Книга - Rodeo Rescuer

Rodeo Rescuer
Lynette Eason


SHE CAN'T ESCAPENo matter where she runs, rodeo clown Tonya Waters's stalker always finds her. Now he's managed to track her down on the rodeo circuit. If bull rider Seth Starke hadn't saved her, she'd be dead. But when the handsome cowboy is injured in the ring and Tonya rescues him, Seth seems more determined than ever to keep her safe. But can she risk staying at his Tennessee ranch and bringing danger to his family? As her stalker gets more violent, Tonya and Seth vow to outsmart him before he makes good on his ultimate threat: if he can't have her, no one will.Wrangler's Corner: Family comes first







SHE CAN’T ESCAPE

No matter where she runs, rodeo clown Tonya Waters’s stalker always finds her. Now he’s managed to track her down on the rodeo circuit. If bull rider Seth Starke hadn’t saved her, she’d be dead. But when the handsome cowboy is injured in the ring and Tonya rescues him, Seth seems more determined than ever to keep her safe. But can she risk staying at his Tennessee ranch and bringing danger to his family? As her stalker gets more violent, Tonya and Seth vow to outsmart him before he makes good on his ultimate threat: if he can’t have her, no one will.

Wrangler’s Corner: Family comes first


The man in the ski mask fled.

Seth watched two of the bull riders go after him. He gritted his teeth against the renewed throbbing in his leg and lifted his head to find Tonya headed toward him, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Bruises had already started to form on her throat, and rage ignited within him as Seth deduced what had happened. The man had broken in to her motor home with the intention of killing her.

Just like he’d tried to do four years ago.

Seth reached for her, and she stumbled into his arms to collapse against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, balancing himself and her on his good leg. “Shh,” he whispered against her ear. “It’s all right. He’s gone.”

She clung to him a moment, her shoulders shaking, not making a sound. But he could feel the warmth of her tears soaking through his shirt. He held her, tried to offer her the comfort and safety she so desperately needed to feel.

She finally stirred and brushed a hand across her wet cheeks. “Are you all right? Your leg?” she whispered.

His heart shuddered. She was concerned about him when she’d been almost killed? He simply nodded. “I’m fine.”


LYNETTE EASON is a bestselling, award-winning author who makes her home in South Carolina with her husband and two teenage children. She enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and teaching at various writing conferences around the country. She is a member of RWA (Romance Writers of America) and ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). Lynette can often be found online interacting with her readers. You can find her at facebook.com/lynette.eason (http://www.facebook.com/lynette.eason) and on Twitter, @lynetteeason (https://twitter.com/lynetteeason).


Rodeo Rescuer

Lynette Eason






www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)


Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil; For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

—Psalms 23:4


Dedicated to my family. I love you to pieces.


Acknowledgments (#ud70be4da-44a9-5121-ab3b-b8134aadfcf9)

Special thanks to Jeff Thomas for answering

all of my questions about the rodeo circuit.

I appreciate it so much!

I take full responsibility for any mistakes.


Contents

Cover (#u5ebf9fef-530c-5b0c-a289-235011636599)

Back Cover Text (#ubced0f0d-d9dd-5b30-8667-e20deb219fe1)

Introduction (#ufeeea350-5491-5762-b51d-2fda46bde988)

About the Author (#ue6e800c6-3874-584f-9405-708aa781cc8d)

Title Page (#u9313900a-941d-5722-ac87-e64636e904ec)

Bible Verse (#u4a7cff5b-3477-5cbc-8b50-d49f871960e6)

Dedication (#u97a6daed-c002-5c5e-a742-6be578dcad3b)

Acknowledgments

ONE (#ulink_6375ec7f-0ddd-5bd8-a272-b5acba94e68e)

TWO (#ulink_030ef56c-2a98-5638-9447-090b8e64dda7)

THREE (#ulink_95c04ac3-7110-58d1-a19b-4cb865b04343)

FOUR (#ulink_a51fdffd-31d7-5f71-9972-b671a748956c)

FIVE (#ulink_d94d60cc-9bf7-5892-a09b-2600b5ad9e30)

SIX (#litres_trial_promo)

SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)

NINE (#litres_trial_promo)

TEN (#litres_trial_promo)

ELEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

TWELVE (#litres_trial_promo)

THIRTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

FOURTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

FIFTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

SIXTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

SEVENTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

EIGHTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

NINETEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

TWENTY (#litres_trial_promo)

TWENTY-ONE (#litres_trial_promo)

TWENTY-TWO (#litres_trial_promo)

EPILOGUE (#litres_trial_promo)

Dear Reader (#litres_trial_promo)

EXTRACT (#litres_trial_promo)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)


ONE (#ulink_30de85a3-1549-52d2-931d-0a47dbfcd76e)

If he caught her, he’d kill her. Tonya Waters hunched lower in the bullfighter barrel and held her breath.

Don’t move. Don’t make a sound. Don’t even breathe. She closed her eyes and sent up a prayer. Would he look in the barrel? It seemed like such an obvious hiding place. Then again, it was one of many barrels in the equipment room. It would take him a while to search each one. Hopefully, she would be able to get out before he reached her.

But the footsteps moved closer to her. That sickening sweet cologne she remembered from four years ago tickled her gag reflex. She swallowed and curled into herself as tight as she dared. Her fingers, gripping the straps that had been mounted on the inside of the sphere, went numb.

“Tonya?”

His low singsong voice sent shivers of fear coursing through her. Stars danced before her eyes and she drew in another shallow breath. If she passed out, it was over. The stars faded. She lifted her head a fraction, just enough to see out of the top of the barrel.

Screams from the rodeo crowd just over her head reached her. Tonya had thought she’d be safe here, be a part of the rodeo, blend in with the crew. She’d been almost positive that the clown makeup and baggy clothes would be enough of a disguise should any pictures appear in a newspaper or on the news. Being a rodeo clown—or a bullfighter, as some were called—was hard work, exhilarating work.

Dangerous work.

But not as dangerous as having an obsessed ex-boyfriend finally track you down.

Now she’d have to run again. Change her name again. Find a new line of work.

Hank Newman had stalked her in college, threatened her family and nearly killed her. And now he’d come after her one more time. God, help me!

His good-looking exterior hid a heart of evil. Of violence and the potential to kill. Her throat tightened at the memory. He’d wrapped his fingers around her throat and pressed. Tight, tighter. Until she’d passed out. He’d dropped her to the floor and walked out, leaving her for dead.

She’d pressed charges and sent him to jail. And not even his powerful law-enforcement family could stop it. The fingerprints he’d left on her throat had matched his and a jury had put him away. But he hadn’t stayed locked up for long. He’d shown up a few months later at her office, where she’d been working only a few weeks. Fortunately, she’d seen him before he’d seen her and she’d slipped out of the office without a backward glance, knowing she would never be safe as long as he was free.

And now he was here. Looking for revenge.

Her eyes closed, not wanting to remember the hate on his face in the courtroom. “I’ll come after you, Tonya. You’re mine. If I can’t have you, no one will.”

The whispered cliché often made her awaken drenched in a fear-induced sweat.

How had Hank found her? The question tumbled through her mind as her muscles began to cramp. She listened. He hadn’t spoken a word except her name. She hadn’t heard footsteps except the ones that had brought him next to her hiding place.

What was he doing?

Listening for her just as intently as she was listening for him.

Tears leaked down her cheeks.

A scraping sound against the floor brought her head up. Another scrape. More footsteps. A barrel rocking. Terror thundered through her. No, no, no.

He was searching the barrels.

She could feel him getting closer, heard him mutter something under his breath.

“Hey, what are you doing in here? This room is for approved personnel only.”

Tonya jerked, then nearly cried in relief. She recognized Seth Starke’s voice. A buckaroo. A tall, good-looking bull rider whose blue eyes she’d spent way too much time noticing lately. But one who had impeccable timing. Thank You, Lord.

