The SEAL's Return

by Patricia Potter

  Lisa started having doubts after the last comment but by then Susie’s head was resting on Kerry’s shoulder and the dog looked like she’d reached heaven.

  “What is the fee?” Lisa asked.

  Stephanie smiled. “We don’t charge anything if we find the right home, but I belong to a rescue group that accepts donations to help cover their costs. The name and address of the group will be on Susie’s paperwork and it’s completely voluntary. I’ll never know whether you contribute or not.”

  Lisa looked down at Kerry. “What do you think, sis?” she asked, even though the answer was obvious.

  “I want her. Please. Can I take her now?”

  Lisa looked at Stephanie, who hesitated. “You’ll need a collar and leash. Dog dishes. One for water, one for food. Dog food, of course. You can get that at the grocery store here in town. They have several good brands. You might want a dog bed. The general store has those, along with dog toys.”

  Lisa nodded, her mind a cash register as it started adding costs.

  “Why don’t we have lunch at Maude’s?” Stephanie suggested. “We can talk about training Susie. Then you can pick up what you need before taking her home.”

  Lisa hadn’t expected a new member of the family this fast. She’d intended to discuss the possibility first. She’d always been a planner, someone who looked at all aspects of an action before making a decision. But lately it seemed decisions were being made for her.

  Then she saw the broad smile on Kerry’s face and nodded. Her sister obviously didn’t want to leave the dog, and apparently Susie didn’t want her to leave either as she pressed her body against Kerry’s. She was claiming Kerry as much as Kerry was claiming the dog.

  They walked several doors down to Maude’s and went inside. Maude greeted Lisa like an old friend even though it was only the second time they’d met. She walked them to one of the few remaining booths and gave them menus.

  Stephanie talked about Susie and what she’d observed since the dog had been with her, then asked Kerry about herself. “I heard you like horses, too.”

  “Oh, yes,” Kerry said. “Mrs. Manning told Lisa she’d teach me to ride.”

  “What else do you like? In school, for instance, what’s your favorite subject?”

  “English and history.”

  “You’ll have to go to our pageant Saturday night,” Stephanie said. “It’s all about the history here and the gold rush.”

  Kerry looked at Lisa. “Can we?

  “Sure,” Lisa said. “I’d like to see it, too.”

  Lisa listened to Stephanie and Kerry talk about Susie and the dos and don’ts of raising a puppy. She reminded herself that she needed to get home, check on her brother and read the files Dr. Bradley had given her. She planned to spend the entire day at the clinic tomorrow. There were a number of shots to administer to incoming first graders along with three scheduled annual physicals.

  She looked up to see two men enter Maude’s. One was Eve’s husband, whom she’d met during her earlier visit here. The other man made her breath catch in her throat.

  Lisa didn’t know why exactly. It wasn’t because he was cover-model handsome. But there was something about him that was strikingly different.

  She’d heard the expression “hard face” but she never knew what it meant until now. His features seemed carved from granite: strong cheekbones, lips that were firm and unsmiling, a set jaw. There was a scar on his forehead near his hairline. He had the start of a beard, the kind that could look sloppy or surprisingly sexy.

  His was the latter. His vivid blue eyes swept the room as if danger hovered in every corner, and he walked with a panther-like grace she associated with athletes.

  His gaze lingered on her and she felt herself blushing. She forced herself to look away and take a sip of water. Her sister, thankfully, was listening intently to Stephanie.

  She took a deep breath, then watched as the two men approached their booth. Josh Manning smiled at her. “Welcome. Good to see you again,” he said to Lisa. “How’s everything going?”

  “Considering it’s my first day and I’m already adding to my family, a little overwhelming,” Lisa managed as her gaze was drawn to Josh’s companion.

  “Adding to your family?” Josh asked.

  “A new puppy,” she replied, concentrating on Eve’s husband.

  “Sounds like a good way to start your life here.” Josh grinned, then turned to Stephanie. “I don’t think you’ve met your husband’s friend yet. This is Jubal Pierce. Jubal, meet Clint’s wife, Stephanie, and Dr. Lisa Redding, our new doctor. Sitting next to Lisa must be her pretty sister, Kerry.”

  Kerry blushed at the compliment.

  Jubal Pierce nodded at the introductions, nothing more, but his intense blue eyes seemed to look beyond her attempt at a polite smile right into her soul. She felt her stomach tighten and an odd confusion took over her mind. She didn’t understand it. She’d met more traditionally handsome men. But none had ever rocked her ordinarily sensible world at first glance.

  “Mr. Pierce,” she acknowledged, praying that her face didn’t reveal her inner turmoil.

  He turned to Stephanie. “I understand now why Clint wanted to stay here.” A shadow of a smile touched his lips, easing the rigid trails in his face.

  Stephanie’s face colored, and she looked startled. Then a smile started slow and spread across her face. “He’s really happy you’re here.”

  Jubal Pierce nodded and some of the hardness seemed to fade from his expression.

  Jubal. It was an odd name but somehow it seemed to fit. His face and arms were deeply tanned and tiny lines branched out from those sea blue eyes. He looked as if he’d walked out of a western film.

