When Thursday morning came, Toly was surprised to discover he’d slept on the couch all night. The call from Nikki had never come. He got up and wandered in the kitchen to get himself a cup of coffee before he phoned her.
His laptop was open and he discovered he’d received a message from his neurologist. Toly opened it.
Dear Mr. Clayton—
I told you I would get back to you when I’d done more research on your condition. The doctors in Paris just let me know that they don’t feel ready to perform surgery on you before summer. Probably July.
In the meantime, I’m corresponding with another team of doctors at the Mayo Clinic. Again their timetable is probably June at the earliest. I’ve sent both groups your medical history and they’ll contact me with further information as we get closer to those dates.
If you’ve had another episode since visiting my office, I’d like you to call me as soon as you can.
I’ll ask my receptionist to put you through immediately.
Dr. Moore.
The doctor had left his phone number.
Toly frowned, deciding to make the call now. Within two minutes they were connected.
“Mr. Clayton—”
“Hello, Dr. Moore. You said to call if I’d had another episode, which I did a couple of nights ago during the competition. Is that alarming?”
“In the same hand?”
“Yes.”
“Nowhere else?”
“No.”
“It’s not alarming, but it shows your rope throwing is aggravating your condition and the surgery can’t come too soon.”
“I realize that, but I want to know why you keep asking me if I have symptoms somewhere else.”
“I don’t think you’re going to, but some patients develop problems in their feet too. You have a unique case. All the readouts on you lead me to believe that with the surgery, you shouldn’t have more problems.”
He gripped the phone tighter. “If I do, just tell me one thing. Is my disease fatal?”
“No, Mr. Clayton. People with this condition live out their life span like anyone else. It’s not life threatening. The last thing I want is for you to sink into a depression over it or let it affect your ranching or personal life in any way.”
Toly was reading between the lines. “You’re talking about women.”
“Yes. You can expect to live a fulfilled life with a wife and children. You’re in your twenties and in excellent physical health and shape. With the exercise you get, you’re doing all the right things. Any future progression of this condition, if there is any, is still too many years away to even think about.
“I’ve been following your rodeo competition and have learned that you and your partner are still in the lead to win the overall championship. I have every confidence that you’ll maintain it to the end. You have a warrior’s spirit. The best of luck to you and stay in touch.”
After they hung up Toly realized the earliest he could do anything about his condition would be summer. But right now he had Nikki on his mind. After a quick shower, he needed to get over to the hospital. She’d be going home today. He couldn’t wait!
Nikki gripped her cell phone tighter. “Denise? What did you say?” She could hardly hear her friend for the tears.
“Mills came to the hotel last evening. I can’t get into it, but he asked me not to visit or call you. I’m going back to Great Falls today.”
Her words brought pain to Nikki, who’d hoped they had worked things out. “I really thought he could forgive you. Under the circumstances, I’ll call you after I know you’re home. I love you, Denise.”
“I love you too.”
Just then Toly’s tall, rock-hard body walked into her hospital room. Never did she need him more.
“Sweetheart,” he cried softly when he saw her wet cheeks and put out his left arm to hug her. “What’s happened?”
Nikki buried her face against his chest. “Mills went to see Denise yesterday and it didn’t go well. She’s leaving on the next plane and has been told not to call or visit me.”
Toly ran his hands through her hair. “I can’t say I’m surprised. Mills has made himself scarce.”
“I can’t believe it.”
“What can’t you believe?”
Another voice had sounded. It was her orthopedic surgeon. She hadn’t realized he’d walked in. “Next year I expect to see you back in Las Vegas again to finish what you started.”
“That’s not why I’m crying.” She gave a sad laugh and brushed the moisture off her face. “Doctor? This is my fiancé, Toly Clayton.”
They shook hands before Toly sat down to give her doctor room to check her out. “I’m releasing you this morning. How did it go with the therapist?”
“I had no idea how hard it is to use crutches, but with practice I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it.”
“You will. I’m aware you’d like to go to the center to watch your brother and fiancé perform for the rest of the rodeo, but I would caution you to stay down in your hotel and keep your leg elevated until you fly home.”
“But, Doctor—I can’t stay away on the last night.”
“You can watch everything on TV.”
“But if they win the overall, I want to see them receive their award at the South Point Hotel afterward.”
“Then I suggest you have a bodyguard to help protect you so you’re not accidentally knocked down. I don’t want to see you in here again.” He said it with a smile, but she knew he meant it.
