CHAPTER THREE

 

 

Nancy and Megan were quickly approaching their due dates. Nerves and excitement ran high, along with food cravings and food aversions that kept Mandy on her toes trying to plan menus. And on top of the impending births, a new rodeo class would be starting soon, and Blake would be back to help.

He'd been better about calling this time, faithfully checking in with her at least once a week. She wasn't sure what had brought about the change, but she was thankful. Hearing his voice wasn't the same as seeing him, but it helped make the separation a little more bearable.

She had the day off, so Mandy took advantage of the opportunity to get her hair cut and splurge on a manicure. Then she wandered around town, stopping in at the diner to catch up with her old boss and enjoy having someone else cook for her.

She'd barely sat down before Nick and Jean walked in. As soon as they saw her, they headed for her table.

"Hey Mandy. Why are you sitting here all by yourself?" Jean slid into the seat across the table, and Nick sat down beside her.

"Just letting someone wait on me for a change. What have you two been up to?"

"Picking out furniture for the den. We're almost finished with the decorating, except for Shelby and Clay's rooms. We're going to let them choose their own things." Jean squeezed Nick's hand and he smiled down at her.

Mandy's heart ached to see how much love there was in the look Nick gave Jean. That's what she wanted, a man who loved her and didn't care if the whole world knew it. One who would go shopping for furniture with her rather than telling her to get whatever she wanted. A partner, as well as a lover.

"We need to plan a housewarming for you two."

Jean shook her head. "Not right now. We'll wait and combine it with the wedding reception or something. There's too much going on, with the babies due and Shelby and Clay moving out here. But thank you for the thought."

Nick sat quietly while the two women talked, but Mandy could feel him studying her. Finally, somewhat curious, she said, "Got something on your mind, Nick?"

He blushed, but to his credit he didn't retreat.

"Yeah, actually, there is. I was just wondering how serious you are about Blake."

"Nick!" Jean gave him a shocked look. "What business is that of yours?"

"It's okay," Mandy said. "He's concerned about his friend. Just like you've been concerned about me."

"Well, I certainly didn't ask Blake what his intentions are toward you. That's private." Jean glared at Nick. "Did you ask Blake the same question?"

"As a matter of fact, I did. And so did Cooper." Nick smiled down at Jean. "I have a reason for asking, if you'll hold judgment for a few minutes."

Mandy reached across the table and touched Jean's hand. "Please, don't you two fight over me and Blake. I couldn't stand it. As for your question, Nick, I love him. I'd marry him in a heartbeat if he asked, and I'd follow him on the circuit, married or not, if I could."

Nick nodded. "Thank you. Now that I know for sure, I'm going to tell you some things about Blake, but you have to promise you'll never let him know. He never said I couldn't tell, but I know him well enough to know he wouldn't like it."

"Then maybe you shouldn't tell me. I don't want to invade his privacy." Mandy felt like she should stand up for Blake, since he wasn't there to tell Nick to stop. But she also wanted to hear what Nick had to say.

"We won't. I just think you need to understand where he's coming from if you want any chance of a life with him. I think you're good for Blake, and I'd like to see things work out between you. Now, if you have the time, I'd like to tell you a story."

***

Blake had never been a real fan of computers and fancy electronic gadgets. Not since he started hanging around the rodeo, anyway. But buying Cooper that tablet when he was in the rehab center and watching Nick work magic on his laptop had convinced him he needed to catch up. He stopped in Oklahoma City and bought himself a tablet, listening carefully as the salesperson explained how to make the thing work.

The woman showed him how to turn it on, how to use the search engine, helped him sync his email account and transferred his pictures from his phone, and even helped him set up a couple of social media accounts. She explained which apps he'd most likely need and helped him purchase and download them.

Hopefully he wouldn't forget it all by the time he actually got to use it.

Once he got to Kansas City and checked into his room, he tossed his suitcase on the dresser, stretched out on the bed, and plugged the tablet in. He itched to see what was so special about it, but he'd been warned to let it charge fully before he used it.

With a sigh, he kicked off his boots and punched buttons on the remote until the television came on. He flicked through the channels until he finally found a sports station giving a recap of the previous week's bull riding stats. He was still in second place, though far enough behind first place in points that he had little chance of catching up before Nationals. He'd have to ace every ride between now and then.

