The Comeback Cowboy Read online

  He must have sensed her approach, for he suddenly turned. When their gazes connected, his eyes lit up, then turned dark and smoldering. The small thrill became a rushing river of awareness. All at once, Adele knew why Ty had called her to meet him, and what he wanted. She didn’t hesitate going to him.

  Dropping the reins, he came forward. Luckily, Hamm was placid by nature outside the arena, because another horse might have spooked when Adele flung herself into Ty’s open arms.

  “I’ve been waiting two weeks for this,” he said as his mouth came down on hers.

  Only two weeks? It felt to Adele as if she’d been waiting forever. For this kiss. This moment. This man.

  Forgetting all the obstacles facing them and the fact that he was leaving soon, very soon, forgetting the crowd, which had dissolved into a soundless blur, she returned Ty’s kiss with a passion matching his. Instinct told her he needed this connection to her, physical and emotional, in order to compete. Every bit as much as he needed the lariat tied to his saddle.

  The sense of contentment stealing over her told her she needed it, too. Perhaps even more than he did, for all at once her world stopped rocking wildly and righted itself.

  Offering no resistance to his bold advances, she molded her body to his, relishing the sensation of his hands firmly pressed into her back, his hard muscled length as he anchored her to him, and his tongue as it swept into her mouth.

  She could only imagine the number of open stares they were garnering, but she didn’t care. Every harsh breath he drew, every groan issuing from deep in his chest told her neither did he.

  A loud, bawdy whoop penetrated her foggy brain, returning her to reality.

  “Hey, Boudeau! Hate to break up the party but you’re up soon. Better get a move on.”

  Ty broke off their kiss, his reluctance showing in his eyes. “I want to see you tonight.”

  “Another date?” she asked, still holding on to him.

  “Okay.”

  The way he said “okay” gave her reason to think he’d had something else in mind.

  So did she.

  “All right.”

  He grinned.

  “On one condition.”

  “What’s that?” He bent as if to nuzzle her neck. Her next words stopped him.

  “You take first in tie-down roping.”

  He lifted his head. “You think I can’t?”

  “Not at all. But if you want to see me tonight, you’d better be bringing that belt buckle with you.”

  “Be ready at seven.” Letting go of her, he gathered the reins and mounted Hamm in one fluid motion. “And wear something sexy.”

  With that, he trotted off to the area behind the box.

  Ignoring the snickering and gawking, Adele ran back to the bleachers and her seat.

  She couldn’t help feeling that Ty winning this event was more important than him getting back on track, and more significant than going on another date with him.

  It seemed to Adele as if her whole life was suddenly poised to change.

  Chapter Ten

  “Boudeau, you’re up next!”

  Ty nudged Hamm into place behind the box. The horse responded with the tiniest of cues, already in the zone and ready to go. Ty wished he could say the same for himself. Kissing Adele had affected his concentration—among other things.

  That hadn’t been his plan. Not intentionally. He’d only wanted to talk to her. Why, he wasn’t sure now. Only that two weeks without close interaction had been too long. The need to see her, even briefly, before he went into the arena had been so powerful, he hadn’t thought his actions through, simply punched in her number.

  And she’d come. Just like that. Without requiring an explanation.

  When he’d seen her hurrying toward him, eager anticipation brightening her expression, the part of his brain not a slave to logic had taken over, and he’d kissed her. Really kissed her. And it had wiped away every memory of every other woman before her.

  He couldn’t wait for tonight.

  Except if he didn’t get it together, and fast, there would be no “tonight” with her.

  He had to take first place.

  For her, but also for himself. Somewhere along the way, winning at roping and winning over Adele had become intermingled, and he didn’t think he could separate the two.

  “On deck, Boudeau.”

  “Sorry,” Ty said, realizing his name had been called a second time. He urged Hamm closer to the box.

  “You got this in the bag, son.”

  Ty glanced down to see Pop hobbling over. “That’s what I’m hoping.”

  The older man gave Ty’s leg an encouraging pat. “Billy Carpenter broke the barrier.”

