A Cowboy’s Secret: The McGavin Brothers Read online

  A Cowboy’s Secret

  The McGavin Brothers

  Vicki Lewis Thompson

  A COWBOY’S SECRET

  Copyright © 2019 by Vicki Lewis Thompson

  ISBN: 978-1-946759-78-8

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Ocean Dance Press, PO Box 69901, Oro Valley AZ 85737

  Cover art by Kristin Bryant

  Visit the author’s website: VickiLewisThompson.com

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Epilogue

  But Wait, There’s More!

  Also by Vicki Lewis Thompson

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Aaron polished off his beer before glancing over the latest version of his letter to Caitlin. “I think it’s okay, but I can’t tell anymore. My brain cells are still fried from your bachelor party.” He handed it to Badger. “Take a look.”

  Badger scanned the paper and slid it back across the kitchen table. “You nailed it. Just needs a closin’ and a signature.”

  “What kind of closing?”

  Tilting back his chair and steepling his fingers, Badger maintained his balance with the same coordination that had made him a skilled fighter pilot. He’d been as toasted as anybody the night before, but he’d kept this Sunday evening appointment to create the letter. “Just use Respectfully yours. Sets the tone we’re goin’ for.”

  “Sounds old-fashioned.”

  “Nothin’ wrong with that.”

  “If you say so.” He scribbled the words.

  “Now sign it and we’re finished with that part.”

  “Thank God.” He put his signature on the letter. Since he didn’t have Badger’s iron constitution, he could use some sleep. “Now we can—”

  “I hate to tell you, good buddy, but you just signed your name right there.”

  Damn it. Sure enough, he’d automatically scribbled Aaron Donahue. Heaving a sigh, he reached for a blank piece of paper.

  “Patience, grasshopper.”

  Aaron looked up and caught Badger grinning at him. “Not funny.”

  “Is too. Everythin’ about this caper is hilarious.” He paused. “You need to stay loose.”

  “Now you tell me.”

  “It’s just a little play-actin’, like when we dressed in drag for the squadron talent show that time.”

  “But we weren’t trying to fool anybody with those wigs and makeup. Convincing Caitlin I’m someone else is gonna be damn near impossible.”

  “Me givin’ her a letter from my old buddy Raven will be a good start.”

  “And that’s the other thing. I’m not Raven anymore. That was in my other life. I haven’t used that name since I was discharged. Ryker doesn’t answer to Cowboy, either, except when he’s with us.”

  “Every boy and man in Eagles Nest answers to cowboy. I wager this town has the highest percentage of cowboys in the—”

  “Nevertheless, Ryker and I didn’t hang onto our call signs like you did.”

  “’Cause y’all didn’t get saddled with Thaddeus Livingston Calhoun the Third. And I can’t help pointin’ out that if you’d stuck with yours, you wouldn’t be in this pickle.”

  “Yeah, but I didn’t.”

  “Which is the reason we’re goin’ to deploy it now. I doubt Caitlin’s ever heard us call you Raven. She’ll think she’s talkin’ to a whole different person.”

  “That letter sure makes me sound like somebody else. I don’t recognize that guy.”

  “Because you’re not used to thinkin’ of yourself as a hero.”

  “I’m not—”

  “Wounded in action and decorated for valor. Doesn’t get much more heroic unless you’d made the ultimate sacrifice. I’m personally delighted that you didn’t.”

  “But I’m not used to talking about any of this.”

  “You’re not talkin’ about it. That’s the beauty of a letter. That’s how an admirer who’s hesitant to lay his cards on the table in person handles this kind of situation.”

  “I’m only hesitant because I’ve got the same name as her scumbag ex.”

  “Exactly, and we’re goin’ to fix that unfortunate situation by presenting her with a genuine war hero she won’t be able to resist. I get that you didn’t want to put in that you were awarded a medal, but I plan to tell her.”

  “Please don’t.”

  “Do you want to impress this woman or not?”

  He sighed. “Yes, but—”

  “Then go with the narrative. It’s all true. Shot down behind enemy lines, fought off the enemy and escaped despite a broken leg.”

  “Only because of Ryker. I told him to leave me.”

  “Yes, and he’s a legend in his own time, but we’re focusin’ on—”

  “We’re still not telling him?”

  Badger shook his head. “Can’t afford to. I’ll have my hands full not tellin’ Hayley. Which reminds me, we need code words.”

  “For what?”

  “We can’t talk about this on the phone if Hayley’s around. Or Ryker. Or anybody, come to think of it. You can text me a code word if all’s well or a different one if it’s effed up. Use Mach 3 if things are good and tailspin if you’re scrappin’ the mission.”

  “Okay, but I don’t see how you can keep this from Hayley. Or how we’ll keep Ryker from finding out. We should tell them.”

