The Cowboy's Family (Family Ties Book 2)

by Carolyne Aarsen

  “Some of the people are new, but I know a few.” Tricia chewed on her pen, watching as the second competitor started around the third barrel. It wobbled, and Tricia sucked in a quick breath.

  “Ooh, too close to that barrel.”

  “So what did she do wrong?” Mason asked, watching Tricia more than he was watching the competitor go tearing down the homestretch. It was fascinating how intensely she watched what was going on, the tiny frown that appeared when she was analyzing something.

  “She had some problems shouldering,” Tricia said, shaking her head as she wrote down the girl’s time.

  Mason had no clue what she was talking about.

  Kane shot a glance at him, grinning. “Sometimes I think she makes that stuff up.”

  This netted him another poke and then the next competitor raced into the arena.

  “Do you miss this?” Mason asked.

  Her eyes slid to him, and she gave him a half smile. “I don’t miss the running around, but I miss pushing myself, pushing my horse, trying to fine-tune everything. Trying to figure out what I did wrong and improve on it.” She gave a self-conscious shrug. “I guess it’s still in my blood. But no, competing isn't for me anymore.” She hoisted Hope onto her lap, stroking her hair away from her face. “I don’t think I’d like to be on the road with the kids. Or leave them behind.”

  Mason couldn’t stop himself. He moved a little closer and slipped his free arm around Tricia’s waist. He pulled her close and pressed his cheek to her hair. “I don’t blame you. These kids are precious.”

  She glanced up at him, surprised, then her smile bloomed. “I would have to agree,” she said, her voice quiet.

  The last racer flew down the track, and the music picked up its tempo as the announcer called out the next event.

  Saddle bronc horses had been settled in the chutes while the last of the barrel racers competed. Mason could hear their hooves clanging against the metal gates, saw the horses tossing their heads.

  “You’ve never competed in a rodeo?” Tricia asked.

  Mason shook his head. “Never had the opportunity,” he said. “Though I doubt I would have the guts or stamina to do it.”

  “It also helps to be a little bit on the dumb side,” Tricia said poking Kane again.

  Kane just shook his head, not even looking back at her. Faith, however, laughed at that.

  “Good thing you’re not doing it anymore,” she said to him.

  But neither of them could get a rise out of Kane.

  A casual bystander would think he was just playing it cool, but Mason could see his hands bunched in his lap, his shoulders hunched, alert and focused.

  The first two competitors were bucked off before the buzzer sounded.

  Then the announcer called out, “And now the competitor you’ve all been waiting for, Elliot Tye. Put your hands together for the local cowboy from Rockyview!” Applause burst out around the arena, followed by whistles and cheering.

  “I thought he wasn’t adopted,” Mason asked Tricia, wondering at his last name.

  “Elliot wasn’t. But he goes by the family name anyway.”

  The music grew louder, and Mason could see Kane and Tricia both leaning forward now, watching intently.

  Tricia was chewing her lip, holding Hope tightly. She looked nervous, and Mason didn’t blame her. It was one thing to watch a stranger compete, a completely different thing to see your own brother climb aboard a thousand pounds of rangy, rank horse.

  He rested his hand on Tricia’s neck, massaging it with his thumb and forefinger. She shot him a grateful look, but then turned her attention back to the arena.

  Mason looked over to the chute where Elliot was now climbing onto the horse. It took a minute or two to get everything settled. Elliot pushed his hat further down on his head with one gloved hand, then gave a tight nod to the man handling the gate.

  He swung it open, and the horse exploded into the arena. The music pounded as the horse bucked, wheeled, spun, and jumped. Mason could not believe Elliot was still on. He was leaning back, his head snapping with each buck. One more spin, another jump, a gasp from Tricia, and then the buzzer sounded.

  Elliott launched himself off the horse, threw his hat into the air, and spread his arms out. Clearly he knew he had a good ride. He turned to where Faith, Kane, and Tricia were sitting, flashing them a wide grin and a casual salute.

