Page 37 of Catch Me, Cowboy
“I wanted youwithme.”
Her mouth tightened ominously. “Same here. You could have stayed here. With me.”
“Meaning that you wanted everything your way?”
“Low blow, Ty. I had responsibilities. School. Gramps.”
“Les was well able to run things. Uriel was here.”
“School. My future career.”
“And what are you doing with your degree?” He was getting hot.
Angry. This wasn’t all on him and maybe that was what had been eating him for so many years. He was the bad guy, even though breaking up had been a mutual decision—in a way. She’d issued the ultimatum and he’d made the only choice he could have made.
“That’s not fair, Ty.”
“It’s the reason you gave for not leaving with me.”
“When I start something I finish it.”
“Unless it’s a relationship?” Another low blow, but he didn’t care. “Given time, we could have built something.”
Shelby shook her head and started up the path toward the house.
“You’re a coward, Shelby.”
She didn’t slow down as she called back, “I’m a survivor, Ty. There’s a difference.”
Chapter Nine
Shelby’s breath wascoming fast and her heart was beating harder than usual as she approached the house, and since she had no delusions about her ability—or, rather, lack of ability—to hide her feelings when she was this upset, she veered away from the front door, which would take her through the living room and past her grandfather. Instead she entered the house through the side entrance leading to the mudroom and kitchen, quietly closing the squeaky door behind her. And there she stood, centering herself so she could act normal when she took the tea into her grandfather who would no doubt have a few words concerning the black gelding and Ty and who knew what else? She leaned back against the counter, letting her chin drop to her chest.
Next move, next move, next move…
She gripped the counter hard on either side of her, studying the worn linoleum as if it could give her the answer she needed. The linoleum remained stubbornly silent and finally she released her death grip when the kettle her grandfather had simmering on the stove started to slowly whistle.
Shelby poured the water in her grandfather’s tea mug and dropped the teabag inside, letting it steep as she put a few store-bought cookies on a plate. Drawing in a deep breath, she carried the mug and plate into the living room where Gramps was sitting in his recliner.
He gave her a look as she set his mug on the table next to his chair.
“If you have something to say, I’m ready to hear it,” she said as she took her usual seat on the well-worn sofa.
Gramps reached for his cup. “I don’t have anything to say that Ty probably didn’t already say.”
She almost laughed. Gramps had no idea what things Ty had said, what subjects he’d broached. Or that he’d called her a coward. Her jaw muscles tightened at the memory, but she forced herself to relax.
“He has entry in the rodeo.” Just saying the words made her stomach lurch.
Gramps gave her a startled look. “I thought he’d retired.”
“He didn’t.” She picked up her cup to warm her hands, which were oddly cold. “He faked his retirement, and it really pisses me off. I mean, we both know he’s hardheaded, but this is stupid.”
“Maybe it’s something he needs to do,” Gramps said in a low voice.
Spoken like a man. “That doesn’t mean I have to be around to watch. We’ve had our differences, but I don’t want to see him get hurt.” Shelby closed her eyes, did her best to shut out reality, but it refused to disappear. “Maybe you could fire him,” she muttered.
Obviously her plan to get used to him by having him around was a huge fail. And now she had to contend with his riding.
