When she started dating Danny Howard he thought he’d die, and he knew he had to get out of River Bluff as soon as he could.
His second taste of hell.
He joined the army and said goodbye to his family, who were in shock at his sudden decision. He spent sixteen years serving his country, rising to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4. He flew a Black Hawk helicopter. His latest mission in Iraq had been rescuing wounded soldiers and flying them to safety and aid. His fellow soldiers called him the Texas Ace because he was from Texas and when he was free for any length of time he was playing poker.
His last rescue had almost killed him. A soldier was down behind enemy lines, and Luke and a medic flew in late at night to retrieve him. On the way back, the copter was detected and insurgents fired at them. Luke knew the Hawk was hit and he fought to control the unstable aircraft. They were losing altitude, and Luke smelled smoke and fuel and knew they were going down fast. Struggling with the controls, he was determined to land the Hawk. He was never quite sure how he did it, but the helicopter bumped hard, skidded on the ground and spun to a stop. He jumped from the cockpit, helped the medic with the now unconscious soldier and the three of them bolted for safety. They made it about twenty yards when the helicopter exploded.
He woke up in a base hospital and was then flown to Walter Reed in Washington. After many tests he was diagnosed with a severe concussion, dislocated shoulder, broken ribs, multiple cuts, burns and bruises. One doctor told him he was one lucky son of a bitch. Although the medic and the other soldier were alive, too, the soldier had lost a foot, the medic an arm.
In the days that followed, the medical team discovered Luke had other complications. He had an inner-ear disturbance and some vision problems. After several weeks, the inner-ear trouble was corrected and his wounds healed, but he had trouble seeing certain colors. His vision had to be perfect for him to fly. The doctor said he’d served his time and recommended an honorable medical discharge.
Luke fought it. He wasn’t ready to leave the army or to go home. Then he thought of his father’s stroke and knew he was needed at Great Oaks.
In the six months he’d been back, he’d seen Becky several times and she’d always been polite. But when she looked at him, the blue daggers of her eyes could be classified as lethal weapons. He thought they could get beyond what had happened in high school, but he supposed some things just never changed. At least Becky hadn’t; she still hated him.
He usually gave her her space.
Today wasn’t one of those days.
He climbed out of his truck and headed toward her. She was rummaging in her purse, looking for something. In high school they’d spent a lot of time looking for her glasses, her keys and her books. She was always misplacing things. Seemed that hadn’t changed, either.
“Hi, Sweet Bec.”
“Morning, Luke.” She kept digging in her purse, not sparing him a glance.
“Did you lose something?”
“No. I did not lose anything.” She threw the strap over her shoulder, car keys in her hand. “And please don’t call me Sweet Bec.”
Sweet Bec had been his pet name for her and it had slipped out. Or maybe he just wanted to annoy her. Her eyes met his and Luke thought if looks could kill, he would be dead. He hooked his thumbs into the pockets of his jeans. “Why? Does it make you remember?”
“Don’t flatter yourself.” Her hand touched her hair, the only sign he made her nervous. The stylish short cut came below her ears and her fuzzy curls had been tamed. He wasn’t sure if she’d had them straightened or whatever women did to their hair. The fetching freckles across her nose were no longer visible. Neither were her glasses. Evidently she now wore contacts and makeup.
She looked different, older and definitely more mature. For a moment he was nostalgic for the young Becky who’d constantly pushed her glasses up her nose and who could light up his life with just her smile. He wondered if she’d forgotten how to smile.
Had he been the cause of its demise?
“How are your folks?” she asked when he didn’t respond.
He shifted gears to the present. “Fine. My dad is out of his eye drops. The clinic is loaning us some until I can get into San Antonio.”
“I told your mom I’d drop them by if she needed me to.”
Becky was a nurse and worked in the River Bluff High School. She helped out at the clinic, too. She helped anyone who needed her. That was typical Becky. His mom depended on her advice and that irritated Luke. He wasn’t sure why, but in a small town it was hard to keep their lives separate.
“I can take care of my parents.” The words came out harsher than he’d intended.
“Mom! Mom!”
A young boy came running toward them. Luke stiffened. He knew who the kid was. He’d seen him around, but he’d never spoken to him and didn’t want to now. With the controlled discipline he had learned in the army, he stood ready to meet Becky and Danny’s son.
“Shane, what are you doing here?” Becky asked, irritation in her voice. “I told you I’d be at the clinic about an hour and you and Brad were supposed to finish your homework. I was just on my way to pick the two of you up for school.”
“Mrs. Grant got a call that her mother had fallen and was in the emergency room in San Antonio. She and Brad left real fast. She wanted to bring me over here, but I told her I’d walk.”
“I don’t like it when you change plans on me.”
“Chill, Mom. It’s only two blocks and I’m not six years old. Besides, it was an emergency and I know you wouldn’t want Mrs. Grant taking time to drive me to my mommy.”
Becky’s lips tightened. “No. And don’t be smart.”
“Ah, Mom.” The boy threw his arm across Becky’s shoulder and hugged her. “Stop trying to be so tough.”
Luke found he was staring at the boy. He had to be about fourteen or fifteen, tall for his age with wavy brown hair and blue eyes. He looked just like Becky, except for the hair. He didn’t see a lot of Danny in the kid.
“You’re Luke Chisum,” Shane said unexpectedly.
“Yes.” Luke found his voice.
“Do you think you’ll be hiring at the Circle C Ranch for the summer? I’m saving money to buy a truck when I turn sixteen.”
“It’s just the end of February and I’m not sure yet about the summer, but we’re always looking for good cowboys. You’ll have to speak to my brother, Hank. He does all the hiring.”
Shane grimaced. “He’s not too friendly. I already asked and he told me to come back when I was older.”
“Shane, you never said you spoke with Hank.” Becky frowned, obviously displeased. “Your father’s going to help with the truck.” She glanced at Luke. “We don’t need to discuss this in front of Mr. Chisum. Come on, it’s time to get you to school.”
“Dad wants