  “Is that so?” Ty had missed Billy’s run and the penalty. It must have happened while he and Adele were kissing.

  “The only ones left who can possibly beat you are Mitch Benson and Garth Maitland.”

  “I’m not worried about Benson,” Ty said. Lifting his head to see over the crowd, he watched the man in question throw his rope. “He chokes under pressure.”

  Benson’s toss sailed straight and true, but when he went to tie the calf’s legs, his hand accidentally slipped, costing him precious seconds. The announcer commiserated and encouraged the audience to give him a round of applause.

  “That leaves Garth,” Ty said, his jaw tightening.

  “He goes last.”

  “I know.”

  Taking no chances, Ty checked his equipment with the thoroughness of a heart surgeon preparing for a transplant operation.

  “Boudeau!”

  He only had to loosen his grip on the reins slightly, and Hamm charged forward into the box, ready to go. As the big animal settled in, Ty knew he’d been right to purchase him. There wasn’t a better horse around or a better horse for him. They could win today.

  Hell, they could go all the way to the National Finals Rodeo in December, where participants from all over the world competed.

  Pop had followed Ty as far as the fence. One of the cowboys moved aside and made room for the older man, who hoisted himself onto the bottom rail with a grunt.

  Ty barely noticed. He was too preoccupied rewinding his lariat into a coil for the third time and hefting it his hand. He didn’t stop until the lariat felt exactly right.

  “This probably isn’t the time to tell you,” Pop said, loudly enough for Ty and everyone else to hear, “but I approve of you courting my granddaughter. If that’s your intention.”

  Caught off guard, Ty looked up. Had Pop seen them kissing? “It is my intention, sir. But I have to bring home a buckle first.”

  Pop laughed till he choked. “She tell you that?”

  “She did. And I think she’s serious.”

  “Then you’d better have the run of your life.”

  Ty couldn’t agree more.

  He could feel the eyes of every man standing on or straddling the fence. They knew his history, many of them having seen him lose to Garth last year. They realized today could be, make that was, Ty’s comeback. He wasn’t going to disappoint them.

  Or Adele.

  “Good luck, Boudeau.”

  “You got it in the bag, Ty.”

  He settled deeper into his saddle, ignoring his buddies. They weren’t expecting him to reply, anyway, understanding that he was getting himself where he needed to be mentally.

  A last tug on his gloves. One more inspection of his lariat and the knot that secured it to his saddle horn. A final stretch of the pigging string before he placed it between his teeth. One more hat adjustment. With each action, he narrowed his concentration until all he saw, all that mattered was his horse, the calf and the wrangler manning the gate to the chute.

  “Get ready, boy,” he said under his breath, giving Hamm’s neck a quick pat.

  Long days of honing his skills, learning about himself and his horse, were about to pay off. A burst of confidence exploded inside him, growing stronger as if he’d drunk a magical elixi
r.

  “Go.” The single clipped word accompanied a brusque nod of his head.

  The gate to the chute opened with a harsh metallic swish. An instant after the calf escaped, Ty and Hamm were in motion, operating on pure adrenaline and instinct. Ty’s arm came up in the air at just the right moment. The rope flew from his hand with precision and accuracy, sailing toward the running calf on a perfect gust of air. Even before the lasso reached its target, Ty was swinging his leg over the saddle, leaping off and hitting the ground at a dead run.

  Hamm did his job, stepping backward and pulling the rope taut. Ty also did his job, sliding his hand along the rope as he ran forward. The instant the calf was down on its side, he wound the pigging string around its legs and threw his hands in the air to signal he was done.

  He didn’t need to hear the announcer or glance at the scoreboard to know he’d performed well. He could feel it in the thundering of his heart and the surge of energy racing through him.

  Untying the calf, he collected his rope and pigging string, walked over to Hamm and gave the horse’s neck another pat. “Thanks, partner.”

  Hamm bobbed his head up and down, then knocked his nose into Ty’s shoulder. It seemed he was also happy with their run. The two of them made for the gate, Ty leading Hamm by the reins.

