Chance For Love (Colorado Blues) (11 page)

Callie took a deep breath. She wasn’t going to take
anymore insults from her brother in law, no matter how angry he got. “Chance
did it by himself.”

“Don’t give me that. He knows how dangerous that
damned bull is. Libby told me you were in the paddock first, Chance came in to
save your sorry ass. I knew he’d made a mistake hiring you on. Nothing but
bloody trouble.” He took a step closer to her and poked out his finger as if
winding up for another attack.

The door opened and the doctor walked out, pulling off
his surgical cap. “Mrs. Watson. He came through okay, still a bit groggy but
he’s asking to see you. I’ll let you have five minutes and then he needs to
rest.”

“What the heck?”

Callie stood up and walked past Tyson but he grabbed
her arm. “This isn’t over and so help me, if you’ve duped my brother, you will
be on the next plane out of here.” She wrenched herself free and followed the
doctor. He led her into a darkened room where a nurse was checking vitals and
Chance was lying still, a bandage around his head and a drip snaked into his
arm. His face was pale and his eyes closed.

Tears filled Callie’s eyes and she stepped forward,
pulling up the chair beside his bed. She reached for his hand, gripping it
tight. His skin was cold and clammy. She brought his hand up to her face,
kissing the cool skin before cradling it against her cheek. His eyelids
fluttered and he focused on her.

“Callie…”

“
Shh
, it’s okay. You’re in
hospital, Chance. Terror gave you a hiding and they had to operate to release
the pressure on your brain.” She reached over to take his other hand. “The
doctor said you’re going to be fine. Rest up and get better, okay?”

He licked his lips and tried to focus on her face.
“About Libby, she’s lying, I know she is.” He blinked and focused on her again.
“I called her out on it. She’s not pregnant, never was. Just wants what she
can’t have.”

“Chance, don’t worry about that now. We can deal with
her when you’re better.”

“I need to tell you. I don’t want you to leave me.”

“I had no intention of leaving you even if she was
pregnant. I’d stand by you. I decided that when I was out riding the paddock. I
even convinced myself I’d help you raise the kid if it came to that. I couldn’t
let that come between us, Chance. I love you.”

“Love you more.” He squeezed her fingers and closed
his eyes.

“He’ll sleep now. Probably go home and come back in
the morning.” The nurse gave her a gentle smile. “Don’t worry about him.
Cowboys have hard heads and this one is no different. You look like you need a
sleep anyway.”

“Thanks. It’s been an eventful day to say the least.”

“Hospital has your phone number if he needs you during
the night, but you’re better off getting some rest and coming back after
breakfast.”

“Thanks.” She leaned over and kissed her husband
before walking out and heading for the car park. There was no sign of Tyson or
Libby and for that she was relieved. The drive home gave her time to reflect.
She believed Chance and wondered why Libby thought her plan to waltz in and
take over would work. He would have found out sooner or later she was lying
unless she planned on becoming pregnant right away which was fine if Mother
Nature was on her side.

Callie parked the truck down by the barn and saw to
the animals before walking over to the holding pen where Terror was snorting
his displeasure of being locked up. She crouched down and looked at his leg,
deciding whether or not to call the vet or clean it up herself. It really
wasn’t that bad and probably wouldn’t need stitching up either. A shot of
antibiotics would be a good idea.

Using the enticement of food to lure him into a race
to make her job easier, Callie shook a bucket of chaff in front of his face,
happy when he lifted his nose to sniff the offering. She dumped it on the
ground and climbed on the railing, the needle in her hand ready and waiting.
When he dipped his head to eat, she plunged the needle into the muscle on his
back and depressed the plunger, whipping back before he could move. Terror
lifted his head and glared at her but continued to eat her offering.

Callie opened the race so the bull could go back into
the holding yard when he was finished. That way she could keep an eye on his
legs for a couple of days and then she headed for the house with Sherbet by her
side.

She tossed and turned in the big bed by herself and
looked at the clock between feeding times for the calf. When morning came
around, Callie was ready to go and see Chance, hoping he was feeling better
than he looked last night. She drove down the road toward town, glancing at
Tyson’s ranch as she passed. She would be ready for him today if and when he
launched into a tirade against her. Now her husband was okay, there would be no
holding back about her feelings for him.

