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“I think you should hold out for what you want. And you know Jack and I would love to have you close to home.”
That was her problem. Lindsey had already felt as if she’d come home, right here. “I’ve got my résumé out there, but I might just have to take something temporary until the good job comes around. I still have school loans to pay back.”
“You know we want to help you.”
“Thanks, Mom. I’m fine.”
“My independent daughter.” She heard her mother giggle, knowing Jack was probably distracting her. “Maybe you should take some time off. Go on a vacation and find yourself a man.”
Lindsey’s thoughts turned to Brady. She already had, but she couldn’t compete with his lifestyle. Captain Randell was definitely off-limits. For more reasons than she could count.
The next morning Lindsey was awakened by pounding on her door. “Just a minute,” she called as she threw on a robe over her pajamas, walked out of the bedroom and across the tiled floor through the main room.
Who could be here this early?
She tossed her mussed hair back as she opened the door to find Brady on her porch. He was in jeans and his flight jacket and the usual straw cowboy hat.
“Brady?”
“Morning, Doc.” He walked inside with a sight limp.
“Uh, it’s a little early to visit don’t you think?” She glanced at the clock over the fireplace that read 6:30 a.m. and hugged her robe together.
He smiled. “This is the best part of the day. I loved those early-morning runs, the sun just coming up over the horizon.” He released a breath. “Nothing like it, being all alone with the endless sky overhead and the desert floor below.” Then he came out of his thoughts. “Or if I’m in a roll, the sky below and the ground above.”
She watched the flicker of emotions play over his face and it tugged at her heart. “You miss it, don’t you?”
He shrugged. “There’s no rush like it.” Then he straightened. “I’m sorry to bother you, but I was taking a ride in the golf cart this morning. That’s when I saw the mustang. A mare. She’s either lame or hurt.”
Lindsey was on her way outside before Brady finished explaining. The cold weather had her hugging her robe together. “Where? Is she close by?”
Brady looked out. “She was. It’s that little buckskin. Maybe she just picked up a rock.”
“Or maybe worse. Hank told me he had some trouble a few months back when one of the mustangs was wounded. He said it looked like someone was shooting pellets.”
“You think we should call Hank?” he asked.
“I’ll have a look first.”
“I’m going with you.”
She didn’t need to be anywhere around this man. But he could help her find the pony. She looked down at her pajamas. “Give me five minutes.”
The golf cart wasn’t easy to maneuver over the rough terrain, but it was all they had at the moment. A few hundred yards away Brady spotted the small herd of mustangs. Hanging back from the others was the mare.
So as not to disturb them, he drove the cart along the edge of the trees. “That’s her,” he said, his voice soft and even.
Stopping, he handed the binoculars to Lindsey. As she adjusted the focus to watch the herd, Brady couldn’t help but watch her. She was pretty, though not in the traditional way. Her eyes were too large for her face, and very expressive. Her mouth was full, those lips… He swallowed, recalling her taste. She sure got his attention.
When she’d opened the door this morning, he’d lost all conscious thought as to why he was there. Her hair wild, her eyes with that sleepy quality, her mouth looking so kissable. Like yesterday, he found it hard to resist her and wanted nothing more than to carry her back to where she came from. Bed.
“Bingo,” Lindsey said, still watching the mare. “I can spot a smear of blood high on her right forearm.”
“How bad?” He took the binoculars from her and looked for himself.
“Bad enough that the wound should be treated.” She got out of the cart and reached in the backseat for her bag. “I wonder if she’ll let me get close to her.”
“No need. I’ll get her.” Brady got out, went to the back of the cart, pulled up the seat and took a rope from the compartment.
She came after him. “You can’t. Let me help.”
He glared at her. “If I need your help I’ll holler.”
Lindsey had no doubt Brady could do this with or without a bad leg, or he’d die trying. And she had to let him.
“Fine.” She went back to her seat.
For a big man, he moved quietly and swiftly in his athletic shoes, even with his walking cast. Most men would look clumsy. But not Brady.
After tying the end of the rope to a tree, he walked carefully behind the herd. One of the stallions whinnied and danced away, putting more distance between them. The mare looked up and began to shy away.
