I back away from the door, but Nina keeps her eyes on me as she steps farther into the office and ignores Tracy.
“You know I used to watch you when I was a little girl. You’re the first cowboy I ever had a crush on.” She leans forward like she’s sharing a secret. “Why don’t you follow me over to cart seven and I can tell you all about it.”
She touches my forearm, and it shocks me so much that I yank my arm back and bang it on the filing cabinet behind me.
“That’s enough, Nina,” Tracy says, and there’s something like anger in her voice.
Nina laughs and tosses her hair over one shoulder. “Take it easy, Trashy. I’m just being friendly.”
“What the fuck did you call her?” My voice is cold, and I take a protective step toward Tracy.
“The stand opens in ten minutes,” Tracy interjects. “I suggest you get out of here or I find myself another beer girl.”
“Fine,” she huffs as she takes the bag and keys. “You know where to find me, Bronc.”
As soon as she’s gone, I turn on Tracy. “Are you seriously going to let her work after her calling you that?”
“She’s always been an asshole, but she knows the job, and the guys here love her.” Tracy shrugs and looks away.
“Hey,” I say, and when she doesn’t look up, I touch her chin and turn her face to meet mine. “I don’t like someone talking to you like that. And I’m not having someone on the payroll that doesn’t respect you.”
“You might have a lot of vacancies if that’s the case.” There’s a small smile at the corner of her mouth, but I still see the hurt in her eyes.
“I don’t care if I have to fire every person in here, including myself. As long as you work here, you’ll be treated right.” I take her by the hand, and when I tug on it, she looks at me in surprise.
“What are you doing?” she asks when I grab the intercom.
“Setting some shit straight.” I get on the speaker and tell all the employees to meet us in five minutes in the arena, then hang up.
“Bronco?” she says from behind me as I lead her out of the office and down the hall toward the arena.
“I told you, sweet thing. I’m not having anyone run over you.”
When we get down to the arena, I squeeze Tracy’s hand so she can’t pull away from me as I go towards the stage.
“No,” she hisses at me. “I’m not getting up there.”
I turn around to face my beautiful girl and although I see fear in her eyes, I also see that she’s begging me to keep her safe. I’m going to do that by helping her face this head-on.
“Sweet thing, I’m like a charging bull, and that bitch in your office waved a red fucking flag in my face. Now I might own the steel beams that hold this place up, but you’re the one running the show, and I’m going to make damn sure every person here knows it.” She glances over my shoulder at the stage and then bites her lip nervously. “I’m going to be right beside you the whole time and if you get scared, you take some of my strength. I’ve got enough for the both of us.”
That makes her smile a little, and after she takes a deep breath she nods. “Okay.”
“That’s my girl.” I squeeze her hand and then we take the stairs up to the stage.
After a rodeo, this is where they’ll give out the prizes, so from here you can see everything in the arena. When we get to the center, I look around and see people standing on the ground below or sitting in the bleachers. At the top, I can see some of the beer girls gathered together laughing at something, and it makes me see red again.
“Listen up,” I bark and then silence falls over everyone. “Most of you know who I am and that I’m the new owner of the Circle C. What you might not know is that Tracy Walker is now the general manager.”
There are a few whispers in the crowd, and chatter starts up.
“I’m not finished!” I yell, and Tracy’s hand flexes in mine. “As the GM, she’s not only got my approval on every decision she makes, but my unyielding support. That means what she says goes. She’s making the calls, and I’m backing her up, end of story. If you’ve got a problem with that…” I glare up in the stands to the group of women. “Then there’s the fucking door.” I point to the entrance and dare them to leave.
Tracy comes up beside me, and her presence calms me down. At least for now.
“All right guys, we’ve got a show to put on tonight,” Tracy says, and her voice is even and sure. “Maguire, you're setting the schedule for the riders.” The older cowboy up front nods at her order.