And Then You Dare (Crested Butte Cowboys Series Book 5) (19 page)

“If you ladies don’t mind, I’m gonna whisk Tristan away to
meet my family.”

Liv and Paige were lost in conversation and didn’t appear to
hear Bullet. Tristan put her jacket on the back of the chair in front of her,
and was about to leave her bag on the seat.

“Bring it,” Bullet pointed to the jacket.

“Why?”

“’Cause you’re sittin’ with me,” he grinned.

“Whether I want to or not?” she teased.

“Yep. I told you I get what I want.”

“No, you didn’t. You told me you take what you want.”

“Same difference.”

Bullet introduced Tristan to his parents, who thankfully
didn’t mention Lyric’s prediction about her joining their family. He saw his
gram with Lyric, putting Grey in his high chair, and Pearl in a booster seat.
He hoped Tristan wouldn’t mind sitting with his kids. As busy as he knew he’d
be, he didn’t want to miss a night with them, or with her.

“This is my Pearl,” Bullet said, walking over to his little
girl whose face lit up when she saw her daddy. She held out her arms, and
Bullet unfastened the clip keeping her in her seat. He picked her up and
brought her closer to Tristan. When Grey saw what was going on, he raised his
hands too. Lyric went to distract him, but Tristan, much to Bullet’s surprise,
walked over to his little boy and took him out of the high chair.

“How’s your noggin’?” Tristan rubbed her fingers over Grey’s
head.

Grey pouted a little, but then smiled at her. “Hurt,” he said
clearly, followed by a sentence even Bullet couldn’t follow.

“He said it’s okay,” said Pearl.

Tristan smiled at his little girl. “He did? I’m so glad.”

“Yeah, it’s okay,” Pearl said again.

Tristan motioned to two empty seats at the table. “Can we sit
here?” she asked Bullet.

He nodded and smiled, his heart too full to speak.

***

1968

There was something important Bill wanted to take care of
before he and Dottie were married. He talked to his mama about it, but he
hadn’t talked to Clancy yet, or Dottie.

His mother assured him that Clancy would be honored by his
request, after she also assured him his daddy would understand. “He’s been
watchin’ from heaven, and he would approve,” she told him.

Dottie’s eyes filled with tears when he told her his idea. “Oh
Bill, you are just the finest man alive,” she’d said.

He had a meeting the next day with a lawyer, and then tomorrow
night, he’d asked Clancy to have dinner with him. Bill hoped he was doing the
right thing, and Clancy would go along with his proposition.

“Fancy,” Clancy said when Bill pulled into the parking lot of
the restaurant.

“Don’t worry, they serve beer,” Bill laughed. He knew Clancy
really didn’t care whether they did or not.

Bill gave his name to the hostess, and thought about the irony
of it.

“I have something I want to ask you,” Bill said after they’d
ordered their dinner. “There are two things actually.”

“Well, get on with it son,” Clancy smiled at him.

“About that. You call me son a lot, and I want you to know how
much it means to me when you do.” At first Clancy’s grin faded, but his smile
returned as Bill finished his sentence.

“Here’s the thing. My mama told me a story the other day. She
confessed that she sent you out lookin’ for me that night that I was walkin’ on
the side of the road.”

“Yes, she did.”

“She also told me that you didn’t have to partner up with your
brother, or take me in, but you did it because you cared about our family.”

Clancy was quiet, and his eyes clouded over. Bill knew the man
well enough to ascertain he was doing his best to tap down his emotions.

“Before Dottie and I get married, I want to ask your permission
to change my name.”

Clancy looked up, startled. Bill held up his hand.

“Let me explain. About the same time Dottie and I get married,
you’ll be marryin’ my mama. After you’re married, her legal name will be Jane
Patterson.” Bill’s eyes filled with tears and it took him a minute to continue.
“When Dottie and I marry, I’d like to be Mister and Missus William Flynn
Patterson. And I hope you understand why.”

Clancy put his hand over his eyes, but Bill caught a glimpse
of the tears that filled them before he did.

“You told me once that the thing you regretted most about
never marryin’ was that you didn’t have any young-uns. Well, you raised a son
Clancy. The man you see before you today had two men raise him. My daddy took
care of the first half of my upbringing, and you’ve been responsible for the
second half.”

It took Clancy a minute to answer, but Bill understood why. He
was feeling just as emotional.

