The Cowboy Soldier (6 page)

Sitting in the rocker, petting Dog, Rafe mulled over the treatments Alexa had at her disposal beyond teas and herbs. He had no reason not to go to the mineral springs. Ego? Was he worried about his scars? Possibly. He didn’t know how awful they looked. But Alexa must have already seen some of them.

That same reasoning ruled out any objections to massage. What about acupuncture? He straight-up got jitters picturing Alexa or anyone else poking him with a bunch of needles. But why? When he’d joined the service he’d watched grown men drop like rocks over a few pops with a vaccination needle gun. Not him. So why was he holding out?

If there was even the slimmest possibility that any of these treatments might restore his sight, he should have no objections.

Tomorrow he’d ask Alexa to take him on a trip to the hot springs, followed by a back massage, and then work his way up to the big daddy—acupuncture.

Alexa surfed the Web awhile longer and ran across another possible reason for the evasive diagnosis. Money. Several soldiers had recently charged that they were being denied long-term VA benefits because military doctors hadn’t diagnosed their disabilities as combat-related injuries, whereas doctors outside the military argued the opposite. Carefully worded notes in Rafe’s chart could be aimed at cutting him from veteran disability payments. There was a pending lawsuit against the government concerning soldiers’ rights to a second opinion.

Closing down her computer, Alexa felt torn. Should she continue to treat Rafe with nontraditional medicine? Maybe he should be at a VA facility. If driving proved too difficult for Sierra, maybe the two of them could split the travel. How many visits did Rafe need each month? Would going to the facility only frustrate him further? It was a dilemma.

She shut off the light and left her office. As she entered her bedroom, an image of Bobby materialized. He appeared before her with his old cocky smile, as if he wasn’t a figment of her imagination. Rattled by the vision, she wondered if it was telling her she should send Rafe home when Sierra came to pick up his laundry? She hated to renege on an offer. And she’d said she would work with Rafe for thirty days.

It was a long time before she was able to shake Bobby’s image.

The next morning she stood at the sink, cleaning and boxing fresh eggs she’d been out at dawn to gather, when a scraping sound drew her attention. Glancing around, she was surprised to see Rafe, dressed and striding down the hall with Compadre. That dog was such a traitor.

“You’re up early.” Alexa set down the egg brush, and went to fill Compadre’s food dish and water bowl.

“Is it early?” Rafe rubbed a hand over his chin, and Alexa noticed he hadn’t shaved. “I forgot to set the alarm,” he said. “The clock you put in my room has a glass face. I need to touch the hands to be able to tell what time it is.”

“Of course. I’ll remove the glass right after breakfast.”

“No need. I’ve developed a kind of internal clock. Or maybe it’s my stomach reminding me it’s time to eat. Something smells good, by the way.”

Alexa laughed. “I mixed up some oat bread and popped it in the bread machine before I went out to gather eggs. How does scrambled eggs, applesauce with a hint of rosemary, and hot oat bread sound?”

“Real good as a matter of fact. Sierra won’t believe how much I’ve been eating. She complained I only picked at meals.” He sounded surprised himself.

“Those pills you were on suppressed your appetite. Cutting back on them should get it back to normal. Also, you’ve been outside and moving around more. Exercise is a natural appetite stimulant. Do you want to work with Esperanza again today?”

“Sure. And you promised me another trail ride.”

A bell dinged. Alexa opened the lid to the bread machine. She set a skillet on a hot burner and dumped in eggs she’d whisked while talking to Rafe.

“I did some thinking last night,” Rafe said, leaning a hip against the counter, close to Alexa. He tucked his fingers under his belt in a casual move that drew Alexa’s attention to his long legs and flat belly. She did her best not to drool.

“Thinking? About what?” she asked. Was it possible he’d come to the same conclusion she had—that he needed to give up his treatment with her and make an appointment with the VA? If so, she shouldn’t have this sinking sensation in her stomach. She’d been a recluse for the better part of five years and it had suited her.

Rafe seemed to consider his words a minute. “I’ve been a real grinch about your suggestion of a soak in your mineral spring. I think I’d like to try it after today’s ride. Mind you, I’m still leery of acupuncture, or massage therapy. Guys I knew who visited massage parlors went there for other…uh…services.” Rafe’s face scrunched and he fidgeted.

“Good grief! I’m a legitimate, licensed masseuse. In Houston where I practiced before moving here, women and men with stressful, high-powered careers came to me for my spa treatments. I had an eclectic clientele. I mix my own warm oils, and often combined massage with aromatherapy. You’d be surprised how those treatments can help ease tension and allow the body to relax and unwind.”

Alexa had a fanciful vision of her hands spreading warm oil over Rafe’s body and she shifted uneasily. She wondered if Rafe sensed her response because he suddenly turned and took a seat at the table.

“Before you gripe about the herbs in these scrambled eggs,” she said, setting a steaming plate in front of Rafe, “let me tell you they’re ordinary. Bits of fresh parsley and a hint of basil. Always good for whatever ails you.”

Rafe merely grunted.

Alexa buttered thick slices of still warm bread. “I have a special treat for you today.”

“Yeah?” He sounded dubious.

