looked at the casino attendant, her eyes trying to focus. Her eyes were glazed and she had forgotten about her winnings. “I need you to sign this IRS form and this voucher and take it over to the cashier for the distribution of your eight thousand dollars minus the IRS share, of course. Are you staying here?”
“Yes,” she answered still in disbelief. He quickly talked into his phone and told the cashier they were on the way over.
“They will be able to give you the money in cash or even put it in the safe for you. I’ll have a guard escort you over. Congratulations.”
Dakota took her hand. She was blushing and laughing and jumping up and down. “You can leave me twenty dollars for breakfast anytime you want. And we have to share this money.”
“Oh no, all I want is for you to be my guest this week to all the events, but you can buy dinner tonight,” he said to her in a heartfelt and excited voice.
“You’re on. Thank you Dakota. I’m through gambling though. I will never win this much money again in my life and I don’t want to give it back to the casino. Do you think that is okay?”
He smiled at her innocence. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.”
She handed the completed IRS form and the voucher to the cashier. They asked for her id and if they could announce her winnings and take her picture to put on their winner’s board.”
“Would it be alright if you didn’t do that? I’m a single woman and really don’t want my name announced.”
“Of course it will be alright, Ms. Cooper. We have upgraded your room as part of your winnings. You’ll now be in room ten fifty-five. Stop by the front desk and you can pick up your key card and there will be a bottle of complimentary champagne in your room. ”
Georgia spoke, her voice still shaking, “Can you deposit the money in my checking account except for five hundred dollars, which I’ll take with me.” They said they could and she gave them her checking account information.
“Where to now my lucky lady?”
She did a few more jumps in the air, and grabbed his hand. “I know this is crazy, but I’d like to walk over to the Thomas & Mack Center where the rodeo is going on and check on my horse.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. Any other woman would have said let’s go shopping, but you are one of a kind. It’s a long walk. You want to take a shuttle?”
“Sure, then we’ll have more time to explore Las Vegas.”
Chapter Four
They had watched some of the barrel racing as Georgia had some friends who had made the finals. After checking on her horse, and making sure her saddle was secure they took the shuttle back to the strip. They watched a fashion show which was located across the street from the exclusive Wynn Resort. Dakota enjoyed watching Georgia as she drooled over all the cowgirl fashions which were always a big crowd pleaser during the NFR. Then they switched to night gowns. He especially loved the lingerie that he knew would look so sexy on her. She didn’t want to buy anything and just wanted to enjoy the show. They just sat and drank beer and enjoyed watching the tourists as well as the show. One beautiful honey colored silk night gown caught Dakota’s eye and he envisioned Georgia in it. He excused himself for a minute and went up to a cashier and bought it for her and asked it to be sent to her hotel room.
They went into the Paris and went up to the Eifel Tower and then looked at all the shops. Georgia really loved the ceilings that looked like clouds and sky. After the Paris they went to the Venetian and took a Gondola Ride and Georgia was like a little kid. She was enjoying herself so much. Through it all, Dakota held her hand and stole a kiss or two. They talked about everything; favorite places they had been, their favorite foods and movies…about how their ranches were different, but mostly they talked about