“I’d be honored,” he said solemnly. “I can’t tell you how much
this means to me son.”

“I have somethin’ else to ask you.”

Clancy nodded and smiled. “You need to borrow some money?”

Bill laughed too. “Nah, you’ve made sure I start my new life
as a married man with a significant bank account.”

“You earned every penny.” Bill could see the pride on Clancy’s
face. “Now what’s the second thing? I’m stumped.”

“I want you to be my best man.”

“Only if you’ll be mine,” Clancy clamped Bill’s shoulder.

“Of course, I’d be honored.”

“We’re gonna have one hell of a bachelor party,” chuckled
Clancy.

“Not if Dottie and my mama get wind of it.”

“Who’s that?” Lyric asked Bullet.

“That there fella is Slade Weston,” he answered. “New hire,
and soon to be my travelin’ companion.”

“What’s he do?”

“He’s a hand. Like me.”

Tristan smiled. Bullet often referred to himself that way, but
he hardly a “hand.” He was an integral part of the rough stock business. The
partners were also convinced he was on the road to a bull riding championship.
If not this year, next year for certain.

“What else does he do? A man doesn’t get a body like his from
ranchin’ alone.”

Tristan looked over at the man they were discussing. He was a
big guy. Taller than Bullet, who had to be at least six foot four. Slade had
broad shoulders and a build that could be described as husky.

“Bulldoggin’,” Bullet finally answered. “I hear he’s also a
country singer of sorts.”

“I knew it!” exclaimed Lyric. “You can’t have power like his
and not do somethin’ with it. Damn that man is hot as a branding iron. I bet he
can ride a woman even better than he can a horse.”

Tristan laughed out loud and Bullet looked embarrassed. “She’s
done this my whole life,” he explained. “Doesn’t care what she says or who
hears it.”

“Get over it,” Lyric looked
between her and Bullet. “As if the two of you aren’t doin’ the nasty every
chance you get.”

It was Tristan’s turn to be embarrassed. And she hadn’t needed
Bullet to explain Lyric’s lack of filter.

“Jesus Lyric, people are always sayin’ how I’m so
irresponsible. Your
mouth
is
irresponsible. You can’t keep sayin’ everything you think whenever the hell you
think it. Ever hear of keepin’ some of your thoughts to yourself?”

Lyric was still studying the cowboy standing across the room.
Tristan thought he looked just as uncomfortable as she felt. He’d be even more
so if he could overhear what Lyric was saying.

“I gotta meet him.” Lyric was out of her chair and halfway
across the room. Heaven help him, thought Tristan.

“Sorry about that.”

“Lyric? Don’t be. It didn’t take me long to get used to her.
I’d be disappointed if she didn’t say something embarrassing every time I see
her.”

“Yeah, you might think it’s funny now, but wait until you’re
part of our family. You’ll get sick of her right quick.”

Tristan was sure Bullet misspoke. And she couldn’t think of a
single thing to say to change the subject. By the look on Bullet’s face, he
couldn’t either.

“I don’t know why I said that,” he shook his head. “Gettin’ a
little bit ahead of myself.”

“It’s okay.”

“Is it?”

Tristan hated the hopeful look on Bullet’s face. He’d been
right, he was getting ahead of himself, and of her. She knew he hadn’t really
meant it.

“Tristan…” he leaned in close. She thought he’d kiss her, but
he stopped short of doing so. “Do you know how damn much I want you to be a
part of my life?”

“Bullet,” Tristan scooted back, and put her hand on his. “We
hardly know each other.”

That was clearly the wrong thing to say. Bullet’s eyes grew
dark and his nostrils flared. He pulled her chair back closer to him. “You’re
wrong about that darlin’. We know each other very well. When I close my eyes
there isn’t a single part of your body I can’t picture. I memorized the look
you get on your face when you climax. I know every freckle on your nose.” He
ran his finger over her collar bone, and then downward. “And the ones that are
sprinkled here, and here.” His finger dipped inside her v-neck to touch the
lacy edge of her bra.

“There are other things I know about you too.” He leaned
forward and put his lips against her temple. “I know how damn smart you are,”
he kissed across her forehead. “And how creative.” Bullet put his fingers on
her chin, and tilted her head up. He looked straight into her eyes. “I also
know that you haven’t figured out how to let go, and let this thing happen
between us. You don’t wanna care what other people think, but you can’t help
yourself.”

