A Cowboy's Heart

“Mom...”

Liz knew that came as a huge shock to her mother, who got up from the table. “You mean in his fancy hotel on wheels?”

“Unless he has to fly, it’s the way he’s been getting around for the past four years. It’s not nearly as luxurious as some you see at the events. His handlers will bring Polly and his second horse down in his older rig. He’s not a show-off, Mom, that much I do know about him.”

He was all cowboy, tough and daring to the point that she often chewed her nails watching him shoot out of the barrier on his horse. He was so fast, his event was over before you could blink. Any pictures the journalists got of Connor had to be taken while they ran after him, because he never hung around after the required autographing sessions and photo shoots for his Wrangler sponsor. She and Sadie had often commented that both Bannock brothers were the least vain cowboys they knew.

“After all these years, why would he suddenly ask you now?”

Liz wanted an answer to that same burning question, but she said, “Ralph put him up to it. You know he did.”

“I’m sure you’re right about that, honey.”

If Liz went with him, then she’d find out why he’d decided to honor his grandfather’s wishes, but she’d known this would be her mother’s reaction. Without hesitation she spent the next few minutes telling her the gist of their conversation at the arena. When she’d finished, Millie started to clear the dishes.

“Mom?” she prodded her.

“You’re a grown woman, honey, and don’t need my permission about anything.”

Picking up her water glass, Liz took it over to put in the dishwasher. “I wasn’t asking for permission,” she said quietly.

Her mom turned to her with a sober expression. “You want my approval, otherwise you would have let me find out after the fact. But I don’t want that responsibility. For years I watched you and Sadie grow up, both of you dying for love of the Bannock brothers. In Sadie’s case, her love was reciprocated, whereas—”

“Connor hardly knew I existed and married someone else,” Liz finished the sentence for her. Although they’d been neighbors, she’d never spent time alone with him, not even at the competitions. “Even having gone through a divorce, I doubt he’s ever stopped loving her. Wasn’t that what you were going to say?”

“Only that your infatuation with him has never ended,” her mother murmured.

“You’re right. I’ve been thinking about that all day. Infatuation isn’t love. It’s a crush I never outgrew. After all these years of being haunted by him, I have an opportunity for the first time to get a real dose of him, one-on-one. I’m convinced that driving to Las Vegas with him will be a revelation and provide the cure I’ve been needing.”

“And if it isn’t?”

Liz took a deep breath. “If it isn’t, then I’ll have to take a serious look at my life and make changes.”

Her mother turned to look out the window. “That’s what has me worried. Bannocks never pull up roots. That means you’ll be the one who leaves us and move somewhere else.”

“You’re so sure of that? 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.”

A sigh escaped Millie’s lips. “I only know one thing. I’m afraid to tell your father. He hasn’t wanted anything to distract you before the competition. When he hears about this...”

Liz hugged her mom for a long time. “I’ll talk to him and make him understand.”

Chapter Two (#ulink_73cb0ec7-cfea-5536-89e9-ea45f36f76af)

Connor’s black-and-silver horse trailer, hitched to his four-door black truck, contained everything you needed for comfortable living on the road. Two horse stalls with an extrawide floor and nonslip rubber matting, a niche with a bed and a sofa/pullout bed, a living/dining room, satellite TV, kitchen and bathroom, all in a nutmeg-colored wood with a ranch motif.

While Connor stashed her bags on board and showed her parents around, Liz took Sunflower’s temperature one more time, and checked her eyes and nose before putting her in bell boots for protection during the journey. Now that the horse was ready to travel, she led Sunflower from the barn and loaded her into the trailer stall next to Firebrand.

Liz threw light rugs over each of them. Who knew whether the big sorrel gelding loaded in the roadside stall would like Sunflower’s company or not? They were as unused to each other as Liz was to Connor. Despite the long journey ahead, Liz wasn’t nervous and couldn’t figure out why.

When she’d told her father she was going to drive with Connor, he’d been surprisingly supportive. “I’m glad you’ll be with someone who’s been hauling himself and his horse around for a long time. More snow is forecast over the whole intermountain region for the next few days. He’s got the kind of equipment you need to keep you and Sunflower safe and comfortable.”

Between the lines she read all the things he didn’t say or warn her about. He didn’t have to. She saw it in his eyes. Liz had the greatest parents on earth.

After she’d loaded her lightweight, high-horned saddle, she put the collapsible pop-up barrels she used for practice in the tack room of the trailer. She’d brought protein feed for her horse, wanting to keep a balance between forage and grain. Once she’d gathered her medical bag and stored it with everything, it was time to go.

She hugged her mom and then turned to her father. “I’m going to give it everything I’ve got to win, Dad. Thanks to you and Mom, and all your expert help, I think I have a chance.”

“I know you do, Lizzie girl. Since Connor wants to win, too, I think you two are the best kind of company for each other. You already know what it’s like to be in each other’s skin, so to speak. You’ll be able to offer each other the right sort of tips and comfort. Anyone not competing wouldn’t know what you’re facing, particularly when this competition will be the last for both of you.”

Her dad understood everything.

“I can’t believe this day is finally here.”

He gave her that endearing lopsided grin. “Either you’re growing up way too fast, or I’m getting too old.”

“You’re not getting old.” She hugged him hard. Please don’t ever get old.

“Your mom and I will fly down on the fourteenth for the big night. Call us when you have a moment here and there.”

“I’ll call you when we get to Salt Lake tonight.”

Connor had been standing close by and shook his head. “If the weather forecast is correct, we’ll be lucky if we make it to the Utah border.”

Her mom grabbed her one more time. “We’ll be waiting to hear from you.”

“I promise to stay in close touch.”

“I love you, honey.”

Tears stung Liz’s eyelids. When she looked in her mother’s eyes, she saw a whole world of love, fear, concern and pride. “Not as much as I love you,” she whispered before climbing into the truck cab.

“I made some chili and rolls for you to enjoy on the way down. I put everything in the fridge.”

“Thanks, Millie. We’ll love it!” Connor called to her before she shut the door. His friends had already come to the barn to pick up Polly. Liz had given her a complete checkup first, and a treat, promising to see her soon. There was nothing left to be done.

Connor, wearing a green plaid shirt, jeans and well-worn boots, was already behind the wheel, ready to go. Minus the Stetson he’d tossed in the backseat, his hair had a disheveled look she’d seen often enough when he was wrestling a steer to the ground. That look suited him.

She wouldn’t describe Connor as handsome in the traditional sense. Authentic male was what came to mind when she looked at the arrangement of lines and angles making up his hard-boned features.

Striking when the sun blazed down on his tanned skin.

Beautiful in motion when he mounted his horse bareback for a run.

Unforgettable when he flashed a quick smile or broke out in laughter, usually from some remark his friend Wade murmured at the gate so no one else could hear.

The kaleidoscope of pictures stored in her mind was there for good. Hopefully on this trip she’d see what was on the inside, the intangible traits that truly mattered and shaped the inner man. Was his inner self equally worthy of such admiration? If the cover of the book was better than the story, now was the time to find out.

Deep in thought, she didn’t realize they’d pulled to a stop in front of the Bannock ranch house until Connor said, “Grandpa asked me if we’d come in so he could say goodbye and wish you luck.”