Two to Wrangle

by Victoria Vane

  “He’s hung up.” Ty bit out, eyes glued to the scene below. Zac was hanging from the bull’s side, feet scrambling for purchase as the animal continued to plunge and kick. He’d seen his share of hangups over the years, but this one was going south real fast.

  Once more, the bullfighters surrounded the bull, but none seemed to be able to get close enough to untie the rope. While one cowboy moved in to release the flank strap, Kade distracted the front end of the bull, moving in toward its head, only to get hooked by a horn and tossed ten feet into the air.

  “Fuck this!” Instincts firing, Ty took to his feet, vaulting over seats and spectators, then climbing the panels surrounding the arena. With his heart pounding in his chest, Ty ran straight to the bull’s head and grabbed both horns. While he wrestled with the front end of the animal, two bullfighters climbed onto its back in an attempt to subdue the bucking beast.

  Zac came free, slumping to the ground. The bull promptly spun on the fallen cowboy. Ty shouted, frantically waving his hat. The bull hesitated, staring Ty in the eye for a seemingly endless moment, as if deciding where to target his rage, then charged. Ty leaped to the side, but his booted foot slipped in the dirt. Next came the sound of crunching bone as their two bodies collided, followed by the sensation of his body hitting the ground in a chest-crushing impact that left him gasping in agony for his next breath. The vision of his lifeless father, lying likewise covered in dirt and manure, invaded his memory just before the world faded to black.

  Monica sat frozen in terror as the bull, now freed of its rider, turned on Ty. Her stomach twisted and her fingernails pierced her palms as the enraged animal lowered its horned head in a stare-down. The bull charged, but rather than hooking and tossing Ty as he had Kade, he plowed straight into Ty’s chest.

  She stood, eyes straining to see past the bull to the body lying limp in the dirt. A horse and rider moved into view, roping the animal’s horns. The bull snorted and shook its head, still fighting as the cowboys dragged it back toward the chutes. The audience watched in silence until the gate slammed shut with a resonating rattle of metal.

  Monica shut her eyes on a silent prayer. Please God, don’t let him be dead.

  When she opened them again, a team of people were crouched over Ty. She recognized both Zac and Kade among them. A medic appeared with a stretcher that Zac dismissed with a shake of his head. A moment later, he reached down to help Ty to his feet. Holding his ribs with one hand, Ty reached down with the other to pick up his hat. The moment he set it back on his head, the crowd went crazy with applause. Ty turned toward the chutes with a wide grin stretching his mouth.

  Is that sonofabitch laughing?

  A few minutes later, he limped back to take his seat beside her. Stunned and infuriated, Monica turned to Ty. “That is what you chose to do for a living?”

  “It’s a lot harder than it looks,” Ty smirked.

  Monica gave an involuntary shudder as she reimagined Ty half-buried in the arena dirt. The vision had almost made her heart stop beating. She exhaled, willing away the horrific vision with a long, shaky breath.

  “What’s wrong, sugar?” Ty asked.

  “What’s wrong?” she snapped. “I’ll tell you what’s wrong! I thought you were dead, you crazy, reckless bastard!” Her eyes burned, and her throat felt like sandpaper as she jabbed a finger into his sternum. Ty winced. She poked him again. Harder. By the third stab she was blinking back tears.

  He grabbed her hand. “Damn! That hurts, Monica.”

  “Hurts?” she released an incredulous, almost hysterical laugh. “You just got plowed into the ground by a fifteen-hundred-pound bull, and my poking you hurts?”

  “Yeah, it does,” Ty said. “I think I cracked some ribs.”

  “That’s it.” Monica snatched up her purse. “I can’t take this kind of insanity.”

  Ty grabbed her arm with an almost panicked look. “What are you doing?”

  She raised her chin and swallowed hard. “What does it look like? I’m leaving. I can’t take any more of this, Ty. I’m not watching any more of your suicidal antics.”

  “Wait just a damned minute, Monica. I get that you’re upset, but what the hell did you expect me to do? Sit here with my thumbs stuck up my ass while that bull trampled all over my best friend?”