She opened her mouth to speak, but Bullet put his finger on
her lips. “And you know me,” he continued. “You know you can trust me, and you
know exactly how I feel about you. You’re just not ready to hear it.”

He was right. She wasn’t ready to hear it. She wasn’t ready to
accept the things he was saying either.

“Just wait,” she warned. “Wait until you’re on the road. Night
after night pretty cowgirls will invite you into their bed, and you—”

“No Tristan, I won’t. I’m not your heartbreakin’ bull rider.
I’m Bullet. Not him.”

“As if you don’t have a trail of broken hearts in your wake.
Come on Bullet. You don’t need to be honest with me as much as you need to be
honest with yourself.”

“What’ll it take Tristan?”

“To prove me wrong?”

“Yep.”

“I have no idea.” She was being honest. She didn’t know. Time,
she supposed. But even with time, how could she know for sure? There were times
she couldn’t be on the road with him, and then she’d wonder if he was with
other women. That’s how it was with Walter, and it tore her up.

Bullet lifted her hand and rested her palm against his chest.
“Feel that? It’s my heart, and it belongs to you.”

This time it was Bullet’s turn to say the wrong thing. She’d heard
those words before, almost verbatim. Walter told her the same thing, and she’d
been stupid enough to believe him. She’d vowed never to make that mistake
again.

Tristan pulled her hand away from him, and stood. “I have to
go.” She grabbed her bag and jacket, and walked toward the front door. She
wasn’t sure where she was going, but she knew she couldn’t stay here. She
glanced to her right and saw Lyric talking to the bulldogger.

Lyric must’ve recognized there was a problem. First she looked
over to where Bullet sat, and then back at Tristan. She said something to
Slade, and stood, joining Tristan near the front door.

“You okay?”

“I’m not.”

“You want a ride back”

“Would you mind?”

“Not at all. Sisters need to stick together. Give me a
minute.”

Tristan watched Lyric walk over to where Bullet still sat, and
panicked momentarily. If she talked to him, Tristan would have to find another
ride home. She couldn’t deal with Bullet tonight, even through Lyric.

To her relief, Lyric didn’t stop. She grabbed her purse in one
fluid motion, spun back around, and walked in Tristan’s direction. “Let’s go,”
she said as she passed her.

***

“What did you do?”

Jeez,
not Billy Patterson again. Why the hell was
this guy always in his business? If he wasn’t his boss, he’d tell him to leave
him the fuck alone. “Not now Billy. Please.”

“Suit yourself.”

Thankfully, Billy walked away. Bullet didn’t want to answer,
not that he had one to give him. One minute they were talking, and the next she
was gone. The last thing he said triggered her departure. How could a guy
telling a girl she owned his heart be a bad thing? At least Lyric was the one
taking her home. He hoped that was where they were going. He’d wait a while and
try to call his sister, to be sure.

***

“I get it. He scares the crap out of you.”

Tristan hoped Lyric wasn’t expecting an answer, because she
had no intention of coming up with one.

“He’s intense,” she continued. “Especially when he loves
somebody.”

“Lyric, stop. He doesn’t love me. He doesn’t even know me. And
I don’t know him.” Tristan was too irritated to be polite. If Lyric continued,
she’d tell her to shut up. Instead, she was the one who kept talking.

“Look at his history. He isn’t twenty-seven years old and he’s
probably fallen in love twenty-seven times. He gets women pregnant, and then
decides he doesn’t want anything to do with them.”

“That isn’t fair.”

“Sure it is. He’s a serial father. Are those his only two, or
are there more he hasn’t told me about?”

“Now you’re bein’ a bitch.”

“Really? Am I? If I don’t fall into bed with your brother at
his will, have his baby so he can move on to his next conquest, that makes me a
bitch?”

“No. What you’re sayin’ makes you a bitch. So does the way you
treat him.”

“If I knew you were going to lecture me, and call me names, I
would’ve called a cab. Can you just take me back to Renie’s, please? In
silence?”

“You took a ride with the wrong girl if you think I’m gonna be
quiet. I’m beginning to think you don’t deserve him. However, no matter what
you say, I know he’s in love with you, and I’m gonna defend my brother.”

“So much for sisters sticking together.”

“This is sisters stickin’ together,
sister.
’Cause one day soon, you’ll be my sister-in-law, and we’ll be talkin’ like this
every time you and Bullet have a fight.”

