Animal Magnetism: Reclaiming Her Love

That was decades ago, but some scars never fade, especially for the kids left behind.

Lindsey came in carrying a tray with coffee. She set it on the table. “Thank you, Lindsey.” He picked up the steaming mug and took a sip. “Well, Jack. Tell me what this is all about.”

Jack exchanged a look with Lindsey, but she spoke first. “Hank, Jack, didn’t ever plan to come back here. My mom and I urged him many times, but he wouldn’t do it.”

“It was for the best,” Jack said. “I knew the boys were settled with you, and you gave them a good life. I thank you for that Hank.”

Hank nodded. “If that’s true, why now?”

“It was because I came here.” Lindsey exchanged another look with Jack. “I saw the ad for a vet and that Travis Randell was doing the interview, and I got curious. By the end of it I found I was agreeing to come here. I never meant to deceive anyone, but there wasn’t a good time to blurt out who I was.”

Jack interrupted. “I want her to return home and forget about this. I don’t want any trouble, Hank. The boys are settled.” He glanced away. “Lindsey tells me that I have three other sons.”

Hank nodded. “Jarred Trager. Do you remember an Audrey Trager?”

Hank had to admit he got satisfaction seeing Jack uncomfortable. “Yes, I do.”

“Then there’s the twins, Wyatt and Dylan Gentry. Wyatt ended up buying your half of the Rocking R.”

Hank could see more recognition and pain flash across Jack’s face. “The ranch was in pretty bad shape when Wyatt got it, but it’s a showcase now. Dylan showed up a few months later. He’d been badly injured by a bull while on the rodeo circuit.”

“Dylan Gentry. He was world champion a few years back,” Jack said.

Hank nodded again. “All the boys live around here now, they all married, happily.”

Jack nearly jumped from his chair. “Stop. I have no right to know these things. I gave up those rights long ago.”

Lindsey could see the pain in her stepfather’s eyes. She wished he’d let her tell Hank about his illness. “Jack, you’ve always wanted to know how the boys were doing.”

He swung around to his daughter. “It’s worse knowing. I’m never going to be a part of their lives, or their children’s lives.” He drew a breath and calmed down. “I need to get back home to your mother.”

Her mother? “You didn’t tell Mom you came here?”

He shook his head. “I thought I could bring you home before she found out. She’d just worry.”

“Jack, she’s going to worry, anyway,” Lindsey said, then turned to Hank. “The reason I came here was I was hoping his sons could help.”

“Lindsey…” Jack sent her a warning look. “We’re going home. I’m not going to see the boys.”

“They’re not boys anymore, Jack,” Hank told him. “They’re men and can make their own choices.”

“Please, Jack,” Lindsey pleaded. “You’ll regret not talking to them before you leave.”

She could see the pain in his face. “I can’t mess up their lives again,” he said. “I just can’t, nothing is worth that.”

Lindsey turned to Hank, fighting tears. “Please, make him understand this might be his chance to settle things.”

“But it’s a chance I’m not taking,” Jack argued.

Hank held up his hand to stop them. “I think it’s not up to you, Jack. It’s your sons’ decision.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

BY the end of the day, Lindsey was exhausted. After the confrontation with Brady and Jack, the last thing she wanted to do was to take a call at the Rocking R Ranch. But after hearing Tess’s concern about her colicky mare, Lindsey got there as soon as she could.

She wasn’t ready to see Brady again, so she entered the barn on the corral side. How immature was that? As if she should care, since her job here would be coming to an end shortly. Just as soon as Hank talked to the brothers, Travis would ask her to leave.

She didn’t want to think about how much she wanted to stay on. And if she were lucky enough to buy into a practice, this one would be perfect. She loved the area.

But she wouldn’t leave Jack, not when he had to start treatment again. She wanted to be there for him and her mother.

Tess met her at the barn door. “Oh, Lindsey, thanks for coming so soon.”

“Not a problem. How’s Lady doing?”

Before Tess could answer, the horse whinnied. “As you can tell she’s not good. She’s been taking in a lot of water, and her respiration is rapid. We’ve had her off her feed all day.” They headed out to the corral where Brandon and Luke were walking the animal.

Lindsey saw right away the animal was excited and thrashing as the teenager tried to keep her under control.

