A Cowboy's Heart (Hitting Rocks Cowboys) (12 page)

“While he was on the stretcher, he begged me to find you and make sure you won your event tonight. I promised him I’d follow through. Just sit there for a few minutes till the shock wears off.”

“So he was coherent the whole time?”

“Yes.”

“What went wrong?”

“The steer was as ornery as they come. As Connor was throwing him, it bucked upward, probably causing a torn muscle.”

Liz moaned. “He must be in so much pain.”

“Even so, he was worried about you. I’ll go to the hospital with you after your event. I can promise that the only news he’ll want to hear is that you placed in tonight’s event or won it. That’ll help him get better in a big hurry.”

She couldn’t bear it. That sixth gold buckle had been denied Connor. Her heart broke for him. “His family has to be devastated after watching what happened on television.” Ralph would need a lot of support. He loved Connor so much.

“Connor has a great family who are there for him all the way and will help him get through this. He’s survived many injuries on the circuit.”

“But this finals was his last.” Her voice broke.

“I know,” he said quietly.

“It’s so cruel. He’s the best and would have won the whole thing.”

“I’m convinced of it.”

She sniffed. “But five world championships isn’t bad, right?”

He smiled. “Right. Do you think you’ve recovered enough to go inside and get ready? I’ll stay right with you.”

“I’m thankful you’re here, Wade. What I want to know is, are you all right? This has to have been heartbreaking for you, too. Connor couldn’t have made it this far all these years without your help. He has sung your praises over and over again.”

“That’s nice to hear. I’ll be fine. You know this business better than anyone. There’s always a risk.”

She nodded and wiped her eyes. “I’m feeling better and should get ready.”

“Let’s go.”

Liz had found her legs and headed inside for Sunflower’s stall. She knew how much Connor wanted her to win. Tonight she’d do her very best to keep the rodeo alive for him until it was over.

While Wade chatted quietly with some of the other contestants around her, she comforted herself with the thought that Reva would have heard about his accident by now. No doubt she’d be on a plane to Las Vegas before morning. It would thrill him to see her walk into his hospital room.

With his career over, he could concentrate on a new life with Reva that would bring him joy and, later on, a family like the one Jarod and Sadie had started.

“Okay, little lady.” She spoke to Sunflower before mounting her. “Our turn is coming up. We’ve got to do this one for Connor.”

Wade gave her a private nod before she walked her horse toward the spot where the barrel racers had started to congregate. She noticed several competitors were having trouble with their horses not wanting to enter the arena.

The swell of cheers from the crowd signaled that the first racer had finished her run. Liz watched the second racer gallop down the alley for her run. The audience roared with excitement. Sunflower sensed their turn was coming and took a few steps in anticipation, but they’d be racing next to last.

When Liz finally heard her name announced, she made her clicking sound and they bolted out of the alley into the arena. Her horse knew the cloverleaf pattern they’d done hundreds of times and did it to perfection. They skimmed the third barrel but incurred no penalty. Then they went flat out for home. She heard a time of 13.47 announced. Her best one, giving her a third gold buckle.

Overjoyed, she cried, “Good girl, Sunflower!”

Wade was waiting at her stall with a beaming face. “You did it again!”

“Thanks.”

She dismounted quickly. No matter how big a hurry she was in to see Connor, she had to drive to the South Point for the awards and then return to take care of her wonderful horse. She gave her the attention she needed plus a special treat, then she moved over to Polly’s stall and talked to her for a minute, also giving her a treat.

Wade joined her. “Follow me to the hospital in Connor’s truck. Let’s exchange phone numbers in order to stay in close touch.”

“I was just going to suggest it.”

With that done, the trip was a complete blur to Liz. Her heart rate was too high to be healthy, but it wouldn’t return to normal until she’d seen Connor for herself and knew he really would be all right in time.

He had a private room on the third floor. The nurse at the station told them he was only allowed one visitor at a time. Apparently it had been like Grand Central Station, and their famous patient needed rest. He’d be undergoing surgery at 6:00 a.m.

“You go in first, Liz.”

She bit her lip before letting herself inside.

Naturally he’d been given painkillers, and he lay there, still and pale beneath his tan. But when she approached the side of the bed, his eyes opened. Their beautiful brown color hadn’t changed.

“You got a 13.47,” he murmured.

“Yeah. How about that?” She pulled a chair up close to him.

“Where’s my treat?”

“I’m a doctor, remember? You can’t have food before surgery. Love that outfit you’re wearing, by the way. Picked it up at the Western store, did you?”

His lips twitched. “I talked to everyone at home. By now they know you’re a shoo-in for the world championship.”

She fought the tears prickling her eyelids. “So tell me the bad news.”

“The doctor is going to repair my pecta something.”

“Ah. You’ve suffered from a violent eccentric contraction of the pectoralis major muscle that caused a rupture at the humeral insertion of your right arm. That’s not surprising, since you used that arm to catch the horn of that blasted steer. According to Wade, it was an ornery critter.”

His eyes smiled. “How did you get so smart?”

“It runs in the family.”

“You’re not kidding. Liz—” She could see his throat working.

“Don’t say it. I don’t want to hear it. Five world championships are more than any human has the right to expect in this life. You’re already a legend. The steer caused all the trouble, not you, Connor Bannock. Tonight you went out in a blaze of glory no one will ever forget, so enjoy the downtime.

“This hospital will have to be cordoned off to protect you from thousands of fans dying to know how you are. Since you’re much too modest, I’ll set up a blog to let everyone know that their hero is alive and kicking. I’ll even put up some pictures of before and after. You owe it to them.”

“You’d do that for me?”

“After all you’ve done for me, I don’t know how you can even ask me that question. It’ll be a good way to advertise your feral stud farm if you decide that’s something you want to do. Now I’m going to leave so Wade—”

“Don’t go—I don’t want to see anyone else right now.”

Heart attack.

“I didn’t bring any cards for poker with me. What else do you have in mind?”

“Let’s talk about you coming to work for me as my vet.”

“So you
have
been considering the stud-farm idea.”

“I’m thinking it might just work.”

“Of course it will, if that’s what you want to do. You know you can do anything if you’re on fire for it. But it’s time to give your mind and body a rest. I’ll be back tomorrow morning after your surgery.”

“I want you here when I wake up.”

“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.