And Then You Dare (Crested Butte Cowboys Series Book 5)

by Heather A Buchman

  He wasn’t sure what else to tell about Dottie. Bill didn’t know how to define their relationship. She was a friend, but so much more than that. However, after he told her he wasn’t going to be attending Western State in the fall as planned, he doubted they’d continue to be more than friends, if that.

  “She’s your girlfriend,” his sister stated.

  “I guess.” Bill’s shoulders tensed up, and he dreaded the conversation he’d soon be having with Dottie.

  It was three hours before they could excuse themselves and go for a walk. Every minute had been torture for Bill. Each smile she bestowed on him, when she took his hand in hers, even when she hugged him hello, he felt the guilt-laden dread.

  “You seem preoccupied.” The trail had narrowed and they had to walk single-file along this section, so he couldn’t see the look on her face.

  “I am.” No sense beating around the bush, he might as well get it over with. “I’m not going to Western State.”

  He’d hoped she’d keep walking, so he didn’t have to face her, but she didn’t. She stopped, turned around, and put her hands on her hips. “What do you mean you’re not going?”

  Bill could see the clearing a few paces ahead. He suggested they continue walking and he’d explain further when they could sit down and talk face-to-face. Dottie, in her usual way, walked to the clearing with a smile on her face, and sat down on the warm grass. “Explain yourself Bill Flynn.”

  Bill wished she’d stop smiling at him. Couldn’t she sense his agony? What if she cried when he told her his reasons? He’d only seen her cry one time, and that was when the calf died during the tie-down roping event in Gunnison. And that hadn’t been up close.

  “Bill,” she said softly. “Please tell me what’s going on.”

  He wasn’t sure how far back to go, so he began the night he met Mr. Snyder. When he told her how uneasy he’d felt about the man, the smile left her face. When he told her how many times Clancy had driven to Colorado Springs to help his mama, she grimaced. And then, when he told her about Clancy asking his mama to marry him, her smile lit up her face once again.

  “I need to help out,” he explained. “And that means living in Black Forest, just outside of Colorado Springs. That’s where the ranch is.”

  “What about college?”

  He told her he still planned to go, he might get a later start than he hoped, but Clancy assured him he’d help him get into the state college.

  “So I guess you’ve waited all this while for nothin’.” He couldn’t look at her when he said it. He braced himself for the break-up he felt sure was coming.

  “The last thing you are, Bill Flynn, is ‘nothin’. But you’re right, I’m done waiting.”

  “I understand.” Bill’s voice shook in a way he couldn’t control. He only hoped he could keep the rest of the emotions he was feeling at bay, and not embarrass himself too much.

  “I don’t think you do.”

  “We’re breakin’ up. I get it. And honestly Dottie, I do understand. I’m just sorry you’ve wasted—”

  “If you’re about to say I’ve wasted my time, I’ll stop you right there. I’m in love with you, and the last thing we’re doing is breaking up.”

  Bill raised his eyes and looked into her smiling ones. He had no idea what she was thinking, but if it meant she was still his girl, he couldn’t wait to hear about it.

  Chapter 15

  Their week was coming to an end. Tomorrow they’d leave the ranch, and go back to their respective lives. Her time had been more productive than she could’ve dreamed. She was leaving with twice as many designs for Lost Cowboy and her new venture than she initially anticipated.

  She also felt ready to discuss her ideas with her daddy. Deep down she knew he’d support whatever she wanted to do. Being in Colorado gave her time to think it through, and realize it was ridiculous believing otherwise.

  Each day Bullet became a better bull rider. Without the distraction of everyday life, his focus was intense. Buck was an intuitive trainer, and managed to pick up on Bullet’s areas of weakness, and get him to work straight through them. Depending on how much time Flying R gave him to compete, it was conceivable that he could earn enough to make regional finals this year. Buck believed he could go further than that.

  The rodeo season would be fully underway inside of two weeks. They’d both be busy traveling the circuit. Until Bullet knew his schedule with the rough stock, there’d be no way they could plan when they’d see each other next.