“Uh, sorry. I took a wrong turn. I was, uh...looking for something,” a voice said. Hank’s voice, that deep bass that she’d just started to push from her memory. She’d know it anywhere.

“Well, come on out of there. What can I help you find?”

“The restroom?”

Seth snorted. “Try up the hall and on the right.”

“Of course. Thanks.”

Tonya listened to the fading footsteps and finally the door shut with a soft click. She let her muscles relax and winced at the pain as the blood began to flow once again. When she could, she stood and climbed out of the barrel on still-shaky legs, then shot a glance at the clock on the wall. She was going to be late.

Hank Newman was here. Frustration and terror clawed at her. She didn’t want to run. She liked her life and what she’d built with the rodeo. But what other choice did she have?

But not until after Seth’s ride. It was the last one of the day and then she’d be finished. Then she could plan her next move. But what would that be? Stay and fight back? Or head for the hills? She drew in a deep breath and headed for the door.

Then paused, her hand on the knob.

Was he there? Just outside? Waiting for her to step through so he could grab her and wrap his strong, menacing hands around her throat again?

Tremors shook through her. She leaned her head against the door and tried to calm herself. He wouldn’t be there. Seth would have made sure of that. She turned the knob and shoved the door open.

The figure loomed in front of her. She let out a gasp and swallowed a scream.

“Hey, are you all right?” Seth grasped Tonya by the arm. She swayed and her stark white face troubled him. He’d admired her from afar for so long it felt strange to actually touch her.

She drew in a deep breath. “It’s you.”

“Yeah. Where did you come from? I didn’t see you in there.”

She gave him a shaky smile. “I was hiding.” The little laugh she let escape didn’t suggest she thought it was funny.

“Hiding? From...?”

“The guy you chased off. Thanks for that, by the way.”

Seth frowned as warning bells went off in his mind. “Why were you hiding from him?”

“Doesn’t matter now.” She straightened and he realized he was still holding her upper arm. He let go and she tugged at the hem of her colorful long sleeve, fluffed the bright red wig and stuck her jaw out. “We’re going to be late.”

Seth followed her glance to the clock on the wall. She was right. They had to get going. “Are you sure you’re up to this?” He was concerned. He wanted to know about the fear lingering in her eyes. Color had crept back into her cheeks, but she was still tense, glancing over his shoulder every few seconds as though she expected someone to walk up.

“I’m fine. Or I will be.” Her blue gaze met his, and just like always, he felt drawn to her. She appeared fragile, yet he knew how strong she really was. And brave. No one could face down a thousand-pound bull and not have a spine of steel. That was why the fear in her eyes rattled him. Made him want to confront whatever had scared her. She gave him a light shove toward the men’s dressing rooms. “I’ll be out there in a minute.”

“I’ll wait.”

She shook her head. “Go. You need to get ready. I’m on the way to the arena. I’ll be right behind you.”

Another glance at the clock sent urgency shooting through him. She was right—he’d have to hurry. “All right.” He looked around. “I think that guy is gone.”

“Good. Go. I’ll be fine.”

Seth hesitated one more second, then took off, his boots echoing against the concrete floor. He didn’t know much about Tonya, just what he’d learned from working with her on an almost daily basis. But what he knew, he liked, and he vowed to make an effort to get to know her better. Soon. The fact that she was scared of the guy Seth had caught in the storage room really worried him. Not only did he vow to get to know Tonya better, he promised to be there for her if she needed him. For friendship, protection...or more.

* * *

Tonya watched Seth leave and reached out to grip the doorframe. Chills pebbled over her skin. Hank Newman had found her. For years she’d never stopped watching over her shoulder and today it had paid off. Sort of. She’d seen him before he’d seen her. He looked different, but she’d recognized him. Almost too late, but quick enough to get away from him.

Seth Starke had shown up at just the right time. And so had the attraction that she’d been noticing every time she found herself in Seth’s presence. But she couldn’t think about that right now.

Confusion flooded through her. What was Hank doing here? No, wrong question. She knew what he was doing here. The main question was: How had he found her?

Another quick look at the clock had her groaning. She wilted against the doorframe to give herself a few seconds to get it together. Finally, she straightened, scrutinized the few people hurrying toward the stairs that would lead up to the arena. She had a show to finish. Then she could figure out her next move.

* * *

Seth watched Mia Addison entertain the crowd with the two dogs who traveled with her wherever she went. They were great for filling up the downtime that happened between rides and events. Adults loved her show as much as the kids. Seth let his gaze wander the area. Where was Tonya? She’d said she’d be right behind him.

Tonya Waters. The woman who’d started to come to mind more often than not. He’d thought he’d seen her slip into the supply room and had planned to grab a private moment to ask her out. Only he’d found another man following her.

Someone who’d scared her enough to send her into hiding. Just as he’d been about to open the door to the storage room and call out to her, she’d opened it herself. The sheer terror that had stared back at him for that brief moment before she realized it was him stayed with him and he planned to ask her about it as soon as he could.

He drew in a steadying breath and climbed the gate, balancing himself on the top rail. Soon he’d throw his legs over and drop onto the bull who pranced and snorted. He glanced up. Still no Tonya.

He’d noticed her from the moment he’d met her, but she’d belonged to someone else. Now she was single again, her boyfriend killed in a freak bullfighting accident. He’d heard through the grapevine that Tonya still blamed herself a year later. The sadness in her eyes drew him, made him want to offer comfort. Which was crazy. His eyes scanned the area again. His already tense muscles bunched harder. Had the guy who’d frightened her gone back to find her? Where was she?

As though in answer to his silent question, Tonya stepped into the arena, rolling her barrel. She wore loose-fitting clothes that would enable her to move freely and quickly. Underneath the brightly colored shirt, she wore a vest. The vest and the barrel would protect her—somewhat—if the bull came after her.

Seth shuddered to think of it, but she was a professional. She did her job so he could do his. He swung his legs over the rail fencing and settled himself on the back of the bull. Then he gathered the rosined rope near the bull’s neck.

“You ready for this?” Jake Foster, one of Seth’s good friends and another bull rider, asked.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

Jake, Seth Starke, Daniel Sanders and Monty Addison, Mia’s brother, had been the four buckaroos. Until Daniel had died. Now it was the three of them, and while they fiercely competed against one another for the prize money, they were best friends who still mourned the loss of Daniel.

“We going out for drinks after this?” Jake asked.

“You know I don’t drink.”

“Come on, man. You know the strongest thing I’m talking about is a root beer.”

Seth gave a low chuckle. He did know that. Jake was a recovering alcoholic and had been clean for five years. “We’ll see how this ride goes.”

“I’ll even drive.”

Seth snorted. “No way I’m getting in your trash heap.” The man literally had garbage stacked to the ceiling in the backseat of his king cab. Drink cups, food wrappers, magazines and old newspapers. It had become a joke among the friends. No one would ride in Jake’s truck for fear of getting lost amid the trash. Seth suspected the man did that on purpose. Sure saved him on gas money when he rode with someone else.

“I’ll clean it out just for you.”

“Right.”

“Seriously, I’ll—”

“It’s okay, Jake. You don’t have to try and take my mind off this ride. I need to focus.”

“I know.” His pal shut up and helped Seth settle in. Seth passed the rope between his pinkie and ring finger, then over the top of his hand across the back and around again to thread it under where it crossed his palm. Then he moved the rope between his middle and index fingers and clamped down hard.

He was ready.

No, he wasn’t.

Fear flared. “Do you ever think about Daniel before you ride?” he asked through clenched teeth.

“Every time,” Jake said. He’d watched his friend die just as Seth had. Then six months later, Seth had fallen and been horribly injured. He knew Jake had to wonder if he was next.

“Where’s Monty?”

“He was on the computer in the break room last time I saw him. The orders are rolling in.” Monty and several of the other buckaroos ran a side business selling Western wear through an online store. “Don’t worry—he’ll be here. Like you said...you just focus on staying on.”

