Читать книгу The Bull Rider's Valentine - Cathy McDavid, Cathy Mcdavid - Страница 11
ОглавлениеRonnie didn’t normally swear. A ripe oath, however, slipped past her lips at the sight of Nate sitting alongside Theo McGraw, her father’s boss. Luckily, her clients, the Carringtons, appeared oblivious. Not that she needed to worry. Both were former rodeo competitors and had probably heard a lot worse during their many years on the circuit.
Still, Ronnie preferred to make a good impression. Especially on clients like the Carringtons, whose daughter was one of Ronnie’s students. If all went well, they’d close the deal tonight on Star Shine, a reliable beginner barrel racing horse Ronnie was selling on behalf of a friend. In exchange, she’d receive a small percentage of the final price.
A good deal for all concerned. Star Shine was an excellent match for the Carringtons’ daughter and would serve her well over the next few years. The price was fair, and in return, the horse would be well cared for and doted on by the thirteen-year-old.
Hugh Carrington remained the sole holdout and had suggested they meet at the Poco Dinero to rehash the details. Ronnie had acquiesced. She and the owner, Bess, had recently entered into a business arrangement, and meeting at the honky-tonk made sense. Now, Ronnie wished she’d insisted on a different spot.
“How about that one?” Hugh motioned to an empty table near the bar, which, of course, put them in close proximity to Nate.
Ronnie sighed. Would she get even one break today? Every time she least expected it, Nate was there, insinuating himself into her life. Showing up at the ranch earlier, driving Sam home, parking his trailer at her sister’s house and, now, sitting next to the man who signed her father’s paychecks—both of them a pebble’s toss from her important business meeting.
Hugh pulled out a chair for his wife, Jessica, and the three of them sat. Within seconds, the waitress arrived to take their order, and Ronnie indicated she’d pick up the tab when they were done.
She tried desperately to ignore Nate’s stare, which burned into the side of her face, and focus on the meeting.
“The good thing about a horse like Star Shine,” Ronnie said, “is that she has the ability to progress along with your daughter. You yourselves have even commented on what a good partnership they have while watching them compete together.”
Jessica beamed. “I love her speckled markings.”
Hugh’s gaze wandered to the bar, and his ruddy brow furrowed. “Wait a sec...well, I’ll be. Jessica, honey, look. Isn’t that Nate Truett at the bar?”
She swiveled in her chair. “Oh, my God, you’re right!”
Ronnie was thankful the pair were keeping their voices low enough that Nate couldn’t hear them over the music and noise.
“We’ve met,” Hugh commented. “Several times during my last year on the circuit. He’d just started coming up strong. Not long after that, his career skyrocketed.”
“I remember,” Jessica concurred.
Hugh returned his attention to Ronnie. “Does he live in Mustang Valley?”
“Passing through, I believe.”
“You know him?”
For a wild second, Ronnie debated lying. “Yes,” she finally admitted. “We’re acquainted.”
As if sensing the conversation was about him, Nate glanced their way. His brown eyes twinkling, he lifted his beer bottle in a mock toast, which Hugh and Jessica eagerly returned.
“Mind if I invite him to join us?”
Hugh didn’t wait for Ronnie’s reply before getting up and striding over to the bar where he and Nate engaged in a testosterone-infused reacquaintance that included a death-grip handshake and mutual shoulder clapping.
She swallowed a groan, silently begging Nate to decline the invitation. Naturally, he didn’t.
At the table, he bent over Jessica for a half hug and exchange of hellos before flashing a grin at Ronnie and claiming the empty chair next to her.
“Hey, Ronnie,” he said. “Hope I’m not interrupting.”
She tensed but forced a smile.
“No, no,” Hugh insisted, “not at all. We’re thinking of buying a horse from Ronnie for our daughter. She started competing in junior events this past summer.”
“If it’s one of Ronnie’s horses,” Nate drawled, “I doubt you can go wrong.”
And he would know this how?
