Murdock, p.2
Murdock, page 2
“If he doesn’t find you soon, he’ll head back to the barn. Most horses head back to the barn when they lose their rider.”
Murdock’s lip curled. “Nice to know they don’t feel the least bit responsible or protective.”
“They just know where they’ll get their next meal,” the redhead said.
“You know a lot about the ranch,” Murdock said.
“I should,” she said, her tone flat. “Besides the fact that I’m a large animal veterinarian, I’ve known Hank Patterson most of my life. We live in a small community.”
Murdock sighed. “Then I’m sure you and Hank will get a laugh out of rescuing me from a runaway horse that is the tamest on the Iron Horse Ranch.”
“I doubt that seriously. Hank is a good guy. If you came out here with Hank, he’ll be worried about you. The sooner we get you back to the barn, the better. And if Hank isn’t back, I’ll find him and let him know Little Joe is all right.”
It figured she’d mention the horse was safe, not necessarily Murdock. He could tell where the woman’s loyalties lay. It made sense since she was a veterinarian.
“Gabbie Myers,” she said.
“Gabbie Myers?” he asked.
“My name,” she said. “I’m Gabbie Myers. And you are?”
“Sean Murdock,” he said. “Most people just call me Murdock.”
“Murdock,” she repeated. “Sounds important. How do you know Hank?”
“We’re both Navy SEALs,” Murdock said.
Again, Gabbie turned her head, her eyebrow raised. “I knew Hank was a SEAL, but you were, too?”
He frowned. “I might not know my way around horses,” he said, “however, I lived through BUD/S training and thirteen deployments.”
She patted his hand resting on her midsection. “Sorry. I didn’t mean that to sound derogatory. It’s just that I know Hank. I don’t believe there’s a thing he can’t do. I guess I expected all Navy SEALs to be the same.”
“Ouch. That hit below the belt,” he said, tamping down a flush of anger at being judged and coming up short of this woman’s expectations. Not that it mattered. She meant nothing to him. Although he did find her strangely attractive in an athletic, kick-ass way. What woman had he known who could stop a runaway horse without falling out of her saddle? Still, he felt the need to explain his horseback-riding shortcomings. “I didn’t grow up on a ranch like Hank. I grew up in San Diego. If anything, I’m more accustomed to water than a saddle.”
“I guess, since you were in the Navy, that makes sense.” Gabbie shot a glance over her shoulder. “Please, don’t be offended by my comment. Hank is the only Navy SEAL I know. Though, I understand he’s hired others over the past few years since he returned to Montana. I’ve been too busy to get to know them personally.”
His mild anger subsiding, he loosened his hold around her middle. Her horse had settled into a rhythmic gait.
“Think you can keep from falling off if we speed things up a bit?” she asked. “I was supposed to be back at the barn a while ago. I’m sure Hank will be gathering a search party for the both of us. I don’t want them gone on their search when we arrive back at the barn.”
“Do what you have to,” he said. “I’ll do my best not to further disgrace myself in your eyes.”
“Wow, that makes me sound heartless.” Gabbie shook her head. “I didn’t mean to insult you.” She sighed. “I’m not always good with my social skills, much preferring the company of animals to humans. That said, I promise not to trot too much and jar your insides.”
“Thanks.” Murdock braced himself, tightened his arms around her waist and held on.
The redhead nudged her horse with her heels and clicked her tongue.
The black mare increased her speed to a trot.
The motion bounced Murdock, jolting his teeth together until the horse transitioned from the trot into a smooth gallop.
Immediately, the jolting motion ended, replaced by a rocking motion Murdock could live with. He held on around Gabbie’s waist, determined to stay upright for the duration of the ride back to the barn. With his body pressed against hers, he matched her rhythm and the sway of her body. The woman rode as if one with the horse.
The sun had dipped below the ridge, the sunshine fading quickly into darkness. Not long afterward, lights appeared ahead, shining from the windows of the ranch house and the exterior flood light in front of the barn.
A group of men mounted on horseback passed through the gate into the pasture.
Gabbie shook her head. “Trust Hank to rustle up a posse at the drop of a hat.”
