The SEAL's Return

by Patricia Potter

  Another reason to avoid the pretty doctor. How could he ever go to bed with her not knowing if he would wake thinking she was the enemy?

  And yet, he’d brought her to the cabin like that. So much for his self-discipline. It had saved him during those dark two years. It failed him last night.

  Error number one: he never should’ve asked her to see the bench. He’d wanted her to see what Gordon had built. He’d wanted her to have the same pride in her brother that he did.

  Error number two: he never should’ve taken her inside the cabin. He should have tried to squash the attraction that had grown stronger since they’d first met rather than feed it like dry wood to a fire.

  At least he’d pulled back before making it worse. And then he’d spoiled that effort by blurting out what he really wanted to do. Idiot! No way could he continue playing with fire without one or both of them getting badly burned. The simple fact was that they had nothing in common outside that attraction. He’d sensed she wasn’t totally comfortable with the military, and that had been his life. And she’d made it clear she was here one year before returning to the big city and a career that had taken her years to reach. There was no room in that picture for him.

  Having made that determination, he made coffee, dressed in his trunks and went out to the lake. He needed the frigid water this morning to cool off.

  Still, as he stroked out to the middle of the lake, he couldn’t forget how adorable she’d looked in his shirt, or the wondering expression on her face as he’d kissed her.

  He swam faster, telling himself he’d be wise to leave today. He’d done what he could for Gordon. He should end it now.

  If it wasn’t for Luke, he would. In return for lessons, he’d committed to staying an indeterminate time. He was pretty sure that meant longer than a few days. The pull of ranch life was strong. It was the only occupation that had interested him, and he realized he was clutching to it in desperation. After nearly twenty years as a SEAL, fruitless wandering did not actually appeal to him.

  The little colt had cinched the deal. He still needed a name. He had no idea what to call him.

  He bet Lisa would.

  He swam back to shore, took a hot shower and pulled on his oldest pair of jeans and an old plaid shirt. He drank a large cup of coffee, ate three pieces of toast and drank a large glass of orange juice, then grabbed his keys. It was early, but he was pretty sure Luke would be watering and feeding the horses.

  Luke was outside. So was the mare with her foal. In the sun, the baby had the same rich markings as his mama. He was actually trotting around with her in the corral, staying close as she kept turning her head to make sure he was there.

  “Glad to see you,” Luke said.

  “Making up for yesterday, if that’s okay.”

  “Sure. You’re more than welcome anytime. Can’t stay away, huh?”

  Jubal looked at the colt. “Not from him. He’s out in the big wide world already?”

  “He’s an eager little guy. He’s got great breeding. A championship on his sire’s side.”

  “I didn’t expect him to be running so quickly.”

  “Hell, he was running yesterday. Horses are a prey animal,” Luke said.

  The mare came over to the fence and the foal followed. Luke took an apple quarter and gave it to her. “Good job,” he said, and ran his hand down the mare’s neck. The mare chomped on the apple.

  “Gets to you, doesn’t it?” Luke said. “As I said the other night, this is what makes all the long hours and financial risks worthwhile. You watch them grow, become confident.”

  The foal’s big chocolate eyes regarded Jubal curiously, like it was thinking “maybe I should know you.” He took a tentative step forward, then stopped when his mother nudged him back to her side.

  “Could he remember me from the night he was born?”

  “I doubt it. He’s probably just curious.”

  “What’s his schedule now?”

  “Leave him with his mama at first. Accustom him to the herd across the fence, then when everyone calms down, move both mare and colt in with the others. We’ll start imprinting today by putting a foal halter on him and letting him know we’re friends. Ground training starts in about a year and a half, and real riding a year later.”

  Jubal was mentally counting the years before there could be a profit.

  “If you want to sell early, you can put promising youngsters with good confirmation and top-notch breeding into one of the big auction sales as yearlings. You keep the best to train and sell yourself when they start bringing in some ribbons and prize money.

  He looked at Jubal. “It takes several decades to build a horse ranch from scratch. The other option is to buy a going ranch with a good reputation and hire good trainers. We make it because we’ve built a reputation. Tracy is a former barrel racing champion so she’s in demand as a trainer and coach.”

  Jubal watched the colt for several more minutes, then said, “I’d better get started.”

  “Why don’t you start with Jacko. I think he missed you yesterday. He’s been stomping around in his stall. As I said, I can’t leave my horses out at night, not with this rustling going on.”

  “Has there been any more instances?”

  “Not in the last few days, but we’ve alerted all the ranches within a hundred-mile radius. Bastards,” he muttered.

  “Mind if I bring the new doctor’s brother to see the little guy?”

  “Bring the whole family if you wish. I met Dr. Redding at the reception after the pageant, and I’ve heard good things about her.” He gestured toward to the foal. “Come up with a name yet?”

  “Not yet,” Jubal said.

  “Well, you’d better hurry up and give him a name or Nameless is how he’ll go down in the registry.”

  Jubal grinned. “I’ll do better than that. Promise.” He went inside the barn and found Jacko.

  He gave him the expected carrot, watched as he munched it, then led the buckskin to the washrack, saddled and bridled him. “You and me, kid,” he said as he swung up in the saddle.

