The following week Brady got some good news. At his doctor’s visit the day before, he learned his fracture was healing well. Well enough that the bulkier cast had been replaced with a walking cast, so he could finally put weight on his leg. That meant he could get rid of the crutches and use a cane. And start more-intense therapy.
Finally it was time to get back in shape so he could get back into the cockpit.
Brady had also succumbed to Luke’s badgering and gone along as he toured the construction site. He cursed as the golf cart bounced over the uneven ground. He grabbed the frame as he nearly flew out of his seat. “Hey, do you think you could have missed a few potholes back there?”
Luke grinned as he continued to maneuver the vehicle along the ridge. “Just wanted to make sure you haven’t fallen asleep.”
“Not the way you drive.” Brady zipped up his flight jacket to help ward off the morning chill. “Besides, I don’t need any more injuries added to my list.”
His brother gave him a sideways glance. “I might have to call on the pretty veterinarian to come by. Seems she’s the only one who can handle you.”
Brady tensed. Not one of his proudest moments. “I didn’t need to be handled by anyone. I was fine then and I’m fine now.” He hadn’t seen the hot redhead since that day. Probably a good thing. If he let her, Lindsey Stafford could be a powerful distraction.
Luke stopped the cart, then he sat back with a sigh. “Now, is this a view or what?” He motioned with his hand. “What do you think?”
Brady looked through the grove of ancient oak trees that shaded part of the valley below. A creek flowed around the sturdy trunks and through high, golden meadow grass.
In the peaceful silence, Brady felt a calm come over him. “Not a bad view.” His gaze went to the other side of the rise where a small cabin nestled on the hillside. Farther on was another log structure, and another nearly hidden from view. “Who lives up there?”
“That’s the Mustang Valley Nature Retreat. It’s part of our holdings, too. There are about a dozen cabins that are rented out through the summer months. Some of the construction staff is living there now. And also your Dr. Stafford.”
Brady refused to take the bait. “Why? Can’t she afford to rent her own place?”
“Since she’s here temporarily, Hank offered her one of the cabins for her stay.”
“How temporary?”
“Just until Doc Hillman is able to handle his practice again.” Luke stole a glance at his brother. “Tess would love for Lindsey to stay on permanently. Maybe it’s because she’s a woman, but she likes how Lindsey seems to take extra time with Whiskey.”
“I take it the stallion’s leg is healed, since I saw Tess working him yesterday. Is he okay to compete?”
Luke nodded. “We’re headed to Fort Worth this next weekend. Tess is entering Whiskey in the nonpro NCHA Futurity. But don’t worry, Bernice will be here if you need anything.”
Brady hated everyone hovering over him. “I’ve managed to take care of myself most of my life, and I can handle it now.”
Luke glanced down at Brady’s new cast. “Seems you can get around better, too. How is the leg? Giving you any trouble since you’ve been walking on it?”
Sometimes it hurt like hell. “No. Between Dr. Pahl and the therapist conferring, I haven’t been allowed to do much. But I get to start real therapy next week.” His therapist, Brenna, was Dylan’s wife, another cousin. She hadn’t been easy on him so far, but he liked that about her. She’d warned him about starting out slow. He wasn’t good at slow. He needed to get back into shape again, and fast. Granted, the wide-open beauty of Mustang Valley was peaceful, but he needed the vast sky through the cockpit of his F-16 to feed his soul.
“Is everyone around here related to us?” Brady asked.
Luke leaned back. “Just about. It takes getting used to, having all this family.”
If he and Brady had anything in common, it was that they were both only children. “Being in the military, we moved around a lot. I didn’t have a chance to make friends, so most of the time it was just the three of us.”
“You had plenty of family—Uncle Jack’s family—our dad just chose not to come back here.”
Brady knew that he and Luke would never agree about Sam Randell. He’d abandoned his oldest son, but in truth, he wasn’t around much to be a father to his second boy, either.
