A Cowboy's Heart (Hitting Rocks Cowboys) (4 page)

Since then, she’d become a doctor of veterinarian medicine. No doubt she’d have to work years to pay off her loan for medical school. Besides the gold buckle, she’d win the big money, so maybe she could buy a new truck. More than ever he wanted her to be able to take those prizes home. No one deserved them more than she did. The relic she’d been driving was on its last legs.

He was glad she’d come with him. The storm hadn’t let up. It could snow another hour or two, but they and their horses were safe and cozy inside the trailer. His mood had been dark for the past few months despite his wins, but right now he felt a lifting of his spirits and liked the feeling.

Connor got to his feet and took his dishes over to the minikitchen. “What do you say we give the horses a little exercise now?”

“I can see you’re dying to find out how they’re getting along.”

“Aren’t you?”

She flashed him an intriguing smile before putting on her parka and gloves. Her black cowboy hat came last. After he put on his gear, they walked out into a white world. The snow wasn’t coming down as hard, but it was steady. Like a child, she put her head back to catch some snowflakes on her tongue, reminding him of his youth. He hadn’t had this much fun in a long time.

Connor opened the back of the trailer and they walked inside. Both of them spoke in low tones to their horses as they led them outside for some exercise. After they’d gone a distance, they stopped.

“It feels like we’re in wonderland.” She half laughed the words. “Look, Connor. Did you see what Sunflower just did when Firebrand smelled her breath?”

He couldn’t say that he had because he’d been looking at the expression of delight on her face. “What did I miss?”

“Sunflower’s head lifted in the air and she lowered her ears. See how she’s chewing on the air? That’s a submissive gesture in front of Firebrand because she recognizes his higher rank. Her foal-like behavior is so sweet. I think they really do like each other!”

Connor patted his horse’s neck. “Is that true, buddy? Are you falling for Sunflower?”

A nicker came out of his horse, followed by one from hers.

“I swear he understood you!”

“Maybe they’ve been giving each other tips.”

Her amused gaze met his, sending an emotional response through him he hadn’t expected. How was it that Liz had been his neighbor for twenty-six years, yet it had taken until now to start seeing inside this attractive woman who he already knew had the heart of a champion?

“You mean about racing?”

“And other things...”

Gentle laughter escaped her throat. “You think they’re making plans for after we leave them alone for the night?”

“Something like that. Firebrand hasn’t been around such a fetching little mare in a long time. Being gelded doesn’t mean he’s forgotten anything.”

Her eyes sparkled through the falling snow. “Come to think of it, Firebrand’s Spanish heritage is pretty exciting, with those horizontal zebra stripes on the backs of his forelegs. His coloring is unique, even among ferals. It gets a female thinking.”

He moved closer to her. It brought the horses closer together. “And here I thought it was only the male who was a leg man.”

“You’d be surprised what captures the attention of the female.”

“What else, for example?” he drawled.

“Oh, the white star on Firebrand’s forehead and his dorsal stripe. And he’s a powerful size. Makes a female feel protected. Notice how she’s been scratching him on the rump with her teeth? She likes being around him.”

“He likes a good scratch.”

Her arched brows lifted. “Well, he’s getting one. Amazing she knew where he itched.”

“Lucky him. Who would have thought being stuck out in the back of beyond during a blizzard he would find such bliss?”

“It proves pure chemistry can work anywhere, but I think we’d better take them in. I want to check their gums and temperatures.”

“If they both have a fever, we’ll know romance is definitely in the air.”

As she walked ahead of him with Sunflower, her laughter rippled back to tease his senses. He followed her into the trailer. After they’d dried off the horses, she gave them a thorough checkup while he cleaned the floor and put out fresh water and hay.

They worked as a team. No unmet expectations. No trauma of any kind. No deadlines. All that lay ahead of them was the rest of the night together. Nothing could have suited him better.

“It’s still coming down, Liz. We’re going to have to stay here until morning. By then the highway will have been plowed and we’ll have a straight shot to Salt Lake. Depending on the weather tomorrow, we might make it to Las Vegas by nightfall.”

“I’m glad we’re not taking chances. Our horses need special handling at a time like this if we expect the very best from them in the arena.”

“Amen.”

She threw the light rugs over them. “They look good and are probably wishing we’d leave them alone. Okay, guys. Treat time.” She reached in her parka for some Uncle Jimmy’s Squeezy Buns. She gave a few to Connor to give his horse.

“Did you see that? Sunflower starts talking when she hears the wrapper being opened. I swear she’d drool if she could.”

Another chuckle came out of Connor, who fed Firebrand. After they’d finished their chores, he followed Liz out of the back. Just before he closed things up, he heard more nickering between both horses. Liz’s mouth curved into a mischievous smile. “I’d say all is well.”

Yup. Everybody was happy. It surprised him how much he was looking forward to more time alone with her.

The ringing of his cell phone broke the magic of the moment, preventing him from responding. He pulled it from the pocket of his jeans to check the caller ID.

Reva? He might have known. She knew how to choose her times.

Damn.

“Go ahead and take it while I clean up the kitchen.” She hurried around the end of the trailer. Liz couldn’t have known who was calling, but good manners stopped her from asking questions or lingering. Not that he’d been trying, but so far he hadn’t found anything wrong with her. Quite the opposite, in fact.

