“Let’s go, Sunflower. Easy at first.” She took off to do her ten-minute trot-and-lope drill around the barrels. At first, the new reins were a distraction, and she told Connor her horse could tell.
“Keep sticking with it, then give her a rest and come back this evening to try again. If they still don’t suit you, then forget using them. The last thing I want you to do is lose your concentration because of them.”
Good advice.
“You’re looking great out there.”
Sunflower seemed happy to be put through her paces after traveling in the trailer for such a long time. By now, they’d acquired a fair amount of bystanders watching them, but if she’d developed nerves, Connor was the source of them.
The king of the cowboys was taking his precious time to help her be the best she could be. Short of winning his love, which she could never have, she was the luckiest woman in the world to be sharing this special moment in her life with him. Liz wouldn’t have missed this experience for anything on earth.
She leaned forward and patted the horse’s neck. “Good work, Sunflower. We’ll come out again later.”
Connor gathered up the barrels and put them in the bag before they rode back to the trailer to remove all the gear. With that accomplished, they walked their horses to the barn and mucked out the stalls. A lot of nickering went on.
“It sounds like they’re having quite a talk,” Connor murmured.
“I know. Maybe Sunflower is confiding in him.”
“Stop worrying about it, Liz. I could kick myself for suggesting you might like these reins. If I’ve thrown you off, I’ll never forgive myself.”
“Of course you haven’t!” she cried softly. “I’m a big girl. I didn’t have to buy them, and I plan on trying them again. You feel too much guilt over problems that don’t exist.”
“Is that what I do?”
“Yes. It makes you a very nice person, but a troubled one when you don’t have to be. Let’s go back to the trailer and I’ll fix us some sloppy joes and salad.”
“That sounds like heaven.”
Once they reached it and went inside, Connor washed up in the bathroom while she washed her hands in the kitchen. As Liz got the hamburger out of the freezer to thaw in the microwave, she heard a knock on the door. A special knock. It was probably Wade.
She walked over to open it. There stood Reva Stevens in a fire-engine-red two-piece suit and heels. Her makeup was perfect.
Thank heaven Connor had warned Liz.
His ex-wife was a stunning woman with black hair that flowed to her shoulders and light blue eyes. She was beautiful and petite, standing shorter than Liz by several inches.
“I’m looking for Connor Bannock. This is his trailer, isn’t it?”
“Yes. I’m his neighbor, Liz Henson.”
“Oh...from Montana. You and Sadie are good friends.”
“Yes. And you’re Reva. Since Connor and I are both competing in the rodeo, he was kind enough to trailer my horse with his.”
“Is Wade with you?”
“No. He came in his own trailer with his girlfriend. Connor and I just got back from the arena. He’ll be out of the bathroom in a minute. Please come in.”
“Thank you.”
Liz went back to the kitchen area. At a glance, she could just imagine what Reva was thinking. The signs of two people living in close quarters were all over the place. If Liz were in Reva’s shoes right now, she’d be having a major meltdown.
“Hey, little princess—later on tonight I want a rematch of Pineapple.”
Reva had just sat down on the sofa when Connor emerged from the bathroom. At his announcement, Liz watched his ex-wife spring back to her feet.
Chapter Five
Connor hadn’t had time to phone Reva yet. She looked gorgeous, as usual. He’d be a liar if he didn’t admit to certain emotions flooding his system at the sight of her. Moving closer, he kissed her cheek. “It’s been a long time.”
“Too long,” she whispered.
“I can see you’ve met Liz Henson.”
“Yes.” But her eyes continued to search his. “I’ve been waiting for your call.”
“I was just going to phone you. We had to exercise the horses first.”
“Understood. Can you leave now? I’ve got a rental car outside.”
He turned to tell Liz he’d be back later, but she’d gone into the bathroom and shut the door. Frustrated, he said, “Let’s go.” He reached for his keys and followed Reva out the door of the trailer. She’d pulled the rental car behind it. He walked her to the driver’s side to open the door for her.
She hesitated before getting in. “I know you like to drive. Do you want to?”
“No, thanks. I’ve been on a long road trip. You do the honors. But I don’t want to go back to your hotel. I need to put in another practice session later, so let’s pick up a hamburger at the drive-through three blocks down the street to save time. We can park there while we talk.”
When he got in the passenger side, she still hadn’t turned on the engine. “Connor—this isn’t what I had in mind when I phoned you.”
He studied her for a moment. “Unfortunately, you chose the wrong time.”
“If you loved me the way I love you, there’d be no wrong time.”
She was right.
“I’ll always love you, Reva, but we couldn’t make our marriage work.”
She moved closer to him and grasped his arm. He breathed in her fragrance. “Once you’re through with the rodeo, we’ll try again. I’ll resign from my job and live with you on the ranch.”
He shook his head. “After a week following our marriage, you grew so restless you couldn’t get back to Los Angeles fast enough.”
“That was then, Connor. I’m ready to start a family. I know it’s what you want.”
“Why now? Two years ago it wasn’t what you wanted.”
