Seconds later she saw Connor enter the box. “Can the number-one–ranked, five-time world champion bulldogger, Connor Bannock, from White Lodge, Montana, beat the best time tonight?” A roar broke from the crowd in answer.
Her breath caught in her throat.
“He’s in the corner of the box, scoring his champion horse, Firebrand. Will his luck hold? For five years he’s had the winning time on the first night of the pro final rounds. We’ll see if he can do it again.”
Just do your best, Connor, because you are the best.
She watched him give the nod, and before she could blink, he was out of there, going thirty miles an hour. Moments later, he had that steer on the ground in a flawless performance. “Ladies and gentlemen—he’s broken his own record with a 3.2! Your winner for tonight, Connor Bannock.”
The crowd went crazy with excitement, but no one knew what his win meant to Liz. Now maybe you’ll believe in yourself, Connor.
She turned around and headed for the stall to brush down Sunflower and talk to her. When it drew close to the time for her event, she resaddled her, put on the knotted reins and her show bridle using the O-ring snaffle.
Once in the saddle, she leaned over and patted her neck. “Okay, little lady. We’re being televised. This is it. What do you say we do this for my mom and dad? Without them, this night would never have been possible. Let’s do it for Ralph who always believed me, and let’s do it for Connor. He got us here safe and sound.”
Liz headed toward the alley where the other barrel racers were assembling. She waited before getting into line, since she wouldn’t go until second to last. His words echoed through her mind. There’s no one who’s better at what you do than you. Just remember that and forget everyone else.
Taking his advice, she forced a calm to come over her and went through a series of mental calisthenics. Sunflower did a few sidesteps, knowing what was about to happen. She was so smart it was scary.
At the precise moment it was her turn, Liz made the clicking sound her horse recognized. They shot down the alley. This was a blind barrel. You couldn’t see it until you came out into the arena. To Liz’s relief, Sunflower rated perfectly at the first barrel, the way they’d been practicing, and they raced across the arena to the second barrel. Around they went. Her horse had never made a better turn. Now the last barrel! Don’t knock it over.
Once they got around it, they needed to fly back to the alley, and fly they did. Like the wind! She heard the announcer give her time as 13.61. That was the best time she’d ever had! The crowd went wild.
“Good girl, Sunflower. You outdid yourself!”
Trembling with excitement, she walked the horse back to her stall. Everyone called out, “Great ride,” and congratulated her before she reached her destination and dismounted.
“I love you, little lady,” she said, hugging her while tears ran down her cheeks. She pulled a treat out of her pocket and gave it to her. “I have the best horse in the world.”
“That works both ways” came the deep masculine voice she loved behind her. “Sunflower has the best rider in the world. It’s over. You won tonight’s round and the competition is in mourning. Dustine, who’s number one along with three others, knocked over barrels. She did an 18.90. All Las Vegas is betting on you to win the world championship.”
She wheeled around, the moisture still glistening on her face. “Connor—you won, too!” she cried. “I’m so happy for you I could—”
“Burst?” he finished for her. “Congratulations.” He reached for her and hugged her. “Tonight beats every rodeo experience I ever had. We should have been traveling to all our rodeos together.”
Liz’s father had told her he thought she and Connor were the best kind of company for each other.
“Hey, Liz—how about letting another cowboy give you a hug? That was a dynamite performance.”
She could see Derrick over Connor’s broad shoulder and eased away from him, though he seemed reluctant to let her go. “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to watch your event. How did you do?”
“Not as good as you and the legend here.” He smiled and nudged Connor’s shoulder. “Sixth-best time for me and my bro isn’t great, but we’ll try to recoup tomorrow night.”
“You have nine more tries,” she said in an effort to prop him up.
Derrick smiled at her. “Are you ready to claim your gold buckle? I’ll drive you to the hotel.”
She wished he hadn’t sought her out, wished she hadn’t gone to dinner with him. Now he’d shown up at the wrong moment. Liz wanted to stay in Connor’s arms indefinitely.
“You go on.” Connor answered for her, but the light had gone out of his eyes. “I’ll head over to the hotel in my truck to join Wade and my sponsors. See you there.”
* * *
CONNOR HAD FELT euphoric until Derrick had shown up. Hell. When Connor had hugged Liz just now, she’d clung to him in a way that sent a shock wave through him. More than her win—or his—had caused a reaction like that. He could feel something profound happening to both of them. He couldn’t be wrong about that, could he?
On the drive over to the hotel he received a text on his cell. He pulled it out. Way to go, lover. 9 more days. Can’t wait.
He put his phone back in his pocket. At five to eleven he showed up at the casino where Wade and their road buddies were waiting for him. The Wrangler NFR announcer began the presentations. There was tons of laughter and a few tear-jerking moments as he and Liz picked up their buckles along with the other night’s winners.
Connor got as close to Liz as he could. They exchanged an intense glance before they had to leave the stage so the main concert could begin. He could feel that she’d wanted to be with him. While the fans started to two-step the night away, he watched her join Derrick, who was eating her up with his eyes.
