Read Never Let You Down: The Connaghers, Book 4 for Free Online

step but just leaned against the railing, sucking in her presence. Even injured and fresh out of a hospital bed, she made the air sharper, the colors brighter. She was too alive herself to let anything stagnate around her.
    She started to get up, struggling with the sling. “Jebadiah Garrett, you old dog. I bet it’s been ten years or more since I saw you last. What brings you out here?”
    He strode up the last few steps and took her hand, hopefully discouraging her from trying to stand. “You.”
    She snorted. “You heard about a car accident all the way out in California?”
    “I’m not in California any longer.”
    She tipped her head back, squinting against the sun to try and read his face. He kept that cheesy grin in place, too happy to see her to worry about looking like an idiot. “Well, why don’t you sit down and tell me about it so I don’t break my fool neck trying to look at you.”
    She was still letting him hold her hand, so he sat down right where he was on the top step. “I sold the practice a year ago and moved back here last month.”
    Her eyes narrowed. “You did? And you never bothered to stop by and let me know you were back in town?”
    He reached up and took his hat off, giving him something to do with his free hand. “I had some things to work out first.”
    “Typical man. Act first without taking time to socialize. That’s a mighty fine hat, by the way. Is it a Serratelli?”
    “Sure is.” He passed it up to her, although that meant she let go of his hand so she could turn the black fur felt hat around and examine it from all angles. He was ridiculously proud of that hat. It was the first thing he’d bought that was solely and wholly his. The sterling silver band had cost a mint too. Back when he’d been married, Sharon would have had a fit that he’d spent over a thousand dollars on a hat. Let alone where the money had come from.
    “It’s almost too pretty to wear. You said I’m not in California. Not we .”
    He looked out across the front yard, not really seeing the parallel lines of trees along the driveway or the white-railed fenced pastures of horses. “No, ma’am. Sharon and I divorced almost a year ago.”
    “Oh, Jeb, I’m sorry.”
    “Don’t be. It’d been over for a long time but we kept going through the motions. It was time for both of us to move on.” He smiled but didn’t turn back to look at her. “She’s already remarried and is quite happy from what I hear.”
    “And you?”
    He shrugged. “I’m starting over. Moving back here was the first step.”
    “Are you going to start a new practice?”
    “I might.” He hedged a little, turning back to see her face. “I’ve been helping Cap Winston out here and there, although he’s already hired on a new young man to take over.”
    Virginia harrumphed under her breath. “Yeah, he’s been out here a few times to see the stock. Not sure I trust someone so wet behind the ears.”
    “He’s young, but he’s good. I’ve seen him work through some pretty sticky situations.”
    She nodded. “Well, if you’re going to be helping out, then I’ll definitely call him instead of trying to find a bigger vet out of Dallas.”
    The screen door banged open behind them. Catching a glimpse of pink skirts, Jeb jumped to his feet and started backing down the stairs. Virginia’s mother still sometimes popped into his nightmares, not the gun-wielding Marine father he’d dreamed of someday asking for his daughter’s hand.
    “You’re just in time for supper, Jebadiah.” Miss Belle flounced over to grab his hand and tug him back on the porch. “Boys, come and help your mama.”
    He’d much rather help Virginia inside than escort Miss Belle on his arm, but evidently he didn’t have a choice. She might have been a petite eighty-year-old grandmother but she dragged him right inside as easily as if he were a toddler and not almost two feet taller than her. On their way out to help their mama, her two boys paused