“It’s okay, princess,” Brady said, keeping his voice quiet and even. “I’m not going to hurt you, girl. I just want to help make you feel better.”
The mare bobbed her head, but didn’t move away from the intruder. Unlike the rest of the herd that had wandered farther down the meadow. Brady continued his journey as he crooned to the trembling buckskin. Surprisingly, he handled the rope expertly making the large loop. Mesmerized by his husky voice, Lindsey barely noticed when he slipped the lasso around the mare’s neck, then led her back to the cart.
The docile pony followed without much resistance. Lindsey knew from Tess that the mare had been around for a long time. And by the look of the blood on her forearm, she was wounded.
“I guess my persistence as a kid learning to rope a steer paid off,” he remarked as he held the mare steady.
“Hello, girl,” Lindsey said softly. She moved slowly so she wouldn’t spook the horse.
Brady shortened the rope so the animal couldn’t move. “Come on, princess, Doc only wants to help you.”
Lindsey tried to get a look, but the mare wouldn’t let her too close. There was no doubt that there was blood and she saw the fresh entry wound of a bullet.
Lindsey stood. “She’s been shot.”
“Damn.” Brady looked around. “Guess I should call Hank.” He pulled out his phone. “He isn’t going to be happy to learn someone’s invaded Mustang Valley.”
CHAPTER FOUR
IT TOOK nearly thirty minutes for Lindsey and Brady to lead the mustang to the Circle B Ranch. They could have transported her to the clinic, but Lindsey didn’t want to take the time or traumatize the mare any more than necessary.
Lindsey had to anesthetize the animal to remove the .22 bullet embedded in the fleshy part of her forearm. The surgery went well, thanks to the help of Hank and Brady.
She went into Hank’s house to clean up, then she returned to the barn to check the patient. The pony would be groggy from the anesthesia, and Lindsey wanted to keep a close watch on her for the next few days before they released her back out to the range.
When she entered the cool interior of the barn she paused at the sight of Brady leaning over the pony’s stall, his injured leg rested on the lowest rail. Her attention went to his worn jeans pulled taut over his nicely shaped butt. She couldn’t help but take the time to admire the view.
“How’s my girl doing?” Brady crooned. Not surprisingly the little mare reacted to his voice. He didn’t attempt to touch her, but waited until she came to him. She did, but only so close.
“Don’t be afraid, sweetheart. I’m not gonna hurt you.”
Lindsey closed her eyes as his deep voice reverberated through her. She didn’t doubt that Captain Randell had spoken those words many times. To how many women? She also knew she couldn’t be added to that list, but it was getting harder and harder to convince herself. Not even when she knew if she gave in it would be disastrous.
Suddenly Brady glanced over his shoulder, those dark eyes alert as he examined her closely. “Hi.”
“Hi.” She nodded toward the horse. “Looks like you’ve made a friend.”
“What can I say? Females can’t resist me.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “And modest, too.”
He walked toward her. “Haven’t you heard? Viper pilots are a cocky bunch.”
“How does that combination work for you?”
He shrugged. “Not bad.” He leaned his forearms against the railing, his gaze zoned in on hers. “What works on you, Doc?”
Her heart pounded in her chest as she tried to come up with a believable lie. “I’m not interested in a fling, Captain. I’m too busy for one thing, and smart enough not to start something with a man who will be leaving soon.”
He frowned. “You must know more than I do.”
“Come on, Brady, we both know our careers come first. You’re going to work like crazy to get back to flying your F-16, and I’m going to work just as hard to get my practice off the ground.”
He took off his hat and ran his fingers through his short hair. “That doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy time with each other.”
That would be a bad idea, she thought. “In the biblical sense, of course.”
He gave her the once-over. “We don’t have to jump into anything, but that could be… interesting.”
“And like I said, that’s dangerous.”
“I would go for incredible. I seem to remember a kiss yesterday that nearly blew my socks off.”
Hers, too. “So we just go for instant gratification?”
He shrugged. “Would it be so bad?”
She glared at him.
“Okay, okay. Then, how about we go for friends? You’re just about the only person around here who isn’t a Randell or related to one.”
