Brady: The Rebel Rancher Read online

  Home to Texas and straight to the altar!

  A home. A family. A legacy of their own.

  Mustang Valley has long been home to the brotherhood. United by blood, trust and loyalty, these men fight for what they believe—for family, for what’s right and ultimately…for love.

  Now there are newcomers in their midst. Two gorgeous new Randell brothers are back to reclaim their heritage, find their family and just maybe discover the women of their dreams….

  In January,

  Luke Randell returned and claimed a wife in

  Luke: The Cowboy Heir

  Now his brother’s back!

  But is this rebel ready to wed?

  Find out in

  Brady: The Rebel Rancher

  Dear Reader,

  I’m so pleased that I have the opportunity to return to Mustang Valley and revisit the Randell men from my TEXAS BROTHERHOOD series. You will want to find out what Jack Randell’s boys Chance, Cade and Travis have been up to. Along with their half brothers Jared Trager and Wyatt and Dylan Gentry, they have all adjusted to the valley. I’m here to say that they’re all doing well, including Hank Barrett, the adopted patriarch of the family.

  My inspiration for this series and Hank’s character was my dear friend Hence Barrow, a West Texas rancher. He’s the one who taught this city girl all about ranching. I’m sorry to say Hence passed away in 2007, just a few months shy of his ninety-eighth birthday, but I’ll never forget his stories and his love of the land. It was an honor and a privilege to know him, and to be called his friend. I’ll miss you, Hence.

  In this series I bring Jack’s brother Sam Randell’s sons, Luke and Brady, to the valley. In this story, F-16 pilot Captain Brady Randell is injured on a mission and comes home to the Rocking R Ranch. While recuperating he gets to know his half brother and the rest of the Randell cousins. He also tangles with an independent female veterinarian, Lindsey Stafford, who has secrets of her own. In the end they both want the same thing—to be a part of the Randell family.

  There are many more surprises. I hope you enjoy it.

  With regards,

  Patricia Thayer

  PATRICIA THAYER

  Brady: The Rebel Rancher

  Patricia Thayer has been writing for more than twenty years, and has published thirty books with Harlequin®. Her books have been nominated for various awards in the U.S. including the National Readers’ Choice Award, the Book Buyers’ Best and a prestigious RITA® Award. In 1997, Nothing Short of a Miracle won the Romantic Times BOOKreviews Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Special Edition.

  Thanks to the understanding men in her life—her husband of more than thirty-five years, Steve, and her three grown sons and three grandsons—Pat has been able to fulfill her dream of writing. Besides writing romance fiction, she loves to travel—especially in the West, where she researches her books firsthand. You might find her on a ranch in Texas or on a train to an old mining town in Colorado, and this year you’ll find her on an adventure in Scotland. Just so long as she can share it all with her favorite hero, Steve. She loves to hear from readers. You can write to her at P.O. Box 6251, Anaheim, California 92816-0251, U.S.A., or check her Web site at www.patriciathayer.com for upcoming books.

  Don't miss Patricia Thayer's

  next Harlequin Romance

  The Cowboy's Baby

  July 2009

  To the newest addition to the family,

  Finley Steven. Hero material for sure. And to his

  mother, Daralynn. You never stop amazing me.

  Thank you for another fine grandson.

  CONTENTS

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  EPILOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE

  HE’D always been told he was too cocky for his own good.

  On a sunny November morning, Brady Randell hobbled out to the porch with the aid of a crutch. His left leg was bandaged from his last surgery and covered in a removable cast strapped from his foot up over his knee to his thigh. It served to protect the damaged bone so it could heal properly. If it ever did. Three months since the accident, and he wasn’t feeling so damn cocky anymore.

  With a groan Brady dropped into the Adirondack chair. This was about as far as he traveled these days. He was tired of doing nothing but sleeping, eating and sitting around. Oh, yeah, he forgot about going to therapy twice a week. Or maybe he should call it torture.