A shout went up. The man pulled their horses to a halt and waited for Gabbie and Murdock’s arrival.
As they neared the posse, Gabbie slowed her horse to a trot and then a walk, coming to a halt in front of the man on the lead horse. “Hank.” She tipped her head toward the man behind her. “I found this guy on a runaway horse. Does he belong to you? Or should I shoot him for trespassing?”
Hank laughed along with the other men gathered around. “Save your bullet. He’s with us.” His gaze met Murdock’s. “Sorry. By the time I realized you weren’t right behind me, you were long gone. I thought for sure Little Joe had gotten the bit between his teeth and headed for the barn. When I got back to the barn, and you weren’t there, I gathered the team I had available. We were on our way out to find you.” He smiled at Gabbie. “I see you found our local vet.”
Murdock’s lips twisted. “She found me and rescued me from being scraped out of my saddle in a stand of trees.”
Hank shook his head. “Something must’ve spooked Little Joe. He’s usually the most laid-back horse in my herd.”
Murdock let go of his hold on Gabbie’s waist and slid off the back of the horse, backing away as soon as his feet hit the ground.
Hank grinned. “I take it your first time back in the saddle wasn’t encouraging.”
Murdock shook his head. “If it weren’t for Dr. Myers, I’d be a carcass for the wolves and bears to scavenge.”
“We’d have found you before it came to that,” Hank said. “Are you okay? Nothing broken or hurt?”
Murdock’s lips twisted, “Nothing but my pride.”
He turned and gave Gabbie a slight bow. “Thank you, Miss Myers, or should I call you Dr. Myers?”
Gabbie’s cheeks turned a soft shade of pink in the light shining down from the barn. “Gabbie’s fine. I’m not much on formality.”
“Don’t let her fool you,” Hank said with a smile. “She worked hard for that title, graduating top of her class in vet school. We’re damned glad she chose to practice close to home. The only other large animal vet in the county wants to retire at the end of the year. We need her.”
“You knew I’d come home,” Gabbie said.
“We hoped you would,” Hank said, his voice softening. “And we’re glad you did.” He glanced around at the men with him. “Guys, this is Sean Murdock, Navy SEAL.”
“Fresh meat for the team?” a tall man with white-blond hair and broad shoulders said with a grin.”
Hank shook his head. “Murdock is working at the Lucky Lady Lodge in the McKinnon’s efforts to renovate the lodge since the explosion in the mine damaged some of the structure.” His gaze met and held Murdock’s. “I’m hoping that he’ll come to work with us when the construction is done.”
The big guy with the light blond hair dropped down from his saddle and held out his hand. “I’ve seen your dossier. I’m Axel Svenson. Most folks call me Swede.”
When Murdock gripped the man’s hand, he stared into ice-blue eyes. “Navy SEAL, right?”
Swede nodded. “Guilty.”
Murdock had heard of Swede from members of his former SEAL team. The man had a reputation that lived on in tales of prior battles, capturing Taliban leaders and more. “I’ve heard of you.”
“All good, I hope.” Swede released Murdock’s hand and shoved his through his short-cropped hair, making it stand on end.
Murdock grinned. “Legendary.”
Swede chuckled. “Hear that, Hank? Legendary.” His chest puffed out. “I like the sound of that. Do you think Allie will agree?”
“My sister thinks the sun rises and sets on you,” Hank said. “But legendary?” He shook his head. “She’d want to make sure your head didn’t swell.”
Swede’s lips pressed together. “Way to poke a hole in a man’s ego.”
Hank, along with the other man and woman with him, laughed. “You’ll get over it.” Hank slid out of his saddle.
The others followed suit.
Murdock reached up to help Gabbie down.
She frowned and shook her head.
“Right,” Murdock said. “This isn’t your first rodeo.” He stepped back and let her get down on her own, which she did with a fluid grace only years of riding could produce.
Hank turned to the man with salt and pepper gray hair and a woman with a short cap of auburn curls. “This is Vince Van Cleave and his wife, Dallas Hayes. Both former Army. Both part of the Brotherhood Protectors team.”
