A Cowboy's Heart (Hitting Rocks Cowboys)

by Rebecca Winters

  “In case you didn’t know, he’s sweet on you.” That was only the truth.

  Liz Henson was a brilliant horsewoman and had worked hard to get where she was. The least he could do to show support for a neighbor was to drive Sunflower there for the big event. Her dun-colored quarter horse had great speed. He liked her unusual yellowish-gray coat, which was set off by a black mane and tail. An original, like Liz herself.

  Mac and Millie Henson hadn’t made much money as foreman and housekeeper for that scrooge, Daniel Corkin, before he’d died. Now that they worked for Zane, there still wasn’t a lot of money. Liz did have a job as a vet, but the practice wasn’t lucrative. Even with the money she’d won so far this year, he knew she could use some physical help to get her to Las Vegas. He happened to know her equipment was ancient and liable to break down at any time along the way.

  Connor realized his life had been blessed with many gifts. It would ease some of his guilt to use his means to do something for Liz, who had incredible talent. He was proud of her for making it to the national pro finals in Las Vegas. That was where they were both headed, since their wins at the Dodge Ram finals for the U.S. circuit region winners in Oklahoma City.

  His grandfather was betting on her to win. So was Connor. With Daniel Corkin out of the way, Connor had decided he wanted to make things easier for her in the only way he knew how.

  “That’s very nice of both of you, but I’ve already made my arrangements. I’ll be driving my truck and trailer.”

  Her answer sounded definitive. Connor figured she’d fight him at first, because she had spirit and was independent, like her folks, who were the salt of the earth. Connor had always liked the Hensons, too. But where Liz was concerned, it came to him that he’d have to fight fire with fire to get her to drive with him.

  They’d been neighbors from birth, yet in all the intervening years he’d never spent time alone with her. In fact, he’d never seen her when she wasn’t wearing a cowboy hat and had a braid hanging down her back.

  “If you don’t accept my offer, it’ll hurt my feelings.”

  She chuckled. “Since when?”

  “You think I don’t have any?”

  Her brows formed a delicate frown. “I didn’t say that.”

  “Good. It would mean a lot if you’ll drive with me. Over the past few years I’ve seen you at a lot of the events and thought it ridiculous we didn’t travel to them together. But because of Daniel’s ban against all Bannocks, including you, I never tried to arrange anything.”

  “I’ll admit he was a scary man, but that’s over now.”

  “Since you said it, why don’t you bury the proverbial hatchet and accept my offer. It’ll be nice to have the company. We’ll talk shop on the way down and celebrate our wins on the way back.”

  He was pleasantly surprised when her eyes lit up. “I like the way you think.”

  So far, so good. “I’ve made reservations at the RV park near the Mack Center. It has equestrian accommodations, and indoor and outdoor swimming pools. For the twelve days we’re there, you and I will live out of my trailer while we’re competing, whatever you want.” It was the least he could do for his neighbor, and hopefully, friend.

  * * *

  LIVE WITH HIM? “I’m scheduled to stay at the Golden Nugget with the other barrel racers.”

  “I know, but you might like to be away from the others after your nightly events. I learned early I prefer being alone so nothing else gets into my head.”

  That was exactly the way she felt. The other competitors would be a distraction because they always wanted to go over the evening’s events with a fine-tooth comb. Not staying with them might seem antisocial, but Connor had read her mind and had just given her priceless advice she’d be a fool not to take. “I hardly know what to say.”

  “Just say yes. But it’s up to you. In case you didn’t know, this is going to be my last event. After Las Vegas I’m through with competition.”

  “Sadie told me as much.” Liz’s best friend was married to Connor’s brother and often confided in her.

  “My new sister-in-law informed me this is going to be your last event, too.”

  Looks as if the confiding went two ways. “Yup. I’ve got to get serious about my career, but I have to admit I’m surprised about your decision.” She smiled. “There are more good years left in the king of the bulldoggers.”

  “Those good years need to be spent doing more worthwhile things.”

  “That’s an odd thing for you to say.”

  “The fact is, I’ve lived a selfish life so far, Liz.”

  She studied him for a moment, not understanding a comment like that. “What about Wade? You won’t have room for three of us.”

  “Wade will be driving his horses down in his own trailer with his girlfriend, Kim. My traveling partners Shane and Travis will bring your second horse, Polly, and my other horse, Phantom, in my older rig with them. When they reach Las Vegas they’ll stall them at the Mack Center tent for the rodeo. The guys will be over to pick up Polly whenever you give the word. We all like our own space.”

  He patted his horse’s neck. “Since we need to be in Las Vegas by the third to attend the welcome celebrations before the first event on the fifth, I’m leaving early the day after tomorrow. Please say yes, otherwise I’m going to think Daniel did permanent damage to the relationship between our families.”

  He turned his horse to leave. When he reached the entrance, he looked over his shoulder at her. “I’ll be listening for your call tomorrow. Just phone the ranch and I’ll get back to you. Don’t disappointment me. I’d rather not be alone with my own thoughts during the drive down and back, let alone throughout the competition.” Without waiting for an answer, he left the arena.

