The Comeback Cowboy

by Cathy McDavid

  “You’re right about me talking to my mom,” Adele said, her head nestled in the crook of Ty’s neck as if it belonged there. “It’s just that we’ve never been close, and talking about anything serious…” She gave a small laugh. “We don’t.”

  “When’s the last time you tried?”

  “I don’t even remember. How sad is that?”

  She sounded so forlorn, he couldn’t resist, and placed a tender kiss on the top of her head.

  Big mistake.

  “Ty.” She immediately pushed away from him.

  “My fault, I got carried away.”

  “It’s not that. I do…want to kiss you again.” She settled her palms on his chest. “Just not when I’m all weak and weepy and an emotional mess. Been there, done that, and once was enough.”

  He brushed aside a stray lock of her hair. “I’m willing to wait.”

  Using the key still clutched in her hand, she opened her front door. “Thanks for dinner. I really did have a nice time.”

  “Nice enough to do it again?”

  “You’re leaving soon.”

  “Which doesn’t give us time to waste.”

  In response, she stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. He expected her to immediately retreat, but again she lingered, her lips soft on his skin. If she’d wanted to torture him, she couldn’t have devised a more effective method.

  “Good night, Ty,” she whispered.

  Unable to control himself, he dipped his head and inhaled the incredible scent of her. Sweet and flowery, like peach blossoms.

  “Good night, Adele.”

  Difficult as it was, he stepped back. Giving her one last look, he touched his fingers to the brim of his hat and returned to his truck.

  On the drive to his cabin, he remembered she hadn’t given him an answer about going on another date. He wasn’t worried. She’d also mentioned wanting to kiss him again.

  And Ty had every intention of taking her at her word.

  Chapter Nine

  Adele sat at the folding picnic table outside the camper she and Pop were sharing during their long weekend at the Buffalo Bill Cody Rodeo. Cheers from the crowd carried across the parking lot to the open field where they and a hundred or so other people had constructed a makeshift RV park. Though it was normally reserved for contestants, Pop and Adele stayed there because of his long-standing involvement in rodeos and his previous championships.

  Once a member of the rodeo community, always a member.

  Pop opened the door of the camper and climbed down the steps. While Adele had been woolgathering and listening to the distant cheers, he’d been inside taking a short, midafternoon nap.

  “Aren’t you going to mosey over and watch Ty compete?”

  “I will soon.” She knew from the schedule on the table that Ty’s event wasn’t starting for another twenty-five minutes.

  “Have you seen him today?”

  “Earlier. After the team roping.”

  As Pop sat down across from her, the lightweight picnic table seesawed, ceasing to move only when he did. “I bet he’s mad at himself. A new partner and a new horse are a difficult combination.”

  Ty had partnered with an old friend for the event. They’d done passably well on Saturday, but bombed the final round today, making several avoidable mistakes.

  “Don’t tell that to Ty.”

  Pop chuckled. “I bet he’s a nervous wreck about now.”

  “And doing a poor job of hiding it, from what Mike and Sandy tell me.” Some of the students attending the rodeo had reported back to her, too.

  “He’d better get ahold of himself if he wants to do well in tie-down roping.”

  “He will. He’s a pro, and committed.”

  “I figured you’d be down there offering him moral support.”

  Adele ignored her grandfather’s penetrating gaze. This was hardly the first hint he’d dropped that she and Ty had a romantic thing going.

  They didn’t. In fact, they’d spoken only in passing the last two weeks. He’d been busy teaching the beginners’ class, practicing for the rodeo at every opportunity, and fussing over Hamm as if the horse were a newborn baby. She’d given Ty his space so as not to distract him.

  Or so she told herself.

  In truth, he’d asked some hard questions the night of their date—she’d stopped thinking of it as anything else—and seeing him only reminded her that she had no answers for the questions, and probably never would. Not without talking to her mother, as Ty and Pop had both suggested.

