The Soldier's Homecoming

by Patricia Potter

  Jubal was obviously feeling Jenny Talbot out. He had not been happy when Travis had told him about Jenny’s proposal. The former SEAL didn’t care much for reporters. He’d been hounded when he first returned and refused to give any interviews. His team had died. He had survived. That didn’t make him a hero, and he deeply resented any attempt to publicize the situation. Travis completely understood those feelings.

  But Jubal obviously sensed Travis’s ambivalence about Jenny’s request to go with him. They had discussed her request before she arrived and, Jubal apparently decided to learn more about Jenny Talbot through the riding lesson.

  Jenny was more than up to the test. Travis watched as she did everything Jubal asked without complaint, although she asked a few questions to make sure she was doing everything correctly. Her body moved easily with the horse, and she praised the mare frequently. When they finished, Jubal nodded his approval. With Jubal, that was the best anyone could get.

  As Jenny and Danny led their horses inside the stable to cool them off, Jubal walked over to the fence. “She’s a natural,” he said.

  “I would have guessed that,” Travis agreed. “This is your project. You’re the boss. But I think you can trust her to do as she promises. If she says she won’t write anything you don’t approve, I don’t think she will.” He paused before saying, “Quite honestly, she’ll probably be helpful and come up with questions I wouldn’t.”

  Jubal raised an eyebrow.

  Travis shrugged his shoulders. “She has a way of getting people to talk...”

  “I noticed,” Jubal said with a slight smile.

  “You’re paying for the trip,” Travis said, “although she said she would pay her share of expenses.”

  Jubal shrugged. “Josh trusts your instincts and judgment. I have to admit that what little I’ve seen of Jenny Talbot, I liked. But whether you take her or not is up to you.”

  “Thanks,” Travis said sarcastically.

  “Did you want me to be the bad guy?”

  Maybe. He sure as hell didn’t want to admit it. He was growing fond of the idea of having a companion on the trip. At least, this companion. This woman who made him laugh. He hadn’t done much of that in a long time.

  “She is attractive,” Jubal observed, his gaze fixed on Travis. When Travis didn’t answer, he said, “She’s obviously smart and capable and apparently determined to take care of herself.”

  “I kinda noticed that about her.”

  “That could be a problem. She never should have tried to lift that saddle.”

  Travis nodded.

  “Well, she certainly connects with people. Josh and Eve like her, and that means a lot. But like I said, it’s your decision. I’m not going to make it for you. Come on inside. I’ve set up an account for the project and have a credit card for you. If you decide to take Miss Talbot, share the costs. That wouldn’t compromise either the program or her. Travis followed Jubal into the ranch house.

  “Hopefully, by the end of next week, we’ll finish enlarging the stable,” Jubal said. “When we decide exactly what size bunkhouse we’ll need, we’ll have an old-fashioned barn raising. Every veteran in town will be here.” Jubal walked through the living room to the kitchen, opened the fridge, took out two beers and tossed one to Travis. “I have to thank you for Danny. He’s a real asset. Luke is working with him. He thinks Danny can be a good instructor, and younger participants can relate to him better than to Luke or me.”

  Carrying the beers, they went back to Jubal’s office and he gave Travis the credit card. “Call me if you have any problems. Thanks for doing this.”

  The two of them finished the beers and returned to the corral just as Jenny and Eve emerged from the barn and joined them.

  “You might be sore for the next few days,” Eve warned her. “You’ve just used muscles you probably didn’t know you had. Soak in a hot bath tonight.”

  “It’s worth it,” Jenny said. “Horseback riding is—or was—on my bucket list. I understand why it can be therapeutic.” She turned to Jubal. “Thank you,” she said, and Jubal nodded.

  She hesitated for a moment, and then she asked, “Did your name come from the southern general?”

  “You know some history,” Jubal said with approval. “Jubal Early. He was a Texan and a hero to my family, who lived in the same community during the early days of Texas. My father and grandfather were Jubals, too.”