“So Dad chose a military career over ranching. I bet that didn’t make a lot of people happy,” Brady said.
“And he chose your mother over mine.”
And me over you, Brady thought as his anger started to build. In truth, Sam had chosen his career over everyone. “Look, Luke, I thought you and I were okay with this. Whatever happened between our parents didn’t have anything to do with us.”
Luke stared out into the valley. “I’m okay with you, and our partnership. It’s still hard sometimes.” He let go of a long breath. “But like Tess said, I’m back home now.” He turned to Brady. “And I finally got to meet my brother.”
Brady wasn’t about to get all mushy over the reunion. “And about a million cousins. Man, is there something about this valley that causes all these kids?”
Luke arched an eyebrow. “You got something against kids?”
“I don’t mind one or two, but a squadron is a bit much.”
Luke laughed. “I thought the same thing when I first came here. But they’re all great kids, and our cousins are good parents. I believe it’s because of their foster parent, Hank Barrett, who was a big influence on them. A lot more so than Jack Randell.”
Brady smiled. “Oh, yeah, our uncle, the famous cattle rustler.”
They both remained silent, reflecting on the past, when they spotted two riders. Brady recognized Tess on Lady and beside her another woman. A redhead with a familiar black hat.
“Looks like we have company.” Luke leaned forward. “My Tess and your favorite doctor.”
Brady groaned, but he found his pulse racing as he watched the two approach. Luke got out of the cart and went to his wife as she jumped down from her horse. Tess smiled at her husband, but when Brady turned his attention to Lindsey, she didn’t show him any kind of special feminine greeting.
Good. He wasn’t going to be here long enough to get tangled up with a woman. She wasn’t his type, anyway. But as the redhead started toward him in her form-fitting jeans, cream-colored sweater and black nylon vest, his body suddenly called him a liar.
“Good morning, Mr. Randell.”
Okay, he liked her a little, especially her attitude. “Since you’ve had your hands all over my body, don’t you think you could call me Brady?”
She stopped next to the golf cart. “And since you’re not that familiar with mine, you may call me Dr. Stafford.”
He arched an eyebrow, letting his gaze speak for him. “The day isn’t over yet.”
She finally smiled. “How about Lindsey?”
“Oh, I don’t know, I’m kind of leaning toward sexy doc.”
She frowned. “Only if you want me to hurt you.”
He glanced toward his brother and sister-in-law to see they were out of earshot. “When it comes to a beautiful woman, the last thing I’m thinking about is pain.” He climbed out of the cart and stood in front of her. “I’m more a pleasure kind of guy.”
Lindsey didn’t like Brady Randell so close, but she refused to back away. “How about we stop the innuendos and try to have a normal conversation?”
He nodded. “Nice weather for a ride.”
“Yes it is,” she told him. “Tess invited me to go along to help thin the mustang herd and check for injuries. We’re going to meet up with Hank Barrett and some of your cousins.”
“So you’re going to play doc?”
“I don’t play doctor.”
He raised a hand. “I only meant I wish I could go along and see you in action. But all I’m traveling in these days is this cart.”
Lindsey knew the confinement had to be hard for Brady. She glanced down at the new, smaller cast. “It looks like you’re making progress and will be back in the cockpit soon.”
“That’s what I’m shooting for.”
She could see the cocky determination on his face. No doubt he looked even more handsome in his flight jumpsuit. She glanced down at his worn jeans, then upward to his straw Stetson. He wasn’t a bad imitation of a cowboy, either.
“Maybe if your doctor approves, you could go out for a short ride. Nothing strenuous, of course. But I bet Tess has a gentle mount.”
“I’d take anything at this point.”
“Can you drive a car, yet?”
He nodded. “Since it’s my left foot, yes, but only if it’s an automatic. My ’67 Chevy Camaro back at the base is a stick shift.”
