The Rebel Heir's Bride

Hank looked at Brady. “How about you, Captain? I wouldn’t mind hearing a few F-16 stories.”

“I might have one or two that are worth repeating.” Using his cane, Brady managed to fall into step beside Hank. Although his steps were awkward, he was happy to be able to get around. What he couldn’t understand was why he was feeling drawn to this family. Not to mention one vet.

They made their way into the compound where a large ranch house stood. It was painted glossy white with dark green trim. The barn and other buildings were also white and well kept.

“Nice place, Hank,” Brady said.

“Thanks. My boys run things now. In the summer months we open it as a dude ranch of sorts, but it’s a working ranch.” He grinned. “You’d be surprised what people will pay just to do chores like a ranch hand.”

Cade joined the group. “Yeah, Chance, Travis and I had to do the work for nothing growing up.”

“It built character,” Hank told him.

Cade laughed. “Well, I sure got a lot of that, then.”

Brady listened to the teasing between the brothers and Hank. Suddenly he thought back to how much his own father had been away during his life. All the baseball games he’d missed, the birthdays and holidays. As a typical kid he did a lot to get Sam’s attention. Most of it didn’t work, until he got into ROTC in high school, then into the academy.

“You boys turned out okay,” Hank said. “You’ve settled down with pretty wives and have families.”

Brady glanced over his shoulder and caught sight of Lindsey hurrying to catch up, so he hung back.

“Do you have to run off?”

“No, I can stay for lunch. But I have a two-o’clock appointment.”

“Good, that will give me time,” he said.

She frowned. “Time for what?”

“Time to convince you I’m not a total jerk.”

“Really.” She looked skeptical. “You think I should go easy on you?”

“No, but I’m hoping my Randell charm will win out.”

She smiled. “So the average guy doesn’t have a chance over a Randell?”

“That’s right.”

They took slow, easy steps toward the back porch.

“Well, I disagree on that theory,” she said. “Jarred Trager, and Dylan and Wyatt Gentry do all right in the charm department.”

Brady fought rising jealousy, recalling how his cousins had been flirting with her earlier. They had their own wives. “That just goes to show you a Randell wins out.”

She stopped and looked confused. “But they’re not Randells?”

He nodded. “Yes, they are. Seems Uncle Jack had three more sons.”

CHAPTER THREE

AS HARD AS LINDSEY TRIED, she couldn’t hide her shock. “Really” was all she could come up with.

Brady gave a sharp nod. “Evidently Uncle Jack was quite the lady’s man when he was out on the rodeo circuit.”

“Have Jarred, Wyatt and Dylan always lived here?”

Brady shook his head. “About half a dozen years ago, Jarred Trager showed up. He had found an old letter from Jack to his mother that talked about their affair. He came here and met Dana Shayne and her son, Evan. They married a short time later.” He shrugged. “That’s the condensed version that Luke gave me.”

Lindsey took easy breaths as they continued on toward the Barrett house. She walked slowly so Brady could keep up, and so she could try to absorb what he told her. Had Jack known about his other sons?

“You say Wyatt and Dylan are your cousins, too?” She should have seen the resemblance in the men.

He nodded. “After their mother finally told the twins who their father was, Wyatt came to San Angelo looking for Jack, too. Wyatt ended up buying Uncle Jack’s half of the Rocking R and found Maura Wells and her two kids, Jeff and Holly, living in the rundown house. A few months later his twin, Dylan, arrived after he’d been injured bull riding. He ended up marrying his physical therapist, Brenna. Who, by the way, is putting me through torture these days.”

They reached the porch and he turned to her. “You seem pretty curious about the Randell family.”

She shrugged. “The Randells are a big part of this valley. As an only child it’s interesting to hear about a large family.”

“Yeah, aren’t we just one, big happy family.”

“I’d take them,” Lindsey told him, trying to act lighthearted. It was difficult. From the beginning, Jack had warned her and her mother about his shady past. She also realized that her stepfather needed to know about his other sons. If only to make amends with them.

Suddenly the back door opened and Hank peered out. “There you are. I was wondering if you two had gotten lost.”

Brady used the railing to climb the steps. “No, I’m a little slow these days.”

Hank smiled. “I thought you were just hanging back to get some time with a pretty lady.”

“Well, that, too.”

Lindsey felt her heart accelerate, but she put on a smile. “Well, now that we’re here, how about some lunch?”

Hank ushered them into a huge old fashioned kitchen. Sunny yellow walls were lined with maple cupboards. The white-tiled counter gleamed, and a tall, older woman was busy setting the table.

She turned and smiled. “Hello, you must be the new vet, Dr. Stafford. I’m Hank’s wife, Ella.”

“And I’m Lindsey.”

Her friendly brown eyes searched Lindsey’s face. “It’s nice to meet you. Hank said you were pretty, and he’s right.”

Cade walked by her. “Hank says all the women are pretty.”

“That’s because all the women around here are pretty.” Hank hugged his wife to his side, kissing her cheek.

Ella acted as if she were pushing him away. “Be careful, Lindsey. Hank will be wanting to know if you’re a good cook, too.”

Hank tried to look indignant. “I hardly know this woman. But if she can cook up any special dishes, I wouldn’t mind sampling them, say at our next family get-together. Thanksgiving is coming up.”