THE COVENANT FALLS Medical Clinic opened at nine on Saturday morning and closed a little after noon.
“An easy morning,” Lisa said as Janie checked out the last patient. It had consisted of colds, a deep cut, a sprained ankle and prescription renewals.
Janie had given her a list of low-income patients with chronic diseases. She was discovering that finding ways to cut costs for her patients was part of her job. After talking to the town’s pharmacist about ways to minimize their costs, she made a note to call pharmaceutical reps on Monday and ask for free samples.
It was treating the whole patient that she enjoyed most about the practice. Many of them told stories about Dr. Bradley and how he’d delivered them and even their mother or father. They all loved him.
Her cell rang as she locked the door. “Hi.” Eve’s cheerful voice came over the phone. “You haven’t been to Josh’s inn yet and we’d like to take you to dinner there tonight. It’s short notice, but there’s an excellent Western group playing tonight. Several of its members were in the pageant chorus. I know you enjoyed it and thought you would like this, as well. Josh has booked them before and he’s always had great reviews.”
Lisa hesitated. She wasn’t sure whether the invitation included Gordon and Kerry.
“I thought you might enjoy an evening without worrying whether the kids are enjoying it,” Eve added as though reading her thoughts.
“You noticed that the other night?”
“I’ve noticed my son doesn’t enjoy the inn as much as he enjoys dinner at home. He feels he has to be on his best behavior.”
Eve was right. Gordon and Kerry had said very little at the dinner at Eve’s house, and yes, she would enjoy seeing the inn. She was fascinated with the Camel Trail Inn sign and the legend.
She paused, thinking. She could make a hamburger casserole for Kerry and Gordon. It was one of their favorite meals, and she would promise to do whatever they wanted tomorrow. Tonight, they’d be fine for a few hours without her. After all, Gordon was seventeen and Kerry nearly fourteen.
And the idea of an all adult dinner was attractive.
“I would love that,” she said. “Thank you.”
“Oh, and dress is nothing fancy. Maybe country chic, if that makes any sense.”
Lisa wasn’t quite sure what that was, but she guessed a simple skirt and blouse would do. “Okay,” she said.
“Good. I’ll make reservations. Josh and I will pick you up at a quarter to seven.
After Lisa hung up, she went home and found a note from Kerry. She had taken Susie over to Stephanie’s clinic to volunteer. Maybe, Lisa thought, her sister was a budding veterinarian.
That meant she had the afternoon off. Gordon had grabbed two slices of toast and left for Jubal Pierce’s cabin shortly after seven this morning.
She knew she should be relieved Gordon was being conscientious about the job, but she still had the feeling he was hiding something from her. He certainly had become adept at doing that in Chicago, and she hadn’t truly trusted him since.
But what could it be?
Maybe she was seeing problems where there were none. Last year had been so traumatic for all of them. She’d let everyone down—her mother, her aunt, the kids, herself... If she’d been around more, if she’d waited another year to finish the residency, well, then she would have been home when needed. It was the reason she didn’t confront her brother now. She didn’t feel she had the moral authority. Gordon certainly didn’t feel she did.
And that brought her back to Jubal Pierce. Unfortunately, he occupied too many of her thoughts and, when he did, warmth surged through her in a most disturbing way.
She mentally cataloged what she knew about him, which was precious little. He had no family; at least, that was her impression. He’d said his grandparents were Texans and that his father had been in the rodeo. Nothing about his mother. She didn’t know whether he’d ever been married.
What she did know was disconcerting. He was a veteran and had been wounded, probably several times over if his body was any indication.
He was uncommonly fit. She knew of his runs and early-morning swims and had seen that hard muscled body. He was every inch a warrior.
After seeing that tattoo, she’d looked it up on her computer. It was the SEAL Trident. She’d read enough to know they were among the most skilled and fierce fighters. She also knew they operated in teams that were as close as any family. What had happened to his?
