The Maverick Meets His Match (29 page)

After traipsing through the line that formed for beef, burgers, and assorted salads, Ty took the seat at the head of the set of long wooden tables decked out with plastic checkered cloth. Surveying the friendly mob of cowhands and family who had gathered under the grove of trees to the side of the ranch house, an unfamiliar emotion filled him. Happiness.

“Great job out there. You two look like you’re born ranchers,” Doug McClane said as he sat down the table from Ty and Trace.

Ty nodded his acknowledgment and hoped the praise was sincere.

“Seriously, that was some real cowboy work. Guess you do know a thing or two about livestock,” Harold, who was sitting on the opposite side of the table, chimed in.

“Glad I got home to see it. Next, you’ll be taking on a bronc,” said Tucker, who had sat next to Harold, with a huge pile of food on his plate.

This was a man’s life. Running his own operation, working out in the elements with his herd. Doing something purposeful. Ty turned his back on ranching once. But it had been a certain ranch and for specific reasons.

He glanced over at Mandy, who was helping cut up Delanie’s burger into small pieces. Watching Mandy mother Delanie, he felt an uncomfortable twinge.

He wanted to give her that. To leave her with something. Something of his. The thought scared the living bejeezus out of him. He wasn’t sure what was happening, but he knew it wasn’t anything familiar. And it all centered around the woman hovering over his niece.

If they brought a child into the world, would that bring them closer or make the gulf wider?

“That’s some horse you bought,” Trace said, interrupting Ty’s thoughts.

“Should be. I paid enough for him.” Ty took a chomp of his burger, enjoying the juicy taste, glad for some distraction. He didn’t yet have the rapport with the horse that Trace had with his horse. But that would come. Paddy was so well trained, any rider could get a decent performance out of him.

“So you really are going to be a rodeo stockman as well as run horses and cattle?” Trace shook his head. “Never thought you’d come to this after all that fancy education.”

As if she’d overhead Trace’s comment, Mandy turned her head toward them briefly before Delanie recaptured her attention.

“I enjoy ranching, working with the animals. I always did.” Aware he was playing a role in front of his brother, Ty was startled at the truth of it all.

Trace snorted. “You always had your nose in a book, as I recall. Dad and I could never figure you out.”

Ty had studied hard in order to better himself. And he’d succeeded at that, money-wise, at least. But it didn’t mean he hadn’t wanted to ranch. He just hadn’t wanted to be part of the Martin ranch.

Or family.

Deep down he must have blamed his father for his mother’s death even before he’d known it was a suicide. Maybe on some level he had guessed. He’d turned against his father—not outwardly, but inwardly. He’d turned against everything his father was.

“I still like learning. Just working with Mandy and the Prescott outfit reminded me of what else I like.” He sent a wink to his wife and felt a tender pressure on his heart when she blushed.

“Guess J. M. Prescott got back that son he lost.”

Ty met his brother’s hard stare. He knew Trace and his father had resented JM’s interest. But he’d never presumed he could take a son’s place in JM’s heart. JM had been generous and tough, supportive and demanding. His father had only been demanding. “Care to explain that comment?”

“Well, seems he found a man who wanted to follow in his footsteps. Marrying Mandy keeps it all in the family. All worked out damn convenient for you.”

Ty swiped his hand across his chin. Of course he’d never admit to Trace the circumstances of his marriage. How would he explain it and not have it sound like he married for profit? And now she’d thrown him a curveball, and he wasn’t sure he could catch it.

“Life sometimes takes surprising turns.”

“That’s for sure,” Trace said as he looked over at his daughter. “Some good, some not so good. Delanie has been a great gift, and that compensates for a lot.”

“Glad you see it that way,” Ty said.

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“A child is a lot of work, Trace. I was trying to by sympathetic.”

Trace grunted. “You don’t know the half of it. But I’m not complaining. I’ve just got to make sure she stays with me—always.”

“So that is the notorious Ty Martin,” Cat said as she stood with Mandy watching Jake and Delanie play on the large hill of hay by the side of the barn. Mandy and Tucker had played on similar mounds when they were that age. And Ty had kissed her behind one many times that one youthful summer.

Mandy thought it would be a good place for the kids to work off their energy and figured Delanie might be more comfortable away from all the men crowding the picnic table.

