A Cowboy's Heart (Hitting Rocks Cowboys)

by Rebecca Winters

  Liz still couldn’t understand why she didn’t feel uncomfortable in this situation. Maybe it was because they both knew so much about each other’s lives, there was no mystique. Connor didn’t feel like an acquaintance or a confidante, brother, cousin, best friend or boyfriend.

  He existed outside those categories, though he wasn’t a figment of her imagination. She didn’t know what he was, but so far the inside of the book matched the cover. That didn’t bother her, either. Curious.

  Once under the blanket, she made a call home and thanked her mom for the food. Liz assured her parents that she and Connor were snug as a bug in his trailer while they waited out the storm in Kemmerer. The horses were in great shape. Connor was an expert—behind the wheel or mounted on his horse.

  “Good night, you two. Thank you for being the greatest parents on earth.”

  When she clicked off, she discovered Connor standing there in a pair of navy sweats. Their nightwear more or less matched. She could smell the soap he’d used in the shower. She’d left hers and he’d used it.

  “Your parents are very trusting, you know that?”

  “Besides the fact that you’re one of the famous Bannock brothers, don’t forget I was away at vet school for a long time and am not exactly a little girl anymore.”

  “No, you’re not.” His emphatic tone sent a shiver through her before he picked up the remote and flipped the channels to an old creature-of-the-lagoon movie. After tossing it to her, he turned out the light and climbed into the niche using the same masterful agility with which he threw a steer. She laughed when he got comfortable and looked down at her over the edge. “Monsters don’t scare you?” His mood had improved.

  “Not really, if that was your intention. I’m laughing because I meant this. I’m having fun. Being in the trailer is like we’re in a little hut deep in the forest of some mysterious kingdom.”

  “With satellite TV, no less.” His sudden smile turned him into the most attractive man she’d ever laid eyes on. “In truth, I’m having more fun than I’ve had in years, stranded with a vet who’s writing a romance article about the mating rituals of horses. After it’s in print and you’ve won the prize for the world champion barrel racer, what do you plan to do for an encore?”

  She raised herself on one elbow. “Mind if I try something out on you?”

  “What do you think? Go ahead.”

  “Well, the Crow council in Pryor has asked me if I’ll be one of the vets for the reservation. Even if Jarod had everything to do with the offer, it’s such a great honor I can hardly believe it. But I haven’t given them my answer yet because I’m committed to Dr. Rafferty at the vet hospital. I’d have to stretch myself thin to do both.”

  He rested his chin on his hard-muscled arm. “And here I thought you were worrying about what you were going to do with the rest of your life once the rodeo was over. Winning money to buy a new truck is going to come in handy with you driving back and forth from White Lodge to the reservation.”

  “Don’t I wish! In order to win it, I’ll have to beat Dustine’s time along with several other unknowns at the moment. That’s a tall order.”

  “You’re the best barrel racer on the circuit this year, Liz. In my official opinion, you’re a shoo-in. To the winner goes all the pickings.”

  “Thanks for the morale boost, Connor.” She patted her pillow. “As long as we’re talking about the future, after you’ve won your sixth title, have you thought about getting involved with the Pryor Mountains National Wild Horse Refuge?”

  He laughed. “What did you say? I don’t think I heard you correctly.”

  “Oh, I think you did.” She egged him on. “When you rescued and adopted Firebrand, you got yourself a real prize. The horse refuge needs people like you. Your voice would carry a lot of weight, politically.”

  A look of surprise crossed his face. “Are you a lobbyist, too?”

  “I’m just a vet who’s an interested bystander and would love to see someone like you, with real clout, protecting Montana’s natural resources. It’s the second feral horse refuge in the U.S. Gus Cochran, one of the leading equine geneticists, concluded that the Pryor herd may be the most significant wild-horse herd remaining in the States. These animals don’t exist anywhere else, and they need advocates.”

  He held himself so still, she realized she had his attention.

  “Do you remember Wild Horse Annie, a secretary at an insurance firm in Reno?”

  “I know of the Wild Horse Annie Act.”

  “Well, she was obviously a wild horse advocate who lobbied for passage of a federal law to prevent hunting the herds from helicopters, and motorcycles that terrorized the horses and caused extreme cruelty.”

  “Amen to that.”

  “Because of her, the Hunting Wild Horses and Burros on Public Lands Act was passed in the late fifties, banning the hunting of feral horses on federal land using aircraft or motorized vehicles.”

  “You learn something new every day. Tell me more,” he urged with a genuine smile.

  His honest interest pleased her. “Seven years ago, the last three slaughterhouses in the U.S. were closed, all because certain interested parties discovered that some of the excess wild horses being sold had been sent straight to the slaughterhouses and killed.”

  He shook his head, signaling his disgust.

  “When they intervened, the BLM had to suspend the sales program. After investigating, they resumed the sales, but only after implementing new requirements to deter buyers from killing the animals.

  “There’s a ton of work to be done for their preservation. Your grandfather has a huge ranching reputation in the state. For his prominent grandson, Connor Bannock, to get involved in the fight to preserve the very kind of horse that will bring you another victory in the arena... It would be doing a great thing for man, horse and country. Of course, you’d have to do that work along with your regular ranch work. It would be stretching you to the max, too.”

