ten-year-old Chevy pickup under the wrought-iron gate and up the half-mile-long driveway to the heart of the 9,000-acre Tolman Ranch. The ranch’s outer landscape was untouched desert, where sixty-year-old saguaros with upraised arms towered over natural gardens of cactus, paloverdes, boulders, and a spring with a waterfall that nourished birds and animals. Driving through on his way to the house, Shane had seen deer, foxes, and javelinas out here, as well as hawks and golden eagles.
A quarter mile in, the land opened into grassy pastures with stout metal fencing, where the pedigreed Tolman bucking bulls grazed and exercised. Other pastures held cows and calves, heifers, and younger bulls. On the far side of the pastures were corrals and chutes, a stable and paddock for horses, a hay barn, equipment sheds, and a small arena.
The house, set on a low rise, was a rambling structure of wood, stone, and glass. The broad, covered porch that wrapped around two sides offered a view of the pastures and the bulls that were Brock Tolman’s passion. In his twenties he’d invested a modest inherited fortune into high-tech stocks. He’d made enough money to retire in his thirties and do what he’d always wanted to do—raise bucking bulls.
As Shane drove up to the house, Brock rose from his chair on the porch and set the bottle of Michelob Gold he was holding on a side table. At the age of forty, he was a muscular 6’4” with chiseled features and a close-clipped beard, and he moved like a man who wouldn’t step aside for anybody.
Shane had long since learned that Brock was exceedingly private. He’d been married and divorced years ago, but he never spoke of it. And any women in his life were kept discreetly out of the picture.
“I take it you didn’t make any more progress with the Champion girl.” He stood on the edge of the porch and waited for Shane to join him.
“That depends on what you call ‘progress.’ I turned on the charm, but she wasn’t buying what I was selling.”
“Well, sit down and tell me about it, if there’s anything to tell.” Brock motioned to the empty leather chair next to his. As if summoned by some secret signal, the old man who served as his cook and butler appeared with an open beer, which he handed to Shane before shuffling back into the house.
“You owe me for one thing.” Shane took a long swallow of the cold liquid. “When she saw through that stunt with the drunk coming on to her, I took the blame for it. I didn’t tell her it was your idea.”
Brock laughed. “Well, it was worth a try. I take it she wasn’t too happy.”
“She said it was a dirty, low-down trick. And I agreed with her. Don’t underestimate Lexie Champion, Brock. She’s smart and tough. Nobody’s going to charm her into selling that bull.” He took a moment to give Brock a quick rundown of what had happened in the hospital and in the parking lot.
Brock’s eyes narrowed. “You like her, don’t you?”
Shane shrugged. “What’s not to like? She’s got a mind and a heart to go with that pretty face. And the next time you want to try playing her for a fool, you can get yourself another boy.”
Brock laughed again—a sinister Santa sort of laugh, coming from deep in his chest. “Good Lord, you don’t just like her. You’ve fallen for the girl. She’s got you wrapped around her pretty finger—which makes you no use to me at all. So let’s talk about the bull—Whirlwind. What did you really think of him? Is he superstar material?”
“He puts on a great show. But we won’t know that for sure until we see how he does with world-class riders. If he can buck off the likes of J.B. or the Brazilians, or give them spectacular scores if they stay on, then we’ll know he’s something special.”
Brock frowned. “And then, naturally, his worth will go up. You’re talking fifty thousand dollars at least, maybe twice that.”
“You can afford it—but I’m betting the Champion sisters won’t sell. If he turns out to be a top bull, they’ll be able to retire and live on his stud fees.”
“We’ll see.” Brock’s fingers drummed on the arm of the chair. Shane could sense his mind working. “Here’s what I’m thinking,” he said. “You’re bound to run into Miss Lexie Champion and Whirlwind on the PBR circuit. I’m not asking you to seduce the girl or play any tricks.