“You are going to help Trace, right? And Delanie.” Her tone held both hope and censure.
“I’ve already set up the account for the money he needs. Should be more than enough to hire a housekeeper, enroll Delanie in preschool, and pay for an attorney. And a psychologist.” Ty could only hope there hadn’t been any long-term damage. “As I mentioned, Trace could also use some beeves to strengthen his herd. He lost quite a few in the last drought. If you and Tucker agree, I was hoping…” He didn’t get the words out of his mouth and she was nodding.
“I already spoke to Tuck, so anything Trace might need.”
“I’ll make sure it’s a decent deal for both sides, if you trust me to make that deal.”
She waved her hand as if money, or trust, didn’t matter. But Ty knew money and trust always mattered.
“It will probably be about fifty heifers, more or less,” he continued, happy for the temporary change in subject to give him time to process exactly what she was asking. “You’re running about thirty-five hundred of the Angus on the ranch now, according to the last count.” He’d made sure they had taken a count for the ranch analysis, which wouldn’t be ready for another few days. They had done the company analysis first, since that was the crucial one.
“He’s family, Ty. We help family.”
“He’s my family though.”
“Right now, that also makes Trace and Delanie part of my family.” She said the words matter of factly, but the sentiment caught him off guard. “We can do the roundup Wednesday, if you like. Tucker will be home because of the Cheyenne rodeo coming up, and there might be a few others who can help. Everyone likes a roundup. We can host a barbeque afterwards.”
Sounded like she’d already been thinking about it and had it all planned out. That was Mandy.
“I’ll let Trace know and see if that will work for him.”
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, looking very pleased with herself. “Now about the baby.”
The baby? As if it had already been decided?
“Why a baby? Why now? And why me, beyond the notion you see me as a person?”
She shrugged again. Played with the knife this time. Before she answered, the waitress came and deposited before each of them a square white plate piled high with various types of lettuce, some cranberries, walnuts, and other salad fixings for their starter salad. They both waited for the waitress to depart before digging into their food.
“I may not get another chance.” Her voice was low and oddly fragile sounding.
“To get married?”
She nodded.
Mandy Prescott? Single forever? “Why would you think that? You’re a beautiful woman. You’re smart. Ambitious. Determined.” She was ten times more interesting, and complicated, than the women he usually dated.
“And I seem attracted to the wrong types of men.”
He frowned, hoping she was referring to that no-account tie-down roper.
“How so?” He stabbed some lettuce and savored the tangy flavor of balsamic vinegar that greeted his taste buds.
Her one shoulder slid up. “The men I’ve dated tend to be good-time Charlies. In it for fun, not commitment.” She dipped the fork into the salad but didn’t spear anything.
“Date other men.” Seemed simple enough. “There must be lots of good men, good ranching types, who’d make fine husbands and fathers. I’ve seen them at the rodeos.” Unfortunately, the thought of Mandy with any of them didn’t sit well with him. She deserved someone who would appreciate her.
“They are already married. The good ones anyway. And besides, they aren’t looking for wives that are on the road thirty-five weekends a year running a business.”
“That’s why selling would be a good thing. Free you up to pursue a personal life. Did you know your mother wouldn’t object if Prescott was sold? She told me so.”
Too late, Ty realized he’d blundered by bringing Prescott into the conversation, as Mandy took a deep breath, and her nostrils flared. He’d poked the bear.
“We’ve had this conversation. What I want is to run Prescott Rodeo Company. And have a baby. Every stock contractor I know is married and has a family.”
And they were all men, though Ty knew he didn’t have to say it. The defiant lift of her chin said that was her whole point.
“And if I say no? Because I can tell you, having a family is not something I’ve thought much about and am not sure I want.”
“You didn’t want to be married and run a stock company, I’ll wager, but here you are.”
He took a forkful of salad, buying some time. They ate in silence for a few moments. He needed time to think. What exactly would it mean to become a father, especially since he wouldn’t be married to the mother? At least not long enough to see the child born.