don’t like flying?”
“Th-that’s not it.”
He considered her answer, then asked, “You’re nervous about this weekend? Isn’t that my job? You never have to see these folks again. They’re my family. I’m stuck with them.”
That got her attention, made her stomach lurch. For Ty their relationship was truly temporary. When they returned from Texas, whatever this was between them would well and truly be done. They’d deal with each other at the hospital and nothing more. Which should be just fine by her since she hadn’t really expected more of the weekend than fulfilling her end of a deal, had she? She hadn’t fantasized that Ty was going to take her into his big Texan arms and tell her he’d missed her as much as she had missed him and that they’d go back to New York as a couple. Nope, no way had she been that gullible and naive.
Willing her stomach to settle because, really, there couldn’t be anything left in there, she watched him. “I know you said you and your dad had an argument, but surely you’re excited to see your family?”
He didn’t look sure.
“How long has it been since you’ve been home, Ty?” Her question was soft, but had the impact of someone shaking the plane.
“Years.” Had Ty made a run for the lavatory and retched, Eleanor wouldn’t have been surprised.
She placed her hand over his, meaning to comfort him but only managing to send her pulse into orbit at the flesh-to-flesh contact. Would touching him always affect her so? Always pull her back to memories best forgotten?
They both stared at where her hand covered his, at how her thumb had begun to trace a pattern over his. No, she definitely hadn’t had any false hopes where the weekend was concerned.
“You’ve told me a little about your family, but I’d like to know more before we arrive.”
He didn’t speak at first and she thought he was going to ignore her or tell her to mind her own business, but finally that sexy Texan drawl of his began to tell her about his life.
“My mother is the greatest woman. Kind, loving, strong. There’s nothing the woman can’t do. Growing up, I was just as likely to see her out breaking a horse with my father as I was to see her inside, canning vegetables. She wins the bread-baking contest at the county fair every year and has for as long as I can recall. She worked from dawn to late into the night every day, but always found time for my brother and I.” He smiled as if a good memory was playing through his mind. “Rarely was there a night that went by that we weren’t read a bible story, made to say our prayers, tucked in and kissed good-night by her.”
Eleanor smiled at his idealistic-sounding childhood. How wonderful it must have been to grow up in such a loving family environment. “You said your brother is three years older than you? He’s your only sibling?”
He nodded. “Mom wanted more, but there was just us two boys. Probably just as well as we kept her running.”
“She sounds wonderful.”
“She is.” Which meant his mother wasn’t anything to do with why he dreaded going home. Then again, he’d already said who it was he didn’t get along with.
“Tell me about this father who scares you.”
Leaning his head back against the plush first-class seat, Ty snorted. “I was kidding when I said that.”
She couldn’t imagine him afraid of anything, but there was definitely something off in his relationship with his father.
“Your tone changes when you speak of him,” she pointed out in what she hoped was a gentle voice. The skin tightened on his face, too, but she didn’t point that out.
He sighed, shifted his hand to where their fingers laced. “I don’t talk about my father usually. Life is better that way. Actually, you’re the only person I’ve talked to about him other than my mother and brother.”
Why did his admission make her feel as if she was different from the other women he’d been with? That maybe she hadn’t imagined just how special their night had been?
“But,” he said with another sigh, “since I’m dragging you into the middle of my life, I should prepare you. Can’t have you walking in unawares and being blindsided.”
“Being blindsided?”
“I told you that the last time I was home my father and I had a disagreement.” His lips twisted and a flicker of hurt flashed in his eyes. “I left swearing I’d never set foot in Swallow Creek again.”
He still looked at her, but Eleanor wasn’t so sure Ty saw her. He looked lost in the past, a dark, unpleasant place that held a tight grip on his present.
She lifted a shoulder. “That’s a silly thing to swear about a place where the people you love live.”
He blinked, clearing whatever had momentarily come over him. He laughed at her comment, but the sound didn’t come out as natural. “You’re right, and here I am headed back, ready to eat my words.”
Still fighting nausea, she let his admission soak in, trying to understand the man sitting next to her, holding her hand as if she were his lifeline rather than the other way around, as it had been earlier. “Why now? Why go back after all this time? Because of the rodeo?”
He took a deep breath. “My mom’s been on me from the moment I left to come back, but she understands my love of medicine.” He smiled, thoughts of his mother obviously easing some of his tension. “But lately she’s been pushing more and more. With Dad hosting the rodeo this year, she wouldn’t let up until I promised I’d be there.”
His poor mother must have missed him like crazy and been frantic to repair the rift within her family. But at no point had Ty sounded as if he wanted this trip home.
“Why did you agree if you don’t really want to do this?”
He glanced at her, seeming surprised that she’d pushed further. She knew there was more than he was telling her.
“Lots of reasons. I do miss my family.” He frowned, then added, “Mostly. Plus, if I don’t come home, she and my whole family are going to come to New York for an extended visit.”
“Would that be so bad?”
That lopsided grin lifted one side of his handsome face. “Ask me that again after you’ve met my family.”
She smiled, glad to see his usual smile back in place and hating it that something he’d said nagged at her brain. Hated it because she suspected when she asked him about it his smile was going to slip, but she wanted to understand this man beside her. Which was crazy. After this weekend, they’d probably go back to barely talking to each other.
“You said your mother understood your love of medicine.”
There went the smile.
“Does that mean your father doesn’t?” she pushed, wondering if her suspicions were correct.
“Let’s just say I’m not the son who makes him proud.” His jaw working, Ty
