“A child is a lot of work, Trace. I was trying to by sympathetic.”
Trace grunted. “You don’t know the half of it. But I’m not complaining. I’ve just got to make sure she stays with me—always.”
*
“So that is the notorious Ty Martin,” Cat said as she stood with Mandy watching Jake and Delanie play on the large hill of hay by the side of the barn. Mandy and Tucker had played on similar mounds when they were that age. And Ty had kissed her behind one many times that one youthful summer.
Mandy thought it would be a good place for the kids to work off their energy and figured Delanie might be more comfortable away from all the men crowding the picnic table.
“That’s him.”
Before getting Cat’s full feedback, Mandy wanted to wait for Libby, who was standing off to the side talking to her husband. She watched as Chance patted Libby’s stomach and Libby reached up on tippy-toes to give him a kiss before walking toward them. She wanted that—or at least as much of that as she could have.
“So, what do you guys think?”
“About what?” Libby asked as she joined them.
“Ty.”
“He’s hot,” Libby offered. She wore a blousy maternity top over a pair of cropped leggings, the glow of pregnancy on her face.
“Yumm,” added Cat.
“Did you ask him about having a baby?” Libby patted her stomach.
“He’s thinking about it.”
“It looks like it would be pure pleasure making a baby with him,” Cat said with a sigh.
It had been pleasurable, but Mandy wanted something more than pleasure. “It’s a big step,” Mandy said.
“The biggest,” Cat agreed.
“What do you think of Trace, Cat?” Leave it to Libby to ask what Mandy had been wondering.
“He’s as handsome as his brother but a bit taciturn for my taste. The only time he smiles is when he looks at his daughter. I guess that’s something in his favor.”
“Still looking in Cody Taylor’s direction?” Mandy teased.
Cat shook her head. “Once we file that adverse-possession suit, that man will be after my hide. That was just a schoolgirl crush from long ago that’s going to go very wrong in a few more weeks.”
“Like Ty and me in four more months.”
The air filled with kid giggles from Jake and Delanie as they tumbled down the side of the haystack.
“So enjoy those four months, baby or not.”
Mandy hadn’t figured out what she should or would do if Ty turned her down. But one thing was certain—it would be one more wedge between them. There were only so many things one man could disappoint on.
*
The guys had wondered over to the corrals where the heifers were circling. At the insistence of some of the hands, Tucker in particular, Chance Cochran was recounting his ride on Bad Medicine, a top bronc from a rival company. Ty watched as every man, including his brother, gave Chance their full attention. Ty had to admit, it took guts to get into the arena night after night for a wild ride—and a little bit of crazy.
After some jawing about rodeos past, a few of the guys called it a day. Tucker headed back for some more food, and Trace went in search of Delanie. Ty wandered over to Chance, whom Mandy had introduced to him when the bronc rider had arrived. He’d only just met Chance’s pregnant wife, Libby, since she had come separately.
“Guess you have to love rodeo to do what you do,” Ty said.
Chance grinned. “And the money isn’t bad either, leastwise now.”
“It takes quite a bit to make the top fifteen for the NRF.”
“It doesn’t come easy.”
Ty was wondering about something else that didn’t come easy. “You excited about being a father?”
Chance tugged on the brim of his hat. “And scared, I don’t mind admitting.”
Ty had to laugh. “You get in an arena with a horse that weighs more than a ton, and you’re scared of becoming a father?” Though Ty laughed, he was sympathetic.
“I didn’t have the easiest upbringing. I’m not sure how to do it.”
“But you’re doing it.”
“Not much to life if you can’t pass something on to someone else who matters. I intend to pass something good on.” Chance glanced around. “I was with Libby yesterday when she had an ultrasound. I tell you, seeing our child growing inside of her was a humbling thing.”
Ty could only imagine.
“You and Mandy considering children?” Chance asked.
“Considering. Not yet decided.”
“Well, you two just got married. Guess you’ve got time.”
Ty wished that was true.
*
Ty and Mandy had said their good-byes to pretty much everyone before they headed back to the picnic table, where Trace and Shelia were helping Delanie finish up the last piece of a blueberry pie someone had brought.