Learnin' The Ropes (33 page)

Ty glared at Jimmy.

“He’s on to you man,” Keith said, slapping Jimmy on the back. “He may be green, but he ain’t stupid.”

“Let him be. He can jes take this one in and decide what event he’ll master after that,” Swede said slurping his coffee.

After hurrying through their chores, Cal, Keith, Jimmy, and Swede all left bright and early in the dually pickup with the big horse trailer. Swede wasn’t competing, but he often volunteered to help where he could and liked to have Kitty handy.

Jan declared riding to Jordan Valley, sitting on the hard bleacher seats, and then riding home wasn’t how she wanted to spend a Saturday. Instead, she chose to stay at the ranch.

Lexi told her to take the day off and enjoy doing something fun, so Jan mentioned driving to Burns and browsing through some of the shops.

Quickly finishing a few additional chores, Lexi and Ty were the last to leave for the rodeo. She considered taking her car, but didn’t want it to get scratched or dented in the rodeo crowds. Even though Ty offered to take his truck, she drove her dad’s pickup.

On the drive to the rodeo, Lexi gave Ty a summary of  the various rodeo events, the history of this particular rodeo, and what to expect from the day.

By the time they arrived at the arena, Ty looked forward to the afternoon.

“Do you want to consider this a well-chaperoned second date?” Lexi asked as they stood in line to buy tickets.

“Only if I get to buy the tickets and hold your hand.” He shot her a devilish smile. “And there has to be kissing involved for it to count as a date.”

“What kind of girl do you take me for, Mr. Lewis? You might wrongly assume I’d be willing to kiss you and hold your hand on our second date. Isn’t that a little presumptuous on your part?” Lexi teased with a saucy grin.

Ty leaned down and placed his lips close to her ear. The fruity aroma of his gum tickled her nose as his unique scent flooded her senses. “I take you for the most wonderful kind of girl, Ms. Ryan. One I like very much. One I enjoy holding and kissing very much. One I plan to kiss repeatedly before the day is through, if this is, in fact, a date.”

Warmth flooded through her and her knees suddenly felt like they might turn to gel. Butterflies exploded in her stomach while she grew lightheaded as her thoughts lingered over his words.

Aware of her feelings, Ty pressed a quick kiss to her neck. He slid his arm around her slender shoulders, drawing her into his warmth and strength.

“Date or not?” he asked as they stepped up to the ticket counter. The heat in his blue eyes challenged her ability to think, let alone speak.

“Date,” she finally croaked.

Ty dug out his wallet and bought two tickets. He returned his wallet to his pocket and was handing Lexi a ticket when Jimmy snatched it from his hand.

“If you’re buying, you can get mine, too,” Jimmy teased before handing Lexi the ticket.

“You’re on your own, man.” Ty playfully thumped Jimmy on the back then cupped Lexi’s elbow in his hand, guiding her inside the gate.

“Save us a good seat,” Jimmy called after them.

“Lead the way,” Ty said, completely out of his element. Dressed in his pressed Wranglers, polished boots, a blue striped western shirt, and Stetson, he at least looked like he fit in with the crowd.

His date looked the part, too. As he walked behind Lexi, he admired the way her jeans fit just right. Rather than her standard work shirts, she wore a soft blouse and left her hair down instead of in a braid. She smelled fresh with a floral hint, like a springtime afternoon. He found the scent intoxicating. It would require a great deal of effort to keep focused on what was going on around him instead of the woman who would be sitting beside him.

It took a while to work their way through the crowd since Lexi seemed to know a good portion of those attending. Several people offered condolences over the passing of her father while others teased and laughed with her. Although Ty tried to stay out of the way while she spoke with friends and acquaintances, she kept looking back for him, reaching for his hand, and introducing him to more people than he’d ever be able to keep straight. Ty appreciated that she didn’t introduce him as a hired hand, but as her “good friend.”

Finally, they reached the section of bleachers closest to the chutes and Lexi looked up, waving to her Uncle Rob and his family where they had saved several seats. Rushing up the steps, Lexi pulled Ty along behind her across the top row.

After hugging her aunt and cousins, she motioned Ty to take the seat at the end of the row while she settled in next to him.