With a closer look, Lindsey was pretty sure what the problem was. “I think she’s having intestinal spasms. Hear the gut noises?”

Both Luke and Tess nodded. “Yes.”

“Spasmodic colic. Bring her into a stall,” she told Luke.

Luke followed her orders, and led the mare inside. Once the examination was finished and an ailment was confirmed, Lindsey went to her bag, filled a syringe and injected the mare with an analgesic to relax the intestines. Slowly Lady began to calm.

She sent Brandon to her car for some supplies, mineral oil and lubricated tubing. With the others help, she administered a hearty dose of oil to the animal. Then they waited and let nature take its course. Soon after, the treatment began to take effect.

Nearly two hours later, a smelly and dirty Lindsey walked back to the car. Tess and Luke were still with Lady and Brandon had gone on home. The good thing about her fatigue was she hadn’t had time to think about Jack waiting back at the cabin. She also knew he was going to try and convince her to come home with him.

Home. She wanted San Angelo to be her home, but knew that was pretty much impossible now.

Lindsey glanced up and paused, seeing a large figure in the shadows. Brady was leaning against her car. A shiver went through her. Why this man? Why did this man have to cause her to feel, to want, to desire?

He spoke first. “Is Lady all right?”

Lindsey continued toward the back of the SUV. “She is now.” She set her case on the ground and opened the hatch. Brady came back and lifted the case to set it inside. “That’s quite a fragrance you’re wearing, Doc.”

She knew she smelled, but the mare was better, and that was all that mattered. “It’s one of the hazards of the job. That’s what happens when you work around animals. Not a big deal, it’ll wash out.” She snapped her fingers. “That’s right, you jet jockeys go for another kind of horsepower.”

She was pushing him, but she didn’t care. It was her only defense. She’d needed his support this morning when Jack showed up, and it hurt when he walked out. “Just so you know, I called Hank, and he talked with Jack. They’re deciding what do.” She slammed the hatch. “So don’t worry, you’re off the hook, Captain.” She started for the driver’s side, but he grabbed her arm to stop her.

“All right, so I didn’t handle things well this morning.” His gaze bore into her. “I’m new at dealing with family situations.”

“You didn’t handle anything, Brady, you walked away.” She’d needed him, too. “After last night…” She hesitated then tried to pull away but he held tight.

“Dammit, Lindsey. It was a shock to find out my uncle is your stepfather.”

“Okay, I blew it,” she admitted. “But I never dreamed things would go so far, either. Just believe me when I say I was planning to tell you everything tonight.”

He held her hand tighter. “Now that I’ve had a chance to think about it, I promise to listen to the whole story.”

She needed to believe he was on her side, but couldn’t yet. “Brady, I can’t do this. I’m tired and dirty and I need to get back to the cabin. Jack is waiting.”

He straightened. “That’s it? You’re just walking away?”

She didn’t want to, but there wasn’t any choice. “I can’t worry about anything but Jack right now. He needs to see his sons, Brady. If only to close that door on his past mistakes. It’s not going to be easy for any of us. You might have to choose sides.” She didn’t wait for an answer as she climbed into the car.

She couldn’t bear to lose another man she loved.

Lindsey drove back to the cabin, praying for some good news. So far, she’d messed up royally when she only wanted to help.

Her biggest mistake was falling for Captain Brady Randell. No matter how things turned out for her job here, or for Jack, Brady was still going back to the air force. And he wasn’t going to worry about the girl he left behind.

Great, she’d finally trusted a man and it was someone who didn’t want the same things she did.

After parking behind the cabin, Lindsey walked down the slope. She didn’t want Jack to see her worried, so she put on a smile as she walked inside. On the sofa Jack and her mother were in a tight embrace.

“Mom, you’re here?”

Gail Stafford Randell pulled out of her husband’s arms and stood. She wasn’t much taller than her daughter, but her short hair was brown and she had large hazel eyes. At fifty-five, she looked trim in her dark slacks and teal sweater.

“Since I can’t believe anything anyone in this family tells me, I decided I’d better come myself.”

Lindsey felt tears rush to the surface. “I’m sorry, Mom. I never meant to make such a mess of everything.”

