Ty shrugged, as if he couldn’t help how the man felt. Mandy turned away and grabbed the saddle that had been resting on a hay bale. She didn’t want Ty to see how irritated she was. Or how hurt. She’d known Guy Lager a long time.
She swung the saddle up on the mare. The bay horse took a step back. A pat on Willow’s rump, and she settled. Mandy threaded the cinch through the O-rings, her back turned to the man who so easily upset her equilibrium.
“Don’t you think we should have talked to Guy together? I am the Prescott in Prescott Rodeo Company now. I do know the man.”
Ty stepped beside her and swiped a hand across his jaw. She swore that man had a jawline chiseled from canyon rock.
“I would have done that if you were here. I thought catching him first thing was more important.”
No, Ty thought his being there first was more important.
She had too much to do to tussle though. It had been hard enough organizing everything this morning without JM at the helm. She’d done it tens of times before, but this morning was different. She’d never realized how her grandfather’s presence had made her more confident in her decisions. Luckily, the crew had pulled together and got it done, like the family they were. She was thankful for that family.
That family had gotten her through the death of her father, when JM, devastated as he was, had discouraged any sign of grief and buried himself in his work. She imagined they would get her through this too. She was counting on it just as they counted on her to help with a small loan when needed, provide a recommendation when they graduated college or were looking for different work, or find a relative a job during hard times.
She pulled the cinch strap tight and wove it once more through the O-rings. Willow stepped back as Mandy gave several tugs to assure the mare hadn’t puffed out her stomach.
“Is Guy good now?”
“Yes, but if Guy’s concerns are any indication, we’ve got to hit the road, Mandy, as soon as we get back. We’ll visit the key rodeo committees in person to let them know we’re in business, before our competitors place doubt in their minds.”
Our competitors? “I’d already planned to do that with a few of the large Texas rodeos. Karen’s making the appointments.”
“Good. Tell her to add me into the mix.”
“If you’re so intent on selling, why bother yourself?” she said, snapping out the words.
Ty shook his head at her like she was a child who wasn’t listening. She was listening. She just didn’t like what he’d been saying. And her question was a legitimate one.
“I’ve told you. I don’t know yet which way makes sense. Until I do, I intend to do everything in my power to make sure the company remains viable.”
“That way you’ll get the best price for it—and for your share of it. Isn’t that right, Ty?”
He held up his hand as if surrendering, but he didn’t fool her. He was well aware he held all the cards. A hand of four aces, in fact. He was in control of everything. She kicked at the dirt, and dust sprayed on his shiny, no doubt new, Tony Lama boots.
Ty glanced at his boots and then lifted his gaze to stare straight into her eyes. He had intense brown eyes, and those eyes held her like he’d placed his hands on her body. “You think what you want, Mandy. I doubt anything I say is going to change your opinion. But the bottom line is that either way, we need to hold on to our customers.”
Our customers again.
She swung up on Willow. She needed some space.
“Where are you headed?” he asked, his hands resting on his hips.
If he understood rodeo, he’d know. “We’re moving the stock into the pens.”
“You brought a horse for me, I hope.” Sun glinted in those eyes of his, creating a disconcerting sparkle.
“Was I supposed to?”
“Mandy, I’m taking over JM’s role. That means I’m involved in everything to do with the rodeo, including work behind the chutes.”
She tugged lightly on the reins, holding Willow in place. “We can’t have two bosses behind the chutes.” She’d been running the crew for the last two years. She thought it was her grandfather’s way of breaking her in. Apparently not.
“You’re still the boss of the crew, but I’m going to oversee things, just like JM did. And my presence will back you up as you earn the men’s respect.”
“The men respect me.” But even as she said it, she knew it was false. They respected her as a woman, as JM’s granddaughter. But not yet as head of the company. As one of the few women in the rodeo stock industry, she’d have to prove herself worthy—to the men and herself. Because Ty’s presence meant she hadn’t proved worthy to her grandfather. The hurt was still raw…the knowledge still stung.
She let out a resigned sigh. “Harold’s unloading the parade horses. He’ll mount you on the mare from the other evening.”
“Lead me to Harold, and I’ll choose my own horse.”
Mandy nudged Willow into a walk. This was going to be a long weekend.
*