“I’ll be okay. I feel as if a truck ran over me, but as long as they give me some good pills…” Her voice trailed off and she groaned. “How much is this costing you, Marco? I don’t have insurance and I know you’re paying for it.”
“Yes, I am paying for it, and don’t worry about it.”
“But—”
Marco leaned forward in the chair, cutting her off with a slashing motion of his hand. “But nothing. I have plenty of money, even without using my father’s. I was allowing him to pay for stuff for us so I could save my winnings. I had a feeling it would come down to a threat and a withholding of funds until I did what he wanted.” Marco shrugged, but the gesture didn’t manage to look casual. “Maybe it wasn’t right to take his money, but trust me, cara, my family can afford it. Last year the company grossed one hundred twenty-five million US dollars and had a profit of nearly thirty million dollars. For one year, Natalie.”
“Oh my God.”
Marco smiled a little at her reaction, and then went on. “And since my family owns the company, along with some related companies, the portion of the profits from all of them that remained with my family—just my padre, madre, Paolo, my sister Celia and I, was nearly fourteen million US dollars.”
Natalie knew her eyes must be bugging out of her head, but the figures just swam around her brain. Maybe it was the concussion, but had he really said fourteen-million-dollar take-home in one year? “One year?”
“Yes. Olive oil is a big business.” Now he gave her a full-fledged smile.
“You seem to know an awful lot about it for someone who wants nothing to do with it.”
His gaze turned cold and his tone was flat as he answered her. “Mio padre made it a point for me to know. When you hear something over and over it’s hard to forget. I think he was trying to draw me in with the money.”
“He could draw me in with it,” Natalie mumbled.
“But don’t you see, cara? Remember how you told me all you had was you?” Natalie nodded. “All my father is, the whole sum of him, is olive oil. He works and works and works, never taking a day off, never going on holiday, never spending enough time with his family. And for what? Olive oil.” He ran a hand over his face. “I didn’t want to turn into him. I wanted something different, even though I knew it might cost me the relationship with my family. I couldn’t be him.” His gaze beseeched her to understand, and she did understand, at least as much as she was able to.
The tense moment was broken by the appearance of Paolo. He walked into the little cubicle they’d put her in and set a cardboard coffee carrier on her bedside table. “How are you feeling?” He busied himself with giving his brother a cup and then turned back to her. “Probably like you got stomped on by a bull?”
Natalie chuckled. Thank God the headache was mostly gone and she could laugh without feeling as if a million broken shards of glass were scraping her brain. “Yeah, something like that.”
“I got you a coffee too, but I wasn’t sure what you preferred, so it’s black. But,” he reached into the inside pocket of his light jacket, “I got you creamer and sugar.” Paolo blushed as he put them down next to the coffee. “I didn’t have anywhere else to put them.”
“That’s fine, don’t worry about it,” she answered. Paolo seemed like a really nice guy and she looked forward to getting to know Marco’s brother better.
“So,” Paolo began, “have you seen the doctor this morning?”
“No, but earlier they said they were getting everything ready to release me, so I guess that’s something.” She bit her lip as she looked at them. “You guys might miss registration.”
Both men shrugged, but Marco was the one who answered, “There will be other events. It’s more important we make sure you’re all right.”
“But Paolo—”
Paolo broke in. “Cara, as I told my brother, I am here to support you. Both of you. Now don’t think any more about it.”
Natalie gave him a tired smile. “All right.”
Marco scooted his chair closer and said, “I told you, cara, I am not leaving you. We are not leaving you. So have some coffee, sit back and rest.”
She did, feeling the same odd emotion wash over her. Contentment? Resignation? Natalie wasn’t sure. She did know she was starting to feel clingy. Marco was the only person who really cared about her, but knowing she was doing it and stopping it were two different things. Natalie hated being dependent on anybody else. That’s how it had been on the ranch. She had been completely dependent on her father, thinking everything was all right. Look at what happened there. But if she faced facts, she had no money, no identification and no car. If she wanted to keep traveling with the tour, or really, if she wanted to do anything besides stay here and sleep in the streets, she was going to have to go with Marco.
