Home on the Ranch--Colorado Rancher

  Finding her wings

  Lauren MacInnes’s life has been up in the air for over a year—in a very different way from her flying days. The former fighter pilot is completely focused on her teen daughter after a devastating accident. An equine therapy program for children of veterans in Colorado offers new hope. And Lauren would give anything to see Julie smile again.

  Rancher Reese Howard fascinates Lauren with his passion for helping wounded children and wild mustangs. He’s the first man to stir her interest since losing her husband. The gruff rancher is also her complete opposite—dedicated to the land, while Lauren longs to fly again. Julie still comes first, but is it time for Lauren to find happiness of her own...even love?

  “Are you going back to San Antonio?”

  “I don’t know,” she said. “I resigned my commission. There’s nothing there now except the past. There are friends, of course, but their lives revolve around the air force.” She stopped. “I don’t know why I’m babbling about this.” Her gaze met his. Electricity ran between them, sparking and sizzling in ways that baffled her. She swallowed hard, then tried to break the spell. “I’m not used to being aimless,” she admitted.

  “I understand that,” he said. “Do you feel comfortable riding outside a ring?”

  “I think it depends on the horse,” she said cautiously.

  “I can find one. It’ll be an hour before Julie finishes the lesson and cools down the horse. There are two more parents arriving, but they shouldn’t be here before noon.” He paused, then added, “Would you like to see more of the ranch on horseback?”

  Don’t go, a voice inside warned her.

  Instead, she nodded and hoped she wouldn’t make a fool out of herself.

  Dear Reader,

  I’ve always been intrigued by mustangs. My first effort in writing was a story about wild horses when I was eight.

  In Colorado Rancher, I can revisit the subject along with writing what I like writing best—a romance between two people whose differences are so profound it’s difficult to see how they can ever get together, but then they find a way to do exactly that.

  In this case, there couldn’t be two more different people than rancher Reese Howard and fighter pilot Lauren MacInnes. One loves the land. The other loves the sky.

  Reese Howard’s ranch has been in the family since the 1800s. His passion is saving wild mustangs and helping youngsters who’ve lost a military parent.

  Air Force Major MacInnes’s daughter is badly injured in an accident that killed Lauren’s husband. All she wants is to help her daughter heal.

  Fortunately, Reese and Lauren wrote their own ending.

  But I’ll give you a hint. It’s through a combination of kids, dogs, horses, a storm and an uncooperative computer that they learn love makes anything possible.

  Happy reading!

  Pat

  Home on the Ranch

  Colorado Rancher

  Patricia Potter

  USA TODAY bestselling author Patricia Potter always knew writing was her future, but storytelling was diverted when curiosity steered her into journalism.

  Storytelling, though, won out, and she has since written more than seventy books and novellas, ranging from historical to suspense to contemporary romance.

  She has received numerous writing awards, including the RT Book Reviews Storyteller of the Year Award, the Career Achievement Award for Western Historical Romance and Best Hero of the Year. She is a seven-time RITA® Award finalist and a three-time Maggie Award winner.

  She is a past president of the Georgia Romance Writers, River City Romance Writers and Romance Writers of America.

  Books by Patricia Potter

  Home on the Ranch: Colorado Cowboy

  Harlequin Superromance

  Home to Covenant Falls

  The Soldier’s Promise

  Tempted by the Soldier

  A Soldier’s Journey

  The SEAL’s Return

  Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles.

  Dedicated to the many ranchers and farmers who offer Horses for Heroes programs for troubled veterans and for the families of fallen soldiers.

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Epilogue

  Excerpt from Home to the Blue Stallion Ranch by Stella Bagwell

  Prologue

  Bagram Air Force Base, Afghanistan

  The SEAL team was in trouble.

  Her adrenaline running high, Air Force Major Lauren MacInnes turned her Eagle II fighter toward a mountainous area of Afghanistan. She’d been alerted to assist, if necessary, a team of SEALs sent to capture a top Taliban leader.

  As she flew at a low altitude, Oscar, her weapons system operator in the backseat, located the SEAL team and concentrated on the images of figures converging on them. The SEALs had been notified of unwelcome company and were taking defensive positions.

  She held steady on the course as Oscar monitored the information coming from the drone and the Eagle’s sensor equipment, and then fired on the oncoming enemy.

  She watched as the ground below erupted into flashes of light. She stayed in the sky, flying at a low altitude, until the SEALs signaled “Thanks, mission accomplished.” Then she and Oscar exchanged banter on the way back to base.

  She was exhilarated. It was one of the good days. The SEALs had captured their objective with no casualties on their side. That high was what kept her in the air force. It held the same attraction for her husband.

  Lauren took fierce pride in being one of the few women fighter pilots, but she feared it would come to an end soon. Her daughter needed a mother at home.

  Lauren landed. Her stomach clenched when she saw two corporals waiting for her as she left the plane. “The colonel is waiting for you,” one said as if Lauren had purposely delayed her return.

