Brady hadn’t kissed Sheila since they’d spent the night together. Three days had passed and he’d seen her only once. And it had been a very public meeting. He craved the feel of her skin against his, but he’d settle for a platonic conversation. He still hadn’t had a chance to tell her about Kay’s job offer or get her phone number. It was Saturday and Alice had promised to bring Gunner later that afternoon. He wondered if Sheila would stop in after the hospital. He chastised himself for all his juvenile hoping and wishing. Sheila was working—it was rare when she wasn’t. While spending time with her was important, she hadn’t seen his son since the Fourth of July and he needed to make sure she understood they were a package deal. He’d dated women in the past who were fine with him having a child as long as Gunner wasn’t around. Once Brady returned home, he’d have Gunner 50 percent of the time, so the three of them would be under the same roof at various times. And maybe in time they would add to their family. The thought alone brought a smile to his face. A family with Sheila sounded perfect, even if he wasn’t ready to say the words out loud.
Brady cleared his throat. He was getting way ahead of himself. Before they went any further, he wanted to gauge Gunner’s reaction to Sheila. His son had never had false hope of Brady and Alice becoming a couple. He’d been told at an early age that they were friends who’d had a baby together. That was normal for him.
Brady’s new normal would change soon. He had an appointment with the social worker on Tuesday morning, which hopefully meant he’d be home before long. He had so much to do between now and then. He hadn’t told Alice or his dad about his pending departure from Dance of Hope or that he’d seen the house. His father always stopped by Saturday mornings and he felt he needed to have that conversation face-to-face. He didn’t know which made him antsier. Leaving Dance of Hope or their reaction to the news.
Brady laughed. If either of them had stopped by his house over the past few days, they’d probably noticed the unmade bed, and numerous condom wrappers in the bathroom wastebasket. Hey, it was his house. On second thought, his father might assume someone had broken in. Maybe he should have told his dad he’d been home.
Brady was too anxious to sit around. He’d had his first treadmill session that morning and couldn’t wait to do it again. He had clocked too much time in the fitness center and had been forced to find an alternative workout method. Eager to get back in competitive form, he walked down to the school’s outdoor arena. It was graduation day for the first summer session and they planned to have a full exhibition event. He hoped Alice arrived before it was over. Gunner hadn’t been to a rodeo since before the accident. He still gave thanks that his son hadn’t been there that day.
Brady had left his walker at the cottage, refusing to use it any longer, even after a strenuous physical therapy session. He was determined to rely solely on his cane. He needed to know he had the strength and stamina to function without relying on a seat being readily available. The ranch had plenty of benches around, they just weren’t as convenient as a built-in seat. Not that he would need them.
Being unable to drive and the uneasiness he’d experienced descending the stairs bothered him the most about going home. Abby understood his concerns and had increased his time on the elliptical and stair climber. They’d also been practicing on the stairwell leading to Dance of Hope’s loft area. After two rigorous days, he had begun to lose that vertiginous feeling he’d had at home.
Driving had been another story. He’d failed his reflex tests twice. He had more than enough strength to press the gas and brake pedals, but lifting his leg while in a sitting position and moving it back and forth between the pedals needed work. He needed quick reflexes and a full range of motion to compete successfully.
A bull snorted and threw his body against the holding pen, startling Brady. GhostMaker’s large head filled his mind, causing him to stumble. He caught himself before he fell. As he turned to look at the bull behind the enclosure, relief overwhelmed him—it looked nothing like the beast that had taken him out. He’d been around hundreds of bulls in his career and had never jumped like that. Nothing like a little posttraumatic stress disorder to get his blood pumping in the morning. Brady made a point to stare the animal in the eyes. He had respect for all of God’s creatures, but he needed to get past his anxiety if he ever hoped to compete again.
“I knew I’d find you here.” His father gave him a hug hello. “Making friends with the enemy?”
“Something like that.” Brady motioned to a picnic table under one of the shade trees. “Why don’t we have a seat. I have a few things I need to talk over with you. Starting with the news that I’ll probably be going home soon.”
“How soon?” his father asked.
“Hopefully within the next week, two at the latest.” Brady noticed the vein in his father’s forehead begin to pulse. “Have you been to my ranch lately?”
“Not since last weekend.” John cleared his throat. “I’ll swing by there on the way home today.”
“Just a word of warning, I spent the night there on Tuesday, so you might see a few things out of place.”
John’s eyes grew large. “You did?”
Brady nodded. “I was surprised at how much it had changed since I’d last been home.”
“Alice, Gunner and I wanted it to be a surprise.”
Brady removed his hat and sat it on the table. “Dad.” Brady pressed his palms together in front of his chin. “I have to ask. Did you and Alice fix up the exterior of my house because you thought I wouldn’t be able to do it myself?”