  Seven hours later, he headed to the cabin. He’d had lunch with Luke and Tracy, then went back to riding. There would be some new horses added to his list tomorrow. Luke said he was ready for them.

  Graduation of a sort. Accomplishment. He hadn’t realized how much he’d needed that...

  He thought about calling Lisa regarding visiting the ranch, then reconsidered. He really should stay away from her. He’d barely been able to keep his hands off her the previous night. It had taken every ounce of self-control not to deepen the kiss.

  He was way out of her class. He’d kicked around in some of the worst places in the world and had seen things no human being should see. He had nightmares and sometimes woke up screaming. He’d almost seriously hurt a woman he’d slept with in San Diego. He’d thought she was the enemy.

  Lisa was a healer. He had no doubt she’d seen terrible wounds in her career, but that wasn’t the same as causing them.

  No, it was better to stay away, and stay away from Gordon, as well.

  Better for all three of them.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  AFTER GETTING FAR closer to Lisa on Saturday night than was good for either of them, Jubal spent the next week throwing all his time and energy into Luke’s ranch and learning more about the business.

  He needed the distraction and stayed until well past seven or eight every night with the exception of Monday when he and Luke both attended the poker game.

  The foal had grown more adventuresome every day. He seemed to recognize Jubal now, and he and his mother, Melody, cantered over to the fence when they saw him. He always arrived with pockets of carrots or apples, and Melody lost no time nuzzling his pocket for a treat.

  “He’s a spirite
d little guy,” he said when Luke appeared at his side.

  “Yep. And he still needs a name.”

  “I know,” Jubal said. “I’m still thinking about it.”

  “You’re spoiling her, you know,” Luke said as Jubal gave the mare half a carrot.

  “I guess I am,” Jubal said. “She’s a great mother.”

  “She is that.” He paused, then asked, “You mentioned the other day that the new doc and her kids might like to see the foal. I met them at Maude’s last night and invited them to drop by tomorrow.”

  Jubal just nodded.

  “You said the boy might want lessons?”

  “He might.”

  “Why don’t you give them? You’re capable of it and it would be good experience.”

  That was the last thing he needed. He resisted. “I’m not qualified.”

  “Tracy can sit in,” Luke said, persisting. “I could use another instructor for beginners. Tracy has a full load of experienced riders.”

  Jubal felt he had no choice, not after everything Luke had done for him. He didn’t think, however, that Lisa would be happy. “If it’s okay with them,” he qualified.

  It wouldn’t be. He knew that. He wished he’d never mentioned the ranch to Gordon or mentioned Lisa to Luke.

  He’d done everything he could this past week to avoid both Lisa and her brother. She’d made it clear on Saturday night that she worried about his influence over her brother. And Jubal worried about any involvement between Lisa and himself. He’d just barely stopped himself from deepening that kiss Saturday night, and dammit, she’d seldom left his thoughts since.

  He realized the attraction was deeper and more complex than any he’d felt in a long time. Usually once a pretty face attracted him, there would be a few dates, a few passionate nights, and then he’d be off on another mission. He’d never made promises, nor wanted to make them. Maybe because he remembered those fights between his parents, how much his mother hated the waiting, the danger, the lack of a real home.

  So he immersed himself in Luke’s ranch.

  In the past week, he’d learned to do nearly everything that needed to be done around the stable area, including grooming and cleaning the tack and stalls. He knew each horse now and which were difficult. He was there when Stephanie visited the new mother and baby, gave the foal its first shots and took blood tests. He went with Luke to buy feed in a bigger town fifty miles away.

  He’d stayed late Tuesday and Wednesday talking to Luke about ranching, and Luke invited other ranchers over Wednesday night, as well. It was a good distraction. Not just from Lisa, but also from the fact that he was no longer a SEAL. He’d never liked being inactive, which was one reason he still swam every morning and ran every night. But he needed more than exercise; he needed a goal.

  He didn’t delude himself. If he did decide to try ranching, it would take months, maybe a year or more, to do the research and get the financing. It would be more years before he could build anything that would turn a profit.

  Luke gave Jubal the list of horses for the day. “Start with Rob Roy,” he said. “He hasn’t had any exercise in the past few days. He’s a cutting horse, can make a turn on a dime, so be sure to pay attention. Tracy will be around if you need anything.”

  Jubal nodded.

  Luke walked back to his pickup and headed for a meeting he had in town. Jubal knew Rob Roy, had fed him several times and given him treats. He approached him with a carrot, and the short stocky bay seemed appreciative, even more so when Jubal walked him out to the tack area and saddled him. He sensed the horse’s eagerness. Since the rustling problem, they’d been in the barn at night rather than allowed to wander.

  He started out slow, walking the bay around the ring, loosening him up. After fifteen minutes, Jubal had adjusted to the horse’s gait and quick movement. He opened the gate and rode Rob Roy into the large open pasture.

  He kept him to a trot until he was sure of his control, then allowed him to stretch into a gallop. It was like riding the wind.