  Applause broke out as Ty’s official score appeared on the board. He stared, committing this moment to memory. Seven seconds flat. Good enough to put him in first place.

  Ty didn’t celebrate. Not yet. Garth Maitland still had to go. And while seven seconds flat was a damn fine time, Garth had beaten it before and could again today.

  STICK APPEARED on the other side of the gate. “That was sure a nice run, Ty.”

  “Not bad.”

  “Want me to take Hamm for you?” Stick didn’t add, “So you can stay and watch the rest of the competition.” He didn’t have to.

  “Appreciate that.”

  After the teen left with the horse, Ty climbed onto the fence. He picked a spot away from the other competitors. If Garth beat him, he wanted a few minutes to himself before facing his friends.

  But that wasn’t going to happen. Not after the great run he’d had today.

  The next contestant, a young man from Ecuador, finished at thirteen-point-three seconds. Ty hadn’t been worried. The contestant after that had the potential to bump Ty out of the first place standing if he pulled off a miracle. But he didn’t. The calf got loose at the last second, disqualifying him.

  That left only Garth.

  He was riding his regular horse and had been all weekend. The Buffalo Bill Cody Stampede might not be the biggest rodeo on the Turquoise Circuit, but he still wouldn’t take a chance on a new horse.

  “Folks, this cowboy needs a time of six-point-nine seconds to take over first place.” The announcer’s voice blared from the speakers overhead. “If anyone can do it, Garth Maitland sure can.”

  That was no lie.

  Ty turned away from the box where Garth was going through his final equipment check, and scanned the crowd. He knew where the students from Cowboy College were sitting, and sought out Adele. At this distance it was impossible to see her face clearly. Even so, he was certain she was looking at him and not Garth.

  The sound of the chute opening had Ty snapping his attention back to the box.

  He willed Garth to have a good run. Not that Ty didn’t want to win. But he wanted a victory because he’d earned it, not because his biggest rival performed poorly.

  The calf darted toward the far end of the arena. Every movement Garth and his horse made was straight out of a textbook. Running along the rope his mount held taut, he dropped the calf to the ground and tied its legs.

  The crowd roared, their applause and cheers drowning out the announcer.

  Ty didn’t need to hear. His gut told him the run was a good one. Better than good, it was great. Equal to his own.

  But was it better?

  “Ladies and gentlemen, bear with us,” the announcer’s voice declared. “This is close, and the officials need to be one hundred percent sure.”

  Ty caught sight of Garth as he reached the gate. Their gazes connected, and Garth gave the briefest of nods. Ty returned it, his silent message the same.

  Good run, cowboy.

  “Hold on to your hats, folks, we have it,” the announcer proclaimed. “Garth Maitland’s official time is seven-point-three seconds. That makes Ty Boudeau your winner today!” Cheers exploded from the stands. “With Garth Maitland in second place and Ricky Morales in third.”

  Ty closed his eyes and dropped his head, savoring the moment. He’d won before, plenty of times. But no victory had ever been sweeter or more hard earned. He was, he knew now without a doubt, on his way to the top. This time he wouldn’t lose at the National Finals Rodeo. He and Hamm would take home the title of World Champion and a generous sponsorship deal with it.

  All at once, he was surrounded. Friends and fellow contestants pulled him off the fence, congratulating him and slapping him on the back.

  “Hell of run, Ty.”

  “You had me scared there for a minute, buddy, but you pulled it off.”

  He took it all in, his grin stretched so wide his face hurt.

  “I knew you could do it.” Pop appeared beside him.

  “I couldn’t have without your and Adele’s help. I owe the both of you.” Ty pulled the older man into a hug. More backslapping followed, for both him and Pop.

  “Maybe I should sign up for a week at Cowboy College,” a young man said jokingly.

  “Maybe you should,” Mitch Benson answered, his face serious.

  Ty didn’t think that was such a bad idea.