“Coffee.” Happily, she set a steaming mug in its usual spot near Rafe’s right hand. “Instant, not brewed, and it’s cut with chicory,” she admitted, hovering over him.

“Will you sit down,” he growled, sounding so grumpy that Compadre pawed at his leg and barked sharply several times.

“Well,” Alexa huffed. Forcefully she yanked out her chair and plopped down. Had she actually been thinking it was nice to have him around? Moody jerk!

He picked up the mug. “I appreciate you going to all this extra effort.”

Alexa knew stilted when she heard it. “By all means, don’t strain yourself thanking me.”

Rafe clammed up and turned his attention to his food.

As a result, they finished breakfast in total silence, until Alexa hopped up and cleared the table, including Rafe’s unfinished coffee.

“Hey,” he said, waving a hand over the empty spot.

He must have noticed how the air around them fairly crackled as Alexa slapped dishes into the dishwasher. She knew she was behaving badly, but she couldn’t help herself.

He stood up. “Time to hightail it outta here, Dog.” Rafe beat a hasty retreat out the back door, letting the door slam shut behind him.

At the sink, miffed as she was, Alexa parted the window curtain and watched him saunter to the barn. She waved a cooling hand in front of her face.
Hoo-wee!
In his new boots, Rafe had the hip-rolling cowboy gait down pat—the one that made women all over Texas and elsewhere weak-kneed. How could she stay peeved at a man who had that effect on her?

By reminding herself Rafe was just her patient.

Bobby had been the only other patient who’d moved in with her during his illness. Which was like comparing apples and oranges. Outside of her friendship with Bobby, Alexa had precious little experience dealing with men and their temperaments.

She had to admit they had both acted passive-aggressively today. Not very adultlike. And here she was, once again letting herself feel too much for Rafe. She was eyeing him like a piece of chocolate. That had to change, Alexa vowed as she pulled on her gloves and went out to work with Tano.

She needed only half a corral. And Rafe wisely kept Esperanza well out of her way. They had scant reason to talk as they both worked.

A pickup wheeled into the clearing about the time they finished up and were leading their horses back to the barn.

“Is that Sierra?” Rafe asked, pausing when he heard the vehicle brake to a stop. “Isn’t she a week early?”

“It’s Paul Goodman, one of the park rangers.” Alexa waved as the man climbed from the cab bearing the park logo. “Halloo!” she hailed him. “I’ll be with you in a jiffy.”

“What kind of animal?”

“I’ve no idea, but the scent is already making Esperanza edgy. Hurry, let’s move them inside in case it’s another mountain cat.”

Rafe tightened his grip on the snorting mare. He slid a forefinger through the halter ring and spoke soothingly.

Alexa opened both stall doors. Tano went straight to his water bucket. The mare whinnied and wouldn’t stand still so Rafe could unhook her rope.

Stepping into the stall, Alexa handed Rafe a chunk of apple to entice Esperanza.

“We’ll leave Compadre in the barn, too, until I see what Paul’s brought,” she said.

Rafe could volunteer to stay behind with the dog, but he was curious about this Paul Goodman guy. He didn’t want to use the term jealous, but he had to admit there might be a little of that. He followed the sound of Alexa’s boots crunching across the gravel.

“Paul, it’s good to see you,” Alexa said.

“It’s been too long,” came the smooth reply.

Rafe felt it the minute the other man entered his space. Sensed it the same way he knew Alexa had stripped off her gloves and tucked them in her back pocket. He didn’t know if a quieter brush of flesh on flesh was a handshake or if their greeting was more kissy-face. Not knowing left Rafe grinding his back teeth, and he missed the pair’s verbal exchange before Alexa said, “Paul, I’d like you to meet Rafe Eaglefeather. He’s helping me train horses.”

Next thing Rafe knew, Alexa took his elbow and guided his hand into Goodman’s. It was awkward as hell, and both men muttered a passable “Pleased to meet’cha.” Rafe attempted to disengage fast, but Alexa held his arm in a strong grip.

“Rafe’s a former national bronc riding champion,” she said. “More recently he’s served with the army.”

Paul hesitated too long. Rafe was acutely aware of the moment the guy realized Rafe couldn’t see a lick.

“I’m Alexa’s patient,” Rafe snapped crossly. The SOB proceeded to pat Rafe’s shoulder and ramp up the pity.

“Bummer, dude. But this is the first I’ve heard Alexa doctors two-legged critters.” At once Goodman’s tone turned flirtatious. “If I had known that, love,” he said, addressing Alexa, “I’d have come a month ago to see if you had a potion for mendin’ a broken heart.” The ranger’s attention was now totally on Alexa as he lowered his voice. “I s’pose you heard Jill left the area for the bright lights of the city over the summer.”

“No,” Alexa said, her surprise sounding genuine. “That’s too bad, Paul. Now, what have got for me here?”

“First things first, darlin’. You just hafta come to the lodge Saturday night as my date for the rangers’ fall charity dance.”

Rafe had heard enough. He set off in what, if there was a God, would be the right direction to the house. Without the dog or Alexa to guide him, he might walk straight into the corral fence. Focused on his getaway, he couldn’t hear if Alexa accepted Paul’s invitation. No reason she shouldn’t. She was a free agent.

The burning in his gut was his own problem, and something Rafe had no explanation for.