  The next instant Connor swung himself to the floor with masculine ease and hunkered down in front of her. His brown eyes searched hers for a full minute. “What’s behind all this?” He was asking a serious question.

  “Ever since you started working with Firebrand, I’ve wanted to talk to you about it. He’s a very special horse, and you knew it right away. Not everyone has an eye for good horseflesh like you. Ralph said your father was the same. It seems you inherited that trait. I understand it was while he was looking over the best horses on the reservation that he met Jarod’s mother.”

  “That’s true.”

  “If you were to salvage a couple more stallions like Firebrand, you could start your own stud farm. The filly Jarod gave Sadie came from Chief, another feral. Think about it!”

  His brows furrowed. “Where did that idea come from?”

  “From you! Before your parents died, Sadie and I were over in your backyard throwing horseshoes with Ralph. We happened to overhear you tell Jarod you wanted to establish a stud farm to bring in more money. I thought it was a fabulous idea, but then your folks were killed. I could see you had your hands full with the regular ranch work and your grief.”

  “That was a terrible time,” he whispered.

  “I know, but I’ve thought about your idea ever since. Do you realize your stud farm would be unique if you advertised that you only used adopted feral stallions? There are horse lovers everywhere who’d be excited for a foal from a sire like Firebrand. You’d be preserving the bloodline of horses that have roamed these mountains for centuries. It gives me chills just to think about it.”

  “You’re not the only one.” He showed her his arms with raised bumps. She couldn’t believe it. “I had no idea you heard me,” he murmured, “let alone that you would still remember.”

  “We hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but both of us thought you sho
uld do it. You wouldn’t have any competition.”

  He cocked his dark blond head. “Where have you been all my life, Liz Henson?”

  “Right next door, working on my dream to be a barrel racer.”

  “You worship your dad, don’t you?”

  He could see right through her. She nodded. “He should have been able to realize his dream to be a pro bull rider, but it didn’t happen.”

  “So you’re doing this for him.”

  “Probably somewhere inside I am. He had to work so hard for everything all his life. Daniel Corkin was not an easy taskmaster.”

  “No.”

  “My parents couldn’t have more children. I was it, and I was a girl. He needed a son. All I could do was be the best at something and decided to try barrel racing. Mom encouraged me because she knew what it meant to him. Sadie raced with me.”

  “Don’t take me wrong, but your talent surpassed hers and everyone else’s at those early rodeos. All you needed was the right horse.”

  “Thank you.”

  “There was never any jealousy between the two of you, was there?”

  “Or between you and Jarod. If you must know, my mother suffered over not being able to have another baby. That’s why she was so happy when Sadie turned to her for everything after her parents’ divorce. With Sadie’s mom in California, there was no one else to love her except our family. Sadie was a sweetheart. Still is.”

  Connor’s eyes grew suspiciously bright. “I agree, but I have to say you’ve been blessed with exceptional parents, Liz. There’s nothing I’d like more than to see their little girl take the prize in Las Vegas. I’m here for you in any capacity you need.” His voice throbbed with emotion she could feel clear through to her insides. “Ask anything of me and I’ll do it if it’s within my ability.”

  “Connor—” she put a hand on his arm “—driving me to Las Vegas is the greatest thing you could have ever done for me. You’ve taken away the burden of getting my horse there by myself. Now I can concentrate.”

  “That’s good. You need to feel relaxed.” He checked his watch. “I’m keeping you up when you need sleep. Do you want the TV on?”

  “If you want to watch a program, that’s fine with me. If not, turn it off.” She let go of his arm to hand him the remote.

  He clicked off the TV and put the remote on the table before returning to his niche.

  Liz lay there in the dark, wide-awake. The wind had died down. All was quiet. Her thoughts drifted to Connor. She’d never slept in the same room with a man before. When she’d accepted his invitation, she’d done it to find out what the real Connor was like.

  Already she’d discovered he was thoughtful and kind in ways she wouldn’t have expected. Hidden in the many layers was a sense of humor. Buried even deeper lived a sensitive, vulnerable man. All this she’d learned, and it was only the first day.

  As for the damage his divorce had done to him, she didn’t know, but she envied the woman who was loved by him....

  “Liz?”

  Her pulse raced. “Yes?”

  “Who’s the lucky guy in your life?”

  She smiled. “Dad says they’re all lucky.”

  “All?” After a pause, “Why aren’t you with your favorite?”

  “They’re all my favorites for different reasons, but as I told you this morning, I wanted to be alone this trip. The fact that I’m with you doesn’t count.”

  “Why?” He sounded a little tense.

  “Because in my mind you’re not animal, vegetable or mineral.”

  “Thanks a lot.”

  “I haven’t finished. You’re beyond all that.”

  “In other words, you view me as an extraterrestrial.”

  “No. You’re an entity who has always floated around in the background of my life. I think that’s why I don’t find it strange being with you.”

  “You mean I’m like the specter that never went away.”