“That’s him.”

Before getting Cat’s full feedback, Mandy wanted to wait for Libby, who was standing off to the side talking to her husband. She watched as Chance patted Libby’s stomach and Libby reached up on tippy-toes to give him a kiss before walking toward them. She wanted that—or at least as much of that as she could have.

“So, what do you guys think?”

“About what?” Libby asked as she joined them.

“Ty.”

“He’s hot,” Libby offered. She wore a blousy maternity top over a pair of cropped leggings, the glow of pregnancy on her face.

“Yumm,” added Cat.

“Did you ask him about having a baby?” Libby patted her stomach.

“He’s thinking about it.”

“It looks like it would be pure pleasure making a baby with him,” Cat said with a sigh.

It had been pleasurable, but Mandy wanted something more than pleasure. “It’s a big step,” Mandy said.

“The biggest,” Cat agreed.

“What do you think of Trace, Cat?” Leave it to Libby to ask what Mandy had been wondering.

“He’s as handsome as his brother but a bit taciturn for my taste. The only time he smiles is when he looks at his daughter. I guess that’s something in his favor.”

“Still looking in Cody Taylor’s direction?” Mandy teased.

Cat shook her head. “Once we file that adverse-possession suit, that man will be after my hide. That was just a schoolgirl crush from long ago that’s going to go very wrong in a few more weeks.”

“Like Ty and me in four more months.”

The air filled with kid giggles from Jake and Delanie as they tumbled down the side of the haystack.

“So enjoy those four months, baby or not.”

Mandy hadn’t figured out what she should or would do if Ty turned her down. But one thing was certain—it would be one more wedge between them. There were only so many things one man could disappoint on.

The guys had wondered over to the corrals where the heifers were circling. At the insistence of some of the hands, Tucker in particular, Chance Cochran was recounting his ride on Bad Medicine, a top bronc from a rival company. Ty watched as every man, including his brother, gave Chance their full attention. Ty had to admit, it took guts to get into the arena night after night for a wild ride—and a little bit of crazy.

After some jawing about rodeos past, a few of the guys called it a day. Tucker headed back for some more food, and Trace went in search of Delanie. Ty wandered over to Chance, whom Mandy had introduced to him when the bronc rider had arrived. He’d only just met Chance’s pregnant wife, Libby, since she had come separately.

“Guess you have to love rodeo to do what you do,” Ty said.

Chance grinned. “And the money isn’t bad either, leastwise now.”

“It takes quite a bit to make the top fifteen for the NRF.”

“It doesn’t come easy.”

Ty was wondering about something else that didn’t come easy. “You excited about being a father?”

Chance tugged on the brim of his hat. “And scared, I don’t mind admitting.”

Ty had to laugh. “You get in an arena with a horse that weighs more than a ton, and you’re scared of becoming a father?” Though Ty laughed, he was sympathetic.

“I didn’t have the easiest upbringing. I’m not sure how to do it.”

“But you’re doing it.”

“Not much to life if you can’t pass something on to someone else who matters. I intend to pass something good on.” Chance glanced around. “I was with Libby yesterday when she had an ultrasound. I tell you, seeing our child growing inside of her was a humbling thing.”

Ty could only imagine.

“You and Mandy considering children?” Chance asked.

“Considering. Not yet decided.”

“Well, you two just got married. Guess you’ve got time.”

Ty wished that was true.

Ty and Mandy had said their good-byes to pretty much everyone before they headed back to the picnic table, where Trace and Shelia were helping Delanie finish up the last piece of a blueberry pie someone had brought.

Ty reached for Mandy, and they walked back hand in hand. He liked the feel of her smooth skin against his. And for a moment, he enjoyed the fantasy of being a couple.

If someone had told him he’d one day be entertaining his brother and niece as well as hosting a barbeque for a passel of people, he’d have thought them loco. Yet here he was, and it didn’t feel all that strange. He’d enjoyed cutting cattle. He’d enjoyed meeting Mandy’s friends. Mandy had told him the women knew the truth about their marriage, but neither of them treated him like anything but Mandy’s husband.

And he’d felt like Mandy’s husband.