“You mean you didn’t get talked into riding or chasing something today?” Rob asked Ty, leaning around Lexi.

“No, sir. It wasn’t for lack of trying,” Ty said with a grin, pushing his hat back on his head so he could better visit with those sitting close by. The action came so naturally, Lexi smiled as she watched him. She recalled seeing her dad do the same thing thousands of times over the years.

 Ty might have been born and raised a city boy, but something in his spirit was all cowboy. One outrageously handsome cowboy who drew a lot of attention from the single female attendees in the crowd, much to Lexi’s annoyance.

Rob laughed and reached around Lexi to slap Ty on the leg.

“If you change your mind, let me know. I’m sure we can get in a last minute entry.”

“I think I’ll just sit back and watch the action today.” Ty leaned against the back railing and draped his arm around Lexi’s shoulders. It was a possessive and bold move on his part with all her family watching, but her uncle grinned when Lexi slid a little closer to him.

They didn’t have long to wait before the rodeo began. Quietly, Lexi explained each event to Ty and much to his surprise, he found himself enjoying the rodeo.

When Jimmy burst out of the chute on a bucking bronc, they all clapped and cheered. He stayed on for the full ride. Ty could see Swede standing on the fence by the chutes waving his hat with pride.

Lexi and a couple of her cousins disappeared and returned with hamburgers and cold sodas for everyone in their group. Ty didn’t realize just how hungry he was until Lexi handed him the hamburger.

“I’m buying the meal on this date, buckaroo,” she whispered as she sat back down beside him.

“Whatever you say,” Ty said, too involved in the big, delicious hamburger to argue. Although juice threatened to run down his arm, it was one of the best burgers he’d ever had. Maybe the company and the warm spring day had something to do with how good it tasted.

They wiped the last of the grease from their fingers when Cal and Keith rode into the arena, competing in team roping.

“With a high score and no penalties, they should place today,” Lexi commented to Ty. Intently, he watched how the competitors performed in each event.

Finally, it was time for the bull riding. Ty thought every single one of the guys riding either had to be unbelievably brave or crazy, or a bizarre combination of both.

Despite the fact that he’d never do it, he did find the event fascinating to watch.

As the last event wound down, Lexi squeezed his hand and grinned. “What did you think of your very first rodeo?”

“I liked it,” Ty said, nodding his head. “I really never thought about the strength and agility it takes to compete in these events. I’m impressed.”

“I’m glad.” Lexi stood and waited for the crowd to thin so they could leave the bleachers. “We’ll probably have the opportunity to attend a few more this summer and you have to go with me to Pendleton to the Round-Up in September. If you thought this was fun, you have to see it. We always stay at Bertie and Linc’s place.”

“Sounds great,” Ty said, holding her hand as they trailed behind her uncle’s family.

They were barely out of the stands when Swede and Jimmy hustled over, both talking a mile a minute. Jimmy placed third in the bronc riding while Cal and Keith took first in team roping for the day. All of them wanted to stay for the rodeo the next day, so Lexi told them to have fun and she’d see them all Monday morning.

“Looks like the two of us will have some extra chores to do in the morning,” Lexi said as they strolled toward the parking area.

“Lucky us,” Ty said dryly as their group wandered through the booths selling everything from silver jewelry to hand-tooled tack and home décor.

“Hey, you two want to join us for dinner?” Rob asked looking back at them as they walked through the crowds.

“If you’re buying,” Lexi teased.

Rob gave Ty a once over with a dubious look on his face. “I don’t know if I can afford to feed that one, but I’m willing to try,” he said with a smile. “We’ll meet you at the café.”

The café
was a dining establishment in Rome, on the way back to the highway that would take Rob’s family home to the south while Lexi and Ty headed north. The food was generally good and filling. In addition, it wouldn’t be as crowded since it was a few miles out of Jordan Valley.

When Lexi parked the truck, Ty raised his eyebrow at the outside appearance of the building but said nothing.

Inside, the place was busy, but the waitress managed to push three tables together to accommodate their group. They laughed and teased, enjoying the good food and companionship.