“Right.” Focus would be a good thing. Staying on would be even better.

For Seth the flashes of falling off the bull six months ago wouldn’t fade. He’d been back riding now for two months, training and working. And each time he got on one of the beasts, the images from the past came forward to taunt him. Focus.

Mia and her well-trained dogs ran from the arena to the resounding cheers and applause of the entertained audience. Mia used dogs, while Tonya defied death walking a high wire and being shot out of a cannon. Mia would be back in about fifteen seconds to help Tonya bull-fight.

The clock ticked. Mia returned in a flash of color and renewed applause. She moved opposite of Tonya and waited on the other side of the gate.

A third bullfighter, Rhett Jamison, grasped the rope he’d use to pull open the gate when Seth gave him the signal. Tonya met his gaze then gave him a slow nod. The timekeeper held the stopwatch next to Seth’s head. He’d press the button as soon as the gate opened. His muscles bunched and he forced them to relax. He’d have to move with the bull, not fight him. He nodded to Rhett.

Rhett pulled the rope and the gate opened. The bull shot out and went into his rocking north-and-south bucking motion. Seth kept his free arm up, his stomach tight, his weight centered over the hand that gripped the rope, muscled legs clamped against the beast’s sides.

Eight seconds. Just do it for eight seconds.

He knew what he was doing. The ride felt right. Good. The fear fled. Exhilaration filled him. He let his body flow with the movement. Time slowed; the roar of the crowd faded. It was just him and the bull.

The bell sounded. Elation zipped through him. He’d done it again. He’d stayed on. The rope slipped. He frowned and felt himself falling. No, this wasn’t supposed to happen. Wha—?

Seth was on the ground, his lungs straining for air. The past rushed back to hit him and he steeled himself for the pain, for the bull to trample him. He tried to breathe, to roll, and couldn’t move.

A hoof hit his newly healed leg. Pain ricocheted through him and blackness descended.

* * *

“Seth,” Tonya whispered even as she, Rhett and Mia went into action. Mia moved, flapping her arms. The bull turned in her direction and galloped toward her. She ran for the barrel, then dived inside. The bull stopped and turned back to focus on Seth and the men who’d already jumped into the arena to grab him. But there was no way they’d get him over the fence in time if the bull charged.

Tonya raced forward, her brain whirling. She had to buy the men time. She yelled and snagged her horn from her pocket. A fierce blow loud enough to hurt her ears confused the animal. He stopped and turned to look at her for a brief second.

Then ignored her and charged back toward Seth. The men almost had him over the fence.

Tonya dashed over to slap the bull on his hindquarters, then dart off to the right since he had his head lowered and to the left. The animal roared, pivoted in the direction she’d anticipated he would. It bought her some time, but not much. He finally came after her. Mia, who’d climbed from the safety of her barrel, waved her hands and yelled, but the bull had Tonya in his sights and wasn’t being distracted.

Tonya didn’t hesitate. She was dead if she did. She ran for the fence, grasped the top rail and flipped herself over. She hit the ground on the other side as the bull’s horns hooked through the fence. With a snort and a few bucks, he stomped off, back to the pen. Mia jumped over the fence and collapsed down on the ground. “You okay?”

“Yeah. You?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m all right,” Tonya gasped. “And Seth... Did they get him out? Is he okay?”

“Thanks to you, he is,” a deep male voice said. Tonya felt hands grab her, pulling her to her feet, and immediately her mind went to her stalker. She released a quavering sigh. The man who had her was a stranger to her, but somewhere in the crowd, Hank Newman waited.

Was he still here? Her eyes darted from face to face. Too many faces. He could be hiding behind any one of them. “That was some move you did there over the rail. Never seen anything like it,” another voice said.

Tonya focused on the speaker. Monty Addison, Mia’s brother. “Gymnastics,” she muttered. She took several long, deep breaths. “Where’s Seth now? How bad is he hurt?” She whirled around, still scanning the area, grimacing at the twinge in her lower back. She might have made it over the fence, but her form could have used a little work.

She saw the EMTs hovering over Seth about ten yards down. She rushed toward him, concerned. “Please, God, let him be okay,” she whispered.

Monty stayed with her. She could almost feel his worry as she came up to the edge of the crowd. They now had Seth on a stretcher, his leg in splints. The sight of his pale, colorless face grabbed her heart, and she nearly buckled as the past rose up in her mind once again. “Daniel,” she whispered. “Not again.”

“He’s going to be all right, Tonya,” Monty said, gripping her arm. “It’s not like Daniel this time. Seth is going to be fine. Maybe banged up and sore, but okay.”

She blinked back tears. “How do you know?”

“They didn’t pull the sheet over his face.” He turned and walked away.

Tonya swallowed hard. Daniel. Her friend, the man who’d wanted to marry her. Grief welled up again and she shoved it aside. The EMTs carried Seth through the silent crowd and to the ambulance. While they maneuvered him inside, she glanced around, eyes probing. Rhett gave her a two-fingered salute. She nodded and kept looking. Where was Hank? She didn’t want to leave town just yet; she wanted to stay and find out how Seth was doing. But she couldn’t take a chance that Hank would find her and try to kill her again.

She raced toward the ambulance and grabbed one of the EMTs’ arms before he could swing into the driver’s seat. “Let me go with him,” she panted.

“Sorry, ma’am.”

A glance over her shoulder sent terror slashing through her as her eyes collided with Hank Newman’s. He lifted a hand and she saw his lips form the word “Wait.”

She looked for an escape route. The crowd pressed in, so she couldn’t run fast enough to get away from Hank. He would catch up to her. She did a one-eighty, eyes searching, desperation filling her. She looked back, made a split-second decision and leaped into the back of the ambulance just as the other EMT reached to close the door. “I have to go with him. Please.”

“Who are you?”

“A friend,” she said softly.

He studied her for a second. “Sorry.”

“Let her come,” Seth rasped.

The paramedic turned back to Seth. “You’re awake?”

“Let her come.” He let out a pained groan and rolled his head on the pillow. The EMT grasped his stethoscope. “Come on, then.” He held out a hand.

She latched on to it and scrambled up into the nearest seat. She glanced back and saw Hank closing the distance. “Hurry,” she pleaded.

“Tonya!”

She glanced left, panic-stricken, but that wasn’t Hank calling her. Jake Foster sped toward her. He seemed dead set on stopping them before it was too late, but impatience to get the doors shut hurtled through her. Moments later Jake reached the back of the ambulance and tossed an object at her. She caught it in midair. A phone. “It’s Seth’s cell,” he told her. “I want to be able to call. Keep it on. Tell him I’ll clean out my truck if he needs a ride home from the hospital!” He disappeared as the doors slammed shut in his face. She shoved the phone in her back pocket and let a relieved breath escape her.

The EMT looked at her funny. She ignored him and glanced at Seth. He still looked awful and she thought he might have lapsed back into unconsciousness. Within seconds they were moving. Through the back window, she saw Hank standing still, watching them, the frown on his face shouting his displeasure.

And Tonya knew, whatever she did, she’d better not wind up within her ex’s grasp ever again.

Because this time he wouldn’t just leave her for dead—he would finish the job.


TWO (#ulink_c47ee055-ac24-5d0b-bef2-d7bd9a01a752)

Seth stirred, then pushed himself into a sitting position on the gurney and winced as his leg throbbed. Intense anger burned through him. Two months back on the circuit and he found himself injured again. This was not how he’d planned to spend his Thursday evening.

“Hey, hey, no sitting up.” The paramedic on his left frowned at him. Seth ignored him but closed his eyes until the surge of dizziness passed. When his head stopped spinning, he opened his eyes and the EMT shrugged. “Okay, then, sit up. How do you feel?” The man bent over him, concern knitting his brow.

“Like I’ve been trampled by a bull.” He waved a hand. “I’m fine.” He gestured to his splinted leg. Someone had split the denim from hem to midthigh. “Is it broken?”

