Page 58 of Catch Me, Cowboy
“Once I get a handle on it.” Or when he stopped riding—whichever came first. “Go ride your broncs, Ty. Get your championship. Then come back to see me.”
“What the hell is this all about, Shelby?”
“Compromise, Ty. Pure and simple.” She looked over her shoulder in the direction from which they’d just come. “I need to get back. I have to help Cassie.”
Not the full truth, but she did need to get away. She needed time to think, but more than that, Ty needed time to see that she was right about the decision she’d just made.
“We’ll talk later.”
It was more of a command than a statement. “Yes. We’ll talk later.” After she had time to sort a few things out.
*
In Buck’s words,it had been a helluva night. Between the offer forRough Stock Worldto fund his comeback and Shelby essentially firing him from her life after they’d just gotten back together… yeah. Ty almost asked himself what else could happen, then remembered that Austin was riding the next day and decided not to jinx things.
He tipped up his beer and stared out over the river. As he’d approached the Forty-Six that night, he hadn’t pulled in, but instead drove on to the turn-off to the illusive River Road that no one but locals could find. And there he sat, in his truck, pulling on a long neck.
He had a big ride ahead of him tomorrow. And regardless of what Buck said, he had a feeling it would matter if he blew it. There were other cowboys making comebacks. Maybe not all of them were former world champions, but there were some damned colorful characters out there. He needed to ride well. If he couldn’t have Shelby, then all he had left was rodeo.
Ty emptied the bottle and set it aside, shooting a glance at the remainder of the six-pack on the seat beside him. Did he really want to get shit-faced the day before an important ride?
He did not.
He shifted his attention back to the river, resting his hand on the gearshift of his truck. He wasn’t ready to go back to the Forty-Six, even though he knew Shelby had spent the night in town with Cassie.
He and Shelby connected in a way in which he’d never connected to anyone else—it had always been that way with them—but they didn’t seem to be able to get past the obstacles life tossed at them. Didn’t seem to have what it took to tackle things together… and he was just starting to get the drift as to why.
Maybe it wasn’t the leaving that bothered her… maybe it was the job. She’d sounded so odd when they’d talked after his ride. And now that he was almost definitely going back out on the road, she’d cut him loose.
She’d never wanted to discuss his rides in the past. He’d tried a few times and got shut down. Maybe Shelby was afraid of losing him? As in forever? Like she’d lost her mom.
Had Shelby ever talked about losing her mom? Not many times. And she had never indicated in any way that it colored her life, but he knew it did. How could it not have?
People have a way of disappearing.
Okay… maybe she had talked. In her way.
Ty dropped his head back against the headrest, watching the dark water through half-closed eyes. He didn’t know why he hadn’t picked up on it before. It made perfect sense that a woman who lost her mother at the age of ten might have abandonment issues. Death was the ultimate abandonment. And Shelby hated showing weakness. She was a survivor, as she’d once said.
So what now? It wasn’t like he could force her into a relationship. But maybe he could get her to talk. And… maybe he could talk, too.
He reached for another beer. His last.
Chapter Thirteen
Since Shelby’s lifewas wildly out of control, she roped with deadly accuracy. Once the arena dust had settled, the steer was neatly stretched between Shelby’s horse and Wyatt’s. The crowd cheered and Shelby’s heart rate started approaching normal as she moved Ginger forward and shook her loop off the steer’s legs.
“Told you that you wouldn’t choke.” Wyatt grinned at Shelby as they left the arena.
Their time had been even faster today than yesterday and the win was tied up. No one could touch them.
“Wish I’d done this at High School Nationals.” But, unfortunately, her life had been pretty damned smooth back then.
Wyatt gave his head a definitive shake. “Things happened the way they were supposed to. Challenges make you grow.”
Shelby snorted. “I’m tired of growing.” Way tired.
“Tough. The process continues.”