He turned to Toly. “I take it you’re driving her to the hotel?” He nodded. “Then I’ll ask the nurse to come in with the wheelchair and the instructions I’m sending with you. When you get back home, you’ll want to contact an orthopedic surgeon there to do any follow-up and remove your cast.”
“Thank you so much. You’ve all been wonderful.”
“That’s nice to hear. I’m sorry you couldn’t finish your brilliant run for the barrel championship. I’m sure you would have won it.” He turned to Toly. “Good luck to you. Everyone’s betting on you and your partner.”
“Thank you, Doctor. No one’s more precious to me than Nikki. I’m very grateful to you.”
After he walked out, Toly gave her a quick kiss on the lips. “I’m going to carry all your flowers down to the car, then I’ll come back for you.”
“Toly? Wait. The doctor had to warn me, but I plan to be out there for your performances.”
He shook his head. “No you’re not. He was right. There’s so much pandemonium, it’ll be more difficult with crutches. I’ll need the peace of mind knowing you’re at the hotel. By the way, I plan to spend the rest of my nights in your hotel room.
“Before we left for Las Vegas, I had this dream of being your roommate and luring you into loving me. What I didn’t envision was being your nurse, but I’ll take it because I’m madly in love with you.”
Nikki found out over the next few days that no man could have been a sweeter more tender lover who hadn’t made love to her completely yet, let alone a better nurse. The first thing she’d noticed when he’d brought her to the hotel was her little Christmas tree lit up.
He was so wonderful and waited on her hand and foot. They played cards. He brought her the chocolate marshmallow ice cream she craved and virtually showered her with the kind of love she could never have imagined.
The downside of all this was Mill’s absence, except to show up at the center in time for the team roping event both evenings. After two scores that put them in second place, they’d tied with Shay’s team for first place in the overalls. Tonight one of the teams would pull ahead to be the grand champions.
Toly put on a tough front, but she knew deep in his heart how devastated he was for Mills and the crisis he was going through. There could be no joy when the two of them were both worried sick about him and Denise.
Too soon they finished eating dinner and she was propped on the couch with her leg extended. Toly was about to leave for the center one last time. She gripped his hands and looked up at him. “I want to be there. My heart is with you and Mills.”
“I know that. It’s why I can go out there tonight, whatever happens.”
“Has your family arrived yet?”
“Yes.”
“Toly—” She sat up to embrace him, kissing him with all the urgency of her soul.
“I’ll be back.”
The minute he walked out the door, she burst into tears. Nikki was an emotional mess. She quickly turned on the TV with the remote to watch the lead-up to the rodeo. Anything to keep her from going crazy.
It was so surreal to be there trapped in a cast instead of being at that arena to get ready for her event.
It was so awful to think her brother was in terrible turmoil because of a broken heart.
It was so unbelievable that Toly had a strange neuropathy that had forced him to throw with his left arm, never knowing what would happen.
It was torture not to be able to be there tonight for the man she adored.
It killed her that her parents weren’t alive to lean on, that Toly’s father wasn’t alive to cheer him on.
Nikki’s list of pain kept growing until the rodeo actually started. She sat back to watch the events. But her heart was thudding too fast when it came time for the team roping.
She’d never heard such noise coming from the arena and couldn’t seem to calm down. There was a tie between Toly and Shay. But because Toly and Mills had come in to the events with the overall lead, they would ride last with Shay and his partner just ahead of them.
So far the time to beat tonight was 3.8. Shay tore out of the gate and they snagged the steer with a 3.6, 3.8. Now it was Toly’s turn. The crowd noise level went up. She didn’t think she could watch.
Thump, thump. Thump, thump went the beat of her heart. The camera panned to Mills wearing his steely look. Then it settled on Toly in the box. There he was holding the rope in his right hand, the ultimate cowboy in every sense of the word. Though she knew his upper arm and shoulder still pained him a great deal, he was going for it.
Oh please, please. With everything that had gone wrong, make this one moment right. No episode tonight. The gray sapphire on her finger reminded Nikki she already had her prize. Now it was their turn.
Out came the steer. Almost immediately the horns had been caught and before she knew it, the hind legs were sweetly tied up. She heard the announcer.
“Toly Clayton and Mills Dobson have just swept this year’s Wrangler Team Roping Championship in an epic 3.2, 3.4 win.”
In her joy, Nikki jumped up from the couch, forgetting all about her leg and lost her balance. Thank heaven she fell backward. She laughed because the doctor had been right and she hadn’t even been using her crutches.