  Kane, and Faith were on their feet applauding him.

  Then the score was announced and they clapped even louder.

  “And Elliot Tye gets a score of 86.5,” the announcer yelled out, his excitement and enthusiasm pounding through the arena. “That’s the best score of the night, the one to beat, and that officially makes Tye the season leader, provided the next two riders don’t beat that. Though I can’t see how they could.”

  That wasn’t much encouragement for the next riders, Mason thought. But he didn’t care. It was fun to watch Tricia’s excitement and enthusiasm.

  Elliot waved at the crowd again, then sauntered out of the arena, king of all he surveyed.

  “He certainly doesn’t lack confidence,” Mason said with a grin.

  “Elliot always did have that in spades,” Tricia said.

  A movement in Mason’s peripheral vision caught his attention and then, to his surprise, Joe plopped down beside him.

  Kane caught the movement and turned around, shooting the man a frown. “So, where you been?” he growled.

  “Here and there,” Joe returned, his face screwed up in an unpleasant scowl. He scanned the audience. “So, anyone see Carmen?”

  And why would Joe think they would know?

  “She’s sitting right across from us,” Tricia said, pointing.

  Guess Tricia knew.

  “Who’s that she’s with? Is he that Brent guy?”

  Mason sat back, letting Tricia take the lead on that one too.

  “I think so,” Faith put in, looking back.

  Joe scowled, hunching forward, his elbows on his knees, staring at the couple across the arena.

  “Can anyone tell me what she sees in him?”

  “He’s employed?” Kane said.

  “What does that mean?” Joe frowned at Kane, but his boss wasn’t looking at him.

  Kane sighed, then shifted in his seat. “Joe, where have you been?”

  “Like I said. Out and about. Busy.”

  “You need to get your priorities straight,” Kane warned.

  “I told you. I was busy. My aunt—”

  “You don’t have an aunt,” Kane snapped.

  Joe glanced over at Mason as if appealing for help but Mason shook his head. No way was he getting involved in this.

  “Fine. I quit.” Joe stood up, but didn’t leave, as if waiting for Kane to say something.

  “Okay. Good luck with your next job,” Kane said.

  Joe waited another split second then spun around, pushing past the people he had just walked in front of a few moments ago.

  “What just happened?” Tricia asked, sounding dazed.

  “You were here. Joe quit. Finally.” Kane sounded annoyed and, truth to tell, Mason didn’t blame him. Just in the few weeks he’d been on the ranch, Joe had been a wild card. Here one moment, gone the next.

  “Are you sure he’ll be okay?” Faith asked, shooting a worried glance at Joe, who was striding toward the exit.

  “I don’t know what to make of him. He’ll probably come back and Dad will probably hire him again.” Kane sighed then shrugged. “But let’s not talk about him. The next competitor is in the chute and I want to see if he’ll beat Elliot’s score.”

  Cash yawned and Mason looked at Tricia. “Do you think—”

  “We should go home,” she said, understanding exactly what he was going to say. “As much as I’d like to watch the next competitors, we should get going.”

  Mason nodded, shifting Cash to his hip as he stood.

  Cash had his head tucked into Mason’s neck, and Hope was yawning as well
.

  They said a quick goodbye to Faith and Kane, then worked their way along the full seats and down the stairs.

  For a moment he thought they might meet Joe, but he was gone.

  As they walked toward the exit Mason resisted the urge to look back, to see if Kane and Faith were watching them. He felt self-conscious, but at the same time part of him didn’t care.

  He felt like he was exactly where he was supposed to be.

  "I think they’re down for the night,” Mason whispered, as Tricia tucked the blankets around Hope’s shoulders.

  Cash was curled up, his little fists pressed against his face. Hope lay stretched out, arms and legs splayed in a starfish. The biggest reason she didn’t sleep with the children anymore, Tricia thought. Hope was the worst bed hog.

  “They had a busy day,” Tricia agreed. She bent over and brushed a kiss over Hope’s cheek, then came around the bed to do the same to Cash.