  A chuckle escaped her lips. “No. You have substance and form.”

  “I’m feeling better already.”

  “Go to sleep, Connor. You need it much more than I do.”

  “Hey—I’m not an old man yet.”

  “Age has nothing to do with it. You’ve done all the driving. I’m beholden to you. The only way to pay you back is to feed you and let you rest.”

  “Did you bring any treats?”

  “If I give you one, will you promise to go to sleep?”

  “I can’t promise to do that, but I’ll stop talking.”

  “Hallelujah!”

  He burst into laughter as she got out of bed and padded over to the kitchen. After retrieving a Snickers candy bar from the sack, she hurried back and lifted it to him. “Enjoy. You can work off the calories later.”

  Connor grabbed her hand and held on. “Want to split it with me?”

  “I can’t. I just brushed my teeth.”

  She tried to get away but he tugged harder. Liz had a hunch she was going to pay for teasing him.

  “You can brush them again. I don’t like having a midnight snack by myself. Come on up.” Before she knew what had happened, he’d lifted her onto the edge of the bed so her feet dangled. His strength in throwing steers accounted for the ease with which he’d brought her up to his level.

  “Here.” He broke the bar in half and handed her a piece. “Partners in sin.” Between the adrenaline rush he’d given her and the sugar, she’d be awake for the rest of the night. “Good, huh?”

  Liz’s mouth was full of chocolate. She made a sound of assent.

  “As you can see, I not only have form and substance, I can eat, too.”

  “I’m convinced!” she finally managed to say.

  “Then I’m making progress.”

  Yes. Way too much.

  “Good night, Connor.” She jumped down before he could stop her. One more second up there...

  She didn’t dare think about it. Her father had commented that it would be good for them to travel together because they knew what it was like to be in each other’s skin.

  But once under the covers, she had one more thing to add to this day of revelations. He’d almost charmed her right out of hers.

  * * *

  SMOKEY’S STEAK HOUSE in St. George, Utah, lay straight ahead. Connor looked over at Liz. “Hungry?”

  “Starving.”

  “So am I. They serve a great steak. I’ve been here dozens of times.”

  After being on the road all day with stops to take care of the horses, they needed a hot, filling meal. Because of the snow, they’d gotten away from Kemmerer later than he’d wanted. The highway had looked like a snow-covered pasture instead of a road in spots, which had cost them a couple of hours in time. However once they got past Cedar City, Utah, the highway was clear.

  They could make it to Las Vegas tonight, but it would be eleven at night before they pulled in. Connor preferred to spend the night at an RV park here and arrive tomorrow during daylight. Reva was probably at the Mirage now, expecting he would break down and come to the hotel, but that wasn’t going to happen.

  To his surprise, for the first time in years he felt as if he was on a real vacation and wanted it to go on and on. The ten days of competition coming up hadn’t caused his stomach muscles to cramp. Maybe there was something wrong with him to feel this relaxed.

  Liz had brought a couple of books on tape that they listened to during the drive. It was a nice change from music he got tired of listening to. He’d enjoyed both books very much and had finished off another Snickers bar during their lively discussions about the new theories behind Kennedy’s assassination. There was always another version of what really happened.

  When he’d parked their rig, Liz excused herself to use the restroom inside the
restaurant, and he watched her walk toward it. Cowboy boots on the right pair of long shapely legs along with hips encased in jeans were a sight to behold all on their own. Her braid swung back and forth against the back of her fitted suede jacket. He noticed she’d drawn the eyes of several interested males in the parking area.

  The temperature here was sixty-one degrees, so he didn’t bother with a coat. His sweater would do. Putting on his hat, he walked back to check on the horses. Their ears pricked the moment they heard noise.

  “Hi, guys. How’s the romance coming?” More nickering out of both. He smiled. “After our dinner, we’ll take care of you.”

  He closed the door and headed into the crowded restaurant. Liz had found them a booth by a window. Cozy, just like the trailer. Their eyes met. “I’ll wash my hands and join you.”

  “Take your time. How are the children?”

  “They told me to hurry.”

  She laughed. “I think they can’t wait to be outside together.”

  “It wouldn’t surprise me.” His good mood stayed with him until he was returning to their booth and saw a couple of guys talking to Liz. One of them turned in his direction.

  “Connor! We saw you pull up in your rig.”

  If it wasn’t the Porter brothers from Rock Springs, tough competitors on the circuit in team roping. As siblings they had instincts that guaranteed them another championship. Both were friends of Wade’s from their college days and had spent part of an evening with Connor and Reva in Las Vegas after they were married.

  “Hey, guys.” They shook hands. “I take it you’ve met this year’s soon-to-be barrel-racing champion, Dr. Elizabeth Henson.”

  “We’re working on it,” Monty said with a grin.

  Derrick asked, “You mean, besides chasing the cans, you’re a doc? I’ve got a sore leg I’d like you to look at.”

  “She’s a vet,” Connor inserted before Liz could. Odd that he felt so territorial.

  “That’s good, too,” Monty commented. “Our horses need a good going-over.” His brows lifted. “Is Reva still out in the trailer?”