“Don’t think so, just a very nasty bruise. You’re fortunate you weren’t hurt worse.”

He grunted. “I’ll give God—and Tonya—the credit.” Fatigue swept over him. He turned his head and his gaze collided with a pair of sky blue eyes. Eyes that he’d not been able to get out of his head from their very first encounter. “Tonya? What are you doing here?”

The paramedic frowned. “You said to let her come.”

“I did?” He didn’t remember that...but okay. He lifted a brow in her direction and was intrigued at the flush that darkened her cheeks. But what really caught his attention was the haunted skittishness in her eyes. He reached out and clasped her fingers in his. “I’m glad you’re here.”

The flush deepened. From the corner of his eye he saw the EMT relax a fraction. The blood-pressure cuff tightened on his arm. “Why did I pass out? Am I bleeding anywhere?”

“No, sir. Probably passed out from the pain.”

“Right.” He remembered the pain. Vividly. “That pain wasn’t as bad as my break, though.” Close, but not quite.

“That’s a good thing.”

“Which hospital are we heading for?”

“Vanderbilt University.”

He nodded and leaned back, fighting the pain and the nausea. But he didn’t let go of Tonya’s hand. He liked the feel of her fingers in his. It helped him focus on something besides the throbbing in his leg.

When the ambulance pulled to a stop, he blinked the fog from his mind and tried to focus. They’d given him something for the pain and he felt groggy. Tonya’s worried face kept going in and out of focus.

They wheeled him into the emergency department and he lost his grip on her hand. “Tonya?”

“I’m here.” She slipped her hand back in his.

“Ma’am? You’re going to have to wait in the waiting room.”

“No.” He didn’t want her to leave, and while that shocked him, right now he didn’t care. He tightened his grip. At least, he thought he did. “Stay. Let her stay.”

They must have decided to listen to him. Tonya followed them back into the room.

* * *

She paced the floor, her gaze constantly going from a now-sleeping Seth to the small window in the door to check the hall. They’d rolled him to X-ray about thirty minutes after they’d been shown to the room and she’d been a nervous wreck until they’d returned. She slipped up to his side and covered his hand with hers. Even though he was pale and still, his strength was evident. She wanted to trace his square jaw and full lips. He had cheekbones a lot of women paid good money for. She allowed a faint smile to cross her lips. He had a good reputation in the bronc-busting world, and she had to admit every time he turned those smiling blue eyes in her direction, her knees went a little weak. She pushed a dark curl from his forehead and sighed when he didn’t stir.

The nurse had explained Seth was on some powerful painkillers. “He’ll be a bit loopy, dear,” she’d said and checked his vitals one more time.

Tonya had nodded as she tried to decide what to do. She’d thought about slipping out of the hospital and disappearing, but where would she go? Home wasn’t an option. Hank knew where she lived. He’d threatened her family once four years ago and she wouldn’t give him the opportunity to do it again. She shuddered. It hadn’t been proved, but she knew he’d been the one to run her youngest brother, Jacob, off the road and fire shots at his car. Jacob hadn’t been hit, but Hank’s point had been well made. No, she couldn’t go home. She crossed her arms and moved to the small window once again.

Hank hadn’t shown up at the hospital yet—as far as she knew—but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t. There were several possible hospitals in the city, but Vanderbilt was the best. He’d come here first. But surely he wouldn’t get past security. Right? He might come in the same entrance as she and Seth, but that was as far as he would be able to get.

Unless he faked an illness or injury.

But he’d have to wait in the waiting room. They wouldn’t bring him back immediately. She closed her eyes and dragged in a deep breath. She had to calm down. Stop her spinning thoughts.

“Tonya?”

She turned to find Seth watching her. “Hey. You’re awake.”

“You’re still here.”

She blinked. “I’m sorry... I can leave.” But being in his room felt relatively safe. More safe than the outside world right now. And she realized she wasn’t ready to leave, to give up the small measure of security she’d unexpectedly found in the hospital room.

“Leave? No, that’s not what I meant. I’m just surprised you stayed.”

“You asked me to.”

“Oh. I did?”

She laughed. “Yes.” Her laughter faded as quickly as it had bubbled up. She checked the window one more time.

“You should do that more often,” he said gruffly.

“What?”

“Laugh.”

Was he flirting? He’d just fallen off a bull and was laid up in the hospital—and he was flirting? She studied him with a small, uncertain smile. No. He was serious. She was almost disappointed.

She shook her head and, for the first time since entering the hospital, considered how she must look.

Clown paint on her face. Her hair tied up in a loose ponytail underneath the wig she still had on. Her cowboy hat dangled down her back. She had on a shirt that would rival one of Hawaii’s brightest tucked into jeans that were covered with pink chaps. Cowboy boots finished the ensemble.

And the hospital staff hadn’t blinked.

She started to respond to Seth, then saw his eyes were closed again and his chest rose and fell in a steady pattern. She sighed, pulled the bright red wig from her hair and dropped it on the chair. She went to the sink and grabbed several paper towels from the bin on the wall. She soaked them, added soap and did her best to get rid of the makeup.

When the door opened ten minutes later, Tonya felt halfway human again. The doctor entered. Tonya touched Seth’s hand and gave him a gentle shake. “Seth?”

He stirred and opened his eyes. The doctor approached and Tonya moved toward the door. “I’ll just wait outside.”

“No,” he murmured. “Stay. I might not remember a word he says.”

Tonya caught the doctor’s eye and he nodded. “All right.”

She shut the door with one more glimpse out the window. She caught her breath and stared harder.

Was that Hank?

“Tonya?” She jerked and spun to find Seth’s eyelids fluttering, his struggle against the desire to close them looking like a losing battle. “You okay?”

“Um...yes. I’m sorry. Someone caught my attention. I thought I might know him.” She snapped her lips closed to quit jabbering.

The doctor held out a hand. “Dr. Jackson Mobley.”

“Hi.” Tonya shook his hand, her mind on the man she’d seen walk past the door. At Seth’s curious look, she cleared her throat and tried to pay attention.

Dr. Mobley shook Seth’s hand, then pushed the X-ray slides onto the machine and flipped the switch. Seth’s leg popped up in black and white. The orthopedist pointed to an area with his pen. “Here’s the former break. Nicely healed. The good news is that you didn’t reinjure that. Nothing broken, just a bad bruise. I think you should pick back up on the physical therapy just to play it safe and you should be fine.”

Seth leaned back, the relief on his face evident. “So I can ride tomorrow.”

The doctor lifted his brow. “I don’t recommend it. The muscles, tendons and ligaments are all bruised. You’re very fortunate—I really expected to see you heading into surgery for something a lot more serious than this.”

Seth sighed and rubbed a hand down his face. “I need to finish this rodeo. I had a good ride right before I fell off earlier. I’m in the running for the finals in December.”

Dr. Mobley shrugged and gave a small smile. “I understand. I’ve followed your career and am a fan. I’d love to see you go to the National Finals Rodeo. We missed you last year after that bad break.”

“But?” Seth nearly growled the word.

“But like I said, you can stay off of your leg for a couple of weeks and let it heal...or you can risk further injury.”

Tonya eased toward the door one more time and glanced out. The workstation for the doctors and nurses was directly opposite. Everyone seemed busy. She glanced left, then right. No sign of Hank.

Wait. Was that him? She looked closer. The man talking to the nurse turned and she sucked in a deep breath. No doubt about it—that was definitely him. The shaggy hair and goatee couldn’t hide his chillingly familiar features.

The doctor tapped her on the shoulder and she jumped with a high-pitched squeak. The man raised a brow and settled his hands on her upper arms. “Are you okay?”

Tonya felt the heat climb into her cheeks and nodded. “Sorry, I’m a bit jumpy today.”

“No problem.” He slipped out the door and she turned to find Seth appearing a little more alert.

“What are you looking for?”

“Nothing.”

