Whirlwind (The Champions 1)

“It’s already taken care of,” Shane said. “I ordered a new custom ATV with hand controls while I was in rehab. It even has a rack with a lift for loading and unloading the wheelchair. It’ll be shipped to Tucson in a couple of weeks. All I’ll need is somebody to drive the truck and pick it up.”

“We can do that. It sounds great.” But the enthusiasm had drained from Lexie’s voice. She’d come up with a way to help him, and he’d shot her down. But that was the way things had to be, Shane told himself.

“A vehicle like that—it must’ve been expensive,” Lexie said.

“I’ve got prize money stashed away—what? Are you asking me whether Brock paid for it? The answer is no. I haven’t even spoken with Brock since I told him I was taking a job here. And it will be a job, Lexie. I won’t be your resident charity case. If I can’t be of real value to this ranch, I won’t stay.”

He’d hurt her. He could see it in her face. But what he’d said was what she needed to know. He loved her, but he wouldn’t be dependent. He wouldn’t be kept like a house pet.

“Finish your breakfast.” Her voice carried an edge. “I’ll have the ATV out front in twenty minutes. If you want a tour of the ranch, be on the front porch.”

When she turned away, it was as if a door had closed between them.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Three weeks later

SUPPER WAS A CELEBRATION AND A FAREWELL. LAST WEEKEND, IN Phoenix, Whirlwind had bucked off yet another

top rider. His average score of 44.5 had moved him into the top thirty ranked bulls. If he could keep performing well, he’d have a chance to make the PBR finals in November. But even with good scores, the final decision would be made by the Livestock Director of the PBR, who had chosen the rookie bull for the circuit in the first place.

The two boys, Chet and Ryder, would be leaving at the end of the week to get ready for school. Lexie smiled as she watched them wolf down second helpings of Val’s lasagna. The pair had been cheerful, hardworking, and responsible. She would miss them.

Tonight, as usual, the boys were peppering Shane with questions. In the weeks he’d been here, they’d tagged after him around the ranch like adoring puppies, talking constantly about the one subject that was most painful for him—riding bulls.

Shane had accepted their hero worship with patience and good grace. But Lexie sensed that every time he spoke about the sport, he felt the loss, like grief over the death of a loved one.

As she watched him from across the table—enjoying the food and chatting with those around him, she couldn’t help thinking how far he’d come since those awkward first days on the ranch. His work was going well. He’d long since mastered every task in the office. Even Tess, who seldom took advice from anyone, listened to his opinions. But Lexie knew that what he really wanted was to spend more time outdoors, with the animals.

Soon he’d be free to do that. The custom ATV he’d ordered would be ready for pickup in Tucson next week. Once he had it, he’d be able to drive himself around the ranch and on the backroads. After that, it would only be a matter of time until he owned a hand-controlled automobile with a wheelchair rack for highway travel.

He glanced up and caught her eyes on him. For a moment, their gazes met and held. Then Lexie forced herself to look away. The strain that had risen between them was still there, haunting and hurtful. They took care to be polite and gentle with each other. But the lines had been drawn—his out of pride, hers to protect herself from being hurt again. She loved him so much that even the sound of his voice took her breath away. But with his independence growing week by week, and no effort on his part to bridge the gulf between them, Lexie had resigned herself to letting him go.

“Who’s ready for chocolate cake?” Val flitted out of her chair and back to the kitchen. Lexie rose with her and began to clear away the dinner plates. Her arm brushed Shane’s shoulder as she reached past him. She steeled herself against the tingle of awareness.

Other changes were coming as well. The departure of the boys would leave the ranch shorthanded. But Pedro, Ruben’s son-in-law who’d helped with the driving, had agreed to come and work full-time. His wife, Ruben’s daughter Maria, would be coming along as cook and housekeeper. Next week, they’d be hauling their trailer up from the reservation to stand next to Ruben’s and share the hookups. Relieved of her kitchen duties, Val would have to find new ways to be useful. She was still working out her plans.

After stacking the plates in the sink, Lexie helped Val serve the chocolate cake. She’d carried the last plate to the table and was taking her seat when Aaron struck his knife against his glass for attention. At the sharp ringing sound, the buzz of conversation stilled around the table.

“I have an announcement to make,” he declared in a loud voice. “The sale of my property has finally gone through. I’ll be going into Tucson to sign the papers and deposit the check on Friday. Then I’ll be packing up for a move to Vegas.”

There were murmurs of congratulations around the table. Tess looked sour but managed to be polite. Lexie and Val glanced at each other in alarm. They had yet to find a time when Aaron was safely gone, so they could check his house. Once he started clearing the place out, any evidence that might be there would disappear.

Friday could be their last chance.

Tess cleared her throat. “I know we’re supposed to be celebrating. But as long as you’re all here, I want to go over the plans for what’s bound to be a busy weekend.”

She glanced around the table. “On Friday, I’ll be driving Whirlwind to Santa Fe. Ruben, you and Pedro will be taking four bulls to Prescott—we can decide which ones.

“Val—” She fixed stern eyes on her sister. “I’ll need you to take the truck and drive Chet and Ryder to Ajo, where their parents will meet them. While you’re there, you can pick up the shipment of Total Bull at the freight office and buy any other supplies we need. Got it?”

Val glanced at Lexie with a barely noticeable shrug. “Got it,” she said.

“Shane and Lexie, you can stay here and keep an eye on things. The boys can do chores before they leave Friday morning. Val, can you help Lexie with chores on Saturday and Sunday?”

“Sure,” Val said.

“I’ll take the stable all three days,” Shane offered. “I can muck out a stall and pitch hay as well as the next cowboy.”