  When he brought it up, and she told him that, Bullet sulked. He pressed her to tell him when she’d be in Crested Butte again. He asked her if she could come to Black Forest. When she said she didn’t know, he pulled away, and told her he’d see her later. He slammed her cabin door behind him on his way out. When he came back an hour later, he apologized. When she tried to explain where she was coming from, he shut her down, but this time, he used his mouth on her body rather than argue with her.

  She looked over and watched him sleep. Bullet had intrigued her from the moment she met him in Liv and Ben’s hot tub. On one hand, he was the epitome of a bull rider. Arrogant, cock-sure of himself, and an experienced handler of ladies. Even now Tristan wondered how much of that was for show.

  Conversely, his actions toward her were of commitment and caring. He was relentless in pursuing a long-term relationship with her, yet there was still a part of her that believed he’d forget all about her the moment she boarded her flight home.

  She had no choice but to be realistic. She understood all too well how much temptation he’d face once he was out competing. Instead of allowing herself to think about it, she girded herself for the inevitable.

  He wasn’t like Walter, that wasn’t it. Walter’s actions were intentional, premeditated. He declared his love for her all the while knowing that tomorrow he’d be in someone else’s bed, likely making the same declaration.

  Bullet didn’t intend to be with other women, but he would be. And there was no reason he shouldn’t. Their week had been spectacular. She’d been able to put her past hurt behind her, and enjoy a hot and torrid affair with him. That’s the way she saw it. Tristan didn’t see them ending up together, not in the way Bullet insisted they would.

  Without her stating it emphatically, he sensed the way she felt, and that was when he became surly. Instead of spending the day arguing with him, Tristan decided to go along with whatever he wanted today. Tomorrow he’d come to his senses all on his own.

  ***

  Tristan was sitting up in bed, her back to him. If he had the ability to read her mind, he wouldn’t allow himself to. Bullet knew what she was thinking, and it made him mad. Furious, in fact. But not at her, at himself. He’d stupidly believed he was winning her over, but instead, he was a nick in her bedpost. The irony would make him laugh, if his gut wasn’t burning.

  How many women had he done this to? Sure he’d tell them they’d see each other again real soon. Meanwhile, he’d already forgotten their name. A week with any one woman would’ve been unheard of, except for Callie. He’d spent more than a week with her, but even then, it wasn’t just her he was with. He never thought himself capable of committing himself entirely to one woman. Until now.

  She didn’t come right out and say it, but he’d been on her side enough to know she was biding her time. Once he delivered her to the airport and she was safely on the plane, she’d breathe a sigh of relief that she’d dodged him. This time he was the bullet, not her.

  The question now was how would their day play out? If he pushed, he might not spend it with her. If he didn’t, he might be able to spend the day in her bed, and in her body.

  When he leaned over and ran kisses down her spine, he was rewarded with a heated smile telling him she wanted to spend their last day at the ranch the same way he did.

  He should be the happiest man on earth. He was riding better than ever, and Buck Bishop told him he’d called Bill Patterson and said Bullet worked harder than any other
rider he’d trained. He went on to tell him how proud Flying R Rough Stock should be to sponsor him, and his prediction that he’d be their top rider this year.

  Instead of walking on air, he was downright miserable. Tristan had been at breakfast when Buck came in to report on the phone call. She was happy for him, smiling from ear to ear, congratulating him, even gave him a big hug and kiss.

  But the two things he wanted to hear her say, she never said. Other than telling him how happy she was for him, there was no mention of either a Lost Cowboy sponsorship, or any talk of when they would see each other again.

  There were twenty times on the way from the ranch to the airport that he thought about bringing one or both up, but he stopped himself. He already felt like a fool, no need to make himself look more pathetic.

  Other than getting into her bed, Bullet hadn’t succeeded in changing anything in their relationship. When he asked the day before about visiting her in New York, she said “maybe.” Maybe? How much more of a brush-off could there be?

  Before breakfast that morning he asked if she knew her upcoming travel schedule, and she responded that nothing was determined yet. She didn’t even know when she might be back in Crested Butte. Not that he would be.

