The SEAL's Return

by Patricia Potter

  They talked softly for an hour, then Luke ran his hands over the mare’s rump and nodded. “She’s stopped eating and that’s an indicator of impending delivery.”

  Jubal watched as Luke wrapped the mare’s tail, then dimmed the lights. Labor started at midnight. Luke’s wife arrived to stand in the aisle and watch over the top of the stall.

  By two a.m., the placental sac broke, releasing a gush of fluid. Then the mare was on her side and began to strain. A foal slid out, still in the sac.

  “Yeah, we’re good,” Luke whispered. “Two front feet and one nose.” He reached down and pulled the placenta away from the baby’s face.

  Jubal leaned over and looked right into the baby’s wide, dark eyes and watched brown ears wiggle back and forth.

  “Stay back, Melody is getting up,” Luke said.

  “That fast?” Jubal jumped back into the aisle as the mare gave a giant heave and surged to her feet. A moment later she turned, nickered gently and began to lick her baby. The pinto baby, which looked just like its mama, was already pushing to stand.

  “Sometimes,” Luke said, “we have to help them up and guide them to the teat, but this baby seems to be doing it all on his own. We can watch from outside the stall.”

  To Jubal, it was a miracle. Life beginning. He’d seen so much life ending, often in terrible ways.

  “It’s a colt,” Luke said with satisfaction, “And an easy birth. Mama did all the work.”

  “It was...” Jubal stopped, unable to express the feelings that were surging through him. The colt and mother together touched him as nothing else had.

  He felt a hand on his shoulder. “I know,” Luke said softly. “It never fails to amaze me. Every new birth is still a miracle, even after seeing so many. It’s one of the bonuses of this business.”

  It was near dawn when Tracy left to make breakfast. Tim left for home. Jubal and Luke cleaned the stall, replacing the soiled straw with some that was fresh and dry. The colt was contentedly nursing and the mom kept looking anxiously at her new arrival. Jubal thought he saw pride in her eyes.

  “They’ll go out alone, just the two of them in the mare’s paddock for a week or so. Let the others get used to talking to them over the fence,” Luke said, then glanced at Jubal. “You want to name him?”

  Jubal swallowed hard. An odd tug pulled on his heart. And a rare indecisiveness. He knew a lot about survival and weapons and killing. Not so much about something so new and innocent...a wonder, really.

  “Can I think about it?” he asked.

  “Yeah. No worry.”

  An hour later with a large breakfast under his belt, Jubal drove home.

  The moon was visible even as dawn spread a golden light across the horizon. For the first time he could remember, Jubal was at peace in his world.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  THE COVENANT FALLS Medical Clinic opened at nine on Saturday morning and closed a little after noon.

  “An easy morning,” Lisa said as Janie checked out the last patient. It had consisted of colds, a deep cut, a sprained ankle and prescription renewals.

  Janie had given her a list of low-income patients with chronic diseases. She was discovering that finding ways to cut costs for her patients was part of her job. After talking to the town’s pharmacist about ways to minimize their costs, she made a note to call pharmaceutical reps on Monday and ask for free samples.

  It was treating the whole patient that she enjoyed most about the practice. Many of them told stories about Dr. Bradley and how he’d delivered them and even their mother or father. They all loved him.

  Her cell rang as she locked the door. “Hi.” Eve’s cheerful voice came over the phone. “You haven’t been to Josh’s inn yet and we’d like to take you to dinner there tonight. It’s short notice, but there’s an excellent Western group playing tonight. Several of its members were in the pageant chorus. I know you enjoyed it and thought you would like this, as well. Josh has booked them before and he’s always had great reviews.”

  Lisa hesitated. She wasn’t sure whether the invitation included Gordon and Kerry.

  “I thought you might enjoy an evening without worrying whether the kids are enjoying it,” Eve added as though reading her thoughts.

  “You noticed that the other night?”

  “I’ve noticed my son doesn’t enjoy the inn as much as he enjoys dinner at home. He feels he has to be on his best behavior.”

  Eve was right. Gordon and Kerry had said very little at the dinner at Eve’s house, and yes, she would enjoy seeing the inn. She was fascinated with the Camel Trail Inn sign and the legend.

  She paused, thinking. She could make a hamburger casserole for Kerry and Gordon. It was one of their favorite meals, and she would promise to do whatever they wanted tomorrow. Tonight, they’d be fine for a few hours without her. After all, Gordon was seventeen and Kerry nearly fourteen.

  And the idea of an all adult dinner was attractive.

  “I would love that,” she said. “Thank you.”

  “Oh, and dress is nothing fancy. Maybe country chic, if that makes any sense.”

  Lisa wasn’t quite sure what that was, but she guessed a simple skirt and blouse would do. “Okay,” she said.

  “Good. I’ll make reservations. Josh and I will pick you up at a quarter to seven.

  After Lisa hung up, she went home and found a note from Kerry. She had taken Susie over to Stephanie’s clinic to volunteer. Maybe, Lisa thought, her sister was a budding veterinarian.

  That meant she had the afternoon off. Gordon had grabbed two slices of toast and left for Jubal Pierce’s cabin shortly after seven this morning.