John rubbed the back of his neck. “Son, the doctors doubted you’d get this far in your recovery.”
“That’s not true.” Brady shook his head. “Nobody expected me to compete again and they still don’t. But Sheila—Dr. Lindstrom—fully expected me to recover to the point where I’d live on my own. Where did all this doubt come from?”
John slammed his hand on the table. “It came from you almost dying. You’re a stubborn ass of a man. I should know. I raised you and you’re just like me. Only I know when to quit. You won’t quit. You’ve never quit. Your survival rate was next to nothing. You always talk about how blessed you are—well, you are blessed. I’m glad you’re blessed because without your mama up in heaven watching over you, you wouldn’t be here right now.”
“Dad, calm down.” Brady couldn’t remember ever seeing his father this angry.
“Don’t you tell me to calm down.” John slammed the table again. “Every night when I go to bed, I pray that you’ll come to your good senses and forget this whole bull riding business. I still have nightmares from that day. And yes, we went ahead and fixed up your house. Not because we thought you couldn’t, but because we didn’t know if we’d have to sell it to cover your long-term expenses. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. It kept us busy and our minds occupied while you were laying half-dead in the hospital.”
Brady sat in shock listening to his father. He didn’t know how to react. He was angry, hurt and sympathetic all at the same time.
“I guess you have nothing to say for yourself, huh?”
Brady stared at his father. No. He didn’t. “I’m confused, Dad.”
“Then get unconfused. You have a child to raise and a family who loves you. Get it together.”
“Isn’t that what I’ve been doing? This hasn’t been easy. I’m not at a resort, Dad. I bust my butt every day to get stronger.”
His father gave him a dismissive wave. “So you can compete again.”
“Yes, to compete and to run and play with my son and to take care of myself and to go to work. And for mom.”
“Don’t you bring your mama into it. She couldn’t have handled almost losing you. And you don’t even have a job.”
“Yeah, Dad, I do.” Brady grabbed his hat and stood. “If you hadn’t bitten my head off five minutes ago, I would’ve told you about it.”
“So tell me about it now.” John rested his arms on the table, casually waiting for Brady to sit back down and tell him about his new job as if their argument hadn’t happened.
Brady sighed. The man could turn on a dime. “I was offered a job here, at Dance of Hope.”
John’s face lit up like Gunner’s on Christmas morning as Brady told him about his conversation with Kay. It was only then that Brady realized how worried his father was about him.
* * *
SHEILA HAD SPENT most of the night baking cookies. She tried telling herself they were for Dance of Hope and the rodeo school, but they’d started as cookies for Brady and Gunner. She knew Gunner was coming to visit and she wanted to surprise them with a horse-shaped treat. She wanted Brady to know she not only thought about him, she thought of his son too. It was a rarity that she had a Saturday off, especially after having Wednesday and Thursday, but the schedule gods had been on her side this week.
She was nervous about seeing Gunner today. Her relationship with his father had changed and she wasn’t sure if he’d pick up on it or not. And since she hadn’t told Brady she would be there, she wasn’t sure they’d welcome her interrupting their day together. She’d only stay long enough to say hello and give Gunner a cookie. She had never been involved with anyone who had a kid, so she was unfamiliar with the etiquette. She still had to step down as his physician before the relationship developed further. Last night, she’d debated sneaking over to his cottage but had thought the better of it. While she was certain they both would have enjoyed each other’s company, it was too high a risk and not one she was willing to take. After she spoke with her attending and Brady was home, then she could steal some private time with him.
Sheila picked up the phone and dialed her mother.
“Hi, honey.”
“Hi, Mom, I just wanted to say hello before I ran out for the rest of the day.”
“Aren’t you working?”
“No, I have the day off.”
“Is something wrong? You rarely have Saturdays off.”
“No, Mom. Nothing is wrong. I just wanted to call and say hello. You told me I don’t call often enough, so I’m calling.” Sheila shook her head.
“You should take yourself to one of those spa places today,” her mother said. “Treat yourself to a facial and a makeover. You’ll feel so much better and then maybe you’ll catch yourself a doctor.”
“A facial, a makeover and a doctor. That’s a tall order.” She laughed at her mother’s need to micromanage Sheila all the way from Colorado. “I don’t need a spa day and I just started seeing someone. I don’t know where it will lead, but we’ll see.”
A thump followed by a loud scratching noise blasted through the phone.
“Mom, are you okay?”
“I dropped the phone. Did you say you’re seeing someone?”
Wonderful. The news of Sheila having a man in her life was so shocking it caused her mother to drop the phone. That certainly did wonders for her ego.