  “Is your father still alive?”

  Jubal hesitated, and then he shrugged. “He was a rodeo cowboy. Rode broncs. He was killed by one when I was seven.”

  “I’m so sorry,” Jenny said. “I always ask too many questions.”

  “So I’ve been warned,” Jubal replied.

  Travis watched as Jenny thanked Jubal. “I learned a lot today,” she added. “I expect that this will be the first of many rides. By the way,” she said, “I noticed a pinto foal having a fine time in the pasture. How old is he or she?”

  “Five months. I was present when he was born. It’s an experience that humbles you.”

  “I would love to see a birth,” Jenny said.

  “One of us can alert you when the next is due,” Jubal said, surprising Travis even more. “I think Luke has a mare that’s due soon. Luke says it makes ranching worth all the work and risk, and I agree. It’s one of the reasons I bought the ranch.”

  Travis couldn’t remember ever hearing Jubal talk as much, or with as much emotion, as he was doing now. More Jenny magic.

  He was obviously in trouble.

  Jubal led them to the fence and whistled. The mare and foal immediately came to the fence. Jubal gave Jenny a carrot from one of his many pockets. “This is Melody, the proud mom,” he said as Jenny gave the mare the carrot. “The colt is Promise,” he added as he ran his hand along the foal’s head.

  Travis watched Jenny’s face soften as she touched the colt. “He’s handsome.”

  “My partner, Luke, gave me the colt as a ranch-warming gift,” Jubal said. “Melody is his prize mare, though, and I couldn’t pry her away from him. She’s on loan at the moment.”

  Another car turned into the drive. “That’s Lisa,” Jubal said to Jenny. “Our town doctor.”

  Travis had met Dr. Lisa Redding on his previous visit. Josh had told him Dr. Redding and Jubal were the next thing to being engaged, but it was obvious that he wasn’t mentioning it to Jenny. He was still sorting out the close-knit circle of friends made up of veterans and their wives, fiancés and soon-to-be one or the other. It had to be especially confusing to Jenny.

  He watched as Jenny engaged the newcomer and soon they were chatting like old friends. He sighed. They might be here a while longer.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  JENNY WAS STARVING when she left the ranch with Travis. She hadn’t had anything to eat since those two cinnamon rolls at 6:00 a.m.

  It was her fault. She stayed much too long talking to Dr. Lisa Redding. The conversation had revolved around moving from a big city and major hospital to a one-stop-sign town and a small clinic. She made mental notes she would transfer to her tablet. She hadn’t wanted to interrupt the conversation by taking out her phone and asking to record it. That could come later.

  Travis wandered away and was talking to Jubal when she finished. “Thanks for waiting for me,” she said.

  “You’re welcome,” he said solemnly, but there was a tease in his eyes.

  “They’re all great. Josh, Jubal, Danny.”

  “Yeah, they are, but it wasn’t easy to get to where they are now.”

  “What about you?”

  He shrugged. “I suppose I have a few demons. I try not to pay any attention to them. I got off easy compared to so many others.”

  “Is that why you adopted Danny?”

  “He’s a soldier. He deserved help,” he said as they walked to his car. “Hungry?”
r />   “Starved. Maybe some takeout at Maude’s?”

  “I was thinking more like a steak at the Rusty Nail. They’re not as good as Josh’s, but they’re good. The owner is a veteran.”

  She sighed happily. “That sounds perfect.” She hesitated before she ventured, “I’m going with you, then?”

  “If you follow up on your promise,” he said, wondering if he was making a very big mistake. “Can you go on short notice?”

  “I’ve been doing that all my adult life. Keeping promises and moving with short notice.”

  “It’s a very long drive,” he warned.

  “I like road trips,” she said. “I usually fly, but I’ve always thought that when I had time...an open road was appealing. And after today, I really want to visit the other ranches.”

