. "Hon, that was Tom. They're in town."

"That's great. We haven't seen them in so long."

"I know. My plan of a visit every other month didn't work out. I've missed them."

"Especially Elisa?"

"My peanut, I think I might just cry when I see her. Skype isnt the same."

"I can't believe she is eight years old."

"I know." His eyes misted, making him blink fast.

She smiled and kissed his cheek. "I love you so much, Jack."

They finished eating, trying to enjoy their rare meal alone but Jack's heart was calling him back to the house.

When they got home, Jack rushed in with Elizabeth close behind.

"Uncle Jack!" Elisa ran to him and flew into his arms.

"Peanut!" Yep, the tears flowed along with the palpable joy of seeing the family again. "I missed you so much."

"I missed you too." She gave him a big kiss on the cheek. "Guess what, Uncle Jack."

"What?"

"I'm going to be a big sister!"

"You are? That's great!"

"Mama!" Joey yelled, begging to be picked up. "Hi, buddy."

He laid his head against her shoulder and played with her t-shirt neckline. He wanted to nurse because he was tired. She sat down in the recliner and covered her chest with a blanket as he ate.

"Mama, potty!" Fin told her, standing at her knee.

"Jack, can you help Fin, please?"

He didn't hear her though so Elizabeth stood and walked into the kitchen. "Hi, everyone. I need someone to assist Fin with going potty. I only have one hand."

"I'll do it," Charlotte offered, following Fin to the stairs and up into the bathroom.

Elizabeth sat and continued feeding Joey.

"Hi, Beth," Tom greeted.

"Hi, Tom. Katie, it's good to see you."

"You too," Katie said. "Joey and Fin have gotten so big."

"I know. So has Elisa."

"Mama! Me potty!" Fin told her as she ran back to her.

"Good job, sweetheart. Thanks, Mom."

"No problem. Did you find a car for Jack?"

"Dad's truck finally quit?" Tom asked, taking Katie's hand.

"Yeah. We leased a Honda Odyssey. Should fit everyone."

When it was time to start dinner, Jack took Tom out to the deck to grill the burgers and veggies.

"I'm glad you're here, Tom. Three months is way too long."

"Yeah, it is." Tom took a sip of beer and stared out at the back yard.

"I get the feeling you are here for another reason other than just to visit." Tom nodded and sipped again. "Care to share?"

"I sold my ranch."

"Oh yeah? What's the plan now?"

"Katie's dad, Ned, isnt doing well since her mom died. She needs to be close to him."

"So you're moving back to Hunter Creek?"

"Yeah."

"Peanut told me that Kate is pregnant."

"Yeah. She's due in July. It's a boy."

"Congratulations, Tom."

"Thank you. I can hardly believe it."

Jack could see something else was eating at him. "Tom, tell me."

"I don't know what I'm going to do for work. Or where we are going to live. Ned says we can stay with him, but that can't last long."

"How long before you need to be off your ranch?"

"Now. Our stuff is in storage here in town. I thought a month would be enough time. It wasn't."

"Tom, it will all work out. Let's talk to Pop and then you can look around town for a job. Is Katie working?"

"She was working at a department store in Copper Hills but then we came here. We have nothing, Jack." Jack could see Tom was panicking. He knew what it felt like to be that unsure and worried about how to support his family.

"That's not what I see. Tom, you have an amazing daughter, a beautiful wife, and a son on the way. You have us and Pop and Mom. That's so important to remember when times are hard. Believe me. I will help you as much as I can. Things will work out." He wrapped his arms around his younger brother and held on for a moment.

"Thanks, Jack."

….

"So, what about the sale of the ranch? Didn't you get money from that?" Pop asked.

"It paid off the mortgage. We had enough after that to put everything in storage here."

"This land on this ranch…it's a perfect spot to raise a family."

"Yeah it is." But that wasn't possible. Didn't Pop realize they didn't have a way to buy land and build a house?

"So that's what we will do. I will sell you a couple acres and we will build you a house."

"Pop, I can't buy land. I can barely afford my car and the gas to get here. If I can't afford that, building a house is out of the question."

"Tom, I will sell it to you for what you can afford. Then I will pay for the house and when you get a job, you pay me, almost like rent."

"Why would you do that?" he asked, wiping a tear away. Some of his stress was melting away but he felt embarrassed.

"Because you're family. Family helps family. Plain and simple. Plus its selfish on my part. I'll get more grandbabies nearby out of it." He gave Tom a wink and held out his hand. "What do you say?"

"I say thank you, Pop. And I'd be a fool to pass it up." He hugged Bill instead of a handshake.

….

Tom entered Ned's house a bit later and headed for the kitchen. "Good evening, Ned."

"Tom. There's tea if you'd like."

"Thanks." He poured himself a cup and turned around. "Where's Katie?"

"Helping Elisa with her bath."

"Thanks." He started to walk by his father-in-law but then stopped, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Thanks for letting us stay here."