She never doubted that for a second, or the fact that the vehicle was a hotrod. Brady Randell was definitely not her type. She was all about settling down, safety and animals. He was a death-defying jet jockey with no intention of letting grass grow under his boots. She looked up into his piercing eyes and her heart went crazy. Okay, speaking from a sensual aspect, this man was any woman’s type.
She really needed to stay clear of him.
“I should get going. I have appointments this afternoon.” She turned to find Tess lost in her husband’s arms. They were exchanging kisses and whispered lover’s secrets. The couple seemed unaware anyone else was around.
Brady came up behind her. “Those two are like that all the time. I hate to say it, but it makes me a little jealous.”
Lindsey felt Brady’s breath against her ear. The warmth of his large body shielded her from the cool morning. She closed her eyes momentarily. Yes, she longed to be part of a couple. To find the right man. Someday.
Right now she had other things to think about. Top on her list was the true reason she’d come to San Angelo, and her time was limited to find the answers she needed. Getting involved with a man would only complicate matters. She finally moved away from temptation.
“Tess,” she called. “We need to get going if we’re to meet up with Hank and the others.” She glanced at Brady. “I’m glad you’re doing well.”
He leaned against his cane. “Like I said, I wish I was going with you, Doc.”
“Maybe when your leg is healed,” she promised as she backed away. Was she crazy?
“I’ll look forward to it,” he called. “I’ll work to make sure it’s soon.”
Lindsey was still chiding herself when they reached the edge of the valley. There was high grass mixed in with thick native mesquite bushes. Ancient oak trees arched over the riding path like a canopy filtering the sunlight. The November day was brisk, causing her skin to tingle. She felt exhilarated.
Her thoughts returned to Brady. She hadn’t expected to see him again so soon. He’d looked considerably better than the last time. He’d shaved and was dressed in jeans and a gray U.S. Air Force sweatshirt under his bomber jacket. In a cowboy hat, he looked cocky and sure of himself.
“How are you holding up?” Tess asked as she rode up beside her.
“I’m fine. In fact if I could schedule it, I’d ride every day.”
Tess smiled. “I come out to check the ponies every week during the winter. I could saddle up Dusty and bring him by the cabin for you.”
“If I’m not busy, I’d love it.” She patted the seasoned buckskin gelding, remembering her childhood days at the ranch. She loved the freedom of riding. It had been her escape from a lot of problems, especially during her parents’ abusive marriage. “You sure you don’t mind me borrowing Dusty?”
“Anytime. Since Dad can’t ride anymore, I appreciate anyone who exercises him.”
Lindsey’s heart softened. Tess’s father was in the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s. “Good. I’ll let you know my schedule.”
“And maybe you can help get Brady up and riding, too.”
Lindsey glanced over to see Tess’s smile. “Shouldn’t he walk before he gets on a horse?”
Tess shrugged. “Maybe he can do both. We’re willing to try anything to get him out of the house. Luke managed today, but not without a lot of prodding.”
She couldn’t imagine the captain doing anything he didn’t want to do. “It’s a start.”
“Since the two had never met until a few months ago, both Luke and Brady are still getting to know each other. If their father, Sam Randell, hadn’t left them both the ranch, I wonder if they would have ever met.”
“Then it’s good they have this opportunity.”
“I feel the same way,” Tess said. “Although they do have very different views of their father. Luke was deserted by Sam when his parents divorced. Brady had him around most of his life.”
Lindsey rested her hands on the saddle horn, letting Dusty take the lead. “Sometimes there isn’t a choice.”
“There’s always a choice,” Tess murmured, then pointed up ahead. “There’s Hank, Cade and Chance.”
Lindsey knew Hank Barrett was the one who’d taken in the three Randell brothers, Chance, Cade and Travis, to raise after their father, Jack, had been sent to prison.
As they got closer to the men on horseback, Lindsey could see the strong family resemblance between the brothers. It seemed all Randell men were tall, with that rangy, muscular build. The square jaw and cleft in the chin was like a brand, telling the world who they belonged to.
