Travis Comes Home

Travis agreed, but just her presence here was going to be distracting for him. “She was worried what we’d think about her being pregnant.”

Hank shook his head. “Assure her that she’s welcome to stay here as long as she needs to recover. After all, she was hurt on the property.”

Travis nodded but didn’t know if it was a good idea that Josie stay here. Not when even he felt obligated to help her. He knew all too well about women in need. That had been how he’d met Lisa. She’d come to Private Access to answer an ad for a secretarial job about a year ago, and although she wasn’t qualified, he’d hired the pretty blonde. Now, looking back, he wondered if she’d planned to use him from the beginning. Travis had learned the hard way not to trust so easily…again.

He stopped at Josie’s room and listened, then opened the door and stepped into darkness. With only the moonlight to light his way, he walked to the bed, telling himself he was there to check on her condition.

He studied the pretty woman asleep on the pillow. She looked so peaceful he hated to wake her, but he leaned over and touched her shoulder. “Josie…” he whispered.

She made a moaning sound, then opened her eyes and gasped. “Travis?”

Her husky voice sent warm shivers through him. “I need to check your eyes.”

“I’m fine.”

He sat down on the edge of the bed. “Do you have to argue about everything?”

“No,” she said as she sat up, then grimaced.

“Your ankle still hurt?”

“A little.”

“Do you need something for the pain?”

She shook her head. “No, I don’t want to take anything because of the baby.”

“Of course,” he said and glanced down at her flat stomach. She didn’t look pregnant. Of course, she was only a few months along, but he couldn’t help but wonder how long before she started showing. What would she look like with a rounded belly?

He quickly shook away the thought and picked up the penlight on the bedside table, leaned forward, and shone it in her eyes, and caught a whiff of her. A fragrance he couldn’t describe other than it was Josie. Somehow he managed to check to see if her pupils were dilated—they weren’t.

“You’re fine. Do you need anything?” he asked.

“I’m okay. Really,” she said as she rotated her neck.

“Your neck sore?”

“A little,” she admitted.

Without thinking about the consequences, he placed his hands on her neck. A warmth shot through him as he silently worked the tight muscles in her neck. He didn’t want to think about the silky texture of her skin, or how close he was to her. But when she released a quiet whimper, he couldn’t take any more.

“That should help,” he said and stood. “I’m close by if you need me, and I’ll be back in a few hours to check your eyes again.”

She opened her mouth to argue, but this time he placed a finger over her lips. Another mistake. They were so soft, so warm. “I can be more stubborn than you, Josie. So accept the fact that we’re here to help you.”

She sighed in resignation.

He started to turn away. “I forgot. I was wondering if I could take your film in to be developed. Abby would like to see the pictures you took of the valley.”

“Sure,” she said, and pointed to the dresser. “My camera is over there.”

Travis retrieved the top-of-the-line 35mm camera and handed it to her. Josie hit the rewind button, then popped open the case, pulled out the roll of film and gave it to him.

“I’ll take good care of it for you,” he promised.

“Thank you.”

“As Hank would say, ‘just being neighborly.’” He walked out of the room, his pulse still racing like a sprinter. Damn. He refused to let another woman get under his skin.

Chapter Three

A large yellow glow brightened the blue sky as the sun started to peek over the distant hills. Hank leaned against the porch railing, enjoying the incredible view. This had always been his favorite part of the day. Dawn.

He took a hearty sip of Ella’s coffee. The woman couldn’t cook to save herself, but she did make the best brew around. He smiled, knowing that she was the happiest he’d seen her in years.

That was because all the boys were home.

Hank wasn’t feeling too bad about it, either. Although Chance, Cade and Travis weren’t really his, he always thought of them that way. Since the day he’d taken them in and given them a home, they’d been like his own boys. Although Cade and Travis had been gone for years, they were home now.

And two of those supposedly wild Randell boys were settled now. Chance had a wife and a baby daughter. At first Hank thought the boy was just plain crazy agreeing to marry a woman he’d only known less than a week just so he could get ahold of some land. But it hadn’t taken long for Chance to fall in love with Joy and little Katie Rose.