"Thank you for bringing my Kate back to me. I really need her." Ned was lost. His wife, Laurie, passed the year before and he was depressed. They had been married thirty years and losing her broke his heart.

"I know you do." So when Katie confided that she needed to be with Ned, even though it meant selling the ranch, there was no other solution. Like Pop said, family helps family. Ned was family.

Tom found his way to the bathroom. Katie stood behind Elisa, braiding her wet hair so she would have waves in the morning. Katie was a good Mom to Elisa which is something she hadn't had before.

Katie finished and kissed the top of her head. "Ok, kisses and then bed time, Ellie bug."

"Thanks, Mama." She kissed Katie's belly. "Night baby." And then reached up to kiss Katie. "Night."

"Goodnight."

"Night, Dad."

"Night, hon. I'll be in to read to you in just a minute."

When they heard her walk off Katie turned and hugged him. "How did it go?"

"Good. We can talk in bed, ok?"

She nodded, quiet and agreeable, just like she always was. He kissed her and then headed in to Elisa.

About thirty minutes later, Tom made a cup of tea for Katie and took it in to their room.

He walked over to her side of the bed and put her tea on the side table and then watched her. She was asleep, her blonde hair softly covering her cheek. He loved her so very much and that boy she was carrying.

He wished he had been able to somehow take care of them and Elisa without needing help from Pop but he hadn't. He had only just started turning a profit at the ranch when they decided to move so there wasn't a lot left when it was sold and the mortgage was paid.

Her eyes opened when he kissed her forehead. "Hey, I'm sorry. I guess I was tired."

"That's ok. We can talk in the morning." She grabbed his hand as he stood.

"I want to talk now." He sat down again and held her hand. "What did Pop say? Does he have any ideas about a job?"

"Yeah. He said they may need a custodian at the school until summer break."

"That's good."

"Its only until June though. Two months, Kate."

"It's a job. In the mean time you can look around, right? And I'm going to ask at the grocery store once we know your hours."

"Sweetheart, I don't think you should work now. Someone needs to be home with Elisa after school and you're pregnant."

"Maybe Elisa can go home with Bill and Aubrey and we can pick her up later. And I'm perfectly capable of working right now."

"I know that you are capable it just makes me nervous."

She leaned forward and kissed him. "I love you and thank you for worrying, but we need the money. My and Elisa's health insurance needs to be paid."

He had given up on his own health insurance because it was too expensive. He considered himself a healthy person. Katie and Elisa and then their son were going to need it so they kept hers.

He still thought her standing up for hours on end couldn't possibly be good for her but she wasn't his daughter and he didn't want to tell her what to do. That was something he never compromised on in their marriage. She had her own mind.

He stood and took off his clothes from the day and put on a pair of shorts before sliding into bed. He still hadn't told her everything, but she was already falling back to sleep so it could wait until morning.

"I love you, Tom."

"Love you, Kate."

….

Katie made omelets the next morning, knowing the smells of breakfast would bring everyone downstairs soon. The coffee was brewing, toast was toasting, fruit was cut up.

"Morning, Kate," Ned said with a yawn.

"Morning, Dad." She poured him a cup of coffee, stirring in one spoonful of sugar for him. "Sleep well?"

"Honestly, no. I can't sleep alone. I've tried. Best I can do is three hours a night."

"Have you told your doctor that? Maybe he could prescribe something."

"The only thing that would help is to bring back my Laurie."

"Dad, I…"

"Mama?" Elisa said as she came down the stairs."

"Good morning, Ellie bug." She hugged her and smiled. "Don't you look pretty this morning?"

"I'm scared."

"You've been to this school before, sweets. Remember?"

"It was a long time ago."

"Yes, but Pop is still your principal."

"I guess that helps a little." She turned and walked over to Ned. "Morning, Grandpa."

"Morning, sweetie."

"Will you tie my belt?" She turned around so he could tie it.

"Oh, I don't know how you like it."

"Just tie it in a bow. Please?"

He picked up the two ends and tied them together. "Ok. All set."

"Thanks!" she pecked him on the cheek. "See you can do anything."

He chuckled. "If only that were true," he thought to himself.

"Morning everyone," Tom greeted, walking down, freshly showered and in black dress pants and a white button down.

"Morning, Tom," Katie said with a wink. "You sure are dressed up for breakfast. Or maybe we are underdressed."

He kissed her good morning. "I have to find a job."

She kissed him back. "Anyone would be crazy not to hire you."

"We'll see." He poured himself a cup of coffee and grabbed a piece of toast.

"We need to leave in fifteen minutes, Elisa." He took a bite and then set it down, his stomach a bit queasy with nerves. "When I get back, we need to talk, Kate."

Katie nodded. "Of course." She rubbed her belly and put his hand in the spot. "Your son says good morning."

"Hi, buddy." Feeling the movement of his little baby kicking gave him renewed confidence and determination to find a job. The people in the kitchen needed him and he wouldn't let them down.