Nikki had already texted him her congratulations and her love. After he got in her car, he phoned to tell her he was on his way to the hospital.
“Toly? More than anything in the world, I want you to come. But Mills just phoned me and said he has to talk to me alone.”
He smothered a moan. “I understand. He’s been in turmoil.”
“I don’t know how long he’ll stay after he gets here, but—”
“Sweetheart, don’t worry about it. He obviously needs you now. I’m going to head back to the rig. Call me after he leaves, no matter how late it is.”
“I promise. You were spectacular out there.”
“Thanks, but 4.3 won’t win a championship.”
“It did for tonight. Keep the faith.”
“I love you, Nikki.”
Toly stayed up, talking to his brothers, but by one o’clock her call hadn’t come. Whatever was going on was serious. He flopped on the couch and waited before falling into oblivion.
* * *
NIKKI STARED AT her brother who’d just walked into her hospital room. “Mills—what are you doing here this late?” She’d hoped he would be with Denise right now.
“I need to talk to you and hoped you wouldn’t be asleep.”
“I’m wide-awake. Come and sit by me.”
He drew a chair up to the side of the bed. “I’ve been talking to Denise and told her I don’t want to see her anymore. She won’t be coming to the hospital.”
A groan came out of Nikki.
“She told me about Johnny Rayburn coming back from war without a hand. It put a horrifying picture in my head. I could understand her compassion for him. But I don’t get why she couldn’t have talked it over with me instead of just breaking up with me.”
“Do you remember the conversation you and I had earlier?”
“What do you mean?”
“About Toly who didn’t propose until last night? Until he said the words, I didn’t know how he truly felt. You thought of course it was obvious, but I’ll say it again. I knew he was interested, but it wasn’t obvious to me that he wanted to make a lifetime commitment to me and marry me. There’s a difference between being someone’s girlfriend and being the woman for all time.”
“But—”
“No buts, Mills. Denise reacted exactly the way I would have acted. She needed to know you wanted her to be your wife. Without that reassurance she had to deal with Johnny the best way she could. His PTSD was a huge factor. She believed she was doing the right thing to give you your freedom while she helped let Johnny down gently. How did she know what your plans would be once the rodeo was over? What if you met another woman in the meantime?”
“That’s crazy!”
“To you, because you knew you loved her. But not to her. She came to Las Vegas because she loves you and wanted to support you. It took a lot of courage. If you want to know the truth, I admire her for letting you go instead of clinging to you when you didn’t make your intentions clear. There’s nothing more pathetic than a woman or a man who hangs on hoping and hoping for something that might never happen.
“She’s the real deal, Mills, and beautiful inside and out. Of course it’s your decision. Now if you don’t mind, I love you dearly, but that last medication has made me so sleepy I can’t keep my eyes open.”
“Sorry I’ve kept you up this late.” He got out of the chair and kissed her cheek.
“Don’t ever be sorry. See you tomorrow.”
Chapter Twelve
When Thursday morning came, Toly was surprised to discover he’d slept on the couch all night. The call from Nikki had never come. He got up and wandered in the kitchen to get himself a cup of coffee before he phoned her.
His laptop was open and he discovered he’d received a message from his neurologist. Toly opened it.
Dear Mr. Clayton—
I told you I would get back to you when I’d done more research on your condition. The doctors in Paris just let me know that they don’t feel ready to perform surgery on you before summer. Probably July.
In the meantime, I’m corresponding with another team of doctors at the Mayo Clinic. Again their timetable is probably June at the earliest. I’ve sent both groups your medical history and they’ll contact me with further information as we get closer to those dates.
If you’ve had another episode since visiting my office, I’d like you to call me as soon as you can.
I’ll ask my receptionist to put you through immediately.
Dr. Moore.
The doctor had left his phone number.
Toly frowned, deciding to make the call now. Within two minutes they were connected.
“Mr. Clayton—”
“Hello, Dr. Moore. You said to call if I’d had another episode, which I did a couple of nights ago during the competition. Is that alarming?”
“In the same hand?”
“Yes.”
“Nowhere else?”
“No.”
“It’s not alarming, but it shows your rope throwing is aggravating your condition and the surgery can’t come too soon.”
“I realize that, but I want to know why you keep asking me if I have symptoms somewhere else.”
“I don’t think you’re going to, but some patients develop problems in their feet too. You have a unique case. All the readouts on you lead me to believe that with the surgery, you shouldn’t have more problems.”
He gripped the phone tighter. “If I do, just tell me one thing. Is my disease fatal?”
“No, Mr. Clayton. People with this condition live out their life span like anyone else. It’s not life threatening. The last thing I want is for you to sink into a depression over it or let it affect your ranching or personal life in any way.”
Toly was reading between the lines. “You’re talking about women.”
“Yes. You can expect to live a fulfilled life with a wife and children. You’re in your twenties and in excellent physical health and shape. With the exercise you get, you’re doing all the right things. Any future progression of this condition, if there is any, is still too many years away to even think about.