The female gripped his hand and gave it a firm shake. “I’ve heard a lot about you. You’d make a great addition to the team.”
“Thank you. But I traded in my rifle for a hammer,” Murdock said. “It’s nice to shoot nails and build something rather than shooting bullets and killing people.”
“That’s a shame,” the man beside her said and shook Murdock’s hand. “I hear you were a sniper and skilled at hand-to-hand combat.”
Murdock dipped his head in acknowledgment. “Not much use for those skills here. But I am getting good at knocking out walls and breaking up tiles. And I’m a helluva a good shot with a nail gun. I’ll stick to that for now. Vince? Is that right?”
The man laughed. “Yeah, but I don’t go by that name. Most of the guys call me Viper.”
“Viper.” Murdock tipped his chin. “Got it.”
“Nice to meet you,” Viper said.
“Same.” And Murdock meant it. The Special Operations community was tight-knit and looked out for each other. Already, he felt comfortable around the men and women Hank had brought together. But he wasn’t in the market to be a mercenary. He wanted nothing to do with combat, protective services or high-intensity work. Tearing out walls and rebuilding them was what he wanted to do.
A bell rang from the back porch of the house.
Hank shot a glance in that direction. “We’d better get the horses put up, clean up and get to the dinner table. Sadie prepared pot roast, potatoes and corn on the cob, and I’m starving.”
Murdock rounded Little Joe, giving him a wide berth in case the beast decided to plant a hoof in his face.
Gabbie leaned close and whispered in his ear, “When going around the back of a horse. It’s always good to lay your hand on the horse to let it know that you’re there and in which direction you’re going. That way, you don’t spook them, and they also can’t get enough power behind a leg to cause you too much damage.”
Not liking that feeling of complete inadequacy he’d gotten on his short ride with Little Joe, Murdock listened to Gabbie’s advice.
“Thanks,” he said. “And just so you know, if I stay in this area, I will learn to ride.”
She gave him a wide grin. “I hope you do.” Gabbie led her horse and Little Joe into the barn, the smile still curling her lips.
Murdock stood for a moment, wondering what she’d meant by her last comment. Did she only hope he’d learn to ride? Or did she hope he’d stay in the area?
Curious now, he followed her into the barn, wanting to know more about this woman who was a licensed veterinarian and an accomplished rider. Even more than that, her strength and fearlessness were sexy as hell. He had to know more.
Chapter 2
Gabbie showed Murdock, by example, how to care for his horse. She removed her mount’s saddle and saddle blanket, stored them in the tack room then quickly and efficiently brushed her and led her to a stall where she fed the animal two sections of hay and a bucket of grain.
Murdock watched her closely when he could have watched any of the other men.
His gaze on her didn’t make her uncomfortable, but it did make her more aware of him and the way he moved like the man with a military background that he was…shoulders back, confident and sure of himself, even though he wasn’t sure of his horse.
When he’d ridden behind her, holding her around her waist, she’d been hyper-aware of his muscular arms and the solid chest pressed against her back. But it was his thighs pressed against hers that had made her blood burn through her veins like molten lava.
Gabbie might be skilled with animals and knew most of the long-standing residents of Eagle Rock and the surrounding ranches, but she had little experience with intimate relationships.
For so many years, her focus had been on her studies and making the best grades she could. Her grades had earned her scholarships to continue her education toward her ultimate goal of attaining her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine.
She was no virgin, but the sex she’d had during her undergraduate degree schooling had been awkward and dissatisfying. It made her wonder what all the hype was about desire and orgasms. Was it her, or had she chosen the wrong partner? She’d suspected it was her.
Hank, Swede, Viper and Dallas quickly dealt with their horses, turning them loose in the pasture behind the barn.
“You can release Little Joe with the others,” Hank said. “Gabbie’s mare will stay the night in the barn. I’ll let her out in the morning.” He paused beside Gabbie. “You’re staying for dinner, aren’t you?”
Gabbie frowned. “I should get back to the clinic. I have to leave out early tomorrow morning for a delivery.”
