“Heck, it was probably the same recruiter in Durango.” Jude chuckled drily. “Lured me in.”
“Yep.” I knew for a fact it had been the same recruiter because he’d bragged on Jude’s medals when Tommy and I had stopped by the recruitment office to discuss options. The pitch had worked as I’d left with the paperwork all in order. “Went with…a buddy.”
Wow, I’d managed a complete, almost normal-sounding sentence. Rarity. Probably made easier by how little conversational effort Jude demanded.
“Ah, a two-for-one special. Ol’ Sergeant Longmore must have loved that.” Jude gave another of those dry chuckles that suggested he wasn’t a fan of the recruiter or the army. He shifted his focus back to the horse as he listened to her heart and lungs while I worked to keep Cinder as calm as possible. That task became more difficult when Jude checked her temperature. The horse snorted indignantly as Jude cleaned and put away the thermometer. “Okay, I am gonna want a blood draw. Keep right up close to her, keep talking, and keep a tight hold, then we’ll let her walk it off.”
Jude kept up the same sort of narration he’d used during the exam as he readied his equipment for the blood draw. I’d seen other horse blood draws before, so I wasn’t surprised when Jude stepped close, readying her neck for the pinch and stick. However, unlike those other draws, I was a mite distracted by Jude’s nearness. I’d stood shoulder to shoulder with countless men under circumstances ranging from celebratory to heartrending to life-threatening, and this sort of awareness of Jude’s larger size, woodsy scent, and capable hands was uncommon. Not unheard of, but not something I cultivated or allowed myself to dwell on. I took a deep breath to steady myself and the horse alike as Jude let me know when he was about to insert the needle.
“There. There.” I tried to keep Cinder’s focus on me, making low, calming noises.
The horse’s rising panic was a palpable thing, thrumming through her as she snorted and tensed. My own senses went on red alert for her to balk or attempt to flee, but I kept right on soothing her as Jude attached the vial to collect the blood. I didn’t bother looking away. I’d been blessed with a cast-iron stomach and could handle all manner of smells or mess that sent others into a worse panic than Cinder.
“Done.” Jude stepped back with obvious relief. He capped the vial and wiped away the small amount of residual blood. “Let her walk it off now.”
“Good horse,” I praised as I let out the lead and trotted alongside as she strutted and stamped before settling into a walk, tension melting away with each step. I knew the feeling. Few things settled me like a good workout, and not having that option the last several months had been its own form of torture. Nothing like movement to quiet anxiety.
“She is.” Jude looked up from packing away his gear. “A bit on the stubborn and anxious side, but she’s been decent with the ranch visitors.” He nodded at me before hefting his bag to his shoulder. “Thanks for the help.”
“Anytime.”
“Hey, while I’ve got you, I go to a veterans’ support group over in Durango sometimes. Thought you might want a ride?”
Well fuck. Here, I’d thought Jude had genuinely needed my help, and instead, his way-too-casual offer had ambush written all over it. I gave him a hard stare, measuring out each word so I didn’t stutter. “Colt send you?”
“Nope. I volunteered to mention the group to you.” Jude’s smile didn’t so much as waver. “And the timing was a happy coincidence. I did need the extra pair of hands.”
My answer was a snort as loud as any Cinder had made.
“Think about it?” Jude was undeterred. He leaned against the gate to the riding arena, casual as if he had all day to press his case. “Consider it an open offer.”
“I’ll think,” I lied.
No matter what Jude said, the invite had big-brother meddling all over it. I’d sat in on enough group and solo counseling sessions over the course of my rehabilitation to last me a good long while. Not only was I reluctant to agree to any sort of group, especially one Colt thought would do me good,but there was also the matter of that frisson of awareness I’d had while Jude had worked on the horse. I neither wanted nor needed more of that, no matter how good a guy Jude had grown into.
Chapter Two
Jude
I didn’t truly expectCarson to take me up on the support group idea, especially not at the first mention. I’d told Colt and Grayson that I’d mention the group to him, and I had, but Carson seemed every bit as stubborn as his older brother. He was going to take some work to befriend, but I was game for the challenge.
“Thinking is good,” I said easily as Carson resumed walking Cinder around the ring. Carson’s gait was steady, but measured, as if he had to think a little harder about each step than most. He had a wicked scar along his hairline and a few other fainter ones on his face. Like Colt, Carson had short dark-brown hair and matching stubble, although Carson’s was patchier. He was shorter than Colt and me, but with a broad, sturdy frame that remained muscled even after everything he’d been through. “No pressure. Let’s get Cinder back to her stall.”
“Okay.” He led Cinder to the gate, which I held open for them. After I shut the gate, I tagged along after the pair.
“You cleared to ride?” I asked conversationally as we made our way to Cinder’s stall.
“Yep.” Carson gave me a defiant glare at odds with my more pleasant tone, but I was undeterred.
“Excellent. You might see about giving Cinder a little light exercise later.” I kept my voice casual, the same as I would with giving advice to any ranch worker. “The attention and exercise would likely do her good.”
“Not too sick?” His tone was cautious, but the hopeful glint in his eyes said he was itching to ride. Glancing away, he busied himself with getting Cinder settled back into her stall.
“Nah. At least, I don’t think so.” For all she’d gotten picky about her feed, Cinder’s physical exam had been fine, ruling out any signs of colic, and my intuition said whatever ailed her was likely minor. “I’ll have the blood work back tomorrow, and we’ll go from there.”
“You already finished the blood draw?” Kat came striding up to where Carson and I stood near Cinder’s stall. Grayson was close behind her.
“Yep. Carson was a huge help.” I gestured toward Carson as he stepped out from Cinder’s stall and latched the door. “We got it done in record time and no fight from Cinder either.”
