Rodeo Rescuer

“What about your leg?”

“It hurts, but it won’t keep me from doing what needs to be done.” He nodded at her motor home. “Get what you need for the night. I’ll take care of the rest.”

Tonya struggled with the notion. She wasn’t the kind of female who needed a man to take over or take care of her. She’d grown up with that for the first two decades of her life with four older brothers. Part of her wanted to rebel and assert her independence, but Seth didn’t come across as doing it because he thought she couldn’t. He genuinely seemed to want to do it because it would be helping her, not controlling her. She’d learned how to discern between the two. Finally, she gave a slow nod. “Okay. Thank you.”

“I’ll go get the tarp and be right back.”

She watched him go. Then turned back to face the steps that would take her into her home. Where she’d just been attacked. She swallowed a lump in her throat. She didn’t want to go inside. Not by herself. A hand fell on her shoulder. She jumped and screamed.

“Hey, it’s me. I’m sorry.”

Seth. Tonya slapped a hand over her thudding heartbeat. “You scared me to death.”

“I’m sorry. I called your name twice.”

“Oh. Didn’t expect you back so soon.” She twisted her hands in front of her. “I was just going in to pack.”

“And you don’t want to go inside alone.”

She flushed, surprised he read her so well. Then again, she hadn’t realized he’d been watching her either. “Not really.”

“Come on.” He took her hand and led the way up the steps and into the motor home. She gave his fingers a squeeze and blinked at the mess.

“Wow.”

“Wow is right,” he echoed. “You really put up a fight.”

“Yeah.” She stepped over the ottoman and the pillows from the couch that had somehow wound up on the floor. “I’ll be just a minute.”

“No problem.”

She stopped at the bathroom and peeked inside. Plastic and glass littered the area. The fan hung by a short wire from the ceiling. She sighed and gathered her toiletries and shut the door.

Ten minutes later, she had a packed bag. She walked back into the living area to find everything put back in its place. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I’m saying that a lot, aren’t I?”

He winked at her. “Hey, you saved my life. I owe you.”

“Stop saying that. I did my job.” He frowned and she rubbed her eyes. “That didn’t come out right.”

“I understand. Come on. I’ll walk you over to Mia’s. I have a friend in the area who owns an RV shop. I’ll call him and see how fast he can get you fixed up.”

“That would be amazing.”

He smiled and her heart flipped. She froze. No, no, no, no. She couldn’t be attracted to him. She couldn’t. She’d sworn off buckaroos. She’d vowed never to get involved with someone in the rodeo ever again. And what was her traitorous heart doing? Going all crazy over Seth Starke. A buckaroo. Just like Daniel had been. It was just a reaction to the stress, to finding comfort in his arms, to...something. Anything but that she was truly drawn to him.

She cleared her throat and stepped toward the door. Confusion flickered in his blue eyes, but he didn’t say anything, just followed her outside.

As she walked away from her home, she couldn’t help the shudder that raced up her spine. Was her ex truly gone? Or was he in the shadows, hiding behind one of the RVs in the crowded park?

Seth slid an arm across her shoulders and she left it there, appreciating his nearness, the comfort his strong, steady presence offered. She did appreciate it even though she might not want to appreciate it.

Mia opened the door to her trailer as they approached. Her eyes widened slightly at the sight of Seth’s arm around Tonya’s shoulders. Tonya moved away from him. She didn’t want to give Mia the wrong idea.

“Come on in,” her friend said. “I’ve got the top bunk all made up for you.”

“Thanks, Mia.”

She nodded, paused and gave Tonya and Seth another lingering look. Knowing what her girlfriend must be thinking, Tonya lifted a brow and Mia flushed. “I’m just going to go get the dogs’ leashes. Now that they’re up, they’ll want to go out for the night.”

“Thanks, Mia.” Once her friend disappeared into her trailer, Tonya gazed up at Seth. “Thank you for everything. Again.”

“Of course.” He cleared his throat. “I know the police here are working on it, but as I mentioned before, my brother Clay is a sheriff’s deputy in my hometown. Would you mind if I gave him a call and filled him in on everything that happened tonight? He could do some looking into Mr. Newman’s background and see if he’s got an address or what the latest is on him. He might even find out something before these guys do.”

“Sure, that would be great.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”

Tonya looked around, probing the darkness, feeling the dread of spending the next few hours in the dark settle in the pit of her stomach. But she’d be with Mia. It would be all right.

Wouldn’t it?

