That same reasoning ruled out any objections to massage. What about acupuncture? He straight-up got jitters picturing Alexa or anyone else poking him with a bunch of needles. But why? When he’d joined the service he’d watched grown men drop like rocks over a few pops with a vaccination needle gun. Not him. So why was he holding out?
If there was even the slimmest possibility that any of these treatments might restore his sight, he should have no objections.
Tomorrow he’d ask Alexa to take him on a trip to the hot springs, followed by a back massage, and then work his way up to the big daddy—acupuncture.
ALEXA RUBBED HER EYES and looked at the clock on her computer. Two-fifteen. She yawned and closed the books she’d been checking and cross-referencing online. Most of the information she’d read dealt with poultices for tired or overstrained eyes. Chinese herbalists agreed that there was no reversing congenital blindness. They weren’t in such solid agreement when it came to other reasons for sight loss. Rafe’s blindness was undefined. There was no evidence that he’d had a concussion or even blacked out, which left a huge gray area, the big mystery to medicine. Psychosomatic trauma of unspecified origin was the final diagnosis in his medical record.
How inconclusive. Why was the military so reluctant to attribute his condition to the ambush he’d been in? An attack where five in his troop had died. According to Sierra, two were Rafe’s childhood friends.Alexa surfed the Web awhile longer and ran across another possible reason for the evasive diagnosis. Money. Several soldiers had recently charged that they were being denied long-term VA benefits because military doctors hadn’t diagnosed their disabilities as combat-related injuries, whereas doctors outside the military argued the opposite. Carefully worded notes in Rafe’s chart could be aimed at cutting him from veteran disability payments. There was a pending lawsuit against the government concerning soldiers’ rights to a second opinion.
Closing down her computer, Alexa felt torn. Should she continue to treat Rafe with nontraditional medicine? Maybe he should be at a VA facility. If driving proved too difficult for Sierra, maybe the two of them could split the travel. How many visits did Rafe need each month? Would going to the facility only frustrate him further? It was a dilemma.
She shut off the light and left her office. As she entered her bedroom, an image of Bobby materialized. He appeared before her with his old cocky smile, as if he wasn’t a figment of her imagination. Rattled by the vision, she wondered if it was telling her she should send Rafe home when Sierra came to pick up his laundry? She hated to renege on an offer. And she’d said she would work with Rafe for thirty days.
It was a long time before she was able to shake Bobby’s image.
The next morning she stood at the sink, cleaning and boxing fresh eggs she’d been out at dawn to gather, when a scraping sound drew her attention. Glancing around, she was surprised to see Rafe, dressed and striding down the hall with Compadre. That dog was such a traitor.
“You’re up early.” Alexa set down the egg brush, and went to fill Compadre’s food dish and water bowl.
“Is it early?” Rafe rubbed a hand over his chin, and Alexa noticed he hadn’t shaved. “I forgot to set the alarm,” he said. “The clock you put in my room has a glass face. I need to touch the hands to be able to tell what time it is.”
“Of course. I’ll remove the glass right after breakfast.”
“No need. I’ve developed a kind of internal clock. Or maybe it’s my stomach reminding me it’s time to eat. Something smells good, by the way.”
Alexa laughed. “I mixed up some oat bread and popped it in the bread machine before I went out to gather eggs. How does scrambled eggs, applesauce with a hint of rosemary, and hot oat bread sound?”
“Real good as a matter of fact. Sierra won’t believe how much I’ve been eating. She complained I only picked at meals.” He sounded surprised himself.
“Those pills you were on suppressed your appetite. Cutting back on them should get it back to normal. Also, you’ve been outside and moving around more. Exercise is a natural appetite stimulant. Do you want to work with Esperanza again today?”
“Sure. And you promised me another trail ride.”
A bell dinged. Alexa opened the lid to the bread machine. She set a skillet on a hot burner and dumped in eggs she’d whisked while talking to Rafe.
“I did some thinking last night,” Rafe said, leaning a hip against the counter, close to Alexa. He tucked his fingers under his belt in a casual move that drew Alexa’s attention to his long legs and flat belly. She did her best not to drool.