Tristan looked out the window and rolled her eyes. This was
pointless. Lyric was as bad as Bullet. The two of them had a warped sense of
love, and relationships. Just because you had sex with someone a handful of
times, didn’t mean love became part of the equation.

Lyric pulled into Billy and Renie’s driveway, and stopped the
car. “Mark my words,” she said as Tristan got out of the car.

“Thanks for the ride,”
Tristan answered as she closed the door behind her.

Tristan was dozing off when she heard a rap on the bedroom
door.

“Come in,” she said before she thought better of it. She hoped
it wasn’t Lyric at her door. Or worse, Bullet. When Liv stepped over the
threshold, Tristan breathed a sigh of relief.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m sorry I ran out without telling anyone where I was
going.” She was also glad the back door had been unlocked. She would’ve been
sitting on the back stoop if it hadn’t been, since Lyric was gone before she
tried to turn the doorknob.

“We were worried when no one could find you. And then Bullet
told us you left with Lyric. What happened?”

Tristan really didn’t feel like getting into it, but since
she’d been so rude, she probably owed Liv an explanation. She certainly owed
Bullet’s parents an apology.

“Bullet. That’s what happened.”

“What did he do this time?”

This time? Tristan didn’t like the sound of that. “Is that how
it is?”

“How what is?”

“Is that what everyone thinks? That I’m always getting mad at
Bullet?”

Liv’s shoulder shrug answered Tristan’s question.

“Oh God. No offense, but I need to go home, and not come back
for a long, long time.”

“Ouch.”

Tristan grimaced. “I didn’t mean that. I’m just embarrassed. I
can’t believe I’m the source of all this drama. It must seem so ridiculous. I
mean, I’m
that
girl.”

Liv laughed. “
That
girl? I can’t
wait to hear what ‘that girl’ means.”

“You know, the single girl who comes into the group and gets
involved with the player guy, and then everyone gets a kick out of the drama
she tries to conjure up. Meanwhile, everyone but her knows it doesn’t mean
anything to him. And they think the girl is a loser for chasing the guy in the
first place.”

“Whoa! There is so much wrong with what you just said, I don’t
know where to begin.” Liv scratched her head. “It’s
all
wrong.
There isn’t a shred of truth to any part of what you said.”

“Come on Liv. It’s classic
rodeo stereotype.”

“This is ridiculous.”

“See? I just said it was.”

“No, the thing between you
and Bullet isn’t ridiculous. Your summation of it is.”

Liv sat down on the bed.
“Honey, there’s one thing you are doing. You’re conjuring up a lot of
unnecessary drama.”

Tristan covered her face
with her hands.

“The difficult part is
that you’re so mature otherwise. Most of the time it’s hard to remember you’re only
twenty-seven. Except when it comes to Bullet. Then it’s easy to remember.”

“Liv!”

“Do you want to know what I
think?”

“There’s more?”

“No. What I think about you
and Bullet?”

“You’re going to tell me
whether I want you to or not, right?”

“Pretty much. The two of
you like each other very much. If Bullet met you earlier in his life, I doubt
he would’ve made the mistakes he has.”

When Tristan’s head shot
up, Liv raised her hand. “Don’t misunderstand me. I don’t think either of those
two beautiful children are a mistake. And no matter what else you think of him,
Bullet is a very good father. He loves Grey and Pearl so much.”

“I know he does,” Tristan
murmured.

“You think he’s playing
with you. I thought the same thing when I first met Ben. I was convinced I was
one of a long line of one-night-stands. It took him months to prove me wrong.
Don’t waste the same amount of time I did.”

“Liv—”

“I’m not finished. It’s
possible that you more than ‘like’ each other. In Bullet’s case, he’s ready to
admit his true feelings. You’re not there yet. You asked me earlier if everyone
thinks you’re always getting mad at him. Yes, everyone does. We also know that
as soon as the two of you see each other again, you make up.”

“Are you finished?”

“Nope. Here’s what else I
think. Bullet isn’t anything like the cowboy who broke your heart. He isn’t
lying to you Tristan. He genuinely has feelings for you.”

“And?”

“And…quit over-thinking it
so much. Quit trying to put it in a box. It’s as though you give in to your
feelings, and then sit back and wait for him to do something that proves you
shouldn’t care about him. Stop it.”