The Maverick Meets His Match (Hearts of Wyoming Book 2)(75)

“So you really are going to be a rodeo stockman as well as run horses and cattle?” Trace shook his head. “Never thought you’d come to this after all that fancy education.”

As if she’d overhead Trace’s comment, Mandy turned her head toward them briefly before Delanie recaptured her attention.

“I enjoy ranching, working with the animals. I always did.” Aware he was playing a role in front of his brother, Ty was startled at the truth of it all.

Trace snorted. “You always had your nose in a book, as I recall. Dad and I could never figure you out.”

Ty had studied hard in order to better himself. And he’d succeeded at that, money-wise, at least. But it didn’t mean he hadn’t wanted to ranch. He just hadn’t wanted to be part of the Martin ranch.

Or family.

Deep down he must have blamed his father for his mother’s death even before he’d known it was a suicide. Maybe on some level he had guessed. He’d turned against his father—not outwardly, but inwardly. He’d turned against everything his father was.

“I still like learning. Just working with Mandy and the Prescott outfit reminded me of what else I like.” He sent a wink to his wife and felt a tender pressure on his heart when she blushed.

“Guess J. M. Prescott got back that son he lost.”

Ty met his brother’s hard stare. He knew Trace and his father had resented JM’s interest. But he’d never presumed he could take a son’s place in JM’s heart. JM had been generous and tough, supportive and demanding. His father had only been demanding. “Care to explain that comment?”

“Well, seems he found a man who wanted to follow in his footsteps. Marrying Mandy keeps it all in the family. All worked out damn convenient for you.”

Ty swiped his hand across his chin. Of course he’d never admit to Trace the circumstances of his marriage. How would he explain it and not have it sound like he married for profit? And now she’d thrown him a curveball, and he wasn’t sure he could catch it.

“Life sometimes takes surprising turns.”

“That’s for sure,” Trace said as he looked over at his daughter. “Some good, some not so good. Delanie has been a great gift, and that compensates for a lot.”

“Glad you see it that way,” Ty said.

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“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.