“Yes, and it’s very new. I don’t even know if it will last.” Sheila heard her mother’s hand cover the phone. “Mom, tell Daddy later.” She rolled her eyes. She’d told her mom she was seeing someone so she’d stop pressuring her to find a man. Now she was rethinking her decision. It was one thing to bask in morning-after bliss, but considering they hadn’t spoken, she didn’t know if Brady still felt the same way. They hadn’t had an opportunity to discuss it again. In reality, Sheila had no idea where she and Brady stood.
“Tell me all about him. What’s his name and where did you meet?”
“We met at the hospital.”
“Is he a doctor?”
“He was just visiting.” Well he was...for two and a half months. “Listen, Mom, I need to get going. I’m meeting him in a few minutes.”
“Why isn’t he picking you up? A gentleman picks you up.”
Sheila ground her back teeth. She should have known better. Gloating always backfires. “I need to go now. I love you, Mom. Give my best to Dad.”
Sheila disconnected the call.
After poring over her closet for an hour, Sheila finally decided on jeans and a white lacy top with strappy sandals. It was casual yet fun and flirty at the same time. She finished bagging her cookies and loaded them into the car. She’d definitely outdone herself this time. They’d still be eating cookies at Christmastime. After she delivered most of them, her nerves began to steadily increase again.
Children were difficult, confusing little people. There was a reason why she didn’t have any of her own. Well, there were multiple reasons. One of which was because they scared her. In a hospital setting, Sheila had the upper hand. Out in the wild, she was vulnerable to them.
She spotted Brady with his father and Gunner, playing with a group of other young children. Wonderful. A herd of them. She stayed far in the background until Brady realized she was standing there and practically ran to see her. Every time she saw him, she noticed marked improvement. She caught herself just as she was about to lean in and kiss him hello. She needed to keep her wits about her.
“This is a surprise,” Brady said, and then he leaned closer to whisper, “I would love to kiss you right now.”
Sheila wanted to push him away and draw him in at the same time.
“Fireworks Lady!” Gunner came running toward her and crashed into her legs, almost knocking her to the ground. Instead of mutton busting, the kid should try out for peewee football.
“Easy, Gunner. Her name is Dr. Lindstrom.” Brady attempted to pry Gunner off her legs.
“I kind of like Fireworks Lady.” Sheila squatted down to Gunner’s height. “You can call me Doc, Sheila, Linny or whatever you’d like.”
“I like Doc,” the boy said.
“Daddy likes Doc too.” Brady winked.
Sheila shot him a warning look, which made him wink again.
“Hello, Dr. Lindstrom.” John Sawyer shook her hand. “It’s a pleasure to see you again.”
“Please, call me Sheila.”
“Or Doc,” Gunner added.
“Or Doc.” Sheila laughed.
The four of them stood staring at one another. Sheila immediately wondered how much Brady had told his father about their relationship. Based on the looks the two men exchanged, he had divulged more than he should have.
Awkward.
“My son tells me he’s going to be working at Dance of Hope soon.”
“You are?” Sheila clapped her hands together. “That’s wonderful!”
“Pops, I hadn’t had a chance to tell her yet.” Brady smiled at Sheila. “Kay offered me a job the other day. We just have to work out the logistics of me getting here. It’s not exactly next door.”
Sheila hadn’t thought of that part when she’d suggested Kay hire Brady. “There must be some temporary solution. I’m sure you’ll be driving again very soon. If you can accomplish what you have in a little over a month, you can tackle driving. What will you be doing here?”
Sheila was surprised when Brady told her the extent of his job. She’d honestly expected Kay to hire him as a therapist’s helper. A job of this magnitude had responsibilities. Even though it was part-time, she couldn’t envision Brady walking away from it easily. Sheila smiled. That was why Kay had done it. If she had hired him as a helper, he’d be able to walk away without a second thought. She made a mental note to buy the woman the biggest box of chocolates she could find.
“Are these for us?” Gunner peeked into the tote bag she’d set on the ground by her feet.
“Gunner, it’s not polite to go through other people’s things.” Brady removed Gunner’s hands from her bag. “I’m sorry.”
“He’s right. They are for him.” Sheila bent down and pulled a cellophane-wrapped horse cookie out of her bag and handed it to Gunner. “And these are for you two.” Sheila handed John and Brady each a cookie. “I have more, but I suspect you don’t want me to give him more than one.”
“These are adorable.” Brady helped Gunner unwrap his cookie. “Did you make these?”
“I did. If I’m not operating on somebody, I’m usually baking.”
“Thank you.” John gave Sheila a hug. “I’m on my way out, but I’ll be back later.”
“Alice isn’t picking Gunner up?” Brady asked.
“Mommy has a date,” Gunner said. “Are you my daddy’s date?” he asked Sheila.
“On that note, I’m out of here.” John waved goodbye to them.
“Sheila and Daddy are just friends.” Brady sat down on the grass beside his son.
