“At the meeting tonight, I’m announcing our marriage to the crew members,” Ty said.
She could imagine the speculation that would go on. People wondering what the rush was, if she was pregnant, if JM knew, and how long it would last.
“You okay with that?” Ty pressed.
“It will be all over the circuit then.” If it wasn’t already. “They’ll be taking bets about how long it lasts, you know.”
“Does that bother you?” He straightened and pushed off the fence.
She shrugged. “A little. It feels like we are living a lie. Like we are doing something we know is wrong. It doesn’t feel…natural.”
“Maybe because we haven’t consummated it yet. That can be fixed any time you’d like, Mrs. Martin.”
Mandy ignored his comment. Being with him twenty-four-seven was getting to be an experiment in self-control she wasn’t sure would be successful. “We’d best get set up for the meeting. And I’m thirsty. I’m going to swing by the hospitality tent. You coming?” she asked.
“I’ll meet you there.”
*
Ty walked around the rodeo grounds to try to absorb the atmosphere. Rodeos were lively affairs with vendors of goods and food, local clubs, and attendees, some who looked like they’d stepped right out of the pasture and others who looked like they’d stepped out of an advertisement for western wear.
This was the life that both JM and Mandy were passionate about. This was the place they wanted to be over 250 days a year. It was a transient life but with one huge difference—the 30,000-acre ranch that anchored them. He was coming to realize, after just a few days, developing that ranch would never happen, regardless of whether he sold the rodeo company or not.
Maybe that was all for the best. He’d find some other property to develop. If the numbers said he should sell Prescott, Mandy would need the ranch and what it represented even more. And with the money from the sale of the company, she’d have the means to keep it going, even if ranching wasn’t all that profitable.
He didn’t quite know how to play things with Mandy. He knew she was attracted to him. When he had her in his arms, she seemed ready and willing to take it further. Then, out of the blue, she’d stop. She wanted to, but this damn option to sell Prescott kept bringing her up short.
Whether they fooled around or not would have no bearing on selling, so why wouldn’t she?
He passed by the trailers of the cowboys and cowgirls who had come to compete, and saw Harold at a makeshift table squeezed between two trailers and ringed by five bales of straw, each holding a cowboy with cards in his hands.
Harold looked up and beckoned Ty over.
“We’re just killing some time and taking a break,” Harold said by way of explanation.
Ty liked poker. He was pretty good at it.
“Who’s winning?” Ty wondered if he should angle for an invitation.
“Not me,” Harold said.
The rest of the cowhands concentrated on their cards. Ty wondered if they were purposely ignoring him. None of them said anything to acknowledge him, much less invite him to sit down and play a hand.
Knowing when he wasn’t wanted had been a skill he’d honed in his own backyard.
“I’m going to help Mandy set up.”
Harold nodded, and the other cowboys continued their stoic impression of wooden soldiers.
It didn’t bother him, not being part of things. That’s how he’d grown up. That’s how he’d spent most of his life. That’s where he was most comfortable.
*
Mandy looked at the stunned faces of the rodeo workers surrounding her and wondered what was going through their minds. They stood outside the small, empty arena where the rodeo would take place in just two hours. The gates hadn’t opened yet, so the only people around were involved in setting up, and most were Prescott employees.
Ty had just announced their marriage at the end of the prerodeo meeting.
Slim Matthews sported a frown when he looked up from the dust he’d been studying on the ground. Doug McClane was staring at Ty as if he’d committed a crime. The rest of the men seemed in similar stages of disbelief.
Harold stepped forward. “I’ve already celebrated your marriage, but on behalf of the crew, I offer you both our congratulations.” He turned to face the men. “This can only mean good things for Prescott’s future.”
Mandy could see Ty’s face redden, but the men began nodding their heads. It should mean a secure future for Prescott—if the marriage was a real one. Nonetheless, the men started coming forward, shaking Ty’s hand, and in turn offering their congratulations to Mandy.
Some of the crew offered her a hug, some a kiss, all their well wishes. She tried to act like a new bride, but that was the problem. It was just an act. She hoped they wouldn’t see through it. The last to step forward was Slim Matthews.
“I can’t say I’m not surprised,” Slim said, wrapping his skinny arms around her for a fatherly hug. “But if you’re happy, that’s all that matters.”