It was more than a week later, just days before Christmas, when Lindsey found herself back in San Angelo. Hank had called and convinced her to stay on as the veterinarian, if only temporarily. Since Brady was gone and she hadn’t heard from him, there wasn’t any reason she couldn’t return to what she loved to do. And with Jack on the mend from his successful transplant, she could leave Ft. Worth.
She walked out onto the porch of the same cabin she’d stayed in before. It was hard to push aside the memories, all the time she and Brady had shared here.
She wanted to forget him, but she loved this man who put duty and love of his country at top priority. She only wanted a small part of his life and for him to let her go with him. Had he been deployed overseas? No matter where he’d gone, there was no denying she loved him.
Lindsey glanced up into the cloudless sky. She hoped he was happy now. She hugged her jacket closer for warmth as she wandered down the path toward the creek. The small herd of mustangs grazed in the golden meadow grass.
She was doing what she loved, too. In a place she’d come to love like a home. Even if she didn’t stay on after Dr. Hillman’s practice was sold, Hank had invited her to come back periodically and check the ponies.
Hank Barrett hadn’t been subtle in trying to convince her to stay permanently. She wanted so much to live here and be around the Randells. To keep that one link between Jack and his sons.
Still she missed Brady, wanted the best for him. “I hope you’ve banished your ghosts,” she whispered into the cool breeze.
“I have, Doc,” a familiar voice answered.
She turned around to see Brady on Dusty. He wore his same bomber jacket and cowboy hat. And a silly grin.
She blinked several times, wondering if she’d wanted to see him so badly that she dreamed him up. “Brady? How? You’re here?”
He swung his leg over the horse’s rump and jumped down. “Surprised?”
“Well, you seem to pop up everywhere.” She didn’t like this. “Are you home for the holidays?”
“You could say that.” He walked toward her. “But mostly I’m here to see you.”
“I thought you’d gone back on active duty. Tess said you aced the review board.”
“I did. I’ve even been up in an F-16, and everything went fine. Great, in fact. No more nightmares about the crash. I only dream of you these days.”
She refused to get excited. “I’m happy for you.”
Brady had been hoping for a friendlier welcome. “I’m glad you came back here, Lindsey. It’s where you belong.” He moved closer. “I’m selfish, since I like having you around.”
She stiffened. “So you think I’m going to be around for your convenience whenever you come home on leave? Well, think again, fly boy. You can just turn around and ride off.”
Brady couldn’t help but smile. God, he’d missed her. “Never again, Doc. I care too much for you.” He tried to reach for her, but she stepped back.
“If you do, then why do you keep coming after me, then leaving me again?” She clenched her fists. “How many times do you expect me to say goodbye to you?”
He sobered. “I’m not saying goodbye, Lindsey. I came by your cabin because I wanted to see you, tell you how I feel.”
She bit her lower lip. “We both know how it will turn out,” she said, then started up the hill toward the cabin.
Brady tied Dusty’s reins to a nearby tree and strode after her. “You aren’t even going to hear me out?”
“Why? So you can tell me again how much the military means to you? I know how much, Brady.”
“No, Lindsey, you mean more.”
She turned around and shouted. “Prove it. Ask me to go with you.”
Brady was taken aback by her request. “Okay. Lindsey Stafford, will you go with me?”
She looked shocked, then said, “Yes, Brady. I’ll go wherever you go.”
He continued up the hill until he stood before her. “You’d do that, Doc? You’d go off with me without knowing what the future holds?”
She nodded slowly. “We’d be together.”
“What if I go as close as Laughlin Air Force in Del Rio.” He raised an eyebrow. “Or say we only have to go as far as the Rocking R’s foreman’s cottage? That’s where we’ll live until I build us a bigger house.”
Her pretty green eyes narrowed suspiciously.
He let out a long breath. “In two and a half months I’m resigning from active duty.”
She gasped. “No, Brady, you can’t do that. You love to fly. And I’d never ask you to give it up.”
Fighting his own emotions, he reached for her and pulled her close. “I know you wouldn’t. God, that’s one of the reasons I love you so much.”
She searched his face. “I love you, too. But I can’t let you do this.”
He placed a finger over her lips. “Listen to me first. I’m not resigning my commission. If I decide to take a flight instructor job at Laughlin we’d be close by in Del Rio. The other choice is that I go into the air force reserves. I still get to fly.” He smiled. “I hope you can put up with me being gone one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer.”
She finally smiled. “I want you to be happy, Brady.”
“I’ve discovered I’m happy when I’m with you. So I’m leaning toward going into the reserves.”
“Then I’m happy, too...as long as I get you the rest of the time, fly boy.”
His hold tightened. “If I get you, too.” His head lowered and his mouth captured hers. The kiss was tender yet hungry, letting Lindsey know how much he cared and wanted a life with her.
When he broke off the kiss, Brady stepped back and reached into his inside jacket pocket, finding his hands were shaking. “I’d planned to do this tonight over a candlelight dinner, but I can’t wait any longer. I want everything settled between us.” He kissed her again. “I’ve asked you to wait too many times.” He pulled out a black velvet box and opened it, showing off the pear-shaped diamond in a platinum setting.
Lindsey gasped as Brady got down on one knee.
“God, Lindsey, I love you so much. You’ve become my heart, my soul. I want us to build a life together. Have kids and raise them here in this valley.” He swallowed hard. “Will you marry me?”
“Oh, Brady. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He stood and slipped the ring on her finger, then she went into his arms. He kissed her again and again. “It’s all going to be so good for us, Doc. I’ve talked with the other Randells. They want me to be the pilot for a flight service to bring guests to the valley. And if you still want it, you can tell Dr. Hillman that you want to buy his practice.”
“Whoa, Brady. Do you have any idea what a veterinarian clinic and practice cost?”
“No, but I have money saved, plus my half of the sale of the valley land to Hank. And besides, you’re a wonderful vet, Doc. And it’s what you always wanted.”
She smiled and touched his face. “You are what I always wanted. A good man who loves me. And a big family to share everything with.”
He grinned. “Be careful what you ask for. We’ve got more family than we know what to do with.”
“Oh, no,” Lindsey gasped. “Including your niece, Livy. How are you going to tell her that you aren’t going to marry her?”
He pulled Lindsey against him. “I’ll let her down gently. I’ll tell her how much I love you, and she’ll understand. And I do love you, Doc.”
It was true. Lindsey was the only thing he needed in his life. She was his family. Well, maybe a few Randells thrown in the mix wouldn’t hurt.