“I’m tired,” Delanie announced as Ty sat down beside his brother and Mandy sat on the other side, next to Delanie.

The little peanut had blueberry filling smeared across her face, like someone had used her for a swath of canvass.

“I bet, little one. It’s been a long day,” Ty said.

The breeze caught a wisp of Mandy’s wavy hair, blowing it across her lips. She tucked it behind her ear and glanced at Ty, as if she’d known he’d been watching her, before she turned her attention to Delanie, grabbing a napkin to wipe the little one’s face.

Trace dropped his paper napkin on the table. “We’d better head home. Those trailers will be at the ranch bright and early.”

“Yup. And after they drop off your cattle, they’ll be coming back here to load for the Cheyenne rodeo.”

“How about I take Delanie in the house, wash her up a bit before you take her back. Save you some time when you get home, Trace,” Mandy offered.

“You sure?” Trace asked, his voice gruff.

Mandy nodded as she brushed a hand down Delanie’s hair. The little girl leaned against her.

“I'll come with you,” Shelia said, rising as she wiped her hands with a napkin. “And bring in some of these dishes.”

Ty watched the three females walk away, Delanie between the two women. He lingered over the sight of Mandy’s swaying derrière. She held little Delanie’s hand and was bending low to talk to the tyke.

He caught Trace watching him, an amused expression on his face. Time to change the mental subject matter.

“Seems things have gotten better, you know, with Delanie and the whole trust thing.”

“We’re working on it,” Trace said. He sounded weary. “Social worker is involved. We’re seeing that psychologist. I’ve enrolled her in preschool for the fall. It’s falling into place, slowly.”

“She was more relaxed around you though. Saw you holding her in the saddle today.”

“She likes being on the horse, is all. She’ll let me give her a hug now, if I ask. She likes to be warned.” Pain shone through Trace’s eyes even as he struggled to hide it. “Given I’m not the most demonstrative guy, this has been the hardest thing I’ve ever dealt with.”

“What does the psychologist say?”

“That Delanie’s young—she can recover. And that I need to hug her often. Tell her I love her. Make her feel secure.” Trace looked almost haunted as he fiddled with the knife on the table. “Of course I do love her. Truth is, I never thought I could love anyone like I love her. But showing it…well, it don’t come natural for me. I’m learning though. Have another meeting with the psychologist next week. Half of me wants to know just how bad things were for her. Half of me is damn scared of the truth.” Trace shook his head. “’Cause I just might have to kill someone.”

Ty would certainly be out for blood if it was his daughter. He doubted Trace was any different. In fact, he knew he wasn’t. They were Martins, after all.

“You and Mandy looking to have kids?”

Ty wished he had an answer to that question.

“We’re taking it slow. Marriage was kind of sudden. We need some time to adjust.”

“The way she was looking at you and you were looking at her, I’d say no adjustments needed.” Trace chuckled.

If only that were the truth.

Mandy tossed and turned and tossed some more. She pounded her pillow, shifted from her back to her side, and opened her eyes to shadowy darkness. The hotel room clock said five thirty, and she was wide awake.

She peeked at Ty. Even in a California King, he took up more than his fair share of space. Why didn’t that surprise her? His arms were flung out as he lay on his back. Despite the shadowed light, she could still appreciate his body.

Sleeping in the same bed, mere inches from him, was so much harder now that they’d had sex, spectacular sex. What would happen if he said no to the baby?

Would she, should she, sleep with him anyway? That would certainly be the path of least resistance.

But what would be the purpose? Other than immense satisfaction, of course.

Mandy turned on her side, away from the sight of Ty. She’d have to make a decision. Or give up after little more than a week of being married.

Hadn’t been so bad. There were parts that were enjoyable. Sex, of course. And he had galloped in like a white knight to save her from that bull. She’d almost felt as if he’d cared then. The kiss he planted on her could almost make her believe in the fantasy of Mandy and Ty. And at the barbeque it had almost felt like they were an ordinary couple, hosting friends and family at an old-fashioned roundup. But almost only counted in horseshoes.

She glanced over at him. He slept soundly. Like he hadn’t a care. Nothing to do but get up. Ty promised the financials for the ranch today—and his answer about the baby. If she hurried, she could be out the door before he even woke. She could use the time to brace for the coming disappointment.