  Except Adele could hardly bring herself to say hi to her mom, not after seeing her with Henry Parkman, and avoided her at all costs.

  “Pop, why did my parents get divorced?”

  His brows shot up. “Where in blue blazes did that come from?”

  “I’ve been wondering about it ever since Mom showed up.”

  Lani hadn’t accompanied the small group of students to the rodeo. Initially, Adele had been relieved; her mother wouldn’t be attempting to attach herself to a new man. Then Adele panicked. What if Lani was staying home in order to be with Henry Parkman?

  Adele rubbed her eyes and sighed. Ty was wrong. That conversation in the bar hadn’t been casual. Adele had seen her mother in action too often not to know when she had her game on.

  “What did your folks tell you?” Pop asked.

  “Dad never talked about it.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me. Warren was always one to keep his hurt to himself.”

  “Why did Mom leave him? Was he such a bad husband?” Adele had always suspected it was the other way around—that her mother was a bad wife.

  “She did move out, but you couldn’t fault her. Not really.” Pop massaged the knuckles of one hand, then the other, a sign his arthritis was acting up. “They were young when they got married. And Warren was on the road a lot. I don’t think rodeo life is good for a marriage.”

  Adele couldn’t agree more. It was yet another strike against Ty, despite her attraction to him.

  “Add a baby, plus a drinking problem on top of that, and it’s a lot for two inexperienced kids to handle.”

  Adele frowned. “Mom’s always liked to party, I know, but I don’t remember her drinking that much. Not while I was around.”

  “She didn’t. Warren’s the one with the drinking problem.”

  “What?” Adele almost slipped from her seat. “Dad doesn’t drink. Not a drop.”

  “He used to. Like a fish. That’s what put an end to his rodeo career. One too many drinks, way too many losses. A shame, too, because he had real talent.”

  “I…I can’t believe it.”

  Sorrow shone in Pop’s his eyes. “Warren went on a binge to beat all binges about a year after he and your mom separated. Crashed his truck into a billboard pillar and damn near killed himself.”

  “Where?”

  “On the highway twenty miles outside of Markton.”

  “I don’t remember any accident.”

  “Your mom took you to Cheyenne, where she had some friends. After the accident, she brought you to the ranch, but didn’t tell you about your dad being all banged up. You were just a tyke, and she thought seeing your father in such bad shape would give you nightmares. He recovered and has been on the straight and narrow ever since.”

  Adele sat back, her head swimming. All these years, she’d assumed her father left Wyoming and ran off to Texas to escape her mother. Or, as a small part of her heart had feared, because he hadn’t wanted her. In reality, he’d done so in order to turn his life around.

  “Why didn’t he tell me?”

  “It’s hard for some folks to admit their mistakes. Especially to their kids. It’s one of the reasons he didn’t fight your mother for joint custody of you, much as I wanted him to. He found a good woman who keeps him in line. Reminders of his past, well, they seem to tempt him too much. He falls into old habits.”

  “I’m not a child anymore,” Adele said with a trace of bitterness. “Yet he still
refuses to include me in his life.”

  “That goes both ways.”

  Pierced by guilt, she averted her glance.

  “Someone’s got to take the first step,” Pop urged.

  Hadn’t Ty said almost the same thing about her mother?

  Adele rubbed her temples, which were throbbing now from her taking in so much at once. Had she been wrong all these years about both her parents? The possibility sobered her.

  “None of us likes the idea of being a disappointment to our children.” Pop’s expression softened. “Take it from me.”

  “You’ve never disappointed Dad. Or me.”

  “I did. When I let the ranch practically go to ruin after your grandmother passed.”

  “That was understandable.”

  “So is what happened to your parents.”

  Adele said nothing.

  “Could be why your mother came back. Hoping to set things right with you.”

  She stared at the rodeo grounds across the parking lot. People and vehicles poured in and out, as they had all weekend long. Even at a distance, the tourists were easy to spot, with their shorts, T-shirts, sneakers and souvenirs. Children walked beside their parents, balloons bobbing at the end of strings.