The nurse smiled as Callie walked past reception and
headed to Chance’s room. She could hear him moaning about being in bed before
she got to the door. A nurse walked out and shook her head. “Must be better
cause he’s complaining up a storm in there. Hope you can handle him better than
I can.”

Callie smiled and walked to the door, peering in. “Is
it safe or are you going to snap my head off too?”

He was propped up against the pillows, and his face
changed when he heard her voice. His color was better than it was the night
before and Chance held out his arms to her. “I’ve been waiting for you to come
in. You have to get me out of this place. I want to go home.”

“Uh, don’t you think you ought to wait for the doctor
to tell you it’s okay to leave? You had surgery, Chance.” She sat on the edge
of the bed and leaned into him, kissing his lips gently.

Chance grabbed Callie and held her tight to his chest.
“Didn’t I tell you not to go anywhere near that bull?”

“I knew it was your fault. You can pack your bags and
get the hell of the ranch.” Tyson strode into the room, his face dark and
thunderous.

“Tyson, wait.” Chance tried to speak but his brother
went over him anyway, his anger going full steam ahead.

“No. This time I’m having my say, Chance. You let her
take over and look where it got you. I admit some of the people you’ve had on
the ranch while you’ve been away haven’t been ideal, but I’ve found someone who
can take over starting tomorrow. I’m not letting this woman put you in danger
anymore. Rory agrees, he’s on his way home now.”

Chance leaned forward and threw the blankets back,
ready to climb out. “Now you listen here—”

Callie held out her hand. “No, let me deal with this.
I can only take so much crap before I blow my top and it’s just about there
now.” She stood up and walked over to Tyson. Poking a finger into his chest she
spoke. “For your information, pal, I will be staying on. You see, my husband
needs me. If it wasn’t for me being there, that bull would have made more of a
mess than it did. Chance was in the paddock before I got there undoing wire
trapped around Terror’s back legs.” She paused for breath while noticing the
color of Tyson’s skin pale further.

“It was fine until he turned his back on the bull and
that’s when things got ugly. But not as ugly as your damned attitude toward me.
I didn’t ask for your opinion of my work ethics or my personality. I don’t
rightly care how you feel about me, but it was your brother who asked me to
marry him, not the other way around so I’m asking you to respect his choices.
You don’t have to like me one little bit, but kindly keep your opinion to
yourself when he is around. Want to take it out on me, fine, do it later when
there’s just the two of us.” She poked his chest once more to make her point
before stepping back.

“Is she telling the truth, Chance? Did you ask her to
marry you?” He stood with his hands on his hips, glancing between the two of
them.

***

“Yes I did. And if you have a problem with that, you
can take it up with me later, not with my wife.” Chance grabbed her hand and
pulled her down to sit on the bed. “Give me a couple of days and I’m all
yours.”

Tyson scratched his head. “I don’t get it. Libby said
you guys were engaged and hinted that she was pregnant. What the hell’s going
on with that? And why would you keep your marriage a secret anyway?”

“Libby is one of the women I hung around with on the
circuit. It was fun while it lasted but it was nothing more than that. There’s
no baby and no marriage. It was all wishful thinking on her part.” He squeezed
Callie’s hand. “As to why I kept my wife a secret, well I didn’t think you
would believe me. I wanted you to get to know her before we told you.”

“But I don’t understand. You never hung around with
girls like her. It was always someone famous or in the news—a model or a
starlet. She’s just a ranch hand.”

“You really should watch how you say that. She’s more
than a ranch hand and worth ten of anyone like Libby. I knew you wouldn’t
understand if I told you I wasn’t going back to the circuit. I want to stay on
the ranch, raise bulls, and have a life with a normal family. Callie is the
normal I need.”

“But you love the circuit. It’s what you live for.”
Tyson removed his hat and walked over to the window, looking out. He paused and
turned back. “If you hated it so much, why did you stay away so long?”