  His mood only got worse after he dropped her at the airport in Edwards, particularly given her goodbye. It seemed as though she couldn’t care less that their week together was at an end.

  When a fella decided to tailgate him on the highway, Bullet slammed on the brakes, and sent a slew of curse words in his direction that would make a hard-core rocker blush. When he stopped to fill his gas tank and get a snack, the flirty cashier only annoyed him. Instead of wishing her a nice day too, he snarled, grunted, and walked back to his truck.

  If he didn’t improve his attitude, he’d have a lot of explaining to do to the people who’d made it possible for him to have the week at the ranch.

  ***

  As much as she didn’t want to, Tristan missed Bullet. She’d been home several days, and no matter how hard she worked, she couldn’t fend off the distraction that came when her mind drifted to something he’d said, or they did.

  Bullet had an unexpected way of looking at life. He often surprised her with his views on a variety of subjects. Sometimes he’d play dumb, but if she pushed the conversation, his acumen would show through.

  He’d been the first to predict her daddy already knew what she was up to in developing a new clothing line, and he’d been right. Her granddad told her that his son had been sneaking peeks at her designs for weeks. When she confronted him about it, he scowled, but wouldn’t own up to his espionage.

  Her weekly phone calls with Liv resumed when she returned from the ranch. While she would admit the role she played in suggesting Tristan’s daddy send her to the ranch for some much needed time off, she insisted she had no idea Bullet Simmons was going to be there at the same time.

  Liv pressed her on when she’d be back in Crested Butte, and how plans were coming for the new line. Tristan told Liv her daddy said he’d be happy to support her new venture with seed money, but he thought it best if she developed the brand separate from Lost Cowboy, which led Liv to suggest a meeting of potential investors.

  “You could hold an informational meeting in Black Forest, and invite the women I already know are interested in investing. Depending on what you’re looking for, we could open it outside of our Flying R circle as well.”

  Tristan smirked at Liv’s suggestion even though her friend couldn’t see the look on her face. “Black Forest huh? And yet you insist you had nothing to do with getting Bullet and me together at the ranch.”

  Liv held firm, saying the reason she suggested Black Forest was because that was where most of the key players lived. “It will be easier on everyone if we meet there. I’ll have to travel, and so will you, but everyone else is based there.”

  With no choice but to relent, Tristan began planning the first investors’ meeting for the new clothing brand, McCullough Cowgirl. The name was a hit with everyone she told, almost all of whom suggested the line would soon grow to include McCullough Home, McCullough Cowboy, even McCullough Kids.

  She’d been tempted several times to call Bullet, or text him. But since she hadn’t heard from him, she feared her prediction had been correct. He’d forgotten all about her. Out of sight, out of mind. Too bad that wasn’t working for her.

  ***

  “What the hell do you mean she’ll be in Black Forest tomorrow? How long have you known this?”

  “There isn’t any reason to yell at me, Bullet. I got the call from Liv day before yesterday. How was I supposed to know Tristan didn’t tell you?”

  Here he was in Montana. He wasn’t due to leave for Black Forest until Friday. Today was Tuesday. Tristan would be long gone by the time he got home.

  He was so angry, he felt like putting his fist through something. Too bad the only thing close was the side of the trailer. The last thing he needed was to break the bones in his hand, and the way he was feeling, that was how hard he’d hit it.

  “Steam’s comin’ outa your nose and ears Bullet.”

  Billy Patterson was the last person Bullet wanted to have a conversation with right now.

  “What’s got ya all fussed?”

  “Nothin’.” Bullet walked away, but Billy followed.

  “Renie told me there’s a big meeting goin’ on at Patterson Ranch tomorrow. Somethin’ about a new business she wants to invest in. You know anything about it?”

  “Nope.”

  “I heard Tristan McCullough has somethin’ to do with it. That ring any bells?”

  It was looking more and more like Bullet was going to punch something, and if Billy didn’t back off, it would be someone instead.

  “I said no. I meant no. Now leave me the hell alone Billy.”

