Black Hills Forever

by A. C. Wilson

  Her heart felt like it was pinging around in her chest. It was difficult to even take a full breath. Confessions from Royal didn’t happen all that often. Royal had never lied to her. He just never told her everything upfront.

  “Oh Royal, I loved you too. We were never in love with each other though.” Rayne slid back and out of his reach. Royal nodded and forced a smile. She wondered at it, but decided it was better left alone.

  “So you’re in love with him?” Royal rubbed his neck absently. If Rayne knew nothing else, she knew she was in love with Garrett. So she nodded.

  “I am.”

  “Well then when do you leave?”

  Happy with the change of topic, Rayne pulled out a chair at the table and sat down.

  “In a couple of days. I think Garrett is hoping his father will wake up before we leave.”

  “Surely it can’t take too much longer. Has his doctor said anything? Is there specialists that can be read in?” Royal took out a chair and sat down.

  “They’ve already talked to some specialists. It was agreed that time would be the deciding factor. They can’t seem to find anything that would keep him from waking up on his own. There is concern that the longer he remains in a coma, the more likely there is to be permanent brain damage.”

  Royal shook his head sadly and placed his hand flat on the table. Rayne was as worried as anyone about Travis Johnson, but she also knew how strong he was. People said miracles happened every day. She hoped that at least for Travis they did.

  The morning went by quickly. Royal threw himself into her schedule of shots, minor surgeries and house calls. It was fun working with him again. They both loved animals and being a veterinarian seemed to be the next best thing to owning them. Caring for the animals was second nature and Rayne caught herself watching the tenderness that exuded from Royal. He could charm any critter, not just women.

  “So this is Matt’s facility?” Royal asked as they approached the crossing flanked by tall reflectors. Her tires slid slightly as they turned on the snow.

  “Johnson’s Therapy Center—Matt’s pride and joy. In fact I know the town thinks highly of it as well.”

  The therapy provided by the facility was pairing war veterans with horses. Learning to care for the animals as well as learning to trust often relaxed the trauma issues that came with a soldier’s experiences in the field. It wasn’t a fix-all, but it came with positive results.

  “It is a noble cause.” Royal’s words were proud and admiring. Rayne had seen firsthand how head trauma and stress could change a person. Blake Phails had come to Hot Springs battling his own demons that doctors had labeled as post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. Losing his best friend in the middle of a war zone and being injured himself had changed him in many ways. It seemed fate had led him to Hot Springs and a photograph had led to a family none of them knew existed.

  “You’ll have a couple of patients here. I need to check on a horse that tore up his leg.”

  Rayne did have to check up on a horse and change some bandages, but she was more interested in finding someone to keep an eye on Royal while she was gone. Lord knew the man could rub some people the wrong way and he was still very much the stranger here.

  The stables were a short walk from the main parking area, but even the trek had Rayne slipping along. The snow had been packed down enough that it was melting and freezing again. They reached the heavy doors and veered off to the side where a smaller door was placed. Tugging it open, Royal held it for her to enter. The warmth and smell of straw was welcoming. A couple of large, curious heads popped over the half doors of the stalls.

  “This is really nice.” Royal mused as they walked along. He reached his hand out to one of the horses watching them. The blue roan was a younger horse, newly added to the group.

  “I love coming here. You always feel welcome.” She paused to touch the roan’s nose too. The bronze plaque beside the stall said “Romeo” was his name. She chuckled when he snuffled her fingers. Royal scratched the horse’s ears.

  “I can see that.”

  The comfortable quiet was gone. There was an undercurrent that seemed to have popped up and it bothered her. She thought that if she didn’t acknowledge it, then maybe it would go away.

  “I thought I saw you headed in here.” The familiar male voice made her smile and swing toward the door. Blake came down the aisle with a lead rope in his hand.

  “I was hoping you would be around. Where’s Bailey?” Rayne asked, forgetting about Royal for a second. Blake smiled and tipped his hat back.