  She knew she should be relieved Gordon was being conscientious about the job, but she still had the feeling he was hiding something from her. He certainly had become adept at doing that in Chicago, and she hadn’t truly trusted him since.

  But what could it be?

  Maybe she was seeing problems where there were none. Last year had been so traumatic for all of them. She’d let everyone down—her mother, her aunt, the kids, herself... If she’d been around more, if she’d waited another year to finish the residency, well, then she would have been home when needed. It was the reason she didn’t confront her brother now. She didn’t feel she had the moral authority. Gordon certainly didn’t feel she did.

  And that brought her back to Jubal Pierce. Unfortunately, he occupied too many of her thoughts and, when he did, warmth surged through her in a most disturbing way.

  She mentally cataloged what she knew about him, which was precious little. He had no family; at least, that was her impression. He’d said his grandparents were Texans and that his father had been in the rodeo. Nothing about his mother. She didn’t know whether he’d ever been married.

  What she did know was disconcerting. He was a veteran and had been wounded, probably several times over if his body was any indication.

  He was uncommonly fit. She knew of his runs and early-morning swims and had seen that hard muscled body. He was every inch a warrior.

  After seeing that tattoo, she’d looked it up on her computer. It was the SEAL Trident. She’d read enough to know they were among the most skilled and fierce fighters. She also knew they operated in teams that were as close as any family. What had happened to his?

  What fascinated her was the gentleness he’d displayed with her sister and the dog, and the odd connection he had with Gordon. And this morning she learned from Janie that he was now working for a rancher and had helped birth a colt.

  Nothing, obviously, was a secret in Covenant Falls.

  The fact that he apparently had a job on a ranch meant he would likely be staying longer than he’d originally intended. She’d understood he would be here only a few days and hadn’t overly worried about his influence on Gordon. Or the attra
ction that had flared between them.

  Darn it, but he was intriguing. Complicated. And the last person she needed in her life.

  Or Gordon’s. If Jubal Pierce became a hero to him, a role model, she’d guess the odds of Gordon enlisting in ten months would go up.

  She didn’t want to lose another family member. She couldn’t.

  So why didn’t she put a stop to things? Why let Jubal linger in her mind?

  Darn it, she wouldn’t any longer. A long soaking bath sounded good, especially if she was going out for the evening. Bath oil and a candle sounded even better but she didn’t have any. A trip to the general store was in order. She might even buy something new to wear tonight.

  And she would forget about Jubal Pierce.

  * * *

  GORDON REDDING ARRIVED at Jubal’s cabin at seven-thirty Saturday morning.

  Jubal had been awake for hours, although he’d actually slept in the bed after a short rain shower chased him from the lounge chair.

  He rose at dawn, ran several miles, then plunged into the lake for a swim. Then he settled down in the chair on the porch with his book on ranching. He knew Gordon would show. He had something to prove.

  Gordon parked his bike, glanced at the porch, then went up the steps and opened the door. “I’m here.”

  “I’m not blind,” Jubal said. “I borrowed the tools you should need. They are in the box next to the lumber. If you need anything more, tell me. If not, you can get started.”

  “You’re not going to...?” Gordon stopped.

  “Help? Supervise? No. Remember, you’re the contractor. I’m going to sit here, drink my coffee and read a book.”

  The kid shook his head and walked to the boards, picked up two and carried them down the drive. Jubal watched as the boy carried everything out to the dock, then went back to his book.

  He heard hammering on and off. An hour went by, then another. He told himself not to interfere. It would ruin the mission. Gordon had to do it himself. If you tear something down, you have to rebuild it.

  At noon, he made a couple of sandwiches and grabbed two sodas. He started down the path when he saw Gordon talking to someone. He immediately recognized the boy from the night he arrived. He was the one that had apparently been a lookout but had run instead.

  Jubal resisted the temptation to go out there and knock the kid in the water as he had Gordon. But he waited. He knew there was an argument. It was in Gordon’s stance. The new kid suddenly took a swing at Gordon, who ducked. Gordon then charged his opponent and they both went into the water.

  Jubal didn’t wait another second. He dropped the food and ran to the dock, only to see Gordon pull the other kid out of the water and dump him on the dry ground. He stared at Jubal defiantly.

  The other kid took off running toward an old Buick parked in the circle at the end of Lake Road. Jubal could have caught up with the boy but he was more concerned with Gordon at the moment. Besides, he had the boy’s face memorized now and he planned to ask Clint about him.

  “You handle yourself pretty well,” he said. “Go inside the house. You can borrow those same sweats you wore before. I’ll put your clothes in the dryer.”

  “What about the bench?”

  Jubal looked at it. It was nearly finished, and it looked damn good. It hadn’t been anchored, and there were no arms yet, but the bench seat was angled for comfort. It looked sturdy. Hell, he might even use it.

  “Doesn’t look like it’ll take you long to finish. Looks like a good job. What did that coward want, anyway?”

  “Nothin’,” Gordon said. He obviously wasn’t going to admit anything.

  Jubal shrugged. “Okay, but I’ll keep an eye out for him.”

