“Your ranch owner ponying up MRI-level dollars for a rescue project when the MRI might well show nothing?”
“Yep,” I answered before Jude could. He frowned at me, but didn’t counter my assertion.
“I suppose it’s their money.” Scott shrugged before gesturing toward the students. “Let’s get on with the exam and blood draw.”
Jude handled most of the questions during the exam, but I added a few details about things I’d noticed with Linus, all of which were transcribed by the eager vet students. After the exam, Dr. Song dismissed us so the team could perform more tests and complete the blood draw before arranging for an MRI. Leaving Linus behind felt not unlike dropping personnel into an uncertain situation on a mission. My neck prickled and my hands flexed restlessly as we walked back to check on RC.
“You were awfully quick to commit Maverick to the medical bill,” Jude observed in a low voice.
“Not Maverick.” I pursed my lips, readying for a disagreement. “I’ve got plenty of savings.”
“And you want to spend it on Linus?” Pausing next to RC’s stall, Jude narrowed his eyes at me.
“He’s a good horse,” I said evenly, as if my offer were as simple as that. Thanks to frugal living on base for years, I did have decent savings, but the urge to burn through a chunk on a horse I’d only known a few weeks was a bit novel. And it wasn’t simply jealousy or a desire to prove Scott wrong, although both those things were true. Rather, something about Linus himself called to me on a deeper level. “He deserves answers.”
“He does.” Jude’s gaze softened as if he understood all the things I couldn’t quite explain. “Despite Scott’s prickly attitude, Linus is in the best place for answers. The team will take good care of him.”
“Hmm.” I made a noncommittal noise. The students seemed bright enough, and the resident directing them appeared capable, but I didn’t trust Scott not to muck everything up. “Bad leadership equals bad morale.”
“Don’t I know that.” Jude blew out a harsh breath. “Hell, Scott’s starting to remind me of this one CO…” Trailing off, he shook his head in a similar fashion to how Linus did when he was frustrated. “Sorry. You don’t need my complaining.”
“Tell me.” I made my tone a command, not a request. “What happened?”
“With Scott or in the army?” Jude hedged.
“Either. Both.” I risked patting his upper arm again. He was clearly rattled, and getting him to talk seemed to be as good a way as any to settle him back down.
“Fine.” Jude shifted his weight from foot to foot. “With Scott, he wanted me to stay when I decided to return to take over my dad’s practice in Lovelorn. I’d thought we were casual. Friends. But apparently, he had different expectations, and that’s on me. It was a messy end to what had been a decent friendship.”
“I’m sorry.” I gave him the most sympathetic look I could muster, hoping my face muscles cooperated. “It’s not all on you.”
“Yeah, it kind of is.” Jude wrinkled his forehead, making deep creases appear. “He was understandably hurt.”
“He could have spoken up sooner.” I measured out each word, not wanting a stutter to interrupt my point.
“True.” Jude gestured vaguely. He wasn’t agreeing with me as much as trying to move the conversation along. “The CO I mentioned was a dick from the jump. As soon as I landed in his company, I knew we’d butt heads. I was right. But I was a new recruit and couldn’t exactly challenge him.”
“Hard.” I put as much commiseration into the single word as I could.
“Yeah.” Jude raked a hand through his short dark hair. “Long story made short: he gave an order I didn’t agree with. I didn’t want to risk a court-martial. The end result was a total shit show. Lost some good personnel on a mission gone fubar, and the CO went on to get a commendation. No consequence to him, but plenty to everyone else.”
“Ah.” A whole lot of pieces in the puzzle that made up Jude clicked into place. “That’s why you do the meetings.”
“Not exactly.” Jude made a noise of protest. “It’s more guilt than PTSD.”
“Could be both.” I kept my tone as soothing as when I talked to Linus. “You saw some shit.”
“I did.” Closing his eyes, Jude rubbed the bridge of his nose.
“And Scott reminded you.” I placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Sorry—”
“No apologies.” I squeezed his tightly knotted shoulder. “I get it.”
“I know you do.” Opening his eyes, Jude met my gaze with soft, grateful eyes. “Thanks.”
A man could easily get lost in those hazel depths, and I had to force myself to drop my hand and step aside. “No problem.”