“I know you didn’t, honey. I’m still upset

with Jack, though. He should have told me right away that the leukemia returned.” She gave him an irritated look. “But, Lindsey, you should have let me in on your plan. I would have helped you.”

Jack came up next to his wife. “And if I’d have faced my responsibilities years ago, we wouldn’t be in this mess.” His eyes narrowed. “But I’m telling you both right now, I won’t coerce my sons. They don’t owe me a thing. So they’re not to know about my condition. Ever. You both have to promise me that you won’t tell them.”

Lindsey didn’t want to, but she agreed. “What is Hank going to do?”

“He’s talking to the boys tonight.” He sighed. “So we’ll know tomorrow if they decide to meet with me. I have no idea what to say to Chance, Cade and Travis. But even worse is Jarred, Wyatt and Dylan.”

“We’ll deal with it together.” Gail’s arm slipped around her husband’s waist. The exchange of love Lindsey saw caused her chest to tighten. She couldn’t help but envy what they shared.

Jack leaned down and kissed his wife. “That’s because I have you, Gail. We’ll get through this like we have everything else, as a family.”

Her mother nodded. Tears filled her eyes as she rested her head against her husband’s chest. Jack wrapped her in his strong arms.

Lindsey suddenly felt like a fifth wheel. She glanced at her watch. “I need to get out of these smelly clothes and shower. I have another appointment.”

“I bet you haven’t eaten,” her mother said.

Lindsey started for the bedroom. “Don’t worry about me, I’ll get something while I’m out. I’ll probably be gone for hours. So please, you two take the bed.”

“Honey, no,” her mother said. “We can go to a hotel.”

“No, I want you here. I’ll just crash on the sofa when and if I get home.”

She disappeared into her bedroom, then into the shower. Under the warm spray, she cried for her parents, for the Randells, for the years she’d taken for granted. Mostly she cried for herself, and the family she might lose.

Hank had summoned all six brothers to the house that night, but told Chance, Cade and Travis to come earlier. The four of them sat around the large kitchen table. The pine surface had many scars from the kids who’d eaten here for years. It was also the place where there had been many family discussions, punishments had been handed out and big announcements made. But never once in over twenty years, had he been able to tell his boys that their father had come home. Until tonight.

“I called all the brothers, but I wanted to talk to you three first.”

The trio exchanged looks. “Come on, Hank, just tell us,” Cade said.

“Okay. Jack is back.”

He kept an eye on the three men he’d called his sons for over the last two decades. Their expressions were controlled, but he could see their underlying anger.

“What the hell does he want?” Cade finally asked. He’d always been the one to anger the fastest.

“Well, from what I learned today, he wants to see you boys,” Hank told them. “Jack has been living outside Ft. Worth. He’s been remarried for about a dozen years, and he breeds horses with his wife. You might have heard of the Stafford Breeding Farm.”

“Wait a minute,” Travis began. “Stafford. You can’t mean to tell me that Lindsey Stafford is related to Jack?”

Hank nodded. “His stepdaughter. Lindsey told me she’s wanted to tell you all who she was from the beginning, but never found the right time.”

Travis spoke up. “So, she’s trying to cozy up to us so Jack can come back into our lives?”

Hank raised a hand. “I don’t think that’s it. Lindsey swears she came here because she’s always wanted to meet Jack’s sons, and she found the opportunity when Travis went looking for Dr. Hillman’s replacement.”

“Does she think we’re just going to welcome him back into the fold?” Chance said and shook his head. “I can’t do it, Hank.”

Travis and Cade murmured pretty much the same sentiment.

Hank hadn’t hoped for much more. “Okay, but you know you’re missing a good opportunity here. I mean, you always had questions you needed to ask him. If you refuse to see Jack, there might not be another chance.”

Chance frowned. “I don’t have much to say to him. When he got out of jail, he called and asked for money, which I gave him to stay out of our lives.”

“And he’s done that,” Hank said. “I don’t think he would be here if it weren’t for Lindsey. She’s the one who’s campaigned for him to come back. She told me she was always curious about you three. Jack always talked about you.”

“She should have told us who she was,” Travis said.

“Would you have offered her the job?”

Travis folded his arms over his chest. “I’m not sure. Damn, she’s a good vet. And everyone only has great things to say about her.”

Cade spoke up. “How long would they, if they knew she was Jack’s stepdaughter? People have long memories.”

