“No, and maybe I should explain the reasoning behind why I didn’t get one,” Cody answered. “Daddy explained that, to be fair, if he bought one pony, he would have to buy three—one each for Lucas and Jesse on their birthdays too, and we didn’t need that many ponies on the ranch. I found out later that he had lost his last horse just before we came to live at the ranch, and it hurt him so bad that he vowed he wouldn’t have any more horses on his property. He was saving me from the pain of having to put my pony down later in life.”

“So, what is your first memory?” Stevie asked.

“That would be when I was three and Lucas was just a baby—barely walking. A lady put us in the car with her and took us to the ranch. The lady said our new mama and daddy were waiting and they would love us. There was another little kid there, and Mama said his name was Jesse. I was scared, but I had to be strong for Lucas, or he would start crying.”

“You were adopted? What happened to your real parents? I mean your biological ones. I don’t think I ever knew that you weren’t…actually Sonny and Pearl’s son…” Stevie stammered. “I’m sorry. That didn’t come out right.”

“It’s okay. It’s old news and not many people even remember that we aren’t biologically Ryans,” Cody said. “Lucas and I were taken away from our parents because they were on drugs. They got sent away and we were put into foster care. I don’t remember anything about them. I was only two and Lucas was just a few weeks old when all that happened. Later, they died in prison, and we went to live on Sunflower Ranch. After a few months, Sonny and Pearl adopted us, and we had a good life. I couldn’t have asked for better parents.”

“And then you’ve got Jesse and Addy and their daughter, Mia, plus the twins they’ve just adopted. I’m jealous of all those folks in your life, Cody,” Stevie admitted. “I guess I’ve got a lot to be thankful for. I’ve been wallowing in a pity pool when I should be remembering the good times.”

“Grief will do that to you,” Cody said.

“I never knew that you Ryan guys weren’t all three full-blood brothers,” Stevie said.

“I love my brothers, both of them equally, even though Lucas is my only blood brother,” Cody said, “but there were lots of times when I would have gladly thrown them out in the yard if I could have been an only child.”

“I would have taken them in to be my brothers if you had.” Stevie pointed to the window. “Look, it’s stopped snowing.”