What fascinated her was the gentleness he’d displayed with her sister and the dog, and the odd connection he had with Gordon. And this morning she learned from Janie that he was now working for a rancher and had helped birth a colt.
Nothing, obviously, was a secret in Covenant Falls.
The fact that he apparently had a job on a ranch meant he would likely be staying longer than he’d originally intended. She’d understood he would be here only a few days and hadn’t overly worried about his influence on Gordon. Or the attraction that had flared between them.
Darn it, but he was intriguing. Complicated. And the last person she needed in her life.
Or Gordon’s. If Jubal Pierce became a hero to him, a role model, she’d guess the odds of Gordon enlisting in ten months would go up.
She didn’t want to lose another family member. She couldn’t.
So why didn’t she put a stop to things? Why let Jubal linger in her mind?
Darn it, she wouldn’t any longer. A long soaking bath sounded good, especially if she was going out for the evening. Bath oil and a candle sounded even better but she didn’t have any. A trip to the general store was in order. She might even buy something new to wear tonight.
And she would forget about Jubal Pierce.
* * *
GORDON REDDING ARRIVED at Jubal’s cabin at seven-thirty Saturday morning.
Jubal had been awake for hours, although he’d actually slept in the bed after a short rain shower chased him from the lounge chair.
He rose at dawn, ran several miles, then plunged into the lake for a swim. Then he settled down in the chair on the porch with his book on ranching. He knew Gordon would show. He had something to prove.
Gordon parked his bike, glanced at the porch, then went up the steps and opened the door. “I’m here.”
“I’m not blind,” Jubal said. “I borrowed the tools you should need. They are in the box next to the lumber. If you need anything more, tell me. If not, you can get started.”
“You’re not going to...?” Gordon stopped.
“Help? Supervise? No. Remember, you’re the contractor. I’m going to sit here, drink my coffee and read a book.”
The kid shook his head and walked to the boards, picked up two and carried them down the drive. Jubal watched as the boy carried everything out to the dock, then went back to his book.
He heard hammering on and off. An hour went by, then another. He told himself not to interfere. It would ruin the mission. Gordon had to do it himself. If you tear something down, you have to rebuild it.
At noon, he made a couple of sandwiches and grabbed two sodas. He started down the path when he saw Gordon talking to someone. He immediately recognized the boy from the night he arrived. He was the one that had apparently been a lookout but had run instead.
Jubal resisted the temptation to go out there and knock the kid in the water as he had Gordon. But he waited. He knew there was an argument. It was in Gordon’s stance. The new kid suddenly took a swing at Gordon, who ducked. Gordon then charged his opponent and they both went into the water.
Jubal didn’t wait another second. He dropped the food and ran to the dock, only to see Gordon pull the other kid out of the water and dump him on the dry ground. He stared at Jubal defiantly.
The other kid took off running toward an old Buick parked in the circle at the end of Lake Road. Jubal could have caught up with the boy but he was more concerned with Gordon at the moment. Besides, he had the boy’s face memorized now and he planned to ask Clint about him.
“You handle yourself pretty well,” he said. “Go inside the house. You can borrow those same sweats you wore before. I’ll put your clothes in the dryer.”
“What about the bench?”
Jubal looked at it. It was nearly finished, and it looked damn good. It hadn’t been anchored, and there were no arms yet, but the bench seat was angled for comfort. It looked sturdy. Hell, he might even use it.
“Doesn’t look like it’ll take you long to finish. Looks like a good job. What did that coward want, anyway?”
“Nothin’,” Gordon said. He obviously wasn’t going to admit anything.
Jubal shrugged. “Okay, but I’ll keep an eye out for him.”
Gordon followed him to the cabin, changed clothes, then ate two sandwiches like he hadn’t eaten in days. “I heard you’ve been working at a ranch,” he said when he finished.
“Part-time.”
“You like it?” Gordon said.
“Yeah, I do.”
“You said your dad was in the rodeo. That must’ve been neat.”
“It was, as long as it lasted,” Jubal replied.