Then a short time later, Cade had returned from Chicago. At a party he’d run into Abby Garson, the girl he’d loved since he was sixteen. He started acting as angry as a wounded bear. Then after Cade discovered they had a seven-year-old son together, he’d done everything to get into Abby’s life except admit that he still loved her. It had been their son, Brandon, who finally brought them together. Now they’re a real family.

And a few weeks ago, the youngest, Travis, had showed up. After a rough time in Houston, Hank was glad that the boy felt he could return home and let them help him.

Oh, yeah, there was nothing like family, Hank thought as he looked around the ranch. He’d spent most of his life building the Circle B. Forty-three years ago, when he’d brought his new bride to San Angelo, he had planned to fill the large ranch house with children. Since he’d been orphaned, Hank didn’t have any family, and he and Mae both wanted a large brood. But years passed, and the babies never came. Although Mae had never said anything, he knew how much it bothered her that she couldn’t give him a child. He told her many times that it didn’t matter, but she was never convinced. When he’d lost his bride at forty-five, his life seemed to fall apart, until Chance, Cade and Travis came to live with him. Too bad Mae had never gotten to know them; she would have loved the boys as much as he did. They didn’t need to be blood for him to call them his sons.

And now they were all home again…and then some.

Hank grinned when he thought about the Circle B’s newest resident, Josie Gutierrez. The dark-haired beauty reminded him of someone, but he couldn’t quite figure out who.

He liked her. What he liked best was how she could rile Travis. That boy sure was in a snit about her being around. Hank shook his head. Good. It was time he thought about something besides computers. He needed a woman who got his blood stirred up. Hank would bet his prize bull that Josie might just have enough spunk to handle a Randell.

“What you all grinning about?”

Hank didn’t turn when he heard Ella’s voice. “Just thinkin’ how lucky I am.”

“So what’s put that dreamy look in your eyes?”

He sighed. “I was thinking about all the years I’ve been standing on this porch, looking out at this land.” He gave her a sideways glance. “And the boys.”

“That should keep you smiling awhile—having them home.”

“It does.”

She sobered. “Are you worried about what’s happening with the ranch? With Mustang Valley?”

“Naw, Chance and Cade are doing the right thing. With cattle prices up and down, we need some security. Not for me, but for them and for the grandkids.” He smiled. “Can’t say I’m unhappy that they’re all so close to home.”

Ella crossed her arms. “I guess I’m feeling the same. But what about Travis? I’m thinking he’s going to be heading back to Houston when this mess is cleared up.”

“I’m not so sure,” Hank said. “I don’t think he knows either. Maybe our Ms. Gutierrez will hold his interest long enough so he won’t want to go back.”

The housekeeper smiled. “Why you old codger, are you trying to matchmake?”

“Like you haven’t thought about it?” he accused playfully. “Besides, she seems like a nice young woman who’s had some bad breaks.”

Ella nodded. “Alone and with a baby on the way. That poor dear… I just hope she’s good with a camera.”

“Something tells me she’ll do just fine.” After seeing the loneliness in Josie’s eyes, Hank knew he couldn’t let her leave. She needed a dose of family.

Hank turned to Ella. “Besides, it’s fun to watch her rile Travis.”

About eleven o’clock the next morning, Travis yawned as he drove the truck back toward the ranch. He’d gotten up twice during the night to check on Josie. Waking the sexy green-eyed woman put ideas in his head that had nothing whatsoever to do with anything medical.

Travis groaned, remembering the soft purring sounds she’d made when he nudged her awake. It had taken all his willpower to do his job and then leave. Travis wasn’t a saint but he’d never taken advantage of women.

“They just take advantage of me,” he said sarcastically. He turned off the highway and rode under the Circle B archway. No, he wasn’t going to waste time thinking about Lisa. She was Byron’s problem now. He had moved on. Not an easy thing to do when his life was in limbo.

