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She wanted that, too, but she couldn’t, not until things were settled for her. “Honestly, I have been thinking about it.” She couldn’t make a decision yet. “Thank you so much for the offer.” She saw Tess setting food on the table. “I think I’ll go help the women.” She walked off before anyone could stop her.
Brady’s gaze followed Lindsey. He wondered why she was so evasive about Hank’s offer.
Suddenly he saw the group of kids gathering. He had his own problems to worry about.
“Uncle Brady,” Livy called as she ran to him.
He couldn’t help but smile as the cute five-year-old came up to him along with another group of little girls. “Hi, Uncle Brady.”
“Hello, princess.” He bent over to her level.
“These are my cousins, Sarah Ann, Cassie and Kristin.”
“Hello, ladies. My, aren’t you all looking pretty.”
His words drew girlish giggles.
Interest grew as more of the younger generation wandered over. The boys. “Who do we have here?”
Livy took over the introductions again. “This is Evan and he’s nine years old.” She pointed to a tall, lanky boy. “Jeff is fourteen.” Another tall teenager. “Brandon is the oldest, and he’s nineteen. His brother is James Henry and he’s seven. All the rest are with their mommies.”
“It’s nice to meet you all.” Brady held out his hand and shook the boys’ hands.
It was Jeff who spoke first. “Are you really a captain in the air force?”
“Yes, sir. I am. I’m also a certified pilot on the F-15 and F-16.”
“You got a call sign?” Brandon asked.
“They call me ‘Rebel’ Randell. But we won’t get into the reasons why.”
“That’s so cool,” another boy said.
Then a little girl stepped up. Her name tag read Cassie. “Does your leg hurt?”
He looked down at the boot cast strapped on his lower leg. “Sometimes.” He backed up, found a chair and sat down. “But not right now.”
Livy moved in closer to Brady as if staking her claim. “Uncle Brady is going to marry me,” the five-year-old announced.
“Is that true?” Sarah Ann, belonging to Brenna and Dylan, asked.
He looked up just as Lindsey arrived. Their gazes met, causing his pulse to race. “Yes, she’s my best girl. She’s going to take care of me when I’m old.”
He stood and leaned toward Lindsey and whispered, “At least, it’s the best offer I’ve had so far.”
By ten-thirty that night Brady was parking at Lindsey’s cabin. She didn’t argue when he climbed out and came around to her side. Silently they walked down the slope to her cabin.
“So tonight you’re going to let me walk you to the door?”
She stopped. “Not if your leg is bothering you.”
“My leg is fine,” he assured her.
Lindsey was nervous, more than any other time she’d gone out with a man. And she couldn’t deny any longer this had been a date. They showed up at a family function together. And since they hadn’t been able to keep their hands off each other, it would be wise to say a quick good-night and lock the door.
Right. She knew that wasn’t going to happen, especially after having seen a different side to Brady tonight. How he’d interacted with the cousins and shown a softer side with the kids, patiently answering all their questions. So he wasn’t the total tough guy he’d led her to believe.
How was she supposed to distance herself from this man?
After unlocking the door, she turned to face Brady, meeting his heated gaze. It was impossible. Silently she led him inside.
The room was illuminated by the dim light she’d left on. She saw his handsome face, along with the need reflected in his dark eyes.
Lindsey just wanted to drink in the beauty of the man. An inner strength and gentleness was underneath the cocky attitude.
The corner of his mouth twitched, then he lowered his head and brushed his lips across hers. The touch was featherlight, causing her to want more. Ache for more.
Then his mouth found its way to her ear, and she shivered at the sensations he created. She gasped as he tugged on the hoop earring, causing other parts of her body to clench.
“You have to have the sexiest ears,” he breathed. His hand moved upward and cupped her face. “But they’ve got nothing on your mouth.” He dipped and took a nibble.
She gasped and made a moaning sound. Oh, how she wanted more, so much more.
He didn’t disappoint her as his mouth closed over hers, angling his lips just perfectly to hers. Then his tongue slipped along the seam of her mouth, and she opened for him, welcomed him inside.
She clutched at his shirt, then slipped her arms around his waist, wanting to get closer to him. Brady helped things move on as he slid her coat off her shoulders, letting it drop to the floor, followed quickly by his. Next, it was her sweater that hit the ground, then his shirt disappeared.