“You think I could go to the ranch with you sometime?”
“Your sister would have to approve.”
“She let Kerry ride at Mrs. Manning’s house.”
“But your sister was there.”
Interest seemed to die in Gordon’s eyes. The kid obviously felt rebuffed and Jubal didn’t want that. He liked him more every time he saw him. He had a chip the size of a boulder on his shoulder but he was a hard worker and smarter than he wanted anyone to think.
Jubal related to that, particularly the boulder.
The kid went back to work.
Back off, Jubal told himself. After the bench was finished, Gordon would no longer be his business. He would be doing a disservice to both of them if he encouraged any kind of friendship. The kid was obviously hungering for a father figure, and Jubal sure as hell wasn’t one, not to mention he still didn’t plan to stay around long.
His phone rang and he picked it up. “It’s Josh. How would you like to come to the inn for dinner tonight? We have a damn good restaurant there and entertainment to boot. Can you join us?”
Jubal liked Maude’s, but he was curious. Josh had apparently carved out a new life for himself. He seemed content. Jubal wanted to know his path. “Sounds good. What time?”
“Seven.”
“I’ll be there. Thanks.”
Three hours later, Gordon returned to the cabin with the box full of tools. “I’m finished, unless you want me to paint it.”
Jubal followed the kid to the dock and inspected the bench. He sat down on it and damn if it wasn’t comfortable.
Gordon looked anxious. “I can paint it.”
“I don’t think it needs it. Consider your debt paid after you take the wood trimmings to the cottage.”
Gordon picked up the bits and pieces of wood and headed back to the cabin.
“Ever build anything before?” Jubal asked as they reached the cabin.
“Just that kid’s fort I told you about.”
“What about with your dad?”
“A bicycle. A train set. Stuff like that.” For a moment, he looked lost.
“Tough break.”
“Yeah. Well, I gotta go.”
Jubal reached in his pocket, took out a twenty and handed it to Gordon.
“What’s this for?” Gordon asked.
“Call it a bonus.”
Gordon looked surprised but took it. “You need anything else done?” he asked.
“Not at the moment.”
“About the ranch,” Gordon said tentatively. “Maybe I could learn to ride...?” He paused, then grinned. “I got twenty dollars to pay.”
“If your sister agrees, I’ll check with the rancher.” Jubal tried not to smile. He was well pleased that Luke had already agreed, but he’d wanted the idea to come from Gordon.
Gordon hesitated. Shifted on his feet. “Thanks, Mr. Pierce,” he said.
“No more fires,” Jubal replied.
Gordon nodded. “No more fires,” the boy confirmed before going to his bike and pedaling away.
Two hours later, Jubal shaved and dressed for dinner. An inn required something more than sweatpants or jeans. He had one decent pair of pants and he added a long-sleeved shirt. No tie. Hell, he didn’t even own a tie.
He rolled up the sleeves of the shirt and looked at the clock. It was six-thirty.
He wanted a drink. Unfortunately, he was out of both beer and anything stronger. He sighed, half wishing he’d refused. He really just wanted to enjoy his victory today. Privately. He had been right about Gordon. The fact that the kid had lost his father at around the same age Jubal lost his made him feel even more confident in the work they’d done together.
At fifteen minutes to seven, he left the cabin.
* * *
LISA WAS LOOKING forward to going to the inn. She’d heard about it from Janie and several other patients who had asked how she liked Covenant Falls. Everyone loved Maude’s, but they also mentioned the inn as something special. She made her casserole and tried to call Gordon to find out when he would arrive, but he hadn’t answered. He’d said he would be working at Jubal Pierce’s cabin, but he hadn’t specified how long he’d be gone.
She thought about driving over there but that would be saying she didn’t trust him. She told herself she had to give him some space. At least trouble seemed to be limited in Covenant Falls.
The front door slammed and Gordon strolled into the room.
His face was sunburned, and his clothes a mess.
