A Helluva Man

by Sable Hunter

  “Where are we?”

  Tamara let out a relieved breath. Just hearing his voice made her feel better. “We’re nearing Chapel Hill on 290.”

  “Hell, this is not what I wanted to happen.” He rubbed his thigh above the cast.

  “Hey, you went out a winner. You finished your ride and your time beat everyone else’s. I thought you were amazing.” She kept her eyes on the road, but she was super-aware of his warmth in the seat next to her.

  “Yea, but I can’t advance in the finals,” he said with a sigh, then rubbed his eyes. “God, I feel woozy.” He tapped the cast. “This is going to put a serious crimp in my get-a-long.”

  “You’ll get used to those crutches in no time.” She reached over and stroked his forearm. So strong, corded with muscles. Tanned and dusted with dark hair. He was all man and her femininity tingled in response. “Nothing is going to hold you back.”

  He looked over to Tamara. “Thanks for driving me home.” Reaching out, he rubbed the back of his hand over the soft skin on her shoulder. “I messed up your plans. You should’ve told me no.”

  She shook her head. “No, I wanted to do this for you. I’ll just catch a later flight, no big deal.” As a car went by, a strip of light danced over his face, illuminating his eyes. “I’m so sorry this happened to you. Are you going to retire?”

  Jaxson frowned. “Hell, no. I have to do this. I need to do this, Tammy. It’s part of who I am, what defines me as a person.” He shook his head. “I shoulda known something was up with that bull. I shoulda kept my eye on him. The animals were all acting crazy. Every time the weather changes, they get all worked up. Tonight, when I walked by one of the pens, there was a couple of the bulls riding one another and acting like queers, then they got to fighting, and before you know it – it was just a mess back there.”

  Tamara frowned, not really wanting to imagine the scene. “I just can’t believe the bull turned on you. The ride was over, and he looped back just to attack you.”

  “I’m not surprised.” Jaxson sighed, crossing his arms over his chest. “Bulls are unpredictable creatures. They’ll stall in the chute one day and try to gore you to death the next. Bocephus is just like his daddy.” He smiled and looked toward Tamara. “Now that was a bull. Bodacious. The most dangerous bull ever ridden. He was born the same year I was, 1988. Half Brahman and half Charolais. He didn’t look like anything when he was born, a scrawny yellow thing. His owner at the time, a guy named Sumner, threatened to send him to McDonald’s if he didn’t get his act together.”

  Tamara smiled. He was speaking of the bull with nostalgia and affection, much like a fan would wax eloquent about a football hero. “What happened to him?”

  Jaxson chuckled. “One Sunday in Oklahoma, something changed for him. Before this incident, he was a mediocre bull at best. He’d been rejected as a breed bull and sold for the price of hamburger. Nobody envisioned this seven-hundred-dollar bull would someday be worth millions. Some kid was on his back, getting an easy ride, when his hand got caught in the rope. The boy got scared and started flailing around and he spooked Bodacious. The bull snapped and freaked out – leaping, spinning, and kicking his back legs so high that he almost flipped over. After that, he never looked back. Bulls aren’t like other animals; their brains aren’t wired for submission. Bodacious not only refused to be ridden, he started inventing new ways to throw cowboys off. The older he got, the crueler he became. He added spine twists, rolls, jackhammer stomps, and uncoupling pitches to his repertoire.”

  Tamara smiled when Jaxson’s tongue got tangled up on the word repertoire, he was still high as a kite on the meds, that was why he was being so talkative. She didn’t want him to be in pain, but she loved that he was opening up to her. “You make him sound like a super villain.”

  “I guess he was.” Jaxson nodded with a chuckle. “By the time he was five, he weighed over a ton and was built like a clenched fist. A monster. Even the world champion cowboys were scared of him. Some refused to ride him. One guy, by the name of Tuff Hedeman, made one perfect ride on him in 1993, both bull and man were in perfect harmony. But in 1995, Bodacious turned the tables, nearly killing Hedeman. He’d added a deadly move to his routine.”

  “What kind of move?” Tamara asked, fully engaged in his story.