“Actually, Star Shine belongs to a friend of mine.” Ridiculous, for sure, but Ronnie felt the need to clarify. “But I’ve been training the horse off and on for a while.”
“Like I said,” Nate repeated, “I doubt you can go wrong. When it comes to barrel racing, Ronnie’s a heck of a horse trainer.”
She frowned. It wasn’t like she needed help closing the deal. Especially from Nate.
“And teacher,” Jessica added. “Our daughter adores Ronnie. She’s won three ribbons so far and is making tremendous progress.”
“Isn’t this past summer about the time you started your school?” Nate asked.
Technically, Ronnie had started the school this past spring, after her father had gifted her with a share of his lottery winnings. Wanting to sound more qualified, she answered, “I’ve been a barrel racing and Western horsemanship instructor at Powell Ranch for over three years. It’s only recently I went out on my own.”
There. That sounded good. And professional. She’d gotten her point across without bragging.
“What have you and your beautiful wife been up to lately?” Nate asked Hugh. “Besides having a family?”
“Working our tails off. Jessica and I own three Sandwich Nirvana shops. All of them in the Phoenix area.”
“No kidding! I love your French dip.”
“Me, too.” Hugh grinned proudly. “It’s our bestseller.”
“How’d you go from rodeoing to sandwich shop entrepreneur?”
“We always wanted to own our own business. After I retired from competition, we checked into several franchises. Sandwich Nirvana was the best fit.”
Hugh rambled on about his successes. Growing his first shop into three, buying a six-acre home in Mustang Valley with all the amenities, sending his children to the best private school in the area, as well as taking the family on a trip to Alaska.
Commendable, for sure, though Ronnie thought he might be going a bit overboard. Funny thing, the longer Hugh talked, the quieter Nate became.
When Hugh finally paused for air, he asked, “What about you, Nate? What have you been doing since retiring?”
“A little of everything. Traveling, primarily—mostly around the southwest. Nothing as far away as Alaska.”
Hmmm, Ronnie pondered. He seemed to have a habit of giving vague answers.
“With all your talent and titles,” Hugh continued, “I figured you’d be competing a lot longer than you did or moving into a related field. Didn’t Rocky Mountain Rodeo Equipment make you a pretty slick offer?”
Nate twirled his bottle, watching the last of his beer slosh around in the bottom. “Unfortunately that fell through, along with a couple other deals.”
“Happens sometimes. Business has its downside.”
“Weren’t you in some kind of accident?” Jessica scrunched her mouth in concentration. “A fall from a horse?”
That was right! How could Ronnie have forgotten? It had happened about a month after she’d left him. Mutual friends had told her Nate fell from a horse he was riding and that, though injured, he would recover. She’d been relieved and debated reaching out to him. Ultimately, she hadn’t, convinced he’d reject her effort.
“Yeah,” Nate admitted with a mirthless chuckle. “Seven years riding bulls, the last five professionally, and my knee was fractured by a two-year-old colt barely fourteen hands high. That’s what I get for thinking I could break a green horse.”
“What a shame,” Hugh commiserated. “Injuries have ended more than one career. You out for good?”
“Much to my parents’ and agent’s disappointment.” Nate’s attempt at levity fell flat, as evidenced by the somber expressions of everyone at the table.
“Much to your many fans’ disappointment,” Jessica added quickly.
Hugh pointed at Nate’s beer, the universal signal for inquiring if he wanted another one.
Nate shook his head. “Thanks, but I’m driving.”
“I notice you aren’t limping. And you’re still young enough. Ever considered returning?”
“Doc told me if I injure the knee again, I might lose use of the leg for good.”
Ronnie hadn’t heard that part of the story.
“Which brings you to where you are today,” Hugh said.
Again, Nate redirected the conversation by pointing to the posters on the wall. “What do you think about the recreational rodeo arena under construction? Instead of mechanical bulls, customers can now ride real bulls.”