When they disappeared, he said good-night to Wade and Kim and headed back to the RV park to hook up the trailer. En route Jarod phoned to congratulate him.
“Sadie and I invited the Hensons and Zane to watch the whole thing on our big screen with Grandpa and Avery. Neither you nor Liz could do anything wrong. You know that?”
“Liz’s performance was phenomenal.”
“So was yours, bro.”
“I got lucky. Jocko had a bad break. That was tough.”
“He was too eager to beat you.”
“He still could.”
“But he won’t! You should have seen our grandfather. He and Millie just sat there crying like babies from the moment of the opening ceremonies. When Liz’s score flashed on the screen, Mac lost it. I never saw him break down before.”
“I’m not surprised. She rode for him. Before we hang up, tell me how the mother of Little Sits in the Center is doing.”
Jarod chuckled. “So-so. The medicine is helping, but she’s in for a siege of morning sickness, I’m afraid.”
“But nothing you can’t live with.”
“No, thank heaven. We’ll all be watching again tomorrow night. Sadie’s here with me. She sends her love to both of you.”
“Tell her thanks. I’ll let Liz know.”
“You mean she’s not with you?”
He bit down so hard he almost cracked his teeth. “Afraid not. She’s...partying.”
“Liz?”
Connor shouldn’t have said anything. “I didn’t mean it that way. In truth, I have no idea what she’s doing with Derrick.”
“Who is that?”
“The guy in the team roping with his brother. He’s a friend of Wade’s.”
“Does that mean Reva’s there with you?” he asked in a quiet voice. “Grandpa told us she called the house before you left. What’s up?”
He sucked in his breath. “She wants to get back with me.”
“As in married?”
/>
“Yup.”
“Are you with her right now?”
“She came for a night, but I sent her back to L.A. We’ll talk when the rodeo’s over.”
After a silence, “Have you figured out what your heart’s telling you yet?”
“Yeah,” he said without hesitation. Oh, yeah. “Thanks for the call, Jarod. Tell Grandpa I’ll phone him in the morning.”
“Will do. I have no doubts tomorrow night will bring another top score for you. But if you’re not happy with it, remember I’ll always be proud of my brother. Take care.”
“You, too.” They clicked off. Connor was glad he had work to keep him from going crazy until Liz got home.
Another hour and he had the horses put to bed in the barn at the RV park, safe and sound, as Liz put it. He showered and got ready for bed. After he’d climbed into the niche he heard the key in the lock and felt his pulse pick up speed. When she came inside, Connor sat up.
“Welcome home.”
Her head jerked around in his direction. “Hi!”
“I thought you wouldn’t be in for hours.”
“I’m not interested in Derrick and told him I wanted to get back to the trailer. No partying for me while I’m here.”
At that news Connor’s foul mood did a complete reversal. “Did he ask you out again?”
“He tried, but I told him I needed all my wits about me to concentrate on the rest of the competition. When he asked me to go out with him on the last night, I told him I already had plans with the man I’ve been seeing.”
“You mean Kyle.”
“Yes.”
He released the breath he’d been holding. If she was in love with Kyle, she wouldn’t have agreed to drive with Connor. “How did that go over with him?”
“Not well. He said he’s not giving up.”
“He’s a player. By the end of the rodeo he’ll have found someone else.”
“I hope. Partying takes too much energy out of me. I don’t know how everybody else does it.”
“Not everyone won the gold buckle tonight, that’s why.”
After hanging up her jacket, she took the box with the buckle out of her purse and put it on top of his box sitting on the table.
“That’s quite a centerpiece, Dr. Henson.”
“If you perform the way you did tonight, that pile is going to grow, Connor Bannock.”
“Shall we make a pact to win eighteen more and build a skyscraper?”
She flashed him a brilliant smile. “Why not? The dream to make it to the Dodge Ram and Wrangler Finals has come true for me. Now I have one buckle. Who says there aren’t more to be won?”
With a mysterious look in her eye, she reached into her purse and tossed him what looked like an oversize silver dollar. “After your fabulous performance I knew you’d be waiting for your treat, so I asked Derrick to stop at the Quick Mart.”
On another burst of adrenaline he unwrapped it and bit into the chocolate. His eyebrows lifted. “You know you’re stacking up points with me, right?”
“I hope so. I’m so deep in your debt already, I’ll never climb out.”
Good. That’s where I want you.
* * *
DERRICK THE PLAYER was in for a huge disappointment, Connor mused, and smiled secretly as he lay back against the pillows. He listened while she showered. Soon she emerged from the bathroom and turned out the light before getting into the pullout bed. “Does Kyle have a truck and trailer?”
“Why do you ask?”
“So he can drive you and Sunflower home. That’s what he intends to do, right? But if he doesn’t have the equipment, I’ll be happy to trailer the horses back with me. Then you and Kyle can do what you want.”
“Thank you for being your generous self,” she said in a subdued tone of voice. “But to be honest, I haven’t made plans that far ahead yet.”