  It felt like that was where he belonged. He recalled the rodeo, the dust and the crowds and the pride when his father placed. What he remembered most was being lifted onto Dusty’s back and riding around the corral as he was applauded by his father’s friends, a feeling unmatched until he’d earned the SEAL Trident.

  As they approached the stream, he slowed to a trot. He was beginning to anticipate the horse’s movements and relaxed slightly as they started back.

  Lisa popped back in his head. He kept hearing the fear in her voice when she talked about Gordon, the spark of passion in her eyes when he’d kissed her, the melding of their bodies for just a few seconds.

  For five days, he’d fought the impulse to call her. At the same time, he felt guiltly about not calling Gordon regarding the riding lessons he’d asked about. But Lisa made it pretty clear she didn’t approve and he wanted to respect that.

  Inexplicably, it had stung deeply. It also made him the bad guy with Gordon because he couldn’t tell the kid why without furthering the rift between sister and brother.

  And now, due to his own earlier careless words, Luke had done what Jubal had tried so hard not to do...

  Rob Roy made a sudden turn. Jubal was ejected from the saddle right over the bay’s head. The landing hurt like hell and it took a moment to realize what had happened, but he was thankful for the hard hat Luke insisted he wear at all times. He explored his body. No open wounds. No breaks. But he knew he would have a mass of bruises the next day.

  Rob Roy immediately returned to him, nudged him as if in apology or maybe it was more like “pay attention after this.” Jubal stood and painfully mounted, knowing he would be even sorer in the morning. It had been his fault and a good lesson. He’d become too confident and allowed his mind to wander to the next day, to seeing Gordon and his sister.

  When he returned to the stable, Luke was returning in the pickup.

  He stepped down, walked over to Jubal and his gaze roamed over Jubal’s grass-stained clothes.

  “Have a little tumble?” the rancher observed.

  Jubal knew he looked sheepish. “Rob Roy made some of those little turns you warned me about.”

  “You aren’t the first and won’t be the last. You aren’t a horseman until you take your first fall,” Luke said.

  Despite growing discomfort throughout his body, Jubal liked the sound of “horseman.”

  “How long have you had him?”

  “Six months. I took him as a favor for someone who retired from the cattle business. I’m trying to find the right buyer for him.”

  “I hope you warn whoever it is.”

  “I will,” Luke said. He hesitated, then added, “I hope you don’t take it wrong, Jubal, but I talked to Al Monroe today. He’s president of the bank and has insurance and real estate interests.”

  Jubal nodded cautiously. “I believe I met him at the pageant.”

  “I went to see him about some insurance business. I told him about your situation, as well. Said you might be interested in some ranch land. He suggested you come see him.”

  “I’m not ready for that...”

  “I know,” Luke said. “And I told him that. But before you get too interested, you might want to talk to him anyway.”

  Jubal hesitated. “Trying to get rid of me?”

  “Hell, no, you’re the best worker I’ve ever had and I don’t even pay you. You’re a natural with horses. I can’t believe you haven’t done more riding, although I suspect your experience overseas taught you a lot. Still, I don’t know when I’ve seen anyone learn as quickly as you have. Especially without grumbling.”

  “You just haven’t heard it,” Jubal said.

  Luke grinned. “I hope you stick around the area.” He handed Jubal a business card. “Al comes across as a ha
rd-ass, but don’t take it personally. There’s a heart in there somewhere.”

  Jubal just nodded, wondering whether he wasn’t being carried too far, too fast, on a wave of need. “Thanks.”

  Luke looked at the bruises already coloring Luke’s left arm. “Why don’t you take off, get some rest after your fall?”

  “No, thanks.” Jubal smiled.

  Luke just shrugged and left.

  Jubal was hungry when he finished the list five hours later. It seemed every bone in his body ached. He didn’t have much food left at the cabin and he didn’t want to run into anyone or answer any questions in town. Most of all he didn’t want to see Lisa or Gordon.

  He decided to try the Rusty Nail. He figured the owners wouldn’t object to his less-than-respectable appearance, and it was unlikely he’d run into the Reddings. He’d washed thoroughly in the barn before leaving, but his clothes were stained and smelled like horse.

  Out of habit, he took a table in the corner where he could see the rest of the room. In a matter of seconds, a pretty waitress approached him. “You must be the new vet.” She smiled. “Sorry I missed you the other night, but I’ve heard the guys talk about you. Jubal, isn’t it?”

  He should have been surprised, but he wasn’t. He was learning how fast information flowed in Covenant Falls. He nodded.

  “Welcome,” she said. “I’m Nancy. What can I get you?”

  “One of those great burgers and onion rings. I’m starved.”

  “And what to drink?”

  “A local beer. You pick it.”

  “Gotcha.”

  The beer was there almost as fast as the words left his mouth. It came in an ice cold bottle just like Jubal preferred. He looked around. The bar was half full but most of the occupants were couples, and he felt the odd man out. He didn’t understand why it bothered him. He usually preferred to be alone rather than part of a group, especially since his discharge.

  His first empty beer was replaced by a second, and came along with his hamburger, which tasted as good as advertised. Tastier than Maude’s, but that might’ve just been the ropes of grilled onions on top.