Chance For Love (Colorado Blues)

by Harrison, Ann B

  “But I don’t understand. You never hung around with girls like her. It was always someone famous or in the news—a model or a starlet. She’s just a ranch hand.”

  “You really should watch how you say that. She’s more than a ranch hand and worth ten of anyone like Libby. I knew you wouldn’t understand if I told you I wasn’t going back to the circuit. I want to stay on the ranch, raise bulls, and have a life with a normal family. Callie is the normal I need.”

  “But you love the circuit. It’s what you live for.” Tyson removed his hat and walked over to the window, looking out. He paused and turned back. “If you hated it so much, why did you stay away so long?”

  “We needed the money. I wanted to see you all set up for life before I quit. I figured it was the least I could do after I left you with a drunk for a father. The best way to get a name amongst the rodeo crowd was to be someone who won lots of cash. It all helped raise my profile and get me the rides I needed to make as much money as I could.”

  Tyson’s mouth dropped open and Chance sighed. This wasn’t going the way he wanted it to.

  “You stayed there so we could have the money you made?”

  Chance nodded.

  “I don’t believe it. You didn’t have to do that. We would have made it regardless, you know that.”

  “No I don’t. Dad never had any money, he drank it all. How do you think you’d have been able to buy the ranch if I didn’t give you the money?”

  “I didn’t want your money. I wanted my big brother. Crappy substitution, Chance.”

  “Well, I’m sorry. I did what I thought was right at the time. I couldn’t be in the same house with him. I can’t change what I did back then.”

  Callie squeezed his hand. “I’ll leave you two along for a moment. I need coffee.” She hurried away before he could stop her.

  Tyson watched her leave. “You’re really married to her?”

  “Yes I am. You’ll like her once you get to know her.” Chance smiled. “Best damned ad I ever put in a magazine too.”

  Tyson looked confused. “What? You advertised for a ranch hand or a wife?”

  “Both. I got lucky when she applied.” He watched the change on his brother’s face. “What’s wrong with that? You’ve heard of dating sites. Bet you’ve even looked on one now and then too to see what’s available.” Tyson looked away but not before Chance saw the confirmation in his eyes. “Ha, got you.”

  “So what? I’ve looked but that doesn’t mean I’ve put my name down or anything. That’s just weird. Like having a mail order bride.” He leaned his denim clad butt against the window sill. “So, what happens when you go back on the circuit, she staying home?”

  “Told you already, I want to stay here and raise bulls and a family.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “Well, get used to the idea, Tyson. I couldn’t go back even if I wanted to, not with my hip like it is. Just so happens it came at the right time for me. I’ve been unhappy with it for a couple of years now. Probably the reason Terror got one up on me; my mind wasn’t focused on the job.”

  CHAPTER NINTEEN

  Chance looked up when there was a tap on the door. Callie stood there with his brother Rory by her side. “Look who I found. Thought you might like to have another visitor.”

  “Rory.” His brother walked in and gave him a restrained hug before moving over to Tyson slapping him on the back before standing next to him. Callie walked in and sat on the edge of the bed and took Chance’s hand again.

  “The things you’ll do to get attention.” Rory grinned looking cheerful, but Chance could still see the sadness that haunted his brother in his eyes.

  “Yeah, well, got you all here so I suppose it worked.” He lifted Callie’s hand to his mouth and kissed it. “You’ve met my beautiful bride.”

  “Yes outside, but I didn’t know you guys were married. Best you fill me in then.”

  Chance repeated the story he’d told Tyson expecting the same reaction.

  “Pleased for you, brother. Congratulations to you both.” He came over and kissed Callie on the cheek before shaking his brother’s hand. “I hope you’ll be very happy together.”

  “Thanks, I appreciate it. So, have you got the transfer?”

  Rory nodded his head. “Yep, came through right after I spoke to you. I was going to drive up next week, but Tyson called first thing this morning so I jumped in my truck and here I am.”

  Tyson slapped him on the shoulder. “Thanks for telling me.”

  “Why would I? You can’t keep a damned secret. No point until I knew I had the job anyway.”

  Tyson grunted and then a look of delight came into his eyes. “Talking of secrets. Guess you didn’t know what else big brother has been holding out on us?” Without waiting for an answer, he kept talking. “Seems our little sister-in-law here is the town of Estes Park’s first mail order bride.”

  “What? How come?”

  Chance went through the story again and also filled him in on the reason he wouldn’t be going back to the rodeo as well.

  “Mail order bride. Well, I never would have believed it.” Rory rubbed his hand over his chin, looking at Chance with a spark of interest in his eyes.

  “Worked for me, could easily work for you guys too you know.”

  “Nah, don’t even go there.” Tyson was adamant in his protest.

  “Is there something you aren’t telling us, little brother?” Rory winked at Chance. “About time you showed some interest in something other than your horses.”

  “I’m quite happy as I am. Don’t go making anything out of it either. Not like I have the time or the money for courting anyone. Trying my hardest to build up the business.”

  “I’m sure the right woman would be more than happy to help you do that, Tyson.” Callie smiled encouragingly at him and Chance watched as his brother blushed.

  “How about you, Rory? Ever give any thoughts to trying again?” Chance held his breath.

  “Maybe, maybe not. Depends on the day. Let’s leave that one for now and concentrate on getting you out of here shall we? When are they letting you go home?”

  Chance squeezed his wife’s hand. “Tomorrow if all goes well. I feel much better and the doctor is happy with progress. Lucky my darling wife is such a hard ass. If she hadn’t come along when she did and pushed Terror away, I’d be a mess right about now.”