When he woke up several hours later, the sun just barely peeked above the horizon. With a groan, Blake got up, stripped out of the clothes he'd fallen asleep in the night before, and took a shower. While the coffee brewed in the small coffeepot, he turned on the tablet and scrolled through the quick start guide.

He carried the tablet and his cup of coffee out onto the balcony to watch the sunrise. With his ankles propped on the rail and the tablet resting on his thighs, he settled in to share the morning display with Mandy. She might be a few hundred miles away, but he knew she was watching it with him.

After the sun came up and he knew Mandy would already be inside starting breakfast, Blake turned on the tablet. He spent a few minutes navigating through the apps, finding it easier than he'd expected. It wasn't all that different from using his phone, just bigger. He checked the news, friended a few of his rodeo buddies, and updated his calendar with his upcoming rides before he finally made himself do something he'd put off for way too long.

He entered his father's name into the search engine and scrolled through the results, looking for news.

There were links to the law firm, news items about charity functions and civic awards. Nothing personal, like a blog or social media posts. His father was still the ultimate professional.

Searches with his mother's name produced a blog. Somehow he couldn't picture his mother doing something like that, but maybe things had changed a bit at home. She mostly wrote about society things, with the occasional recipe or family picture thrown in. He learned very little about the family, though, other than that his brothers were now married with children. He searched for his brothers on a couple of social media sites, where he found more pictures of the nieces and nephews he hadn't known he had. Blake scrolled through the images, and the more he looked, the more homesick he became.

He opened his email account, but instead of reaching out to his family he started writing to Mandy. He missed her. Missed her more than he could even tell her. But he tried.

***

An email from Blake! After two weeks of only an occasional text message or phone call, Mandy was almost afraid to open it, afraid it would bring bad news. When she finally got up the nerve to read the email, tears filled her eyes. He missed her. Really missed her. He sounded lost and lonely

She wished she could go see him, but Nancy was in early labor. Cooper and Becky needed her here.

Answering the email was more difficult than she expected. The temptation to pour her heart out was strong, but she reigned it in and replied with a chatty note about things happening on the ranch, the impending births, and stories about the last clinic. She let him know how hard Cooper and Nick worked to keep everything going, and casually mentioned that Cooper was thinking of hiring a third person to help out.

Cooper wanted Blake to be that third person, full-time rather than only occasionally, but that was for Cooper to tell him. She could plant the seed, but that was as far as she could go. It sounded like he was already thinking about coming back, and maybe knowing how much he was needed would give him the motivation to do it.

Cooper stuck his head into the kitchen, his eyes lit with excitement. "Hey, Mandy. We're leaving for the hospital. I'll call with news as soon as I can."

"I'll make sure everyone stays fed here. Layla is going to watch Becky, right?'

"Yep, she's already on the job."

Nancy tugged on Cooper's arm. "Let's go. Mandy, call Megan for me and let her know?"

"Will do. Good luck." Mandy handed Cooper a bag decorated with colorful baby animals. "I made up a goody bag for the hospital. Suckers for Nancy, brownies and cookies for you, along with some sandwiches in case the baby takes its time."

"Thanks. " Cooper wrapped an arm around Nancy's shoulder and led her out to the car.

Mandy watched them drive away before she returned to her laptop to share the news with Blake. If that didn't bring him home soon, nothing would.

Cooper called with regular updates, and Mandy fielded calls from friends and family. Jean went to the hospital as soon as she cleared her day of appointments, and the house was so quiet Mandy was at a loss for things to keep her busy. She fixed lunch for the staff, worked up a menu for the month, and even cleaned out the refrigerator.

As she worked, she kept thinking about the story Nick had told her, about how Blake had left home after a falling out with his father and hadn't spoken to them since. The whole thing made her sad. She was close to her family, even choosing to live at home to help out with the bills and so she could be there to help take care of her youngest brother. In Morris Springs, you learned early that family is everything.

If only she could help Blake make peace with his.

***

Blake had just started downloading his email when someone knocked. He couldn't imagine who it could be, and he wasn't exactly dressed for company. He tossed the tablet on the bed and opened the door.