She tensed. Okay, technically she wasn’t a Randell. But when her identity was discovered, Brady’s loyalty would go to his family. That was the best reason she needed to put a stop to this. And now.
From the doorway of the barn, Hank watched Brady and Lindsey. Anyone who had any horse sense could see there was something brewing between those two.
The brooding captain’s whole demeanor had changed since the pretty vet had shown up in town. Now, if they could just find a way to get Lindsey to give him a chance, then maybe they’d both stick around. Old Doc Hillman wanted to retire, or at least bring in another vet as a partner in the practice, and Lindsey Stafford would be perfect.
Stafford. He wished he could remember why that name sounded familiar.
“Hank?”
He turned around to see Ella. A rush of feelings stirred in him as he smiled at his wife.
“Is there trouble with the mare?”
“No, she seems to be coming along fine. I was just enjoying the scene.” He nodded at the couple. “Mark my word, there’s sparks between those two.”
“Of course there is. They’re young, good-looking and their hormones are on a rampage.”
Ella had been the best thing that had happened to him in a long time. He’d been a fool to have taken years to realize his love for her. He drew her close to his side. “You don’t have to be young to have those feelings.”
She actually blushed and pushed him away. “Hank Barrett, stop talking like that. Someone might hear.”
“So what if they do? We’re not dead, woman. So don’t put me out to pasture just yet.” He took her hand. “Now, come on, let’s go see how the mare is doing.”
Hank and Ella reached the stall. “How she doin’?” he asked.
“She’s coming along fine,” Lindsey said. “But you should keep her a day or two longer. I’ll give her another dose of antibiotics in the morning.” She raised an eyebrow. “Did you report the shooting?”
Hank nodded. “Called the sheriff, but I’m sorry to say that it isn’t a top priority. A lot of people don’t care for the wild horses. That’s the reason I wanted to make sure this land was a haven for them. I thought it would keep them safe.” He turned to the pretty vet. “I appreciate all that you’ve done, Lindsey.”
“I’m just glad Brady found the mare in time.”
Brady shrugged. “I got lucky.”
Hank grew serious. “Lucky or not, we appreciate it, Brady. Thank you, too. And you can bet I’m going to take the threat to heart. This has happened before and it’s time I put a stop to it. I won’t allow someone to trespass on my land and endanger my stock, or worse, my family.”
Hank sighed. “And since the sheriff won’t do much, I’m going to have to go out myself and find these good-for-nothin’ cowards. Even if it’s some crazy kids, we still have to stop them.”
“I’d like to go along,” Brady said.
Hank knew the captain had a lot to prove, mostly to himself. “And I welcome your help, son, but I don’t want any heroics here.”
Brady nodded. “You give the orders.”
“I thought we’d do some investigating. Maybe the person or persons left behind some clues.”
“I can help, too,” Lindsey volunteered.
Hank wasn’t sure about that. “I was thinking about sending the boys out on horseback. And we might not get back until after dark.”
“I’ve ridden after dark,” she added.
“Maybe it would be safer if you went by truck with Brady. You two seem to make a good team.”
By late afternoon Lindsey was exhausted when she entered the cabin. After leaving the Circle B, she’d finished her scheduled appointments, and now only had twenty minutes before Brady was due to pick her up. Although she was eager to help, she had plenty of apprehension over being paired with the one man she’d been trying to avoid. But she cared enough about the mustangs to want to find the person or persons who were responsible for the shooting.
After a quick shower, Lindsey hurriedly dressed in clean jeans and a sweatshirt over a thermal T-shirt and slipped on her comfortable boots. She slapped together two ham sandwiches and was just finishing up when a knock sounded on the door. She opened it to find Brady. He, too, was dressed in a sweatshirt, jeans and his bomber jacket.
“Ready?”
“No, I’m running late.” She handed him a sandwich and a bottle of water.
“Thanks.”
“Are we going to meet at Hank’s place?”
“No. He gave me a map of the area he wants us to cover. Chance and Hank are teamed together in a vehicle searching the other side of the ranch. Cade and Travis are on horseback, along with Jarred and Wyatt. You and I are teamed up to check this side of the property.”