  “Can’t. The more who know, the more likely we’ll have a leak. Hayley’s not a problem. Believe it or not, we go days at a time without mentionin’ you.”

  “Yeah, okay, but we see Ryker all the time. He—”

  “I don’t want to burden him with a secret he can’t tell April. And there’s the chance he’ll try to talk us out of it.”

  “Aha! There’s the real reason you don’t want to tell him.”

  “Because I’ve had experience with Cowboy in that regard. When I pretended to be Hayley’s fiancée Christmas before last, he was not happy that I was foolin’ her parents. He told me not to.” He spread his hands. “See how wrong he was?”

  “Yeah, but this is different.”

  “Not really. Strictly speakin’, I was much less truthful durin’ that episode than you’ll be durin’ this one. You’re a genuine hero.”

  Aaron smiled at the way his Southern buddy dragged out the word genuine. “Compared to Ryker, I’m not—”

  “Don’t tell me that you didn’t go through hell durin’ all those operations on your leg because I know better. That’s hero stuff right there.”

  “So it wasn’t a picnic,
but—”

  “Let’s not forget the nightmares.”

  He shrugged. “Most returning vets have ’em. Nothing unique about that.”

  “And the freak sandstorm that scratched the corneas in both eyes didn’t help, either. They’re still sensitive.”

  “Not that sensitive. I was cleared to fly.”

  “With tinted goggles. Anyway, we have to exaggerate that bit so you can keep the lights low and your ball cap on.”

  “Badger, this isn’t gonna work. She’s sharp. She’ll figure it out in two minutes.”

  “You’re discountin’ the sales job I’ll do prior to her showin’ up at your house. Southerners are natural storytellers. And charmin’ on top of it.”

  Aaron rolled his eyes.

  “If I do my job and turn you into a romantic hero, she’ll want to believe. She won’t be lookin’ for reasons to doubt the setup. A couple of heartfelt conversations in your dimly lit livin’ room and she’ll start likin’ you more’n a bear likes a honeycomb.”

  “If it gets that far, and I’m not convinced it will, she’ll start liking Raven, Aaron’s new roommate. How will she take it when she finds out it’s been me all along?”

  “She might be discombobulated at first, but by then you’ll have your foot in the door. She’ll realize you two get along like grits and gravy.”

  “I hope you’re right.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “Damn it, why does her ex have to have my exact name, first and last?”

  “I reckon his momma liked the sound of it, just like yours did.”

  “Guess so.”

  “Look at it this way. What have you got to lose?”

  “My dignity.”

  “Tell that to someone who hasn’t seen water balloons fallin’ out of your dress.”

  Aaron brought the Cessna in for a three-point landing at Eagles Nest Airfield a little past noon the following day. He taxied over to the tie-down area reserved for Badger Air and parked next to a Piper Mohave which bore the same logo as the Cessna, a badger wearing a World War I flight helmet. Ryker had taken his beloved twin-engine Beechcraft on a run to Boise. Badger had the day off.

  Working for a small commuter airline owned by his two best buddies from the Air Force was a dream job. His passengers were mostly like the couple this morning, chatty and excited about heading to Kalispell and Glacier National Park. The ride home in an empty plane had been way too quiet, though, giving him time to obsess about the letter. If Badger had followed through, Caitlin would have it by now.

  She’d scheduled a morning appointment with Badger and Hayley, his fiancée, to discuss a strategy for their wedding photos. Hayley’s brother Luke and his fiancée Abigail would be there, too. Logically, a double wedding required extra planning.

  Somehow, despite all the folks gathering at Caitlin’s studio, Badger had labeled it a perfect opportunity to give her the letter. Privately. That was Badger, always bucking the odds.

  He’d promised not to reveal their scheme to anyone until after the wedding, which was in six short days. By then their identity switch would have succeeded brilliantly or failed miserably. Either way, it would be out in the open. Secrets didn’t last long in a small town.

  As Aaron walked into the terminal, Badger pushed open the glass front door. His quick smile and thumbs up signaled he’d launched the mission. Aaron’s stomach bottomed out.

  “Figured you’d have landed by now.” Badger nudged back the brim of his Stetson. He’d retained his Georgia accent, but he’d adopted the clothes and mannerisms of a Montana cowboy.

  He glanced around. “Good deal. Nobody’s here. I have excellent news. She was moved by your letter and she’s willin’ to meet with you. Eager to meet you, in fact. I did a damned good job, if I do say so.”

  “When?”

  “Tonight. At your house, like we discussed.”

  “Yikes.”

  “That’s what you and I agreed on.”

  “I know. I’m just…” Not ready. “If she’s coming to the house to meet Raven, where am I supposed to be?”

  “You’re flyin’ to Casper tonight and won’t be back until tomorrow so Raven has the house to himself. If all goes well, we’ll send you off somewhere the next night, too.” Badger peered at him. “You look a little green around the gills.”

