A Cowboy's Heart (Hitting Rocks Cowboys)

by Rebecca Winters

  “If there’s standing room.”

  “Stop teasing. Can I count on you?”

  She could hardly breathe. Something in his tone of voice told her he didn’t want to be alone. “Feral horses couldn’t keep me away.”

  “I’m going to hold you to that. Are you going back to the trailer?”

  “Where else?”

  “I don’t like the idea of you being there alone.”

  “I’m a big girl now.”

  “I know, but I wish you’d stay here tonight. I like the idea of Dr. Henson being here before, during and after my operation.”

  Beneath the banter she felt he was dead serious. She shook her head in bewilderment. “Connor—”

  “I’ve gotten used to us being together. Haven’t you?”

  “Well, yes, but—”

  “So you don’t have a problem with that.”

  “Well, no, but—”

  “Stay with me tonight.”

  While she felt a shiver run through her, he said, “Would you tell Wade to come in? I need to talk to him, but I want you to stay put.”

  The painkillers had done strange things to him. In shock over his behavior, she got up and opened the door. Wade was out in the hall talking to one of the nurses. “Connor wants to see you now.”

  “It took him long enough.”

  “He’s not himself at the moment,” she whispered.

  Wade entered the room and moved to the side of Connor’s bed. “How are you feeling?”

  “Weird. Will you do me a favor and take Firebrand back to the barn at the RV park tomorrow?”

  “Sure. Kim and I will exercise and feed him, too. No problem.”

  “Thanks. When the doctor releases me I’ll take care of him until the rodeo is over.”

  “You won’t be doing anything for at least six weeks,” Liz interjected. “I’ll see to the horses while you rest here in the hospital.”

  The nurse suddenly stepped in the room. “It’s long past visiting hours.”

  “Uh-oh,” Wade muttered. “We’ve been given our marching orders. Be a good cowboy and we’ll see you tomorrow.” Wade’s blue eyes swerved to Liz. “I’ll walk you out.”

  Making another impulsive decision because of Connor, she said, “I’m going to see if I can stay with him tonight. I’ll arrange with the nurse for a cot.”

  The look Wade gave her sent heat rushing to Liz’s face. “Then I’ll say good-night to both of you.”

  Liz walked him to the door. “I told you he’s not himself. Thank you for finding me earlier.” She gave him a hug.

  “You’re welcome.” The faint smile he gave her left her perplexed. Then he disappeared down the hall.

  As she went back to sit in the chair next to Connor, the nurse came back in. Liz asked if a cot could be sent up so she could stay.

  The other woman nodded. “I’ll call Housekeeping.”

  “Thank you.”

  Connor’s eyes filled with anxiety. “It was selfish of me to ask you to stay tonight. You need your sleep to be your best in the arena tomorrow night. You need to go.”

  Her heart pounded too hard. “I’m not leaving. I want to make sure you’re all right. Don’t worry. I’ll get a good sleep on the cot.”

  He fastened his gaze on her. “If you’re sure.”

  “Of course I am.”

  “How did you find out I got hurt?”

  She moistened her lips. “On my way back from the convention center I heard my cell ring. I thought you were calling, but it turned out to be Derrick.”

  “He never gives up!”

  “No...that wasn’t why he called. He felt terrible about your accident and wanted me to know. He’s one of your fans. I need to call him tomorrow and thank him for being concerned. I’m afraid that the minute he told me you’d been carted off to the hospital I had a panic attack and left him hanging.”

  “A real panic attack?”

  “Yes. I went clammy. Wade found me at the truck and had to help me calm down so I could get ready for my event. He’s a wonderful friend, Connor.”

  “He and I may not have survived to the last three nights, but I’m planning to give him the cut of my earnings I would have given him if we’d lasted all the way. I’ve made a ton of money this year. Without him, I’d be nothing.”

  That did bring tears. She looked down to hide them. “He’ll be thrilled.”

  “He deserves it.”

  An employee from Housekeeping entered the room and put the folded cot against the wall. After he left, Liz stood and found a spot to set it up. She removed her hat and boots before stretching out on the skimpy mattress.

  “This is almost like being in the trailer. I can even look down on you,” Connor quipped.

  Liz chuckled. “I’ll admit, this is kind of fun.”

  His eyes never left her. “Do you mind not being able to take a shower or brush your teeth?”

  She flicked him a glance. “I’ll live for one night. Don’t say it—”

  “Say what?”

  “That I’m too good to be true.”

  “I wasn’t going to. You were sensational out there tonight.”

  “You saw it, even in the state you were in?”

  “My friend Brian caught it on his phone camera and showed me the video after they brought me in. He just left.”

  “Thanks for the compliment. I told Sunflower we had to do our best for you.”

  “She’s almost human, Liz. I’m afraid Firebrand feels deserted and could use her company.”

  “They’ll be together tomorrow. I’ll talk to him and give him a rubdown.”

  Connor sighed. “Will it really be six weeks before I’m normal again?”

  “Afraid so. At least to begin with. But you really need to give it twelve. According to this sheet on the bedside table, you’ll need to arrange for physiotherapy when you get home.”

  “What else?”

