The Maverick Meets His Match (Hearts of Wyoming Book 2)(65)

“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.

“Yes. Harold and Ty corralled it,” Mandy explained as she took a step back. She was embarrassed to be the center of attention for an audience of her rodeo workers. How was she ever to gain their respect if people kept fussing over her? And kissing her?

“Your daughter decided to be a hero,” Ty said, shaking his head.

“I did what any responsible owner of an escaped bull would do. What should I have done, let him stampede some poor patron in the parking lot?”

Ty stared at her like she was addlebrained. “Called for backup.”

“I did call. Why do you think Harold was already saddled and the other two cowboys rode in?”

Her mother looped her arm around Mandy’s. “I’m taking you to the hotel. You need a break.”

Mandy didn’t protest. She was being bombarded by emotions she couldn’t sort out right now, and the cause was standing there frowning.

“Well, I’m glad you’re okay, but Ty was right—what were you thinking?” her mother said before she took a sip from the hotel restaurant’s ivory mug.

Mandy wrapped her hand around her warm cup of tea. She’d have preferred coffee, but in her mother’s book, hot tea was the only thing that helped you through an ordeal.

“I had a duty, as the owner of that bull, to protect people.”

Her mother shook her perfectly coiffed blond head, as if her daughter didn’t understand the lesson. “That kind of protecting is for a man to do, Mandy. A woman, any woman, is no match for a two-ton bull.”

“He’s PRC’s responsibility. That means he’s my responsibility.” But she couldn’t deny that little tingle low in her stomach and the warmth flowing through her veins knowing Ty had protected her. Like a knight charging, he’d come to rescue her—as if he cared—about her. And then he’d kissed her. And it hadn’t been a peck on the cheek but a full-out, tongue-in-mouth, hard-to-breathe kiss.

She didn’t know what to make of it. Maybe it was the adrenaline of the moment. That had to be it. She couldn’t get her hopes up, because she feared this time the fall would be too far for recovery. Her mother’s lips pursed. “You’re stubborn, Mandy, just like your grandfather—and not his best quality.”

“I won’t refute either statement. But I am who I am.” And that meant she had to stay grounded and not romanticize a relationship that had no future. He was still going to sell her company if the numbers said so. A man who cared for her would never, ever do that. A man who just wanted sex to pass the time wouldn’t hesitate. Ty was definitely the latter.

“Yes, well…I didn’t bring you here to talk about PRC.” She set her mug down and brushed her fingers across the cream-colored tablecloth as if trying to dismiss the fabric’s soft wrinkles. She raised her head and looked straight at Mandy.

“I saw that kiss. Is there something you want to tell me?” Her mother’s eyes were wide with interest.

“Like what?” she asked, knowing full well what was on her mother’s mind. She just wasn’t sure she should share it yet, considering she didn’t understand what it was. She hadn’t a clue how to describe her relationship with Ty. And having sex with him had just muddied things further.

“Have you two…you know?” her mother pressed.

Mandy closed her eyes, knowing there was no escape. She opened them. Sheila leaned in.