"Brenda," he said, wincing at the sight of the groupie who'd been following him from town to town for the past several months. "What are you doing here?"

She brushed past him without an invitation, swinging her hips as she made her way to the bed and sat down. "I came to make sure you're okay, sugar. That was a pretty nasty fall you took."

"I'm fine. In fact, I was just about to go to bed."

When she smiled, she looked predatory. Blake hastened to add, "Alone."

"Now is that any way to be, Blake Kaufman? Here I came all this way to see you, and you're being rude." Brenda patted the mattress next to her. "Why don't you come here and let me give you a massage. You'll sleep a lot better."

"Uh, no thanks," he said quickly. "Doc gave me some pain meds and they're already kicking in. What I need is sleep. So, while I appreciate your concern, I need you to leave now."

Brenda's eyes narrowed to slits. "You didn't seem to mind last fall. So what's changed?"

Blake shrugged. "I guess I have. Listen, I don't want to be blunt, but I'm not interested. I thought I made that clear the last time we had this conversation."

She tilted her head and looked up at him. "Oh, you did. Perfectly clear. I just thought maybe you'd changed your mind. I'm not afraid to go after what I want, and what I want is you."

Blake had had enough. "Find someone else to stalk, Brenda. You're not my type. I have a girl, and she's nothing like you. She's sweet and gentle, and she has a heart of gold. Yours is hard as brass."

Brenda gave an unladylike snort. "You'll be bored with her in no time. I know how to keep things interesting."

Blake walked into the bathroom and grabbed his shirt, wincing as he slid the sleeves up his arms. He pulled on his jeans, feeling more in control now that he was dressed. When he went back into the room, Brenda was holding his tablet. He tried to remember what he'd been doing when she showed up, but the medication had left him groggy.

"Go home, Brenda. Now." Blake crossed his arms across his chest and glared at her. "

She pushed herself off the bed and flounced past him, brushing her hip against his groin as she passed. "You'll be sorry, Blake. Real sorry."

The door slammed behind her and Blake locked the bolt and put the chain on for good measure. He'd regretted the one night he'd spent with her, but that was months ago. Before he met Mandy. But even then he'd known he'd made a mistake. Brenda wasn't quite right in the head.

Blake undressed again down to his boxers and stretched out on the bed. He could see the bruises beginning to turn a dark purple across his hip and left leg. He'd gotten lucky tonight. If not for the bull fighters, things could have been much worse. Once again, he wondered why he kept doing this job. It wasn't for the camaraderie, anymore. Without Nick and Cooper, he didn't really have any good friends to hang out with.

He was running a distant second to Dillon Hunt. Tonight's fall had put him even further behind, and Blake didn't like being second-best. Then the encounter with Brenda had left a bad taste in his mouth. He'd never thought the rodeo would cease to be fun, but he sure as hell wasn't enjoying it right now.

Sleep claimed him before he could check his tablet to see what Brenda had read.

***

Mandy checked her email before she went to bed to see if Blake had responded to her news about Nancy and Cooper's baby girl. Nothing. She reminded herself that he was busy, in the middle of a rodeo, and might not have read her email yet. With a sigh, she closed her laptop and climbed into bed. Surely he'd reply in the morning.

The next morning came and went with no email from Blake. She tried calling his cellphone, but he didn't answer. Finally, she sent him a text message. A few minutes later, her phone rang.

"Why didn't you tell me about the baby yesterday?" Blake demanded without so much as a hello.

"Well, hello Blake. Yes, it's nice to hear your voice, too. Yes, I'm doing well. How about you?"

She heard Blake's deep sigh. "I'm sorry. I'm just frustrated. I wish you'd let me know sooner. I could have sent flowers to the hospital."

"I did. I sent you an email, and I tried to call but you didn't answer." Mandy tucked the phone between her ear and shoulder while she stirred the pan of scrambled eggs. "They named her Carey Lynn and she was eight and a half pounds, born yesterday afternoon at five fifteen."

"I didn't get an email from you. I checked around nine…Oh boy. I think I know what happened."

"What?"

"Never mind," Blake said. "A computer problem. Anyway, I'm sorry. Are they still at the hospital?"

