AFTER GETTING FAR closer to Lisa on Saturday night than was good for either of them, Jubal spent the next week throwing all his time and energy into Luke’s ranch and learning more about the business.
He needed the distraction and stayed until well past seven or eight every night with the exception of Monday when he and Luke both attended the poker game.
The foal had grown more adventuresome every day. He seemed to recognize Jubal now, and he and his mother, Melody, cantered over to the fence when they saw him. He always arrived with pockets of carrots or apples, and Melody lost no time nuzzling his pocket for a treat.
“He’s a spirited little guy,” he said when Luke appeared at his side.
“Yep. And he still needs a name.”
“I know,” Jubal said. “I’m still thinking about it.”
“You’re spoiling her, you know,” Luke said as Jubal gave the mare half a carrot.
“I guess I am,” Jubal said. “She’s a great mother.”
“She is that.” He paused, then asked, “You mentioned the other day that the new doc and her kids might like to see the foal. I met them at Maude’s last night and invited them to drop by tomorrow.”
Jubal just nodded.
“You said the boy might want lessons?”
“He might.”
“Why don’t you give them? You’re capable of it and it would be good experience.”
That was the last thing he needed. He resisted. “I’m not qualified.”
“Tracy can sit in,” Luke said, persisting. “I could use another instructor for beginners. Tracy has a full load of experienced riders.”
Jubal felt he had no choice, not after everything Luke had done for him. He didn’t think, however, that Lisa would be happy. “If it’s okay with them,” he qualified.
It wouldn’t be. He knew that. He wished he’d never mentioned the ranch to Gordon or mentioned Lisa to Luke.
He’d done everything he could this past week to avoid both Lisa and her brother. She’d made it clear on Saturday night that she worried about his influence over her brother. And Jubal worried about any involvement between Lisa and himself. He’d just barely stopped himself from deepening that kiss Saturday night, and dammit, she’d seldom left his thoughts since.
He realized the attraction was deeper and more complex than any he’d felt in a long time. Usually once a pretty face attracted him, there would be a few dates, a few passionate nights, and then he’d be off on another mission. He’d never made promises, nor wanted to make them. Maybe because he remembered those fights between his parents, how much his mother hated the waiting, the danger, the lack of a real home.
So he immersed himself in Luke’s ranch.
In the past week, he’d learned to do nearly everything that needed to be done around the stable area, including grooming and cleaning the tack and stalls. He knew each horse now and which were difficult. He was there when Stephanie visited the new mother and baby, gave the foal its first shots and took blood tests. He went with Luke to buy feed in a bigger town fifty miles away.
He’d stayed late Tuesday and Wednesday talking to Luke about ranching, and Luke invited other ranchers over Wednesday night, as well. It was a good distraction. Not just from Lisa, but also from the fact that he was no longer a SEAL. He’d never liked being inactive, which was one reason he still swam every morning and ran every night. But he needed more than exercise; he needed a goal.
He didn’t delude himself. If he did decide to try ranching, it would take months, maybe a year or more, to do the research and get the financing. It would be more years before he could build anything that would turn a profit.
Luke gave Jubal the list of horses for the day. “Start with Rob Roy,” he said. “He hasn’t had any exercise in the past few days. He’s a cutting horse, can make a turn on a dime, so be sure to pay attention. Tracy will be around if you need anything.”
Jubal nodded.
Luke walked back to his pickup and headed for a meeting he had in town. Jubal knew Rob Roy, had fed him several times and given him treats. He approached him with a carrot, and the short stocky bay seemed appreciative, even more so when Jubal walked him out to the tack area and saddled him. He sensed the horse’s eagerness. Since the rustling problem, they’d been in the barn at night rather than allowed to wander.
He started out slow, walking the bay around the ring, loosening him up. After fifteen minutes, Jubal had adjusted to the horse’s gait and quick movement. He opened the gate and rode Rob Roy into the large open pasture.
He kept him to a trot until he was sure of his control, then allowed him to stretch into a gallop. It was like riding the wind.
It felt like that was where he belonged. He recalled the rodeo, the dust and the crowds and the pride when his father placed. What he remembered most was being lifted onto Dusty’s back and riding around the corral as he was applauded by his father’s friends, a feeling unmatched until he’d earned the SEAL Trident.
As they approached the stream, he slowed to a trot. He was beginning to anticipate the horse’s movements and relaxed slightly as they started back.
Lisa popped back in his head. He kept hearing the fear in her voice when she talked about Gordon, the spark of passion in her eyes when he’d kissed her, the melding of their bodies for just a few seconds.
