LITMIR.BIZ

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take them,” Lindsey told him, trying to act lighthearted. It was difficult. From the beginning, Jack had warned her and her mother about his shady past. She also realized that her stepfather needed to know about his other sons. If only to make amends with them.

      Suddenly the back door opened and Hank peered out. “There you are. I was wondering if you two had gotten lost.”

      Brady used the railing to climb the steps. “No, I’m a little slow these days.”

      Hank smiled. “I thought you were just hanging back to get some time with a pretty lady.”

      “Well, that, too.”

      Lindsey felt her heart accelerate, but she put on a smile. “Well, now that we’re here, how about some lunch?”

      Hank ushered them into a huge old fashioned kitchen. Sunny yellow walls were lined with maple cupboards. The white-tiled counter gleamed, and a tall, older woman was busy setting the table.

      She turned and smiled. “Hello, you must be the new vet, Dr. Stafford. I’m Hank’s wife, Ella.”

      “And I’m Lindsey.”

      Her friendly brown eyes searched Lindsey’s face. “It’s nice to meet you. Hank said you were pretty, and he’s right.”

      Cade walked by her. “Hank says all the women are pretty.”

      “That’s because all the women around here are pretty.” Hank hugged his wife to his side, kissing her cheek.

      Ella acted as if she were pushing him away. “Be careful, Lindsey. Hank will be wanting to know if you’re a good cook, too.”

      Hank tried to look indignant. “I hardly know this woman. But if she can cook up any special dishes, I wouldn’t mind sampling them, say at our next family get-together. Thanksgiving is coming up.”

      Cade grinned as he took his seat at the table. “Watch what you say, Hank, or Ella will have you sleeping in the bunkhouse.”

      The group hooted with laughter, and Lindsey quickly realized she’d been had. “Well, sorry to disappoint you, Hank, but I spent all my free time studying the last few years. So my culinary skills are sorely lacking.”

      Hank sighed. “That’s going to make it harder for you to get a man.”

      Lindsey was too stunned to speak, but Tess did it for her. “Hank Barrett, stop your teasing. We want Lindsey to stay, not run her off.” She turned to Lindsey. “Please sit down, unless you want to clobber Hank first.”

      Lindsey walked around the table. “I think I’ll wait until I have some big instruments in my hand.”

      The table broke into another round of laughter as she took a seat next to Tess and Luke. Brady managed to snag the seat next to hers.

      He leaned toward her and murmured, “You sure know how to hold your own, Doc. I should call you when I’m being chewed out by my commanding officer.”

      “I can’t imagine that ever happening, not with your sweet disposition.”

      Those dark bedroom eyes bore into hers. “I’m workin’ on changing that.” He grinned. “Give me a little time, and my charm will melt you.”

      Lindsey knew Brady was more dangerous than any of the Randells. Because he was the one who could get to her. And when he discovered who she was, he wouldn’t be happy. None of the Randells would be, not when they learned that Jack had hung around to play the doting father to her.

      * * *

      Brady hated being cooped up. That was the reason three mornings later he headed down to the barn. He needed the exercise. He’d been lifting weights to keep in shape, but hanging around the cottage was driving him up a wall.

      He told himself it wasn’t the possibility of meeting up with Lindsey and Tess coming back from their ride. It was just to take a walk. He ran into the groomer washing Lady and ended up helping with some of the light chores. He found that working his muscles felt good. Just being able to complete a simple task helped his mood. By the time an hour was up, the temperature had warmed. He’d shed his jacket and was mucking out a stall when Tess and Lindsey came into the barn.

      Both women were laughing, their cheeks flushed from the cool weather as they led their horses. Lindsey spotted him, and her smile dropped.

      Tess spoke first. “Brady, what are you doing out here?”

      “Earning my keep,” he told his sister-in-law. “It’s about time I did something around here.”

      Tess glanced down at the cast on his foot. “Just so long as you don’t do any damage.”

      “I’ve been careful, Mom,” he teased.

      Tess fought a smile and lost. “Well, you can go out and play.” She turned to Lindsey. “I hate to run off, but I need to meet Livy’s bus. Juan can handle the horses until I get back.”

      “Not a problem, I can stay and take care of my horse,” Lindsey said as she took the reins from her. “It’s the least I can do for you letting me ride. So go on, go get your daughter.”

      “Thanks.” Tess smiled as she backed away.

      “I can help, too,” Brady said.

      “There’s no need,” Lindsey said. “I would hate to take you away from your job.”

      Brady didn’t back away. “Then after I help you, you can help me. There are two more stalls to clean. Unless it’s too dirty a job for you.”

      She made an unladylike snort. “I’ve probably mucked out more stalls than you’ve seen. I grew up on a horse ranch.”

      He took Whiskey’s reins from her. He loved to see her get riled. It made her eyes turn a deep emerald green. “You probably have. We didn’t live very long on our ranch.”

      They walked slowly to the stallion’s stall. Right next to it was Dusty’s. “Where was your ranch?” she asked.

      “We had a small place in Utah not far from the base. Dad bought it with his reenlistment bonus. With the help of a foreman, he ran a small yearling operation for about four years. I was ten when he was sent overseas and had to sell the place.” He wasn’t sure why he was telling her this. He tossed the stirrup over the seat and unfastened the cinch, then pulled the saddle off the horse and took it to the stand outside the stall. After Lindsey pulled off Dusty’s, he took it. He liked moving around, being active. He found his balance was a lot better.

      “Thanks.” She went to work on the rest of the tack. “It’s a shame you never got to live here.”

      “Dad never told me about the Rocking R until last year when he got sick.”

      “Had he been ill for long?”

      Brady shrugged, remembering the hulk of a man who had slowly faded away after he retired from the air force. Even his wife, Georgia, hadn’t been enough to keep him happy and at home. She’d died alone.

      “Dad ignored the doctor’s advice,” he told her. “After he retired, I don’t think he cared much if he lived or died.” He gaze met hers. “They say I’m a lot like him. All I’ve known is the military.”

      Lindsey paused at her task, hearing the sadness in his voice, seeing it in his eyes. She suspected coming here and meeting the Randells had been overwhelming for him.

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