Ronnie observed Nate while he talked, trying to pinpoint what was different about him. The Nate from her past had been an open book. He hadn’t practiced the fine art of deflection, and he certainly hadn’t been mysterious.
Admittedly, she was intrigued and not because he was someone she’d once loved.
Before too long Bess came over to their table.
“Sorry to bother you folks.” She smiled eagerly at Nate. “Any chance you and I can chat about that matter we discussed earlier?”
Matter? Ronnie was instantly curious.
Nate scooted back from the table, his glance encompassing the Carringtons and Ronnie. “If you don’t mind...”
“Course not.” Hugh shook his hand. “Hope to see you around.”
Jessica wouldn’t settle for anything less than a hug. “It was such a pleasure chatting with you.”
“Same here.”
Ronnie offered neither her hand nor a hug. She’d be seeing him tomorrow, after all, during Sam’s practice. Hating herself for it, she watched him walk away. He and Bess didn’t stop at the bar, instead continuing toward the door leading out back.
“I wonder what that’s about,” Hugh mused.
Ronnie wondered as well but said nothing.
Eventually, she and the Carringtons returned to discussing Star Shine. Ronnie was prepared to go the distance with her pitch. It proved unnecessary.
“If Nate thinks highly of your horse training abilities,” Hugh said, “that’s good enough for us. We’ll take Star Shine. When do you want us to pick her up?”
“When’s a convenient time for you?”
Hugh wanted another drink to celebrate their deal. Thankfully, Jessica nixed the suggestion and insisted they head home.
“You ladies ready?” Hugh swept his keys and phone off the table.
Ronnie knew she should go with them; she’d parked her truck two spaces down from theirs...
“You go on. I have something to do first.”
Jessica grabbed Hugh’s arm and gave a little wave with her free hand. “Have a good night.”
Ronnie strolled past the bar, saying a brief hello to Theo McGraw and a woman who boarded her horse at Powell Ranch. They probably assumed she was visiting the restroom. Once around the corner, she made straight for the back door, not at all sure what she’d give as an excuse if she encountered Nate and Bess.
As it turned out, she didn’t need one. The tall cowboy and the tiny bartender stood at the far end of the small arena, which was brightly lit by the overhead floodlights. A bank of aluminum bleachers had been installed since Ronnie’d last seen the arena, along with a trio of bucking chutes lined end-to-end.
Before long, the Poco Dinero would being hosting amateur bull riding and barrel racing events every weekend. When Bess had asked Ronnie to manage the barrel racing, she’d leaped at the opportunity, seeing a way to grow her school and horse training business.
As of yet, Bess hadn’t found the right candidate for bull riding manager. She couldn’t possibly be considering Nate, could she?
Ronnie stood in the shadows under the awning, observing him and Bess while they circled the arena. Their expressions were animated, their hands constantly making big gestures. Ronnie tried imagining other reasons for the tour. Maybe Bess was showing off her latest business endeavor to a renowned bull rider. Or, she could be seeking Nate’s advice.
When they suddenly changed direction and cut across the arena, Ronnie ducked back inside rather than be caught spying. In her haste, she dropped her keys just as the door closed behind her. Murmuring her second oath for the evening, she bent to retrieve the keys. Nerves got the best of her, and she dropped them a second time.
“Shoot, shoot, shoot!”
The door banged open, missing her by an inch. She popped up, heat flooding her cheeks.
“Sorry about that? Are you okay?”
At the sound of Nate’s voice, she slowly pivoted. “I, ah...” She held up her keys. “Dropped these when I went to the bathroom.”
He shot a glance at the restroom door, a good fifteen feet away. “Did you?”
He clearly suspected she’d gone in search of him and Bess. Ronnie could kick herself. Stuffing her keys in her jacket pocket, she asked, “Where’s Bess?”
“Locking the equipment room.”
“Okay. Well, I should skedaddle.”
Skedaddle? That was the best her jumbled brain could come up with?
“Don’t go yet.” Nate took hold of her arm. “I have news.”
She was afraid to ask, her gut insisting she wouldn’t like the answer.