  She stroked Cash’s hair away from his face, feeling a rush of love blended with peace.

  “It was a good day.” She turned to Mason, smiling at him. “It was fun to watch my brother compete. I have to confess, I’ve seen it more than once, but every time it makes me nervous.”

  “I guessed as much.”

  Tricia easily remembered the feel of Mason’s hand on her neck, massaging it, easing the tension. It was a small gesture, but it meant so much. Someone was beside her, supporting her.

  “I’m glad he’s sticking around for a couple of days. It’s been a long time since he’s been back at the ranch. I hope Faith and Kane will be okay with him being here.”

  “Why wouldn’t they be?”

  Tricia smiled. She realized he wouldn’t know the history between her brother, his fiancée, and Elliot.

  “One of these days I’ll tell you the whole sad story. Though now that Faith and Kane are engaged, it has a happy ending. At least for Faith and Kane it does.”

  “Sounds mysterious,” Mason teased. “Are you truly leaving me in suspense?”

  “You don’t have to know all the Tye family secrets.”

  “I wouldn’t mind learning a few,” Mason said.

  Tricia held his gaze a moment, her heart fluttering as she sensed a deeper meaning behind his words. The world turned in small quiet circles as their eyes held, an unspoken promise seeming to hover between them.

  Flustered, she turned away and left the room.

  He closed the door behind them and they walked down the hallway, stopping at the kitchen.

  “Thanks again for coming with me,” Tricia said. “It was a lot of fun.” She didn’t want to add that it was wonderful to have someone with her. Someone to share the events of the day.

  Mason shifted his head to one side as if looking at her from another angle. With his pinky he stroked her hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear. “I think it was a success all the way around.”

  He moved in a little closer, and Tricia’s breath caught in her throat. He was going to kiss her, and she wasn’t stopping him.

  “It was fun watching you at the barrel racing event,” he said. “Like I said, I think you would have a real good opportunity to make a business of training. Doing clinics.”

  Tricia looked straight ahead, fiddling with the button on the pocket of his shirt. A way of distracting herself from the temptation of kissing him. “I hadn’t told you yet, but Kane and Dad offered to help me set up a training facility here.” She pressed her hand against his chest, then looked up at him. “I understand you’re the one who encouraged Kane to think about it.”

  “Like I said before, you have a real gift. It would be a shame to waste that by going to college.”

  She chuckled at that. “You’re the first person I ever heard say that.”

  “It can be a waste for some people.” He moved just a little closer, his arm slipping around her waist, holding her close. “But I don’t think we need to talk about school or training facilities.”

  Then he was kissing her, his arms warm and strong around her. She held his neck with her hand, anchoring him in place, his lips warm, inviting.

  This felt so right, so good.

  Her heart thundered in her chest, and she gently drew away.

  “So what now?” she asked. She knew she had to bring the topic up. They couldn’t carry on like this any longer without knowing where things were going.

  Mason bit his lip, as if he was unsure. She stepped away, concern and worry beating against her chest.

  Had he just been playing with her?

  “You need to know that I have plans,” he said.

  She didn’t know whether to be alarmed or hopeful at his vague words.

  “I want to tell you everything, believe me,” he continued, his fingers toying with her hair, his eyes following his movements. “But… I need to get some things put in order. I need to take care of a few other things…”

  His words trailed off, but when his eyes returned to hers, his gaze was intent.

  “Can I ask you to trust me?” he asked.

  Her thoughts tumbled over themselves as she tried to sort them out.

  But as she held his gaze, she knew one thing was certain.

  “Yes. I trust you.”

  That earned her another soul-searing kiss.

  Then headlights swept through the large windows of the kitchen, and Tricia pulled back.

  “I think we’ve got company,” she said breathlessly.

  She wanted to ask him to stay, but she was also afraid that her family could read every emotion she had just experienced.

  She stroked his cheek, stood on tiptoe, and brushed a quick kiss over his lips.

  “I’ll leave you to spend time with your family,” he said, stepping back from her, his hands lingering on her arms.