“Maybe he’s planning to surprise you and fly you home in his plane.”
“Whatever the case, it’s not your concern. You have your own plans to work out.”
With a frown, he moved over to the edge to look down at her. “Why do you say that?”
“Didn’t you tell me your ex-wife would be coming the last night? You may not want to go right back to Montana after finals are over. Fortunately, you and I both have enough of a support group that we don’t have to worry about our horses getting transported back home. In the meantime, all I want to do is concentrate on getting through the next nine nights. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m exhausted and need to go to sleep.”
On impulse he said, “You sound a little out of sorts.”
“I’m sorry. I told you I have a bad night now and then. Forgive me?”
“You ask that after what you’ve had to put up with me? Want to talk about it?”
“No, thank you.”
“Plan to sleep in. I’ll take care of the horses in the morning and fix us a big breakfast. When you’re up, we’ll take them for a ride. How does that sound?”
“Wonderful.” When he thought there wasn’t any more, she said, “Connor?”
“Hmm?”
“You’re too good to be true.”
“No one ever said that to me before.” It was the truth.
“If they didn’t, they thought it.”
Liz’s mood was different tonight. Something was bothering her. Too many guys on her plate wanting her? He recalled an earlier conversation with her.
Who’s the lucky guy in your life?
Dad says they’re all lucky.
All? Why aren’t you with your favorite?
They’re all my favorites for different reasons.
Connor pounded his pillow, but no matter how many times he did it, he couldn’t get comfortable. Hell, hell and hell.
Chapter Eight
On the seventh day of competition, Liz discovered they were running low on food again. For the past six days they’d enjoyed eating all their meals in the trailer between training sessions and doing laps in the swimming pool.
“Connor? Do you mind if I take the truck for a little while?” He’d just awakened. His tousled dark blond hair made him so handsome, she had trouble not staring at him.
“What’s up?”
“We need groceries. I’m going to run to the market so we can fix breakfast. Later on we’ll exercise the horses.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“But you don’t have to.”
He smiled. “What if I want to?”
“After winning another buckle last night, you deserve a long sleep in.” Three more boxes had been added to their centerpiece. Since the first night, Connor had won two more buckles and Liz had won her second.
Both of them were still among the top three finishers on the other nights, but the competition was tight and fierce. Jocko Mendez had copped two buckles since his disastrous first night. As for Dustine Hoffman, Liz’s competition, she’d also won two buckles.
He jumped down from the niche. “I’m up.”
“Once we leave the trailer, you run the risk of being besieged by your fans.”
“If you’ll protect me from the females, I’ll ride flank to protect you from all your new ardent male admirers.”
“You don’t ever run out of that sweet talk, do you, Connor?”
“You bring it out in me, sweetheart.”
Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined going grocery shopping with him. When they reached the supermarket, he grabbed a cart and they walked up and down the aisles together, choosing the items they wanted. His jokes provoked constant laughter from her. Shoppers could be forgiven for thinking they were romantically involved. If Liz wasn’t careful, she’d start to believe it.
Living together in semiseclusion had been wor
king for them so far. By avoiding other people and the distractions of Las Vegas itself, they’d achieved an easy relationship and a schedule that was good for them and their horses. But in four more days this artificial world they’d created for themselves would end.
When she and Connor got back to the trailer to put the groceries away, nothing could have upset her more than to read Kyle’s text. He’d made arrangements to stay at the Luxor and had already purchased his ticket to watch the events on her last night of competition. He was prepared to rent a truck and horse trailer to drive her home—whatever she wanted.
No. She didn’t want him to come. From the second she’d driven away from the ranch with Connor, the idea that, in time, she might grow to love the pilot had shriveled. It didn’t matter that Connor and Reva might be getting back together for good. Liz knew it was no use to go on seeing Kyle.
Until she found a man she could love with the intensity she loved her next-door neighbor, it wasn’t fair to mislead Kyle or any other man. Her dilemma was so severe, she needed to talk it over with Sadie before she answered his text.
After she’d fixed a late breakfast for them, Wade came over so he and Connor could put in another practice session. Liz begged off, saying she had some washing to do but would join them in a little while. For once she was relieved to find herself alone, and immediately phoned her friend.
“Sadie?”
“Liz! I’ve wanted to call, but was afraid it wouldn’t be the right time.”
“You never have to worry about that. How are you feeling?”
“Well enough with the medicine I’m taking, but forget me. Your scores are fabulous. You keep this up and your average will mean you come out the winner.”
“So far, my luck is holding.”
“It’s more than luck. Jarod says you’ll win the whole thing.”
“What did he do? Consult his uncle Charlo?” she teased.
“He doesn’t need to. It’s in Jarod’s blood to have visions, too. He’s had one about you, but told me I couldn’t tell you.”
Liz didn’t know whether to laugh or faint. “Did he have a vision about his brother?”
A Cowboy's Heart (Hitting Rocks Cowboys) Page 12