  Gordon followed him to the cabin, changed clothes, then ate two sandwiches like he hadn’t eaten in days. “I heard you’ve been working at a ranch,” he said when he finished.

  “Part-time.”

  “You like it?” Gordon said.

  “Yeah, I do.”

  “You said your dad was in the rodeo. That must’ve been neat.”

  “It was, as long as it lasted,” Jubal replied.

  “You think I could go to the ranch with you sometime?”

  “Your sister would have to approve.”

  “She let Kerry ride at Mrs. Manning’s house.”

  “But your sister was there.”

  Interest seemed to die in Gordon’s eyes. The kid obviously felt rebuffed and Jubal didn’t want that. He liked him more every time he saw him. He had a chip the size of a boulder on his shoulder but he was a hard worker and smarter than he wanted anyone to think.

  Jubal related to that, particularly the boulder.

  The kid went back to work.

  Back off, Jubal told himself. After the bench was finished, Gordon would no longer be his business. He would be doing a disservice to both of them if he encouraged any kind of friendship. The kid was obviously hungering for a father figure, and Jubal sure as hell wasn’t one, not to mention he still didn’t plan to stay around long.

  His phone rang and he picked it up. “It’s Josh. How would you like to come to the inn for dinner tonight? We have a damn good restaurant there and entertainment to boot. Can you join us?”

  Jubal liked Maude’s, but he was curious. Josh had apparently carved out a new life for himself. He seemed content. Jubal wanted to know his path. “Sounds good. What time?”

  “Seven.”

  “I’ll be there. Thanks.”

  Three hours later, Gordon returned to the cabin with the box full of tools. “I’m finished, unless you want me to paint it.”

  Jubal followed the kid to the dock and inspected the bench. He sat down on it and damn if it wasn’t comfortable.

  Gordon looked anxious. “I can paint it.”

  “I don’t think it needs it. Consider your debt paid after you take the wood trimmings to the cottage.”

  Gordon picked up the bits and pieces of wood and headed back to the cabin.

  “Ever build anything before?” Jubal asked as they reached the cabin.

  “Just that kid’s fort I told you about.”

  “What about with your dad?”

  “A bicycle. A train set. Stuff like that.” For a moment, he looked lost.

  “Tough break.”

  “Yeah. Well, I gotta go.”

  Jubal reached in his pocket, took out a twenty and handed it to Gordon.

  “What’s this for?” Gordon asked.

  “Call it a bonus.”

  Gordon looked surprised but took it. “You need anything else done?” he asked.

  “Not at the moment.”

  “About the ranch,” Gordon said tentatively. “Maybe I could learn to ride...?” He paused, then grinned. “I got twenty dollars to pay.”

  “If your sister agrees, I’ll check with the rancher.” Jubal tried not to smile. He was well pleased that Luke had already agreed, but he’d wanted the idea to come from Gordon.

  Gordon hesitated. Shifted on his feet. “Thanks, Mr. Pierce,” he said.

  “No more fires,” Jubal replied.

  Gordon nodded. “No more fires,” the boy confirmed before going to his bike and pedaling away.

  Two hours later, Jubal shaved and dressed for dinner. An inn required something more than sweatpants or jeans. He had one decent pair of pants and he added a long-sleeved shirt. No tie. Hell, he didn’t even own a tie.

  He rolled up the sleeves of the shirt and looked at the clock. It was six-thirty.

  He wanted a drink. Unfortunately, he was out of both beer and anything stronger. He sighed, half wishing he’d refused. He really just wanted to enjoy his victory today. Privately. He had been right about Gordon. The fact that the kid had lost his father at around the same ag
e Jubal lost his made him feel even more confident in the work they’d done together.

  At fifteen minutes to seven, he left the cabin.

  * * *

  LISA WAS LOOKING forward to going to the inn. She’d heard about it from Janie and several other patients who had asked how she liked Covenant Falls. Everyone loved Maude’s, but they also mentioned the inn as something special. She made her casserole and tried to call Gordon to find out when he would arrive, but he hadn’t answered. He’d said he would be working at Jubal Pierce’s cabin, but he hadn’t specified how long he’d be gone.

  She thought about driving over there but that would be saying she didn’t trust him. She told herself she had to give him some space. At least trouble seemed to be limited in Covenant Falls.

  The front door slammed and Gordon strolled into the room.

  His face was sunburned, and his clothes a mess.

  “I’m glad you’re home,” she said. “I’ve been invited to dinner tonight with the Mannings. Can you stay home and look after Kerry? I have a hamburger casserole ready to go in the oven.”

  “Okay,” he said.

  The answer surprised her, but she wasn’t about to question gifts. “Thanks,” she said. “Did you finish what you were doing at Mr. Pierce’s cabin?”

  “Yeah. Mr. Pierce said I did a good job.”

  Lisa heard a pride that had been missing for a long time. She remembered before their mother got sick when he would rush home with some project or another that had won an award. He’d always had a knack for putting things together. “That’s great,” she said.

  “He’s working at a horse ranch outside town,” Gordon said.

  “I heard.”

  “They raise quarter horses,” Gordon added.