  He saw the sheen of tears in Callie’s eyes. “It’s true. I’ve put myself in harm’s way for far too long. I need to be more careful in future and with you by my side, I think I can do that. We have so much to look forward to.”

  ***

  Callie swallowed the emotions threatening to choke her as she listened to Chance talk about their future. Yesterday she wasn’t even sure they had one together. The fear clutching at her heart when she saw Terror attacking Chance was nothing she had felt before and it scared the crap out of her.

  “Well, maybe next time you think a little before you do something so damned stupid. I’d hate to have to pick up after you all the time.”

  “Is it an Aussie thing the way she talks to you?” Rory grinned as he asked the question.

  “Yeah, I think so. It’s just how she rolls, telling it like it is.” Chance lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her palm. If the brothers weren’t in the same room, she would have locked the door and had her way with him right there and then. One day without him in her bed and she was getting antsy already.

  “I’d better go and let you have some time with these guys. I’ll be back later today. Don’t give the nurses a hard time, you hear?”

  “Don’t go on our account, Callie.” Tyson walked over and stood beside her. “Um, I may as well get this over and done with.” He rubbed his hand around the back of his neck and cleared his throat. “It’s just that I think I owe you an apology.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. You do.” She stood up and faced him, hands tucked into the back pockets of her jeans.

  He look
ed to the hospital bed for help but all Chance did was shrug his shoulders.

  “Right, then. Okay.” He took a deep breath. “I was out of line. You deserved more respect than I gave you and for that I’m sorry.”

  “And?” Callie tilted her head and waited.

  “And, um, well...” He looked at Rory for help but the sheriff just shook his head. “I don’t know what more you want.”

  “Really? Well let me tell you then so you don’t make the same mistake again. How about you learn to respect your brother’s decisions and you promise you won’t butt in again if it’s something that doesn’t concern you. That’d be good for a start, I reckon.”

  Tyson pursed his lips. “Fine. I promise to respect my brother’s decisions and not butt into things that don’t concern me.”

  Callie slapped him on the shoulder. “Great start. Thanks, apology accepted.” She leaned down and kissed her husband. “Be good and I’ll be back soon, okay?” Callie turned to Rory. “How about I make up the guest room and you can come and stay with us for a few days until you figure out what you want to do and where you want to live. I could sure do with the company.”

  “Are you sure it’s not inconvenient?”

  “Not at all. We’d love to have you stay.” She looked at her husband.

  “What she said.” Chance laughed. “Truly, Rory, we have plenty of room.”

  Tyson looked offended and piped up. “So do I. He can stay with me too.”

  “Sorry, Tyson. I don’t think I could handle living with you right now. Hell, I still remember how nosy you were when we were kids. Doubt you’ve changed that much.”

  “I’m not nosy. Just have a curious nature is all.” He crossed his arms and huffed as they laughed at him.

  “Yeah well, I’d rather you weren’t curious on my part for now.” He turned to Callie. “If you’re sure it’s alright, that’d be great. I can drive on up later after I’ve had a look around town and called in at the office to do a meet and greet.”

  “Wonderful. Well then, I’ll see you all later.” Callie waved her fingers as she left the Watson boys alone with her husband.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Callie helped Chance out of the truck and onto the porch. “I’m okay. Not even the slightest bit dizzy. Just a few bruises that are looking pretty colorful right now.” He eased down onto a chair and gazed over the valley.

  “Let me get a couple of mugs of coffee and we can relax out here for a bit while the weather is nice.” Callie headed inside and Chance dropped his hand to Sherbet’s head. The dog had been sitting at the door waiting for them when they got home and she sidled up to his chair. “Guess I owe you, don’t I girl? Heard tell you got in between me and Terror.” He stroked her hears and smiled as she leaned into him. “Got lucky big time, the pair of us didn’t we?”

  Callie came back out and placed the cups on the table between chairs. “

  “Sit with me.” Chance patted the edge of his chair and she perched down beside him. “Best decision I ever made bringing you here. You know that, don’t you?” He cupped her chin and turned her to face him. Her smile was beautiful to see and he’d kicked himself when he remembered her scream when Terror attacked. He never wanted to put her through anything like that again.

  “Yep. Couldn’t of said it better myself. I’m glad Tyson has come around.”

  “Me too. It’s all worked out for the best finally. I’m sorry I had to keep you a secret from him. It wasn’t the best way to go about it.”

  “No, probably not but it all worked out for the best. I’m glad Rory has come home for your sake. He seems a really nice guy.”

  “He is. One of the most down to earth and calm guys I know. He’ll be good for the town. I just hope he finds someone as nice as you. He deserves another chance at love.”

  “Yes, he does. He spoke about his wife last night. I felt so sad for him too. Finding out you’re going to be a parent and losing everything in the space of a day must have been gut wrenching for him. I’m not sure I understand how he made it through that.”

  “Strong man. I just wish the other boys would come home too. I miss them as well.”

  “Well now, it will give you something to work on while you recover. Find them and convince them to come home and settle down. You did it, now you can work on them.” Callie picked up her coffee and took a sip watching the cogs turn over in his brain.

  “You don’t mean what I think you mean do you?” Chance grinned.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Find them brides of their own?” He leaned over for a quick kiss. “I like how your mind works, wife.”

  “Stands to reason, doesn’t it? If you’re happy and settled, they’d want to come back to town and live here. As to the wives part, I don’t know them so I can only talk in general terms. What man wouldn’t like to come home to a wife and happy home every evening?”

  Chance picked up his coffee and touched mugs with his mail order bride, the possibilities already going through his mind.

  Coming in June:

  Rescue Me

  Book Two in Colorado Blues.