Natalie was dozing when the doctor came in. When she opened her eyes, he quickly checked them and then stepped back. “I want you to continue to sleep whenever you can. I know you’re going to be traveling, but try to be as comfortable as possible. And no overdoing it. Your concussion is mild, but that doesn’t mean you can go off half-cocked.”
Marco and Paolo looked totally confused, and Natalie found herself smiling a little. What must it be like to be in a country where you’re not a native speaker? All those weird phrases and idioms must sound as if they were total nonsense. Bringing herself back to the conversation, she said, “I’ll take it easy, I promise.”
“Good enough. Mr. D’Allesandro, if you could come with me for a moment.” The doctor and Marco left the room, either to get more instructions or take care of the bill. Natalie didn’t want to think about Marco handing over a credit card, so she cleared her mind before she lost it.
Paolo smiled at her.
“You are a very lucky woman, in more ways than one. My brother, he is a good man. He didn’t deserve the awful things nostro padre said and did. I’m happy he told the old bastardo to go to hell.” His cheeks colored and Natalie had to fight to keep a straight face. “I apologize for swearing.” Natalie waved it off. “Let Marco take care of you. That’s what he does, even with me, and I’m only a few years younger. He makes the travel arrangements, asks me if I have all my gear, sees I eat right and makes sure I work out. I know it can be…what is the word…ah…” he shook his head in apparent disgust or frustration, “too much. But he means well.”
“I know he does,” Natalie responded, sighing.
“I understand American women are raised to be independent, and I know you had a hard time when your padre passed, but it’s going to take a while for that to sink in with Marco. He’s had twenty-seven years of being told to protect and shelter his woman.” Paolo grinned and Natalie couldn’t help but smile. His face lit up when he smiled. It was kind of adorable. She would bet he found his share of buckle bunnies when he showed those dimples.
Her smile dimmed. Was Marco really ready to give up that lifestyle? Of course, he hadn’t promised her anything, but she hadn’t noticed him so much as glance at the scantily clothed, embarrassingly obvious buckle bunnies as they trolled through the guys after an event finished.
Marco returned and immediately sat down in the chair, taking her hand. “What, cara? Are you not feeling well?”
“Huh?”
“You are pale. Maybe you’re not ready to leave.”
“I am, but could we talk for a minute first?” She turned to Paolo. “Would you mind waiting out in the hall?”
“Not at all,” the younger man said, glancing at Marco before leaving.
Marco reached up and tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. Before things went further, Natalie took a deep breath.
“I know you haven’t said anything about us staying together past the time I’ll be on tour, but I want you to know you are free to pursue other…women.” She choked on the word but forced it past the lump in her throat. Since when did the thought of having another woman touch Marco make her feel as if she were having a heart attack?
Marco drew back. “Is that what you want? I told you I loved you last night, Natalie. I told you I’ve never been in love before and I don’t take the words lightly. To me, love means we will be together for the future.”
“Okay, but—”
“Cara, I want to be your boyfriend. Maybe even more someday.”
Natalie looked away, willing the tears not to slide down her cheeks. “I know about your reputation. I know how popular you are with the ladies.”
He snorted. “Buckle bunnies don’t interest me. Yes, I sometimes slept with them just to have sex, but it never meant anything. As for my reputation, much of it is not true.” Marco picked up her hand and kissed the palm. “Now will you stop worrying and tell me you’d like to be my girlfriend?”
“Yes. I’ll be your girlfriend.”
He placed an open-mouthed kiss on the inside of her wrist and then looked up at her. “You’ll let me take care of you?”
“To a certain extent, yes. But as soon as I’m able to I’m going to figure out something to do to make money. I know Jessica feels bad about not working. Maybe we can do something together.”