“Something. Or someone.” Seth narrowed his eyes. “You’ve been looking out that window just about every other second—and you nearly just came out of your skin when the doc tapped your shoulder. What’s going on, Tonya?” he asked, his voice lowered. “Is it the guy from earlier? The one you were hiding from in the supply room?”

“Yes.” She twisted her hands together in front of her and debated how much she should say. What would he think if she told him the truth?

Then again, did she need to warn the hospital staff that a potential murderer had come through their doors? Hank wasn’t predictable and he was here in the emergency department looking for her. Could everyone around her be in danger? “I’m pretty sure he’s here at the hospital. It’s been four years since I’ve seen him, but I think he was just talking to one of the nurses. I need to tell them to be on the alert and to warn security about the potential danger if he shows up.”

She glanced through the window and, not seeing Hank, slipped out of the room before Seth could ask any more questions. She quietly told the nurse at the desk about Hank, waited for her to call security, then made her way back to Seth’s room.

As she stepped inside, she heard a buzzing. One that she’d heard several times since arriving at the hospital. Seth noticed it, as well, and frowned. “What’s that?”

Tonya pulled the buzzing phone from her back pocket and held it out to him. “Jake tossed this to me when I got on the ambulance.”

“That’s my phone. He was holding it for me while I rode.”

“You probably need to call him,” she murmured. “It’s been ringing for a while now.”

Seth took it from her. “Okay, I’ll call him in a few.” He looked at the screen. “It’s my mom.” He pressed the button and lifted the phone to his ear. “Hello?” His eyes still hadn’t left hers. “Yes, I’m fine. It’s just a bruise.” Tonya turned her back to give him the semblance of privacy even though she could hear every word. “No, Mom, you don’t have to come to Nashville. It’s not broken again, I promise. I’ll call you later. Love you, too. ’Bye.”

Tonya looked at him as he hung up. “She heard, I guess.”

“Word travels fast. I’ve been doing rodeos for a long time. Some of the people have become like family. Extended family, anyway. One of the judges called Mom and Dad.” Tonya nodded. “So who’s the guy from the storage room? How do you know him?”

She sighed. “Earlier, at the arena, I went looking for Mia. She was getting her dogs ready, and as I was walking toward her, I recognized an old boyfriend.” She glanced at the door.

“Old boyfriend, huh? Who?”

“Hank Newman.”

“And why does his showing up make you skittish as a new colt?”

She crossed her arms. “A few years ago he tried to kill me.”

Seth gaped at her. Then snapped his jaw shut. “Well, I guess that would do it.”

“Indeed.” His shock made her look away. This wasn’t something she liked to talk about.

“Why?”

She forced her eyes back to his. “Why what?”

“Why would he try to kill you? That’s insane.”

Tonya huffed a short laugh. “Yes. Quite. We met my senior year of college. We had a couple of classes together. He asked me to marry him after three dates and I told him no. I’d already decided I didn’t want to see him anymore and the marriage proposal sealed it. He asked me to reconsider. I wouldn’t.” She swallowed hard, then said, “This continued for the next several weeks. He’d show up at my apartment. If I refused to answer the door, he’d leave a gift.”

“What kind of gift?”

She shrugged. “Flowers, chocolates, whatever he thought I might like. I finally had a restraining order taken out on him, but it didn’t matter.”

“Why? What happened?”

“He showed up at my apartment one day and caught me carrying groceries inside. I barely had a chance to shut the door before he kicked it in, furious and raving at me. He threw the restraining order in my face. I screamed at him to get out. He shouted he loved me.” She’d shouted back that he didn’t know what love was. “He finally calmed down a bit and tried reasoning with me. I got my phone out of my purse to call for help. He snatched it and threw it through a window. I raced for the door. He grabbed me, wrapped his hands around my throat and tried to strangle me.”

She took a breath, let it out slowly. “I finally had the idea to just go limp right before I passed out. He must have let go immediately, thinking I was dead. One of my brothers, Grant, found me and got me to the hospital.”

“And this psychopath is walking around free?”

Seth’s outrage soothed some of her panic. “He went to jail but didn’t stay there long. I’ve been hiding from him ever since. I have minimal contact with my family. I don’t even want them knowing where I am.” As she said the words aloud, an ache formed in her throat and tears rose to the surface. How she missed her big wonderful family. “I don’t want them in danger. He threatened them once, almost killed Jacob, my youngest brother. I won’t give him a reason to go after them again.”

Seth held out a hand and she walked over to take it. His warm fingers wrapped around hers. “What are you going to do now that he’s found you?”

“Run.”

“You can’t do that,” Seth blurted out. His immediate desire to keep her close surprised him. Just like in the ambulance. He hadn’t wanted her to leave then, and he didn’t now. He frowned, wondering at the strangeness of his feelings. She lifted a brow and he waved a hand. “I mean, of course you can, but I don’t want you to.”

Tonya tilted her head and stared at him. “Well, what other choice do I have?”

“Fight him. Call the authorities. Tell them he’s stalking you—harassing you—and you want it stopped.”

She sighed, walked to the door to peer out one more time, then came back to sit on the edge of the bed. He drew in a deep breath, drinking in her scent. Vanilla, strawberries, something else. All mixed in with the smell of horses and leather. And possibly sweat and dirt. He loved it. She’d gotten most of the clown paint off her face, but she’d missed one spot on the side of her nose.

She looked down at her hands. “I wish it was that simple.”

“Why isn’t it?” He struggled back into a sitting position. His leg twinged, but the sharp tearing pain from earlier was gone.

She leaned over and helped adjust the pillow behind him. Her nearness nearly caused his heart to explode. Her tender care, her gentle touch, set his pulse to pounding.

He liked the way she did things almost without thinking. She’d noticed he could use a hand and offered one. He had to blink to focus on her words and resist the desire to pull her close.

“Because he’s clever,” she said. “No one ever sees him do anything wrong. In public he’s in control, the nicest man you’d ever hope to meet. He could charm a bird out of a tree.” She hesitated and he could see her fear escalating with whatever memories were going through her mind. “I’ve worked with the authorities before, to no avail. It took me almost dying to get him finally jailed.” She shook her head. “I can’t go through that again,” she whispered.

He couldn’t resist anymore. She’d offered him comfort just by being there with him. He grasped her upper arm and pulled her close. She tensed and he stopped, wondering if he was being too forward. Then something seemed to snap inside of her and she leaned into him, wrapped her arms around him and rested her head against his shoulder.

He held her and she let him. “I haven’t said thank you.”

She pulled away and he wished he’d kept his big mouth shut. She sniffed and grabbed a tissue from the box near his bed. “For what?”

“You saved my life today and I haven’t even thanked you.”

“Oh. You’re welcome.”

He laughed. “You say that like it’s no big deal.”

Tonya flushed. “Of course your life is a big deal.”

“I didn’t mean that. I meant you act like what you do, the risks you take, is not a big thing. It’s crazy and admirable and dangerous.”

She shrugged. “I don’t think about the danger so much. I mean, I know I could be seriously hurt one day, or even killed, but I’m good at what I do and I’m careful.” She paused and tilted her head. “And I pray a lot.”

“I know you’re careful. I’ve seen you work, Ms. Rodeo Clown of the Year.”

She flushed again. “Stop.”

“It’s impressive. You want to get to the NFR this year, too, as one of the barrelmen, don’t you?”

“Of course I do, but you know as well as I do that’s a long shot. I work in a man’s world where the good-ol’-boy system is alive and well.” He knew what she meant. Peers voted for whom they thought deserved to go to the NFR and work in the arena. Only three went. And the men tended to stick together when it came down to the voting.

The knock on the door startled them both. Tonya stood as the doctor walked in. “All right, Mr. Starke, you’re good to go. The nurse will be by with your papers shortly. Are you allergic to anything?”

Seth shot the orthopedist a sour look. “You mean besides the apparent newly acquired allergy of bull riding?”

Dr. Mobley smiled. “Yes.”