  “Okay then. I’ll call Renie back and tell her to expect me home tonight. And here Jace and I were gonna offer to drive this load of broncs to Black Forest so you could be the one to leave early.”

  “Wait, what?”

  “But if you don’t know anythin’ about it, and don’t care to know, then I guess ol’ Jace and I will get to see our wives a few days earlier than planned. Okay by me.”

  “Shit.” Bullet couldn’t hold back any longer. At least now the closest thing for him to hit was the side of the barn. It still hurt like hell, but he doubted he’d done any real damage to his hand.

  “What the hell was that all about?”

  Bullet wanted to wipe the shit-eating grin off Billy’s face. He knew damn well what it was about. It was why he’d spent the last five minutes giving him grief.

  “She doesn’t want to see me,” Bullet muttered.

  “What’s that? I couldn’t hear you.”

  “Fuck off Billy. You heard me.”

  “I don’t know about that. Bree told me she overheard Tristan ask whether you were around.” Jace was sitting on the fence near the barn, chewing on a piece of straw.

  “You two tag-teamin’ me now?”

  Billy put his hand on Bullet’s shoulder and squeezed. “We’re old and married son. And both our wives are pregnant. We gotta live vicariously through someone.”

  “I’m married, but I’m not old Patterson. You’re the old one in this crew. And Bree isn’t anywhere near as pregnant as Renie is. What’s she goin’ on, month fifteen?”

  Billy rubbed his hand over his face. “Sure as hell feels like it. Thirty-six weeks is what they’re sayin’.”

  Bullet felt for the guy. He remembered when Callie was in the last month of pregnancy with Grey. She was miserable. He doubted Renie was the same way though. She didn’t seem like the miserable sort.

  “Your time’s comin’ asshole,” Billy glared at Jace.

  “That why you’re offerin’ to let me be the one to go back early? You don’t wanna be around your pregnant wives?”

  As much as Billy knew he was getting under Bullet’s skin teasing him about Tristan, Bullet knew exactly how
to push Billy’s buttons. If anyone ever said a single thing about Renie that could be construed in a negative way, Billy went near ape-shit. Bullet smiled at him and winked.

  “You think you’re so damn smart, don’t ya?” Billy snarled. “But I ain’t the one punchin’ the side of a barn.”

  ***

  “Let’s have a girls’ night,” suggested Liv.

  “We don’t have much choice, Billy and Jace are in Montana, Tucker’s off at a watercolor workshop somewhere in New Mexico, Ben is on tour with the band. Who does that leave?” asked Renie.

  “Dottie’s Bill, Paige’s husband Mark, and my dad and brother,” answered Lyric.

  “Mark and your dad are with Ben and the band,” said Liv.

  “Just like my family not to tell me anything,” sulked Lyric. “Does anyone know where my mom and Gram are?”

  “At Bullet’s,” answered Dottie, walking in Renie’s back door. “I came over to ask if we should invite them to the meeting tomorrow.”

  “Of course we should. Don’t you agree Tristan?”

  Tristan nodded at Liv. “Of course.” All that chatter and no one said a word about Bullet’s whereabouts. Since no one mentioned Bill Patterson either, maybe that’s who he was with.

  “What about you Dottie, are you able to join us for girls’ night?”

  “I sure can Tristan. My Bill is at the PRCA board meeting tonight. When their meeting’s over the guys usually break out the cards. I don’t expect him back much before midnight.”

  Damn. Still no clue as to where Bullet was. Maybe if she volunteered to pick Bullet’s mother and grandmother up at his house…no, that wouldn’t work. Lyric would pick up her own family.

  Tristan would just have to be patient and see if anyone else worked him into the conversation. No way she’d dare ask where he was. She’d never hear the end of it if she did.

  She was three of Lyric’s cocktails in when she heard Renie’s back door open again.

  “Who could that be?” whispered Bree. It had been her idea to watch the entire last season of American Horror Story on Billy and Renie’s big screen television. “Who are we missing? Blythe, my mom, Lyric’s mom and grandmother are here. Who else did we invite?”