Nikki looked at her friend. “You’re not the only one.” With her eyes glued to the box, she waited for them to race out. Come on, Toly. You can do it, you can do it.
Suddenly the gates lifted and he exploded into the arena. Nikki watched in wonder as he threw a perfect loop with his left arm that caught the steer around the horns. Mills snagged its legs in one swift throw. It all happened so fast and was over before she could take another breath.
Denise grabbed her and they both broke down in tears. “They got a 4.0 and 4.2. They did it!”
Another miracle for Toly.
Nikki sent up a prayer of thanksgiving that her brother had channeled his anger and hurt in a way that got them through another night. If they kept this up, they were on track to win it all.
“Oh boy. Now it’s my turn.”
“I’m not worried about you, Nikki.”
She turned to Denise. “You don’t know how glad I am that you’re here. I’ll call you tonight when I get back to the hotel. See you later.”
Her adrenaline was working overtime as she hurried through the stands to the stalls to get ready for her event. “Hey, Santos. Looks like you’ve got my Sassy all ready.”
“Yep. She’s perkier than usual tonight. You can’t tell me horses aren’t like people. She’s excited to get out there and show her stuff.”
Santos spoke Nikki’s language. “Is that true?” She rubbed Sassy’s forelock. “You want to get out there and show off? Well, so do I. Let’s do it.”
After thanking Santos, she mounted her horse and walked her back past her competition. Now that Toly and Mills had accomplished another winning performance, Nikki could concentrate on what she had to do tonight.
She patted Sassy’s neck. “You do seem a little friskier than usual. We had a good practice session earlier today and you know what’s ahead.” The wait seemed like forever before it was her turn to take off. “Here we go, Sassy.”
From the moment they started down the alley, they seemed to go like the wind. Sassy circled both barrels with finesse. Now for the final one. But Nikki could tell her horse was going too fast. When she tried to square up around the third barrel, Sassy’s right leg slid in reaction and sent them both banging into it.
Nikki was thrown to the ground and felt pain shoot up through her right leg when she tried to get to her feet. Nausea took over. She fell back and lay there for a few minutes while she waited for the ringing in her ears to stop. Voices were talking all around her. Someone started to examine her.
“Lie still, Ms. Dobson.”
“But my horse—How’s Sassy?”
“She’s fine and being taken care of.”
The Justin Sports Medicine Team had been the official health care provider for the PRCA for years. Nikki had seen them run to assist everyone who was hurt during an event, but she’d never dreamed she’d be the one who needed help.
Hot tears trickled out of her eyes. “I can’t believe this has happened.” One fatal slip and all her dreams had gone up in smoke.
“You’re going to be fine too. Just let us do the work. We’re going to stabilize you and get you to the hospital.” By now they were taking her vital signs, but her head was still spinning.
“Nikki—” That was Mills’s voice. Where was Toly? “I’m here. You’re not alone.”
Within seconds she was being transported out of the arena to a waiting ambulance. Once they’d helped her inside, she saw that her brother had come in and sat down beside her. He held her cowboy hat in his hand. His eyes were filled with tears while the attendants hooked up an IV and checked her vital signs again.
“Don’t feel bad for me, Mills. It’s life and we all take the risk when we get in the arena.”
He shook his head. “This should never have happened to you.”
“Sassy lost her footing. She was in extra high spirits after my workout with her today. I could feel it, but it doesn’t matter now. How are you?”
“Don’t worry about me.”
“But I do, and you know it. Surely you realize Toly never wanted to hurt you.”
“Let’s not talk about that right now.”
“All right. Do you have any idea how proud I am that you and Toly got a first-place win tonight? You’ll never know how happy I am about that. Where is Toly?”
“He’s gone to the South Point to pick up our buckles. He’ll come to the hospital once the ceremony is over. We’re both devastated for you. How’s the pain?”
“We’ve given her something,” the medic murmured.
“I’m floating right now.”
“That’s good.”
“My car—”
“I’ll take care of it later. You relax.”
Her eyes closed. “Okay.”
She had no sense of time. When they arrived at the hospital she was taken into the ER and sent up for a CT scan. When next she opened her eyes, it was after eleven. Mills stood against the curtain on the other side of the bed.
“Ms. Dobson? I’m Dr. Hall, the orthopedic surgeon on duty tonight. Your scan tells me you have a fractured fibula below the knee, but you won’t require surgery.”
“I’m thankful for that.”
“I’ve told your brother that I’m going to put a cast on you and you’ll have to wear it for six weeks. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, it should heal without problems and your leg will be as good as new. Knowing what a famous barrel racer you are, I suspect you’ll be back on your horse competing again in no time.”
No. There’d be no more competitions.
“Thank you, Doctor.”
“The hospital is buzzing that there’s a celebrity on-site from the Mack Center.” He smiled. “A beautiful one, I might add.”
“Your bedside manner is delightful.”
He chuckled. “Okay. Let’s get this done and we’ll put you in a private room tonight.”
Nikki was surprised how fast he applied the cast. “It’s a blessing to be given such amazing care.”