  “It took a lot of courage for Lani to show up,” Pop said gently. “She had to know you’d still be mad at her.”

  “I thought you didn’t like my mother.”

  “That’s not true. I despised what she did to you, carting you off to some new place on a whim, leaving you on your father’s doorstep or mine whenever the mood struck. But then, I knew she was unhappy and that Warren had caused a lot of it. I also remember her the way she was when your dad and she first met. Your mother was the prettiest, sweetest little gal.”

  No one, as far as Adele knew, had ever described her mother as pretty or sweet. She must have been, however. Pop didn’t usually hand out compliments where Lani was concerned.

  “Why are you telling me all this now? Why not before?”

  “I wasn’t altogether sure you’d listen.”

  Adele was listening. Understanding, however, was a different matter. “We’re a miserable lot, when you think about it.”

  “Doesn’t have to be that way. Which is why I let Lani stay.” Pop reached across the table and patted Adele’s hand. “It’s not too late for you and your mother to mend some of those bridges.”

  “I don’t know,” Adele said wistfully. “I don’t think I can, not while she’s up to her old tricks.”

  “What tricks?”

  “I saw her at the Spotted Horse last week with Henry Parkman.”

  The toothpick Pop had been rolling from side to side in his mouth stilled. “Are you sure?”

  “Of course I’m sure.”

  “They were together?”

  “Sitting at the bar, big as life.”

  “I can’t believe that. Henry and Carmella have been together over twenty years.”

  “I know.”

  “He’s devoted to her.”

  “When Mom goes after a man, she’s hard to resist.” Adele could still see Lani smiling up into Henry’s face, hear her boisterous laughter. “I’m worried that’s why she didn’t come to the rodeo, so she could be with Henry without the rest of us around.”

  “Except he’s here.”

  “He is?” Adele’s eyes went wide.

  “Him and Carmella both. The feed store’s one of the sponsors.”

  “I haven’t seen them all weekend.” Though she had noticed the store’s colorful banner hanging in the main arena.

  “Well, they’re here. You’ve probably been too busy with the students and Ty.”

  Adele wanted to object. She’d been so certain her mother had returned to her old ways.

  “What did you see Henry and Lani doing at the Spotted Horse?” Pop asked.

  “Sitting close. Talking. Laughing and smiling at each other.”

  “That all?”

  “Don’t say it like it’s nothing.” Adele scowled. “Mom was flirting with him, and he didn’t seem to mind.”

  “Flirting is a far cry from having an affair.”

  “It’s still wrong.”

  “Are you sure it wasn’t the other way around? Henry could’ve been flirting with your mother.”

  Adele started to answer, then clamped her mouth shut.

  Two people had now told her she may have been jumping to a wrong conclusion. As much as she hated to admit it, the possibility was looking more and more likely. Were her feelings for Lani so negative and slanted that she was quick to assume the worst?

  Doubts came rushing in. Adele had been comfortable for years living with her anger at both her parents. Just because the time for change might be at hand didn’t mean she was eager to embrace it.

  A cheer went up in the stands. It was followed by the announcer’s voice, telling the audience to stay seated for the final round of tie-down roping, due to start after a ten-minute break.

  “We’d better get a move on.” Pop rose from his seat, causing the small picnic table to seesaw again.

  Adele also stood. Her grandfather could move only so fast, and they had a fair distance to cover—which gave her plenty of opportunity to think…and reconsider.

  DURING THE WALK to the main arena, Adele pulled herself together, only half listening to Pop’s chatter and half noticing the endless stream of people, participants and horses. Tantalizing aromas from the concession stands and brightly painted signs atop vendor booths vied for their attention. She practiced smiling, wanting to present a relaxed demeanor to the students sitting in the section of bleacher seats they’d reserved. Pop would head on down to the chutes and boxes to watch the tie-down roping and give last-minute advice to the participants he’d mentored through the years.