“We needed the money. I wanted to see you all set up
for life before I quit. I figured it was the least I could do after I left you
with a drunk for a father. The best way to get a name amongst the rodeo crowd
was to be someone who won lots of cash. It all helped raise my profile and get
me the rides I needed to make as much money as I could.”

Tyson’s mouth dropped open and Chance sighed. This
wasn’t going the way he wanted it to.

“You stayed there so we could have the money you
made?”

Chance nodded.

“I don’t believe it. You didn’t have to do that. We
would have made it regardless, you know that.”

“No I don’t. Dad never had any money, he drank it all.
How do you think you’d have been able to buy the ranch if I didn’t give you the
money?”

“I didn’t want your money. I wanted my big brother.
Crappy substitution, Chance.”

“Well, I’m sorry. I did what I thought was right at
the time. I couldn’t be in the same house with him. I can’t change what I did
back then.”

Callie squeezed his hand. “I’ll leave you two along
for a moment. I need coffee.” She hurried away before he could stop her.

Tyson watched her leave. “You’re really married to
her?”

“Yes I am. You’ll like her once you get to know her.”
Chance smiled. “Best damned ad I ever put in a magazine too.”

Tyson looked confused. “What? You advertised for a
ranch hand or a wife?”

“Both. I got lucky when she applied.” He watched the
change on his brother’s face. “What’s wrong with that? You’ve heard of dating
sites. Bet you’ve even looked on one now and then
too
to see what’s available.” Tyson looked away but not before Chance saw the
confirmation in his eyes. “Ha, got you.”

“So what? I’ve looked but that doesn’t mean I’ve put
my name down or anything. That’s just weird. Like having a mail order bride.”
He leaned his denim clad butt against the window sill. “So, what happens when
you go back on the circuit, she staying home?”

“Told you already, I want to stay here and raise bulls
and a family.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Well, get used to the idea, Tyson. I couldn’t go back
even if I wanted to, not with my hip like it is. Just so happens it came at the
right time for me. I’ve been unhappy with it for a couple of years now.
Probably the reason Terror got one up on me; my mind wasn’t focused on the
job.”

Chance looked up when there was a tap on the door.
Callie stood there with his brother Rory by her side. “Look who I found.
Thought you might like to have another visitor.”

“Rory.” His brother walked in and gave him a
restrained hug before moving over to Tyson slapping him on the back before
standing next to him. Callie walked in and sat on the edge of the bed and took
Chance’s hand again.

“The things you’ll do to get attention.” Rory grinned
looking cheerful, but Chance could still see the sadness that haunted his
brother in his eyes.

“Yeah, well, got you all here so I suppose it worked.”
He lifted Callie’s hand to his mouth and kissed it. “You’ve met my beautiful
bride.”

“Yes outside, but I didn’t know you guys were married.
Best you fill me in then.”

Chance repeated the story he’d told Tyson expecting
the same reaction.

“Pleased for you, brother. Congratulations to you
both.” He came over and kissed Callie on the cheek before shaking his brother’s
hand. “I hope you’ll be very happy together.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it. So, have you got the
transfer?”

Rory nodded his head. “Yep, came through right after I
spoke to you. I was going to drive up next week, but Tyson called first thing
this morning so I jumped in my truck and here I am.”

Tyson slapped him on the shoulder. “Thanks for telling
me.”

“Why would I? You can’t keep a damned secret. No point
until I knew I had the job anyway.”

Tyson grunted and then a look of delight came into his
eyes. “Talking of secrets. Guess you didn’t know what else big brother has been
holding out on us?” Without waiting for an answer, he kept talking. “Seems our
little sister-in-law here is the town of Estes Park’s first mail order bride.”

“What? How come?”

Chance went through the story again and also filled
him in on the reason he wouldn’t be going back to the rodeo as well.

“Mail order bride. Well, I never would have believed
it.” Rory rubbed his hand over his chin, looking at Chance with a spark of
interest in his eyes.

“Worked for me, could easily work for you guys too you
know.”

“Nah, don’t even go there.” Tyson was adamant in his
protest.