“It’s been a pleasure. A nurse will come in and the orderlies will be here shortly to wheel you upstairs. I’ll be by in the morning to check on you. We’ll talk then about how to handle your crutches and what to expect after you go home.”
“Thank you so much,” she whispered.
She heard Mills chat with him for a minute before the doctor left the cubicle. Then he walked over to her side. “I’m thankful you didn’t have to undergo surgery.”
“Me too.”
“The crew has texted me several times wanting to know how you are. They’ve promised to take expert care of your horses.”
“I already know they will.”
“Toly texted me too. He’s on his way back from the hotel. I told him to check with the front desk about which room you’re going to be put in.”
“Good. I need to congratulate him on your win tonight.” Her heart pounded extra hard. Even if she knew she looked terrible, she was living for the moment when she saw him again.
The nurse swept in. “Ms. Dobson? You’ve already been on the ten o’clock news.”
“You mean my spectacular fall.”
“Accidents happen, even to the most famous barrel racer in Las Vegas. Are you ready to be taken to your room?”
“Yes.”
“You’ll be moved shortly.”
Mills leaned over to kiss her forehead. “I’ll bring the bags with your clothes.”
“What about my phone?”
“I’ve got it in my pocket.”
“What would I do without you? I love you, Mills.”
“Ditto. When I saw Sassy’s leg slide like that, I almost went into cardiac arrest.”
“I could tell she was taking that last turn too fast. Sassy was overly excited tonight.”
“That’s because she loves you and wanted to make you proud.”
“I thought you didn’t believe she had human feelings.”
“Tonight’s accident has made a believer out of me.”
“Then let me make a believer out of you where Toly is concerned. Remember that he was afraid to let you down by telling you about his neuropathy, especially after what happened with Denise. Through thick and thin he’s been your truest loyal friend every step of the way. In your heart you have to know that.”
As they were talking, the curtain was swept back. The orderlies had come to transport her on the gurney. She gripped the handrails during the journey. It felt strange to be moving while she was still feeling the effects of the painkillers. Nikki didn’t like it and hoped she wouldn’t have to take any more.
They got out on the third floor. Mills walked at her side while they wheeled her down the hall past the nursing station to room 314. No sooner had she been put in the hospital bed than a new nurse walked in the room carrying a vase of glorious white and yellow daisies. The colors were so different from the red Christmas poinsettias she’d seen everywhere at this time of year that they came as a lovely surprise.
“Flowers already? How beautiful!”
“You must have an admirer, Ms. Dobson.” She put it on the side table. “I’m Lynette. How are you feeling?”
“I’m not feeling much of anything.”
“That means your medication is working.” She checked Nikki’s vital signs and made notations on the computer. “I’ll be back.”
Mills had been putting her clothes in the closet. She looked over at him. “Is there a card with those flowers? Are they from Toly?”
“I’ll check.” He walked over and pulled a little envelope off the pick. “Here you go.”
“Do you mind reading it to me?”
“Sure.” He pulled out the card. “Dear Nikki, may these flowers put spring back in your heart. Love, a friend.”
Mills’s mouth tightened. “I don’t know why Toly didn’t sign his name.”
“It’s not from him.”
“How do you know?”
“He would have written a T on the card.” She was positive they were from Denise. It was something her friend would have written. Nikki had an idea she was there at the hospital, waiting until she could visit her alone. But Nikki didn’t want her brother to know the woman who’d broken his heart was nearby. Not yet.
A little white lie wouldn’t come amiss. “I’m pretty sure they’re from Jules McGinnis at the WPRA. That was very kind of her to send them.”
When the door opened again, she held her breath because she hoped it would be Toly. But it was the nurse again, compounding her disappointment. This time she was holding a straw cowboy hat with a small floral arrangement nestled on the crown.
“You’re a very popular person, Ms. Dobson.”
She placed it right in her lap. Nikki handed Mills the card to read.
“Love, Laurie Rippon and all the gals.”
Nikki bit her lip. “She’s going to win the championship now. It was very kind of her to do this. It shows she’s a champion inside and out.”
She looked down and saw the names of all the finalists written around the brim with the words “National Finals Rodeo.” One of the girls must have brought it to the hospital, maybe Laurie herself.
Nikki broke down in tears. Mills picked it up and studied the signatures. “There’s a reason you were chosen as Miss Congeniality a year ago when you won the Miss Rodeo Montana Pageant.” His voice sounded husky with emotion.
Just then the nurse came in one more time with a vase of pink roses and baby’s breath. A ribbon that said WPRA was fastened to it.
Mills showed it to her before putting it on a side table. “I’m still wondering who your friend is since it wasn’t from Jules McGinnis.” He put the hat on the other stand in the room. “A secret admirer maybe?”
“I have no idea.” She smiled at him. “Mills? Could you find the nurse and ask her if I can have a soda or something?”
“Sure. Be right back.”
