He knew he was only stalling, but he was terrified she was going to say no. And even more so, she was going to say yes. His emotions were totally out of control, and until just a few seconds ago, he hadn’t realized just how out of control they were. It didn’t matter how aggravated he got at her, he had never snapped at her like that before.
Lucy followed slowly behind him, chewing on her bottom lip. That was the first time since eighth grade she could recall him losing his temper. Not that it frightened her. She knew he wouldn’t hurt her. She just found it puzzling. His outburst was a sign of very deep emotion. It caused her to finally start wondering if maybe Jenny and the others were right. They had always tried to talk her into at least talking to Taylor, his baby sister, but she had always refused. Despite her mother being friends with the others, Taylor, now only nineteen, had been enough younger at the time, they had never gotten really close to her when they were all younger. At this point, she figured Taylor had been sworn to secrecy, just like she had the others.
By the time she made it through the backdoor, Tyler was nowhere in sight, and his mother wore a very concerned look. “Is everything okay, Dear? Tyler seemed a little upset.”
She shook her head, raising her hands up in a sign of confusion. “I’m not sure. He didn’t give me time to talk about what I came to talk about. He just rushed back in here. I thought maybe you would know.”
Lena breathed a sigh of relief, realizing what exactly was wrong with her son. He was nervous about what Lucy’s answer was going to be. “Don’t worry. I’m sure he’s just hungry.”
“It seemed like more than just hunger to me,” she sighed.
“Don’t worry, Honey. Everything will be just fine,” she said, sitting a stack of plates on the table. “You are planning to eat lunch with us, aren’t you?”
“Yeah,” she grinned. “If you want, I can help set the table.”
“That’ll be great,” she grinned. “Tyler should be back down here to help any minute.” She turned back to the stove in time to see him walk back in the kitchen. “Speak of the devil. Help Lucy set the table. Lunch is just about ready.”
“Sure thing, Mom. Has Dad and Taylor made it back in yet?”
“No, but I bet that’s them I hear pulling up now. Unless one of your brothers have decided to join us for lunch.”
“I doubt it’s Trent or Travis,” he grimaced.
“Why would you say that?” Lena asked, giving him the evil eye.
“Well, they’re supposed to be in Little Rock, right now,” he answered, wondering if it was too late to try and hide.
“Why would they be in Little Rock, Arkansas?” she asked, just barely under a shout. He could tell by her expression, she knew exactly what his answer would be.
“The rodeo?” he answered, making it more a question than a statement.
“This is all your fault, Tyler Wentworth. You know I don’t want those boys riding the rodeo. It nearly killed me while you were doing it. Now I got two idiots risking their necks.”
“Mom, I can’t control what they do.”
“Yeah, but if you had never left for the rodeo, they never would have thought of it.”
“Now, Mom, you don’t know that.”
Lucy watched the two argue back and forth like a cat watching a tennis match for a few seconds longer before she heard the baby cry down the hall. She took off leaving the two only long enough to grab the little girl from her crib and come back. Believing it wasn’t good for them to argue in front of the baby, she decided to try and defuse the situation. “The tables ready, and I believe this little gal is hungry. Do you need me to do anything else?”
Lena sighed and turned her back on her son. “Sorry, Dear. You shouldn’t have, had to listen to that. Thank you for getting Montana for us. I think she likes you.”
“Well, I like her, too. She’s a beautiful, little lady,” Lucy said, hugging the now calm baby close.
“Tyler, can you move the roast to the table, please.”
“Yes, Mom,” he replied, immediately moving to the stove.
“Lucy, can you get the salad back out of the fridge?” she asked, grabbing the rolls off the counter. By the time Taylor and George Wentworth had walked in the back door, everything was ready for them to sit down and eat.
“George, you and Taylor need to wash up, so we can all sit down to eat,” Lena said, still sounding a little hot under the collar.
“Yes, Dear,” he answered, sounding almost meek. That notion was cleared up with his next statement. “Then you’re going to tell me what’s got your dander up.”
“I don’t want to talk about,” she pouted.
“But you will,” he said, walking to the sink to wash his hands, leaving no doubt in anyone’s mind he meant what he said.
Once they were all seated and George had asked the blessing over their meal, he looked up at his wife. “Now, what’s got you all worked up?”
“I told you, I don’t want to talk about it,” she huffed as she proceeded to fill her plate and do her best not to look him in the eye.
“Fine,” he replied, and paused only long enough for her to give a sigh of relief before moving on. “Tyler, why is your mother so obviously angry?”
Lena gasped out a breath. “Now, George, there’s no need to bring him into this,” she said, now burning holes in him with her eyes.
Still looking at their son, he continued like she hadn’t said anything. “I figure you’re already in the middle of this. Since I’m having a difficult time believing Lucy or Montana could have possibly done something to make her this upset, that only leaves you.”
Tyler sighed, then took a drink of tea, stalling for time. When his father continued to stare at him, he finally gave in and spoke. “She’s upset Trent and Travis are most likely in Little Rock.”
“Not that I understand why their being in Arkansas would be so upsetting, but why would they be in Little Rock?”
“Rodeo.”