  Liz scanned the list. “For the first three weeks you’ll wear a shoulder sling and will have to avoid pendular exercises. Later you’ll do gentle isometric exercises as your pain allows and be weaned off the sling. At six weeks you’ll be able to drive, do light lifting and some swimming. At twelve weeks you can go riding again.”

  He groaned. “In twelve weeks I’ll have forgotten how.”

  “That’s okay. It’s possible you’ll be putting a whole new business together.” Or a whole new marriage. “That doesn’t require getting on top of a horse.”

  Jarod hadn’t received a vision about his brother. Now she knew why, and sat there in shock.

  Connor’s cell phone rang, interrupting her thoughts. He frowned. “Will you see who it is?”

  She reached for it. “It’s your grandfather.”

  “Go ahead and answer it.”

  Liz clicked on. “Hi, Ralph. It’s Liz. Your grandson is right here in the hospital bed and anxious to talk to you.”

  “I’m glad you’re there. How is he really?”

  The love in his voice was tangible. “He’s in excellent shape. Connor is tough, like you.” The older man laughed. “Once his tear is repaired, he’ll be good as new.”

  “What time are they going to do it?”

  “At six in the morning. He’ll be able to leave the hospital by tomorrow evening or the next day. I’ll be here for the whole thing,” she assured him.

  “Bless you.” His voice cracked. “You two have made this old man proud. My cup has run over.”

  “So has mine. Here’s Connor.”

  After passing him the phone, she disappeared into the bathroom to freshen up and give them some privacy before things settled down and she could rest. Hopefully more painkillers would kick in and Connor would finally sleep.

&
nbsp; For someone who’d sustained a serious injury, he was babbling like a brook. It had to be the medication. He was hilarious, and she loved him so terribly she didn’t know what to do with all her unlocked feelings running rampant.

  After she’d stayed in there as long as she dared, she went back in the room, hoping he’d fallen asleep because he needed it badly. No such luck. The nurse had just finished putting something in his IV and was recording his vital signs.

  “I thought you’d never come out of there.” He sounded grumpy.

  She couldn’t prevent the chuckle that escaped. “I bet it felt good to talk to your grandfather.”

  “He’s a fusser, but I told him I didn’t want Jarod or Avery to come because I had you to look after me. You’re a doctor, and you understand me, and you like me and my horse a lot. And you give us treats and entertain me better than anyone in the world.”

  The nurse flashed Liz a grin. “That’s high praise.” She mouthed the words before she left the room.

  “Your praise is going to go to my head,” Liz said, trying not to burst into laughter.

  “They’ll all fly here on the last day with your parents to watch you crowned.”

  “I didn’t know they were giving those out. I thought it was a buckle.”

  “No...no.” His voice was slowing down fast. “You should have been...nominated for the queen of the...rodeo.”

  “Queen?” He must have meant Miss Rodeo. There actually was such a person being feted in Las Vegas, but Liz couldn’t understand where that thought had come from.

  “You...don’t...know how...beautiful...you...a...”

  Even if he was delirious, she felt the impact of those words in every atom of her body. Was it the drugs talking, or were his feelings as strong as hers? She wanted to trust them, but Reva was still in the picture.

  Realizing the medicine had taken effect, she pulled her boots back on and slipped outside to the nursing station. She asked that, when it came time to prep Connor for surgery, they would wake her up if she wasn’t already awake.

  With that request taken care of, she slipped down to the lounge to buy some chips and a cola out of the machines. Before she returned to the room, she called her parents to tell them what was going on.

  The minute she heard their voices, they all shed a few tears of happiness over her results so far, but once Connor’s name was mentioned it was her father who said, “His disappointment has to be gut-wrenching.”

  Liz’s heart was devastated for him. “Right now he’s too doped up to feel much of anything. But in the days to come he’s going to feel it.”

  “I’m glad my Lizzie girl is there for him.”

  Dad... “He’s been so good to me, it’s my chance to pay him back. I told Ralph I’d watch over him.”

  “I know. We’ve already talked to him and he was so grateful he could hardly get the words out.”

  “Ralph’s a sweetheart.”

  “Honey?” her mom chimed in. “You need to get your rest. You’ve got three more big nights coming up.”

  “I know. Don’t worry. Wade and his girlfriend are here for Connor, too. We’ll take turns. I’d better go now, but I promise to call you tomorrow after his surgery. Love you both.”

  Once they’d hung up she texted Derrick to apologize for being abrupt over the phone. She wished him and his brother luck and told him she’d call him soon to talk.

  A phone message had come in while she’d been with Connor. Kyle had heard the news and asked her to phone him back. But she couldn’t handle an actual conversation with him right now, so she texted him with a brief report and promised to call him sometime tomorrow. Liz hurried back to Connor’s room and walked over to the bed. He was out like a light. Her heart ached because the great champion had come to the end of a long journey. But a new one would be beginning.

  Please, God, help him to find himself.

  The hospital cot didn’t do the job, but it didn’t matter. She was exactly where she wanted to be, because she’d discovered that the cover of the book she’d always found the most compelling couldn’t begin to compare to the substance of the man inside.

  Chapter Nine

  “Mr. Bannock?”

