by Liwen Y. Ho
Mrs. Turner took in their exchange and murmured something indiscernible under her breath. A line formed in between her brows, revealing her doubt. She aimed her dark brown eyes at James, pinning him in place with their intensity. “I can see why my Alexandra likes you, James, but what is it you see in her? Why are you dating my daughter? Are you after our family’s money?”
“Ma!” Lexi exclaimed. “James doesn’t care about money. He’s not like Thomas.”
“Lexi’s right, ma’am. I’m not after anyone’s money.”
“Well then—” Mrs. Turner narrowed her eyes at James “—why would a young, virile man as yourself be interested in a forty-year-old divorcee?”
Lexi made a strangled sound and began coughing up a storm. Her entire complexion reddened, as if she’d eaten a ghost pepper.
“You okay?” James handed Lexi her glass of water and rubbed a hand down her back.
She took a sip and nodded. “Just went down the wrong tube.”
James felt Mrs. Turner’s eyes on him. He slowly raised his gaze to meet hers. He had a feeling she wasn’t going to let him off the hook without a proper answer. He squared his shoulders, hoping his tongue cooperated. “When I see Lexi, I don’t see her age or social status. She’s my friend, my best friend.”
Mrs. Turner scoffed. “I know you are friends, but where is the love? The romance? You act like a stranger. What man doesn’t give his girlfriend a kiss or even a hug when they greet each other? I see no chemistry between the two of you.”
“Uh …” James’s mouth grew dry. No chemistry? If only Mrs. Turner knew how much his heart pounded in Lexi’s presence. How he had to stop himself from planting a kiss on those full pink lips when she hugged him that morning. It took every ounce of self-restraint to not get caught up in her beauty.
He’d been holding back even more tonight out of respect for Mrs. Turner. But his plan was backfiring. Lexi’s mother was a lot harder to fool than Thomas and Tiffany. He took a gulp of water, both to buy himself some time and to cool his heated face.
“Ma, James is a southern gentleman,” Lexi remarked. “He’s very respectable. He wouldn’t do anything to make you feel uncomfortable. That’s the reason why he’s holding back. Isn’t that right, honey?” She added the term of endearment with an overly sweet smile.
“Exactly right … sweetheart.” He winced at the hesitation in his voice. He wasn’t going to win any Academy awards, much less convince Mrs. Turner, with this lousy performance. It was time to do better. “I do care about your daughter, deeply. I’m just not the best at expressing myself.”
Lexi’s mother glared at him, unconvinced. She turned her attention to her daughter, shaking her head in pity. “Ming Zhu, you are falling for his good looks and charm, just like you fell for Thomas’s. I thought you learned your lesson, but you are again letting your emotions cloud your judgment.”
“Ma, it’s not like that.” Lexi’s voice faltered. Her shoulders fell like a soufflé that had been taken out of the oven too early. “I was inexperienced then, idealistic. I’m not like that anymore. I’m older now. I know what love is.”
“Do you? Because you tell me you and James are not serious enough to get married, that there is no engagement. I don’t understand why you would break it off. Tiffany told me—”
“What Tiffany told you was wrong,” Lexi cut in. “She’s a sweet girl, really she is, but she watches too much reality TV. James and I were never engaged. I don’t know why she told you that.”
“But why not? Why do you not want to marry my daughter?” She directed the question at James, along with an accusing stare. “If you say she is your best friend, you do not want to string her along. She does not have time to waste at her age.”
James’s jaw muscle twitched. The mess hall had grown considerably quiet. Most of the employees had left, but the one table that still had people were trying—very conspicuously—to listen in on their conversation. He attempted to keep his voice low as he answered, “I promise you I’m not stringing Lexi along. I would never do anything to hurt her.”
Mrs. Turner rushed on, dismissing his words with a wave of her hand. “These young men think they can say a few sweet words to win you over, but they are worthless without actions to back them up. If this man does not want to commit to you, Alexandra, he is not worth your time. If he truly loved you, you would know. Do not give your heart away so easily.”
A mixture of emotions flickered across Lexi’s face. Chewing on her lower lip, she set her fork down slowly. “You’re right. I shouldn’t be falling for someone who doesn’t feel the same way about me as I do him. But that’s my issue, Ma, and something I have to deal with. Please don’t take it out on James. It’s not his fault.” She cleared her throat. “I’m not feeling so well. I’m going to head back. Night.” She avoided their gazes as she picked up her tray and walked away.
James’s head spun, watching her. He’d sensed a shift in Lexi’s mood during those last seconds, something in her that had reacted personally to her mother’s words. There was too much raw emotion, too much honesty in Lexi’s reaction to be made up. But what had happened? What did she mean by falling for someone who didn’t return her feelings?