“Is there something you aren’t telling us, little
brother?” Rory winked at Chance. “About time you showed some interest in
something other than your horses.”

“I’m quite happy as I am. Don’t go making anything out
of it either. Not like I have the time or the money for courting anyone. Trying
my hardest to build up the business.”

“I’m sure the right woman would be more than happy to
help you do that, Tyson.” Callie smiled encouragingly at him and Chance watched
as his brother blushed.

“How about you, Rory? Ever give any thoughts to trying
again?” Chance held his breath.

“Maybe, maybe not. Depends on the day. Let’s leave
that one for now and concentrate on getting you out of here shall we? When are
they letting you go home?”

Chance squeezed his wife’s hand. “Tomorrow if all goes
well. I feel much better and the doctor is happy with progress. Lucky my
darling wife is such a hard ass. If she hadn’t come along when she did and
pushed Terror away, I’d be a mess right about now.”

He saw the sheen of tears in Callie’s eyes. “It’s
true. I’ve put myself in harm’s way for far too long. I need to be more careful
in future and with you by my side, I think I can do that. We have so much to
look forward to.”

***

Callie swallowed the emotions threatening to choke her
as she listened to Chance talk about their future. Yesterday she wasn’t even
sure they had one together. The fear clutching at her heart when she saw Terror
attacking Chance was nothing she had felt before and it scared the crap out of
her.

“Well, maybe next time you think a little before you
do something so damned stupid. I’d hate to have to pick up after you all the
time.”

“Is it an Aussie thing the way she talks to you?” Rory
grinned as he asked the question.

“Yeah, I think so. It’s just how she rolls, telling it
like it is.” Chance lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her palm. If the
brothers weren’t in the same room, she would have locked the door and had her
way with him right there and then. One day without him in her bed and she was
getting antsy already.

“I’d better go and let you have some time with these
guys. I’ll be back later today. Don’t give the nurses a hard time, you hear?”

“Don’t go on our account, Callie.” Tyson walked over
and stood beside her. “Um, I may as well get this over and done with.” He rubbed
his hand around the back of his neck and cleared his throat. “It’s just that I
think I owe you an apology.”

“Yeah, you’re right. You do.” She stood up and faced
him, hands tucked into the back pockets of her jeans.

He looked to the hospital bed for help but all Chance
did was shrug his shoulders.

“Right, then. Okay.” He took a deep breath. “I was out
of line. You deserved more respect than I gave you and for that I’m sorry.”

“And?” Callie tilted her head and waited.

“And, um, well...” He looked at Rory for help but the
sheriff just shook his head. “I don’t know what more you want.”

“Really? Well let me tell you then so you don’t make
the same mistake again. How about you learn to respect your brother’s decisions
and you promise you won’t butt in again if it’s something that doesn’t concern
you. That’d be good for a start, I reckon.”

Tyson pursed his lips. “Fine. I promise to respect my
brother’s decisions and not butt into things that don’t concern me.”

Callie slapped him on the shoulder. “Great start. Thanks,
apology accepted.” She leaned down and kissed her husband. “Be good and I’ll be
back soon, okay?” Callie turned to Rory. “How about I make up the guest room
and you can come and stay with us for a few days until you figure out what you
want to do and where you want to live. I could sure do with the company.”

“Are you sure it’s not inconvenient?”

“Not at all. We’d love to have you stay.” She looked
at her husband.

“What she said.” Chance laughed. “Truly, Rory, we have
plenty of room.”

Tyson looked offended and piped up. “So do I. He can
stay with me too.”

“Sorry, Tyson. I don’t think I could handle living
with you right now. Hell, I still remember how nosy you were when we were kids.
Doubt you’ve changed that much.”

“I’m not nosy. Just have a curious nature is all.” He
crossed his arms and huffed as they laughed at him.

“Yeah well, I’d rather you weren’t curious on my part
for now.” He turned to Callie. “If you’re sure it’s alright, that’d be great. I
can drive on up later after I’ve had a look around town and called in at the
office to do a meet and greet.”

“Wonderful. Well then, I’ll see you all later.” Callie
waved her fingers as she left the Watson boys alone with her husband.