  After all his hard work, he hoped for a payoff, some good news when he saw the doctor next week. With a little luck he could get the cast off and finally be able to walk on his own again.

  “Wouldn’t that be a miracle,” he murmured in frustration.

  He sighed, recalling the vivid details of the accident that had caused him to drop right out of the sky. He’d barely had time to eject from the cockpit before the crash of his F-16.

  Brady tensed. He could still feel the bone-bruising tremors; hear the death screams of the powerful aircraft disintegrating as it plowed into the desert floor. He’d gone over and over in his head what he could have done differently. What had gone so terribly wrong that day?

  Was this possibly the end of Captain “Rebel” Randell’s air force career?

  Now instead of being in the cockpit of the Fighting Falcon, he was parked on a porch of the foreman’s house outside San Angelo, Texas. His daddy’s home, the Rocking R Ranch. After Sam Randell’s death, it now belonged to him and his half brother, Luke, who, after thirty years, he’d finally met. Since the accident, Brady had needed a place to heal. He thought a remote, inherited ranch would be perfect for a loner like him.

  Brady stared out toward the barn and corral area where his new sister-in-law, Tess Randell, was working one of her horses in the large arena. She rode like nobody’s business. Watching her skill and grace was the treat of his day. That and being left alone.

  Brady closed his eyes and leaned back. Not that he was going to get any peace and quiet staying here. He had family coming out of the woodwork. Up at the main ranch house Luke lived with his bride and readymade family—a young daughter, Livy, Tess’s father, Ray, who had Alzheimer’s and kept referring to Brady as Sam’s boy. And Aunt Bernice, who spoke her mind and could cook up a storm.

  They weren’t so bad, but the six Randell cousins who lived in the neighboring ranches with all their wives and kids were a bit much. And there were lots of kids. Evidently, there wasn’t much else to do on the ranch during those long nights.

  With a groan he shifted in his chair, recalling the last time he’d spent the night with a willing woman. It had been too long.

  “Excuse me, are you all right?”

  At the sound of a female voice, Brady’s eyes shot open. He blinked and focused on a pair of big, emerald-green eyes staring back at him from the edge of the porch. They belonged to a petite woman dressed in snug jeans, a white blouse and a denim jacket. Her hair was the rich color of cinnamon, cut just at her jawline, and wayward strands brushed against her full lips. A black cowboy hat sat firmly on her head.

  He swallowed the sudden dryness in his throat. “I’m fine,” he told her.

  “I heard you groan and—” she glanced down at his injured leg “—wondered if you were in pain.”

  Damn right he was. “I’m fine,” he repeated.

  She gave him a half smile and his heart began to race. “Then I apologize for disturbing you.”

  This woman could disturb a man in a coma. She
looked like every man’s dream. That was if you were into fiery redheads. Oh, yeah. He sat up straighter. “Are you lost or something?”

  She looked around. “I’m here to see Tess Randell.”

  Brady glanced at the oversize case she was toting. Great, a solicitor out in the middle of nowhere. “If you’re here to sell her something, she’s busy.”

  The woman shook her head and raised an eyebrow. “Actually, I was invited. She called me.”

  “Right.”

  Her shoulders tensed. “If you’ll just direct me to Tess Randell, I won’t bother you any longer.”

  From the corner of his eye, Brady saw his sister-in-law hurrying toward them. “Looks like we’ll both get our wish,” he told the pretty intruder.

  Tess rushed toward them. “Good, you found us,” she said a little breathless. The statuesque blonde wore her long hair tired back in a ponytail. “Did you have much trouble with my directions?”

  The redhead glanced at Brady. “Nothing I couldn’t handle.”

  Smiling, Tess’s gaze shifted to him. “Have you two met?”

  Before Brady could speak, the woman said, “We haven’t had a chance.”