“Ah, now I understand,” he looked over at Lena with a disgruntled look. “Trent and Travis make their own decisions. It’s not Tyler’s fault they decided to try their hand at rodeo.”
“They would have never got the idea if he hadn’t done it first,” she huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.
“You have no way of knowing that. Tyler’s not the only one that rode the rodeo circuit from around here.”
“He is the only one that had the kind of success that he did,” she snapped.
“What was he supposed to do? Intentionally fail?”
“Of course not. What kind of question is that?” she huffed. “We’ve always taught our children to do their best at whatever they put their hands and mind to.”
“You know as well as I do, it’s not Tyler’s fault they are trying to follow in his footsteps.”
“He’s their older brother. They’ve always looked up him. It should have been expected.”
“He’s a grown man. He shouldn’t have to make his decisions based on what his younger brothers might try to copy.”
She huffed and ripped a roll in half so hard, part of it went flying across the table. “Well, he could have at least tried to talk them out of it. He was never really happy out on the road.”
“I did try,” Tyler added, looking over at Lucy in time to catch a look of confusion.
“That’s hardly his place. And once again, they’re grown men,” George said, leaning forward and putting his fork down. “Because, if we’re honest, what they want is the bank account.”
Tyler’s face turned beet red when he noticed Lucy’s eyebrows draw together. He cleared his throat, trying not to wonder at what she was thinking. “Can we not talk about that, please?”
“Well, they obviously don’t have the natural talent that he does,” she huffed. “And all that money he won? Most of it went into his savings account. He only used the bare minimum he had to, to survive. That’s how he ended up with that much in his account.”
“Can we, please, dr
op this subject?” Tyler asked, this time a little louder.
“He’s right,” his dad agreed. “We don’t need to keep hashing this out in front of Lucy. My point is, it’s not Tyler’s fault what Trent and Travis decide to do.”
She sighed and sat back in her chair with her hands in her lap. “I know. It’s just easier if I have someone to blame. I’m terrified they’re going to get hurt. I’ve already gone through this once. Now, I have to go through it again. Only it’s twice as bad.”
“But being mad at Tyler isn’t going to help.”
“I know,” she agreed, looking over at Lucy. “I’m sorry, Dear. You shouldn’t have to listen to us squabble.”
“It’s alright,” she smiled. “Would you like me to go get dessert?”
“Yeah, sure. Tyler can help you.” She turned a beaming smile on her son, knowing he was still embarrassed by their conversation. He never did like talking about his money situation. “Won’t you, Son?”
He pushed back from the table, dropping his napkin beside his plate. “Yeah, sure thing.”
Not another word was said while they moved off to the kitchen area to get the chocolate cake and ice cream. She really wanted to ask about some of the stuff that had just been said, but she knew she’d have to wait if she didn’t want everyone else to hear. Instead, she just gave him a shy smile and went to get the ice cream out.
“Wow, I haven’t see that smile since eighth grade,” Tyler smiled, nearly losing his hold on the dessert plates.
“And you had to ruin it by teasing me,” she snorted. “I should have known.”
“Why do you always think I’m teasing?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“One of these days, we’re going to have this out.”
“Yeah, well, only time will tell,” she said and turned, just short of storming back to the table.
*******
“Fine, I’ll marry you,” Lucy said, glaring at him. “For the baby, of course.” They were standing out in the barn where they had gone for some privacy. Now all she was thinking was, she just wanted to get this over with, so she could get out of there. She was starting to believe she had really lost her mind.
“Of course,” he grinned at her. “You know, you could sound a little happier about that decision.”
“If you want happy, ask someone else,” she snapped.
“Never going to happen,” he said, giving her a very serious look. “I will make you happy, if you just give me half a chance.”
“Whatever,” she snapped, feeling like she was about to faint.
“You do realize, this will be a real marriage? Not an in name only one.”
“I figured as much, Tyler,” she croaked, barely resisting the urge to fan herself.
“I will give you time if you need it. But only so much.”
“Time for what?” she asked, raising her eyebrow at him, trying to figure out what he could possibly be talking about now.
“Time before we make it real.”
“Okay, Tyler, that’s enough,” she squeaked. She knew she had to be red enough to give a boiled lobster a run for its money.
“Can we go to Vegas tonight?” After everything else he had said, this made her almost laugh. He looked like a little boy, pleading for a puppy.
“No,” she said with a shake of her head, trying to hide a grin.
“We really do need to do this quickly,” he pleaded. He kind of looked like he was thinking about throwing her over his shoulder and making a run for it.
“Why are you in such a rush?” She raised an eyebrow at him and crossed her arms over her chest.
“We just need to get settled,” he shrugged, cramming his hands in his pocket.
“I don’t need a big wedding, but I’m not going to Las Vegas. Pastor Macy has to marry us. Three days is the quickest you’re going to get.”
“Okay,” he sighed. “We’ll get married Saturday then.”
“Why Saturday?” she asked, giving him a strange look.
He pulled his hands out of his pockets, almost reaching for her. “Are you sure I can’t talk you into going to Vegas with me tonight?”
“No, Tyler,” she huffed, putting her hands on her hips. “Why Saturday?”