  Liz thought about his invitation all the rest of the day.

  “Yoo-hoo!” she called to her mother when she got home from work.

  “Is that you, honey?” Millie Henson always said that when Liz arrived.

  “Who else?” she teased, and walked through the house to the kitchen.

  “You’re late. Your dad and I had Zane over for dinner an hour ago.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I was afraid something might have happened to your truck in this snow.”

  Liz stood at the sink to wash her hands. “I had to help with a birth at the Critchlow ranch. Mother and foal are doing well.”

  “That’s good.”

  She turned to kiss her mom’s cheek. “Something smells wonderful.”

  “Sit down and I’ll serve you some roast chicken. I tried that new recipe with the lemon and garlic from the food channel. The men said it’s a winner.”

  “That’s no surprise. You’ve never fixed a bad meal in your entire life.”

  Her mother drank coffee at the table with Liz while she dug into her meal. “This really is delicious, Mom.”

  “Thank you. Now, I want to talk to you about something serious. I’m worried about you driving all the way to Las Vegas in that old truck.”

  “It has enough life in it to get me to Nevada and back before it dies. But what if I told you I could drive there in total comfort?”

  When Connor had told Liz he’d rather not be alone with his own thoughts, the statement had sounded lonely, troubled even. Before that he’d snapped, You think I don’t have feelings?

  Those two unexpected revelations in their conversation had made her decide to take him up on his offer, but telling her mom would only escalate her motherly concern. Still, they always talked things over. No matter what, there was honesty between them. Might as well get this over with right now.

  Her mother put down her coffee mug. “Is Kyle taking you?”

  “No.”

  “No?” She sounded disappointed. Her mom kept hoping Liz would meet the
right man and settle down. “Then Sadie must have prevailed on Jarod to drive you.”

  Sadie’s world had been transformed since she’d married Jarod Bannock six months ago. “They offered to take me, but I said no.”

  “That leaves Dr. Rafferty. Did he offer you the loan of his truck?”

  “Yes.”

  “But you turned him down, too.”

  “I don’t like being beholden to anyone.”

  “So you decided to rent a new truck. That’s awfully expensive. I happen to know you’ve been saving your winnings to pay back your vet school loan.”

  “No, Mom.” Liz put a hand on her mother’s arm. “Early this morning Connor came by the arena and asked me to drive with him.”

  Like clockwork a shadow crossed over her mother’s face. “Connor...as in Connor Bannock.”

  “Mom...”

  Liz knew that came as a huge shock to her mother, who got up from the table. “You mean in his fancy hotel on wheels?”

  “Unless he has to fly, it’s the way he’s been getting around for the past four years. It’s not nearly as luxurious as some you see at the events. His handlers will bring Polly and his second horse down in his older rig. He’s not a show-off, Mom, that much I do know about him.”

  He was all cowboy, tough and daring to the point that she often chewed her nails watching him shoot out of the barrier on his horse. He was so fast, his event was over before you could blink. Any pictures the journalists got of Connor had to be taken while they ran after him, because he never hung around after the required autographing sessions and photo shoots for his Wrangler sponsor. She and Sadie had often commented that both Bannock brothers were the least vain cowboys they knew.

  “After all these years, why would he suddenly ask you now?”

  Liz wanted an answer to that same burning question, but she said, “Ralph put him up to it. You know he did.”

  “I’m sure you’re right about that, honey.”

  If Liz went with him, then she’d find out why he’d decided to honor his grandfather’s wishes, but she’d known this would be her mother’s reaction. Without hesitation she spent the next few minutes telling her the gist of their conversation at the arena. When she’d finished, Millie started to clear the dishes.

  “Mom?” she prodded her.

  “You’re a grown woman, honey, and don’t need my permission about anything.”

  Picking up her water glass, Liz took it over to put in the dishwasher. “I wasn’t asking for permission,” she said quietly.

  Her mom turned to her with a sober expression. “You want my approval, otherwise you would have let me find out after the fact. But I don’t want that responsibility. For years I watched you and Sadie grow up, both of you dying for love of the Bannock brothers. In Sadie’s case, her love was reciprocated, whereas—”

  “Connor hardly knew I existed and married someone else,” Liz finished the sentence for her. Although they’d been neighbors, she’d never spent time alone with him, not even at the competitions. “Even having gone through a divorce, I doubt he’s ever stopped loving her. Wasn’t that what you were going to say?”

  “Only that your infatuation with him has never ended,” her mother murmured.

  “You’re right. I’ve been thinking about that all day. Infatuation isn’t love. It’s a crush I never outgrew. After all these years of being haunted by him, I have an opportunity for the first time to get a real dose of him, one-on-one. I’m convinced that driving to Las Vegas with him will be a revelation and provide the cure I’ve been needing.”

  “And if it isn’t?”

  Liz took a deep breath. “If it isn’t, then I’ll have to take a serious look at my life and make changes.”

  Her mother turned to look out the window. “That’s what has me worried. Bannocks never pull up roots. That means you’ll be the one who leaves us and move somewhere else.”