  She couldn’t tell his age. Though there were touches of gray in his hair, his lean body radiated strength and tightly controlled energy like a wound-up spring. She wondered what a real smile would look like.

  Instead, he seemed to peer straight through her, tearing down protective walls. As a doctor, she’d trained herself to suppress emotions. She tried to put that training in action and plaster a casual smile on her lips.

  Josh saved her. “Here comes Maude to chase us toward our table.” He smiled at Lisa. “I hope you like Covenant Falls.”

  “I’m sure we will,” she said, hoping her voice sounded matter-of-fact.

  The two men turned away and followed Maude to a table on the other side of the room but still in Lisa’s direct line of sight.

  She tried to relax and listen to Stephanie, but she was unsettled. Yes, unsettled was the word. Nothing stronger. Nothing mind-blowing.

  Still, she didn’t understand it. She’d met and dated better-looking guys before, but none had the stark masculine appeal Jubal Pierce radiated. The barest hint of a smile he’d given Stephanie made him even more fascinating. It was obvious he didn’t use it much.

  The simple fact was that he rattled her, and she didn’t like it one bit. The man had military written all over him. Career military. She didn’t know whether he was active or inactive, but she was wary of the type. She’d seen what guns and other weapons did to a human body and couldn’t begin to imagine how it affected the person wielding them.

  While she respected soldiers for what they did, she didn’t want it around her and what was left of her family, especially Gordon, who’d talked about going into the service, even if she suspected it was an act of rebellion. He was capable of enlisting on his eighteenth birthday just to display his independence.

  But then why had she been disappointed when Jubal Pierce walked away? Simple physical attraction, she told herself. Something she could easily control by staying away from him. She forced him from her mind, looked away and tried to concentrate on what Stephanie was saying.

  “He’s the fourth veteran to stay in Josh’s cabin on the la
ke,” Stephanie explained. “It’s kind of a long story, but Josh inherited a cabin from a military buddy, and when he married Eve he passed it on to other vets who needed a way station for a few months. Jubal however, is just staying a few days to visit with my husband, Clint. They are longtime military friends.” Stephanie then filled them in on the succession of veterans in the cabin and the resulting romances.

  “That’s...” Lisa was at a loss for words. It was just too weird to be true.

  Stephanie nodded. “Eve says the cabin is magic.”

  “And you?”

  “I don’t believe in magic, but if someone told me I would fall in love with a sky jockey and risk junkie, I would’ve told them they were nuts,” Stephanie admitted. “I nearly killed Clint the first time we met, and he laughed. I think I fell in love with him at that minute, though I gave him a rough time. I thought love was a weakness.”

  “And now?” Lisa asked.

  “I discovered its strength. Clint’s the only guy who let me be me, who respected me enough to let me solve a very big problem on my own—even if he insisted on hovering in the background while I did. And if that’s not enough, he’s a fine hand with a guitar.”

  Lisa watched Stephanie’s face soften. Loneliness struck her like lightning. She’d been too consumed with meeting her goals to give any thought to a relationship. There had never been time for romance and there had never been real temptation.

  And now she was twenty-eight and long past the giddy stage.

  Why was she still seeing Jubal Pierce in her head?

  She was relieved when Stephanie turned to Kerry and asked if she would like to volunteer at the clinic on weekends or after school. She was always in need of volunteers to socialize the rescues. Kerry could even bring Susie with her.

  Kerry glowed. Lisa kicked herself for not realizing that her sister had probably been craving a purpose. She’d grown up fast, and Lisa hadn’t noticed it.

  “Can I, Lisa?” Kerry asked.

  “Of course. I think it’s a terrific idea.”

  “Awesome,” Kerry said, then attacked her hamburger. She looked at Stephanie, who apparently was her new heroine. “Can I save some for Susie?”

  “Don’t get her in the habit of eating people food. Dog food is far healthier for her.”

  “Okay,” Kerry agreed.

  Lisa played with her cheeseburger. She tried not to look to her right, but her gaze wandered to the table where two men sat in deep conversation. She shifted all her attention back to Stephanie and Kerry. Her sister had apparently found a soul mate, and Lisa was tremendously grateful.

  She breathed easier when the two men stood and left. She waited several moments, then turned to Stephanie. “We should go,” she said. “I have to get to the clinic, and Kerry and I have to pick up those supplies if we’re going to take Susie home.”

  * * *

  THE NEW DOCTOR was far younger and prettier than any Jubal had seen before. Her hair was a rich dark brown, swept back from her face, the style emphasizing high cheekbones, thick lashes and expressive dark brown eyes.

  When his gaze met hers, a sudden connection flashed between them, but he pulled away, and her eyes became guarded. This was obviously Gordon’s sister.

  Clint’s wife surprised him even more. His friend had always gone for fancy, high-maintenance women. Stephanie Manning was attractive in a quiet, thoughtful way. Her thick copper hair was pulled back in a braid. Intelligent dark blue eyes appraised him before she gave him a big grin. His friend had done well.

