“Ready.”
It took a bit to get the bull back into the pen, but by keeping the animal off balance between the two, the bull had given up fighting and allowed himself to be led. By the time they penned him, he was pretty docile.
Two cowboys stood by, ready to lock the gate.
Once the bull was secure, Mandy slid off Willow and checked the lock herself.
Looking at the two cowboys and the others who had wandered back, she stood with her hands on her hips. Fear had given way to irritation. “I want to know what happened here. Why did this bull get out? I checked these pens myself just a half hour ago. Which means someone had to open it. I want to know who. And why?” She kept her voice calm and even and hoped no one saw the lingering tremor in her hand as she brushed a strand of hair out of her face.
As if for emphasis, the bull, safely behind bars, charged the side of the pen, creating a clatter. Mandy jumped as her heart landed in her throat.
“We were watering the horses, Mandy.” Doug McClane spoke for him and his partner, Slim Matthews. “The bulls were done first. I don’t know why anyone would even be over here now.”
“That would suggest that someone was up to no good—at Prescott Rodeo’s expense,” Mandy said, trying to ignore the bull, which once again rattled the pen. “You guys ask around,” she told the handful of cowhands who had assembled. “Let me know what you hear.
“Harold, maybe a cowhand should be assigned to watch over these pens. If someone is causing trouble, we need to be prepared.” Ty said as he slid off Willow.
Harold leaned forward in his saddle. “Saunders,” he called to the tall, thin man who usually worked the livestock gates in the arena. “You’re on duty until I relieve you.” Harold turned his attention back to Ty. “That was some pretty good cowboying out there, Ty.”
Ty acknowledged the compliment with a nod as Harold moved out.
Mandy waited as Ty secured Willow to a post, the mare’s coat matted in sweat. He gave the horse a pat on her nose as he whispered words to the animal that she couldn’t hear.
Ty’s strides were purposeful as he walked toward Mandy.
She could still feel the tension needles pricking her limbs. It no longer felt like her legs would hold her weight. Aftershock was setting in.
“You all right, honey?” Ty asked, stopping a few feet from her as if waiting for some signal from her.
At that moment she needed comfort and his strength, and she walked right into the arms he stretched out to her.
“I’ve been better,” she whispered against his shirt as she leaned on him, no longer trusting her legs. “Thanks for helping. That bull might have hurt someone.”
“It might have hurt you. What were you doing out there?”
“Keeping my bull from going after anyone else.”
“So you’re some kind of bullfighter now?” He sounded beyond annoyed, as if she’d done something wrong.
“I did what I had to do. If It’s Nasty had hurt anyone, we wouldn’t have a chance of coming back next year. As it is, we may not.”
“Didn’t it go well with the committee?” He squeezed her tighter.
“We’ll be bidding against Stan for next year. The committee is divided.”
“You mention the sweetener?”
She brushed another strand of hair from her face. “I did, though we keep giving that sweetener and we’ll overwork our premier stock.”
“You know you about gave me a heart attack.” She felt his moist lips on her forehead.
“Did I? I ’bout gave myself one.”
He had been there for her this time. But he wasn’t sticking around. And he had the power to ruin her life.
She looked up at him, and his warm brown eyes swept over her.
“I’m going to kiss you. And you’re going to let me. Right here, in front of whoever wants to watch, Mandy.”
She pulled back, but he didn’t give her more than a second before his lips claimed hers in an anything but gentle kiss. It swamped her senses like some hot whirlwind, scrambling her mind and leaving her dizzy.
When he’d finished creating havoc, he stepped back, and all manner of whooping and hollering started as applause erupted. Over the din, Mandy heard her name being called.
“I’m all right, Mom,” she shouted as the small crowd dispersed.
Now that was a lie. Her body may have been all right, but her heart was in major trouble. She could lie to herself and blame being off balance on the encounter with the bull. But that wasn’t it. Ty was the only male who had done this to her.
“My God, what happened? Harold said a bull got out.” Sheila scooped Mandy away from Ty into her loving arms and squeezed her tight.
“I’m fine.”
“That bull put away?” Sheila asked, looking around as if she expected the creature to materialize right by her side.