  The first competitor had just finished his run by the time Adele climbed the bleacher stairs, saying hi to the students and hoping they didn’t notice her distracted state. Luckily, their gazes were centered elsewhere.

  She sat in the only available seat, which happened to be next to Mike and Sandy. They were leaving Cowboy College the next day, and Adele would be sad to see them go. They’d been two of the ranch’s more enjoyable and memorable guests.

  “I was pleased to hear about Pop,” Mike said, leaning forward to converse with Adele around his wife.

  “What about him?” She automatically searched for Ty, finally spotting him behind the chutes and boxes. He sat astride Hamm, waiting his turn and watching the competition from that vantage point.

  “The report from his orthopedic surgeon.”

  Adele squinted curiously at Mike. “What report?”

  “When he saw his doctor last week.” Understanding and then embarrassment flashed across his face. “You don’t know.”

  “What did the doctor say?”

  Mike shook his head. “I’m sorry. I can’t tell you.”

  “But he’s not your patient.”

  “Even so.” He looked miserable because of his blunder. “I thought Pop had discussed the report with you.”

  “Well, he didn’t.” At the moment, she wasn’t sure who to be more agitated with, Pop or Mike.

  “Ask him,” Mike urged.

  “Tell me this much. Do I have anything to be worried about?” Anything more. Between Ty’s event and the revelations about her parents, she’d reached her stress limit for the day.

  Mike broke into a grin, and repeated, “Ask him. But in the meantime, feel free to sleep easy tonight.”

  That much was a relief.

  “Next up,” the announcer called, his voice blaring from the speakers, “is a young man all the way from Missouri.”

  Young was right. He didn’t look any older than nineteen. At twenty-seven, Ty was one of the older competitors. He was also one of the more experienced, and that counted in his favor.

  When Adele glanced back over at the box, she noticed he was gone. She didn’t think much about it, assuming he was warming up Hamm. But when Ty didn’t
reappear a few minutes later, she started to worry. His turn was fast approaching.

  Great, yet another thing to weigh on her mind. She’d be glad when this weekend was over and she could go home, retreat to a quiet place and think things through. Maybe talk to her mother.

  Maybe.

  The sudden ringing of her cell phone took her by surprise. She tried but couldn’t read the display in the bright sunlight. Giving up, she answered the call.

  “Hello.”

  “Come meet me by the stock pens.”

  She recognized Ty’s voice immediately, and a jolt shot through her. “What’s wrong?”

  “Just come. I need a favor.” He sounded anxious.

  Various scenarios played in her head. A problem with Hamm or an equipment malfunction. A last minute strategy powwow. Something significant, or else why would Ty call her so close to his run?

  “Be right there,” she told him, already on her feet and squeezing past people on her way to the aisle.

  TY STOOD EXACTLY WHERE HE said he’d be waiting, holding Hamm’s reins. From a distance, everything looked fine. His equipment was intact, the horse appeared calm and uninjured, and Ty’s features were composed, reflecting determination and—this was a good sign—confidence.

  Adele wove in and out of the throng of people, hurrying to get to him as fast as she could. She didn’t question her sense of urgency or why her heart was suddenly turning somersaults. The last forty-five minutes had delivered one emotional bombshell after another. The entire week, really. No wonder her nerves were a tangled mess and her anxiety level through the roof.

  Anxiety? Or excitement?

  No denying it. The small thrill winding through her as she drew close to Ty had more to do with attraction than trepidation. Much more.

  At last she broke free from the crowd. Feeling like a fish escaping through a hole in a fisherman’s net, she slowed down, covering the remaining thirty feet separating her and Ty at a walk. Until that moment, he’d been staring at the arena, his head cocked slightly to one side as he listened to the announcer’s evaluation of the last contestant’s run—a good one, according to the score. Ty would have to give everything he had and then some if he intended to win.