“Shane did great,” Lexie said. “He’s already a pro. I was so proud of him.”
“And this lady even got in some comments from a wife’s point of view,” Shane said. “I’d say we were a hit.”
Lexie rose from her seat, the curve of her rounded belly just showing beneath her shirt. “I have something else to be happy about, Tess. Before the event, some of the riders’ wives came up and introduced themselves. They were so nice; they have a group that gets together at events and stays in touch online. They told me I was already included. It’s like I’ve made all these new friends. They invited me to lunch, and they’re even talking about giving me a baby shower.”
“That’s great.” Tess had never needed much of a social life, but she knew how much the support of these women would mean to Lexie. “I’m on my way to check on our bulls,” she said. “Are you two going back to the hotel now?”
Shane, darkly handsome, grinned. “We’d planned to go out and kick up our heels. But we’re both beat. So, yes, we’re going back to our room. Is there something you need, Tess?”
“If you don’t mind, could you stop by and see how Val’s doing? She seemed a little off when I left her tonight. She said she had a headache. But you know Val. She tends to make excuses when something’s bothering her.”
“I think what’s bothering her is Casey,” Lexie said. “Remember last summer when she made us promise not to tell him she was at the ranch? When I asked her why, she said it was water under the bridge. I think she’s worried about running into him.”
“Maybe it wouldn’t be a bad thing if she did,” Shane said. “It’s been—what? Ten years since they broke up?”
“Nine. But they didn’t break up,” Lexie said. “She just left without telling him anything. That had to hurt. He got married a few years ago, but it didn’t last long.”
“Has she ever said why she left?”
“Not to any of us. Casey’s such a great guy. I can’t help thinking how much happier both their lives would’ve been if she’d stayed and married him.”
“Maybe it’s not too late,” Shane said. “Maybe they could at least be friends.”
“No, leave it alone, both of you,” Tess said. “Whatever Val did, she had her reasons, and she doesn’t owe any of us an explanation. Pushing her to see Casey again would only open old wounds.”
“But you still want us to check on her, don’t you?” Lexie asked.
“Yes, but only to make sure she’s okay. If there’s a problem, call my cell, and I’ll come right back.”
“Got it, big sister.” Shane backed his lightweight power chair away from the press table. Tess stepped aside to clear a path to the exit ramp. Lexie walked at his side, her hand brushing his shoulder. He managed his disability well and rarely complained. But Tess suspected that the cheerful face he put on was mostly for his wife’s sake. Before his tragic accident, Shane had lived for the thrill and challenge of riding bulls. He’d been a sure contender for the PBR World Finals. By right, he should be out in that arena competing for the big money. But he would never ride a bull again.
Tess stood for a moment, watching as they disappeared in the milling crowd. She would do anything to protect what was left of her little family, a family that had already known too many losses—her mother decades ago, her brother, Jack, at last year’s National Rodeo Finals, her father shortly after that, and her beloved stepmother, murdered by a neighbor this past summer. Only her father’s death, from cancer, had been a natural one.
Add to that toll the death of her fiancé, Mitch, who’d died in Afghanistan weeks before the wedding they’d planned. Tess had been even younger than Lexie. Now, at thirty, she still hadn’t found anyone else to love. And Val doubtless had her own secret sorrows. The Champions drew tragedy the way some families seemed to draw wealth or scandal.
Turning away, she headed toward the doors at the rear exit of the arena, where the steel-barred complex of pens, chutes, and gates had been set up for the bulls.
She was about to go outside when a voice called her name.
“Tess! Wait up!” Casey, still in protective gear, was striding to catch up with her. Turning back, she greeted him with a smile. Casey, who’d been her brother’s best friend, as well as Val’s first love, was almost family. Tess was happy to see him, but cautious. If he were to ask her about Val, she would have to choose between lying and breaking the promise she’d made to her sister.
He grinned. A handsome man with George Clooney looks, sandy hair and warm brown eyes, he was huskier than most bullfighters. But it was his strength that had supported Cody Woodbine and kept the young rider’s arm from being jerked out of its socket while he was hanging on the side of the bull.
Tess stepped closer, anticipating a brotherly hug, but he put up a warning hand.
“You might want to keep your distance,” he said. “I smell like a bull’s rear end. I won’t be fit for human company till I’ve had a shower.”
“You’re fine.” Tess gave him a brief hug, remembering how he’d come to the ranch last year to help bury Jack’s casket on a lonely bluff overlooking the pastures. He’d been working the arena when Jack had died under the crushing hooves of a 2,000-pound bull named Train Wreck. Casey would never forgive himself for not being able to save his best friend.
Val had sent a lavish bouquet for Jack’s funeral. But even her brother’s death hadn’t been enough to bring her home. For their father’s service, two months later, she’d sent nothing. And she hadn’t known about the death of their stepmother, Callie, until she arrived home.
“So how’ve you been, Tess?” Casey asked.
“The same. Just running the ranch. You know how that goes.”
“I ran into Lexie a couple of times over the summer. She told me you were doing a fine job.”
“I have good help. Shane’s taken over most of the business end, which gives me more time for the animals. Ruben’s still there as foreman, of course, watching over us all. And we’ve brought his son-in-law, Pedro, on full time. He’s a good worker, and his wife, Ruben’s daughter, is a fine cook. We still miss Callie, but things could be worse.”
You should come for a visit, Tess had almost said. But that wouldn’t do. Not with Val wanting to avoid him. “But you grew up on a ranch,” she said. “You know how it is. Never enough water. Never enough money. Never enough rest.”
Casey nodded. “I know. When my dad lost our ranch because he couldn’t pay off the loan, it broke his heart. He didn’t live long after that. If things had been different, I’d probably be ranching today instead of living out of a suitcase and getting knocked around by bulls.”
“Speaking of bulls,” Tess said, “I need to go. I was just on my way out back to check on the pair we brought.”
“Is it okay if I tag along?” Casey asked. “I’ve seen Whirlwind buck, but I’m curious about his brother.”
She hesitated. The more time she spent with Casey, the more likely he was to bring up Val. But how could she say no? She gave him a nod. “Sure. Come on.”