“You have to eat sometime. You might as well eat with us. Besides, Sadie will be disappointed if you don’t stay. She wanted to thank you for all you’ve done for her mare.”
Gabbie shook her head, a smile twitching the corners of her lips. “Why is a megastar like Sadie McClain preparing dinner for me? She should have a personal chef or something.”
Hank frowned. “She only has the chef when she’s at her house in Los Angeles and working on a movie. Here on the ranch, she likes to cook. And she’s really good. You would know that if you stayed for dinner.” He winked. “So, what’s it to be? Go home to eat leftovers or nothing at all? Or stay and make my wife happy because she gets to show off her cooking skills?”
Gabbie laughed. “When you put it like that, I’d be ungrateful to leave without sharing a meal with you and Sadie.” She sighed. “I’ll stay. But I need to leave soon after.”
“Deal.” Hank nodded toward the barn door. “Ready to head up to the house?”
She shook her head. “I want to check on the mare one more time before I come up. You can go on without me.” She nodded toward Murdock. “I’ll bring your recruit up with me when he’s done with Little Joe.”
Hank nodded. “Thanks for helping out today. I wouldn’t have put him on any other horse. Little Joe is as solid as they come.”
“Something spooked him. It could’ve happened to any horse.”
Hank’s lips twisted. “Unfortunately, it happened to a green rider.”
She patted his arm. “Don’t worry. He’s already said he wants to learn to ride.”
Hank sighed. “Good. It helps to know how to ride in these parts. Especially if he comes to work with us.”
“What exactly does your team do?” Gabbie asked.
“Whatever it takes to protect people, a place or extract someone from a bad situation the police, military or anyone else can’t touch.”
Her eyes widened. “Is there a big demand for such protective services?”
He nodded. “More than you’d think.”
Gabbie frowned. “I might want to hire you for my trip tomorrow.”
“Seriously? Are you worried about your delivery?”
She tipped her head toward the door. “Go to the house. We can talk about it over dinner.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” Hank said. “See you in a few minutes.”
“We’ll be right behind you,” Gabbie promised.
Murdock had just finished brushing Little Joe when Gabbie approached him. “Is he ready to go out to the pasture?”
“I don’t know the routine. Am I supposed to give him hay and grain like you did for the mare?” Murdock asked.
Gabbie shook her head. “No. Just release him in the pasture. He’ll graze. I’m keeping the mare for another night in a stall. She recently recovered from colic. We wanted her to have another day of grain before she’s released to the pasture.” She loosened the straps of the bridle, slipped it over the gelding’s head and snapped a lead onto his halter. Rather than walk him out herself, she handed the lead to Murdock and walked with him and Little Joe out to the pasture gate.
She opened the gate.
He led the horse through it.
“Unclip the lead,” she said. “Little Joe knows what to do from there.”
Murdock released the gelding.
Instead of running off as most horses did once released, Little Joe stood beside Murdock and nudged his arm with his nose.
“Now, you’re playing nice?” Murdock laughed and rubbed the horse’s nose. “What had you spooked, big guy?”
The horse tossed his head and nickered softly.
Murdock reached up and scratched behind the animal’s ears. When he stopped scratching, the horse nudged him again.
“You’re like an overgrown puppy.” Murdock rubbed the horse’s nose and smiled at Gabbie.
Standing in the starlight, his teeth glowing a bluish-white, he made Gabbie’s heart beat faster and butterflies erupt in her belly. “Little Joe is a fairly docile animal. He had to have been frightened by something to react the way he did.”
“I thought I saw something slither in front of us before he reared and bolted.”
Gabbie nodded. “We have a healthy population of snakes in the Crazy Mountains, including the rattlesnake.”
Little Joe nuzzled Murdock’s shoulder again.
“Sorry. I have to go. Maybe the next time I come, I’ll bring an apple or a carrot.” He smoothed his hand over the horse’s neck and stepped through the gate, closing it behind him. He smiled at Gabbie and held out his arm. “Can I escort you to the ranch house? I have a long way to go to redeem myself after losing my pride so completely on Little Joe.”