  Jaxson leaned forward as far as the seatbelt would allow, his hands in the air helping him talk. “After exploding from the chute, he bucked forward with all his might. Like all rodeo riders are taught to do, Hedeman leaned high over the bull’s shoulder and lifted his arm to counterbalance. The surprise was that when Bodacious came down, and the cowboy moved forward with the momentum, the bull viciously threw his head back and smashed it into Hedeman’s face, breaking every bone below his eyes.” Tamara gasped in horror. “Yea, he went through thirteen and a half hours of reconstructive surgery and left the operating table with five titanium plates in his head and no sense of smell or taste.”

  “Wow.”

  “Yea, the bad thing was, this wasn’t a fluke. Bodacious figured out this move worked, and he did it again and again. A couple of months later, his owner retired him before he killed someone.”

  “I guess Bocephus came by his bad attitude honestly.” She closed her hand over his. “I’m glad you weren’t hurt worse. Bull riding is a dangerous sport, much more dangerous than what I do.”

  “Yea, it’s dangerous. I’ve seen cowboy’s get their faces and chest split open by a bull’s horn and others dragged over the ground like tin cans behind a honeymooner’s car. Usually, they’re all back on a bull the next day.”

  Tamara shuddered. “I guess. I just hate to see you take unnecessary risks.”

  He flipped his palm over to tangle their fingers. “There’s a measure of risk in anything worth doing, Miss Grayson. What you do isn’t danger free, is it?”

  “No,” she conceded. “Every year several bikers get hit by cars. There’ve been some incidents of shark attacks. One runner got hit in the head by a crashing drone, suffering some bad lacerations to her head.”

  “See!” He was a little surprised by her admission. “Hey, maybe you ought to think about doing something a little less dangerous.”

  Now, it was Tamara’s turn to laugh. “Touche.”

  “We can’t live our lives fearing things, Tammy. Everything can have an element of danger to it. Hell, Heath turned his recliner over a few weeks ago and we teased him about the number of recliner related accidents.”

  “So, recliners are dangerous? Where will it end?”

  “Hey, over in California, some parents are protesting the renovation of a playground in a park. There’s a rock-lined stream for the kids to play in and they love it. Some of the parents just see danger, though. They think the rocks are a menace, their edges too sharp, their surfaces too slippery. They fear their kid is going to fall down, hit his head on a rock, and crack open their skull. Can you imagine what they’d think about those same kids climbing on the back of a bull? And they do it here in Texas at Pee Wee Rodeos, Youth Rodeos – where do you think these bull riders come from? Most of us grew up on the back of a bull. Yes, it can be dangerous – but it’s also one of the most exhilarating feelings on earth.” He leaned forward. “Almost as exciting as having sex with you.”

  Tamara blushed with embarrassment and the heat of the memory. “Maybe when I get back from New Zealand…” She hesitated, so afraid he’d tell her no.

  “Yea, we’ll get together again, for sure. We’re both busy people, but I don’t see why that means we can’t make time for fun. I promise.” He laid his head back against the seat. “God, I’m tired.”

  “Why don’t you take a nap? I’ll wake you when we get closer. What’s the best way to get to your house after I get into Austin?”

  “Just north of Round Rock, take 29 toward Lake Buchanan.” He gave her the exact address. “Wake me up and I’ll guide you in, you have to turn off the road toward Eagle Canyon.”

  “Oh, that’s the way I go home. I think I know
exactly where you’re talking about.”

  “Good.” He closed his eyes and in a moment was fast asleep and snoring in a way that made Tamara’s heart melt. Not wanting to trouble anyone, she called Uber and requested Dylan to meet her at the McCoy’s. Since he lived fairly close, she hoped the early hour wouldn’t be a problem.

  As she drove, Tamara relished her train of thought that carried her memories from one sweet moment to the next, reliving the way it felt to be with him, to touch him – to laugh and feel like she’d found the missing piece of her soul. In her mind, she was already planning more time together with him. He’d said they would see one another – not with the exact amount of enthusiasm she’d hoped for – but he’d said it nonetheless. She’d hold on to his promise.

  A few hours later, she was headed west on Highway 29, venturing deeper into the Hill Country. She’s already passed the road to her own home and she was nearing the turn-off to Lake Buchanan. “Jaxson. Jaxson. We’re almost there.”

