The Lionhearted Cowboy Returns. Patricia Thayer

shot him a look. “Who are you to tell me what I need to do? You weren’t here. It might not be reasonable to blame that on you, but he was your best friend.”

      He tried not to flinch. “The military doesn’t care about friendships, Lace. And neither did the terrorists I was fighting. There were times I couldn’t even contact my parents.”

      He closed his eyes for a moment as he took a breath. The last he’d heard from Trevor, he’d said everything was fine. That had been about a month before he’d been deployed on his last mission. Then everything had changed.

      He shook away his wayward thoughts.

      “Lacey, you’ve got to know, if it were humanly possible, I would have found a way to be here for him.”

      He couldn’t take his eyes off her. She’d always been pretty, and that had only been enhanced with age. “For you, too.”

      “I didn’t need your help, then or now,” she said stubbornly.

      “That’s just too bad,” he retorted.

      She froze at his words, then snapped out of the daze. “Look around, Gentry, there isn’t much left.”

      Jeff moved closer, feeling fatigue in every step. He ignored it. “That’s why you need me.”

      She said something very unladylike, grabbed a feed pail and started down the aisle. Jeff reached for her arm and turned her around. “Tell me, Lacey. How bad are things?”

      “That’s none of your business.” She started off again.

      Jeff went after her, pushing hard to keep up. She went into the tack room.

      “Is Rebel Run your only stud?”

      Lacey busied herself hanging up the bridles. “As of this morning he’s your stud.”

      So she didn’t have any business left. Great. “Okay, here’s the deal. I need a place to board my horses. I’d like to leave Rebel and Fancy here. I’ll pay you a fair price.”

      She looked shocked. “You’re kidding, right?”

      “Since when have you known me to kid around?” He paused and waited for her answer, but got none. “Okay, here’s the clincher. I need a place to stay.” He released a breath. “And I want to rent the cabin.”

      Lacey ran her sleeve over her brow, pushing her worn hat off her forehead. She threw up a silent prayer this day would end, along with all the craziness. She didn’t want this man messing in her life.

      Lacey looked back at Jeff. “The Randells own more property around here than anyone. You can take Rebel over to your uncle’s place, put him out to stud there.”

      He gave a shrug. “I have my reasons. So, you want to take me up on my offer? The money couldn’t hurt.”

      “All right, the horses can stay.”

      He nodded. “You should think about boarding other horses, too. Bring in another half dozen and you’d make a good income.”

      She shook her head. “I can’t work at the market and handle more animals without help.”

      “Then hire someone,” he said. “Until then, I’ll come by and help out.”

      She jammed her hands on her hips. “If this is your trick way of rescuing me, I don’t want it.”

      His dark gaze settled on her face. “It’s the other way around, Lace. You’re the one rescuing me.”

      The next morning about 6:00 a.m., Jeff walked in the back door of his parents’ house and found his mother standing at the stove cooking breakfast. The aroma of coffee and bacon hit him.

      Maura Gentry looked up and smiled. With her auburn hair and green eyes, she had always been pretty, and that hadn’t changed over the ten years he’d been away. Even though she’d come to the Rocking R a city girl, she’d fitted into ranch life as if born to it.

      “Morning, honey.” She eyed him closely, unable to hide her concern.

      “Hi, Mom. Something smells good.” He walked to the table and pulled out a chair. The kitchen had always been the heart of this home. It had also been remodeled a few times. The cabinets were maple with dark granite countertops and the latest stainless-steel appliances. The floor was the original honey hardwood. He’d loved growing up in this house.

      She set a plate on the table. “I made sweet rolls.”

      He picked one up and took a bite. “You keep this up and I’m going to gain ten pounds.”

      “You could use some extra weight.”

      He frowned and took another bite. After he swallowed, he asked, “Where’s Dad?”

      “He’s with Dylan. The new bull arrived earlier. He should be here soon.” She brought over a plate piled high with bacon. Just then the back door opened and his dad walked in. He hung his hat on the hook on the wall, then nodded to his son before he went to his wife and kissed her.

      He came to the table and pulled out a chair. “Mornin’, son.”

      “Morning, Dad.”

      “You’ve got to see this bull, Jeff. Dylan’s named him Rough Ride.” His father beamed. “We both think he’s going to make quite a reputation on the circuit.”

      Maura Gentry brought a dish of scrambled eggs and joined them. “Just so long as the two of you stay away from him, I’m happy.”

      Wyatt frowned. “Are you saying I’m too old to climb on a bull?”

      “No, I’m saying you’re too smart. So don’t make me out a liar. Save the ride for those twenty-something kids who need to impress the girls.” She picked up a fork. “You can impress me in other ways.”

      Jeff should have been used to his parents’ flirting. Since the moment they’d met it had been like that between them.

      His dad winked. “I’ll do my best.” He looked at his son. “You thought about what you’re going to do with the horses?”

      Jeff shrugged. “Only that I’m going to leave them at Lacey’s and pay her to board them.”

      “So you’ve got no plans to go into the breeding business?” his dad asked.

      Jeff scooped up a forkful of eggs. “Still thinking on that one. I need to find a place to live first.”

      His parents exchanged a look, then turned to him. His mother spoke. “You know you can stay in the cottage here as long as you want. There’s no hurry to leave.”

      “I need to be closer to the Guthrie place. That’s why I’m planning to move up to the cabin.”

      His dad swallowed his food. “What cabin?”

      “The one where Trevor and I used to hang out.”

      His mother frowned. “That old lineman’s shack? It was nearly falling down years ago.”

      Jeff took a drink of his orange juice. He understood his parents’ concern. “Trevor must have put some work into it, because it’s in good shape now.”

      His mother didn’t look convinced. “Jeff, do you think it’s a good idea to move so far away? It’s pretty isolated there.”

      He’d been isolated in a lot worse places…the hills of Afghanistan, the deserts of Iraq. “Mom, it’s only a few miles from the ranch house. Besides, I like the quiet.”

      “Haven’t we left you alone?” she asked. “I only worry about you because of the…accident. You haven’t been walking again that long.” Her eyes filled with worry. “You’ve only been home ten days.”

      He didn’t want to hurt either one of them. “I’ve had months