Only Lexi held the answers to those questions. James rose from his seat with a hurried, “Excuse me,” and rushed out the door after her.
13
Lexi
Lexi held a clipboard in one hand while she counted the mugs on the store shelf. Instead of going back to her cabin, and inevitably facing her mother, she had decided to get some work done. Mindless activity soothed her, especially when she needed something to keep her hands busy while her mind raced. Chewing a pencil between her teeth, she grunted the numbers out loud. “Eight, nine, ten …”
The door opened from behind, surprising her. She called out over her shoulder, “Sorry, we’re closed. I’m just doing inventory. Come back in the morning.”
The sound of heavy boots reached her ears, echoing throughout the store. She paused her counting and turned around to find a familiar pair of blue eyes staring back at her. She quickly removed the pencil from her mouth. “James? What are you doing here?”
Pulling his Stetson off his head, James gave Lexi a tight-lipped smile. He took two steps forward, his long legs bringing him to her side. Almost a foot taller, he cocked his head to meet her gaze. “I came to look for you. I stopped by your place then went to the stable, thinking you might’ve gone to talk to Shiloh. I figured work was the last place you’d be.”
“I needed something to keep me busy.” Lexi sighed as she stared up at him. “I appreciate you coming, but I’m really not in the mood to talk right now, James. I just need some space.”
He nodded then took a few steps back. “Well, I don’t mind standing over here if that’ll make you feel better?”
“Very funny.” She rolled her eyes with a droll smile. “I suppose that’s a good distance.”
Lexi returned to doing inventory, checking off items on her list and making notes of which ones to order more of. From the corner of her eye, she felt James watching her carefully and quietly. She met his gaze and felt her stomach drop. He really was so sweet. And handsome. Why did he have to be the whole package?
“Need some help? I’m pretty good at counting.”
“You don’t mind?”
“Of course not. Friends don’t let friends do inventory by themselves.”
She chuckled softly. “You keep taking my line.”
“I put my own spin on it though.” He nodded at the clipboard. “So, what’s next on the list?”
“Salsa. And then the jellies.”
They both got to work, finishing up the inventory for all the food items in ten minutes. When they were done with that aisle, they moved on to the next one. In the middle of counting the toiletries—toothbrushes, aspirin, and other essentials guests often forgot to bring—they got into a good rhythm. Lexi called off an item, James counted it, and she jotted down the numbers.
&n
bsp; As the minutes passed, Lexi began to relax and forget her worries from dinner. She also noticed the distance between her and James lessened to the point that they stood side by side, only a few inches apart. She easily got a whiff of his masculine scent with every breath she took. She found herself staring at his profile as he counted magnets. With intense concentration, he brushed a stubborn lock of hair that kept falling into his eyes. It was the sweetest image. She held up her index fingers and thumbs to make a rectangular frame around his face.
Noticing her hand motions, James turned to look at her. “Are you taking a picture of me?”
“In my mind. I’ll have to remember to bring my camera with me the next time we do inventory.”
“Next time? You mean I get to help you out again?”
“If you ask nicely,” she teased. “But seriously, thanks for helping, James. It makes the time go by so much faster.”
“Of course.” He paused. “If I ask nicely, will you tell me what happened at dinner? I know you won’t be able to sleep unless you talk about it.”
James knew her so well, too well. She wanted—needed—to talk, but if she did, she wouldn’t be able to contain the emotions she’d tried so hard to keep in check tonight. Being around her mother always brought up old wounds, insecurities she didn’t want to think about. With James in the picture, it would only get more complicated. She couldn’t talk to him about her feelings for him. “Long story short, my mother manages to bring out the worst in me.”
He stuffed his hands into his jean pockets and nodded. “I get that. She packs a punch with her words. Has she always been like this?”
Lexi scoffed. “She was actually worse growing up. I think old age has mellowed her out some. Not enough though.” She turned her attention to the shelf again and shifted some items around. Soon, the colorful magnets began to blur as tears swam in her eyes. She hadn’t wanted to go there, but it was too late now. The floodgates had been cracked open, and her defenses were falling—fast. It was as if her body knew James was there, his broad shoulders and strong arms offering her the comfort she needed. She threw up her hands in surrender. Why fight it? If she was going to cry, she might as well do it now, out of her mom’s scrutinizing eyes. With a groan of defeat, she slid to the ground, dropping her clipboard and pencil to the floor.
James immediately lowered himself next to her. He reached over and wrapped her in a warm embrace, holding her trembling body to his. “Hey now … it’ll be okay.”
