He’d needed this. A weekend with kids and puppies, the comforts of home. Ruby. The only thing that was missing was his brother, but there was no chance of Caleb getting anywhere near this place until his sentence was lifted—and even then, he wouldn’t come willingly.

“It’s about time you came out to see us,” his dad said as the two older Johnson boys ran up the steps and embraced his legs. “There’s nine in this batch. Can you believe it? Nine. Tilly is exhausted. So is your mother, but don’t tell her I said that.”

“I want to see the puppies!” Julio cried. “Ruby, this is where the puppies live. All the puppies. Can I take Wheezy to say hello?”

“I think your first stop should be to the restroom,” she reminded him. He looked as though he’d like to argue, but at a nod from Spencer, he took Xavier’s hand and led his brother into the house.

The sight—of such easy brotherly affection and care—caused another of those reminiscent pangs, but there was no time to reflect on it. Before Spencer could introduce the adults to one another, Ruby stepped into the fray. Shifting her position so Max was cradled on her hip, she extended a hand out toward his father and smiled brightly. “There’s no need to tell me who you are. I’d have known you for Spencer and Caleb’s father anywhere. They look exactly like you.”

His father chuckled and accepted the handshake. “And you must be Ruby,” he countered. “Spencer’s told us so much about you. He said you were going to be the professional ruin of him, but you don’t look like you’d hurt a fly.”

Spencer did his best not to blush, but he could feel the tips of his ears growing warm. He’d had one conversation with his parents about Ruby, and he couldn’t remember saying anything of the sort. He’d mentioned Wheezy and Ruby’s pageant history and how determined she was to get the better of him in literally everything, but…huh. Maybe he hadn’t been as discreet as he thought.

“Don’t tell anyone, but he’s much more likely to be the ruin of me. I’ve never known anyone who handles dogs the way he does. Or people, come to think of it.” She gave the child on her hip a waggle. “I hate to be rude, but do you mind if I take this little one in and clean him up? It was a bit of a drive.”

“Of course.” His dad stepped aside to allow her to pass. “The other two will be in the guest bathroom, but there’s another one just off Spencer and Caleb’s old room. Down the hall and second door on the right.”