  It had to be important. In the years she’d been deployed, she’d never had such a curt summons. She was not only met, but also escorted. She grew even more concerned when they headed directly toward her commanding officer’s office, bypassing the adjutant. One of the corporals knocked on the door and received a short “Come in,” in response.

  Lauren took a deep breath. Her superior’s response meant Colonel Adams had cleared his calendar for this encounter. Several possible scenarios ran through her mind. Had she not finished the job? Had they accidentally hit one or more SEALs? Or the village?

  She was particularly alarmed when the colonel stood when she entered. She saluted and waited for the dressing-down she feared was coming.

  “Sit down,” the colonel said, motioning to a chair in front of her. He turned to the escorts. “Dismissed.”

  When Lauren sat straight up in the uncomfortable chair, Colonel Adams sat down on the corner of his crowded desk. “I have bad news, Lauren.”

  Lauren sat up even straighter. She was eager to end this deployment and get home to her husband and daughter, but not the wrong way.

  “It’s your husband, Lauren,” Adams said slowly. “There’s no easy way to say this. Dane was killed last night in an automobile acci
dent. Your daughter was injured. You’re needed back home. As of now you’re on compassionate leave.”

  Lauren stopped breathing. She felt as though she’d been slugged in her sternum. She’d misheard, surely. It didn’t make sense. Dane was back in the States. He should be safe. Both he and her daughter. He was a damned good driver as well as a pilot, especially when Julie was with him.

  “No,” she said. “It must be a mistake. He’s a great driver.”

  “It was a drunk driver. He T-boned them on the driver’s side. I’m sorry, Lauren.”

  It was a nightmare. Not real. She couldn’t accept the fact Dane was gone. She clenched her fists and willed herself to breathe. Concentrate. “Julie was injured? How badly?”

  “From what I understand, she has serious but not critical injuries.” He handed Lauren a sheet of paper. “Here are contacts for you. The hospital, the chaplain, Julie’s doctors. I have you on a military flight to Germany in two hours and another to the States an hour after you arrive in Germany.”

  Lauren was still too stunned to say anything, to feel the pain she knew was coming. Dane was so damn competent at everything he did. A drunk driver, her colonel had said. He simply couldn’t die that way.

  A windstorm of loss swept over her. She and Dane met in pilot training. They were rivals, then friends and finally lovers. When they discovered the new Joint Spouse Program would allow them to stay together, it was just the excuse they needed to exchange rings. Their daughter, Julie, was born two years later in Germany.

  He’d recently been promoted and transferred to San Antonio where she thought he would be safe.

  Lauren closed her eyes and prayed Julie wasn’t hurt badly. She couldn’t think about Dane. Not now. She curled her fingers around the paper to avoid shouting out in denial. Instead, she tried to prioritize. She couldn’t do anything for Dane now. Concentrate on Julie.

  “Everything I know is contained on that paper,” Colonel Adams said after giving her a moment to absorb the news. “Hospital and physician numbers. You should be able to reach the hospital for a progress report and they’re waiting on you to contact them. They can’t do anything but emergency medicine without your approval.”

  He paused, then added, “Major Marsh and his wife are staying at the hospital with your daughter until you arrive, and you have his number. I understand you are close friends.”

  Too numb to speak, she just nodded.

  He paused. “I’m so sorry, Lauren. It’s damned unfair. If there’s anything I can do, just name it.”

  Lauren rose from the chair. She would have to rush to get everything together in an hour. “Thanks for arranging everything,” she managed to say.

  “I would hate to lose you,” Colonel Adams said. “You’re one of my best pilots and you did a damn good job today. There are eight SEALs still alive because of you.” He hesitated, then added, “Dane was a damned fine pilot and a good guy.”

  Was.

  Instead of is. The realization was a body blow.

  Numb, she walked to her quarters and changed from her flying uniform into civilian clothes. She packed her duffel. The last item was the photo of Dane and Julie together.

  Chapter 1

  Fifteen Months Later

  Colorado

  A miracle. Just a small one. Or maybe a big one. Just this once...

  “We’re running ahead of schedule.” Bob Marsh, longtime friend and fellow pilot, interrupted Lauren MacInnes’s silent prayer.

  Early is good. They were on a tight timetable. Lauren’s fingers twisted together as she looked out the window of the four-seat Beechcraft that Bob and three of his air force friends owned. It was good to be in the air again but she ached to be at the controls of the plane. It had been a month since she piloted one.

  But it was Bob’s plane, and she’d made a promise to her daughter that she wouldn’t fly again. She hadn’t said anything about not being a passenger.

  “Tell me more about this program,” Bob said. “This was rather sudden, wasn’t it?”

