Ty began, but didn’t finish as they were interrupted.
“There you two are!” His mother stepped up, all smiles, but her gaze went back and forth anxiously between Ty and his father. “Harold, Harry was looking for you. William is up in a few. He thought you might have a few words of advice prior to his turn. You’re so good at that kind of thing.”
The giant of a man Ty called his father looked at his wife as if he knew exactly what she was doing, but he just nodded. “Fine, I’ll go talk to the boy.” His gaze went back to Ty, dropped to where his and Eleanor’s hands were clasped, then he shook his head. “Ain’t like there’s a lot to riding a sheep, though, and he didn’t need my input when he won the calf-roping competition. That boy may only be four, but he has been taught right.”
His father mumbled a few more things that Eleanor didn’t quite catch before he disappeared through the crowd to go and encourage his grandson. At least, she hoped he was going to encourage his grandson. After how he’d interacted with Ty she had to wonder if the man knew how.
His mother gave them an apologetic look, then took off after her husband, no doubt to grill him about what he’d been saying to Ty. Good. Eleanor hoped she gave him an earful.
“Wow,” she breathed, glancing up at Ty. “You weren’t kidding when you said he didn’t approve of your medical career.”
“Nope.”
Ty’s expression remained tight, withdrawn. She didn’t like it, wanted back the closeness they’d shared all evening, all day really. But she didn’t know what to say because she didn’t understand Ty’s father’s reaction to his son. How could any man not be proud of a son like Ty, who dedicated his life to helping those in need?
Since words failed her, she lifted his hand to her lips and pressed a soft kiss there. “You are a wonderful doctor, Tyler Donaldson. Your patients and their families think you are wonderful. You have a special gift and everyone at Angel’s benefits from you being there. Me included.” She paused, took a deep breath. “Actually, me especially.”
His gaze met hers, darkened. “Thank you, Ellie. I needed that.” His hand slipped around her waist, pulling her in for a hug. He bent, whispered in her ear, “I needed you.”
Ty held Ellie tightly in his arms, his face close to her hair, breathing in her lightly seductive scent while they danced on the crowded dance floor.
All evening he’d found himself touching her. Her hand. Her face. Her arms. Her back. Anywhere just to reassure himself that she was really there, that she was real.
All evening he’d found his gaze meeting hers, knowing what she was thinking, sharing secret smiles, laughing at her comments over some of the events, proud to show her off to his childhood friends and family, anxious to get her home so he could peel off her jeans and have her and those red boots all to himself.
“I know I’m not the best at Texas two-stepping.” Her startled voice broke into his thoughts. “But did you just growl at me?”
Ty grinned at the woman in his arms. Tonight could have been horrible, a blast from the past, but, thanks to her, it hadn’t. With the exception of when he’d come face-to-face with his father, he’d actually had a great time. “Maybe. Did I?”
“I believe you did.”
“I guess you bring out the growl in me.”
Her arms around his neck, her face bright with happiness, she laughed. “Thank you, Ty.”
He couldn’t help but want to lock the magical sound away inside him to pull out on some rainy day. Ellie’s laughter could chase away clouds, could chase away Texas tornadoes.
“I’ve had fun tonight,” she continued, missing a step and landing on his toes. “Oops!” She gave him a little apologetic look, then smiled and added, “More fun than I can remember having in a long time.”
“Me, too, Ellie.” He slid his fingers beneath her chin, lifted her face, stared into her lovely brown eyes. “But for the record the night isn’t over and what comes later is a lot more fun.”
Her gaze locked with his, she nodded her understanding, smiled. “Promises, promises.”
“No worries, darlin’.” He dropped a kiss on the tip of her nose. “I’m a man of my word.”
“You really were good at riding, weren’t you?” Eleanor asked later that night while lying in the crook of Ty’s arms in his big king-size bed.
His bare chest rumbling with amusement, he tickled her side. “You should already know the answer to that firsthand.”
Feeling almost decadent, she giggled and squirmed against him. “I am not a horse or a cow, Tyler Donaldson.”
Within seconds he had her pinned beneath him and grinned. “No, but you ride like a—”
Laughing, her mouth dropped open and she feigned looking aghast, and his head lowered, brushed a kiss across her parted lips.
He waggled his brows. “Sorry, couldn’t resist.”
“Try harder next time.”
“I’ll give you hard.” Proof of his claim pressed against her hip.
“Ty!”
“Now, say it again,” he teased, his eyes telling her exactly what he meant, what he intended. “This time with more feeling.”
He kissed her. Over and over.
When his name next left her lips he didn’t have to ask for more feeling, for more of anything.
She gave him everything she had within her to give.
CHAPTER TEN
THE NEXT MORNING Ty woke with a jerk as Ellie shot out of bed and rushed to the bathroom. Startled out of a deep peaceful sleep, his bare feet had barely hit the cold hardwood floor when the sound of her retching met his ears.
Was she okay? Too much barbecue and sex the night before? Or had her travel sickness not ever completely cleared?
Without a word he entered the bathroom, got a cold, wet washcloth and placed it to her clammy forehead.
Looking miserable, she knelt next to the toilet, her shoulders slumped, her body quivering, her eyes closed.
“I’d ask if you’re okay, but obviously you’re not.” He hated the thought of her not feeling well. He was a doctor, should be able to do something to ease her symptoms. “You want a drink of water?”
She nodded ever so slightly as if she was afraid that any movement might trigger another round of losing any remaining contents of her stomach.
He took a disposable paper cup from a dispenser on the sink and filled it with cool water. She took the cup, swished the water around her mouth and spat in the toilet several times.
“I’m so embarrassed,” she said in a weak voice, her eyes squeezed tightly shut. “I hate that you saw me
