The Lionhearted Cowboy Returns

The Lionhearted Cowboy Returns
Patricia Thayer

When cowboy Jeff Gentry tips his stetson, you’ll lose your heart! Rancher Lacey Guthrie must auction her livestock to keep a roof over her little family’s heads. The man bidding on her prized horses looks up and she’s left reeling! Jeff’s come back from the army in the same way he left – silently, broodingly, and bringing a whole heap of storming emotions.He says he wants to help her. . . But he believes he can’t love her, that he’s beyond redemption. How will Lacey show Jeff he’s a genuine hero?

THE RANDELL BROTHERHOOD

Coming home to take a bride!

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 it’s time. Time for the next generation!

In May we met Brandon Randell in: THE NO.1 SHERIFF IN TEXAS. He’s a detective with the Sheriff’s office and a mighty fine cowboy!

Now meet Brandon’s cousin Jeff in: THE LIONHEARTED COWBOY RETURNS! Hearts are fluttering, because he’s back from the U.S. Army and about to cause a whole heap of trouble!

“Sold, to the gentleman in the back row.”

Lacey looked out into the crowd at the person holding the numbered paddle. Squinting against the sunlight, she glanced over the man’s square jaw and the deep-set dark eyes. The cowboy hat shaded a lot of his face, but there was no mistaking who he was. Her heart raced as she followed his movement through the crowd, closely examining the man she remembered from so many years ago. Her gaze moved over his long torso to those broad shoulders.

He might look military, but there was a lot of Texas cowboy mixed in. Tall and muscular, he filled out a shirt like no other man she’d seen in a long time.

He glanced over his shoulder. Their eyes met for a second, and Lacey felt that odd feeling—a mixture of longing, sadness and a bit of anger. Before she could move or even acknowledge him, he turned and walked away.

So Master Sergeant Jeff Gentry had finally come home.

The Lionhearted Cowboy Returns

By

Patricia Thayer

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

Originally born and raised in Muncie, Indiana, PATRICIA THAYER is the second of eight children. She attended Ball State University, and soon afterwards headed West. Over the years she’s made frequent visits back to the Midwest, trying to keep up with her growing family.

Patricia has called Orange County, California, home for many years. She not only enjoys the warm climate, but also the company and support of other published authors in the local writers’ organisation. For the past eighteen years she has had the unwavering support and encouragement of her critique group. It’s a sisterhood like no other.

When she’s not working on a story, you might find her travelling the United States and Europe, taking in the scenery and doing story research while thoroughly enjoying herself accompanied by Steve, her husband for over thirty-five years. Together they have three grown sons and four grandsons. As she calls them, her own true-life heroes. On rare days off from writing you might catch her at Disneyland, spoiling those grandkids rotten! She also volunteers for the Grandparent Autism Network.

Patricia has written for over twenty years and has authored over thirty-six books for Silhouette and Harlequin Mills & Boon. She has been nominated for both the National Readers’ Choice Award and the prestigious RITA

. Her book NOTHING SHORT OF A MIRACLE won a RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice award.

A long-time member of Romance Writers of America, she has served as President and held many other board positions for her local chapter in Orange County. She’s a firm believer in giving back.

Check her website at www.patriciathayer.com for upcoming books.

To all the men and women in our Armed Forces.

Thank you for your service to our country.

And to my Tom in the U.S. Army, you make a mother proud. Stay safe and God speed.

Chapter One

HE’D been to hell and back, but he’d finally made it…home.

Jeff Gentry stood on the porch of the foreman’s cottage at the Rocking R Ranch. The sun was just coming up, but he was already feeling the Texas summer heat. He drew a long breath of the familiar country air, loving the earthy smells of cattle and horses. This place was where he’d grown up, where he’d been part of a family. As a kid, it was the first place he’d ever felt safe.

This had been the meaning of home to him, once. Could it be again?

For the past decade, the U.S. Army had been his home. Ten years was a long time. During his military service, he’d traveled the world and seen far too much destruction and death to resemble the kid who’d left the ranch at twenty. Now he had his own personal nightmares he needed to forget. And he lived with a particular one that had changed his life for good. He rubbed his thigh, still feeling pain. But, like the doctor had told him, he’d been one of the lucky ones.

He didn’t feel so lucky. The last mission had robbed him of his life as he’d known it, and of his future. And now he’d been sent home to figure out his next move. Could he come back to San Angelo and rejoin the Randell family?

“Morning, son.”

Jeff turned to see his father approach the porch. He put on a smile. “Hey, Dad.”