“Are you going to have a baby?”
“A baby?” Sheila almost forgot to breathe.
“Mommy and Daddy are friends and they had a baby.” Gunner reached up and touched Sheila’s belly. “I don’t feel a baby. I want a brother or sister.”
Brady looked up at Sheila. “One of the problems of being a modern family is explaining to your child that not all friends have babies together.”
Sheila felt the color come back into her cheeks. “Whew. I was scared there for a moment. I’m not ready to have kids yet.”
“You’re not?” Gunner asked, his eyes grew big and sad to the point she thought he might cry.
“I’m not ready to have babies come out of my belly,” Sheila corrected. “But I love tickling other people’s children.” She reached out and playfully grabbed him. “Listen, I don’t want to intrude on your father-son time. I just wanted to say hello and bring you a little sweet treat.”
“Don’t go.” Gunner pulled on her hand until she sat down on the grass. “Daddy smiles when you’re around. He doesn’t smile that big when you’re not.”
“Is this true?” Sheila asked, knowing full well he wouldn’t say no in front of his child.
“It certainly is.” Brady ruffled Gunner’s hair, lightly brushing her cheek in the process. It had been only a few days and she desperately missed his touch. This felt good. The three of them together on the grass under a shade tree. She could get used to this lifestyle very easily.
Kay walked in their direction. Sheila had let her guard down for a moment too long. She’d make a point to visit with other patients before she left, to eliminate any suspicion.
Gunner yawned. “Daddy. I’m sleepy.”
Brady stood, tipping his hat to Kay as she approached. “In a few minutes I’ll take you back to the cottage for a quick nap so you’ll be awake for the bull riding exhibition. They’re already moving the bulls into the holding pens.”
Gunner yawned again.
“Brady, do you have a minute?” Kay asked. “There’s someone here I would like you to meet.”
“Go ahead, I can take him back to the cottage,” Sheila said. It would give her a chance to spend a little one-on-one time with Gunner anyway. How else would she know how she felt about a future with Brady if she didn’t spend time alone with his son?
Gunner reached up and took Sheila’s hand in his. She loved tiny hands. They always felt so soft and smooth. She’d held many of them in the emergency room, but this was different. This was definitely more personal. She wondered if Brady had resembled Gunner at his age.
“Loose bull!” someone shouted.
A woman screamed behind them. Sheila scooped Gunner up into her arms protectively, not knowing where the bull was. They were in an open area between the rodeo school and the hippotherapy center. “I’ve got you, baby.” She started running toward the hippotherapy corral. If she could get them over the fence, they’d be safe.
Gunner started wailing and kicking in her arms. She tightened her grip. The sound of hooves thundered behind them. She couldn’t look. She couldn’t waste even a fraction of a second to turn around.
Out of nowhere, a piercing whistle sounded repeatedly. The hooves stopped. Sheila reached the fence and pushed Gunner between the bottom and middle rails. “You stay right there. Don’t move an inch.” Sheila climbed over the fence and dropped down beside him on the other side. She lifted him into her arms again and braved a look behind them.
She heard the earsplitting whistle again.
“Daddy!” Gunner pointed. “That’s my daddy.”
The bull stood between them and Brady. The animal shook his head from side to side. Pawing at the ground with his massive black hoof. Brady stuck his fingers in his mouth and whistled again and again while waving his hands in the air to attract the bull’s attention.
The animal began to charge.
“Brady! No!” Sheila tucked Gunner’s head under her chin so he wouldn’t see what was about to happen. “Please no—please!” Sheila prayed, tears streamed down her face.
“Daddy!” Gunner cried.
She didn’t want to watch, but she found it impossible to turn away. The man she’d fallen in love with—the man she’d helped put back together was about to be trampled by a bull and she was helpless to do anything about it. Within seconds, the animal was upon him and she knew it was the last time she’d see Brady alive.
And then it was over.
Brady grabbed the top fence rail of the rodeo school’s round pen and vaulted over it, out of the bull’s reach. Another cowboy opened the gate a few feet away and the bull ran through it, into a holding pen.
Sheila fell to her knees, still holding Gunner.
“Sheila.” Thomas lifted her up as Gracie removed Gunner from her arms. “I’ve got you.” Thomas turned her toward him. “Are you all right? Does it hurt anywhere?”
Sheila shook her head. She was in shock. She knew she was in shock and she couldn’t speak. She reached behind her for Gunner, but Thomas pulled her arms toward him, holding them up in the air to make sure she wasn’t injured. “Gracie has Gunner. He’s okay. You’re okay.”
“Brady.” His name was barely audible on her lips.
“Brady’s okay too,” he reassured.
“Let’s get them inside” she heard Thomas say to Gracie.
Her head began to swim, the earth seemed to kick out beneath her and then everything went black.