He finally released her but never took his gaze from her. “I want you, Lindsey. But whether I stay or go is up to you.”
She could turn him away. That would be for the best, but the feelings she felt for this man wouldn’t let her deny herself this night. “Please, Brady, stay with me.”
Brady gave a slight tug and they walked together into the bedroom. Once beside the large bed, he kissed her again and again. Then he sat down on the mattress and took off one boot and the cast. Lindsey removed her shoes, but when she started to take off her slacks, he stopped her and did it for her.
Standing there in her panties and bra, she enjoyed the hungry look in his eyes.
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered and closed his mouth over hers until they both slipped onto the bed. Next came her bra.
She gave a moan as he circled one nipple with his tongue, causing the peak to harden. She arched her body and he opened his lips to take what she offered.
His easy hands moved over her warm skin, touching and stroking. It wasn’t long before the rest of their clothes disappeared, and he lifted his body over hers. He paused as their gazes locked. She could see how tightly he was holding on to his self-control.
When it came to Brady Randell, she soon discovered she had no control.
CHAPTER SEVEN
LINDSEY woke with a start. She blinked to clear the fog from her head as the bright sunlight came through the window. She also heard the sound of the shower running. That was when the picture of a naked Brady Randell climbing into her bed and making love to her, again and again, flashed through her mind.
With a groan she flopped back on the pillow, clutching the blanket against her own nakedness. She rolled onto her side and inhaled the man’s intoxicating scent, causing her to relive the pleasure he’d given her during their night together. She’d never experienced anything like it. Ever.
And she never would again. Not with this man.
She sat up. Her only alternative to correct this big error in judgment was to tell Brady the truth.
The bathroom door opened and the man in question came into the room. Oh, my. He was naked except for a towel wrapped around his waist. Beads of water still clung to his broad chest, then found their way down to his washboard-hard stomach.
With the last of her resolve, she forced her attention back to his face. Darn the man, he was grinning.
“Good morning, darlin’,” he said as he limped to the bed, leaned down and planted a lingering kiss on her surprised mouth. “Yep, it’s definitely starting out to be a good one, too.”
“It’s a late one.” She glanced away. With a death grip on her blanket, Lindsey looked at the clock. Seven-thirty. “Oh, no, I need to be at the clinic by eight-thirty.”
His gaze moved over her as a slow cocky smile crossed his tempting lips. “So I can’t talk you into calling in late?”
She opened her mouth to answer, but no response came out. Good Lord, she was thinking about it. Was she crazy? “No!” she croaked. “I have scheduled appointments.”
He looked disappointed. “Maybe later. Tonight?”
This had gone way too far, and she needed to tell him everything. “Yes, tonight. Now, I’ve got to get into the shower.”
He nodded. “While you’re showering, I’ll fix breakfast.”
He walked to where he’d dropped his jeans last night. She looked away as he slipped on his pants, then fastened his leg brace under the slit pant leg.
He grabbed his shirt and boot and headed for the door. He stopped and looked over his shoulder. “I could bring you coffee while you’re in the shower.”
She forced a smile. “No, thanks, I can wait.”
“Well, holler if you need anything.”
“I won’t.” She continued to sit there. “Now, would you mind?”
Brady wanted to hang around, just to see her blush some more. Lindsey wasn’t dealing well with the morning-after routine. Not that he was a pro at this, either, but he wouldn’t turn down an invitation to join her in another shower. But he knew that wasn’t going to happen, so he wouldn’t push it.
“I’ll get coffee started.”
He heard a murmured “thank you” as he walked out and closed the door. She wanted privacy. Okay, he’d give her that, he thought as he put on his sock and boot. He knew last night that Lindsey Stafford wasn’t the type who usually brought men home. He liked that about her. Hell, he just plain liked her. A lot.
He made his way into the small kitchen, opened the coffee canister and scooped the correct amount into the coffeemaker, added water and turned it on.
Why was he still hanging around? That wasn’t like him. He never wanted to give a woman the impression that this would lead to anything permanent. Over the years he’d tried relationships, but his career always came first. He couldn’t blame women for not wanting to wait around for him.
