LITMIR.BIZ

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not stuck,” she denied. “But it would be nice if you tried to be civil.”

      “Why should I? I just want to be left alone.”

      “And I’m sure you will be when your family learns you’re okay. When do you see your doctor again?”

      Brady started to say it was none of her business, but found he liked her being here, though not exactly under these circumstances. “In a few days.”

      “Let him know what happened today. In fact you should call him and tell him.”

      “Lady, that’s not going to happen.”

      She gave him a stubborn look. “I’m not the enemy here, Brady. So you aren’t going to run me off. Not until I want to leave. That will be when Tess comes back.”

      Brady studied her for a few minutes. Lindsey Stafford was different than most women who hung around the base. Those females were overeager to please the hotshot pilots. This woman had a take-me-as-I-am-or-not-at-all attitude.

      “Maybe I’ve been a little hard on you.”

      Those big eyes widened in surprise. “You think?”

      “Okay, I plead guilty. Now please sit down. You’re giving me neck strain from looking up at you.”

      She sank down in an overstuffed chair across from him. “That’s a switch.”

      Brady felt his mouth twitch. “Get picked on for your size, huh?”

      She glared. “Not since seventh grade.”

      “That’s a lie,” he said as his gaze combed over her petite body. “What do you weigh? A hundred pounds?”

      “One hundred and ten. I work out to build muscle. The added strength helps in my profession.”

      He’d like to see those muscles. Dear Lord, he was pathetic. “Why aren’t you working with dogs and cats? It would seem easier.”

      She shook her head. “I love horses. My mother and stepfather are horse breeders. I grew up around them.”

      “Where are you from?”

      She hesitated for a second. “North of Fort Worth. Denton. What about you? Have you always been in the military?”

      He nodded. “All of my life, and we moved around a lot. Dad was career air force, so I went into the academy after high school. I always wanted to fly.”

      She motioned toward his leg. “Is that how you were injured?”

      He hated to think about that day. “Yeah, I had to eject from my aircraft and my landing wasn’t the best.”

      “Well, it looks like you’re on the mend.”

      He stiffened. “It’s taking too long. I want to get back in the air.”

      Lindsey had heard some of the history of the Randell family, but Brady was a surprise to her. There was actually a Randell who wasn’t a rancher. “So you’re going back?”

      “Why shouldn’t I? I’m one of the best.”

      “And so humble, too.” She forced a smile. “I’m sure the doctors are doing everything possible. Are you?”

      His eyes narrowed. “What does that mean? Of course I’m doing everything, and that includes a lot of rigorous physical therapy.”

      “That’s good.” Just keep your mouth shut, Lindsey, she told herself as she looked around. Where is Tess?

      “You don’t like me much,” he said.

      “I barely know you, Captain Randell.” And she wasn’t sure she wanted to.

      “You should know that I’m very good at what I do. And I plan to continue flying for the air force for a long time.” He set his injured leg on the floor. “Sitting around a ranch house isn’t for me.”

      “You don’t seem to have a choice right now. So maybe you should use this time to count your blessings that you survived your accident instead of taking your anger out on every unsuspecting person who happens to cross your path.”

      “How the hell do you know what I’ve gone through?”

      Lindsey was going through her own personal pain, too. Her stepfather didn’t have such a rosy future.

      “You’re right, I don’t, but I know you’re healthy, with a family who loves you, and all you’re doing is complaining.”

      His stony look told her that she’d gone too far. “I should go,” she said. “I’m sure someone will be here shortly.”

      She stood, but before she could get to the door it opened and a little girl came running in.

      “Uncle Brady, Uncle Brady. Mommy said you fell down.” The little blonde went running to the stoic man on the sofa. “Are you hurt?” she cried.

      “No darlin’, I’m fine. I just tripped over my big feet and bumped my head.”

      The girl’s worried look didn’t leave until her uncle showed her the damage. “See, it’s just a little bump.”

      The child leaned down and kissed it. “There, that will make it better.”

      Then it happened. Brady Randell sat back and a big smile appeared across the handsome face. Lindsey’s heart leaped and she tried hard to remember the man with the bad attitude.

      The little girl turned to her and smiled. “Mommy said you’re Whiskey’s new vet. I’m Livy Meyers Randell. My new daddy married my mommy and ’dopted me.”

      Lindsey smiled. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Livy Meyers Randell. I’m Lindsey Stafford.”

      “Hi, Miss Lindsey.” A smile beamed on her cute face. “Thank you for taking care of Whiskey, and Uncle Brady.”

      “You’re very welcome.”

      The child put her arm around her uncle’s neck. “Did you know I’m gonna marry Uncle Brady when I grow up?”

      You can have him, Lindsey thought. “Isn’t that nice.”

      Lindsey hadn’t planned to be gone all day, but she also hadn’t planned to babysit an injured fighter pilot, either. That was until she’d been pushed aside by a five-year-old girl. It didn’t matter her age, that female had already staked her claim on the man. What had amazed Lindsey was how Brady Randell’s whole demeanor had changed when the child walked into the room.

      She smiled. So he wasn’t the tough guy he pretended to be.

      Tired, Lindsey walked into the cabin the Randells had given her to use during her three-month stay. The one-bedroom structure was located in the Mustang Valley Nature Retreat. This cabin had been designed as a romantic getaway.

      A big, river-rock fireplace, plush rug and overstuffed love seat were the centerpieces of the main room. The bedroom consisted of a large four-poster bed with satin sheets and an abundance of candles. It connected to a bathroom with a whirlpool tub that easily held two.

      Definitely for a couple.

      It was off season, so she had the place to herself except for the herd of wild mustangs that roamed freely in this area.

      The only drawback was she had to park her SUV at the top of the rise and walk or ride down in a golf cart. There were no vehicles allowed in this area.

      Hank Barrett, the patriarch of the Randell family, was adamant about keeping his wild ponies protected. Lindsey felt the same way. So many people thought of them as nuisances, but the Randells had made sure this area was going to be left untouched.

      No development in this valley. Ever.

      Luke Randell was the project manager for a gated horse community being built on the land that edged the valley. But the project

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