“I’ve been following your rodeo competition and have learned that you and your partner are still in the lead to win the overall championship. I have every confidence that you’ll maintain it to the end. You have a warrior’s spirit. The best of luck to you and stay in touch.”
After they hung up Toly realized the earliest he could do anything about his condition would be summer. But right now he had Nikki on his mind. After a quick shower, he needed to get over to the hospital. She’d be going home today. He couldn’t wait!
* * *
NIKKI GRIPPED HER cell phone tighter. “Denise? What did you say?” She could hardly hear her friend for the tears.
“Mills came to the hotel last evening. I can’t get into it, but he asked me not to visit or call you. I’m going back to Great Falls today.”
Her words brought pain to Nikki, who’d hoped they had worked things out. “I really thought he could forgive you. Under the circumstances, I’ll call you after I know you’re home. I love you, Denise.”
“I love you too.”
Just then Toly’s tall, rock-hard body walked into her hospital room. Never did she need him more.
“Sweetheart,” he cried softly when he saw her wet cheeks and put out his left arm to hug her. “What’s happened?”
Nikki buried her face against his chest. “Mills went to see Denise yesterday and it didn’t go well. She’s leaving on the next plane and has been told not to call or visit me.”
Toly ran his hands through her hair. “I can’t say I’m surprised. Mills has made himself scarce.”
“I can’t believe it.”
“
What can’t you believe?”
Another voice had sounded. It was her orthopedic surgeon. She hadn’t realized he’d walked in. “Next year I expect to see you back in Las Vegas again to finish what you started.”
“That’s not why I’m crying.” She gave a sad laugh and brushed the moisture off her face. “Doctor? This is my fiancé, Toly Clayton.”
They shook hands before Toly sat down to give her doctor room to check her out. “I’m releasing you this morning. How did it go with the therapist?”
“I had no idea how hard it is to use crutches, but with practice I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it.”
“You will. I’m aware you’d like to go to the center to watch your brother and fiancé perform for the rest of the rodeo, but I would caution you to stay down in your hotel and keep your leg elevated until you fly home.”
“But, Doctor—I can’t stay away on the last night.”
“You can watch everything on TV.”
“But if they win the overall, I want to see them receive their award at the South Point Hotel afterward.”
“Then I suggest you have a bodyguard to help protect you so you’re not accidentally knocked down. I don’t want to see you in here again.” He said it with a smile, but she knew he meant it.
He turned to Toly. “I take it you’re driving her to the hotel?” He nodded. “Then I’ll ask the nurse to come in with the wheelchair and the instructions I’m sending with you. When you get back home, you’ll want to contact an orthopedic surgeon there to do any follow-up and remove your cast.”
“Thank you so much. You’ve all been wonderful.”
“That’s nice to hear. I’m sorry you couldn’t finish your brilliant run for the barrel championship. I’m sure you would have won it.” He turned to Toly. “Good luck to you. Everyone’s betting on you and your partner.”
“Thank you, Doctor. No one’s more precious to me than Nikki. I’m very grateful to you.”
After he walked out, Toly gave her a quick kiss on the lips. “I’m going to carry all your flowers down to the car, then I’ll come back for you.”
“Toly? Wait. The doctor had to warn me, but I plan to be out there for your performances.”
He shook his head. “No you’re not. He was right. There’s so much pandemonium, it’ll be more difficult with crutches. I’ll need the peace of mind knowing you’re at the hotel. By the way, I plan to spend the rest of my nights in your hotel room.
“Before we left for Las Vegas, I had this dream of being your roommate and luring you into loving me. What I didn’t envision was being your nurse, but I’ll take it because I’m madly in love with you.”
* * *
NIKKI FOUND OUT over the next few days that no man could have been a sweeter more tender lover who hadn’t made love to her completely yet, let alone a better nurse. The first thing she’d noticed when he’d brought her to the hotel was her little Christmas tree lit up.
He was so wonderful and waited on her hand and foot. They played cards. He brought her the chocolate marshmallow ice cream she craved and virtually showered her with the kind of love she could never have imagined.
The downside of all this was Mill’s absence, except to show up at the center in time for the team roping event both evenings. After two scores that put them in second place, they’d tied with Shay’s team for first place in the overalls. Tonight one of the teams would pull ahead to be the grand champions.
Toly put on a tough front, but she knew deep in his heart how devastated he was for Mills and the crisis he was going through. There could be no joy when the two of them were both worried sick about him and Denise.
Too soon they finished eating dinner and she was propped on the couch with her leg extended. Toly was about to leave for the center one last time. She gripped his hands and looked up at him. “I want to be there. My heart is with you and Mills.”
“I know that. It’s why I can go out there tonight, whatever happens.”
“Has your family arrived yet?”
“Yes.”
“Toly—” She sat up to embrace him, kissing him with all the urgency of her soul.
“I’ll be back.”