“I’m not getting any younger. A baby will change everything for me. That’s why I came to Las Vegas, so I could tell you in person. I want you to think about it while you’re competing. Kiss me, Connor. Please. It’s been so long. Do I have to beg?”
Following her urgent cry, she threw her arms around his neck and covered his mouth with her own.
The physical side of their marriage had never been the problem. As good as it felt to be kissing her again, something was off, but he couldn’t pinpoint it right now. Out of the windshield he could see the trailer. Knowing Liz was inside, he broke off their kiss and grasped Reva’s arms. She protested when he put her away from him. He could taste her lipstick.
“When the rodeo is over, I promise to contact you and we’ll talk about this some more. But for now I need to concentrate, so don’t phone me or come over.”
Her eyes had filled with tears. “You promise?” After an extended separation, that ache in her voice had always affected him. Until now.
“I swear.”
She nodded. “I know you’re going to win. You always do.”
“We’ll see. Have a safe flight home.” Avoiding another kiss from her, he opened the door and got out.
“I’ll come back for the last night to watch you get that sixth world-champion gold buckle, and we’ll go off together afterward for a long talk.”
Already his thoughts were focused on the last night when he watched Liz take the championship. “We’ll have to wait and see about that. Thanks for the support, Reva.”
He closed the door and headed for the trailer. Before he reached it, he wiped any trace of lipstick off his mouth. The second he walked inside, the delicious aroma of sloppy joes wafted past him.
“You’re back so soon?” Liz sat at the table eating her meal.
“Yup, and I’m starving.” He put up his hand. “Don’t move. I’ll serve
myself.”
No sooner had he sat down, ready to dive in, than there was a familiar knock on the door. “Come on in, Wade!”
His brown-haired buddy walked in. Wade was a good friend and a good hazer. They’d been working together since high school. Next to his grandfather and Jarod, Wade stood a close third in the trust department.
“Hey, Wade,” Liz greeted him. “It’s good to see you again.”
“You, too.”
“Are you hungry? There’s plenty.”
“It smells good, but Kim and I just finished a late lunch. Thanks anyway. After we put my horse in the barn, she took off and will come back later this evening, after Connor and I are through working out.”
“I’ll be finished eating in a minute.” Connor glanced at Liz. “These are fantastic.”
“I learned from Mom. She’s never made a bad meal in her life.”
“That must be one of the reasons your dad is always in a good mood.”
Liz’s mouth had an impish curve. “It’s one of them.”
Wade eyed Connor with a gleam in his eye. “Lucky man.”
The green salad had a tasty dressing on it. While Connor munched, he could have added that if Millie Henson was as much fun to be around as her daughter, it was no wonder Mac Henson was a happily married man.
When he thought about it, Connor’s grandparents had achieved that same kind of harmony. So had Jarod and Sadie. They’d gotten it right.
Before he couldn’t mount Firebrand because he’d eaten too much, he pushed himself away from temptation and cleared his place. “I’ll do the dishes tomorrow.”
“Promises, promises,” she teased.
He smiled at her. “What are you going to do while we’re gone?”
“I’ve got some housekeeping chores. Leave the clothes you want washed and I’ll do them with mine. Then I’ll leave for the barn and put Sunflower through another routine.”
“When you’re done, come on over to the chutes and livestock area. I want to know how those reins are working out for you.”
“I will.”
“What reins?” Wade asked when they went outside.
Connor told him, then he asked Wade, “What would you think if I started a stud farm using feral stallions?”
Wade stopped walking. He stared at Connor as if he was out of his mind. “Ferals?”
“Yeah.”
“I know you’re nuts about Firebrand, but you’ve got ferals on your mind at a time like this?”
“Why not?” Connor kept walking.
Wade hurried to keep up with him. “What’s happened to you?”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know. You seem different. Usually—”
“I’m wound up tighter than a bull on the rampage? You’re right. I’ve been a pain for years.”
“Hey, Connor—it’s me. Tell me what’s going on.”
“I’m not sure. I’ll let you know when I’ve figured it out.”
* * *
A CROWD HAD gathered around Connor and Wade. Whether he was working with his horse or in serious competition, you knew you were watching the crème de la crème. Liz wouldn’t disturb his concentration right now to talk about the reins, so she rode back to the barn to settle Sunflower for the night.
Once she’d mucked out both stalls, she went into the trailer to shower. After getting dressed, she got into Connor’s truck and drove to the Vegas Style beauty salon they’d passed earlier in the day on Tropicana. It was open until midnight.
She’d been mentally preparing for this competition for years, but there was still one thing left to do that would give her a new sense of freedom. Cut her hair.
Why she hadn’t done it in college, she had no idea. It was a pain to wash and braid. With a shorter hairdo she could shampoo and blow-dry it in a few minutes every night. No more braid flipping around whether she was on a horse or working at the animal hospital.
There were several clients ahead of Liz. While she waited, she thumbed through the latest magazines until she found several styles she liked. The hairdresser finally told her to walk over and sit in the chair. “What can I do for you?” she asked, putting the drape over her.