  “You’re so sure of that? I’m thinking this will be my one and only chance to see who he really is and get over what has prevented me from moving on with another man.”

  A sigh escaped Millie’s lips. “I only know one thing. I’m afraid to tell your father. He hasn’t wanted anything to distract you before the competition. When he hears about this...”

  Liz hugged her mom for a long time. “I’ll talk to him and make him understand.”

  Chapter Two

  Connor’s black-and-silver horse trailer, hitched to his four-door black truck, contained everything you needed for comfortable living on the road. Two horse stalls with an extrawide floor and nonslip rubber matting, a niche with a bed and a sofa/pullout bed, a living/dining room, satellite TV, kitchen and bathroom, all in a nutmeg-colored wood with a ranch motif.

  While Connor stashed her bags on board and showed her parents around, Liz took Sunflower’s temperature one more time, and checked her eyes and nose before putting her in bell boots for protection during the journey. Now that the horse was ready to travel, she led Sunflower from the barn and loaded her into the trailer stall next to Firebrand.

  Liz threw light rugs over each of them. Who knew whether the big sorrel gelding loaded in the roadside stall would like Sunflower’s company or not? They were as unused to each other as Liz was to Connor. Despite the long journey ahead, Liz wasn’t nervous and couldn’t figure out why.

  When she’d told her father she was going to drive with Connor, he’d been surprisingly supportive. “I’m glad you’ll be with someone who’s been hauling himself and his horse around for a long time. More snow is forecast over the whole intermountain region for the next few days. He’s got the kind of equipment you need to keep you and Sunflower safe and comfortable.”

  Between the lines she read all the things he didn’t say or warn her about. He didn’t have to. She saw it in his eyes. Liz had the greatest parents on earth.

  After she’d loaded her lightweight, high-horned saddle, she put the collapsible pop-up barrels she used for practice in the tack room of the trailer. She’d brought protein feed for her horse, wanting to keep a balance between forage and grain. Once she’d gathered her medical bag and stored it with everything, it was time to go.

  She hugged her mom and then turned to her father. “I’m going to give it everything I’ve got to win, Dad. Thanks to you and Mom, and all your expert help, I think I have a chance.”

  “I know you do, Lizzie girl. Since Connor wants to win, too, I think you two are the best kind of company for each other. You already know what it’s like to be in each other’s skin, so to speak. You’ll be able to offer each other the right sort of tips and comfort. Anyone not competing wouldn’t know what you’re facing, particularly when this competition will be the last for both of you.”

  Her dad understood everything.

  “I can’t believe this day is finally here.”

  He gave her that endearing lopsided grin. “Either you’re growing up way too fast, or I’m getting too old.”

  “You’re not getting old.” She hugged him hard. Please don’t ever get old.

  “Your mom and I will fly down on the fourteenth for the big night. Call us when you have a moment here and there.”

  “I’ll call you when we get to Salt Lake tonight.”

  Connor had been standing close by and shook his head. “If the weather forecast is correct, we’ll be lucky if we make it to the Utah border.”

  Her mom grabbed her one more time. “We’ll be waiting to hear from you.”

  “I promise to stay in close touch.”

  “I love you, honey.”

  Tears stung Liz’s eyelids. When she looked in her mother’s eyes, she saw a whole world of love, fear, concern and pride. “Not as much as I love you,” she whispered before climbing into the truck cab.

  “I made some chili and rolls for you to enjoy on the way down. I put e
verything in the fridge.”

  “Thanks, Millie. We’ll love it!” Connor called to her before she shut the door. His friends had already come to the barn to pick up Polly. Liz had given her a complete checkup first, and a treat, promising to see her soon. There was nothing left to be done.

  Connor, wearing a green plaid shirt, jeans and well-worn boots, was already behind the wheel, ready to go. Minus the Stetson he’d tossed in the backseat, his hair had a disheveled look she’d seen often enough when he was wrestling a steer to the ground. That look suited him.

  She wouldn’t describe Connor as handsome in the traditional sense. Authentic male was what came to mind when she looked at the arrangement of lines and angles making up his hard-boned features.

  Striking when the sun blazed down on his tanned skin.

  Beautiful in motion when he mounted his horse bareback for a run.

  Unforgettable when he flashed a quick smile or broke out in laughter, usually from some remark his friend Wade murmured at the gate so no one else could hear.

  The kaleidoscope of pictures stored in her mind was there for good. Hopefully on this trip she’d see what was on the inside, the intangible traits that truly mattered and shaped the inner man. Was his inner self equally worthy of such admiration? If the cover of the book was better than the story, now was the time to find out.

  Deep in thought, she didn’t realize they’d pulled to a stop in front of the Bannock ranch house until Connor said, “Grandpa asked me if we’d come in so he could say goodbye and wish you luck.”

  “How sweet of him. I’d love to.”

  She jumped out into the snow and headed for the front porch. The temperature had to be close to thirty-two degrees. She zipped her parka all the way. It looked as though they’d be driving under an overcast sky most of the way today.