“Then that would be a no.”

“Excellent. I’ve prescribed you some painkillers in case you need them. You’ll probably be able to walk, but it won’t be comfortable. We’ll get you a wheelchair to get you out of here.”

Seth scowled. “No wheelchair. I’ll be fine. The fact that I can walk is better than any drug you’ve got.”

“All right, then. All the best to you.”

“Thanks.”

The nurse entered shortly after Dr. Mobley left. Seth signed the papers. “Do you need anything for pain before you go?”

Seth gave his leg a test move and stood. He gasped and gritted his teeth but was able to stay upright and keep the weight on it. Mostly. Relief pushed aside the pain. “No, the other drugs are just starting to wear off. I don’t need anything else right now.”

The nurse nodded, pulled her copies from the stack and handed Seth the others. “Take care of yourself.”

“Right.”

She looked at Tonya. “We haven’t seen the man you told us about. I think he may have left.”

“Good.”

Seth turned toward her. Tonya’s face was pale and frightened, but she lifted her chin up a notch. “Are you sure you’re all right?” he asked.

She drew in a deep breath. “I will be.” He took a step and hissed at the lightning that shot through his thigh. “What about you?” she asked.

“It hurts, but I’ll make it.”

Tonya stepped up beside him and wrapped an arm around his waist. “Lean on me if you need to.”

Her offer melted something inside him. When was the last time—discounting his family—someone had genuinely wanted to do something for him?

Just because. Not as an expectation that he would do something in return. He couldn’t remember. “I’d squash you.” But he wasn’t going to argue about the close proximity. Quite frankly, he relished it.

She frowned. “I’m stronger than I look.”

He settled her under his shoulder and took another deep breath. “All right, let’s go.”

“Just one thing.”

“What’s that?” he asked, looking down at her upturned face.

“I want to go out the back. I know I saw Hank here and I know he’s waiting on me to walk out the way we came in.”


THREE (#ulink_2cfecba8-e371-5ea3-9123-f7b0d79e35fa)

Her heart trembled when Seth nodded and, without another word, led her toward the back exit. His limp was pronounced, but at least he was on his feet. She kept her head tilted toward him but her eyes bounced off each face she passed.

They exited the back of the ER into another part of the hospital. “Did you see him?” Seth asked.

“No.” But it didn’t mean he wasn’t watching. Just waiting for her to step outside the hospital, where she would be an easy mark. “He was in the emergency department,” she said. “I know it was him.”

“How do you think he got back there?”

“I told you. He’s charming.”

“How did he even know you were here?”

She swallowed and paused. Seth stopped and leaned against the wall to take the weight off his sore leg. Tonya noticed his ruggedly tanned cheeks were about two shades lighter than normal. “Hank saw me get in the ambulance. I spotted him and that’s why I wanted to hitch a ride with you.” She bit her lip. “I’m sorry.”

Realization dawned. “Ah. So all he had to do was call around and ask if I was in the ED. Pretend he was my brother or something and was looking for me.”

“Or simply follow the ambulance if his car was nearby.”

His lips quirked up in a half smile. “So, you weren’t so concerned about me—you were just trying to get away from him.”

Stricken, she grasped his hand. “Of course I was concerned—”

He placed a finger over her lips. “I’m just teasing, Tonya. I’m glad you hitched the ride with me. To tell you the truth, it was good to have you there.” She saw his Adam’s apple bob. “I didn’t feel so alone.”

Tonya blew out an unsteady breath and glanced back over her shoulder as his words resonated within her. She had been concerned, downright terrified for him. She closed her eyes and willed her heart to slow its racing beat. Don’t be attracted to him. Don’t even think about it. Haven’t you learned your lesson with Daniel? The harsh mental reprimand didn’t slow her heart rate, but the memory of Daniel’s death allowed her to put some emotional distance between her and Seth. She took a step and glanced over at him. “I think we should go.”

“How? We don’t have a car.”

“That’s why God invented cabs. Or we can call Jake. He offered to clean out his truck for you.”

Seth wrinkled his nose. “No way. I’ll take the cab.” They started walking again—or rather, she walked while Seth limped along beside her. Tonya’s gaze bounced off each person within eyesight. She finally drew in a steady breath and decided maybe Hank had given up and left. She didn’t fool herself into thinking it was a permanent absence, but as long as she could get Seth home safe, that was all that mattered right now.

She pulled out her phone and looked up the number for the cab company. Seth shifted and a low grunt escaped him. “You should have taken that offer of the wheelchair,” she murmured.

He shot her an insulted look. “Not this buckaroo.”

Tonya rolled her eyes, then tapped the number that popped up onto her screen. Within seconds she had a cab on the way. “I’m going back to my RV and pulling out,” she said softly.

“Where are you going to go? What about your job?”

She groaned. He had a good point. As of today, her reputation on the circuit was stellar. If she left now, her name in the industry would suffer. Was she willing to let Hank do that? He’d already taken away just about everything she cared about. Was she going to let him take this, too?

She lifted her chin. Seth was right—she had to finish the show. Then she could disappear. “Okay, then. As soon as the rodeo’s over, I’ll leave.” And cancel her other obligations until it was safe to surface again. She bit her lip as they continued their slow progress toward the lobby, where the cab would pick them up. “I can cancel the contest I was going to compete in next weekend.”

“You’re winning quite a few of those, aren’t you?”

She shrugged and smiled. “It’s a way to earn some extra money and I like them. The element of danger isn’t quite so nerve-racking.” Her smile slipped back into a frown. “But what am I going to do about Hank? What if he shows up at the rodeo tomorrow?”

“When we get back, we’ll move your motor home to another spot on the grounds. We’ll talk to rodeo security, make sure they’re keeping an eye on your place. We’ll also be up-front and honest about the fact that you have a stalker.”

They reached the lobby of the hospital and Tonya kept her back against one of the walls while she watched for the cab to pull up in the circular area.

When it did, she slipped an arm around Seth’s waist. He allowed her to help support him without a word. Which said a lot to her about his pain level. And stubbornness. His breath warmed her ear, threatening to shatter her composure.

With a steadying breath, and a refusal to acknowledge her rapid pulse, she helped him into the backseat of the cab then went around to the other side to get in behind the driver.

“You’re strong,” Seth said.

“I have to be.” He knew that, but she could see it still surprised him. She turned in the seat to look out the back window. No sign of Hank. But she knew that could be deceptive. She’d thought he was gone from her life at one time and he’d shown back up with a vengeance. Fear shivered through her. What was she going to do? The thought of facing him down terrified her. Lord, show me what to do.

She gave the driver the address for the rodeo grounds. Seth leaned his head back and closed his eyes. Tonya started to reach for his hand and stopped. She couldn’t let herself care for him any more. She couldn’t develop any feelings for him. Or depend on him. Not just because she was leaving, but because he could break her heart.

But she silently admitted she’d always liked Seth, thought he was one of the cowboys who just had a special quality about him. She’d heard the rumors, of course, about his girlfriend leaving him after he broke his leg. That he’d been devastated but more determined than ever to make a comeback.

And he had. He held the fifteenth spot and she had no doubt he would continue to move up the list as he kept winning rodeos. He would be riding the NFR and she wouldn’t be around to see it. The thought made her inexplicably sad.

Exhaustion swamped her, but she still had a long night ahead of her. She glanced at her phone. Mia had called four times. She called her friend back.

“Are you okay?” Mia demanded. “Where are you?”

“I’m fine. I went to the hospital with Seth.”

“That was some crazy move you did over that fence.”

A small smile curled her lips. She felt relieved she had a reason to actually smile about something. “I suppose I should thank my parents for all of the gymnastics classes in my youth.”

“Is there anything you need?” Mia’s voice had lost its edge, softening now that her worry was eased. She could picture her best friend’s forehead creased with worry. Mia’s tall, lanky build disguised her ability to move with speed when faced with an angry bull. Her friend’s agility in the arena was amazing and she had fans who came from all over to watch her perform.