  Jaxson roused, stretched, and then groaned. “Crap, the pain pills are wearing off. I feel like there’s a red-hot poker where my leg bone should be.”

  “You can take another pill when you get there.” She felt regret tugging at her breast. Tamara wasn’t ready to leave him, but soon they’d have to part.

  “Yea, turn left on 2431 and go all the way to the end.”

  “Will do.” She looked for the junction and made the turn carefully. There were no street lights on this stretch of highway, so intersections tended to sneak up on you. “This is a pretty stretch of country through here. You’re lucky.”

  “I agree. Highlands belonged to our grandfather at one time. He sold it, but we managed to buy it back. Up here, to your left is a fine place called Falconhead, looks like a castle.”

  Tamara couldn’t see it very well in the dark. “Who lives there?”

  “Two guys from Hawaii, you’ve probably heard of them. They own that OuterLimits Company, for one thing. Billionaires. I think they plan on being the first to launch a rocket to Mars.”

  “You mean the Dukes? Samson and Gideon.”

  “Yea, I think that’s their names. I haven’t met them.”

  “Neither have I. I’ve heard plenty, though.” She didn’t tell him what she’d heard. It was just gossip, really. “They’re very dynamic.”

  “Pretty strange characters if you ask me. I guess you think they’re good-looking?”

  Tamara giggled, hoping she heard a hint of jealousy in his question. “I don’t know. I’ve never thought about it.”

  “Hmmm.” He grunted. “Watch this bridge down here. The road narrows. Only one car can go over it at a time.” She slowed down. There wasn’t another car in sight, so she kept driving. “And don’t worry how you’re going to get home, I’ll have one of the guys take you.”

  “Oh, that won’t be necessary. I’ve already arranged for someone to pick me up. I didn’t want to be a bother.”

  Jaxson huffed out a breath. “Hell, baby.” He ran a hand through her hair. “After bringing me all this way, did you think I wouldn’t make sure you got home all right?”

  “Thanks. I wanted you to rest and not worry.” She shivered at his touch, leaning her head back into his hand.

  “The road to the ranch is up ahead to your left.”

  Tamara followed his directions and gasped when the truck lights fell on the gorgeous plantation style home. “How lovely.”

  “We designed it to look like Belle Chasse, my mother’s home, where we grew up.”

  She could hear the note of sadness in his voice. “Quite a tribute. Where do you want me to park?”

  “Pull into the circle driveway.”

  “I hate to wake everyone up.”

  “Shoot.” He checked the time on the clock. “It’s almost time for everybody to be getting up anyway. I’ll get one of the guys to move the truck over to the barn and unload Memphis as soon as I get in the house.”

  She eased into place and turned off the engine. “Just wait there and I’ll get your crutches out of the back.” She scurried around to help him before he tried to do it all himself. “Here, I’ve got them.” Opening the back door, she pulled out the crutches and helped him until he was stabilized. “I hate that your hurt yourself.” Tamara rested her face on his chest for a couple of heartbeats.

  “I’ll be fine, don’t worry.” He raised his head when he heard the front door open. “We’ve been made. Here comes the freight train.”

  “What’s going on?” a deep voice bellowed.

  Tamara looked to see a big man who closely resembled Jaxson come lumbering across the yard, dry-scrubbing his face. Shirtless and barefoot, he wore only a pair of jeans.

  They didn’t get a chance to answer one question before he asked another.

  “What the hell did you do to yourself, Jaxson? One of them damn bulls got you, didn’t they? I told you this was going to happen. I told you!”

  “I told you so. I told you so,” Jaxson mumbled. “Tamara, this is my brother, Heath. Heath, this is Tamara Grayson. She graciously agreed to help me home after an unfortunate disagreement with a bull named Bocephus.”

  “Hello.” Heath gave her a quick nod. “Thanks.” He shook his head. “Beats all I ever seen…”

  “Hey! Jaxson!”

  “My God, what did you do?”

  Two more strapping, shirtless men with dark hair yelled at him as they came hurrying over.

  “Jaxson! Are you all right?” A tall, beautiful girl with long dark hair clutched a robe around her as she ran.