“Thinking? About what?” she asked. Was it possible he’d come to the same conclusion she had—that he needed to give up his treatment with her and make an appointment with the VA? If so, she shouldn’t have this sinking sensation in her stomach. She’d been a recluse for the better part of five years and it had suited her.
Rafe seemed to consider his words a minute. “I’ve been a real grinch about your suggestion of a soak in your mineral spring. I think I’d like to try it after today’s ride. Mind you, I’m still leery of acupuncture, or massage therapy. Guys I knew who visited massage parlors went there for other…uh…services.” Rafe’s face scrunched and he fidgeted.
“Good grief! I’m a legitimate, licensed masseuse. In Houston where I practiced before moving here, women and men with stressful, high-powered careers came to me for my spa treatments. I had an eclectic clientele. I mix my own warm oils, and often combined massage with aromatherapy. You’d be surprised how those treatments can help ease tension and allow the body to relax and unwind.”
Alexa had a fanciful vision of her hands spreading warm oil over Rafe’s body and she shifted uneasily. She wondered if Rafe sensed her response because he suddenly turned and took a seat at the table.
“Before you gripe about the herbs in these scrambled eggs,” she said, setting a steaming plate in front of Rafe, “let me tell you they’re ordinary. Bits of fresh parsley and a hint of basil. Always good for whatever ails you.”
Rafe merely grunted.
Alexa buttered thick slices of still warm bread. “I have a special treat for you today.”
“Yeah?” He sounded dubious.
“Coffee.” Happily, she set a steaming mug in its usual spot near Rafe’s right hand. “Instant, not brewed, and it’s cut with chicory,” she admitted, hovering over him.
“Will you sit down,” he growled, sounding so grumpy that Compadre pawed at his leg and barked sharply several times.
“Well,” Alexa huffed. Forcefully she yanked out her chair and plopped down. Had she actually been thinking it was nice to have him around? Moody jerk!
He picked up the mug. “I appreciate you going to all this extra effort.”
Alexa knew stilted when she heard it. “By all means, don’t strain yourself thanking me.”
Rafe clammed up and turned his attention to his food.
As a result, they finished breakfast in total silence, until Alexa hopped up and cleared the table, including Rafe’s unfinished coffee.
“Hey,” he said, waving a hand over the empty spot.
He must have noticed how the air around them fairly crackled as Alexa slapped dishes into the dishwasher. She knew she was behaving badly, but she couldn’t help herself.
He stood up. “Time to hightail it outta here, Dog.” Rafe beat a hasty retreat out the back door, letting the door slam shut behind him.
At the sink, miffed as she was, Alexa parted the window curtain and watched him saunter to the barn. She waved a cooling hand in front of her face. Hoo-wee! In his new boots, Rafe had the hip-rolling cowboy gait down pat—the one that made women all over Texas and elsewhere weak-kneed. How could she stay peeved at a man who had that effect on her?
By reminding herself Rafe was just her patient.
Bobby had been the only other patient who’d moved in with her during his illness. Which was like comparing apples and oranges. Outside of her friendship with Bobby, Alexa had preciou
s little experience dealing with men and their temperaments.
She had to admit they had both acted passive-aggressively today. Not very adultlike. And here she was, once again letting herself feel too much for Rafe. She was eyeing him like a piece of chocolate. That had to change, Alexa vowed as she pulled on her gloves and went out to work with Tano.
She needed only half a corral. And Rafe wisely kept Esperanza well out of her way. They had scant reason to talk as they both worked.
A pickup wheeled into the clearing about the time they finished up and were leading their horses back to the barn.
“Is that Sierra?” Rafe asked, pausing when he heard the vehicle brake to a stop. “Isn’t she a week early?”
“It’s Paul Goodman, one of the park rangers.” Alexa waved as the man climbed from the cab bearing the park logo. “Halloo!” she hailed him. “I’ll be with you in a jiffy.”
WHAT RESONATED IMMEDIATELY with Rafe was the happy lilt to Alexa’s voice as she greeted the man. Rafe’s defenses went on full alert.