He could talk to his ex-wife now or call her back later. The choice was his. But in that moment, while he was deciding what he wanted to do, he realized more than ever how much his feelings had changed since they’d been divorced. The old Connor wouldn’t have let it ring a fifth time.

Before long she’d left him a text message.

Connor? Know u r on the road. Want u to know I’ll be in Las Vegas tomorrow.

No way. He had no desire to see her while he was there to compete. There was no time for her. He and Wade had their horses to exercise and take care of.

I took off work. Have reserved honeymoon suite at the Mirage. Hope to give our marriage another try.

Where was this coming from? Something new had to be going on in her life. Maybe she’d broken up with the television producer she’d been dating since their divorce. Some kind of change was in the works. He knew Reva. For them to reconnect, she’d have to leave Los Angeles, because ranching was his life. She hated ranch life. If he didn’t know anything else, he knew that.

She’d had two years to think about it. So had he, but he wasn’t sure if he wanted her back, even if she gave up her television career and agreed to live with him on the ranch. Two years had changed him, and would have changed her. It would mean starting over again.

He doubted she would ever get the show biz bug out of her system. Connor couldn’t blame her for that, any more than he could stamp the rodeo bug out of his blood. She was pursuing her dreams. With the right marriage she could go on doing it.

Key at front desk. Let yourself in. Middle of night doesn’t matter. Dying to see you, lover. Miss u more than ever.

Connor couldn’t honestly say the same. What was going on with her?

The snow kept falling.

Shielding his phone, he replied with his own text message.

Reva? May not make Las Vegas by tomorrow. Can’t stay at Mirage. Give u a call later.

The Mirage was home to the NFR steer wrestlers, but she knew he preferred staying in his own trailer. After he put the phone back in his pocket, he walked around to the entrance. Shaking more snow off everything, he stepped inside and hung his things up. No sign of Liz, which meant she was in the bathroom. She’d cleaned up the kitchen.
Her appeal was growing on him in ways he hadn’t anticipated.

He washed his hands and poured himself another cup of coffee. While she was busy, he phoned Wade. He and Kim had made it to Evanston. So far, so good. They talked about the weather for a minute before hanging up.

He made one more call, to his grandfather, who sounded relieved to hear Connor’s voice. After assuring him that he and Liz were fine, Connor asked how Ralph’s day had gone. That was when he learned Ned would be coming home tomorrow for a supervised overnight visit. His first since being at the mental health facility.

Connor put his coffee down. “Does Jarod know?”

“Yes. I told him that he and Sadie ought to go out to the reservation while he’s here.”

“Good plan. You don’t want anything to go wrong that could set him off.”

“According to the doctor, Ned is making a turnaround. We’re all keeping our fingers crossed.”

“I will, too.”

“Bless you, son. What you need to do is keep concentrating on the competition. Tell me about the little princess.” That was what Ralph had always called Liz.

“She’s a great vet and terrific company.” All of it true. But he’d already found out she was a lot more than that.

“That’s what I needed to hear. I assured her father you were taking good care of her.”

“We’re taking good care of each other. Let him know Millie’s chili and rolls were a sensation.”

“I’ll tell him.” After a silence, “Son?” Connor heard him hesitate. “Reva called the house earlier. I told her you were already on your way to Las Vegas.”

He gripped his phone tighter. “She texted me.” Connor could hear the question his grandfather didn’t ask. It was the question Connor couldn’t answer.

Ralph never pried. That was what made him so lovable.

“I’ll call you tomorrow night, Grandpa. Maybe by then you can tell me how the visit went with Ned. Sleep well and don’t worry about a thing.”

“Ha! Just wait till one of your grandchildren tells you the same thing.”

That last comment stayed with him as he hung up the phone. Since the divorce, he couldn’t see himself having children, let alone grandchildren. Much to his grandfather’s disappointment, as well as Connor’s own personal pain, that didn’t appear to be in his future.

Right now he didn’t want to think about it.

Chapter Three

“Connor? Is everything all right?”

His head jerked up.

Liz had just come out of the bathroom in her new nautical-design pajamas in navy with polka dots on the bottoms. She’d washed her hair and had braided it again.

“Perfect,” he said automatically, but she didn’t believe him. “Where do you want to sleep? Up in the niche or near the floor? Both are comfortable.”

“I think the sofa pullout bed.” It was closer to the bathroom and the kitchen if for any reason she had to get up in the night. In the back of her mind she imagined Connor had probably slept with Reva in the niche with its pull-down ladder.

“Good. I’ll take my shower now. By the way, I had keys made for you to open the trailer and the truck. I put them there on the counter.”

“That was very considerate. Thank you.”

“Anything to oblige.”

By his tone of voice, something was wrong and it worried her.

She turned on the TV to the weather channel and then made her bed. To her surprise, his low-profile satellite dish was still allowing transmission despite the snow. The forecast predicted more intermittent flurries through Wyoming and the northern half of Utah tomorrow, but the southern half would be warmer and might see a little sun. Las Vegas was enjoying sixty-three–degree weather during the day and lower forties at night with some wind.

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 should 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.