  “Upset? You think I’m upset? I’ll show you upset!”

  “Were you really that worried over me?”

  “Of course I was,” she said. “I’m shaking like a leaf and still so furious that I can’t even see straight. What would you feel like if the person you loved threw themselves in front of a freight train?”

  His gaze narrowed. He answered softly, “I wouldn’t let you do it, sugar.”

  She gave a vigorous head shake. “What?”

  His mouth twitched at one corner. “I wouldn’t let you jump off a building either.”

  “What the hell are you saying?”

  “I think I’m saying I love you too. Now sit your pretty ass back down in that seat.”

  She opened her mouth and closed it again, unable to believe she’d heard that right. “What did you just say?”

  “I said sit down. You’re obstructing the view.”

  “No, Ty. I mean that first part. I’m not quite sure I got it.”

  He took her chin between his thumb and forefinger. “Give it a few minutes and I’m pretty sure it’ll all sink in.”

  She continued to stare in disbelief. The logical side of her brain warned her that the situation was too emotionally charged to take seriously, but her heart wanted to believe that Ty meant what he’d said. “We need to talk about this, Ty.”

  “We do,” he agreed evenly.

  “There’s a lot we need to discuss.”

  “There is,” he replied levelly. “I promise we’re going to have a long talk very soon. But we’ve done enough talkin’ for one night. Now, if I swear not to jump in front of any more bulls, will you please sit back down?”

  His tone was light, but his eyes were earnest. She was still mad as hell about what he did, but how many other men would risk their lives for a friend without the slightest hesitation? She couldn’t think of anyone, except perhaps Tom. She knew he would have done it for Ty in a heartbeat and that Tom would have been damned proud of Ty for doing what he did today. That realization put a whole different spin on things.

  Feeling emotionally drained, she replied with a sigh of surrender. “Yes, Ty. I’ll stay.”

  After the bull riding, Ty and Monica returned to the hotel bar, joined by Kade and Zac, who was now in full celebration mode. As expected, Alvaro had the high point ride and won the championship, but to everyone’s surprise, Zac McDaniel took third, even with his hang-up.

  “The drinks are on me,” Zac called out to Gabby. “Ty saved my ass tonight.”

  “I saw it on the television,” Gabby said. “I can’t believe you did that, Ty. With no protective gear? That bull could have killed you.”

  “That’s exactly what I said,” Monica remarked with a dark look.

  “It didn’t,” Ty replied. “I’ll have a beer.”

  “What’s everybody else having?” Gabby asked.

  Zac and Kade each ordered a whiskey.

  “The usual for me,” Monica said, and then excused herself to the ladies’ room.

  When she arrived back at the bar a few minutes later, she found the trio of cowboys surrounded by an entire buckle bunny brigade. Monica watched with interest as a blonde flaunting double Ds in a low-cut tee decided to get up close and personal with Ty, who hadn’t yet noticed her return. Bracing her hands on Ty’s knees, the blonde brazenly moved into the V of his thighs. She said something as her gaze drifted to his lap. Monica wondered how long it would take for Ty to extricate himself. He didn’t seem in any big hurry. Was he enjoying the attention?

  “Is this typical?” Monica asked Gabby.

  “After a ride? Oh yeah.” Gabby laughed. “There will be plenty of boots knocking in this place tonight.”
/>   “If her hands creep much farther north she’ll be giving Ty a hand job,” Monica muttered.

  “He’s not into it,” Gabby reassured. “Even in his player days, Ty never went for the easy ones. He’s just too much of a gentleman to tell her straight out to piss off. Give him a minute, and he’ll pass her off to someone else.”

  It didn’t take long before he said something and gave a nod in Monica’s direction. The blonde cast her an evil eye that Monica returned with a tight smile. Seconds later, Blondie gave a toss of her head and moved on down the bar to wrap her arms around Kade.

  Monica took a thoughtful sip of her drink. Was this what she had to look forward to in a relationship with Ty? If so, was she secure enough to handle it?

  Coming to her side, Ty remarked dryly, “Thanks for the rescue.”

  “You didn’t look like you wanted one.”