“No, I’m on the way back with Seth. The bull bruised Seth’s leg, but we’re grateful it wasn’t broken again.” She paused. “Mia?”

“Yeah?”

“You know that man I told you about? Hank Newman?”

“Hank Newman? No... Wait. The guy who tried to kill you in college? The one you said stalked you?”

“Yes.”

“What about him?”

“He was there today. At the rodeo.”

“What? Are you sure?” Mia’s skepticism came through loud and clear.

“I’m sure.”

“But...why?”

“I think we know why.”

“Did you call the police?”

Tonya sighed. “No. Not yet. I haven’t had the chance. But, I mean, what’s the point in calling them, anyway? If past experience is anything to go by, it’s not like they can do anything. All he’s done is come to a rodeo. That’s not against the law.”

“Surely the fact that he tried to kill you before would hold some weight in what they could do, wouldn’t it?”

Tonya thought about that. She was still so shaken that Hank had found her, she wasn’t thinking straight. “I don’t know. Maybe. I’ll have to find out.”

“I think you really should. Be careful, Tonya. You never know what he might do.” She paused. “Actually, you do know what he might do. Best to avoid that.”

She hung up with her friend and closed her eyes.

“You okay?” Seth asked.

“I’m scared,” she admitted without opening her eyes. “I can do high-wire acts, let someone springboard me out of a cannon and face down ornery bulls, but the thought of coming face-to-face with Hank Newman paralyzes me with a fear I don’t know what to do with.”

She felt his hand close around hers with a gentleness that disguised his strength. The instant comfort she felt surprised her—warmed her. “We’ll go to the police if you see him again.”

“At first I didn’t think going to the police would even matter. But Mia pointed out the fact that he has been jailed for trying to kill me, so maybe...”

“We’ll get a restraining order.”

She sighed. “Like I already told you, I’ve done that before. And I’ll do it again, of course, but he doesn’t care. It didn’t stop him from tracking me down at work the day he got out of prison, and I’m afraid it won’t stop him now.”

“My brother is a sheriff’s deputy in Wrangler’s Corner. I’ll ask his advice.”

“Okay. Thanks.” She’d let him do that but didn’t hold out much hope that it would help. After all, she’d already been down that road once before. She knew it led only to a dead end.

* * *

Seth’s leg burned with an ache that kept him tossing and turning, trying to find a comfortable position on the mattress. He finally threw the sheets off and sat up. 1:40 a.m. He sighed and debated about taking a pain pill. He hadn’t bothered filling the prescription the doctor had given him earlier, but he had a few left from his first fall.

If he was honest, it wasn’t really his leg that was bothering him as much as it was what he’d learned tonight about Tonya Waters. Someone had tried to kill her—and apparently that someone was back. He shook his head. There were some crazy people out there.

During the cab ride back to the rodeo grounds, he’d gathered his strength and called Jake, whose trailer was right next to Seth’s. After Seth explained the situation, his buddy had agreed to swap sites with Tonya.

“That’s way too much trouble,” Tonya had protested.

“What if I need something during the night? What if something happens and I need you to come help me out?”

She’d narrowed her eyes, clearly not buying it and knowing as well as he did that Jake would be there for him if he needed it. But she’d sighed and shrugged. “Okay, you win.”

“It’s not about winning, Tonya—it’s about making sure you’re safe. And besides, security is close by, as well as some of the other bull riders. If anything happens, you’ll have help.”

She’d bitten her lip and nodded. Then fought the tears he’d seen gathering in her pretty blue eyes. “All right. I’m not going to be stupid. Thank you.”

The process had taken a grand total of thirty minutes. One thing about living on the road: buckaroos and bullfighters had the art of moving down to a science.

Now Tonya was tucked in her motor home next to his.

And he still couldn’t sleep.

He walked into the kitchen to grab a cup of water. Standing at the window, he studied Tonya’s motor home. She had one she drove—a Class C. Seth looked around his fifth wheel. Space-wise, his was larger, roomier than Tonya’s, but he had to haul his behind his truck. But he didn’t mind. When he wasn’t on the circuit, he was home in Wrangler’s Corner, his fifth wheel parked in a space on the property where he could hook up and have his own privacy. One day he’d build a house there.

A house for his wife, his family.

He couldn’t help glancing at Tonya’s motor home one more time. The light was still on, the brightness peeking around the edges of her pulled curtains.

He’d heard the rumors, of course. That after Daniel’s death, she’d closed herself off from any romantic entanglements with those in the business. He sighed. He understood it. He felt the same way. After Glory’s betrayal, he’d vowed that he’d make sure a woman loved him for himself, not his name or the money in his savings account. He grimaced and massaged the muscles above the bruise on his sore leg. Why was he even pondering these things? He was being silly.

No. He was lonely. He wanted a wife, a marriage. One like his parents’. They’d been married thirty-seven years. They’d had good times and bad, but they’d stuck it out and stayed together. Which was exactly what he was looking for.

Too bad the women he seemed to be attracted to didn’t feel the same way. Except maybe Tonya.

“Enough.” He swallowed the last of the water in his glass and headed back to bed. If he was going to ride tomorrow, he needed to sleep.

* * *

Tonya jerked awake, heart pounding, blood rushing. She shoved into a sitting position on the couch where she’d dozed off and rubbed a hand down her face. She hadn’t meant to fall asleep. She couldn’t sleep until she was in a safe place. Right now Hank knew where she was. He might have to hunt a little to find her motor home, but she had no doubt he’d find her. She’d just bought herself a little time with the move. But how much time?

Tonya got up and grabbed her laptop. She opened the lid and powered her phone on to use as a hot spot for the internet.

Once she had her search engine up, she typed in Hank Newman. Several options came up. The newspaper article detailing his arrest record, the police report, the restraining order. Nothing she didn’t already know.

Next she typed in Tonya Lewis. Her birth name. The name she hadn’t used in over four years. She’d thought she’d be safe. Her major in college had been agriculture. Once she’d finished school, she’d gone to work for a business and had an office job.

And Hank had found her. Through the cracked blinds of her office, she’d happened to look up and see him walk in to speak to the receptionist. Tonya’s heart had dropped to her toes when the woman had pointed straight at her office. Tonya’d grabbed her purse and her personal laptop and escaped through the back door. She’d never gone back.

And during the course of their three dates, she’d never shared her passion for bullfighting with Hank. Which was why she’d thought she could hide out on the circuit.

And it had worked till now.

A creak at the back of the motor home swung her attention to the bedroom. She could see straight back, so she knew someone wasn’t inside. It was just the wind blowing. Clouds had darkened the sky before the sun had set and a storm was predicted for early morning. But she couldn’t help that her nerves jumped at every sound. She knew they would until she got out of Nashville.

But where would she go? What would she do now that her very livelihood had been threatened? This was her job, her life now. She couldn’t go back to an office.

Another scraping noise set her heart pounding. Again the sound came from the back. But that wasn’t the wind. She’d pulled the coverings over the windows at the front and the back. No one could see in, but she couldn’t see out either.

Tonya moved, her legs shaking. She tested the lock on the door. Secure. The door opened outward. No one could kick it in, so no one was coming in that way. Her breathing quickened.

A sound at the window over the couch made her spin around. In a flash, she knew what was going on. Someone was going window to window trying them. Seeing if he could find one unlocked. The windows slid left to right and had a flimsy screen over them. Easily removed.

And the windows were large. Someone could climb right in if he got one open. She waited, listening, trying to discern where he was. A thump overhead? A footstep?

Should she get out of the motor home? Cause a ruckus so people would come investigate? She crept toward the door. The handle rattled, sending every nerve in her body skittering with fear. She jerked her hand away and grabbed her cell phone. Shaky fingers punched in 911. Her breath came in low pants. The knob rattled again. Then footsteps leaving. She bit her lip.

“What’s your emergency?”