She grabbed her phone to send a text.
Darling Toly. Words can’t express. Just wait till you come back later.
Nikki sent another one to Mills.
Dearest brother. There’s no one like you. Tonight I’m positive the folks in heaven are rejoicing with me.
Their year of hard, grueling work, of exhausting travel over thousands of miles on the circuit, was over. She couldn’t comprehend it as she waited for the barrel racing.
For once it was pure pleasure to watch each finalist fly into the arena. They were fabulous. All of them. She thought about the hat they’d signed and would never forget. Just as she’d imagined, Laurie Rippon rode out last and won the championship with a l3.48. No one deserved it more. She sent her a text congratulating her.
With it was finally over, she got up with the aid of her crutches to get herself a cola from the minifridge. It would be several hours yet before Toly and Mills would be able to leave for the South Point. She had no idea of her brother’s plans, but she couldn’t worry about that right now. Nikki needed to throw her arms around Toly and never let him go.
To her surprise, she heard a knock on the door and knew it couldn’t be Denise. Since she was already up, she hobbled to the door with her crutches and opened it.
“Mills—” He wasn’t alone. “Denise—”
Nikki knew what this meant. In the next breath she grabbed them. They did a three-way hug, crutches included. She started to sob for happiness and couldn’t stop. “Now all my dreams have come true.”
“So have mine.” Denise had broken down too. “Want to see what Mills gave me before tonight’s event?” She put out her left hand where a diamond ring sparkled on her finger.
Nikki looked at her brother, who wore an ecstatic smile. “You told me Denise needed to know how I felt about her. I took your advice, but the truth is I’ve been carrying it around for months.”
“Now he tells us!” Nikki cried. “I’m so happy for you two, I want to race around the arena and shout it to the world that my favorite people are in love and going to get married. Come all the way in and sit down. I want to hear everything.
“Does Toly know?” she asked after they got settled.
He shook his head.
“He’s going to die when he finds out.”
Mills had pulled Denise onto his lap. “We know he’s coming to get you. We thought we’d surprise him when we show up at the South Point for the medal ceremony.”
“This is the best news in the world. Here I was in despair because I could picture you at the airport taking off.”
“She almost did. I had to race to get there in time.”
Denise looked radiant. “I waited before leaving to hear the scores for him and Toly. While I was sitting in the lounge before we boarded, I heard Mills call out, “You can’t leave, Denise! I’ve got something for you!”
“You’re kidding—how romantic!”
“It was. He ran up to me and in front of everyone got down on one knee and proposed. I couldn’t believe it until he slid this ring on my finger. All the people in the lounge clapped.”
“Who wouldn’t? I wish I had pictures. Let me take some now with my phone.” Nikki pulled it out of her pocket and snapped half a dozen in succession. “Come on. One big kiss for posterity. Toly will want to see it.”
Her normally reserved brother reached around and gave his fiancée a kiss to die for. Nikki made a video of it while she hooted and hollered.
When he finally let her go, he turned to Nikki. “Thank you for making me see reason.”
Tears rolled down Denise’s cheeks. “Thank you for being the best friend a girl ever had.”
“What a night for celebrating!”
Denise nodded. “Speaking of that, we need to get back to my hotel so I can change before we drive over to the South Point.” She slid off his lap.
Mills walked over to hug Nikki. “We’ll see you there in a little while.”
“Most definitely.”
Not two minutes after they left, she heard a loud rap on her hotel room door. That was odd. “Yes?” she called out. “Who is it?”
“Toly gave us a card key.” Us? “Can we come in?”
“Yes,” she said in a hesitant voice.
The door opened and in walked his three hunky brothers she’d only seen on his cell phone gallery. They wore his smile and all had inherited the Clayton charm and fabulous looks.
“I’m Wymon.” The dark-haired one spoke first. “Our brother was right about his fiancée. You are gorgeous. By the way, this is Roce and that’s Eli. According to Toly, the doctor said you would need a bodyguard if you wanted to see the ceremony in person. So the three of us have come to do the job. Our mom is already at the South Point with Toly and they’re waiting for us.”
“Oh my gosh.” Thank goodness she’d done her makeup and had changed into her outfit so she’d be ready when he came.
“I’m glad you’re ready because we don’t want to miss anything.”
Since Toly had loved the black outfit with the red embroidery, Nikki had chosen to wear it. She kept on the sandal she was wearing.
The one named Roce whistled. “You’re on time too. Our bro is a lucky man.”
