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Pictures, newspaper clippings, certificates, plaques, ribbons... Poppy’s career. An impressive career, one she should be proud of. One their son was proud of.
He flipped through the framed pictures, pausing at a picture of Poppy and Rowdy sitting on their mounts. Rowdy was little—his hat on his head, tiny hands gripping the saddle horn.
“Can I help you?” Mitchell Lee stood in the doorway, wearing an openly hostile expression and holding a shelf.
Toben refused to be goaded. “I was looking for Poppy.”
“She’s home with the kids.” Mitchell placed the shelf against the wall and wiped his hands on a bandanna. “Need something?”
He shook his head. “Saw her truck and thought I’d stop by, see if I could help.”
Mitchell tucked the bandanna into his back pocket. “Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why do you want to help?” Mitchell asked. “I know you’re hoping to connect with Rowdy but helping Poppy doesn’t connect you with your son.”
Toben waited, sensing Mitchell had more to say on the matter. Not that he necessarily wanted to hear what this man had to say.
“Poppy says you didn’t know anything about Rowdy? That this was all some sort of surprise?” The corner of Mitchell’s mouth cocked up, a challenge in his eyes. “Thing is, I don’t buy that. And...I don’t like you.”
Toben’s laugh was pure surprise.
“More important, I don’t like what you’re trying to do.” Mitchell put his hands on his hips, his eyes narrowing.
“And what am I trying to do?”
“Get even.” Mitchell’s voice was sharp.
Toben’s heart stopped.
“She hurt you. You want to hurt her.” Mitchell stepped forward. “I’d advise against it. No way I’m going to let you hurt either one of them.”
He wasn’t laughing anymore. He didn’t want to hurt Rowdy. Or Poppy—even if he was still pissed at the circumstances. “You don’t know me.” His fists clenched at his sides.
“I know of you. And what I know is enough.” Mitchell shook his head. “Poppy and Rowdy are my family and you’re not going to change that. Consider this a warning.” He stepped closer. “You mess with the bull, you’ll get the horns.”
Toben clenched his jaw, holding himself rigid. He wouldn’t take the bait. He wouldn’t knock that smug smile off Mitchell’s face—even if his hand itched to do so.
“Course, your rodeo record shows you were shit with the bulls. Your best sport was charming the jeans off every buckle bunny that crossed your path. Poppy—and Rowdy—deserve better than that.”
Toben didn’t have time to think. His fist flew out, connecting with Mitchell’s set jaw and rattling the bones of his hand. “Dammit,” he muttered. He’d knocked Mitchell back but not down.
The man straightened—a scowl on his face. “You sure you want to do this?”
Toben didn’t have time to answer. Mitchell’s fist slammed into his left eye. For a split second, all Toben saw was stars and blackness. A sharp throb, a blinding heat... He shook his head.
“Much as I’d like to finish this, Rowdy wouldn’t approve,” Mitchell snapped.
Toben flexed his hands, the fight going out of him. He’d just done what he’d sworn not to do—lose his cool. He stared at the ceiling, blinking until his vision cleared. “I don’t need to prove anything to you—”
“You just did. You want to raise a hotheaded boy? Someone who throws a fist before thinking things through? I knew what I was doing. And that you’d swing.” He shook his head, rubbing his jaw. “You’ve got a hell of a lot to prove to Rowdy. And Poppy...” He shook his head. “You don’t get it. You don’t get hard work or sacrifice... Poppy’s been taking hits for years and never complained. Nothing stopped her. She never gave up. After Rowdy’s birth, after the accident, after losing her grandfather—she got up every damn time. She’s a fighter.”
Toben stared at the man, shaken by the desperation in Mitchell’s voice. Toben understood. Mitchell Lee loved Poppy and Toben was a threat. He felt a grudging respect for the man. Poppy had every right to someone who’d love and protect her so fiercely. And though it was none of Toben’s business, he couldn’t help but wonder if Poppy loved Mitchell, too.
Chapter Six
“You got everything?” Poppy asked, shifting the inner tube to her other arm.