  “She’s got Liberty outside. I’m sure she’ll be in as soon as she sees your truck.” Blake turned to Royal who had been watching their exchange with interest. She saw the wariness in Blake and thought maybe it was in his nature to be cautious. Royal extended his hand.

  “Royal Bentley.”

  “Blake Phails.”

  The men shook hands.

  “Royal is my ex-husband.” She ignored the surprise on Blake’s face. “Blake is Garrett and Matt’s brother.”

  “Really? I don’t remember hearing about another brother.” Royal smiled, never looking her way.

  “I don’t remember hearing about an ex-husband either.” Blake bantered back. Rayne thought she had told Blake about Royal, but then again, maybe she hadn’t. Suddenly these two acted like two cocks in the hen yard. Although neither of them could lay any claim passed friendship now.

  “I’m going to go check on Painted Lady. Let you get acquainted.” Rayne mumbled, turned down the aisle towards the black and white paint that had her petite head out her own door. Rayne knew she was escaping, but she didn’t want to deal with the challenges being thrown down.

  Bailey interrupted Rayne’s inspection of the mare’s leg. Liberty, the Palomino mare nickered to Painted Lady.

  “What is going on down there?” Bailey asked, her eyes firmly trained on Blake and Royal further down the way. Rayne huffed and pulled some purple wrap from her bag.

  “Probably some sort of pissing match.” Rayne grumbled, not looking in the men’s direction.

  “It doesn’t look that ominous. Who is he?”

  “Royal Bentley, my temporary assistant and my ex-husband.” Rayne squinted, waiting for Bailey’s surprise at the words. It was quiet, too quiet. She looked over her shoulder and Bailey smiled.

  “Okay.”

  Bailey’s unquestioned acceptance was something Rayne loved about the girl. For someone who had every reason to mistrust what others said, Bailey didn’t. She was unfailingly sweet and exactly who she presented herself to be.

  “Royal is going to be running my practice for a couple of weeks while Garrett and I go on holiday.”

  “A vacation would be nice, but I didn’t think you all would leave while Travis is in the hospital.” Bailey looked worried.

  “I didn’t think so either, but Garrett is determined. He thinks Travis wouldn’t want us putting our lives on hold with things so up in the air.” Rayne turned back to start bandaging the mare’s leg.

  “Are you both getting along? Blake told me a bit about it. I promise I won’t share.” Bailey’s hurried assurance was sweet. Rayne hadn’t expected Blake to keep any secrets from Bailey. They had both had enough of secrets.

  “We need some reconnection, but nothing major to worry about.” Rayne said over her shoulder as she prayed she wasn’t zapped by lightning on the spot for fibbing. She really had no idea where she and Garrett were at.

  “Good. It sounds like a great time to get your bearings. Will you need Blake and me to keep an eye on your ex?” Bailey’s uncanny ability to read her thoughts shocked Rayne. She could only chuckle as she finished the wrap.

  “I would appreciate that. I’m sure Royal could use the help getting around and an occasional nudge of propriety as he likes the ladies.” Rayne crooked a smile as she came out of the stall. Bailey made an O with her mouth and wrinkled her nose. “Come meet him.”

  They approached the guys and whatever the
y had been talking about was dropped. Rayne introduced Bailey and of course, Royal oozed his legendary charm. She wanted to think it was just Royal being Royal, but Blake’s look said more.

  “Can I talk to you for a second, Rayne? Chap has a limp and I think you should see it.” Blake walked back up toward the front door. Rayne couldn’t deny the twist of her nerves. Bailey engaged Royal in talk about the center’s horses.

  “Does Chap really have a limp or are you going to bend my ear about Royal?” Rayne asked when he turned around. They stopped in front of an empty stall. Blake’s blue eyes were serious and she mentally sighed.

  “Are you sure having him around is a good idea?”

  Bang! Big question right out of the gate. Rayne took a deep breath and shook her head.

  “No, but I didn’t invite him. Garrett did.”

  “What? Why?” Rayne smiled at the big brother mode.