“Bess offered me a job. Bull riding manager. Seems I’ll be staying in Mustang Valley a while longer.”
Staying? And working with her? What next? Would he move into the vacant house across the street from her?
Unable to hang around and hear the rest of what he had to say, Ronnie spun and all but ran toward the door.
* * *
NATE CAUGHT UP with Ronnie halfway across the dance floor. “Hey. What are you mad about?”
She stopped abruptly, and he had to pull up fast to avoid bumping into her.
“Whoa!”
When she whirled to face him, accusation blazed in her green eyes. “No.”
“No what?”
“You aren’t taking the job and you’re not staying in town.”
He narrowed his gaze. “Last time I checked, this is a free country. I can take a job with anyone who hires me.”
“You said you were heading to Houston.”
“I also said my schedule’s flexible.”
“Why?” she demanded.
“Why am I taking the job? Honestly, I need the money.”
“You do know Bess hired me to manage the barrel racing events?”
“She mentioned as much.”
“And that doesn’t bother you?”
“Us working together?” He shook his head. “Not especially. From what I gather, the barrel racing and bull riding events are at different times.”
“Didn’t you think to ask me how I felt before accepting the job?”
On closer inspection, he could see the spark in her eyes was less accusation and more...fear? Was that possible? Unlikely. But trepidation, for sure, and wariness.
“Relax, will you?” He steered her to an empty table, not the same one they’d occupied with her clients. This one was smaller. Built for two. When they sat, their knees bumped and their feet battled for the limited amount of floor space. His hand inadvertently brushed hers. Each time, her reaction was a soft intake of breath. “It’s probably temporary.”
“Probably?”
“We’re starting with a month-long trial period.”
“And what about the rodeo this weekend? You promised Sam you’d go with us. If you’re working—”
“I’m going. The job’s only part-time. I’ll be able to work around Sam’s schedule, pretty much.”
“Four hours.” She slumped in her chair as if every ounce of fight had drained from her. “You’ve been in Mustang Valley a total of four hours and already you’ve completely disrupted my life.”
He almost chuckled and would have if she didn’t look ready to cry. “Don’t you think you’re exaggerating?”
She raised her eyes to peer at him.
“What did I ever do to you?” He hadn’t intended to raise his voice, but, frankly, he’d grown weary of her attitude. “You treat me like I was awful to you, and we both know that’s not true.”
“Nothing.”
“I did nothing or you have nothing to say?”
She let her chin fall into her waiting hand. “You’re right. I’m possibly exaggerating.”
“And I repeat, why?”
“It’s complicated.”
Maybe so. Though, in Nate’s opinion, she was using complicated as an excuse to avoid a serious discussion.
“Are you afraid of me?” he asked, his tone softer than before.
“Of course not!”
“Are you afraid of your feelings for me?”
She drew back, blinking. “I don’t have feelings for you anymore.”
He’d argue differently. The more he considered it, the more inclined he was to believe she wanted him gone because, like him, she wasn’t over their romance. Having him close stirred too many emotions, ones she’d prefer to suppress or ignore.
“Then why do you want me gone?”
“You have a way of distracting me,” she finally admitted. “I need to stay focused if I’m going to help Sam qualify for Nationals and get my new school off the ground.”
“Now we’re getting somewhere.”
She made a face. “Don’t flatter yourself.”
He chose to quit while he was ahead. Ronnie had never responded well to pushing. She either clammed up, pushed back or ran away. This situation called for a different approach. One executed with finesse. Which would require him to do some explaining.
“This job is a good one for me, Ronnie, and not only because of the money. I need something to help me get back on my feet, even if it is only temporary.”
“I don’t understand. Back on your feet implies you’ve been struggling.”
He signaled the waitress and requested two soft drinks. When Ronnie didn’t object, he assumed she was willing to listen and let himself relax.
“My injury didn’t force me to quit competing. I lied to Hugh and Jessica.”
“Then what did?”