The minute he walked out the door, she burst into tears. Nikki was an emotional mess. She quickly turned on the TV with the remote to watch the lead-up to the rodeo. Anything to keep her from going crazy.
It was so surreal to be there trapped in a cast instead of being at that arena to get ready for her event.
It was so awful to think her brother was in terrible turmoil because of a broken heart.
It was so unbelievable that Toly had a strange neuropathy that had forced him to throw with his left arm, never knowing what would happen.
It was torture not to be able to be there tonight for the man she adored.
It killed her that her parents weren’t alive to lean on, that Toly’s father wasn’t alive to cheer him on.
Nikki’s list of pain kept growing until the rodeo actually started. She sat back to watch the events. But her heart was thudding too fast when it came time for the team roping.
She’d never heard such noise coming from the arena and couldn’t seem to calm down. There was a tie between Toly and Shay. But because Toly and Mills had come in to the events with the overall lead, they would ride last with Shay and his partner just ahead of them.
So far the time to beat tonight was 3.8. Shay tore out of the gate and they snagged the steer with a 3.6, 3.8. Now it was Toly’s turn. The crowd noise level went up. She didn’t think she could watch.
Thump, thump. Thump, thump went the beat of her heart. The camera panned to Mills wearing his steely look. Then it settled on Toly in the box. There he was holding the rope in his right hand, the ultimate cowboy in every sense of the word. Though she knew his upper arm and shoulder still pained him a great deal, he was going for it.
Oh please, please. With everything that had gone wrong, make this one moment right. No episode tonight. The gray sapphire on her finger reminded Nikki she already had her prize. Now it was their turn.
Out came the steer. Almost immediately the horns had been caught and before she knew it, the hind legs were sweetly tied up. She heard the announcer.
“Toly Clayton and Mills Dobson have just swept this year’s Wrangler Team Roping Championship in an epic 3.2, 3.4 win.”
In her joy, Nikki jumped up from the couch, forgetting all about her leg and lost her balance. Thank heaven she fell backward. She laughed because the doctor had been right and she hadn’t even been using her crutches.
She grabbed her phone to send a text.
Darling Toly. Words can’t express. Just wait till you come back later.
Nikki sent another one to Mills.
Dearest brother. There’s no one like you. Tonight I’m positive the folks in heaven are rejoicing with me.
Their year of hard, grueling work, of exhausting travel over thousands of miles on the circuit, was over. She couldn’t comprehend it as she waited for the barrel racing.
For once it was pure pleasure to watch each finalist fly into the arena. They were fabulous. All of them. She thought about the hat they’d signed and would never forget. Just as she’d imagined, Laurie Rippon rode out last and won the championship with a l3.48. No one deserved it more. She sent her a text congratulating her.
With it was finally over, she got up with the aid of her crutches to get herself a cola from the minifridge. It would be several hours yet before Toly and Mills would be able to leave for the South Point. She had no idea of her brother’s plans, but she couldn’t worry about that right now. Nikki needed to throw her arms around Toly and never let him go.
To her surprise, she heard a knock on the door and knew it couldn’t be Denise. Since she was already up, she hobbled to the door with her crutches and opened it.
“Mills—” He wasn’t alone. “Denise—”
Nikki knew what this meant. In the next breath she grabbed them. They did a three-way hug, crutches included. She started to sob for happiness and couldn’t stop. “Now all my dreams have come true.”
“So have mine.” Denise had broken down too. “Want to see what Mills gave me before tonight’s event?” She put out her left hand where a diamond ring sparkled on her finger.
Nikki looked at her brother, who wore an ecstatic smile. “You told me Denise needed to know how I felt about her. I took your advice, but the truth is I’ve been carrying it around for months.”
“Now he tells us!” Nikki cried. “I’m so happy for you two, I want to race around the arena and shout it to the world that my favorite people are in love and going to get married. Come all the way in and sit down. I want to hear everything.
“Does Toly know?” she asked after they got settled.
He shook his head.
“He’s going to die when he finds out.”
Mills had pulled Denise onto his lap. “We know he’s coming to get you. We thought we’d surprise him when we show up at the South Point for the medal ceremony.”
“This is the best news in the world. Here I was in despair because I could picture you at the airport taking off.”
“She almost did. I had to race to get there in time.”
Denise looked radiant. “I waited before leaving to hear the scores for him and Toly. While I was sitting in the lounge before we boarded, I heard Mills call out, “You can’t leave, Denise! I’ve got something for you!”
“You’re kidding—how romantic!”
“It was. He ran up to me and in front of everyone got down on one knee and proposed. I couldn’t believe it until he slid this ring on my finger. All the people in the lounge clapped.”
“Who wouldn’t? I wish I had pictures. Let me take some now with my phone.” Nikki pulled it out of her pocket and snapped half a dozen in succession. “Come on. One big kiss for posterity. Toly will want to see it.”
Her normally reserved brother reached around and gave his fiancée a kiss to die for. Nikki made a video of it while she hooted and hollered.
Roping Her Christmas Cowboy Page 16