  “Brady, this is Dr. Lindsey Stafford. She’s the new veterinarian taking over Dr. Hillman’s practice while he’s recovering from his hip surgery. Be nice, or you’ll have to answer to the Randell cousins, especially Travis. He went all the way to Dallas to find her.” Tess turned to the redhead. “Lindsey, this is my brother-in-law, Brady Randell. He’s a captain in the air force.”

  Lindsey fought her nervousness. Not because the man was drop-dead gorgeous, but every time she met another Randell she was afraid someone would figure out who she was.

  “It was nice to meet you, Brady.” She held out her hand.

  He shook it. “Same here, Doc. You’ll excuse me if I don’t get up.”

  She nodded, not missing the sarcasm in his voice. “Hope you have a speedy recovery.”

  Those midnight eyes locked with hers. “Not nearly as much as I do.”

  “Well,” Tess began, “I better take you down to the barn.” She turned to Brady. “You need anything?”

  “No, I can manage.”

  Tess nodded. “If you see Luke, tell him where I went. Come with me, Lindsey.”

  Lindsey quickly followed Tess along the path. She didn’t want to have any more conversation with the man.

  “Sorry about my brother-in-law,” Tess began. “He’s recovering from an accident and is a little antsy with his confinement. Of course, that doesn’t excuse his rude behavior.”

  “You don’t have to apologize for him. I’ll just keep my distance next visit.”

  Tess Randell was beautiful to begin with, but when she smiled she was gorgeous. Tall, with long legs, her every movement was graceful. Everything Lindsey always wanted to be. But at twenty-nine she was resigned to the fact she’d stopped growing at five-foot-three, and her freckles across her nose would not suddenly vanish.

  They arrived at the pristine white barn and walked inside. Lindsey looked around the well-kept area where new-looking stalls lined both walls. She followed Tess down the center aisle to a section that was designated as the grooming area. A stable boy was washing one of the horses.

  They continued past three beautiful quarter horses that peered over their gates to see the visitors. “These are horses I board and train, and their owner has given me permission to call you if I feel the need.”

  “Good.” Lindsey stopped to pet one of the equines. “I’d hate to think about something happening to one of these beautiful animals.”

  “That’s the reason I’m so happy you came here to practice.”

  “I was lucky to get the chance.” She walked alongside of Tess. “I don’t have much experience yet, and this will definitely help build my résumé.” And she never dreamed she would get the opportunity to meet the Randells. It was a chance she couldn’t pass up.

  “The vet you interned for in Ft. Worth gave you a glowing recommendation. That’s good enough for us.” They stopped at the stall of a young bay stallion. “This here is Smooth Whiskey Doc. He’s my number-one concern. I hope to have him compete in the NCHA Futurity.”

  Lindsey was mesmerized by the beautiful golden bay horse. When she went to him, he showed no shyness and came to the gate to greet her. She set her case down and he immediately nudged her hand. When she rubbed his muzzle, he blew out a breath.

  “I think I’m in love,” Lindsey said with a big grin. But her thoughts suddenly turned to the brooding Brady Randell.

  “Be careful,” Tess warned. “He’s fickle.”

  “I don’t doubt that for a second,” she said, remarking about both stallions.

  Whiskey bobbed his head as if to agree and they both laughed. All the time, Lindsey was looking the animal over. He was about sixteen hands high, his eyes were clear, and his coat shiny. Well cared for.

  “What seems to be your problem, big boy?”

  Tess swung open the gate and walked in beside the horse. Her hand smoothed over his withers across his back and down his rump. “It’s probably minor, but I didn’t want to take a chance with this guy.” She talked soothingly as she leaned down to reveal the gash just below the hock on his hind leg.

  “I was working him in a cutting exercise and he got clipped by a steer.”

  Lindsey ran her hand along the horse’s rump as she crooned to him. She didn’t want to get kicked because the animal was nervous. Tess did her part, too, to keep Whiskey still.