At fifty-five years old, Wyatt Gentry-Randell was still a formidable man. He walked tall, his spine straight. His muscular frame resulted from years of physical labor handling rodeo stock. He smiled easily, and he was a soft touch when it came to his wife and children.

Years ago, he’d married Maura Wells and taken on her two small children, Jeff and Kelly. The day Wyatt had adopted them had been the best day of Jeff’s life. Wyatt had erased a lot of years of painful memories for their mother, for all of them. And two more siblings, Andrew and Rachel, had been added into the mix.

Oh, yeah, he loved this man.

“What brings you out here?” Jeff asked, knowing that most of the family had given him what he’d asked for: space. “Do you need my help with anything?”

Wyatt handed him a mug filled with steaming coffee. “No. I just wanted to spend some time with my son. It’s nice to have you home.”

Jeff took a sip. “It’s good to be back.” It wasn’t a lie exactly. He enjoyed being here with his parents.

He leaned against the porch railing and looked around the impressive ranch. Every well-cared-for outbuilding had recently been painted glossy white. For over twenty years, twin brothers Wyatt and Dylan had run their rough-stock business here. Not only did Uncle Dylan raise Brahmas, he had a bull-riding school, too. Both were very profitable enterprises, and also came under the umbrella of the Randell Corporation, of which every family member was a paid shareholder.

The corporation had been formed about a dozen years ago by Wyatt and Dylan along with the other four Randell brothers, Chance, Cade, Travis and Jarred, plus two cousins, Luke and Brady. All their properties were involved, including a nature retreat and an authentic working cattle ranch. They’d also built horse-property homes in a gated community that overlooked the famous Mustang Valley where wild ponies roamed freely. That was a big tourist draw.

Even though Jeff and his sister weren’t blood, they’d always been considered Randells. And he had no doubt that the family would find a place even for a beat-up old soldier like him in the organization. But that was what he didn’t want—pity.

His father’s voice broke into his reverie. “We know the last several months have been rough, son. So take all the time you need. Just get used to being home again.”

It was hard to hang on to anger when you had that kind of support. Jeff was touched, but he wasn’t ready to talk about his time overseas, maybe not for a long time. If ever. He’d done enough of that after his rescue, during his months of rehab, and it hadn’t done a bit of good.

“I appreciate that, but I’m fine.” He forced that smile again. “Of course, I should take advantage of this to get out of work. I’ve never been fond of mucking out stalls.”

His father grinned. “It’s safe to say we have enough ranch hands to do that task. But maybe you’re up to going for a ride with Hank and I this morning?”

Jeff tensed. He wasn’t ready to meet up with all the Randell clan. “Where to?”

Wyatt sighed. “A ranch auction.” He studied his son. “The Guthrie place.”

Jeff couldn’t hide his shock at the mention of his childhood friend. “Trevor was having financial trouble?” he managed to ask, knowing it was a crazy question. After his friend’s death Lacey would have trouble handling things by herself.

Lacey Haynes Guthrie. Just hearing her name sent a rush through him. Damn, he hated that she still had that effect on him. In school, she was the girl everyone loved, but she’d only had eyes for one man and that was his best friend. Never him—until that one day.

“Why didn’t anyone say something sooner?”

His father looked at him. “First, you and your recovery were our main concern. And secondly, we didn’t know there were problems until I heard about the auction this morning.” He blew out a long breath. “With this economy, so many ranches are in trouble. And Trevor’s illness was costly…” His father raised an eyebrow. “Maybe you can talk with Lacey today.”

For years Jeff had tried never to think about her. It seemed like a lifetime ago when they’d all been friends. Best friends. Now Trevor was gone. “I don’t know what to say.” He released a breath. “How can I explain why I wasn’t around?”

“You tell her the truth, son. You were defending our country, and there was your extended stay in the hospital. All those surgeries on your leg. You’ve gone through a lot. There’s no shame in what happened to you.”

Jeff closed his eyes, trying to push aside the pain of the past year. “Dad, Lacey doesn’t need to hear my problems. She’s had enough to deal with.” He glanced at his father. “And it’s not something I’m ready to talk about yet.”

Wyatt nodded. “Okay, we’ll honor your decision. But I still think you should get out today.” A truck pulled up to the house. “Come on, your granddad’s here. And knowing your mom, she’s cooked up a storm. If you don’t show up, she gives your food to me.” He rubbed his flat stomach. “I’ve already had to loosen my belt a notch.”

He hated to worry his parents. “Okay, I’ll save you from blueberry-pancake overload.”