  “I honestly didn’t think you’d have a chance to give her the letter.”

  “Turned out to be easy. Hayley rushed off for a girls-only lunch with her mom. Delilah had a run-in with a skunk early this mornin’ so Luke and Abigail headed back home to give her another bath. I hung back, claiming I had a few more questions for Caitlin. Mission accomplished.”

  Aaron gulped. He’d flown with Badger in combat without breaking a sweat. He was sweating, now. “You know what? This is crazy. Let’s forget it.”

  “Forget it? What are you talkin’ ’bout?”

  “Look, you put a lot of effort into this and I appreciate it more than I can say, but—”

  “All righty, then.” Badger shrugged. “I’ll text her and say Raven chickened out.”

  “Fine with me.”

  “Kinda funny, though, a raven chickening out.” He grinned. “Caw-caw-caw.” Then he flapped his elbows. “Cluck-cluck-cluck.”

  “Yeah, yeah, go ahead. I deserve it. I should have nixed this wacko plan from the get-go. Don’t know what I was thinking.”

  “You were thinkin’ it’s the only way around your problem. Which it is.”

  “Or I could just accept the fact that she won’t date me.”

  “Are you goin’ to?”

  Aaron met his gaze. “Probably not.”

  “That’s what I thought you said the first time we explored this option.”

  “I know, but now that it’s actually—”

  “You’ll be fine. The run-through last night was impressive.”

  “So you said.”

  “When you put on a ball cap instead of your Stetson, you look like Raven, my old wingman. You act more like him, too. The guy I flew with was bold. Inventive. Always doin’ the unexpected. A raven.”

  Aaron took a deep breath.

  “The scruff helps the disguise, too. Makes you look edgy. I’d forgotten you shave twice a day. It’s only noon and you already have some bristle goin’ on.”

  “And cold feet.”

  “Then bail out, compadre. There’s always the Internet for findin’ women.”

  “Doesn’t appeal to me.”

  “But Caitlin does?”

  “Yes, damn it.”

  “Then you’d better unleash your inner jet jockey, good buddy. It’s show time.”

  Chapter Two

  Twilight settled gently over Eagles Nest, triggering dusk-to-dawn porch lights in the cozy neighborhood where Aaron lived. A bracing wave of cold air scented with the aroma of a juniper fire greeted Caitlin as she stepped out of her trusty old Cherokee.

  The number on the rural mailbox by the curb matched the one Badger had given her, and the dark green Craftsman-style house fit his description. Lights in the window were muted, but she’d been told to expect that.

  Anticipation jacked up her pulse. Who could resist getting to know a shy war hero who’d admired her from afar? Although Raven’s letter hadn’t said so, Badger had confided that the guy had been decorated for bravery. She had a soft spot for vets.

  Taking the walkway to the porch, she reached for her phone to record the mosaic of fall leaves on the dry grass. Then she tucked it back in her jacket pocket. Much as she loved autumn colors, she wasn’t here to take pictures.

  She climbed the porch steps as a breeze caught red and yellow leaves and sent them skittering across the white floorboards to gather under a couple of rattan chairs. She rang the doorbell.

  A broad-shouldered man who was likely six-two or three opened the door. He’d tugged his ball cap down so it shaded his eyes. Badger had said his buddy had been caught in a sandstorm that had scratched the corneas in both eyes.

  “Raven?” She held
out her hand.

  “Yes.” His voice was husky as he clasped her hand in a firm grip. Maybe the sandstorm had affected his throat, too. He released her hand and stepped back. “Please come in. Thanks for doing this.”

  “I’m happy to meet with you. I’m glad you sent word through Badger. You must be keeping a low profile because I didn’t know another member of Ryker and Badger’s squadron was in town.”

  “A very low profile.” He sounded slightly amused. “Can I take your jacket?”

  “Sure.” She slipped out of it and handed it over.

  When he walked the short distance to the coat tree by the door, he favored his right leg.

  “Do you still have pain from your injury?”

  “Not too much anymore. We can talk over there, if that’s okay.” He gestured toward a pair of easy chairs that faced the fireplace. Two bottles of beer sat on a table between the chairs and the soft glow of a fire struck a welcoming note in the dim room.

  “Looks perfect. I love the built-in bookshelves by the fireplace. And all the books. Aaron must be quite a reader.”

  “Yep.”

  She wandered over to the shelf on the left. “Ooo, he has some Dick Francis I haven’t read.”

  “I’m sure he’d loan ’em to you.”

  “I’ll ask next time I see him.”

  “Take a couple now. He won’t mind.”

  She ran a finger over the spines of the books. Dust jackets still on. Chronological order. “Maybe not, but I’ll ask, first. This could be the complete set. Clearly he treasures his books.” She gestured to the chairs. “Does it matter where I sit?”

  “Nope.” He cleared his throat. “I didn’t drink from either bottle.”