“Okay, let’s go, Captain.” She pulled on her all-weather nylon jacket, a scarf and stocking cap for warmth.
He held the door open for her, and she ducked under his arm. He suddenly looked big and intimidating, and deadly serious. She realized this situation could be the same, too. Whoever was shooting at defenseless animals was dangerous.
Outside, they made their way along the path that led up the rise. Even without his cane, Brady didn’t seem to have any trouble making the climb up to the parking area. Next to her SUV was the Randell Guest Ranch four-by-four truck. He opened the door and slid into the driver’s side. Why not? His right leg was fine.
She got in the passenger side as he bit into his sandwich. That’s when his jacket opened and she saw a flash of metal. A gun was tucked into the waistband of his jeans.
“You brought a gun.”
He stared the truck. “Yeah, Doc, I did.” The floodlight overhead illuminated part of his face. “I hope I don’t have to use it.” He took another hearty bite and chewed. “But there’s no way in hell I’m going out there unarmed.” His voice took on a husky quality. “Let’s just say it’s a precaution.”
Lindsey could see the determination in Brady’s face and heard it in his voice. He made her feel safe. Besides, they needed to catch whoever was shooting at the mustangs.
She glanced out at the fading daylight. “Where are we supposed to go?”
He handed her the area map from the bench seat between them, then backed the truck out and headed for the highway. “Hank’s marked the area he wants us to search.”
She looked over the written directions. “Okay, at the highway turn left and go down about a half mile to a service road.”
Brady nodded and followed her navigation, trying to concentrate on his job and not think about Lindsey seated so close to him. How was he supposed to do that with her fresh lemon scent filling the small cab? It seemed to wrap around him, trying to distract him, reminding him how long it had been since he’d been with a woman. A long, long time.
With a groan, he shifted in his seat.
Lindsey turned to him. “You okay? Is your leg hurting you?”
Like hell. “No. I’m just trying to get into a comfortable position. If you can’t see the directions, there’s a flashlight on the floor.”
“I can read just fine. If you’d rather I can drive.”
“I said I can handle it,” he told her, then finished the last of his sandwich.
“Okay, I’m just trying to help.”
“Then read the map,” he told her. “And get us to where we need to be.”
“Then get ready.” She pointed toward the driver’s side of the road. “The turn-off should be coming up soon. There it is.”
Brady pulled the truck onto the gravel road. After about twenty yards they came to a sign that read, Private Property. No Trespassing. But they soon discovered the gate was already open. “Maybe Hank left it open.”
He threw the gearshift in park, reached for the cell phone and punched the buttons.
“This is Hank.” Hank’s voice came through laced with static. “Have you made it to your location?”
“Not quite. We’re at the service road just off the highway. The gate’s open. We weren’t sure if you’d been here or not.”
“Haven’t been there in over a week, and none of the ranch hands would leave it open, either.”
“Then we’ll check it out.”
“Call us if you see anything,” Hank said. “We’ll hightail it over there.” There was a pause. “I know you won’t walk into anything blindly, but be careful.”
“Will do.” Brady put the truck in four-wheel drive and moved cautiously down the road. He felt a rush of excitement. Besides bringing in the mare, this was the first useful thing he’d done in months.
When he came to a fork at the large tree, he slowed, then veered off to the right on the more-traveled road. They went along the uneven dirt path, passing through thick mesquite bushes that were so close they brushed the sides of the truck.
“Do you think this is the right way?” Lindsey asked.
He’d noticed the scratches on the truck when he’d gotten in. “I’d say this is a normal route. Besides, I have no choice but to keep going, even if it’s just to turn around.” He gave her a quick sideways glance, then returned his attention to the road. He slowed as they came out of the bushes into a grassy clearing. Right away he saw evidence that someone had been there recently.
“Bingo.” Brady shut off the engine and got out. Lindsey followed after him. Together, they walked into the remnants of what was once a fire ring, a circle of rocks and some burnt wood.
“Well, someone sure as hell has been here,” he said as he walked to the log and found scattered fast-food wrappers and several beer cans along with an empty whiskey bottle. “I’d bet there’ve been a few parties here.”
“I’ll call Hank,” Lindsey said.