FIVE

Friday morning dawned hot and humid. Tonya stood at the window of Mia’s little kitchen, looking out over the area. Trailers, motor homes, RVs and fifth wheels filled all the slots. She breathed in the smell of bacon and coffee. Coffee. Her one vice. Okay, one of two vices. She seemed to have a thing for bull riders, too. Her lips twisted. While she loved coffee and drank a lot of it, she needed to avoid the buckaroos. Especially a tall, good-looking, blue-eyed bull rider.

She moved to the table and shoved aside the deck of cards and poker chips. She shook her head and frowned.

She sipped on her second cup and thought about her life. God, I believe You’re in control and nothing is happening to me that You don’t allow. But this is a hard one. Hank Newman. Just thinking his name sent shivers up her spine. And not the good kind. Not the kind being around Seth Starke elicited.

“You ready?”

Tonya gave a little start and lifted her head at Mia’s voice. Her friend was already up and dressed, her dogs prancing near their leashes hanging on a peg next to the door. “I’m ready.” She gestured to the cards and chips. “I didn’t realize you were into gambling.”

Mia hesitated a moment, then shrugged. “Not me. Monty. He plays with some of the guys occasionally.”

“I appreciate him bunking with someone else so I could stay here last night.” There was barely room for two people, much less three.

“Of course. He probably preferred it.” She gave a small smile. “He says I nag him too much.”

“Who? You? You’re kidding.” Tonya let the teasing sarcasm slip into her tone and Mia gave a short laugh.

“I know, right? I can’t help it. I’m his big sister. I’m supposed to take care of him.” She frowned and took a deep breath. “These days I just can’t seem to do a very good job with that.”

“Monty’s a grown man. He can take care of himself.”

“Yeah.” She waved a hand to dismiss the subject. “Now...he’s not going to mess with your concentration, is he?”

Who? Seth or Hank? “No. I refuse to let him.” The answer fit for either man.

“Have you decided what you’re going to do about that creep, Hank?”

“No, I’m still thinking.”

“Okay, well, while you’re thinking, I’m going to get the day started.” Mia hooked the dogs’ leashes on, grabbed her scooper and a plastic bag and opened the door. “We’ll be back.”

“I’ll be getting ready.”

Mia left, leaving Tonya alone with her thoughts once more. And those thoughts kept leading her to Seth. In a way he reminded her of her brothers. Strong, caring, protective. She grimaced at the last word but had been grateful for that particular trait last night.

Tonya dressed for the day, still trying to decide what to do, where she would go. She had one more show to do; then she could either take some time off and go into hiding for a while, or she could take her chances and fight back. For a moment she considered calling her family. Her brothers would drop everything and rush to her side. But then she remembered Hank’s threats. “All it takes is one bullet,” he’d hissed. “And I’ve got plenty of those.”

Mia came back and let the dogs inside. Shaggy, the white-and-brown terrier mix, leaped up onto the couch and settled himself on the end. Scrappie, a larger golden retriever, gave Tonya’s hand a wet kiss. She scratched his ears and smiled. Animals were such innocent and sweet creatures. She had to admit it would be nice to have your every need catered to. And to not have to worry if someone was trying to kill you.

Or if they’d eventually succeed.

“You all right?” Mia asked as she hung the leashes on their hooks.

“I’m hanging in there.” Tonya forced a smile.

“We have about an hour before we have to be at the arena. Did you eat?”

“A granola bar. I’m not hungry. I think I’m going to go ahead and go over there. I want to check my barrel and get into costume in the dressing room.” And avoid thinking about last night.

Mia frowned. “All right, let me grab my bag and we’ll go together. You probably don’t need to be walking alone.”

Tonya hadn’t planned on it. She’d already decided to ask Seth if he’d walk with her. But maybe it was better this way. She’d already spent entirely too much time thinking about the handsome buckaroo. Not just in the past twenty-four hours but over the past year since Daniel’s death. Seth had been one of the first ones to offer his condolences in the face of his own grief over losing one of his best friends...and she hadn’t forgotten that. Only now her feelings had started to turn from friendship to more of an attraction. A romantic interest.

The very idea scared her to death. She gathered her bag and scolded herself for her thoughts. There was no way she would put herself through that again. She refused to love someone who rode a bull for a living. Her heart had only just healed from losing Daniel. And while the grief had faded some, the guilt hadn’t.

And besides, Seth was still nursing his own wounded heart. Tonya knew Glory had dumped Seth soon after he’d broken his leg. He hadn’t even been discharged from the hospital and she’d already written him off and walked out. Tonya had never cared much for the woman, but after that incident, she avoided being around her as much as possible.

“I’m ready when you are,” Mia said. “Come on. We’ll take the golf cart. I don’t feel like walking. It was a late night.”

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