  “Do you ever slow down?” he asked.

  “I try not to.”

  The Rusty Nail was the typical small-town tavern with an unpaved parking lot and worn cedar exterior. They walked inside to a large room with sawdust on the floor and peanuts on the table.

  They were immediately greeted by a young woman. “Hi, Major Hammond. Good to see you again.”

  “You have two hungry people,” Travis said. “This is Jenny Talbot. She’s a reporter.”

  “I heard. I was hoping you’d come by.”

  “Of course you heard,” Jenny said with a smile. “I’m quickly learning that Covenant Falls works like a game of telephone.”

  Travis smiled and changed the subject. “I’ll have your strip steak rare, with a baked potato and a side of mushrooms.”

  “I’ll have the same, but make mine medium rare,” Jenny said. “And a beer. Anything cold. You pick.”

  “Make it two,” Travis said.

  The waitress grinned. “I like trust.”

  “I like her,” Jenny said after she left.

  “Everyone does. She’s one reason this place thrives. That and the food.”

  Jenny cracked a peanut shell and popped the nuts into her mouth. “That’s good. I could almost have eaten one of those horses, but Jubal and Josh wouldn’t approve. They’re a lot alike, aren’t they?”

  “Josh is more pragmatic. He’s really good with business, but then he was always great with details. It was what made him a fine staff sergeant. He’s a lot more relaxed now. Eve and her son have really mellowed him.” There he went confiding in her again. “How’s your arm?”

  “Fine. I hope you don’t feel guilty. I have a habit of forgetting about it. Maybe because I hate any limitations. But I noticed how good you were with Nick.”

  “He’s got a good arm. I started pitching at that age.”

  “Eve said you played baseball in college. Ever think about going pro?”

  “Baseball provided my education, but I knew I wasn’t major-league good.”

  “So where do you live these days?” she asked.

  “Right now, I have a small apartment near Walter Reed. What about you?” It was just so damn natural talking to her. Conversation flowed between them. No wonder she was a good reporter. He warned himself to be careful.

  “I don’t really have one,” she said. “I’ve been living overseas out of a duffel bag for nearly ten years. Didn’t make any sense to buy or rent.”

  “What do the doctors say about your shoulder?”

  She shrugged. “I might get full function, then again I might not. I’m doing exercises, but it’s slow. I can’t complain because there’s a lot of people who are dead or with worse wounds for a better reason.”

  The beers came in frosted mugs. She touched hers to his, and they took a long draft.

  She was not dainty in drinking. She chugged it down like any soldier. But then she’d been in the sun most of the day. Her cheeks were flushed, and her green eyes gleamed. She was so full of life, it seemed to radiate from her. He had already noticed how people were drawn to her. She was genuinely interested in everyone she met, ready for any adventure and obviously fearless...

  He doubted if anything—or anyone—could hold her for very long.

  Particularly a war-worn soldier with a bum leg and a questionable future. Why even worry about it? She wouldn’t be here long, and neither would he. They would go back to their separate worlds in several weeks.

  “You look lost in thought,” she said.

  “Just enjoying the beer. How did you like your first horseback ride?”

  “I loved it. I just want to saddle a horse on my own.”

  “It’ll come.”

  “Do you ride?” she asked.

  “When I was a kid. We had an old plow horse I rode bareback. I did ride at Jubal’s ranch when I was here several weeks ago.”

  “So...can I go with you, then?” she asked directly.

  “You don’t have any other obligations, no one to check in with?” he asked. It was a question he’d wanted to ask since he first dropped her off at the Camel Trail Inn.

  “No,” she said. “I’ve been on my own for a long time.”

  “No questions?”

  “No. I’m just tailing along. And I want you to know how much I appreciate it.”

  “It was Jubal’s decision.”

  “You could have said no.”