  Ty mumbled a curse under his breath. “I don’t do shit tests, Monica.”

  “What do you mean?” she asked with feigned innocence.

  “If it bugged you that she had her hands on me, you could have just come on over and staked your claim.”

  “Why should I have to?”

  “Maybe I wanted you to. In your boots, I damn well would have done it.”

  “Haven’t you already had enough ego stroking for the night, Ty? Or maybe that’s not the kind of stroking you were looking for. Blondie over there looked ready to give you any kind you wanted.”

  “I don’t give a shit about Blondie. I thought I made myself clear tonight. I only want you. Either you want me too or you don’t. You’d better make up your mind ’cause I’m not playing these games anymore.”

  Monica searched his face, considering all that this evening had revealed about Ty Morgan. The man had more principle than she’d ever given him credit for. Although he’d never denied being a player, he played an honest game. He didn’t bring women to his home. He didn’t make declarations of love. He didn’t make promises or commitments, nor did he ask for them.

  But he’d done all of that with her. Ty had shown too much integrity, too much heart to warrant her mistrust. She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m sorry, Ty. You don’t deserve this. It’s been a really rough night for both of us.”

  “That it has,” he agreed.

  “I know you need to be here, but I don’t. I think I’ll go upstairs now.”

  “I’ll follow you in a bit.” He added with a lecherous grin, “Then maybe you can apologize to me proper-like.”

  “No, Ty. Not tonight.” She shook her head with a rueful smile. “I need to be alone for a while. I have a lot to think about—the bull riding. . . the hotel . . . us. I know you need an answer from me soon, but I can’t give you one until I’ve had some time.”

  He glanced at his watch. “All right, but don’t take too long about it. Time’s in mighty short supply.”

  Ty watched her go, wondering if he’d already fucked up. He didn’t want to lose Monica, but they were going nowhere fast if she couldn’t accept him for what he was.

  Zac came up beside him, following his gaze with a fateful shake of his head. “Never thought I’d see you with another one like that.”

  “What do you mean?” Ty asked.

  “Big city. Big money. Didn’t exactly pan out for you the first time around.”

  “That’s where the similarity starts and ends. Monica’s nothing like Delaney.”

  “If you say so,” Zac replied with a smirk and raised his glass to his lips.

  “I mean it, Zac. There’s no comparison between ’em. Monica’s a successful investment banker who needs nothing from me. Delaney was a beauty queen who stole half my ranch.”

  Zac raised his hand with a black look. “Look, ol’ boy. That ain’t how it was, and you know it.”

  “All right. I admit I brought that shit on myself, but that doesn’t give her the right to rub my nose in it for the rest of my life. You know that’s what she’s trying to do with the bucking bulls, don’t you? She sent two to the futurity this year and says she has a dozen more prospects for next year. She has shit-tons of money to put into a breeding program. I didn’t. She thinks I never wanted the ranch. That’s not true, but ranching takes money. That’s part of the reason I stayed on the road as long as I did. I’d hoped to win enough to keep the place going.”

  “But now it’s done,” Zac said. “You’re here and she’s there. What’s the problem?”

  “The problem is that she still wants something from me.”

  Zac’s gaze narrowed. “Like what?”

  “A baby.”

  Zac sputtered his drink. “A what?”

  “You heard me right.”

  “Are you sayin’ she wants to get back together?”

  “Hell no!” Ty laughed. “She wants a kid but doesn’t want another husband. It’s that whole bio clock thing that seems to have pushed her over the edge.”

  “Why you? There’s plenty of other men who’d be happy to do her. Hell, they’d line up for miles.”

  “Delaney might be a lot of things, but easy ain’t one of ’em.” Ty gave a dry laugh. “She tried to bribe me with a stud fee in the form of an interest-free loan.”

  Zac’s eyes bugged. “Why the hell would she do that?”

  “ ’Cause she’s out of her ever-lovin’ mind. Gotta be one of those hormonal things.”

  “Isn’t that what sperm banks are for?”

  Ty shrugged. “She doesn’t want an anonymous father.”

  “You gonna oblige her?”