  The speakers crackled to life again, and the announcer’s voice carried across the arena. “The day’s not over yet, folks. Stay in your seats, ’cause next up is the event you’ve been waiting for. Bull riding.”

  “See you in Sheridan?” Mitch asked.

  Ty shook the hand he extended. “I’ll be there. And having another run like today.”

  “I’m counting on it.”

  Eventually, everyone started clearing away. Some returned to their trailers to pack up, done for the weekend. Others took a place on the fence or in the bleachers to watch the bull riding.

  Ty and Pop hadn’t gone more than a few steps when Garth appeared in front of them.

  “Congratulations,” he told Ty.

  “You didn’t do so bad yourself today.”

  “First in team roping. I guess I can live with that.”

  “Enjoy it while it lasts. I plan on entering team roping at Sheridan.”

  Pop clapped Ty on the shoulder. “I’ll catch up with you later, son. Garth, give your family my regards.”

  After Pop left, Garth asked, “Who’s your partner?”

  “I’m not sure yet.” Louis had informed Ty earlier that he wouldn’t be going to Sheridan.

  “How ’bout me?”

  Ty laughed. “You’re not serious.”

  “As a heart attack. Willie’s kids are getting older, and his wife doesn’t want him to go on the road anymore.”

  Ty understood. “Team rope with you?” he repeated, surprised at how much the idea appealed to him.

  “Why not?”

  Why not indeed.

  “I guess we could give it a try. See how we work together.”

  Garth grinned. “How long until you leave Seven Cedars?”

  He’d been planning on leaving mid-week. Now, he wasn’t so sure. “Not for a few days.”

  “Why don’t you come by Tuesday morning? We’ll give it a go.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  “Seven o’clock. Main arena.”

  No sooner did Garth walk away, than Adele appeared. Ty had no idea how long she’d been standing there or what she’d heard. Only that he couldn’t be happier to see her, or wait any longer to hold her.

  “You won.” She smiled shyly.

  “I did.” He took a step toward her. “Now, abo
ut our date—”

  “There he is!”

  “Whoo, hoo! Ty, you were amazing.”

  All at once, he was surrounded by Mike and Sandy and the other students from Cowboy College. Enduring more backslapping, handshakes and hugs, he craned his neck to catch sight of Adele. Good. She hadn’t left.

  “We’re having a celebration potluck cookout tonight at Pop’s camper.” Sandy’s eyes pleaded with Ty. “Say you’ll be there.”

  “Well, I…”

  “I know you’re probably going out with the other contestants.” Her face fell. “But please come. Just for a little while.”

  “Don’t pressure the man,” Mike admonished.

  Just beyond the group, Adele smiled coyly, obviously amused.

  Ty pushed back his hat. “I guess I can come for a while.”

  Sandy threw her arms around him.

  “You’ll be there, too, won’t you?” one of the students asked Adele.

  Her gaze, soft and warm and hinting at what the night might bring, landed on Ty.

  He drew in a sharp breath.

  “I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she said.

  Neither would he.

  ADELE SURVEYED THE AREA beside her grandfather’s truck. If not for the absence of a flickering fire and nocturnal creatures calling to each other, the setting for their gathering could have been a cookout in the woods by Little Twister Creek.

  Lawn chairs and overturned crates had been set up in a circle around the portable grill, enhancing the simple but hearty meal they all shared and the conversation that flowed easily—most of it centered on Ty. Kerosene lanterns atop folding tables attracted moths, while alternately casting shadows and light on people’s faces.

  Ty sat at the head of the circle, relishing the moment. Well, he deserved it, thought Adele. It wasn’t easy coming back from a crushing defeat like the one he’d endured. She’d been proud of him today, admiring his tenacity and drive.

  Then again, there were a number of things she admired about Ty, including the natural camaraderie he had with people, drawing them to him like those lanterns did the insects. He’d known most of the students here tonight only a short time, yet he treated them like old friends, and they him. It was no surprise Iron Grip Ropes had approached him about a sponsorship deal last year. He’d have made a perfect spokesman. If he continued winning, which he would, maybe they’d approach him again.