“He says he belongs to the best family on earth and can’t wait to help all of you on the ranch.”
Eli, the dark-brown-haired brother, grinned at her. “That’s when we’re all going to get tired of hearing about the beautiful rodeo queen he was determined to rope for himself. But it looks like you roped him. Want me to carry your bag?”
She laughed. “Would you?”
“I’d be honored.”
The next twenty minutes became a blur as they helped her out to a limo and escorted her to the South Point. As usual, the place was packed, but since it was the last night of Finals, there was an energy she’d never felt before.
They cleared the way for her to the front where she suddenly saw Toly sitting with his mother, their heads close together while they talked. Her heart did a thunderclap to see him decked out in his Western gear and Stetson.
Roce walked ahead and alerted Toly, who jumped up and turned around. Like in a dream, he moved toward her, his green eyes ablaze with joy and light. For tonight their win had changed him. She didn’t see any sadness. He came close and swept her and her crutches into his arms—even if he was hurting—and kissed her in front of everyone.
“I love you, Toly. I love you.”
Wymon patted his shoulder. “Come on, bro. We’re all due on stage.”
“Let’s go, sweetheart.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re coming with us.”
Before she could think, the whole Clayton clan helped her go up onstage with him. But nothing could have shocked Toly more than to see Mills and Denise waiting for them. He had his arm around her and they both glowed.
Toly whispered, “If I’m having a hallucination, don’t bring me out of it.”
“It’s no hallucination. Mills stopped her from leaving town. I’m sure he’ll tell you the details later, but just before your brothers came to pick me up, Mills brought Denise to the hotel. They’re getting married. Wouldn’t it be exciting if we made it a double wedding?”
Mills walked over and hugged Toly hard. “Forgive me for everything.”
“I will if you’ll forgive me. After all, we’re brothers.”
“Yes, we are,” Mills said with tears in his eyes.
Then Toly squeezed her waist. “Come on, sweetheart. We have to sit down so our award ceremony can begin. Then we’re on our own.”
After saying goodbye to Mills, who was flying back to Great Falls with Denise on Sunday morning, Toly loaded Nikki into his rig with her bags. He planned to drive her home, driving straight through so they could be alone. The crew had the job of returning the rental cars and taking all four horses back in the Dobson rig.
Toly knew Nikki wondered why they weren’t flying too. But he needed time to tell her something. He dreaded it. Depending on her reaction, there might not be a wedding, after all.
She insisted on sitting in front next to him while he drove. Fortunately she could bend her leg. They’d stopped to stock up on snacks and drinks. Hard to believe they’d never driven in one of their rigs together on their way to a rodeo on the circuit. They could have done when they’d both been featured at different venues. But Mills had set the boundaries.
Now there were no boundaries. But a new hard cruel fact had arisen that could change everything in an instant. As the sun went down, it started to snow. The time seemed right to tell her what was on his mind. If they ran into a blizzard, then he’d stop at a lay-by until it stopped.
She smiled at him. “This is so cozy. I’ve had dreams about living with you in this rig.”
She didn’t know the half of it. “Nikki?”
“What is it, darling?”
“I have something important to tell you before you go to bed.”
“I’m not ready for that yet.”
“But you need to rest your leg.”
“Obviously you’ve got something important on your mind.”
“I need you to think about something hard. After I’ve taken you home, I’ll be driving to the ranch. I won’t call you until you’ve had a few days to deal with it.”
“Deal with what? You’re scaring me.”
“If it weren’t scary, we wouldn’t be having this discussion.”
“I don’t know you like this, Toly!”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I don’t know how to do this any other way.”
He could hear her struggling. “Go on.”
“I need to tell you everything about my neuropathy.” For the next fifteen minutes he laid it out for her, sparing her nothing. She had to understand what could happen to his legs and feet, arches and toes. In time he might even have difficulty breathing or swallowing.
“This condition can affect your sense of touch, how you feel pain and temperature. One of the symptoms is a weakening of muscle strength. Another symptom might be losing your balance. It could be hard to do things that require coordination. I might get to the point that it would affect my walking, let alone fastening buttons.”
“Stop! I’ve heard enough. The only thing I know is that you have a problem in your right hand and lower arm.”
“But it could get worse, “Toly murmured. She shook her head. “I’m not going to listen.”
“Please hear me out. The doctor told me I’d live out the years given to me, but at what price? I don’t want a wife who has to push me around in a wheelchair. Last night I realized I shouldn’t have proposed to you, but I love you too much. You don’t want to marry a man who is already becoming an invalid.”