“I’m glad you’re home,” she said. “I’ve been invited to dinner tonight with the Mannings. Can you stay home and look after Kerry? I have a hamburger casserole ready to go in the oven.”
“Okay,” he said.
The answer surprised her, but she wasn’t about to question gifts. “Thanks,” she said. “Did you finish what you were doing at Mr. Pierce’s cabin?”
“Yeah. Mr. Pierce said I did a good job.”
Lisa heard a pride that had been missing for a long time. She remembered before their mother got sick when he would rush home with some project or another that had won an award. He’d always had a knack for putting things together. “That’s great,” she said.
“He’s working at a horse ranch outside town,” Gordon said.
“I heard.”
“They raise quarter horses,” Gordon added.
Lisa didn’t like the direction the conversation was taking. She waited for the bomb to drop.
“He said maybe I could get some lessons there,” Gordon continued.
Ah, there it was.
“Eve said she and Stephanie will teach you,” Lisa tried. “You’re both invited tomorrow for lessons.”
She saw the stubborn look come into his face. “I don’t think so,” he said.
“We’ll talk about riding later. Okay?” She worried about a virtual stranger having influence over him. Why would someone like Jubal, a former SEAL, take such a strong interest in Gordon?
And to be truthful, she feared the reaction the man aroused in her. Maybe that was influencing her.
“I can pay for it myself,” Gordon said defiantly, then headed for the stairs without another word.
Lisa watched him go. She was losing him again. He obviously did not like her having a say in what he did. He wanted to learn with Jubal because it was his idea. And a bit of hero worship, maybe? If Gordon wanted a role model, why couldn’t he pick a doctor or teacher? Or a builder like Nate?
She was grateful Kerry was outside, wearing Susie out, or maybe it was the other way around. She went upstairs and changed into a dark brown full skirt and lacy beige top she’d brought from Chicago. She added a coral necklace that had been a gift from her mother and piled her hair up into a twist in back.
After putting the casserole in the oven, she was ready to go at a quarter to seven. Kerry and Susie were curled up on the sofa, Kerry with a book and Susie snuggled up with a new toy. Lisa snapped a photo with her cell. She wished she had one of Gordon when he first came inside with his sunburned face and rare smile. It has disappeared too quickly.
“Have a good time, Lisa,” Kerry said.
“You sure you don’t mind?”
“No. You deserve it.”
Lisa put her hand on Kerry’s shoulder and gave her a hug. “Thanks.”
Just then she heard a vehicle turn into the drive.
She went outside. Eve was in the driver’s seat.
“Hi,” Eve said. “Josh went ahead to check on some things.”
Lisa stepped into the passenger’s seat and minutes later Eve drove up to the Camel Trail Inn.
She’d admired the outside before and loved the camel on the sign, but the inside lobby had a “wow” factor beyond her expectations. Paintings of mountain scenes decorated the wood-paneled interior. A huge rock fireplace dominated one wall. Eve led her through the lobby into a dining room that was lit by what looked like gaslights but must be electric. It looked like a late-1800s eatery with rich paneling and heavy tables, each with a vase of fresh flowers at the center. The room was both charming and warm.
She recognized some locals. She could also identify the tourists. It was obviously a special spot for the locals and they dressed for it. The tourists were mostly still in shorts and jeans.
Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Jubal sitting with Andy, Josh and Nate at a table set for six. The men stood as she and Eve approached. Jubal looked as surprised as she felt when her group neared the table.
“This is Josh’s and Nate’s treat,” Eve said softly. “I hope you don’t mind if we included Jubal, but the guys wanted to show off the inn.”
She did mind. She minded because of the way he made her pulse race. But he looked great in slacks and a blue shirt that made his eyes resemble the color of an evening sky.
They all sat and a young lady wearing jeans and a western shirt immediately approached to hand them menus, greeting them cheerfully.