“To borrow your excuse, it’s complicated.”
She didn’t smile.
“Telling people I dropped out due to an injury is easier than saying I lost the drive.”
“No way. You were a world champion multiple times and in multiple events. With enough drive for ten people. You can’t just lose that.”
“Actually, you can. Pretty easily. And not only did I lose my drive to compete, I lost my drive to do much of anything else.”
She shook her head, her expression skeptical.
“What started with you dumping me and my falling out with my mother continued with my injury a month later.” He took his time. Very few people knew all that Nate had been through. If he had a choice, no one would. “While I was home recovering from surgery, my best friend, Logan, moved to Galveston. On top of that, he picked the anniversary of Allan’s death to deliver the news.”
“I’m sorry.”
He didn’t acknowledge her apology, not quite ready to let her off the hook.
“Between losing you, my knee, not getting along with Mom, Logan moving, missing Allan, it was more than I could handle. Even after my knee healed, I stayed home. Quit competing. Avoided well-intentioned friends and family. Ignored phone calls, including the important ones. Slept a lot.”
“You were depressed.”
“That’s too unmanly a term for a big, macho guy like me.” He managed a half smile. “I prefer to say my spirits were low. After six months, my doctor recommended I get some therapy.”
“Did you?”
“Naw. I loaded up Breeze and hit the road. My own personal brand of therapy.”
“What happened to your sponsors?”
“Another unfortunate consequence. My agent sorted out the legalities. Ultimately, I wound up reimbursing the advances and paying the penalties for breach of contract.”
Her brows rose. “That must have been expensive.”
“A little.” Nate had gone broke and had yet to recover. “Before I left, I sold off everything I didn’t absolutely need.” The one exception was the engagement ring he’d bought for Ronnie. For reasons he couldn’t explain, he kept that tucked away in a drawer.
“And you’ve been traveling ever since?” Concern tinged her voice. For him?
“Mostly.” He sat up straighter when the waitress brought their sodas and waited until she left to continue. “Allan always encouraged me to take chances. Said life’s too short to live it on the sidelines. I applied that philosophy to rodeoing with pretty impressive results. Figured the same would hold true with my new lifestyle.”
“I’m guessing you were wrong.”
He took a swig of his soda. “I convinced myself all I needed was plenty of open highway, the occasional small town and a variety of scenery. I found odd jobs when I needed gas or food or pellets for Breeze, relaxed and enjoyed the sights when I didn’t. Along the way, I met some nice people, made new friends and checked off as many bucket list items as possible.”
“Did your spirits eventually lift?”
He couldn’t tell if she was teasing him or not. “What’s the old saying? A doctor who diagnoses himself has a fool for a patient?”
“I thought it was the attorney who represents himself has a fool for a client.”
“Either way, I wasn’t so much taking chances as escaping my problems. Only by then I was on a fast downward spiral and unable to stop. Not that I tried very hard.” He pushed his cowboy hat back and rubbed his forehead. “I guess I needed the right incentive. Coming here, seeing what I’ve become though your eyes, comparing myself to Hugh—who started with less than me—I’ve had a rather rude awakening.”
“I don’t understand, Nate. You’re not at all the person I knew. You excelled at rodeoing. You were, and still should be, on top of the world.”
“That’s the last place I want to be. It’s cold and lonely up there. Hell, it’s cold and lonely at the bottom.”
“Is that how you felt when we were together?”
“Sometimes.”
She stiffened.
“You held back, Ronnie, only trusting me with part of your heart. Which was too damn bad. I thought we had a chance for a future.”
“We were young.”
“That’s not the reason.”
Her features abruptly fell, and she averted her glance.
He reached across the table for her hand. She let him hold it, though she didn’t return the gentle squeeze of his fingers. After a moment of silence, any hope he had that she’d open up and talk to him vanished.
“I’ll try to stay out of your hair as much as possible,” he said. “We’ll only cross paths during Sam’s lessons and competitions. When it comes to working together, I think we can both be civil.”