“Good idea.” Brady went to the truck and returned with flashlights. He handed her one. “We’re losing daylight fast. I’ll search the area.”
She punched in Hank’s number and when he answered, she said, “We found a makeshift campsite about a half mile in. Looks like some kids have been here, and they’ve been drinking.”
“Darn it, I was afraid of that. Is there any sign of anything else?”
“Brady’s still looking around.”
“Okay, we can be there as soon as we change a flat tire.”
Lindsey hung up to see Brady wander off through the high grass. She caught up to him. “Hank will be here as fast he can. Maybe it would be better if you wait for Hank, and don’t go out there alone.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Why, Doc, you’re worried about me.”
“I suspect you can handle yourself okay.”
“Thanks for the credit. I’ve been able to get out of enemy territory, I think I can go look for some simple tracks.” He pointed the flashlight down. “And in about ten minutes there’ll be no light at all.”
“Then I’m coming with you.”
She followed after him, letting him lead the way.
He stopped and crouched down, motioning for Lindsey to do the same. “See how the grass is bent?”
She knelt down beside him. His hand pressed against her back, making it hard for her to concentrate on what he was saying.
“I don’t think it was done by cattle. Hank doesn’t have a herd even close to here. Could be the mustangs, but my guess is they’re humans.”
“So the shooter was probably here?”
He shrugged as his gaze met hers. “Or it could lead to a place one of the boys took his girl for some privacy.” He raised an eyebrow. “A little private make-out place.”
She felt the stirring in her stomach and she stood up. “We better keep looking.”
Brady stood, too. He concentrated on finding some clues, anything that would prove a shooter was here. They continued to walk through the brush, then came to another clearing and more beer cans.
He aimed his flashlight along the perimeter and caught sight of a shiny object. He knelt down and picked up a brass shell casing, then another. He found a total of three.
“Well, I’ll be damned.”
Lindsey arrived at his side and looked at his hand. “Shell casings.” She looked up at him. “So the shooter was here.”
“He was, if these will match the bullet you removed from the mare.” He noticed that she was shivering. “Come on, you’re cold. Besides, it’s too dark to find anything else. We’ll wait for Hank.” He pocketed the casings and guided her back to the truck.
Once inside, he started the truck and turned on the heater. “Sorry, I didn’t notice the drop in temperature.”
“It’s okay, I’m fine.” She smiled, but she was still shivering. “It was worth it. We found this place.”
“And we might find who’s responsible,” he told her. He liked the fact that Lindsey Stafford wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. He’d watched her yesterday with the mare. Saw firsthand her dedication.
He turned in his seat and leaned back against the door, stretching out his injured leg on the floor. Lindsey was huddled deep in her coat, trying to keep warm. He couldn’t stand to watch her shivering.
“Lindsey.” He spoke her name and she turned to him. Silently he held out his hands.
“Not a good idea, Brady.”
“It’s only to keep warm.” He reached out and drew her into his arms. Once he opened his coat, she burrowed into his chest seeking warmth. He bit back a groan when her breasts pressed against him. Her hands were splayed against his ribs. He didn’t dare take a breath. After a few minutes of heaven, he asked. “Have you gone to sleep on me?”
“No, but I could use some.” She turned her head and shifted position slightly. “My beauty sleep was interrupted by someone pounding on my door at dawn.”
He smiled, feeling her soft hair against his chin. “I’d say it was for a good reason. Besides, sleeping is highly overrated.” He looked down at the woman in his arms. “I can think of more interesting ways to kill the time.”
She didn’t open her eyes. “Aren’t you a little old to be trying to seduce a woman in the woods?”
It was her fault that he’d been thinking like a high school kid. “Hey, there was a time when I could do a lot with some moonlight, a little privacy and a bench seat.”
She finally sat up and glared at him. “I bet.”
“What can I say? Every teenage boy had one goal in mind.”
“I wouldn’t know. I didn’t date much in school. I was focused on getting into college.”
“I’m sure the boys in your school were disappointed.”
The faint sound of a song on the radio filled the cab. Even in the darkness, he could feel her eyes on him.
“Hardly, they were more into blondes.”
“They were fools.” He leaned closer, but Lindsey put up her hand.