felt Brady’s breath against her ear. The warmth of his large body shielded her from the cool morning. She closed her eyes momentarily. Yes, she longed to be part of a couple. To find the right man. Someday.
Right now she had other things to think about. Top on her list was the true reason she’d come to San Angelo, and her time was limited to find the answers she needed. Getting involved with a man would only complicate matters. She finally moved away from temptation.
“Tess,” she called. “We need to get going if we’re to meet up with Hank and the others.” She glanced at Brady. “I’m glad you’re doing well.”
He leaned against his cane. “Like I said, I wish I was going with you, Doc.”
“Maybe when your leg is healed,” she promised as she backed away. Was she crazy?
“I’ll look forward to it,” he called. “I’ll work to make sure it’s soon.”
Lindsey was still chiding herself when they reached the edge of the valley. There was high grass mixed in with thick native mesquite bushes. Ancient oak trees arched over the riding path like a canopy filtering the sunlight. The November day was brisk, causing her skin to tingle. She felt exhilarated.
Her thoughts returned to Brady. She hadn’t expected to see him again so soon. He’d looked considerably better than the last time. He’d shaved and was dressed in jeans and a gray U.S. Air Force sweatshirt under his bomber jacket. In a cowboy hat, he looked cocky and sure of himself.
“How are you holding up?” Tess asked as she rode up beside her.
“I’m fine. In fact if I could schedule it, I’d ride every day.”
Tess smiled. “I come out to check the ponies every week during the winter. I could saddle up Dusty and bring him by the cabin for you.”
“If I’m not busy, I’d love it.” She patted the seasoned buckskin gelding, remembering her childhood days at the ranch. She loved the freedom of riding. It had been her escape from a lot of problems, especially during her parents’ abusive marriage. “You sure you don’t mind me borrowing Dusty?”
“Anytime. Since Dad can’t ride anymore, I appreciate anyone who exercises him.”
Lindsey’s heart softened. Tess’s father was in the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s. “Good. I’ll let you know my schedule.”
“And maybe you can help get Brady up and riding, too.”
Lindsey glanced over to see Tess’s smile. “Shouldn’t he walk before he gets on a horse?”
Tess shrugged. “Maybe he can do both. We’re willing to try anything to get him out of the house. Luke managed today, but not without a lot of prodding.”
She couldn’t imagine the captain doing anything he didn’t want to do. “It’s a start.”
“Since the two had never met until a few months ago, both Luke and Brady are still getting to know each other. If their father, Sam Randell, hadn’t left them both the ranch, I wonder if they would have ever met.”
“Then it’s good they have this opportunity.”
“I feel the same way,” Tess said. “Although they do have very different views of their father. Luke was deserted by Sam when his parents divorced. Brady had him around most of his life.”
Lindsey rested her hands on the saddle horn, letting Dusty take the lead. “Sometimes there isn’t a choice.”
“There’s always a choice,” Tess murmured, then pointed up ahead. “There’s Hank, Cade and Chance.”
Lindsey knew Hank Barrett was the one who’d taken in the three Randell brothers, Chance, Cade and Travis, to raise after their father, Jack, had been sent to prison.
As they got closer to the men on horseback, Lindsey could see the strong family resemblance between the brothers. It seemed all Randell men were tall, with that rangy, muscular build. The square jaw and cleft in the chin was like a brand, telling the world who they belonged to.
She’d met Chance and Travis earlier, but Cade looked even more like the man Lindsey had called Dad for the past fifteen years.
The difference was these men shared his blood. She didn’t.
Jack Randell was only her stepfather.
Just as soon as Jack and her mother returned home from their vacation and discovered she’d gone against his wishes, he wouldn’t be happy.
It wasn’t as though she’d planned to come to San Angelo. It had been curiosity that had her go to the job interview. She told herself she only wanted to meet Travis, one of Jack’s sons. Then she found herself accepting the position. After all, it was only temporary.
Hank Barrett sat back in the saddle and watched Tess approach with the new veterinarian. Ever since Travis returned from Dallas singing Dr. Lindsey Stafford’s praises, Hank had been anxious to meet her.
He smiled as the redhead rode closer. She was easy on the eyes, and if there was one thing he appreciated, it was a pretty female, no matter what the age.
Hank greeted Tess. “Hello, Mrs. Randell.”
“Good morning, Mr. Barrett,” she answered. “Hi, Cade, Chance.”
Chance touched the brim of his hat in greeting. “Tess.” He glanced at the redhead. “Dr. Stafford, nice seeing you again. This is our other brother, Cade. And this is Hank Barrett, the one who started the mustang project.”
Hank nodded at the petite woman who sat comfortably in the saddle. There was something about her name that was familiar. “Dr. Stafford, I’m glad you could join us.
“Please, everyone, call me Lindsey.” Her horse shifted sideways. “And thank you for inviting me along today.”
“Well, Lindsey,” Hank began, “I hope you still feel that way if the ponies don’t cooperate. They’ve been known to be stubborn.”
The doctor rewarded him with a smile. “I hear old Dusty here is pretty good at cutting out his target.”
Cade reined his roan back. “I guess we’ll know soon enough if he likes to chase wild ponies as much as cows.” He grinned and Lindsey tensed, once again seeing the resemblance to his father.
“I’d say we better get going,” Chance said, pointing to the herd off in the distance.
Lindsey looked at Hank for direction as they started down the trail.
“We’ll let Chance and Cade take the lead,” he said. “Wyatt, Dylan and Jarred are at the other end of the canyon to drive the herd toward us.”
“I’ll just follow you,” she said.
Hank nodded. “Okay, let’s go and get us some ponies.”
They rode off, and Lindsey felt she was taking a step back in time. To see the wild ponies in their natural setting. This had been another big draw for her to come here. She just didn’t