For five days, he’d fought the impulse to call her. At the same time, he felt guiltly about not calling Gordon regarding the riding lessons he’d asked about. But Lisa made it pretty clear she didn’t approve and he wanted to respect that.
Inexplicably, it had stung deeply. It also made him the bad guy with Gordon because he couldn’t tell the kid why without furthering the rift between sister and brother.
And now, due to his own earlier careless words, Luke had done what Jubal had tried so hard not to do...
Rob Roy made a sudden turn. Jubal was ejected from the saddle right over the bay’s head. The landing hurt like hell and it took a moment to realize what had happened, but he was thankful for the hard hat Luke insisted he wear at all times. He explored his body. No open wounds. No breaks. But he knew he would have a mass of bruises the next day.
Rob Roy immediately returned to him, nudged him as if in apology or maybe it was more like “pay attention after this.” Jubal stood and painfully mounted, knowing he would be even sorer in the morning. It had been his fault and a good lesson. He’d become too confident and allowed his mind to wander to the next day, to seeing Gordon and his sister.
When he returned to the stable, Luke was returning in the pickup.
He stepped down, walked over to Jubal and his gaze roamed over Jubal’s grass-stained clothes.
“Have a little tumble?” the rancher observed.
Jubal knew he looked sheepish. “Rob Roy made some of those little turns you warned me about.”
“You aren’t the first and won’t be the last. You aren’t a horseman until you take your first fall,” Luke said.
Despite growing discomfort throughout his body, Jubal liked the sound of “horseman.”
“How long have you had him?”
“Six months. I took him as a favor for someone who retired from the cattle business. I’m trying to find the right buyer for him.”
“I hope you warn whoever it is.”
“I will,” Luke said. He hesitated, then added, “I hope you don’t take it wrong, Jubal, but I talked to Al Monroe today. He’s president of the bank and has insurance and real estate interests.”
Jubal nodded cautiously. “I believe I met him at the pageant.”
“I went to see him about some insurance business. I told him about your situation, as well. Said you might be interested in some ranch land. He suggested you come see him.”
“I’m not ready for that...”
“I know,” Luke said. “And I told him that. But before you get too interested, you might want to talk to him anyway.”
Jubal hesitated. “Trying to get rid of me?”
“Hell, no, you’re the best worker I’ve ever had and I don’t even pay you. You’re a natural with horses. I can’t believe you haven’t done more riding, although I suspect your experience overseas taught you a lot. Still, I don’t know when I’ve seen anyone learn as quickly as you have. Especially without grumbling.”
“You just haven’t heard it,” Jubal said.
Luke grinned. “I hope you stick around the area.” He handed Jubal a business card. “Al comes across as a hard-ass, but don’t take it personally. There’s a heart in there somewhere.”
Jubal just nodded, wondering whether he wasn’t being carried too far, too fast, on a wave of need. “Thanks.”
Luke looked at the bruises already coloring Luke’s left arm. “Why don’t you take off, get some rest after your fall?”
“No, thanks.” Jubal smiled.
Luke just shrugged and left.
Jubal was hungry when he finished the list five hours later. It seemed every bone in his body ached. He didn’t have much food left at the cabin and he didn’t want to run into anyone or answer any questions in town. Most of all he didn’t want to see Lisa or Gordon.
He decided to try the Rusty Nail. He figured the owners wouldn’t object to his less-than-respectable appearance, and it was unlikely he’d run into the Reddings. He’d washed thoroughly in the barn before leaving, but his clothes were stained and smelled like horse.
Out of habit, he took a table in the corner where he could see the rest of the room. In a matter of seconds, a pretty waitress approached him. “You must be the new vet.” She smiled. “Sorry I missed you the other night, but I’ve heard the guys talk about you. Jubal, isn’t it?”
He should have been surprised, but he wasn’t. He was learning how fast information flowed in Covenant Falls. He nodded.
“Welcome,” she said. “I’m Nancy. What can I get you?”
“One of those great burgers and onion rings. I’m starved.”
“And what to drink?”
“A local beer. You pick it.”
“Gotcha.”
The beer was there almost as fast as the words left his mouth. It came in an ice cold bottle just like Jubal preferred. He looked around. The bar was half full but most of the occupants were couples, and he felt the odd man out. He didn’t understand why it bothered him. He usually preferred to be alone rather than part of a group, especially since his discharge.