Brady thought back to his own dad. He knew his parents’ marriage wasn’t perfect, but they loved each other, and their limited time together had been special to them. He’d always wondered if he’d find someone that he could love that much.
So far, no woman had held his interest beyond the casual stage. He’d decided long ago that a personal life would have to wait until he was a civilian again. He glanced down at his leg with the cast. That might come sooner than he wanted it to.
It had been a long few months since his accident. He glanced toward the bedroom door. Last night he hadn’t thought about anything but being with Lindsey. She was different than any woman he’d known in the past. He liked her independence. She was self-assured in her work, and he especially liked how she cared about her patients. No doubt she could handle almost anything.
He took orange juice out of the refrigerator, noticing the shelves were bare. Toast would have to do, for now, but he owed Lindsey some decent food. Maybe he should have her over to his place for a change.
Whoa, he stopped. Was he crazy? His future was so uncertain, he couldn’t begin to figure anything else out in his life.
Did he want this to go further? Suddenly he pictured the pretty redhead in bed last night and this morning. Oh, yeah, he wanted to see where this could lead, at least for a little while.
A knock sounded on the cabin door. Brady hesitated but decided that the Randells knew he’d taken Lindsey home last night. Besides, he was a little old to sneak out the back.
He opened the door to find a stranger wearing a sheepskin jacket. A black Stetson sat on his head. He had his back to him. At first he thought it was someone from the construction crew, then the man turned around.
Brady’s breath caught as his gaze moved over the man’s face, the square jaw and deep-set brown eyes. He had thick, steel-gray hair and a broad forehead, partially covered with a cowboy hat.
Damn, if he wasn’t a dead ringer for his dad.
The older man frowned. “I’m sorry, I must have gotten the wrong cabin.”
“Well, it all depends on who you’re looking for,” Brady said. “If it’s a Randell, I’m your man, Uncle Jack.”
The man’s eyes narrowed, then he examined Brady closer. “You’re Sam’s boy?”
Brady couldn’t believe it. Jack Randell had come back. “I’m one of them—Brady. Luke is the one you probably know about.”
What was he doing here after all these years? “If you’re looking for your boys—”
“No! I’m not.” He shook his head. “Actually, I’m looking for Lindsey Stafford’s cabin.”
Okay, he was confused now. Why would his uncle be looking for the vet?
Just then the bedroom door opened and Lindsey came rushing out, pulling on a sweater over her blouse. “I sure could use that coffee,” she began. “But that’s all I have time for.” She finally glanced up and saw the two men at the door. She paled, then managed to say, “Jack. What are you doing here?”
Jack moved past Brady and into the cabin. “Funny, I came to ask you the same question.”
Lindsey swallowed and tried to slow her heart rate. It didn’t help. She stole a glance at Brady’s confused look. She hadn’t wanted him to find out this way.
She went to Jack. “I told you I was job hunting.”
“Except you purposely left out the part about coming to San Angelo,” Jack said. “If it wasn’t for your friend, Kelly, I wouldn’t have discovered what you’re up to.” He gave her a stern look. “Lin, we discussed this, and you agreed you’d stay out of it.”
She took in his gaunt face. He’d lost weight. “I can’t, Jack.” She turned to Brady. “Brady, this is my stepfather, Jack Randell.”
“Isn’t this a kick? Your stepfather is my uncle. How about that for a coincidence.”
Her voice softened. “I was going to tell you, I just couldn’t find the right time.”
His dark gaze grew hard. “Then I guess Uncle Jack showing up solved your problem.” He looked at the older man. “You’re legendary in these parts. And after all these years you come back. I’m curious if that’s how you’re going to greet your sons. You gonna just knock on the door. Surprise, here I am.”
Jack shook his head. “I’m not going to disturb their lives. Lin and I are going back to Ft. Worth.”
“No, Jack, you can’t leave. You’re here now, you’ve got to tell them.”
Jack straightened. “Lindsey, I told you I’m not going there.”
Brady grabbed his coat off the chair. “I’ll let you two fight this out,” he said as he headed for the door.
Lindsey went after him. “Brady, please.” She grabbed his arm when he reached the porch. “You’ve got to let me explain.”
“Why, so you can make an excuse about why you lied to everyone?”
“No, I didn’t lie, everything I told you was true.” She blinked at tears, biting back the words her stepfather refused to share with his family.