  Then, before anyone came into the house, Mason strode to the porch and left, the door falling shut behind him. Tricia heard voices. Mason talking, Kane replying, then Elliot’s laugh.

  She pressed her hands to her warm cheeks, willing herself to calm down. To relax.

  “Kane. Can I have a word?”

  Mason hurried across the yard, hoping to catch Kane before he got to the house.

  It was early Sunday morning. The showers that had been in the forecast all week had come and spatters of rain scattered across the ground.

  Kane stopped, pushing his hat back on his head, pulling his coat tighter around him.

  “Sure. We can talk over coffee inside.”

  Mason glanced at the house, thinking it would make more sense to talk there. But Tricia was up. He had seen her walking past the window a couple of times already. He didn’t want to talk in front of her.

  “Actually, I’d prefer some privacy.”

  Kane frowned his puzzlement, then shrugged. “We can go talk in the barn,” he said.

  “Sounds good.”

  They walked together through the rain, shoulders hunched. “I have to tell you how much I appreciate you helping us with the haying,” Kane said as he slid open the door to the barn. “I don’t think we would’ve gotten it done without you.”

  “And now you’re out one hired hand,” Mason added.

  “For now. I wouldn’t be surprised if Joe comes crawling back soon. According to Dad this isn’t the first time he’s quit.” Kane shook his head as he dropped onto a nearby straw bale. “Dad has always had a soft spot for people in a tough place.”

  “Like you and your brothers.”

  “Yeah. Like us.”

  “You have a wonderful family,” Mason said.

  “We have our struggles, but we try not to show them to everybody.” Kane stretched his arms in front of him then leaned back against the post behind him. “So what can I do for you?”

  Mason laced his fingers together, tapping his thumbs as he thought of the best way to approach this. But he figured he may as well go for the gusto.

  “I should let you know I’m attracted to your sister. I think I told you that before. But I’m serious about he
r.”

  “I’m glad to hear that.”

  Mason blew out a breath, stifling his nervousness. “I guess I’m trying to figure out how to let you know… Well, I guess to find a way…” He stopped talking, took a breath, and started again. “I know you want to expand, and I know you want to help Tricia. And I know you can’t do both, at least I don’t think so from what you were saying. About having trouble getting a loan from the bank.”

  “I appreciate your concern. I’m guessing this is going somewhere,” Kane said.

  “It is. I have a chunk of money set aside. When my father died, he had a hefty insurance policy, and I’ve invested that money and done well with it. I had always hoped to set up a place of my own, but it’s hard these days. Hard to find a place that fits what I’m looking for.” He stopped a moment, trying to corral his thoughts. He had practiced this over and over, but looking at Tricia’s brother, holding his steady and unwavering gaze, made it a little harder than he had envisioned.

  “I guess what I’m trying to say ties a few things in together. How I feel about your sister and my plans. I’d like to take that money and invest it in the horse training facility you want to set up. I’d like to be a partner in that.”

  “And I imagine Tricia is part of that plan too?”

  Mason gulped, trying to hold Kane’s gaze. “I haven’t said anything to her yet,” he said. “I’m talking to you first. I know I can’t go ahead on this unless…unless—”

  “Unless I agree, and if you and Tricia are on the same page.” Kane nodded slowly, his eyes still on Mason. “I know my sister’s attracted to you. I warned you—”

  “I know you did. And trust me, it wasn’t something that happened intentionally. Your sister is an amazing person and a wonderful mother. I care for her and the kids a lot.”

  Kane looked away, stroking his chin as if considering the situation.

  “Sounds like you'll be juggling two conversations at once here,” he said after a silence that stretched out, straining Mason’s nerves. “So what do you think your first step should be?”

  Mason dragged his hands over his face. “I have to leave tomorrow for southern BC. I already told Tricia. It’s my mom’s sixty-fifth birthday, and my sisters would skin me alive if I didn’t show up.” He didn’t tell Kane about the other business he had to take care of and the other conversations he had to have.