  “Royal is a vet and he will be taking over my practice for a couple weeks. Garrett has this idea to take us on vacation to focus on some of our issues. I had to agree.” Her last statement was more of an afterthought. Blake knew what she meant.

  “That’s interesting. From the few minutes I spent with him, Royal is still hung up on you. I imagine my brother already knows that. It takes some guts on Garrett’s side.” Blake was uncanny at reading others. She shrugged.

  “Royal knows things won’t go back to the way they were. As far as I’m concerned, we’ve both moved on. He is still my friend though as you are.” It was a gentle reminder. Blake knew it and he pressed his lips together. Too much advice had been offered today.

  “Roger that.” Blake looked back down at Royal and Bailey. Rayne felt a twinge of regret at her words.

  “Keep an eye on him for me?”

  Blake gave a quick nod.

  “Will do.”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  “You really invited Royal back up here?” Randy asked, shaking his head as he rewired the solar/electric fencer. Four heifers had broken out this morning and he was determined not to let it happen again.

  “I did. He should be here any day now.” Garrett pulled out another plastic insulator. His fingers were already cold from being outside too long.

  “That takes balls. I don’t know that I would have trusted Colt with something like that if it came down to it. I don’t think he is over Nora and I don’t think Royal is over Rayne.”

  Colt Cavanaugh was Nora’s sweetheart a long time ago and as luck might have it, her son, Drew’s father. It didn’t help that Colt was also a popular country music singer.

  “Oh I know that he isn’t over Rayne, but I trust her. I need to make her remember why we fell in love in the first place. I need to convince her that I want her for the rest of my life.” Garrett’s impassioned words made Randy stop what he was doing and listen. Garrett took a deep breath trying to find his feet.

  “It sounds like you have a plan.” Randy grinned and went back to his task. Garrett nodded as he moved to the next post. He paused then to cock his head to the side.

  “Is it bad if I say I’m winging it?”

  The chuckle that followed wasn’t exactly a vote of confidence as Garrett would interpret.

  “Winging it, huh? Well, I can’t say as I haven’t done it. It didn’t seem to work out too badly either.” Randy reached into the bag and pulled out another plastic insulator. He moved down the line of posts with Garrett.

  “Hey you had my help getting my sister back. You didn’t exactly wing it.” Garrett scowled as Randy chuckled some more.

  “You gave us a place to make it happen, I’ll grant you that. After that I was on my own.”

  “Thank you. I don’t mind trying to win Rayne back. I mind not knowing how the battle will turn out.”

  “Why not show her the possibilities outside having children? Experience new things together. Take her in and out of your comfort zone.”

  Randy had an idea. Although Garrett loved being in control and prided himself on it, vulnerability could work in his favor. Rayne might appreciate some empowerment.

  “I like that.”

  The wind was blowing in the wide open and the snow that had been left behind after their storm was sloppy and refreezing. His boots were soaked and his feet were cold. Even his ears felt like they might fall off. Garrett only liked winter in front of the fire. He couldn’t help but smile. The thought of a roaring fire when a certain goddess-like, golden-eyed woman made his brain go foggy. Her skin glowing in the low embers of the wee morning hours and her dark hair almost looking black. Rayne mesmerized him completely.

  “If you’d quit fantasizing over there, we might get this done quicker.” Randy grouched from several feet away. Garrett hoped that his brother-in-law couldn’t read minds. It would almost be embarrassing. He chuckled as he brought along their fencing supplies.

  “As if you aren’t thinking of somewhere warm.” Garrett goaded when he neared. Randy just shook his head. “How is my sister lately? Are you ready to be a new father?”

  “Nora is good that is if you count emotional, always hungry, and running on very little sleep.”

  Randy was excited for their baby, Garrett could tell. There was a new pride in being able to claim the infant as his own. In a way, Garrett envied them. It wasn’t just Rayne who wondered if a gift like that would ever happen for them.

  “I think they call those hormones.” Garrett teased, trying to ease the tightness in his chest.