His first empty beer was replaced by a second, and came along with his hamburger, which tasted as good as advertised. Tastier than Maude’s, but that might’ve just been the ropes of grilled onions on top.
Nancy was right about the onion rings, too.
He left a large tip on the table when he finished, a little after six, then drove to the cabin, looking forward to a hot shower and what? Another evening alone...
It had also been more difficult than he’d imagined to stay away from Lisa. There was no mistaking her response to him. She felt the same explosive attraction he did. It was in the kiss, in the way she rested in his arm, in her gaze. But she definitely was not the woman for him for more reasons than he could count...
He tried to erase her from his mind and concentrate on what Luke had said about the banker. To have any kind of discussion, Jubal knew he should put together a list of assets, though a horse ranch probably wasn’t a banker’s first choice as a sound investment, anyway, even if he had a substantial down payment.
He mentally counted his assets. He’d received a large check for two years of back pay when returning to the States. He had banked his three hundred thousand in two re-up bonuses, and over the years he’d usually saved half of his monthly paycheck. He managed most of his own finances rather than using a broker, putting half into CDs when the rates were high, and when they expired and the rates went down, he bought blue chip stocks that had dividends.
Over the years he’d done well. But he knew how fast it could disappear buying land and horses.
When he reached the cabin, Jubal saw Gordon. He was sitting on the bench he’d built.
Jubal stopped the car on the road and walked over, to Gordon, joining him on the bench.
“You were going to see about horseback riding lessons,” Gordon said, looking straight ahead.
“Did you sister say it was okay?”
“She didn’t say no.”
“She just wasn’t overly enthusiastic?” Jubal asked.
Gordon didn’t answer. But disillusionment was in his eyes. Another adult had disappointed him.
Jubal wanted to tell him that the problem might well be solved, that Lisa planned to bring them to the ranch. Once there, he was sure Luke could talk her into lessons.
“Can’t you say something?”
He’d already been told, more or less, to back off, but he couldn’t say that, either.
“Luke Daniels, who owns the ranch, ran into her today and invited the three of you to come see the new foal. I expect when you get home, she’ll tell you about it.”
“For real?”
“For real.”
“And I can ride?”
“Yeah.”
“Did you have anything to do with it?”
“It was Luke’s idea. He’s a good guy. You’ll like him.”
“You think Lisa will do it?”
“I think you should let her bring it up herself.” Jubal didn’t like being duplicitous, especially with people he liked. He changed direction. “The foal is only a week old but he’s galloping almost as fast as his mom.” Truth was, he’d been wanting to ask Lisa all week whether she’d like to see the foal. How many times had he picked up the phone and put it back down? He wondered if Luke sensed that.
“How’s school?” he asked after a silence.
Gordon shrugged.
“Go out for any sports?”
“Teams are pretty much set.”
“What about track? You have the body for it. It’s an individual sport.”
“Is that what you did?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“I knew I wanted to go into the military.”
“Why?”
“I was angry,” he admitted.
“Why?”
“You need to expand your vocabulary.”
“You’re avoiding the question,” Gordon charged.
“Yeah, I am. Ever thought about being a lawyer?” Jubal asked.
“I did want to be an engineer,” Gordon said.
“You don’t now?”
“I don’t know. I got into some...trouble.”
“That shouldn’t stop you if you get your act together. I think you would make a good engineer.”
“Why?”
“There’s that vocabulary problem again. But I’ll answer. I gave you a project. You selected plans, made changes and did a damn good job putting it together.”
“Why did you do that? Why didn’t you call the cops when you found me on the deck?”
“I didn’t want to.”
Gordon’s lips turned up in a grin. “I don’t get you.”
“Why don’t you go home?” he said. “Your sister might be worried about you.”
“You really think she’ll let me ride?”
“Yeah. She cares about you. A lot. From what I understand she gave up a lot for you and your sister, but mainly you.”
Gordon looked at him for a long moment. “I guess.”
“No guessing. And you might think about telling her about the first night you were here.”
Gordon blanched. “She’ll ground me forever.”
“I don’t think so. I think she’ll respect you.”
Gordon shook his head. “I’ve been reading about the SEALs,” he said, changing the subject. “They’re pretty awesome.”
Jubal didn’t reply.
“How long were you a SEAL?”
“Nearly twenty years.”
“You ever kill a terrorist?”
“We can’t talk about it,” Jubal said. “Even if I could, I wouldn’t. You’re far better off as an engineer.”
Gordon stood up. “I guess I better go.”
Jubal watched him go. He feared his message hadn’t gotten through.