  For a moment, he envied Clint, who was obviously very much in love with his wife. Jubal had never been close to it. He’d had affairs, one that lasted a few months even, but both of them had known it was temporary. They liked each other tremendously, but she was very frank about not wanting to be a SEAL’s wife with all the uncertainty that came with it. She didn’t want that for her children, either.

  “Kinda pretty,” Josh said judicially.

  “Huh?”

  “Dr. Redding,” Josh prompted him. “She’s very attractive, and she doesn’t look like a wicked sister, especially if she’s letting Stephanie talk her into one of her rescues.”

  Jubal didn’t answer, though he didn’t think so, either.

  “Maybe the kid won’t show up. No more worries,” Josh said.

  Jubal sighed. “No such luck.” He knew in his gut that, first, Lisa Manning was the kid’s sister, and second, she would not be happy with his interference, and third, she would probably be furious he didn’t come straight to her once he realized the connection.

  “Dammit, it’s none of my business,” Jubal added. He knew what he should do. He should either drop the matter altogether or tell the sister what happened. That would be the responsible course of action. But the kid was crying out for help, even if he wasn’t aware of it.

  They finished eating in companionable silence. “I have to get to work,” Josh said. “But I hope to see you at the pageant.”

  “The pageant?”

  “The town sponsors a pageant about the founding of the town. The first performances were held nightly the first week of summer and then the second and fourth Saturdays since. The last performance this year is Saturday night. You might be interested because Clint’s in it. And maybe it’s something else your kid could do. Help move props.”

  “He’s not my kid,” Jubal insisted.

  “In any event,” Clint said, “it’s a short walk and it’s free. You might enjoy it.”

  Jubal couldn’t imagine why.

  “Clint is the star actually. He’s singing most of the songs. Have you heard him?”

  “Just some very raunchy songs. Nothing fit for a mixed audience.”

  “You’ll see a whole new Clint on Saturday,” Josh promised. “Definitely worth your while.”

  Jubal wasn’t sure he wanted to see a new Clint. He liked his buddy just the way he’d been while raising hell in Kabul.

  The bill came then and they argued about who was paying until Josh snatched it away. They stood just as Stephanie, Dr. Redding and her sister walked out the door. Jubal watched her go.

  “She’s very attractive,” Josh commented.

  “Yeah,” Jubal agreed. She was the only woman to capture his attention since his return. But that was all it was. Momentary appreciation of a pretty woman. That was all it could be given his personal commitment to her brother and the fact that he was leaving soon.

  CHAPTER SIX

  WHEN JUBAL ARRIVED back at the cabin, he grabbed a beer and went outside. As far as he was concerned, he would always prefer the outdoors, regardless of the comforts offered inside.

  He took a long pull from the bottle and pondered his dilemma. He had two personal rules for himself. Don’t butt into other people’s business and don’t lie unless it’s a military necessity. Lies always come back to bite you in the ass.

  Now, he might have to violate both of those principles.

  He glanced at his watch. A little before two.

  Would the kid show? If he didn’t, problem solved. He would do what he originally planned to do: leave the next day.

  But if he did, what then? Things would become a lot more complicated.

  Those expressive brown eyes that looked startled as his gaze met hers haunted him.

  He never would have guessed the kid and the doctor were brother and sister. Her hair and eyes were dark, while Gordon’s hair was blond and his eyes were blue. His younger sister had the same coloring. Odd.

  The sun was getting warmer. He took off his shirt and leaned back in the chair...

  “Hey, man.”

  The words woke him up. The kid stood next to him, staring at the scars on his chest. Dammit, he should have heard him approach. Jubal sat up and shrugged on his shirt.

  Gordon h
eld out a paper sack and Jubal looked inside. The sweats he’d given him were inside. Clean. Neatly folded.

  The kid looked for approval. He didn’t get it. “Ready to work?” Jubal said.

  “You said you were military,” Gordon said rather than answering.

  “Used to be.”

  “Which one?”

  “American, last I checked.”

  The kid look disgusted. “I mean branch.”

  “Does it matter?”

  “I’m thinking about joining.”

  “Can’t do that with a police record.”

  The kid shrugged. “I didn’t do anything.”

  “Just wrong place at the wrong time?”

  “Something like that.”

  “Bullshit. You put yourself there. Doesn’t matter if someone else committed the crime.”

  “I don’t need lectures,” the kid said. “Get enough of those already.” He paused, then asked in a more conciliatory tone, “Did you mean what you said about not telling anyone what happened last night, if I do some work for you?”

  There was a plea in the kid’s eyes, or maybe he was imagining it. But he saw himself thirty years ago when his mother took him from the father he loved. Probably not similar circumstances, but there was loss in the boy’s eyes, pain Jubal recognized.

  “Ever build anything?” he asked.

  “Like what?” Gordon asked suspiciously.

  “Anything.”

  The kid seemed to think for a minute. “A fort when I was fourteen.”

  “Was it any good?”

  “Still there, last I checked.” He smirked.

  “Work on a car or a bicycle?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Put something together? Read instructions?”

  “I guess.”

  “Well, I think a bench would look real nice over that place you scorched on the dock.”

  “You can’t even see it,” the kid complained.

  “There’s enough to see someone started a fire there. Speaking of that, where’s your partner in crime?”