  He was saved from answering by the arrival of the steaks. Outside of the military, his relationships had been few and far between. He’d had little time for romance. When he wasn’t deployed, he was busy stateside, overseeing training and preparing for the next deployment.

  It wasn’t for lack of opportunities, but he knew the pressures of a military marriage, and he knew from personal experience that other marriages had difficulties, too. Until Dinah, he’d never found anyone who’d even made him think about anything permanent...

  He watched as Jenny tasted the strip steak. She ate as if she hadn’t seen food in a week. He wondered where she put it. At midmeal, a band gathered in a corner of the room.

  He tried to focus on the band playing good pop country. After one song, he turned, and their gazes met. It was as if lightning darted between them. He knew from the stunned expression in her eyes that she felt it, too.

  Couples were dancing, and Travis felt a rare envy. He could barely walk straight, much less dance. Ordinarily that wouldn’t have bothered him, but he had the damnedest need to ask her to dance. He wanted to hold her, move with her.

  Could he back out of the trip now before those feelings grew? Did he want to?

  “We’d better go,” he said. “I have some things to get together, and I imagine you do, too.”

  “I want to pay my share of dinner for tonight,” she said when the bill came.

  He saw the stubborn look on her face. It went against all his instincts to let her pay her bill. They weren’t on the trip yet, but he understood. Independence was obviously very important to her.

  They paid their bills and left the noisy room.

  The inn was just a few miles away, but Travis wasn’t quite ready to let her go yet. He drove past the packed lot and around to the side of the inn.

  “There’s a 50th wedding anniversary party here,” Jenny explained. “Lots of friends and family. Susan warned me it might be noisy, but hopefully it will end early,” Jenny continued, and he wondered if she was feeling the growing warmth in the car. “The dining room was closed for the party, so you saved me from starvation.” She paused. “Thanks for all the help and especially for agreeing to take me with you tomorrow.”

  He nodded, and she reached for the door. But then she turned back, and the air in the car went from warm to electric. Their hands touched. He wanted to reach over and touch her face, draw her to him.

  Her eyes were so intense, so damned green. The energy in her seemed too strong to contain in the car. His heartbeat quickened. Other parts of his anatomy did, as well.

  “I should go inside,” Jenny said
reluctantly.

  He nodded. “I’ll be here at oh-eight hundred.”

  “I’ll be ready,” she said, without making a move to exit the car.

  “Don’t forget about that bath. You’ll be sore tomorrow,” he said in an effort to shatter the sexual tension radiating between them. “I rode on my last visit and paid for it the next day.”

  “I will. Thanks again.”

  He got out and limped over to the passenger side as she stepped out.

  “You didn’t have to do that,” she said.

  “You forget I have papers saying I’m an officer and a gentleman. That means accompanying you to the door.”

  She gave him that spontaneous grin that had enchanted him from day one. He put his hands on her shoulders, leaned down and touched his lips to hers. Gently. Tentatively.

  She lifted up on her toes and returned the kiss. He felt the earth rumble under him, and the bright, vivid attraction between them exploded.

  He hadn’t intended it. He’d meant only to walk her to the door, but he couldn’t resist the smile that lit him up inside, and once their lips met, the kiss became scorching. His arms went around her and tightened.

  The electricity that darted between them almost from the first moment they met was turning into a tempest, one Travis knew he had to stop for both their sakes. Neither of them was ready for anything more than a temporary partnership. He knew that much from the conversations they’d had.

  She wanted her career back. She was a wanderer, and he didn’t know what in hell he wanted. He stepped back, his hands falling from her shoulders. “I’m sorry,” he said. “That shouldn’t have happened...”

  * * *

  FOR ONCE IN her life, Jenny was speechless. Her heart pounded. She was trembling, wanting—no, needing—to explore the flames that licked between them.

  But he was right. The trip was too important to them both. She didn’t want to do anything that might cause him to have second thoughts. She searched his face. “I’d better go in,” she said. “I’ll be at the door at eight.”