His eyes flashed. “So he sent you here to scout for sympathy.”
That hurt her. “No. He wasn’t going to contact his sons at all. This was all my idea.” She rubbed the chill from her arms. “When I saw the ad for the veterinarian’s position, I told myself I just wanted to meet one of Jack’s boys. He’d talked about them for years, and Travis was doing the interview. I couldn’t believe how much he looked like Jack. Then when he offered me the job, I found myself taking it.”
She looked out at the scene of the incredibly beautiful valley. “Who wouldn’t, Brady? I’ve heard stories about the Randell boys since Jack came to work on our ranch when I was ten years old.” She didn’t reveal that she’d always wanted to be part of that large family.
Brady jammed his hat on his head. “Then if you think he’s so great, go back home with him. Believe me, when the brothers find out, there will be hell to pay.”
She stiffened. “Then I’ll pay because I’m not leaving here, not until Jack sees his sons.” She fought her anger and tears. “And I plan to do everything I can to help him, and I’m not letting him lose—” she hesitated “—this chance to resolve things, not without a fight. So if you’re going to run and tell the cousins, fine. I’ll be ready for them.”
Before she could leave, Brady grabbed her. “Dammit, Lindsey. Do you realize what kind of position you’ve put me in? I have nothing against Jack, but I owe some loyalty to my cousins. We’re business partners.”
She nodded, knowing Jack had more at stake. He could lose everything. “I know. And I owe my loyalty to the man I think of as my father. The man who helped raise me, who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.” She folded her arms over her chest. “Jack might have made a lot of mistakes when he was younger, but he’s paid a heck of a price. He spent years in prison, lost his boys, his family.” She looked Brady in the eye. “Mom and I did, too. I didn’t lie about my childhood. Jack made us a family. Deep down, he’s a good man, Brady. For God’s sake, he’s a Randell, too.”
Brady cursed and paced the porch. “Hell, Lindsey, you’re asking me to be his cheering section. I can’t do it. I don’t know how I can help you without causing a big family upheaval. And I’m not crazy enough to go against six brothers.”
“Six brothers?”
Lindsey and Brady turned around to see Jack right behind them. “What are you talking about?”
Lindsey sighed and went to Jack. “It was something I learned just a few weeks ago.” She took a breath. “You have three other sons, Jack. Jarred Trager, and twins Wyatt and Dylan Gentry. They’ve come here to live, too.”
Jack paled and his eyes closed momentarily. “No wonder I’m so hated. Dammit, Lindsey, we’re leaving.”
She shook her head. “No, Jack, you can’t. You’ve got to see this through.”
“Well, I’m out of here.” Brady started up the steps to where his car was parked.
Lindsey went after him. “Brady, wait. What are you going to do?”
He shook his head. “You tell me, Lindsey. What should I do? Just pretend I didn’t see Jack Randell here?”
“No. But I just want a little time.”
“Why? No amount of time will make this situation better.”
“I know that. But I wasn’t expecting Jack on my doorstep this morning.” She couldn’t blame him for feeling this way, especially after last night. She should have told him. “I’d already invited you back tonight, and I was going to tell you then.”
“For another seduction so I wouldn’t care about any of this deception?”
That hurt more than she wanted to admit to him. “You pursued me. You kept showing up at my door. I didn’t set out for anything to happen between us.” She could see by his steely look he didn’t believe her. “Fine, do whatever you need to do, Brady. But I’m going to do any and everything I can to help Jack.”
Lindsey turned around and made her way down the steps, hating that she’d allowed Brady Randell to get close to her. Well, never again. Ignoring Jack, she marched inside the cabin to the phone. She punched the number to the clinic and asked the receptionist to reschedule her morning appointments.
Jack had wandered back inside, too. “Give it up, Lindsey. Get packed and let’s go home before anyone gets hurt.”
“Stop it, Jack. I’m not letting you off the hook that easily. You’re sick. Your sons are here.” She released a breath. “You’re the one who taught me never to give up, and now you want to. No. Forget it, I won’t let you. I’m going to fight, Mom’s going to fight, and you’re going to fight, too.” Tears filled her eyes. “We love you too much to let you go.”
His eyes were sad. “You might just have to, Lin.”