  “Shit no! If I ever father kids, I’m gonna be there to raise ’em up right.” He sat back, appraising Zac. “You did better than me in school. What’s your IQ?”

  “I dunno. Hundred twenty-eight maybe.”

  “Beats mine by at least five.”

  “What the fuck are you looking at?”

  “You, Zac. Just wondering what kinda breeder you’d be. She says she wants above-average IQ, tall, and athletic. Seems to me you got that part in spades. I’m just wondering if it’ll offset your lack of looks and sense of humor.”

  “Fuck you, Ty.”

  “I’m serious. You once had a thing for her. Maybe you should volunteer?”

  “Oh yeah?” Zac met his gaze. “And what if I decided to do just that?”

  “Hell, Zac, I’d consider it a personal favor. I’d even buy your damned ticket to Oklahoma. Come to think on it . . . how’s your hand?”

  Zac held it up. His fingers were purple and sausage-like. “Fucked up, but I don’t think anything’s broken after all. Why?”

  “There’s a good chance I’m going to need a new ranch foreman.”

  “Wait a minute,” Zac said. “Isn’t that Delaney’s domain now?”

  “It’s not Delaney’s place I’m talking about. It’s Tom’s. Or rather, mine now.”

  “Yours? So Tom left you the ranch? What are you looking to do with the place?”

  “I want to expand the operation and get back to where I started.”

  “Contracting, Ty? Thought you moved out here to get out of it.”

  “I did, initially,” Ty said, “but things have changed. My plans have changed. If things work out for this hotel as I hope they do, I’m going to need bucking stock. I figure some of ‘em might as well be mine.”

  “What about ol’ Bart? Doesn’t he run the place?”

  “He’s ’bout ready to retire. I’d be happy to leave him in charge of the beef operation but I need someone who knows how to handle a rank bull. If you’re ready to hang up those bull spurs, the job’s yours.”

  “I’d like more than just a paycheck, Ty. I’m thinking about my future too and right now it ain’t lookin’ so bright. My place needs too much work. It’ll take every cent I just won just to get it back in operational shape. If you’re looking to contract again, I’d be willing to sell out and invest as your partner.”

  “You would?” Ty asked with surprise.

  “Damn straight. Bulls are what I love, but at this
stage in the game I’d be content to flank instead of ride.”

  “Hell, Zac. I don’t know what to say. I’d be honored to take you on as a partner.”

  Zac’s eyes held Ty’s as he slowly drained his whiskey. Setting the shot glass down, he offered his hand with a smile. “I think you just made me an offer I can’t refuse.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Ty awoke rumpled and cramped from another night spent on the sofa. Although he’d promised to give Monica some space, he’d been too tired to drive to his place. Last night he’d been too pumped up with adrenaline to feel any real pain, but today was another story. His body felt bruised and battered and exactly like he’d been run over by a bull, a feeling he knew only too well. Only last night he’d joked that Zac was a hundred and two in bull-rider years. This morning Ty felt like Methuselah. He rose, with a groan, cursing his bruised ribs and the cow who’d birthed Super Spin Cycle.

  His iPhone buzzed, indicating a text message. Snatching up the phone from the charger, Ty realized too late that it was Monica’s. And the text was from that asshole Evan.

  Miss you, Mon. Still waiting for your answer.

  Answer? What answer? He couldn’t help himself. He typed back a reply. Still thinking.

  The phone buzzed again. When should I send the plane?

  What the fuck? Was she really planning to leave him again? What happened to the week she’d promised him? He’d thought he’d smoothed her ruffled feathers before she’d left last night. Had he screwed up already? Realizing he’d painted himself into a corner, he typed back. Don’t know yet. Will call. Bye Evan.

  Exhaling a painful breath, he threw the phone down, then sat in silence, deliberating his next move. Bringing her back to Vegas had only steeled his determination to forge the partnership. Last night he’d taken a huge leap out of his comfort zone. He’d even told her that he loved her, for Christ’s sake. Didn’t that mean anything? She was much more to him than just the means to an end, but what more did he need to do to convince her? He didn’t have a fucking clue. The only thing he knew for certain was that he wasn’t about to let her loose without a damned good fight.