  “It’s a month-long equine therapy program for kids of fallen soldiers, especially those with physical or emotional problems,” she replied. “Patti suggested it several weeks ago. Problem was the slots were filled, then two days ago someone dropped out and there was an opening. It begins in three weeks. I wanted to check it out before mentioning it to Julie.”

  “How did Patti learn about it? By the way, my wife thinks she’s terrific.”

  “So do I. Patti’s part of the family now. I don’t know what I’ll do when she goes back to graduate school. She’s been a godsend since I found her through our doctor.”

  Lauren thought about the months Patti had worked for them. Lauren had hired her as a temporary caregiver for Julie after her daughter’s second surgery. It had worked so well, she’d stayed for the next nine months while Lauren finished her military commitment. Patti was a student in physical therapy and was taking as many online courses as possible before returning to the campus.

  “I thought I was getting someone temporarily to stay with Julie—instead, I found a friend who’s great with her.” She sighed. “But to answer your question, she’s related to the ranch owner in some extended way—like a second cousin once removed or something—and worked at the ranch after high school graduation. It’s one reason she’s studying physical therapy.

  “Time,” Lauren added, “is crucial, which is why I shanghaied you. I can’t send Julie someplace I’ve never seen.” She hesitated, then added, “Something has to bring Julie out of her depression. I haven’t been able to do it. She was so close to Dane. Worst thing is she still blames herself for his death.”

  “It was a drunk driver,” Bob said.

  “I know that, and you know that, but she believes that if she hadn’t asked Dane to stop for ice cream after winning that regional meet, they wouldn’t have been on that road. Therapy hasn’t helped much. Neither has the fact that she doesn’t know if she will ever walk normally again.”

  “The poor kid sure has had it rough,” he said. “So have you. I wish there was more Sue and I could have done.”

  “You two were there when we needed you,” Lauren replied. “As well as now.”

  “How much do you know about this program?”

  “Not as much as I would like to know,” she said. “I consulted with Julie’s orthopedist and the psychologist at the military hospital. The psychologist was already familiar with equine therapy and checked out this program. All the feedback was positive. I did what research I could find on equine therapy in the past few days, but I need more information.”

  “What does Julie think about it?”

  “I haven’t mentioned it to her yet. The ranch uses wild mustangs in the program, and I’m not too sure about that. Couldn’t that be dangerous? And how would she mount a horse with that brace?”

  He didn’t reply for a moment, then asked, “Any movement with the foot yet?”

  “No, but the doctor said it could take weeks before we know whether the last operation was successful.”

  “Well, if anyone can make it happen, it’s Julie,” Bob replied.

  “The old Julie could. I’m not sure about this one. She’s so discouraged, it breaks my heart. She sits there for hours just willing that darn toe to move and there’s no movement.”

  He nodded. He and his wife, Sue, had been at the hospital the night of the accident and stayed by Julie’s side until Lauren arrived. They had been with Lauren during subsequent operations.

  “It’s so damn frustrating, Bob,” Lauren said. “She has to teach a muscle to do what the nerve did. Her orthopedist told her to concentrate on moving the toes and warned that some patients never learn to do it. If it is successful, she’ll have some control over the ankle and foot. Otherwise, the foot will just drop. It would be an impediment. Amputation could be the next step.”

  �
��Wow,” he said. “I didn’t know it was that tough.”

  Lauren shrugged. “I know how busy you are with this new promotion. Sue’s been terrific, and I love her for it. She’s always bringing books and small gifts to Julie, and I can’t thank you enough for ferrying me here today.” She paused, then confessed, “I’m not even sure whether I really want her to do this program. I don’t want her to fail. Or, God forbid, get injured again.” Her voice broke and she hated that. She didn’t cry. Warriors didn’t cry.

  Except she wasn’t a warrior any longer. Nor a very good mom. She just couldn’t reach her daughter. She’d almost given up on miracles when Patti suggested they try equine therapy for Julie.

  It seemed far-fetched in the beginning. Julie might be able to walk but only with crutches and a brace. How could she ride a horse? Then Lauren went online and researched equine therapy. There did seem to be miracles.

  But mustangs?

  That part of it worried her. Something, however, had to change. The fifteen months since the accident had been a continuous nightmare. The worst had been telling her daughter her father was dead. Then she had to tell Julie that her leg had been crushed. It was a question of whether they could save it. It still was.

  It hadn’t helped that Lauren had a dangerous occupation, one that ended a month ago when she’d completed her current service commitment. After her compassionate and accrued leave ended, she’d been transferred to Lackland Air Force Base near San Antonio where she was an instructor.

  When she’d fulfilled her commitment, she resigned.

  She really had no choice. Other than burying her husband, leaving the air force was the hardest thing she’d ever done. She’d spent most of her life dreaming of being an air force pilot, working to be a pilot, then being a pilot. But Julie had to come first. Her daughter had been terrified she would lose her mother as well as her dad and begged Lauren not to re-up. There was no other family. No siblings, or grandparents. No one. It was just the two of them now.