* * *
TOLY LEFT THE South Point at a quarter to eleven and hurried back to his rig to gather a few things before he took off for the hospital. En route he talked with his family, all of whom were thrilled for him, yet horrified for Nikki. Several of his close friends texted their congratulations.
At ten to midnight, Toly left the Flower Festival shop on the Strip. He carried a vase of Spanish Dream—large, brilliant red roses—protected with floral paper, and got in the car. He’d already called the hospital and couldn’t get there fast enough. The operator told him Nikki had been taken to room 314.
Without wasting any time, he pulled into visitor parking and hurried inside to the main elevators. At the third-floor nursing station he checked to make sure he could visit Nikki. “We were both competing in the rodeo tonight. I couldn’t get here any sooner.”
One of the nurses said, “She’s asleep, but you can peek in and deliver your flowers.”
“Thanks. Is her brother here?”
“Yes. But he’s down at the cafeteria getting a bite to eat.”
Glad he’d be able to see her alone, Toly walked down the hall and opened the door to the dimly lit room. His beautiful Nikki lay on her back with the IV still attached to her hand. Her flowing black hair was splayed across the pillow. Hard to believe her right leg, now elevated, was encased in a cast from the knee down. A light sheet covered part of her gorgeous body.
He’d often thought she could play the role of Sleeping Beauty, but never more so than right now. Unfortunately, he didn’t dare kiss her awake. She needed her sleep after the horrendous shock dealt to her.
With as much care as possible he put the flowers on the hospital tray table placed against the wall. He removed the paper around the roses. Their strong scent would fill the room before long. When she awakened, they were the first thing he wanted her to see.
Toly put his cowboy hat on a chair and sat down in the leather one. This was the first moment he’d had to relax since leaving his rig before the rodeo. Her fall had shaken him to the foundations. He extended his long legs, crossed them at the ankles and rested his head.
Nikki hadn’t stirred. He began to think she’d stay asleep unless the nurse came in during the night to check her vital signs and woke her up. Just as he was reliving the scene in his head when he saw her horse slide into the barrel, he heard her voice.
“Mills?”
He got out of the chair and walked over to the side of the bed. “No. It’s me.”
“Toly—” Her voice throbbed. “I’ve been hoping you’d come.”
“Did you honestly think I wouldn’t?” He lowered his mouth to give hers a warm kiss. “What I want to know is, if this had to happen, why did it have to happen to you?”
“I thought the same thing when you told me about your neuropathy. But nothing has held you back. You’re still on top.”
“The only thing that matters to me is that you’re all right so I can tell you how much I love you. Do you hear me?”
Chapter Eleven
Nikki’s body started to tremble. “You...love me?”
“How could you possibly doubt it?”
She shook her head. “I don’t. I don’t. Oh, Toly—I love you, too. You just don’t know how much. It seems like I’ve been waiting to hear you say that to me forever.”
He kissed her again. “You know why I haven’t, but I can’t worry over how Mills feels about it any longer. I’ve been in love with you for an entire year.”
“We’ve both been in pain. So many times I’ve been on the verge of blurting my love for you.”
He covered her face with kisses. “Tonight I came close to death watching you slam into the barrel. Nikki�
��if I’d lost you, I couldn’t have gone on living.”
“You’ll never lose me. It could never happen. You know I adore you. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you. I love you heart and soul, Toly Clayton.”
“Enough to marry me?”
She looked into his eyes. “Say that again.”
“Will you marry me? Be my wife? Be the mother of our children one day?”
“Yes, my love!” she cried, trying to sit up, but he gently pushed her back.
“Even if I have this condition that might not clear up with surgery?”
“Surely you don’t have to ask me that. Whatever you have to face, we’ll do it together. I can’t imagine a future without you, Toly. Ever since the rodeo started, I’ve been dreading the day it was over. I’m so used to being with you all the time, I want it to go on forever. I need you desperately.”
“I’ve longed to hear those words from you.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a ring. “I had this made up for you months ago even though we haven’t dated officially. I’m glad your IV is in your right hand, because this belongs on your left. I’m sorry I couldn’t have asked your father for his blessing so I could marry you.” He felt for her hand and slid it on her ring finger.
“Will you turn on the light so I can see?”
Toly rushed to do her bidding. She looked at the pear-shaped gray gemstone mounted in white gold. Her breath caught. “I’ve never seen anything so exquisite in my life.”
“I have. But a person has to be able to look into your eyes. They’re this exact color and pure as enchanted pools.”
“Darling—” Her voice shook. “Where did you ever find a stone like this?”
“You once referred to me as the Sapphire Cowboy. There’s a reason for that. My family owns a sapphire mine in the Sapphire Mountains on our ranch. My mother has run the Clayton Sapphire Shop for a long time.”
“Your mom is a jeweler?”
“At first it was a hobby, but she turned it into a real business. People came from all over to buy her sapphires.”
“How fascinating!”
“We boys thought so too. One area called Gem Mountain produced over l80 million carats of sapphires for over 120 years. Before WWII people dug for the large stones, and the fragments were used for watch bearings in Switzerland. Later the rock hounds came to sift through them.
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