Grinning, Marco stood and leaned over her bed. Bracing himself on his forearms, he very gently brushed back her hair, placing little butterfly kisses on her forehead and cheek before finally brushing his lips against her mouth. Natalie opened for him, but he only pushed the very tip of his tongue in before retreating again and backing away.
“The doctor said not to overdo it. If you get me going you’ll be overdoing it.”
Natalie smiled. “Did you bring me clothes? They had to cut me out of the ones I was wearing.”
“Yes, I have your whole suitcase. Would you prefer to pick something yourself?”
Natalie smiled. “In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m not much of a girly-girl. I’m sure you can be trusted to find me a pair of jeans and a shirt.”
“No panties?” Marco asked, waggling his eyebrows.
“And panties. I still have my sneakers but I’ll need socks.” She reached out and said, “Now help me up.”
Marco put an arm behind her back and assisted her as she slowly came up to a sitting position. “Okay?” When Natalie nodded he said, “I will go get your clothes.”
* * * * *
It didn’t take long to get out of the hospital and on the road. Paolo drove and Marco insisted Natalie lie with her head in his lap so she could sleep. She wasn’t able to really sleep with the road noise and Marco’s distracting touch as he ran his fingers idly through her hair, but even spending a few more hours resting made her feel better. She decided maybe she should let Marco be an overprotective rooster.
When they got near the arena Marco called Conner and asked if it would be possible for him to fill out the registration forms on their behalf in as much as he could so they could catch the tail end of the registration time, and he readily agreed. Marco then asked if Jess could meet Natalie at the door to help her inside while the guys registered, and Natalie grumbled, “I’m not a complete invalid. I can walk by myself.” Marco just slid her a look and hung up.
Paolo parked and the guys rushed inside as Natalie made her way more slowly. Jessica spied her and waved, coming out to the parking lot to meet her. When she reached Natalie, she drew her into a gentle hug. “I’ve been so worried about you—I mean, Conner told me you were okay and everything, but until I saw you myself I wouldn’t believe it.” She paused and took a breath. “Anyway, do you need help with anything?”
“Nope, just walk with me so Marco doesn’t go all psycho caregiver again.”
Jessica giggled. “Deal.”
The brothers were able to register and then they all went straight to the hotel to check in. Marco insisted he and Natalie stay in and order room service, and though Natalie didn’t want to admit it, she was tired and getting some food and then a whole lot of sleep without the incessant hospital or road noises sounded pretty good to her.
When she began to yawn, Marco helped her dress in a tank top and her panties and then tucked her in. He got in the other side and piled pillows between them, telling her he didn’t want to inadvertently bump her in the night. Though she actually felt a little lost not having him snuggled up next to her, she still slept well knowing he was there with her.
In the morning, Marco fussed over the bandage on her head and made sure the Ace bandage around her ribs was comfortable. They finally left for the competition and Marco was just kissing her goodbye before going to do his prep when she heard, “Oh my God, what happened to you?”
Natalie froze. That voice was familiar. Why? She turned slowly. Her mother. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“We need to talk.”
Straightening with difficulty, she said, “We have nothing to talk about. Now, if you don’t stop harassing me, I’ll call security to have you removed.” She made a move to leave, but her mother called after her.
“I’m still your mother, girl,” her mother said. “Don’t you walk away from me.”
Natalie turned. She was completely done dealing with this woman. Considering that the bull riders and their significant others had treated her more as if she were family than her mother ever had or ever would, Natalie didn’t need her mother. She hadn’t had her for the past eighteen years, why should anything be different now?
“You are the woman who gave birth to me, that’s it.” Putting up a hand to stop her when her mother began to protest, she went on. “You are nothing more to me.”
“We share blood. We’re family,” her mother insisted.
“Well, being with the bull riders these past few weeks and seeing how they treat someone they hardly know, your brand of loving me pales in comparison.” Raising an arm, index finger pointed toward the exit, Natalie said, “Go, before security throws you out.”
