Corralled (Blacktop Cowboys 1)

“Maybe. This constant traveling opened my eyes. Showed me what my dad went through in his quest to be the number one bull rider in the world. Made me appreciate my mother’s point of view.” She inhaled and let out a sigh. “She’s off base on a lot of things, but she was right about this. I’m getting the short end of the stick working half-time for Lariat. It’d be easier to be on the road full-time or not at all. I’m choosing not at all.

“It’s another reason why this worked for us. We’re at a cross-roads in our lives. You, switching to the CRA. Hank, trying to decide if he wants to do the bullfighting gig full-time. Me, realizing I don’t want my life to be work and sleep.”

“Does Hank know about your job change?”

She shook her head. “I’d planned to tell you both at the same time. But since you’re moving on, I figured you deserved to know the truth.”

Kyle scratched his goatee. “I’m surprised, but not completely. I’d wondered about your change of heart from a big ‘no’ to throwing yourself into our threesome idea. Was the thought that you wouldn’t have to face either of us afterward why you agreed at the last minute?”

“Yes.”

Silence.

Lainie tried to remember why she thought this scenario would be an easy, fun fling.

“Hey.” Kyle touched her cheek. “No regrets, remember? It’s all good, Lainie. I’ll be fine. I promise.”

She looked at him. No anger or sadness lingered on his face. Just acceptance. “You are a great man, Kyle Gilchrist. Someday you’ll find a woman who appreciates everything about you.”

“I already did. But the problem is, she’s in love with my best friend.” He pressed his lips to her forehead. “Take care of yourself, Mel. I’ll see you around.”

He walked away and didn’t look back.

Lainie set the GPS. Eight hours’ travel time. At least she was making the drive during the day, so she could enjoy a little of the scenery.

At first Hank flat-out refused to sleep in the camper. She’d dealt with enough belligerent cowboys that she wasn’t cowed by his behavior.

When Hank realized Lainie wasn’t bluffing about dragging his ass back to the hospital if he didn’t fall in line, he shuffled into the camper. Making sure his cell phone was within reach, as well as a bottle of water and a barf bucket, she tucked him in with a kiss. Then she hit the road.

At the halfway point she topped off the tank, checked on her patient—still out—and took a bathroom break. After being in the constant company of Hank and Kyle, she found her own company didn’t thrill her. She was lonely. How Tanna did this by herself week in, week out boggled her mind.

Dusk teased the sky when she started up the long driveway to the Lawson ranch. Abe had the cab door open almost before she’d parked. “Thanks for driving him home. How’s he doin’?”

“Still asleep. Which is the best thing for him, although he’ll tell you he’s just fine.”

“How are you?”

She hadn’t expected that. “I’m okay. But watching him take that horn to the chest and the hoof to the back of the head about did me in.”

“I can imagine.”

“Is Celia around?”

Abe shook his head. “She’ll be back the day after tomorrow.”

“Who’s been helping you with the stuff that needs doing around here?”

“Me, myself, and I. We’re a good team.” Abe grinned.

Lainie grinned back at him, because he reminded her so much of Hank. “I’d like to tag along tomorrow morning and help out, if that’s all right.”

“That ain’t necessary; you’ve already done enough.”

“Hank will be crashed all day, and I’m not the greatest at figuring out what to do with free time. So be warned: If you don’t take me along to see the daily grind of a Wyoming cattle rancher, I’ll find something else to occupy myself. Like rearranging your closets and cupboards. Fun stuff like that.”

Abe measured her. “Hank don’t get away with nothin’ with you, does he?”

“Nope.”

“He’s always needed a good woman to keep him in line.” He jerked his chin toward the camper. “How’s about we get the patient inside?”

Hank walked inside mostly on his own. He took a pain pill, took a leak, crawled into his own bed, and was out for the night.

The next day, between times of obsessively checking on Hank, Lainie hung out with Abe. Oddly enough, she never felt restless. She certainly never felt bored. She was completely relaxed. More content than she’d been in a long time.

So the cell phone call from Doc Dusty should’ve come as no surprise. Lariat had added three last-minute venues with the second tier of the EBS circuit: a two-day event in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, a one-night event in River Bend, Texas, and a two-day event in Salt Lake City. Since he’d sent everyone on vacation, Dusty was desperate for her to fill in as a Lariat representative.

It was damn difficult for Lainie not to feel resentment—even when she could’ve said no. But that was why Doc had called her; he knew she wouldn’t turn him down.

So much for the remaining week of her vacation time. First thing in the morning Abe would take her to Rawlins. She’d rent a car and drive to Denver. From there she’d fly to Santa Rosa, stay three nights, rent another car for the six-hour drive to River Bend, stay one night, and fly out the next afternoon to Salt Lake City for two nights. Then she’d fly to Colorado Springs, giving her one day before starting her new position with Lariat.