“And you boys have turned the name of Randell around to mean something good,” Hank said. “There’s a few old-timers who won’t let go of what happened years ago, but you three have never listened to the talk. You’ve proven yourselves over and over again. You’re your own men. And you’re nothing like Jack. I’m so proud of you three, I can’t even tell you.”

The brothers sat up a little straighter.

“If it’s any help,” Hank went on, “Jack has turned his life around, too. The Stafford Horse Farm has a reputation as a top breeder in the area. Isn’t it nice to know that he’s doing well, too? That he’s finally taken responsibility.”

“I guess I wouldn’t mind seeing him,” Chance said, and looked at Hank.

The oldest of the three, Chance had been the one who’d tried to shield his brothers. He worked to keep them together, trying to be a man at fourteen. “I think I speak for all of us, that we haven’t considered Jack our father for a long time,” Chance said. “Not since we sat here that first time and you gave three scared kids a home.”

Hank swallowed hard against the sudden emotion.

“Did we ever thank you?” Cade asked.

Hank nodded. “Every day when I watched you three grow into fine young men. A…a father couldn’t be more proud.”

Later that night a rainstorm moved into the area, dropping the temperature ten degrees. Brady was staying dry inside and fixing some soup. He’d planned his evening with supper and a strenuous workout, hoping to take the edge off his restlessness.

Now, if he could only stop the recurring thoughts of last night and Lindsey. How she’d felt in his arms, all soft and curvy. How her hands moved over his body, her mouth on his skin. He closed his eyes and his gut tightened as a renewed ache coursed through him.

A knock on the door brought him back to reality. He wiped his hand over his face. “You’ve got to pull it together,” he warned himself as he walked across the room. He hoped the late-night caller wasn’t his brother, wanting to go over business. He definitely wasn’t in the mood.

Brady pulled open the door to tell Luke just that when he found Lindsey on the porch. She looked cold and miserable.

His heart soared. “Well, this is a switch. I’m usually pounding on your door.”

She shivered. “My mother is at the cabin with Jack. I think they need to be alone.” Those sad green eyes met his, then glanced away. “I didn’t have anywhere else to go,” she whispered.

He felt another tug inside his chest. “You do now.” In one swift motion he lifted her into his arms and over the threshold into the warm house.

“I know you’re angry with me,” she began, but he cut her off with a kiss so intense that when it finally ended they were both breathless.

“I’m getting over it.” He brushed his mouth across hers again, loving the soft purring sounds she made.

“I didn’t come here for this, Brady.” She drew a breath. “Last night was a crazy mistake, for both of us. We don’t need to repeat it.”

“I’ll go along with crazy, but what happened between us wasn’t a mistake. It was damn incredible.”

She pushed away from him. “Don’t, Brady, I can’t think straight when you say things like that. And I need to keep a clear head.” She took another step back. “Along with a favor.”

He shrugged. “Ask away.”

“Let me hang out here for a while. Maybe sleep on your sofa.”

His gaze searched her face. “You want to stay here?”

She nodded. “My mom and Jack need some time alone. I’m kind of the odd man out. I could go to a motel if it’s a bother.”

Lindsey Stafford definitely bothered him, in so many ways he’d lost count. He raised an eyebrow as the rain pounded against the roof. “How can I send you out in this? You hungry?”

She nodded and followed him into the kitchen. “I could eat.”

“It’s just tomato soup and grilled cheese.”

“Some of my favorites,” she said. “Let me help.” She went to the hot griddle on the stove. A loaf of bread and cheese already sat on the counter. “How many sandwiches would you like?”

“Two, but you don’t have to cook them.”

“I think I owe you a little kitchen time.”

“If you insist.” He went to the refrigerator and took out a jug of milk. He held it up. “This okay?”

Lindsey nodded and placed the buttered bread on the grill. She shouldn’t have come here to Brady. She glanced at the handsome jet jockey with the day’s growth of beard across his square jaw. He was too sexy for comfort. Those dark, deep-set eyes could pierce right through her resolve. Oh, yeah, she was in trouble. But she still didn’t want to go anywhere else.

“Hey, stop thinking about it,” Brady said, calling her back from her reverie. “Jack and the Randells will handle things.”