“We need to move these horses inside,” Alexa told him. “Paul’s gone to the back of his pickup. I see a cage, which means he’s brought me another injured wild animal. It could spook the horses.”“What kind of animal?”
“I’ve no idea, but the scent is already making Esperanza edgy. Hurry, let’s move them inside in case it’s another mountain cat.”
Rafe tightened his grip on the snorting mare. He slid a forefinger through the halter ring and spoke soothingly.
Alexa opened both stall doors. Tano went straight to his water bucket. The mare whinnied and wouldn’t stand still so Rafe could unhook her rope.
Stepping into the stall, Alexa handed Rafe a chunk of apple to entice Esperanza.
“We’ll leave Compadre in the barn, too, until I see what Paul’s brought,” she said.
Rafe could volunteer to stay behind with the dog, but he was curious about this Paul Goodman guy. He didn’t want to use the term jealous, but he had to admit there might be a little of that. He followed the sound of Alexa’s boots crunching across the gravel.
“Paul, it’s good to see you,” Alexa said.
“It’s been too long,” came the smooth reply.
Rafe felt it the minute the other man entered his space. Sensed it the same way he knew Alexa had stripped off her gloves and tucked them in her back pocket. He didn’t know if a quieter brush of flesh on flesh was a handshake or if their greeting was more kissy-face. Not knowing left Rafe grinding his back teeth, and he missed the pair’s verbal exchange before Alexa said, “Paul, I’d like you to meet Rafe Eaglefeather. He’s helping me train horses.”
Next thing Rafe knew, Alexa took his elbow and guided his hand into Goodman’s. It was awkward as hell, and both men muttered a passable “Pleased to meet’cha.” Rafe attempted to disengage fast, but Alexa held his arm in a strong grip.
“Rafe’s a former national bronc riding champion,” she said. “More recently he’s served with the army.”
Paul hesitated too long. Rafe was acutely aware of the moment the guy realized Rafe couldn’t see a lick.
“I’m Alexa’s patient,” Rafe snapped crossly. The SOB proceeded to pat Rafe’s shoulder and ramp up the pity.
“Bummer, dude. But this is the first I’ve heard Alexa doctors two-legged critters.” At once Goodman’s tone turned flirtatious. “If I had known that, love,” he said, addressing Alexa, “I’d have come a month ago to see if you had a potion for mendin’ a broken heart.” The ranger’s attention was now totally on Alexa as he lowered his voice. “I s’pose you heard Jill left the area for the bright lights of the city over the summer.”
“No,” Alexa said, her surprise sounding genuine. “That’s too bad, Paul. Now, what have got for me here?”
“First things first, darlin’. You just hafta come to the lodge Saturday night as my date for the rangers’ fall charity dance.”
Rafe had heard enough. He set off in what, if there was a God, would be the right direction to the house. Without the dog or Alexa to guide him, he might walk straight into the corral fence. Focused on his getaway, he couldn’t hear if Alexa accepted Paul’s invitation. No reason she shouldn’t. She was a free agent.
The burning in his gut was his own problem, and something Rafe had no explanation for.
ALEXA FROWNED AFTER Rafe. She went so far as to skirt the back of the pickup for a clearer view of his zigzaggy march to the house. She wondered what he was using for reference points. He should have asked her to get Compadre. Taking off alone like that was reckless, and it bothered her. He could fall or smack into something.
“I brought you a pair of fox kits,” Paul said. He took her hand and led her back to the pickup. “The ranger who found ’em figured a bobcat got Mama.”Relieved to see Rafe mount the steps to the back porch, Alexa finally peered into the cage. “What kind of injuries do they have?”
“None. They just need to be bottle-fed until they grow some.”
“Don’t you have someone skilled in being a surrogate to orphaned animals?”
“Shirl Scofield up in Marathon. Here’s the real skinny, babe. Red Jones and some other guys bet me I couldn’t get you to come to the dance with me…. Only you and I know you’ve always secretly had a crush on me,” he concluded.
“Pardon?” Her mind back on Rafe, Alexa missed all but the last part of Paul’s ludicrous statement. She gaped at him, open-mouthed.