  “Ha. Ha. I know very well what they are. I will be happy when the little one gets here and Nora will quit grouching that she can’t fit into anything.” Randy worked the nut tight on the insulator and rubbed his neck. Garrett thought Randy looked tired too. “Although it is fun trying new positions when she feels frisky.”

  “Oh. What? No…no…no…my ears are bleeding! I didn’t need to know that about my sister.” Garrett shook his head trying to dispel the image. It wasn’t right at all.

  “Just another example of good and bad in all situations. I will be glad when the baby gets here though.”

  Garrett had to admit Randy was right. The silver lining was anywhere one could find it. It just meant looking for it.

  “I imagine expecting mothers have a right to complain. I really wouldn’t want to be pregnant. I’ll leave that experience to the ladies.” Garrett said as he pressed on down the line. Randy only nodded in agreement.

  An hour later Garrett and Randy pulled up into the spot next to the big barn on the Crossing Pines. The tires on the truck groaned to a stop in the snow. The guys were both tired and cold. Garrett’s fingers were painful from the rapid warming and Randy’s face was wind burnt. They both wanted lunch and a nap. It didn’t matter which one came first.

  “Do you want to come over for lunch? I’m sure Nora has got something around.” Randy asked as he flipped over his wet gloves on the dash. The heater was drying them slowly.

  “Maybe. I’ll call Rayne and see what she is up to.” Garrett shifted in the seat. Even his toes felt like lead blocks. He should have dug out his heavy winter boots but he hadn’t. It was a bit late to do much about it now, except complain.

  “It looks like your mom is home. That’s strange.” Randy mused as he looked toward the house. Garrett pressed his lips together as he nodded.

  “Matt made her leave last week. She didn’t like it at all.” Garrett didn’t envy his brother the task of pushing their mother to and fro. She wasn’t easily swayed once she dug her heels in and usually it was only their father who could do the impossible.

  “I’d like to think we all would do the same if our sweetheart was in the hospital.” Randy answered, looking at his red fingers. No doubt his hurt as badly as Garrett’s.

  “I would probably be worse if it were Rayne. I pray that it never is.”

  “Amen.” Randy’s response was fitting. The time it took to find that love of your life seemed like a far longer venture than the time you got to spend with them. Of course when and what would ever be enough?

>   “Maybe I’ll check in on her.” Garrett grabbed his gloves and zipped his coat back up.

  “If you change your mind for lunch, give me a shout.” Randy shifted in his seat and pulled his seat belt back over his shoulder.

  “I’ll do that. Thanks.” Garrett opened his door and stepped off into the snow. The darn drift was a bit deeper than it at first appeared. He skirted the truck before getting to the snow that was now packed down. Randy backed out of his spot to turn around.

  Garrett crossed the yard to the front porch stairs and kicked the snow off his boots as best he could. Stomping a bit up the stairs and onto the porch, he hoped to warn his mother that company was here. In a ranch house, they expected people to stop by, but the rules had changed somewhat since his dad was in the hospital. Garrett even thought his mother might be getting much needed rest. Opening the door, he was careful not to leave a puddle. He tugged off his boots on the mud rug by the door just put there for this reason.

  “I thought a herd of elephants was coming into the house.” Lacey yawned as she came in from the living room. Garrett felt sorry for his mother. The dark circles under her eyes were prominent. She had never looked so tired or old for that matter. His father’s injury was taking its toll on her.

  “A frozen elephant maybe.” Garrett offered a cheeky grin. As often as he drove his mother crazy, he could make her laugh. Today wasn’t one of those days apparently. She covered her mouth with her hand as she yawned widely.

  “Want some coffee?” Lacey asked as she circled the island toward the coffee pot. She busied herself filling the water and putting the ground coffee into the filter. Garrett couldn’t take his eyes off her. He wanted to help. He wanted to ease her mind. She had tried to ease his conscience at being the cause of his father’s impact with the bull. Garrett hated that his father was still quick enough and clever enough to know that damned animal’s mind. Without the quick action, Garrett would be the one in the hospital bed and not his father.