Wishing on a Rodeo Moon (Women of Character) Read Free Page A

she said through gritted teeth. "I need complete
privacy. Nothing personal, but I need to be totally alone. How could you
imagine this would ever work? We haven’t seen each other in years, and then
to be thrown together like this."
    "I
live in another part of the house. If you don't want contact, I won't intrude.
I work all day, anyhow. I thought I'd help you get settled in, is all."
His voice sounded so calm and practical.
    Tye
shook her head quickly. "No, it won't work. I need a phone. Can I use your
phone?"
    Jake
said, "Sure. Come on over to my house. Your phone should be working later
tonight."
    Jake
sensed any offer of help on his part would be swiftly rejected. He walked ahead
of Tye, leading the way. For the hundredth time he asked himself how he could
have been so stupid as to agree to let her stay in the empty apartment at his
ranch.
    Because you’re a sucker , he thought as they
neared his house. That wasn’t true and Jake knew it. He and Tye went back
a long way, and a part of him still cared about her. She had nowhere else to go
and she needed help.
    Maybe it
was ten years too late, but Jake saw this as an opportunity to exorcize her ghost
from his life. His box manufacturing business had reached a point of success
where he could hire a manager. His wildlife wood and antler carving business
thrived. Jake never would have guessed his carving hobby would turn into such a
success. Come hell or high water, Jake was heading down the road to his future
and he wasn’t looking back.
    Having
Tye at the ranch would be a small price to pay if it meant closing doors on old
wounds. Why had he left it so long? Finding a picture of Tye from some old clippings
had prompted him to go to the rodeo that night, three months ago. Curiosity had
taken him there. Fascination had made him stay, and now an urgent compulsion
drew him further into her sphere.
    Jake
hoped to God he could handle the reality of her injury. His father had lost
both legs before he died, so Jake knew what was involved. He wasn’t sure
he wanted to deal with it ― all over again. Jake didn’t know how he
was going to handle it. The best thing to do would be stay out of each other’s
way. He had promised Ben that Tye could recuperate here; there was no going
back. But his personal feelings had no importance in the scheme of things.
After all, surely he’d gotten over Tye years ago. The best thing to do
would be stay out of each other’s way.
    This reunion
scene with Tye was playing out like he had been afraid it would. She had taken
one look at him and her hackles had risen full speed. Why? She had walked out
on him, so why would she be afraid of him? She looked bone tired, frail, and
her voice was bordering on panic. Jake had to keep her from leaving at all
costs. He was afraid something would happen to her if she left in the state she
was now. He needed to think fast. He had six sisters: he should know what to
do, right?
    He
opened the atrium door into his living room and stood aside. "The phone is
over by the windows."
    He saw
her look around his house ― the place he had bought after she’d
left him. Jake was proud of his home, the hand-hewn beams, the natural, light
colored woods. He had spent a lot of time making it comfortable. He thought he
saw interest in her gaze, but then tiredness seemed to shut down her face.
    Thinking
fast, he followed behind her. "It’s too bad this won’t work
out," he said softly. "I, uh, I’m kind of strapped for cash
right now. I thought it would be an ideal arrangement." Jake thought she
hesitated, her hands on the wheels, then she moved on into the room. The late
afternoon sun spilled through the casement windows and touched her. Jake was
close enough to see that her knuckles were white from the way she was clenching
the wheels. She turned the chair so her back was to him, and quickly picked up
the phone.
    As she
began to punch in numbers, Jake knew he had nothing to lose. She was prepared
to get out as fast as