“The kits gave me an excuse to come see you, as well as get the state to pay for my gas. I said to myself, one woman can mother these little guys as easily as another. After all, it’s in a woman’s genes. What say we meet at the lodge Saturday night, seven o’clock? I’ll win enough off the guys to buy you dinner.” Paul slid out the cage with the fox kits and strode off toward the small barn where she housed the wildlife.
Alexa couldn’t believe his massive ego. She could easily see why Jill Harper, who clerked at the park general store, had ended their engagement. She’d like to kick Paul in the pants herself. Keeping step with him, she drawled sarcastically, “Gee, Paul. With kits to feed by hand three or four times a day, I can’t possibly go off for an entire evening.”
“Have your flunky feed ’em.”
“Excuse me?” Alexa, who’d darted ahead to open the barn door, stopped dead.
“The blind dude. Have him feed the kits. Unless there’s something more goin’ on between you two besides him training your horses,” Paul added snidely.
“Get lost, Paul,” Alexa said icily. “I can’t imagine what gave you the idea I treated you any differently than I treat the other rangers who drop off injured animals. A friendly wave or smile isn’t a come-on. As for Major Eaglefeather, in my presence you will be respectful of him. Leave the foxes or take them to Mrs. Scofield. Either way, I’d like you to go now.”
Paul shoved the cage at her, his eyes dark and angry. He opened his mouth to say something he would surely regret later, but Alexa angled her chin upward, and he apparently had second thoughts. Wise man. She watched him stalk back to his vehicle. What a bozo. His boss was a thirty-year veteran at this park and a true gentleman. He’d never tolerate Paul’s bad behavior and Paul must know it.
Since she had baby foxes in her care, she needed to make a run to the store for canned milk. This time she wouldn’t go to the park store, but to Study Butte. She wondered if she could talk Rafe into riding along and doing their trail ride another day.
She set the kits’ cage well away from the hissing mountain cat. She’d have to ask Carl Dobbins, the ranger who’d brought in the cat, what his plans were for the healed animal. Alexa didn’t want to let him out on the ranch where he could come back and stalk her goats, chickens or horses. A squirrel that someone had found with a broken leg was well enough to be let go, too. She didn’t mind turning him out. In fact, she’d do it now.
After locking the small barn, she took the cage to the edge of the woods and held it up as high as she could against a tree limb. Then she went back to th
e horse barn to collect Compadre and they circled back to the house.
“Rafe,” she called, hearing nothing when she walked in. Compadre made a beeline down the hall and nosed his way into Rafe’s room, so Alexa followed.
“There you are,” she said, concerned to find him sitting idle in the rocker in a dark room. Once again she went around opening his curtains.
“Would you mind if we cancel our afternoon ride? I need to run to the grocery store to pick up canned milk to feed those two baby foxes Paul brought.”
“Go ahead,” he said, giving a curt wave with one hand.
“Would you care to ride along?”
Rafe rocked faster. “Wouldn’t your new boyfriend love that?”
“Paul left. And for the record, he’s not my…anything. Not even a friend, which I might have considered him before today. He’s an egotistical idiot.”
“So, you’re not going to the dance with him? I can have Sierra come take me to her place for the weekend, in case you…do a sleepover.”
“What’s with you men all presuming things? Did you not hear a word I said? Paul’s an idiot. Do you want to ride to Study Butte, or not?” She pronounced the town’s name the way locals did: Stewdy Butte.
“I apologize, Alexa. Study Butte, huh? I thought that town died.”
“It has around three hundred residents. A few families struggle to keep basic businesses operating. The store should have what I need. Canned milk and baby food. The foxes are cute little stinkers. Gray fox, I’m pretty sure.”
“Do you think the store carries swimsuits? I assume that’s what you wear when you visit the hot springs.”
“Well, I, uh…need to wear one now for sure,” she said, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks. “Uh, if the store doesn’t have a suit, I can cut off your oldest pair of long pants. I have a sewing machine. It won’t take any time to zip in a hem.”
“Maybe I’ll let you do that. I know my cammo’s fit. And they’re comfortable.”
The Cowboy Soldier Page 6
