A Cowboy's Heart (Hitting Rocks Cowboys) by Rebecca Winters Page B

didn’t understand.
    He unlocked the door for her. “I have an errand to run. I don’t know how long I’ll be.”
    After giving Liz the thrill of her life, he was off to spend time with his ex-wife.
    She knew he wasn’t a player. Connor’s grandfather had suggested he take Liz to Las Vegas with him. He’d probably told him to show her a good time. No one could do it better than Connor, even with Reva waiting in the wings for him.
    “You don’t owe me any explanation, neighbor. Thank you for a great evening out.” She went inside and shut the door before locking it.
    Liz checked her watch. Five after one in the morning. Too late to have a heart-to-heart with Sadie. After she got ready for bed and had crawled under the covers, she texted her best friend who would see her message in the morning.
    I need to talk, but know it’s impossible tonight. I’ll try to reach u tomorrow. Suffice it to say, I’m in trouble.
    No sooner had she pressed Send and turned out the light than her cell rang. She couldn’t believe it and clicked it on. “Sadie?”
    “It’s not impossible because I’m wide-awake. Jarod drove to the reservation and is staying all night with his uncle Charlo’s family. They’re rebuilding the fence around their house. I stayed behind because I haven’t felt good for the past two days.”
    “You’re sick?”
    “Yeah. Poor little Ryan doesn’t understand what’s wrong with me.”
    All of a sudden, Liz screamed with joy. “You’re pregnant!”
    “Yes! I just found out, but I told Jarod I was coming down with a cold because I want to surprise him when he gets back after breakfast.”
    “I’m so thrilled for you, I’m jumping out of my skin!”
    “Me, too, but I’m so sick. The nausea is deadly. Still, enough talk about me. You said you’re in trouble, and we both know why.”
    Her hand gripped the phone tighter. “I’m afraid so.”
    “Where’s Connor?”
    “With his ex-wife.”
    “Reva’s there?”
    “Yes.”
    “You’re kidding me!” Sadie cried. “That woman refuses to leave him alone! Jarod’s going to croak when he hears this.”
    “They’re still in love, Sadie.”
    “So are you. I can hear it in your voice.”
    Liz closed her eyes tightly. “Yes. He’s so wonderful, you have no idea.”
    “Of course I do. He’s Ralph’s grandson and Jarod’s brother. There’s no one like the Bannock brothers on this planet,” she said, in so fervent a tone that Liz shivered. “I have no advice for you. Absolutely none.”
    “I didn’t expect any. I just needed to talk.”
    “Go ahead and bawl your heart out. I did enough of that to you for eight years. It’s my turn to listen.”
    The floodgates opened. “H-he’s lost confidence, Sadie. It goes back a long way.”
    “Tell me something I don’t know. I’m still working on Jarod.”
    Liz wiped the moisture off her face. “He feels guilty about his life.”
    “That sounds familiar, too. Blast Reva for showing up at a time like this.”
    “She can’t help that she loves him.”
    “It’s not the kind of love he needs. Jarod’s worried about him retiring from the rodeo. He’s vulnerable, and Reva knows it.”
    “I couldn’t agree more.”
    “Thank goodness you’re in Las Vegas now. How’s the hotel? Are they taking special care of all you barrel racers, letting you loose in the casino?”
    Guilt caused her to sit up straight up in bed. “No.”
    “What do you mean?”
    Her pulse picked up speed. “Connor and I are sharing his trailer as our hotel while we’re here.”
    At least a minute passed before she heard, “Liz— what’s going on?”
    “I’ll tell you what I told Mom. After all these years of being haunted by him, he gave me an opportunity to get a real dose of him, one-on-one. I was convinced that driving to Las Vegas with him, staying with him in his trailer, would be a revelation and provide the cure I’ve been needing.”
    “Where’s Wade sleeping?”
    “He’s driven down in his own