She’d met Chance and Travis earlier, but Cade looked even more like the man Lindsey had called Dad for the past fifteen years.
The difference was these men shared his blood. She didn’t.
Jack Randell was only her stepfather.
Just as soon as Jack and her mother returned home from their vacation and discovered she’d gone against his wishes, he wouldn’t be happy.
It wasn’t as though she’d planned to come to San Angelo. It had been curiosity that had her go to the job interview. She told herself she only wanted to meet Travis, one of Jack’s sons. Then she found herself accepting the position. After all, it was only temporary.
Hank Barrett sat back in the saddle and watched Tess approach with the new veterinarian. Ever since Travis returned from Dallas singing Dr. Lindsey Stafford’s praises, Hank had been anxious to meet her.
He smiled as the redhead rode closer. She was easy on the eyes, and if there was one thing he appreciated, it was a pretty female, no matter what the age.
Hank greeted Tess. “Hello, Mrs. Randell.”
“Good morning, Mr. Barrett,” she answered. “Hi, Cade, Chance.”
Chance touched the brim of his hat in greeting. “Tess.” He glanced at the redhead. “Dr. Stafford, nice seeing you again. This is our other brother, Cade. And this is Hank Barrett, the one who started the mustang project.”
Hank nodded at the petite woman who sat comfortably in the saddle. There was something about her name that was familiar. “Dr. Stafford, I’m glad you could join us.
“Please, everyone, call me Lindsey.” Her horse shifted sideways. “And thank you for inviting me along today.”
“Well, Lindsey,” Hank began, “I hope you still feel that way if the ponies don’t cooperate. They’ve been known to be stubborn.”
The doctor rewarded him with a smile. “I hear old Dusty here is pretty good at cutting out his target.”
Cade reined his roan back. “I guess we’ll know soon enough if he likes to chase wild ponies as much as cows.” He grinned and Lindsey tensed, once again seeing the resemblance to his father.
“I’d say we better get going,” Chance said, pointing to the herd off in the distance.
Lindsey looked at Hank for direction as they started down the trail.
“We’ll let Chance and Cade take the lead,” he said. “Wyatt, Dylan and Jarred are at the other end of the canyon to drive the herd toward us.”
“I’ll just follow you,” she said.
Hank nodded. “Okay, let’s go and get us some ponies.”
They rode off, and Lindsey felt she was taking a step back in time. To see the wild ponies in their natural setting. This had been another big draw for her to come here. She just didn’t realize how much she would already love it.
Two hours later Brady sat with Luke in his truck, waiting at the temporary corral at Hank’s ranch, the Circle B Ranch. He was still wondering why he’d come. Of course, it beat the alternative, sitting back at the cottage. That had been what he told Luke, anyway. Not that he wanted another chance to see Lindsey Stafford again.
“They’re coming,” Luke called as he climbed down off the railing.
His own excitement growing, Brady got out of the truck and looked to where his brother pointed. He saw the riders on horseback, chasing after the ponies. An assorted mixture of paints, bays and buckskins. Over a dozen as far as he could see. But he couldn’t find Lindsey.
“There’s Tess,” Luke called.
It was easy to catch his sister-in-law’s long blond hair. Then he spotted Lindsey’s black hat. She was riding drag, a bandana tied around the lower part of her face to help filter the dust.
“Come on, bro, help me with the gates.” Brady was glad he could finally manage to do something useful. He followed his brother, took one side and swung open the metal gate. It had been a while since he’d been around horses, but he knew they could be unpredictable at best. The first two ponies arrived and went into the pen, but the third and fourth decided to turn off.
Hanging on to the gate, Brady yanked off his hat, waved it around and yelled to turn the horse back. Then Chance and Cade showed up to take over. Finally the last of the ponies were in the large pen and the gate shut.
His cousins climbed off their horses and everyone went to the corral to check out their finds. Brady’s gaze was on Lindsey. She dismounted and walked toward the metal railing with the old guy, Hank.
