Rebecca Winters: A Cowboy's Heart

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.”

“How sweet of him. I’d love to.”

She jumped out into the snow and headed for the front porch. The temperature had to be close to thirty-two degrees. She zipped her parka all the way. It looked as though they’d be driving under an overcast sky most of the way today.

Connor opened the door and they headed for the den where they found his grandfather at his desk. The blaze from the fireplace gave out delicious warmth. The older man looked up with a smile and got to his feet. “Well, Liz.”

“Hi again, Ralph.” She hurried across the room to give him a hug. Liz had been here many times over the years.

“Connor told me you agreed to drive with him. Is he taking good care of you?”

“Of course. I’m a very lucky girl.”

“It pleases me that my two favorite champions will be together. I have a little gift for the two of you.” He pulled a small leather pouch out of his shirt pocket. “Avery picked it up for me on her way home from work yesterday.”

Avery was Connor’s sister. Liz couldn’t imagine what the pouch could hold.

Connor’s gaze shot to hers. “Go ahead and open it.”

From inside the pouch she pulled out what looked like a silver charm bracelet. “You hang it on the rearview mirror of the truck to bring you luck. I chose the charms myself for this red-letter moment in your lives. See that horseshoe? Both of you have beaten me at the game any number of times. The next charm is a boot for riding. There’s a cowboy hat. The others are a horse in motion, a bulldogger on his horse, a cowgirl barrel racing, and a heart with wings for love of country.”

Liz was so touched that, once again, her throat swelled. “This gift is priceless, Ralph.”

She noticed that Connor’s eyes took on a haunted look when he glanced at his grandfather. Why?

“We’ll treasure it.”

“If Addie and your parents were here, son, they’d tell you and Liz to take it with our prayers and blessings. We’ve always been proud of both of you and know you’ll do your best at the competition. We’ll all be watching the Great American Country broadcast on cable. Whatever happens, come back safe. That’s all I ask.”

Full of emotion, Liz clutched the bracelet in her hand before reaching for him once more. “All we ask is that you stay well. I promised my folks we’d stay in close touch. We’ll make the same promise to you. Without your help, I would never have made it this far. Whenever I got discouraged, you would never let me stay down.”

“Ditto,” Connor said in a husky tone of voice, and gave his grandfather a bear hug.

The older man whispered, “Good luck,” to him, and a tear rolled down his cheek.

She waved to Ralph from the doorway. “See you soon.” Without waiting for Connor, she hurried out of the house to the truck. He needed a minute with his grandfather, and she needed to treasure this special moment in private. Both she and Sadie had always loved Ralph and Addie. Like her own parents, she thought they were just about perfect.

Carefully she undid the chain clasp so she could hang the bracelet. To make certain it was visible, she draped it over the mirror. The little charms tinkled as they dangled.

A minute later Connor strode toward the truck and climbed in behind the wheel. He fingered one of the charms, and then flicked his gaze to hers. “Grandpa thinks the world of you to have given you this.”

“Didn’t you notice it’s for both of us? Whenever he talks about you, his eyes light up.”

An odd silence followed her remark. She didn’t understand and wondered what he was thinking as he started the engine.

“Before we leave, is there anything you’ve forgotten?”