Lisa tried to lose herself in the menu but found it hard to concentrate with Jubal immediately across from her. “I highly recommend the rainbow trout or one of the steaks,” Eve said. “The trout comes from the mountain streams around here. Josh can’t always get it.”
Lisa ordered the rainbow trout as did Eve and Andy. The men all opted for the steaks.
Eve kept the conversation going, regaling them with town legends. Lisa recalled from the pageant that the town founder bought camels from the army to carry supplies to miners over mountain trails.
“Stephanie wanted to recreate the story in the pageant and rented two real camels,” Eve said. “Unfortunately they got loose and galloped down Main Street just before the opening day.
“They were terrifying everyone, with Andy in chase,” Nate said, looking at Andy with so much love in his eyes it made Lisa ache.
Eve took up the story. “Andy sent two befuddled police officers to get some bananas at the general store and coaxed the camels back by feeding them. Took every banana the grocer had.”
“They were then Stephanie’s responsibility,” Eve continued. “She’d rented them as a joke. But then she had to take care of them during the rest of the week and they were very wayward camels.”
“Where is Stephanie?” Lisa asked.
“In addition to being our vet, she’s a search and rescue volunteer with her dog, Sherry,” Josh said. “Just before six, she was called out on a search and rescue mission about a hundred miles from here,” Nate said. “An elderly woman and her dog have been missing for six or seven days. No one knew they were lost until her car was spotted on a rarely-used road. After checking the registration, they found a family member. Apparently she doesn’t always inform someone when she goes on a hiking expedition.”
“And Clint is out patrolling,” Josh added. “There’s been some rustling in the area recently. All three of the cars are out this weekend.”
Lisa’s head was spinning. Runaway camels, cattle rustling and lost people. So much for peaceful Covenant Falls.
She glanced at Jubal. He’d said very little, but he was listening. His jaw seemed to tighten when Nate mentioned the rustling, and his eyes hardened.
Their gazes met. She was stunned by the pure need that skittered along her nerve endings and settled in the pit of her stomach. A powerful craving seemed to take over her body. She saw something in his eyes flicker and could tell he felt it, too. She fervently hoped no one else had noticed her...momentary distraction. Except it wasn’t momentary. It had been there from the instant she’d first seen him.
The food came along with two bottles of wine, one white and one red. Lisa nibbled at the trout. She suspected it was very good, but her stomach was doing weird things. She tried to keep her eyes on the food, but they kept wandering to Jubal, who apparently wasn’t similarly affected. He was downing the steak as if he’d never had one before. She gulped down her glass of wine.
Jubal looked up then, and to her utter surprise, he winked at her. Then his expression went blank again so quickly she wondered whether she’d imagined it. He was always so...stoic. Yes, surely she’d imagined it.
Dessert came at the same time a small band appeared in the corner of the room and started playing. The members varied in age and she recognized several from the pageant. There was a small dance floor, and by the third song, couples were dancing, including Nate and Andy.
To her surprise, Jubal stood. “Doctor?”
It would be rude to say no. But the simple fact was she didn’t want to, anyway. He took her hand, and electricity shot up it. Then he put his arms around her. She was tall, but she felt tiny next to him. He was a good dancer, graceful and easy to follow, he seemed to do everything well.
Lisa looked up. He was looking down with a warmth that startled her. She wanted to lean against him, but that would mean surrendering to feelings she knew were only fleeting. They had to be; he had no place in her life.
But then why did she feel this intensity—this raw naked need—when she was with him? Their gazes met. Held. She saw the same want in him that was making her body ache.
They stayed on the floor for two more numbers before he returned her to the table. They walked back to their table, and their hands fell apart, but the warmth remained.
A few days. She’d known him for only a few days, she reminded herself as Josh took care of the bill.
The six of them walked out together. The sky had turned cloudy and Lisa felt the moisture in the air.
“I can take Dr. Redding home,” Jubal said. “Her house is closer to the cabin.”
“That okay, Lisa?” Eve said.
Oh, no! Lisa nodded and walked blindly to Jubal’s car.