“That’s ridiculous, Toly. I won’t listen.”
“I was wrong to give you that ring. You shouldn’t have to be tied to a man in my condition.”
“Are you asking me to give it back?”
“I made a mistake. Now I’m begging you to sleep on this for a few days while you allow the reality of what I’ve said to sink in.”
He heard her sharp intake of breath. “I don’t need a few days. I can’t believe the great Toly Clayton, the cowboy who was crowned king of the headers last night is ready to throw in the towel today. Am I even talking to the same person?”
“Nikki—”
“I don’t want to hear another word.” She reached for her crutches and stood up. “I’m going to bed. In the morning I want you to stop at the nearest airport and I’ll fly the rest of the way home. Considering that you could be falling apart anytime now, I’m surprised you wanted to drive me at all.”
She tossed the ring at him and hobbled away faster than he could have imagined. Dear God. What had he done?
“Toly? Are you awake yet? Solana, the housekeeper, tried to get you to come down to breakfast, but she said you didn’t answer.”
He rolled over and sat up. “I was awake all night and barely got to sleep. I don’t feel like talking right now.”
“I’m not the person who wants to talk to you, but if that’s the way you feel, then I’ll send her away.”
Could it possibly be Nikki? After what he’d said to turn her inside out, he never thought to see her again.
“Wait, Mom—” But she didn’t answer back.
Like lightning he jumped out of bed, pulled on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. Then raced out of the room and down the stairs to the living room. The traditional tall Christmas tree with its multicolored lights dominated the interior. Its glow illuminated his former fiancée standing in front of a wall of family pictures, using her crutches for support. She was a breathtaking sight in a Western Levi’s skirt and cherry-red sweater.
“Nikki?”
She turned and eyed him with a laser-like glance that was discomfiting. “I’ve been looking at everyone, all ages and sizes. After reading online, I understand that your condition is inherited, but I don’t see one of your relatives who’s in a wheelchair.”
“Listen, I—”
“No. You listen. As I recall you told me to go home and think about this for a few days while I dealt with it. The question is, have you dealt with it? You look perfectly healthy to me right now. I don’t see you weaving or wobbling on your feet. You even had enough strength to close the fly on your jeans before you flew down here like you were coming out of the alley.”
He shook his head. “I can’t believe you just said that.”
“I do have a brother, you know, and I couldn’t believe all that drivel you told me in the rig.” She handled her crutches with amazing dexterity and walked right up to him. “Where’s my ring?”
“Upstairs.”
“I’d like you to put it on me again.”
Toly had never been so humbled in his life. “Sweetheart, I—”
“I think you ought to stop talking and go get it. That is, if you can, or have you lost feeling in your feet?”
“It isn’t funny, Nikki.”
“No, it isn’t. So let’s have all the fun we can before I have the joy of wheeling you around. You know—a wedding, a wedding night! A honeymoon? I called your doctor.
“After talking to him, maybe we can plan a late one after you’re operated on in Paris. I’d much rather go there than the Mayo Clinic. You and I have lived an inbred life in our horsey world. It’s time we found out why everyone says that if you haven’t been to France, you haven’t lived.”
“Would you be willing to live in the rig until our ranch house is built?”
“I’ve been planning on it. Denise will be moving into the ranch house with Mills. I told you before, the rig felt like our home while we were in Las Vegas.”
“I was never happier in my life than being there with you. Just so you know, Mom gave me a piece of land up the road. She and Dad talked about it before he died. It’s the perfect spot to build our ranch house. But with the snow, it probably won’t be ready until late spring.”
“I don’t care how long it takes.”
“After Christmas we’ll hire an architect.”
“I was thinking the four of us could get married two weeks from today, if that’s all right with your family. We’ll do a reception here and another one in Great Falls.”
He nodded. “I’ll be right back.”
Solving the problem of levitation for all time, he flew through the house and up the stairs to get her ring out of his dresser drawer. On the way down, he almost ran over his mother at the landing.
She cupped his face in her hands. “That woman is pure gold and more valuable than all the gold buckles you ever won.” He’d finally told his mother about his neuropathy.
His eyes smarted. “I know.” He hugged her hard before hurrying into the living room. Nikki stood near the tree, balancing on her crutches with her right arm while she extended her left hand.
He walked over and slid the ring home. “Thank heaven for you,” he murmured against her lips and rocked her in his arms for a long, long time. The crutches fell to the floor, but they didn’t care.