Travis already knew he’d have to start over, from scratch. But first he had to get out of the mess he was in now. Hopefully, Cade was taking care of that. One thing for sure, he needed his family. He kept remembering what Hank had told him once. He couldn’t do anything about how another person acted. It was only his actions that mattered. Although the family hadn’t blamed him, Travis had blamed himself. And one way or the other he was determined to clear the Randell name.

He pulled the truck beside the barn and parked in the usual spot. Seeing Hank with one of the hands, Travis grabbed a sack off the seat and went to talk with him.

“You’re up early this morning,” Hank said.

“I had some errands.” He held up the sack. “Josie’s photos.”

“Are they any good?”

“I don’t know,” he admitted. “I thought she should be the first one to see them.”

“Then let’s go find her.” Hank walked toward the house with Travis beside him.

In the kitchen, Travis was surprised to see Josie seated at the table, Ella braiding her hair.

“Travis, you made it back,” the housekeeper said. “You were gone so long, I thought you were headed back to Houston.”

“Not hardly, I just needed to get something taken care of this morning.” He turned to Josie. She was dressed in a white blouse and a pair of faded jeans. Her feet were bare, except for her bandaged ankle. His attention returned to her face, and he caught her challenging look. “What are you doing out of bed?”

She shrugged. “I got bored.”

“And how did you get down here?”

Her pretty green eyes darted away. “I managed with Ella’s help and some crutches.”

“I didn’t exactly encourage her,” Ella said.

Travis figured as much. He glared at Josie. “Don’t you realize that you could have fallen? And in your condition…”

Her chin came up. “I can take care of myself, and my condition is not your concern.”

“The hel—heck it isn’t,” he said perhaps a little too strongly.

“No, it’s not. I’ve managed for years,” she insisted.

She had to be the most obstinate woman he’d ever met. And by the look in her eyes, he wasn’t going to get anywhere. “Fine. Then I’ve got things to do.” He handed her the sack, then walked out.

Josie felt the heat rise to her face. Why did that man have to be so bossy? She glanced at Hank and Ella. “I’m sorry for that. It’s not that I don’t appreciate everyone’s help, but I’m used to doing things for myself.”

Hank sat down next to her. “And I raised those boys to be helpful, to treat women with courtesy and respect.” He raised a hand. “I don’t doubt that you can handle things, Josie, but I do believe Travis feels responsible for your accident.”

“He’s not,” she gasped. “I’m the one who was driving.”

“And it was a Circle B ranch hand who left the gate open.”

“But I don’t blame you or anyone.”

Hank smiled at her. “I’m glad to hear that, but humor us males. We just want to take care of you until you’re healed. Now tell me, do you have anywhere else to go?”

Josie shook her head, feeling her tears threaten. “No…”

His hand covered hers. “Then let us help you.”

It was so hard for her to depend on anyone. Now with her mother gone, there was only herself…and the baby. “I’ll try.”

“Good. Now, let’s have a look at those pictures.”

Josie opened the sack and drew out the stack of glossy prints, surprised to find that Travis had gotten her two sets. Touched by his thoughtfulness, she went through them, examining each photo closely. Some hadn’t turned out as she’d hoped, others showed her lack of experience, but there were six pictures she thought captured the early morning beauty of the valley. She only hoped Cade and Abby felt the same.

“How did they come out?” Hank asked.

Josie forced a smile. “Pretty good. I wish I had taken more than just the one roll.” She had planned to take additional shots before Travis had interrupted her. At the time she hadn’t any idea that her photos would be the link to her father’s life.

She handed the stack of photos to Hank. “I hope these will be enough to give Abby and Cade an idea of what I have in mind for the brochure.”

It seemed like a tremendous amount of time passed as Hank scanned the pictures. She found herself anxiously waiting for his approval of her work. After a few minutes he smiled, causing the lines around his eyes to deepen. “These are really good. You sure caught the sunrise. No place is prettier than that valley at dawn. Oh, Lord, Mae and I used to ride out there many a morning…” He stopped, his kind eyes took on a faraway look and Josie knew he was remembering a happy time.

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