  “Oh, no! My poor brother!” Another girl, this one with a waterfall of golden hair, came rushing to where they stood. A chorus of greetings and murmurs of concern filled the air.

  Tamara stepped back as they all checked him out, much to Jaxson’s annoyance, “I’m fine. I’m fine. I broke my leg, that’s all.”

  “Oh, hello.” The blonde, who reminded Tamara of Disney’s Rapunzel, moved away from the others to greet her. “I’m Pepper McCoy. And you are?” She had this expectant, confused look on her face.

  “I’m Tamara Grayson.”

  As she shook hands with the beautiful girl, the others began to urge Jaxson to move toward the house. He wasn’t having it. “Wait. Ten, would you see to Memphis?”

  “Sure thing.”

  One of the brothers started around the truck, but Tamara stopped him. “Wait. The keys.” She hurried to turn them over to him. “Sorry, taking them out of the vehicle is habit.” Once she spoke, it was like the rest of the family noticed her from the first time.

  “Jaxson, would you like to introduce us to this pretty girl?” The question was asked in a wondering, teasing manner. The smile from the brunette, who Tamara assumed to be Ryder, conveyed the idea Jaxson didn’t often bring a girl home with him.

  “I’m Tamara, Jaxson’s…” Before she could attempt to explain their relationship, Jaxson spoke up quickly.

  “Lay off, Ryder. Tamara is a friend. We met before the rodeo and I invited her down to see me ride. She was good enough to help me get home.”

  Jaxson’s explanation hit Tamara like a bucket of cold water in the face.

  So, she was just a friend.

  Okay.

  A lump was forming in her throat when Ryder came forward and caught her up in a hug. “Thank you for helping our brother, Tamara!” Leaning close she whispered. “Don’t be put off by his gruff manner, he’s being protective of you. He knows we’ll tease the both of you unmercifully if given half a chance.”

  She didn’t know what to say, so she cleared her throat to buy a second or two. “He’s right. We’re friends.”

  “You’re staying the night, aren’t you?” Ryder put an arm around Tam and gave her a slight push toward the house.

  “No, I’ve called an Uber. I live close by.” As if backing up her statement, Tamara heard a vehicle engine, and looked to see Dylan arriving just in time.

  “Could you move, Miss Nosy?” Jaxson came hobbling to where Tamara was s
peaking with Ryder. “I need to speak to this lady before she leaves.”

  “Well, it’s good to meet you,” Pepper joined them. “And we’ll be in touch.”

  “Yes, I’ll get your number from Jaxson. We’d love to get to know you better,” Ryder added.

  Tamara thanked Jaxson’s sisters, but didn’t make a commitment. She wasn’t sure how their brother would feel about her getting to know his family. “That sounds wonderful, thank you. I’m glad I was able to help.”

  His family gave them a little privacy and Tamara could see the strain and pain on his face. “You need to go lay down.”

  “Not before I say goodbye and thank-you.” He gave her a smile. “Can I have a kiss?”

  Tamara’s heart began to pound. “Yes.” She leaned forward and brushed his lips with hers, giving him a brief but sweet kiss. “Take it easy and I hope you get to feeling better real soon.”

  “I will, and you be careful too.” He lowered his voice and looked deep into her eyes. “What time’s your flight?”

  “I rescheduled while they were putting a cast on your leg. I leave out of Austin Bergstrom…” She looked at the horizon where the sun was peeping up over the trees. “I started to say tomorrow, but my flight is this evening at six. I’m going to go home and get some rest.”

  “I’m sorry you had to change your plans.”

  “I’m not,” she told him, lifting a hand to caress his face, “I’m glad I was there to help you. I enjoyed spending the time with you.”

  “Me too.” He kissed her again, ignoring a snorting noise from one of his brothers. “I’ll call you before your flight tomorrow.”

  “Okay.” She gave him one more quick hug, then turned to leave with Dylan.

  As she drove off, Jaxson’s family rallied around him.

  “Just friends, huh?” Philip asked as he picked up Jaxson’s bag that Ten left behind before moving the rig to unload Memphis.

  “Let it go, professor,” Jaxson warned him. “I’m in no mood to listen to your bull.”