Rebecca Winters: A Cowboy's Heart

She blinked. “But—”

“It’s not your mom, either.” He read her mind with ease. “This has nothing to do with your parents.”

Though relieved, she bit her lip. “Then, is your father ill again? Do you need help?” Liz adored Ralph Bannock, the patriarch of the Bannock family. A great rodeo champion himself in his twenties, he’d always encouraged her and Sadie in their barrel racing. But he’d suffered a serious bout of pneumonia last spring that had put him in the hospital. Since then he’d recovered, but he was getting older and more frail. So what was wrong?

* * *

CONNOR WAS TAKEN aback by the questions, and the look of alarm in Liz’s eyes told him how much she cared for his father. He found himself touched by her concern. “He was fine when I left him after breakfast.”

“Thank goodness. When I visited with him a couple of days ago, he seemed well.” She looked anxious. “What aren’t you telling me?” She was really worried.

Liz was all business. It shouldn’t have surprised him. She had every right to be suspicious of his unexpected presence. If it hadn’t for Daniel Corkin, who’d warned the Bannocks off his property several decades ago—which meant staying away from the Hensons, too—Connor would have invited her to use the Bannock facilities for training whenever she wanted. It had taken Daniel’s death for everything to change.

She was an outstanding rider who’d been trained by her father. No barrel racer Connor had seen on the circuit this year had her speed and grace. He’d spotted her exceptional ability years earlier. Though she’d had a poor showing at her first professional rodeo, a lot of it had to do with the wrong horse.

Mac Henson, her father, had been an expert bull rider, but without financial support he hadn’t been able to realize his dream of becoming a world champion. He had, however, turned his daughter into one by investing in a proper horse for her. Sunflower was a winner and could bring her a world championship.

“How would you like to drive to Las Vegas with me for the finals?”

Her lips broke into a sunny smile. “Ralph put you up to this.”

No. His grandfather had nothing to do with it. Connor’s invitation was his alone, but since she thought Ralph was behind it, what could it hurt? Maybe he’d have a better chance of getting her to say yes. He’d been planning to ask her for several months, but had to be careful not to give the impression he saw her as a charity case where money was concerned.

“In case you didn’t know, he’s sweet on you.” That was only the truth.

Liz Henson was a brilliant horsewoman and had worked hard to get where she was. The least he could do to show support for a neighbor was to drive Sunflower there for the big event. Her dun-colored quarter horse had great speed. He liked her unusual yellowish-gray coat, which was set off by a black mane and tail. An original, like Liz herself.

Mac and Millie Henson hadn’t made much money as foreman and housekeeper for that scrooge, Daniel Corkin, before he’d died. Now that they worked for Zane, there still wasn’t a lot of money. Liz did have a job as a vet, but the practice wasn’t lucrative. Even with the money she’d won so far this year, he knew she could use some physical help to get her to Las Vegas. He happened to know her equipment was ancient and liable to break down at any time along the way.

Connor realized his life had been blessed with many gifts. It would ease some of his guilt to use his means to do something for Liz, who had incredible talent. He was proud of her for making it to the national pro finals in Las Vegas. That was where they were both headed, since their wins at the Dodge Ram finals for the U.S. circuit region winners in Oklahoma City.

His grandfather was betting on her to win. So was Connor. With Daniel Corkin out of the way, Connor had decided he wanted to make things easier for her in the only way he knew how.

“That’s very nice of both of you, but I’ve already made my arrangements. I’ll be driving my truck and trailer.”

Her answer sounded definitive. Connor figured she’d fight him at first, because she had spirit and was independent, like her folks, who were the salt of the earth. Connor had always liked the Hensons, too. But where Liz was concerned, it came to him that he’d have to fight fire with fire to get her to drive with him.

They’d been neighbors from birth, yet in all the intervening years he’d never spent time alone with her. In fact, he’d never seen her when she wasn’t wearing a cowboy hat and had a braid hanging down her back.

“If you don’t accept my offer, it’ll hurt my feelings.”

She chuckled. “Since when?”

“You think I don’t have any?”

Her brows formed a delicate frown. “I didn’t say that.”

“Good. It would mean a lot if you’ll drive with me. Over the past few years I’ve seen you at a lot of the events and thought it ridiculous we didn’t travel to them together. But because of Daniel’s ban against all Bannocks, including you, I never tried to arrange anything.”

“I’ll admit he was a scary man, but that’s over now.”

“Since you said it, why don’t you bury the proverbial hatchet and accept my offer. It’ll be nice to have the company. We’ll talk shop on the way down and celebrate our wins on the way back.”

He was pleasantly surprised when her eyes lit up. “I like the way you think.”

So far, so good. “I’ve made reservations at the RV park near the Mack Center. It has equestrian accommodations, and indoor and outdoor swimming pools. For the twelve days we’re there, you and I will live out of my trailer while we’re competing, whatever you want.” It was the least he could do for his neighbor, and hopefully, friend.

* * *

LIVE WITH HIM? “I’m scheduled to stay at the Golden Nugget with the other barrel racers.”

“I know, but you might like to be away from the others after your nightly events. I learned early I prefer being alone so nothing else gets into my head.”

That was exactly the way she felt. The other competitors would be a distraction because they always wanted to go over the evening’s events with a fine-tooth comb. Not staying with them might seem antisocial, but Connor had read her mind and had just given her priceless advice she’d be a fool not to take. “I hardly know what to say.”

“Just say yes. But it’s up to you. In case you didn’t know, this is going to be my last event. After Las Vegas I’m through with competition.”

“Sadie told me as much.” Liz’s best friend was married to Connor’s brother and often confided in her.

“My new sister-in-law informed me this is going to be your last event, too.”

Looks as if the confiding went two ways. “Yup. I’ve got to get serious about my career, but I have to admit I’m surprised about your decision.” She smiled. “There are more good years left in the king of the bulldoggers.”

“Those good years need to be spent doing more worthwhile things.”

“That’s an odd thing for you to say.”

“The fact is, I’ve lived a selfish life so far, Liz.”

She studied him for a moment, not understanding a comment like that. “What about Wade? You won’t have room for three of us.”

“Wade will be driving his horses down in his own trailer with his girlfriend, Kim. My traveling partners Shane and Travis will bring your second horse, Polly, and my other horse, Phantom, in my older rig with them. When they reach Las Vegas they’ll stall them at the Mack Center tent for the rodeo. The guys will be over to pick up Polly whenever you give the word. We all like our own space.”

He patted his horse’s neck. “Since we need to be in Las Vegas by the third to attend the welcome celebrations before the first event on the fifth, I’m leaving early the day after tomorrow. Please say yes, otherwise I’m going to think Daniel did permanent damage to the relationship between our families.”