Liz showed her the pictures in the magazine.
The woman studied her for a minute before undoing the braid. “Hey, honey—you really want to cut off this hair? I know gals who’d kill for such a beautiful mane.”
Liz chuckled. “I’ve worn it this way from childhood. It’s time for a change, don’t you think?”
“I don’t know. It’ll take a long time to grow back if you decide you don’t like it.”
“To be honest, that doesn’t matter. After being in a rut for so many years, I need something different.” Her life was going to change whether she won the competition or not. She needed to change with it.
Her hairdresser tapped one of the pictures. “I think this cut will suit your face best and will be easy to take care of. It’s a blown-out, straight variation of the layered bob with a casual sophistication. Some feathering and smooth curves that flip up give it a surprising contrast. The natural lighter streaks in your hair make it a great look for you.”
“Let’s do it.”
An hour later, Liz used the hand mirror to inspect her hair front and back. “I love it.”
The woman nodded. “I did a great job, if I do say so myself. With those bones, you’re a real beauty, you know that?”
Liz flushed. No one had ever said that to her, except her dad. “Thank you.”
“You could be in one of the shows around here.”
Liz laughed out loud. “Not me. I’m just passing through.” The hairdresser hadn’t met Reva Stevens, who was a true stunner. No wonder Connor hadn’t been able to resist her!
“Well, I’m glad you passed my way.”
“So am I.” Liz took off the drape. They went over to the counter. Liz handed over her credit card and added a tip. Already she felt lighter, as though she could fly around the arena on Sunflower.
After she left the salon, she stopped at a drugstore to buy a blow-dryer. Then she hurried back to the RV park in case Connor wanted to take the truck and be on his own for the night. No one was inside when she let herself into the trailer. He was either with Wade or his ex-wife.
The way Reva had looked at Connor earlier had broken something inside Liz. He’d been married to Reva and had loved her. His ex-wife hadn’t shown up in Las Vegas for the fun of it. Though Connor flirted with Liz, and had given her compliments, she couldn’t assume he’d let go of Reva completely. Liz needed to be careful that she didn’t read too much into his attention to her.
With an aching heart she reached for a Kit Kat from the sack of candy, then changed into pajamas and turned on the TV to a British comedy rerun. Liz adored the snob named Hyacinth. The fabulous actress was out enjoying a riparian feast in the country with her poor, henpecked husband, Richard.
At this point in the film, Hyacinth stood on a pier, straining to hold on to the small boat carrying her husband down the river, but she couldn’t last and fell into the water. It was so hilarious Liz laughed until her ribs hurt. That was when she heard a knock.
“Who is it?” she called out.
“Who do you think?” Connor’s deep voice had Liz jumping off the couch.
“Just checking first.”
“So was I,” he answered before unlocking the door. That was the gentleman in him.
“I didn’t expect you back this soon.”
Instead of coming in, he stood there in his cowboy hat, staring at her through unreadable brown eyes. “I’m looking for Dr. Henson, but I seem to have the wrong trailer.”
“Oh, stop it, Connor, and come in. I wish you had seen this show. It’s one of my favorites.”
&nb
sp; “What is it?”
“A British comedy called Keeping Up Appearances.”
She hurried back to the couch to finish watching, but all he did was lock the door and continue to scrutinize her from a distance. Unable to concentrate with his eyes on her, she turned off the show. “Is the change that shocking?”
Without a smile, he said, “I’m still trying to catch my breath.”
“Is that good or bad?”
“Because I’m a man, it’s good, but Sunflower might have trouble recognizing you.”
A delicious shiver swept through her. “I’ll wear my hat. She’ll never notice. As for me, I won’t have to fight that braid any longer. I don’t want any distractions during competition.”
He put his hat away and walked into the kitchen. “I could hear you laughing. For a moment I thought you must be entertaining someone.”
“Only myself. Hyacinth, the woman on the show, is absolutely hysterical.”
Connor smiled. “You have that amazing quality of being able to enjoy yourself no matter the circumstances. No wonder my grandfather loves having you around.”
“You’re full of compliments, but I sense you’re a little down. Dr. Henson is in the office if there’s anything you’d like to talk over.”
“The fact that you’re here is good enough. Let’s not waste that new hairdo. How would you like to go line dancing with me tonight? I don’t know about you, but it’ll help me unwind.”
His ex-wife’s appearance had done damage. How much damage wouldn’t be known until the rounds of competition started.
Liz’s comment to her mom before this trip came back to bite her. 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.
“I’d love to. Since I’ve already showered, I’ll change out of my pajamas while you clean up.”
“I guess I’d better do that if you’re going to let me get close to you.” A quick smile broke out before he disappeared.
Yup. That was the killer smile that had blown her away in her teens. But she was a woman now, and she’d been given glimpses of the troubled man inside his skin. Liz couldn’t find the words to describe the feelings growing within her. But already she knew there was pure gold lurking inside him, shinier than all the gold buckles he’d accumulated during his life’s journey this far.
A Cowboy's Heart (Hitting Rocks Cowboys) Page 8