He came to her and hugged her close. She shut her eyes and allowed herself to feel his strength, his tenderness and the love she’d come to cherish. He’d saved her so many times over the years, she had to save him. She wasn’t ready to let him go. No, not yet. She pulled back and wiped the tears away. “At the very least, Jack, you’ve got to see your sons.”
He couldn’t seem to say anything to that.
But she knew he wanted that, too. She punched out numbers on the phone.
“Lin, who are you calling?”
“I hope it’s the one person who can help us. Hank Barrett.”
About twenty minutes later Brady pulled up at the house. He parked the car and left the keys on the seat. He wasn’t anxious to talk with Luke or Tess or anyone.
This way he didn’t have to explain anything. Damn. The tranquil life he’d known since coming here was about to end. All hell was going to break loose, even if Jack Randell was smart enough to turn around and head for Ft. Worth. Brady knew he’d been here. He knew that Lindsey Stafford was Jack’s stepdaughter.
Did Lindsey really come here on her own, or had Jack sent her to test out the waters? To see if his sons would be receptive to their father.
Brady shook his head. “It’s none of my business.” He didn’t want it to be. He hadn’t had Randells in his life growing up, but they’d gathered him into the fold even before he’d arrived here. He recalled waking up after surgery to see, not only Luke but Chance and Cade.
Brady thought back to Lindsey. Jack might have acted like a bastard to his sons, but he could see that father and daughter loved each other.
Brady climbed the single step to the porch. He sat down on the railing, recalling how Lindsey had responded to him last night. She’d held nothing back. After just a few weeks, he’d quickly learned she was that way about everything. She was fierce about her animals. He didn’t doubt her love and loyalty for her family. For Jack.
“So you finally made it home.”
Brady turned to see Luke coming up the path. “I didn’t know I needed to check in.”
“I’m not your keeper, Brady. I think it’s great that you’re getting along with Lindsey.”
That was an understatement. “It’s short-lived. We both know I’m going to be leaving soon.”
Luke watched him. “You don’t have to sound so anxious to go. We’ve kind of gotten used to having you around.”
“Hell, you’ve only known me a few months.”
“And you’re my brother.” He stared out at the corral. “Even though you’re a pain in the butt sometimes, there’s a bond between us. You feel it, too. We’re family. We should be able to depend on each other.”
That was Brady’s problem. For so long he only depended on himself. He wasn’t sure he could change—he thought of Lindsey—for anyone.
It took Hank an hour before he could get away to go and see Lindsey. She sounded anxious on the phone. He hoped she wasn’t going to tell him she was leaving the valley. Well, he was going to do his darnedest to change her mind.
He parked his truck and climbed out, and that was when he spotted the black Ford crew cab pickup with the gold lettering for Stafford Horse Farm, Ft. Worth, Texas. So Lindsey’s parents had come to visit her.
A strange feeling gnawed at his gut as he made his way to the cabin door. Then suddenly the pieces fit together. But before he could knock, the door opened and a large man stepped into view.
Deep-set brown eyes stared back at him, examining him closely. About sixty, with thick gray hair, he was wide-shouldered with an imposing barrel chest. He’d looked a lot older than his years, but Hank still had no trouble recognizing him. He’d seen those features every time he looked at his boys.
“Hello, Jack. I wondered if this day would ever come.”
“Yeah, the rotten bastard came back.”
“No, I was gonna say, I didn’t think you had the…cojones to face your past. What changed your mind?”
Jack blinked. “Nothing. I came to get Lindsey. I don’t want her exposed to my mess.”
So his hunch had been right. “I thought I’d recognized the name when Lindsey mentioned it.” He studied the man closely. “I’d heard you settled in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area after your release, and got a job at the Stafford Horse Farm. I take it Lindsey is your stepdaughter.”
Lindsey appeared. “And proud of it. Hello, Hank.”
She stepped back to allow him inside. Removing his hat, Hank followed Jack to the seating area by the fireplace. He took a seat across from Jack, watching the man. So different from the young, cocky, know-it-all guy who couldn’t seem to stay home for his wife and boys. When he did, he ran his daddy’s ranch into bankruptcy. Yet worst of all was when he’d been arrested for cattle rustling and was sent off to prison, leaving his three sons alone.