Read Online No Ordinary Cowboy (Mills & Boon American Romance) (Rodeo Rebels - Book 6) by Marin Thomas - Free Book Online Page B

plate away. “Young lady,” she said, “your parents must be beside themselves. You couldn’t find a less risky way to raise money for the Pony Express?”
    Tony left Lucy to fend off his mother’s questions while he cleared the table.
    “I want to honor Michael’s memory, and riding bulls seemed like a good fundraiser idea.”
    Maria patted Lucy’s hand. “You could get harmed.”
    “Tony’s going to make sure I don’t.”
    “It’s bad enough that I worry about my son when he gets on the back of a bull. Now I have to worry about you.” Maria shook her head. “I’ll see if my manager at the truck stop will let me put an empty pickle jar next to the register to collect change for the Pony Express.”
    “Thank you, Maria. Do you think he’d also agree to hand out pledge cards and hang flyers in the windows?”
    “I don’t see why not.” Maria frowned. “I can’t imagine your father approves of Tony giving you bull-riding lessons.” Maria Bravo was well aware that Lucy’s father blamed her son for Michael’s death.
    “My father won’t make trouble for Tony.” And the only way she could guarantee that was to keep him from finding out that Tony was coaching her.
    “I still don’t like the idea of—”
    “Don’t worry, Mom.” Tony offered his mother a reassuring smile, but Lucy caught the flash of uncertainty in his eyes before he looked away.
    Was Tony concerned her father might make trouble for him? As much as Lucy loved her dad, she never underestimated the power his wealth wielded. She’d witnessed firsthand how his pocketbook influenced politics in the state. If not for her mother’s philanthropic work and large financial donations to the performing arts programs at both state universities, her father would have more enemies than friends.
    A cell phone rang and Maria excused herself from the table, taking the call in her bedroom.
    “It’s probably Juan from the truck stop,” Tony said.
    “How long have they been a couple?”
    “A few years.”
    “Any plans to marry?”
    Tony shook his head. “Mom doesn’t want to marry again. It was tough on her when my father was killed.”
    And tough on Tony growing up without a father.
    “Charlotte went home sick a few minutes ago,” Maria said as she hurried into the kitchen. “I’m heading over to the truck stop to fill in for a couple of hours until Linda arrives for the graveyard shift.” She grabbed her waitressing apron from a hook on the kitchen wall. “There are chocolate-chip cookies for dessert. Help yourselves.” At the door she said, “And you watch yourself on that goofy machine, Lucy.”
    “I will. Thank you for inviting me to dinner, Maria.”
    “Anytime, dear.”
    As soon as the door closed, Tony said, “Ready?”
    “For what?”
    “Your next bull-riding lesson.”
    The thought of Tony touching her body again excited Lucy, but she worried that the more time they spent with each other, the more difficult it would be to say “see ya” after the rodeo fundraisers ended. “I better get going.”
    “If I’m in charge of keeping you alive, I call the shots.” He leaned across the table and lowered his voice. “You’ll practice until your sweet little fanny is too sore to sit on.”
    Lucy’s face warmed.
    “Come hell or high water, Lucy Durango—” Tony walked to the door “—I’m gonna make sure nothing happens to that pretty neck of yours, because if you get injured, it’s my head your father will serve up on a silver platter.”
    Even though Tony was well aware of the risks of helping Lucy, he appeared determined to stay the course. “I’ve changed my mind,” she said, following him onto the porch.
    Tony descended the steps and fetched a can of lubricating spray from the shed then ducked beneath the bucking machine and oiled the motor. When he finished, he said, “Changed your mind about what?”
    “Asking you to help me.” She motioned to the mechanical bull.
    He returned the spray to the shed then