He crammed his hands back in his pockets, and looked down at the concrete floor so his cowboy hat hid his face. “The Townsends are helping.”
“Then why did you ask me to go to Vegas?”
He shrugged his shoulders and gave her a sheepish look. “Just hoping we could do it quicker.”
“No, Tyler,” she said, lightly smacking him in the belly. “I will not get married without an ordained preacher.”
“I understand,” he grinned. “I’m going to be a basket case all week, but I understand.”
“You’ll be fine,” she laughed. “I need to go,” she said, heading toward the barn door.
“Oh, alright,” he pouted. “I’ll walk you to your car.”
“That’s not necessary,” she said, knowing it wouldn’t stop him from following her.
“What kind of man would I be, if I didn’t protect you from possible attack?” he asked as she reached the driver’s side of her small car.
She grinned and shook her head at him. “I hardly think I’m in danger of being attacked on your parents’ land.”
“You never know.”
“Tyler.”
“Okay, I confess,” he said, pulling her into his arms before she could open her car door. “I just wanted a chance to do this before you left.” Before she could question him, he dropped his head down, pressing his lips to hers.
By the time he let go of her, she was dazed and clinging to his shirt sleeves for dear life. “Goodbye, Sweetheart,” he said, reaching around her to open her car door. He helped her climb in, giving her another light kiss on the lips before closing the door. He waved goodbye as she backed up, so she could turn around to head down the driveway. Once she was out of sight, he ripped his hat off, tossing it into the air. “Ye-haw!”
“I take it, that went well.” he heard Taylor say from the porch.
“Yeah. I need to call Zane,” he answered, pulling his cell phone out of his pocket. “Wait. Were you out here the whole time?”
“Of course,” she snorted. “Did you really think I was going to miss this. And I’m sure Jamie Townsend already knows. Mom was out here too, until you started playing tonsil hockey.”
“Why would Mom call Jamie Townsend just because I was kissing Lucy?”
“Do you really think Jamie didn’t tell Mom you had proposed to Lucy? It was all she could do, not to say something about it to you all day.”
He snorted, shaking his head. “Yeah, I should have known.”
“Yes, you should have.”
Chapter 10 – Wednesday, May 15
Lucy huffed, yanking on the front of the white wedding dress with a frown. “I don’t know why I agreed to this marriage. This is crazy.” She felt like she was getting lost in a sea of white lace. There was so much skirt, she wasn’t sure she could walk. She felt like Cinderella, only her fairy godmother must have been drunk. “Why didn’t they use some of the material they put in the skirt of this thing on the top?”
“Hey now, everything’s going to be fine,” Jenny said, trying not to laugh. “But obviously, that dress is not going to work.”
“You think?” she bit out sarcastically as she gave the dress another pointless yank. No amount of tugging was going to add more fabric to the top of the strapless gown. Any more than glaring at her boobs was going to make them shrink to fit the dress. “I feel like one false move, and they’re going to pop out for all the world to see.”
“Not the world. Just Tonya and myself,” Jenny smirked.
“You are not helping,” she stated dryly.
Her obvious irritation did nothing to deter Jenny. She just smiled and continued. “Personally, I could do without the show, though.”
Tonya chuckled with a nod of her head. “While I c
ould do without the show as well, I think Tyler might enjoy it. He might like it if she’s falling out of the dress as she comes down the aisle,” she smirked.
Jenny let out a small laugh, then shook her head. “I don’t remember Tyler being the overly jealous type, and he’s always been so easygoing, but I don’t think even he’d be okay with the other guys seeing this much of her.” The last was said with her hands framing Lucy’s chest.
“I don’t know,” Tonya sighed. “It might be interesting to see what he’d do. You never know. He might be so overcome with passion, he throws her over his shoulder and carries her away.”
Lucy cast the younger girl a stern look before turning to Jenny. “Did we really have to bring her? Isn’t one of you bad enough?”
Jenny laid her hands on her chest, feigning a hurt look. “I don’t know what you mean by that.”
“Sure, you don’t,” Lucy said with a roll of her eyes. “Aren’t you and Zane enough? They had to grow another one?” she asked, motioning towards the younger girl with both hands, prompting a chuckle from her.
Jenny looked over a Tonya with a grin. “And she thinks we’re sarcastic.”
“I don’t see it myself,” Tonya quipped.
“I know. Right?” Jenny replied, sounding almost sincere.
Lucy rubbed her temples and glared at the other two. “The sarcasm in here is starting to give me a headache. I think I might have been better off shopping with Tyler.”
Tonya gasped, clutching her hands to her chest. “No, that wouldn’t do at all.”
“No, of course not,” Jenny agreed. “The groom must not see the bride in her wedding dress before the wedding.”
Tonya nodded her head vigorously. “It’s tradition.”
Lucy crossed her arms over her chest until she realized the action was causing her chest to push farther out of the dress. She huffed, dropping her arms back down to her sides. “This is hardly a traditional marriage.”
“Not to mention,” Jenny went on as if she hadn’t spoken. “You would most likely end up in trouble the second Tyler saw you in your undies.”
The Rodeo Star's Return (Sapphire Springs Book 1) Page 11