Barrett looked the part of mentor, father and grandfather. He didn’t have to demand respect, but he got it. He wasn’t a Randell, but he’d earned the title of family patriarch.
He nodded at Brady. “Good to see you up and around.”
“It’s a start.”
“Well, if you get the doctor’s okay, you can go out with us the next time.”
Brady nodded. Chances were, if he was strong enough to chase wild mustangs, he’d be hightailing it for the cockpit of his F-16. “Thank you, sir,” Brady said. “I’d like that.”
Hank turned back to Lindsey. “I think we got ourselves a good-looking bunch this time.”
Lindsey avoided Brady’s gaze and went up to the gate. “I’m worried about the paint. See how he favors the right front leg?”
Brady looked, too, but he had to watch closely to see the slight limp.
“It could be a pebble. I’m going to have to examine him, but I have appointments this afternoon.”
Hank agreed as he checked his watch. “Tomorrow, then. We’ll separate them so they all can be examined and inoculated. How’s that with you, Doc?”
“I could come by tomorrow afternoon for a few hours.”
“Good, it will give us time to see which ponies are worth the time to saddle break.”
“Why are you saddle breaking them?” Brady asked.
“So we can sell them at auction. Since we have to thin the herd, we want to find good homes for them.”
Brady had his eye on a gray stallion that didn’t like being confined in the pen. He kept moving back and forth along the fence.
Hank waved the group on. “Everyone is welcome to come up to the house for lunch. Lindsey, I hope you can join us.”
“I’d like that.” She pulled out her phone. “I just need to check my messages.” She hung back from the group.
Hank looked at Brady. “How about you, Captain? I wouldn’t mind hearing a few F-16 stories.”
“I might have one or two that are worth repeating.” Using his cane, Brady managed to fall into step beside Hank. Although his steps were awkward, he was happy to be able to get around. What he couldn’t understand was why he was feeling drawn to this family. Not to mention one vet.
They made their way into the compound where a large ranch house stood. It was painted glossy white with dark green trim. The barn and other buildings were also white and well kept.
“Nice place, Hank,” Brady said.
“Thanks. My boys run things now. In the summer months we open it as a dude ranch of sorts, but it’s a working ranch.” He grinned. “You’d be surprised what people will pay just to do chores like a ranch hand.”
Cade joined the group. “Yeah, Chance, Travis and I had to do the work for nothing growing up.”
“It built character,” Hank told him.
Cade laughed. “Well, I sure got a lot of that, then.”
Brady listened to the teasing between the brothers and Hank. Suddenly he thought back to how much his own father had been away during his life. All the baseball games he’d missed, the birthdays and holidays. As a typical kid he did a lot to get Sam’s attention. Most of it didn’t work, until he got into ROTC in high school, then into the academy.
“You boys turned out okay,” Hank said. “You’ve settled down with pretty wives and have families.”
Brady glanced over his shoulder and caught sight of Lindsey hurrying to catch up, so he hung back.
“Do you have to run off?”
“No, I can stay for lunch. But I have a two-o’clock appointment.”
“Good, that will give me time,” he said.
She frowned. “Time for what?”
“Time to convince you I’m not a total jerk.”
“Really.” She looked skeptical. “You think I should go easy on you?”
“No, but I’m hoping my Randell charm will win out.”
She smiled. “So the average guy doesn’t have a chance over a Randell?”
“That’s right.”
They took slow, easy steps toward the back porch.
“Well, I disagree on that theory,” she said. “Jarred Trager, and Dylan and Wyatt Gentry do all right in the charm department.”
Brady fought rising jealousy, recalling how his cousins had been flirting with her earlier. They had their own wives. “That just goes to show you a Randell wins out.”
She stopped and looked confused. “But they’re not Randells?”
He nodded. “Yes, they are. Seems Uncle Jack had three more sons.”