The Lionhearted Cowboy Returns

She seemed to brighten a little. “My daddy used to call me Emmy Sue,” she announced proudly.

“That’s cute. Is your mother here?”

“She’s down at the barn, feeding the horses. I have to stay here and watch TV. She only lets Colin help her ’cause he’s older.”

“I bet when you’re older, she’ll let you help, too.”

“I used to help my daddy. He said I was his best girl.”

Jeff could still remember years ago how Wyatt used to call his younger sister Kelly ‘Princess.’ “I bet you were. And I bet your daddy would be happy that you’re minding your mom, too.”

She nodded eagerly. “And I’m not s’posed to let anybody in the house when she’s not here.”

At least one of this family’s members was talking to him. “That’s a good thing. I’ll just go down to the barn and see your mother there.”

The child looked disappointed. “’Kay. Bye.” She shut the door.

Jeff made his way down the steps, wishing he could spend the afternoon watching television, too. Instead he had to try and think of what to say to Lacey to convince her to accept some help.

He owed Trevor that much.

“Mom, I’m finished feeding the horses,” Colin called as he came out of Fancy’s stall. “Am I done now?”

Lacey looked around the nearly empty horse barn. Thanks to the successful auction that morning, there were only five horses left, and two more would soon be gone.

She pointed to the leather bridles tossed over the railing. “Just take those back to the tack room and you can go to the house, but I don’t want you to bother your sister.”

Her son grabbed the tack off the railing and started down the center aisle. “You always blame me for all the trouble.”

“That’s because you can’t leave Emily alone. I mean it, Colin, don’t go near her. You’re already in trouble for riding off today without asking.”

“Fine, I’ll just go to my room.” He went into the tack room, then came out seconds later. She knew he hadn’t had time to put away the bridles properly, but it wasn’t worth the argument; she’d just do it herself later.

It had been a long day and she was tired. The auction had taken a lot out of her. At least the money made today would finally pay off Trevor’s medical bills, and the ranch would be solvent for the next year. After that, she wasn’t sure what she’d do. She knew she couldn’t continue the breeding business without a stud. She’d kept her chestnut broodmare, Bonnie. She just needed a stallion.

She looked toward the barn door where her son had stopped to talk with someone. Jeff Gentry. Great. She didn’t need any more of him today, but by the looks of it, she wasn’t going to get her wish.

She watched as he started down the aisle. Large and powerfully built from years of military life, he roamed efficiently. Her gaze moved over him and noticed a slow gait and a slight limp. Had he been hurt? She hadn’t heard anything about any injuries.

He made a stop at Reb’s stall and began to get acquainted with the stallion. Much like Trevor, Jeff had a knack with animals, maybe more so than with people.

It had surprised her and everyone else when he’d announced that he’d joined the military. Even though college hadn’t worked out for him, she’d always thought he’d partner with his dad and uncle in the rough-stock business. His decision to go into the army had affected a lot of people, including her. She had a feeling his return would affect just as many.

No, she couldn’t let it affect her. Not after all this time and after everything she’d gone through.

Jeff gave Reb’s muzzle one more pat, then started toward her. A strange sensation surged through her and all she could do was watch him. He was a good-looking man, but so was Trevor, although the two friends couldn’t have been more different. Trevor was blond with hazel eyes, while Jeff had dark-brown hair and brooding coffee-colored eyes.

She thought back, recalling their conversation earlier. How could she have talked to him that way? Even with the hurt and months of loneliness since Trevor’s death, she had no right to blame Jeff. He hadn’t caused the virus that had damaged her husband’s heart. Yet she couldn’t bring herself to apologize for her actions. They had too much history for that. Jeff hadn’t only walked away from Trevor all those years ago, he’d walked away from her, too. With not even a care, or as much as a backward glance. Jeff Gentry never realized the pain and hurt he’d caused her. It had been Trevor who’d picked up the pieces.

Lacey drew a breath and released it. Now, ten years later, she knew it was finally time to let it go.

“I take it you’re here for your horses.”

Jeff paused to regroup for his talk with Lacey. He wasn’t going to let her brush him off. He could do attitude with the best of ’em. “First, I want to settle something.”

“Settle what?”

“Can we cut this out? I get you’re angry at me for just showing up.”

She threw him a surprised look. “Why don’t we just chalk it up to a bad day?” Her gaze locked with his. “You ever felt your world was suddenly crashing down around you?”

Jeff gripped the stall railing, shifting his weight onto his good leg. “Hell, yes, once or twice,” he answered, flashing back to the painful days during his long recovery.

He’d only heard of Trevor’s illness right after surgery when he was flat on his back, fighting his own hell. His friend was dying and he couldn’t help him. He’d sent word to Lacey, but by the looks of it, that hadn’t been enough.

“Trevor wouldn’t want you wasting time being so angry,” he said.

Those pretty green eyes narrowed. “Cut me a little slack, Gentry. I had to give up a lot today.”

“I’m not cutting you anything. You can’t fall apart now. You have kids who need you.”

She 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?”