Lexi told her aunt and cousins about Ty’s nephew, Jax, and they wanted to see photos. Suddenly recalling he left his phone in the truck, Ty hurried out to get it. On his way back in, he waited for a family to walk through the doorway and overhead two guys talking.

One of them spit out a wad of chew. “It’s too bad about ol’ Lex Ryan.”

“Yep, but I hear his girl does a good job of runnin’ the ranch. She’s one hot little squaw,” the shorter and older of the two men said.

Ty knew he shouldn’t be eavesdropping, but he couldn’t step away. His hand clenched into a fist as he moved a little closer.

“I hear she’s got a city boy who’s keeping her teepee warm these days, if ya catch my meanin’.” The tobacco chewer gave his friend a lecherous look.

“Must be nice to be a kept man, livin’ off ol’ Lex’s hard work. That is one lucky dog. Wonder how long it took him to worm his way into the house. Shame that girl didn’t at least have sense enough to pick a nice country boy. He must be a slick talker to win her over so easy. Somebody said he showed up out there a couple months ago. Poor ol’ Lex is probably…”

The smart thing to do would have been for Ty to return inside the restaurant and pretend he’d never heard what the two idiots said. But doing what was smart wasn’t always aligned to doing what was right. At least with Ty.

“I think you two better stop talking about Ms. Ryan like that.” Ty shoved his phone in his pocket and stepped next to the duo, stretching up to his full, intimidating height. “She’s a lady and she’s done nothing to deserve your filthy-minded speculation.”

“And you would be?” the shorter guy asked, taking a step back away from Ty, toward the parking lot. He might like to run his mouth, but he sure wasn’t looking for a fight, especially not with someone who looked like he could take down the both of them without even working up a sweat.

“The city boy,” Ty growled, taking another step forward. “I prefer to not let my fists do the talking, gentleman, but if I ever hear either of you say anything derogatory about Ms. Ryan, I guarantee the results will be painful and unpleasant.”

“No, sir. I mean yes, sir. Come on, Kel, let’s go,” the shorter guy said, hastily backing toward his truck with his friend at his side.

Ty watched them leave before returning to Lexi and her family. Unsettled by the conversation and encounter outside, he sat beside her, distracted.

The warmth of Lexi’s hand on his arm made him turn toward her. When she smiled at him, the corners of his mouth lifted in return.

“Find your phone?” she asked.

“Yes, ma’am.” He pulled up the latest photos of Jax and handed it to Lexi. The women all offered the appropriate comments on what a sweet baby he was while Ty’s thoughts ran in a hundred different directions.

Was his relationship with Lexi damaging her reputation? After all, what right did he have to be involved with her? He was a nobody. He grew up a poor kid from the wrong side of the tracks. Deep inside, he still felt like that. He didn’t deserve to be with someone like Lexi.

Mentally withdrawing from the group, Ty’s sudden quietness didn’t go unnoticed by Lexi. She placed a hand on his thigh and gently rubbed it. Even though her touch seared into his leg, Ty refused to acknowledge the sensation or the comfort her presence brought.

The right thing to do was to distance himself from Lexi before he caused her any more grief. Before he lost any more of his heart to the only woman he would ever truly love.

Lesson Seventeen

Believe in Yourself

“What others think or say about ya

ain’t none of yer business. Not one lick.”

Lexi had no idea what had gotten into Ty, but since the day of the rodeo, he had kept their relationship strictly professional.

Almost a month had passed and she was completely bewildered by his behavior. He was still kind and courteous, but he didn’t ask her for another date, he didn’t seek her out Sunday afternoons, and he certainly didn’t make any excuses to come to the house looking to steal a kiss or two.

It was the longest month of Lexi’s entire existence.

She missed his warmth and laughter, and the way he would tease her and tickle her before kissing her senseless. She missed the feel of his arms around her and resting her head on his strong chest. She missed his scent filling her senses and the sound of his deep, rumbling voice. She missed the comfort of his presence and the airless feeling that filled her stomach when he focused his brilliant blue eyes on her.

Head over heels in love with the man, she was convinced he didn’t feel the same. After their first date, she half expected him to say the words, to say that he loved her, but he didn’t need to. She knew it from the look in his eyes, from the gentleness in his touch.