  He opened his eyes. The lids felt heavy. “Are you ready for me?”

  “You’re back in your room. The surgery is over and you’re doing fine. Your doctor will be in later.”

  “I can’t believe it.”

  “Well, it’s true” came the familiar female voice he longed to hear.

  His eyes opened wider. “Liz—you’re here!”

  Her beautiful face smiled down at him. He could never get enough of the green sparkle coming from her dark-lashed eyes. “Where else would I be? I made you a promise. Don’t you remember?”

  “Everything’s pretty hazy. Did you stay all night?”

  “Of course.” He noticed that the room was filled with flowers. “We’ve been joined at the hip for almost two weeks now. I wouldn’t have deserted you.”

  He reached out to grasp her hand, needing her touch. “What time is it?”

  “Twenty after ten in the morning.”

  “You should be out exercising Sunflower.”

  “I’ve got all day, but my first priority is you. On a scale of one to—”

  “A two, Doctor. No more.”

  “That’s good.”

  “They must have doped me up big-time.”

  “I spoke to the surgeon. Dr. Mason made a small incision so, in time, you probably won’t see the scar. He said it was a textbook case, and you’re going to be a hundred percent if you follow the rehab instructions to the letter.

  “For your information, he’s a fan of yours. In case you’ve reconsidered your retirement from the rodeo, he said that you’re still young enough and in such good shape that in twelve weeks you could get back in training in order to win your sixth gold buckle next winter.”

  Connor squeezed her fingers before letting her go. “Afraid not. I meant what I told you. My rodeo days are over.”

  “It isn’t me you need to convince. There’s a world of fans out there that can’t bear to think they’ll never again see you fly out of the chute on Firebrand to wow everyone with your genius.”

  He scowled. “It’s not genius, just stupidity.”

  Her features sobered. “You know what? We’re all born into this world with a purpose and gifts. You have many gifts, and one of them has been to entertain people who can’t imagine doing what you do. For a little while, it wrests them from their mundane existence to watch a champion.

  “To me, it’s like listening to a great concert pianist or a world-famous opera singer. How about watching a great skier win the downhill at the world championships? Or thrilling to the winner of a Formula I grand prix? You think those achievements are stupid?” Her hands formed fists. “The venue doesn’t matter. It’s the fact that someone has risen far beyond human expectations to make life exciting for the rest of us.

  “At my autograph signing last evening, a twelve-year-old girl in a wheelchair came with her parents to get my signature. She’d been paralyzed in a car accident. Before that, she’d wanted to be a barrel racer. She told me of the pleasure it gives her to watch someone like me perform and thanked me through the tears. I’ve never been so humbled in my life.

  “Don’t you realize how exciting your career has been for Ralph, who’s been doing his hardest to help his grandchildren realize their dreams? Because if you don’t, then it’s sad that you’re so blind, Connor Bannock!” Her rebuke rang out in the room.

  It reminded him of that first day in the truck, when she’d ripped him up one side and down the other. But this second chastening found its way to his inner core. While he was trying to recover, he heard voices at the door. It opened a little wider to reveal his ex-wife’s sil
houette. Wade and Kim stood behind her.

  Those startled light blue eyes darted from Liz to him. “Conner? I got here as soon as I could. Am I interrupting something?” She sounded out of breath.

  Before Connor could say anything, Liz reached for her purse. “Not at all. I was just leaving to get back to the trailer and take care of the horses. I’ll call you later to see how you’re doing, Connor. If you don’t overdo today, the doctor said you could be released by evening.” He watched her greet the others before her lovely body in her knockout shirt and jeans disappeared out the door.

  Evening? Hallelujah.

  * * *

  LIZ LEFT THE hospital at a run. Anything Connor had said to her last night was the effect of the medication. You’re a lovesick fool, Liz Henson.

  Bless Wade for transporting Liz’s horse to the Mack Center early. When she called him later in the day to find out Connor’s condition, Wade told her the doctor said he was coming along nicely, but he shouldn’t overdo it from all the phone calls and visitors. She also learned that Reva had been with him all day.

  Connor had given Wade a key to get into the trailer and bring him his toiletries and a change of clothes. That meant he didn’t intend to come back to the trailer. With Connor no longer able to compete and Reva there, he had incentive to leave in order to be alone with her. No doubt they would go to a hotel when he was released.

  Naturally Wade wasn’t about to pass on anything that Connor might have confided to him in private. It was enough to know his ex-wife had dropped everything to fly to Las Vegas. After all, she’d never stopped loving him.

  Liz decided to keep her horse in the stall at the Mack Center for the duration of finals to cut down on the transporting. But, even with her usual preparations, she knew her timing was off when she raced out of the alley that evening. Lack of concentration was the culprit. Her score of 13.77 gave her a fourth place for the night. Not good. That would bring her average down.

  When it was over, she removed the saddle and blanket. “It wasn’t your fault,” she whispered to Sunflower. “I didn’t get any sleep last night and my mind couldn’t focus. Worse, I did the unforgiveable and got angry with Connor right after he was out of surgery today. I’ve really lost the plot, little lady, but I’ll do better tomorrow.”