  Lindsey examined the open wound closely, then asked, “When did it happen?”

  “About a week ago. I’ve been treating it with the normal antiseptic cream and clean bandages.”

  “You were right to call me. In a few more days, this could have really gotten infected. I believe a strong dose of antibiotics will clear it up, but I want you to stop training for a few days.”

  Lindsey went to her bag. “I’ve looked over Dr. Hillman’s file on Whiskey. He was examined just a month ago, but I’ll give him a quick check just so I can get familiar with him.”

  Tess looked relieved. “That’s fine with me.”

  After the exam, Lindsey gave Whiskey a glowing report. They came out of the stall in time to see a man walking down the aisle. He was tall with a muscular build, coal-black hair and a cleft chin. Obviously another Randell.

  “Luke,” Tess called, love shining in her eyes. “You’re finished with the meeting already.”

  “Not exactly.” He leaned down and kissed his wife, then looked at Lindsey. “Hello, you must be Dr. Stafford. I’m Luke Randell.”

  She nodded. So, another cousin to Jack’s boys. “Lindsey, please. Nice to meet you.” Oh, my, another charming Randell man. Suddenly Captain Brady Randell came into her head. Correction. Not all were charming. Some were just too damn good-looking.

  Brady stood leaning against the porch post as he watched for the redheaded vet to come out of the barn. Hell, why not? How often did a pretty woman—who wasn’t a Randell—come around? It was the most excitement he’d had in days. Besides, he had nothing better to do.

  That wasn’t exactly true.

  He glanced toward the large house on the hill. There were several cars parked in the driveway, probably for another business meeting with Randell Corp. He’d been invited to attend, but he’d declined. He wasn’t into numbers and budgets. That was his brother’s show.

  All Brady had to do was sit back and let everyone else handle things. Hadn’t that been what he’d done since he arrived here? Just sit around and heal. Isn’t that what he wanted? Silence and solitude so he could think?

  He raked his fingers through his grown-out regulation military cut, then across the two-day beard along his jaw. He’d let himself go to hell. Suddenly he cared, because a woman showed up here.

  The sound of laughter brought him back to reality. He looked toward the barn to see Luke and Tess, escorting the pretty vet down the path toward the house.

  Great. Why hadn
’t he gone inside sooner. The last thing he wanted was for them to find him here. But before he could make his escape, his brother spotted him.

  “Hey, Brady.” He waved and they started to the porch.

  He froze. “Hey, Luke.”

  They arrived all smiles and Brady suddenly felt left out. “Have you met Lindsey Stafford?”

  He nodded, trying to balance his weight using the post. “We’ve met already.”

  The redhead looked up at Luke and smiled. “Brady mistook me for a salesperson.”

  “Really.” Luke stood there looking smug.

  Brady refused to let his brother outmaneuver him. He could sweet-talk as well as the next guy. “Well, Doc, no one said our new vet would look like you. I guess you could say I was blindsided.”

  Lindsey could see through Brady’s sudden charming attitude. Well, she wasn’t going to let him have the upper hand. “Believe me, it won’t happen again,” she told him, unable to understand why he seemed to dislike her so. “I should get back, Mr. Randell,” she said, then turned away to go with Tess and Luke.

  Before she could make her departure, she heard a curse and a thud. She swung around to find Brady Randell lying on the porch floor.

  “Brady!” Luke called. He was the first to reach him. Lindsey followed behind him.

  She knelt down beside Brady, who was lying flat on his back. He tried to raise his head, his face strained in pain. “No, stay where you are,” she ordered.

  He grimaced again. “Who made you the boss?”

  “Are you going to fight me for the title?” She was eyeing the leg in a cast. “Did you twist your leg?”

  “No, I fell on my arm, trying to catch myself,” he said, still fighting her to sit up.

  Once again, she pushed him back down. “Lie still,” she ordered, then reached for his arm.

  “What the hell are you doing?” He tried to pull away.