Two To Wrangle (Hotel Rodeo #2)(29)

Monica took a sip of her drink. Gabby had poured her usual.

“What is it?” Ty asked with a sniff. “That applejack stuff?”

“It’s Calvados, Ty,” she corrected. “Imported from Normandy.”

“Imported only means expensive, sugar. It doesn’t mean better. There’s nothing we don’t do bigger and better right here in the good ol’ USA.”

“That’s an arrogant statement,” Monica said. “And exactly why Americans are generally disliked abroad.”

Ty shrugged. “The truth can be painful.”

“Are you for real?” she asked.

“Just a true-blue American cowboy.” He raised his mug in a mock salute and took a long drink.

“If you want us to be partners, you’re going to have to be more open to new ideas, Ty. Haven’t you ever traveled?” she asked.

“More than I even care to remember. I spent half a dozen years on the road,” Ty replied.

“I meant outside of this country,” she said.

“Went to Mexico once to watch their bull riding,” he said. “Wasn’t impressed. And their bullfighting is nothing short of animal brutality. The bull doesn’t have a chance. He’s dead the minute he enters the ring. It’s nothing like American bullfighting. In our version the bull has the advantage.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because he has horns and outweighs his adversary by at least fifteen hundred pounds. If things play out like they should, both contenders walk out of the arena when it’s done. Like I said, we do things better here. It’s easier to experience it than to have it explained,” Ty replied. “I think you’d best just come tonight and see for yourself.”





Chapter Ten


Monica arrived with Ty at the Thomas & Mack Center filled with childlike anticipation. She also felt almost as if she were on the arm of a celebrity. They were among thousands of people, but everyone seemed to recognize Ty Morgan. “I had no idea you were so well-connected, Ty.”

He shrugged. “It’s partly my father’s reputation that follows me. He was kind of a legend in his time. The other part is probably my connection to Tom. Everyone knew and loved Tom Brandt.”

“I know Tom was as generous as he was gregarious, but that doesn’t explain how everyone seems to know you,” Monica insisted.

Although he no longer competed, it was obvious that Ty still dominated in this world. Monica had already known that he was as generous and loyal as Tom, but now she realized that Ty was as highly respected in his circle of acquaintances as Evan was in his. But Ty had an endearing humility that Evan lacked.

“Your father was a legend?” she said. “You never told me that.”

“Yeah,” Ty laughed. “My ol’ man did some crazy shit in his time. He’d do anything for a laugh, especially when he hit the bottle. That’s what eventually killed him.”

“Then I’m doubly surprised you decided to follow in his shoes,” she remarked.

“Do you mean the bulls or the bottle?”

“Both, I guess,” Monica said.

“I fought it for a while,” he said. “But in the end it wasn’t a choice. I am who I am—just a plain ol’ Okie cowboy.” Ty tipped his hat to several more people as they made their way down the crowded aisle to their VIP chute seats.

“Wow. I had no idea how close we’d be to the bulls.” Monica wrinkled her nose. “Close enough even to smell them.”

Ty laughed. “This is the stock contractor section. I always sit where the action is.”

“Seats this close must be pretty hard to come by.”

“They are,” he admitted, “but I still know a few people from the old days. I s’pose they tend to remember the man who puts himself between a fallen cowboy and a charging bull.”

“I would sure hope so,” Monica said. This was Ty’s world. There was no doubt he was in his element. He’d had no trouble getting an extra ticket at the sold-out event. That alone was testimony of the clout Ty kept understating.

“We’ve got a few minutes yet before the preshow,” Ty said. “Do you mind if I run on down to the chutes? I’d like a quick word with Zac.”

“I don’t mind,” she replied. “Please wish him luck for me.”

“Will do. Can I get you a drink on the way back?” he asked.

“No thanks. I’m fine.”

Monica was hyperaware of the countless feminine stares that followed Ty down to the chutes; her own eyes lingered indecently long on his perfectly sculpted ass. The interest in Ty filled her with pride. Was he really hers, this incredibly sexy, swaggering cowboy? It would seem so. The idea of them together should seem ludicrous, but somehow it wasn’t. Deep down they seemed to suit each other so much better than she and Evan ever had.

He was talking with two other cowboys now, one smaller and leaner and dressed in athletic clothes. When he turned to face in her direction, she recognized him as Kade McDaniel. The other, bigger and beefier cowboy had to be his brother, Zac. He and Ty shook hands and then exchanged a few words. Ty looked grim. Zac shrugged, and then they both turned their backs. She couldn’t tell what he was doing, but it looked like Ty was helping Zac with his preparations.