“I can’t help it,” she told him. There was more riding on this visit than just patching up old times. “I never wanted to hurt anyone. They probably hate me now.”

Brady came to her. “Stop. I’ve only known the Randells for a short time. If I’ve learned anything about them it’s that they’re fair. You didn’t do anything to them. Their beef is with Jack. And from what I’ve heard they’ve got good reason.” He kissed the end of her nose, then took the spatula from her and flipped the sandwiches. “Now go sit down before you burn the food.”

She huffed, unable to stop her smile. “I wasn’t burning anything. They taste better with a dark, almost burnt crust.”

“No. Golden brown is the only way.” He scooped the cheese sandwiches off the grill. She carried the soup bowl then she glanced at the wall to see the calendar with the big red X marked at the tenth of the month.

She nodded to it. “What’s that? D-day?”

“It’s my next doctor’s visit. Dr. Pahl is going to be the one who gives me the okay to shed this cast.”

That was just a few days away. She looked across the table at Brady. She’d trusted him enough to share herself with him last night, body and soul. And she quickly discovered she wanted more time. “And if your leg has healed properly, do you go back to flying?”

He took a spoonful of soup. “I wish it was that easy. No, even with my doctor’s okay, I still need the okay from a board of review to see if I’m fit to fly fighters again.”

“You mean physically fit?”

“And mentally.” He took a hearty bite of his sandwich. “No one wants any unstable pilots out there flying military aircraft.”

“You aren’t unstable.” To herself she added, A little stubborn, cocky and, oh, yeah, arrogant.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, but it’s standard procedure that has to be followed.”

“Well, I’m sure you’re going to do fine,” she said halfheartedly, knowing it was what Brady wanted, what he loved to do. She suddenly wasn’t hungry anymore. “I guess both our lives will be changing soon.”

His dark eyes locked with hers. “Why? You going somewhere?”

She shrugged. “This was only temporary. I doubt that I’m going to be staying here much longer.” And she had to be back in Ft. Worth to help her mother with Jack.

“Doc, I doubt the Randells are going to send you away. You’re too good at your job. Besides, I like the idea of coming back here and seeing you.”

God, she was pathetic. She was actually thinking about waiting around for a man who couldn’t make her any promises.

“Dream on, fly boy, like I’ll be holding my breath for your return,” she lied.

Brady pinned her with a long, heated stare. She tried to draw in air, but it was difficult.

“Even as much as I might want to stay, Doc, I have a commitment to the air force.”

“And I have a commitment to my career. I need to set up practice. My family is important to me. So I should go back to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.”

He scooted back his chair, reached for her and pulled her toward him.

She put up token resistance. “Brady, this isn’t helping the situation.” She went to him, anyway, allowing him to sit her on his lap.

He kissed her below the ear. “You know what, Doc?”

She gasped as a shiver went through her, and she wrapped her hands around his neck. “No, what?”

His mouth worked its way along her jaw. “When I look into your big, green eyes, you knock me out, you make me forget everything,” he murmured. He raised his head, but his hands continued to move over her body, her bottom, up her back, drawing her in a tight embrace. “And when you’re in my arms and I feel your body against mine, you make me forget everything but making love to you.”

She tried to ignore the feelings, too. She pulled away and stood. It would be so easy to take the pleasure he offered, use it to help make her forget.

He came up behind her. “Lindsey?”

She turned around and saw the concern on his face. “I’m sorry, Brady. I can’t do this.” She hesitated. “I should just leave.” She tried to get past him, but he reached for her.

“The hell you are. Tell me what’s going on.”

“Just because I don’t want to go to bed with you—”

“Hell, I’ve been shot down before, but I think there’s something else going on here. Talk to me, Doc,” he said in a husky voice as he reached for her.

She buried her face in his chest. God, it felt good just to lean on someone.

“It’s Jack.” She raised her head and looked him in the eye. “He’s sick.”

“How sick?”

“Very. That’s the reason Mom and I tried to get him to come here and see his sons. He refused over and over. So when I saw the ad for the veterinarian…”

“You came here to try and pave the way for Jack,” he finished for her.

She nodded. “He’s not happy with me right now. And even though I’m here, he still made me swear not to tell Chance, Cade and Travis about it.”

“Did he make you swear not to tell me?”