“Someone’s trying to break in my motor home. I’m at the rodeo fairgrounds arena.” She gave the address and prayed the woman could hear her. “He rattled my doorknob and tried my windows. I heard his footsteps leaving, but I don’t know if he’s gone or just trying to figure out another way to get in.”

The loud crash at the back of the motor home startled her into fumbling the phone. She dropped to her knees next to the device, her clumsy fingers grasping for it.

She looked up to see a man step out of her bathroom. He rushed toward her and for a moment she froze, paralyzed with fear. Then she spun for the door. Dropped the phone but got her fingers around the knob.

The sickeningly sweet odor of his familiar cologne took her back to the day she almost died. She twisted the lock.

Felt a hand in her hair and he yanked her back.

Tonya screamed.


FOUR (#ulink_5324296d-6785-52af-baef-7a6141c383e2)

Seth slammed the door of his fifth wheel shut behind him. He started to sit on the top step when the scream that came from Tonya’s motor home froze him for a split second. Then he snapped into action. He ignored the arching pain in his leg and raced across the short strip of red dirt to pound on her door. He tried the knob and found it locked. “Tonya! Open the door!”

A loud crash came from within. Seth stood on the second step, gripped the railing on either side for balance, leaned back and gave the door a swift kick with his good leg. It shuddered but didn’t even come close to opening. “Tonya!”

Lights in nearby motor homes flipped on. “What’s going on out there?” someone called.

“Call the police!” Seth shouted.

The door flew open, catching Seth in the shoulder. He moved back slightly and caught a glimpse of Tonya’s terrified face. A man in a ski mask tried to reach out to grab the door to close it, but Seth was faster. He bypassed the door and snatched the man’s wrist. He yanked and the masked intruder stumbled forward, out the door and down the steps. Seth shot out a fist. The man ducked and kicked, grazing Seth’s injured leg. Seth lost his balance and went down with a grunt. He rolled and stuck out a hand to snag the man’s leg. And missed. Sirens sounded in the distance.

Seth managed to get to his feet. Sleepy residents were moving slow, not realizing what was happening yet. But some of the other bull riders Seth had alerted to the fact that there might be danger were moving fast. The man in the ski mask fled. Two of the bull riders went after him.

Seth gritted his teeth against the renewed throbbing in his leg and lifted his head to find Tonya headed toward him, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Bruises had already started to form on her throat and rage ignited within him as Seth deduced what had happened. The man had broken into her motor home with the intention of killing her.

Just as he’d tried to do four years ago.

Seth reached for her and she stumbled into his arms to collapse against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, balancing himself and her on his good leg and taking his weight off the one that screamed at him. “Shh,” he whispered against her ear. “It’s all right. He’s gone.”

She clung to him fiercely, her shoulders shaking, not making a sound. But he could feel the warmth of her tears soaking through his shirt. He held her close, trying to offer her the comfort and safety she so desperately needed. Officers descended. Security and rodeo personnel arrived. Seth drew in a deep breath, the scent of her strawberry shampoo mingling with sweat and fear making him tighten his grip.

She finally stirred and brushed a hand across her wet cheeks. “Are you all right? Your leg?” she whispered.

His heart stuttered. She was concerned about him when she’d been almost killed? He simply nodded. “I’m fine.”

“Ma’am, can you tell me what happened?”

Using the palms of her hands, she scrubbed the rest of the tears from her cheeks. Seth rested his hand on her shoulder, just to remind her that she wasn’t alone.

Her jaw tightened and her eyes narrowed. She seemed to shrug off her fear, but Seth could still feel the fine tremor beneath his palm. “I can tell you exactly what happened,” she rasped, then cleared her throat. “I heard a noise, like someone checking to see if any of my windows were unlocked. They weren’t. I decided to call 911 when I heard someone on the roof. He came through the overhead bathroom vent.” She spread her hands and shook her head. “Just crashed through and came out the door and...there he was.” A shudder ran through her. “I tried to get to the door and he grabbed me.” She touched her bruised throat.

“Did you recognize your attacker?” the policeman asked.

“He had on a mask, but I know it was Hank Newman.”

The officer lifted a brow. “How do you know that if he had on a mask?”

“Because I recognized his cologne. And—” she drew in a deep, cleansing breath “—it’s not the first time he’s tried to kill me.”

“Oh.” The policeman frowned and wrote something in his little notebook. “All right. Anything else?”

She looked at Seth. “When you pounded on the door, it startled him. He loosened his grip enough for me to get away and get the door open. Thank you for that,” she whispered.

“Hey, I owed you. You saved me from a trampling today.” He gave her a gentle smile. Her tension lessened by a fraction. She smiled back but it was shaky and tight.

“I just wish I could have kept him from getting away,” Seth muttered. His leg was on fire, but not so intensely he was unable to ignore it. For now. Tomorrow would be worse, he knew.

An EMT approached. “Ma’am, would you like us to take a look at you?”

She shook her head. “I’ve been through this before. There’s nothing you can do for a bruised throat.”

Seth finished telling his side of the story and the officers left, armed with Hank Newman’s photo, but Seth knew they didn’t have enough evidence to arrest the man. He’d had a mask on. Tonya might believe it was Hank, but without solid proof, the creep would continue to be free to terrorize her.

Unless Seth did something to protect her. He mulled that thought over while friends and fellow roadies hugged Tonya and told her they were there for her.

“Tonya! Tonya! Where are you?”

* * *

Tonya spun to find herself engulfed in Mia’s slender arms. She winced at the tight hug, her new bruises protesting, but she didn’t pull away. Her best friend finally let her go and stepped back to give her the once-over. “Are you all right? I just heard someone broke into your motor home.” Her eyes landed on Tonya’s throat and widened. “What did he do?”

“Tried to strangle me. Again.”

“Again?”

“Yes.”

“So you were right. He was here.”

“Is here. I saw him earlier on the grounds and at the hospital. I have no doubt it was him in my home.” She swallowed hard. “He’s back and apparently he wants to see me dead.”

Mia paled. “What are you going to do? You still have a show to do tomorrow. Not to mention the contest in a couple of weeks.”

“Don’t worry—I’m not going to leave you in the lurch.”

“Are you kidding? Your life is more important than some stupid show. I can handle it. And there are always other contests out there. You just do whatever you need to do.”

Tonya’s heart gave a grateful beat. “Thanks, Mia, but I think I’ll be all right. Hank is probably long gone by now.”

A slight pause. Mia eyed her. “You don’t really believe that, do you?”

Tonya sighed. “No, not really, but I refuse to let that loser send me running again. I’m not going to let him ruin my reputation in this business. I’ve worked hard to get where I am.” Even though the thought of standing her ground and fighting back terrified her.

“But—”

“But nothing. I’m staying.” Saying the words made it so for her.

“Okay, okay.”

Tonya pulled in a deep breath. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap.”

“No, it’s fine. Let me know if you need me to do anything. You want to come stay with me?”

Tonya considered that. “What about Monty?”

“I’ll kick him out. He can bunk with Jake or one of the other guys.” When Tonya still hesitated, Mia rolled her eyes. “Come on. You know my brother won’t care.”

“All right. If he says it’s okay, I’ll stay with you. Thanks. I’ll have to get something to cover up the hole in my roof and then I’ll get someone to walk me over.”

“Great. I’ll go get your bed ready.”

“Thanks, Mia.”

“Of course.” Tonya watched her friend walk away, still in shock over the events that had transpired. Fortunately, Mia’s fifth wheel was only a few rows over.

“I have some tarp I can put over the hole until you can get someone out here to fix it,” Seth said.

“Thank you.” She bit her lip and let her eyes linger on his handsome face. He really was a good guy.

“I’ll walk you over to Mia’s and then come back and do it.”

She frowned. “I can help you.”

“No need. Won’t take but a few minutes. You need to rest.”

“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 (#ulink_9e220a8c-7e6e-57e4-afc4-bef79b60304f)

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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