"For now, but they'll be home this afternoon. If you're going to send flowers, send them here so Cooper doesn't have to mess with them. He'll have his hands full getting mother and baby home without juggling flowers, too." Mandy paused, wanting to ask him if he really missed her as much as it had sounded in his email. "You didn't answer my question. How are you doing? Your last email sounded like you're lonely."

"I miss you," he said. "The season is winding down, and I'll be back by the end of the month, but that seems like such a long time. I wish you could come out, at least for the finals."

Mandy thought for a minute. If she cooked enough meals ahead and put them in the freezer, Nancy could heat them up. In a couple of weeks, she and Cooper might appreciate some time alone with their kids. And his parents were right next door. Nancy's mother would be there soon for a visit, too. If she could talk one of her sisters into covering for her at home, it might be doable.

"I actually might be able to swing that. I'd need to talk to Nancy and Cooper, and my parents, to be certain it's okay. Are you sure you want me to come out?"

"Absolutely. If you'll let me know when you want to travel, I'll send you a plane ticket."

Mandy scooped the eggs into a large bowl, took the bacon out of the oven, and started buttering the toast. "Okay. Listen, I have to go put breakfast on the table. I'll send you an email as soon as I talk to Cooper, okay?"

"Okay." Blake sounded relieved.

Had he thought she might refuse to come see him? It took everything she had not to tell him she loved him, but he wasn't quite ready for that. Asking her to come see him was a major step forward in their relationship. She didn't want to blow it. She only hoped her mother didn't mind her being gone for a few days.

***

Blake felt like he could ride the world's rankest bull, climb the most challenging cliff, swim across an ocean. Mandy might be there to see him ride in the finals. Even Doc noticed his improved mood when Blake stopped in to have his shoulder checked.

"You must be feeling better," he said as he checked Blake's x-ray. "From the look of this shoulder, though, it has to be something else that has you in a good mood."

"Yeah, the shoulder still hurts like hell. If I wasn't so far behind in points, I'd skip this ride tonight, but I can't afford to." He'd actually thought about skipping it all together, and calling the year done until Mandy had agreed to come watch him ride if she could. Now he needed to stay in until the finals.

"You should skip it anyway," Doc said. "I can patch you up again, but until you have this thing operated on, it isn't going to heal."

"I'll have it done after the season's over, I promise." Blake winced as he pulled his shirt on. "In fact, I'm thinking about retiring."

Doc nodded. "That might not be a bad idea. Get out while you can still walk. Speaking of walking, how's Cooper doing? I meant to get out there, but I haven't had a chance yet."

"He's doing great. Walking without his cane now, though he still limps some, especially when he's tired. He and his wife just had a brand new baby girl last week."

Doc grinned. "Well I'll be damned. Tell him congratulations. I'll definitely make time to visit after the finals."

Blake left with a new prescription for pain pills and a freshly wrapped shoulder. He stopped by the pharmacy to fill the prescription. While he waited for his medicine, he browsed through the store, stopping to pick out a card for Nancy and Cooper. Another card caught his eye. He read through the poem on the front, then opened it up. The sentiment fit how he felt at the moment, so he got it to send to Mandy.

By the time he got back to the hotel, he barely had enough time left for a nap and a shower before he had to get ready for his next ride. He sat down and signed the cards, addressed them, and added stamps. Then he stretched out on the bed and set a wake up call so he wouldn't oversleep.

Cooper's a father. Damn, he'd never thought he'd see that happen, especially after Cooper nearly died two years earlier. And Nick was about to get married. So much had changed, yet he hadn't. He was still doing the same job, although now he had to do it alone.

The younger guys on the circuit weren't really interested in starting up a friendship with someone several years their senior, especially when they considered him as someone they had to beat to win the money. The older guys had formed their friendships years ago and while they welcomed Blake to tag along, it wasn't like having his own best friends there to cheer him on and pick him up when he fell.

Blake yawned and shifted onto his uninjured side to ease the ache in his shoulder. His last thought before falling asleep was of Mandy. Would she come out to watch him ride?

Would he disappoint her if she did? What if he didn't win, or even worse, got hurt?