Natalie looked up and saw three men in uniform heading their way.
“Natalie, please. I want to reconcile with my only child.”
They’d drawn quite a crowd by now, and Natalie sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose between her thumb and forefinger. “You’re about seventeen years, eleven months and twenty-nine days too late for that. And you know damn well Daddy died. We all lived in the same town. If you wanted to reconcile with me, why didn’t you come to the wake or the funeral?”
“We didn’t even hear about it until after that stuff was done,” her mother said, and Natalie rolled her eyes. “Then I wasn’t sure I’d be welcome.”
“Well, you would’ve been right about that. But even after you left us and ran off with one of Daddy’s ranch hands,” she looked at the man in question in disgust, “I’ve heard plenty about you. If you’re looking for money, I don’t have any.”
Her mother’s mouth fell open. “B-but you sold the ranch.”
“Yes, to get out of debt. You have nothing to offer me, and I sure as hell don’t want anything to do with you.”
“Wait!” Natalie looked up, raising an eyebrow. Her mother jerked her head toward Marco. “What about him? He brings home a lot of bread.”
Marco briefly squeezed her waist but otherwise remained silent. She was grateful he wasn’t interfering.
“How dare you come here after eighteen years away and try to get my boyfriend to give you money because you and Kevin drank yours away. No fucking way am I giving you one red cent.”
Her mother’s eyes glowed and Natalie didn’t have time to figure out what was going on before her mother said, “And don’t you want to know about your little brother or sister?” She patted her stomach and Natalie shook her head. The woman was amazing.
“If I believed you were pregnant, Linda, which I don’t, my answer would still be the same. No. No, I don’t want to know anything about him or her. But if you are pregnant, I hope to hell you’ve at least stopped drinking and plan to give the baby up for adoption. God knows how the poor kid would survive with the two of you for parents.” Her mother gasped and Natalie pointed toward the exit. “Leave or I’ll have you thrown out.”
She started to shake and Marco took her face in his hands. “Tesora, are you all right?”
She nodded. “I need to get them out of here.” Natalie regarded her mother. What a pathetic woman she’d turned out to be—weak-willed, helpless. Her mother was only in her mid-forties, but looked easily ten years older. It was a shame what hard living did to a person, both on the outside and the inside. “If you ever try to contact me again I will call the police and file a harassment report.” Her mother gasped and Natalie went on. “You made your bed, Linda, now lie in it.”
The security officers stepped in then, and after talking to Natalie, escorted her mother and her even more pathetic man to the exit.
Marco took hold of her hand and squeezed. “You are the strongest woman I know. I’m so proud of you, cara.”
Natalie turned into Marco’s embrace, a small sob escaping.
“Shhh, tesora, you did great.” He asked one of the people near them who’d obviously witnessed Natalie’s humiliation to get her a bottle of water. Together they sank to the floor, leaning against the wall. “I’m so proud of you. I know they’re your only family that’s left, but sometimes you’re better off without family, you know?”
Natalie nodded, wiping at her eyes angrily. “There’s no way she didn’t know about my father. Nine hundred people live in that town, Marco. Everyone knows everything about each other. There’s no way she didn’t know.”
“Forget about her,” Marco urged her, taking the proffered water and then opening it and handing it to her.
Conner squatted, putting him at eye level with Natalie. “That took guts, honey. Jess and I wanted you to know—both of you—that we’re here to help. Anything you guys need, just ask.”
“You’re a sweet guy,” Natalie answered, sniffling.
Conner grinned. “Don’t let it get out.” With a squeeze of her knee, he rose and headed for the riders’ area.
“Too late for that,” Jessica murmured.
Everyone else had dispersed after her mother left, and finally Natalie began to relax. Laying her head on Marco’s shoulder, she said, “Thank you for not saying anything. I’m sure you wanted to, but I appreciate you staying quiet.”
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