Hiding her face in his chest, Lexi shook her head. “I’m sorry. I try so hard to not let her get to me. It’s like she just has to get the last word in and prove she’s right and I’m wrong. But what she said is true. My life is a mess. I’m a mess. I’m almost forty and still clueless. I thought I’d have everything figured out by now. I feel even more lost than I did twenty years ago. At least back then, there was so much more potential, so many possibilities. Now, the only thing I have is a boatload of regret and endless souvenir magnets to keep track of.” She sniffled and wiped her eyes with her sleeve. “You’re lucky, James. You’ve still got so much life ahead of you. You can try new things and pursue your dreams. It’s good you’re going on tour. If I were ten years younger, I’d get on a bus and get out of here, too.”
James stiffened at her words, loosening his hold. “You’d leave Sage Valley?”
A little calmer now, Lexi drew back from his arms and sat up straight. Wrapping her arms around her legs, she leaned her chin on her knees. His question made her think twice. Would she really leave this place she’d called home for the past year?
Maybe she should. Especially now that James would be leaving as well. There was nothing holding her back.
“I would,” she answered with more conviction. “I’d live closer to the ocean. I miss the water, the salty air, the feel of sand between your toes. I’d go back to Hawaii if I didn’t have to see my mother. If I moved back there, she’d insist I live with them, which would be a bad idea for everyone involved.” She scoffed. “Anyhow, I want to be independent for once in my life.”
James was quiet for a moment. “I didn’t know you felt this way. I thought you liked it here at the ranch. I kind of assumed you’d stay for a while.”
“I do love it here. It’s exactly what I needed this past year to recover from the divorce and to find myself again. But now that I’m not crying every day—” she rolled her eyes “—maybe it’s time I went after my dreams.”
James sat quietly, giving her a thoughtful look. “And what’s that? What is it you want to do?”
She pretended to hold a camera in her hands, clicking a virtual button with her index finger. “I’d travel and take photos. That’s what I used to do when I was a flight attendant. Take pictures of places and people. Just get out there and experience life.”
“You should do it, Lex.”
“It’s easier said than done. I need to make a living. No one’s going to pay me to take pictures.”
“Not with an attitude like that.” He smirked. “You’ll never know until you try. Nanna thinks your work is good enough for the ranch’s website, so you already earned yourself your first customer.”
“My first non-paying customer.”
“Your first non-paying customer of many paying customers to come. You tell great stories with your photos. I know people will pay for them. You just have to sell your product, like how you sell stuff in the store.” He gestured to the stocked shelves around them. “Except that yours will be one of a kind.”
Lexi glanced over at James and couldn’t help but smile. She already felt loads lighter just talking to him. “You really know how to cheer me up.”
One corner of his mouth quirked up in a sweet smile. “I didn’t know that was possible to do without a bowl of chili.”
Laughing, she bumped her shoulder against his playfully. “Hey, don’t make fun of my fondness for chili.”
“An obsession is more like it.” He winked then leaned in close to nudge her with his elbow.
Their gazes locked as they came face-to-face. They both held themselves still as if under a strong, magnetic pull. Lexi blinked once, mesmerized by the tenderness in James’s bright blue eyes. He reached out slowly to brush a lock of hair from her cheek. His thumb lingered there, caressing her skin with a gentle touch. His gaze lowered to her mouth. Heart pounding, she wondered if he was going to kiss her.
More than anything, she wanted him to.
But James suddenly broke off his gaze and scrambled to his feet. “Uh, it’s getting late. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? Oh yeah—my birthday.”
James offered her his hand, pulling her up. He immediately released his grip and put his hat back on his head. “I’ll pick you up at nine. Bring a swimsuit.”
Lexi watched James walk off, almost breaking into a run as he neared the front door. She released the breath she’d been holding. She and James had almost kissed. Could things get any more complicated?
14
James
James released a long breath as he strode along the dusty road outside the store. The moonlight shone down, illuminating a path for him straight to the stable. He pulled open the door and stepped in, finding a sense of comfort in the familiar smell of hay and horses. Stepping up to Shiloh’s stall, he greeted him with a tip of his hat. The horse glanced his way then returned to eating. Leaning his back against the wooden fence, James paused to think. The place Lexi usually escaped to was now a refuge for him as well as he contemplated what had just happened.
He’d been a heartbeat away from kissing Lexi.
It had taken everything in his willpower to pull himself back. The last thing he wanted to do was muddy the waters between him and his best friend. They had such a good thing going. He and Lexi could talk about most anything. It meant the world to him that she would confide in him. They also laughed so easily together. But she’d made it clear that Sage Valley was just a rest stop along the way to her next adventure. And
he would soon be leaving the ranch for a life on the road. Even if his absence was temporary, the reality of the situation was permanent.
He and Lexi couldn’t be anything more.
His chest tightened to think of it. He turned around and perched his forearms on the top of the fence. Shiloh lifted his head to meet his gaze, his dark brown eyes seeming to plead with him. Either that, or he was blaming him for Lexi’s inevitable departure. “She’s not leaving yet, boy.”
The horse snorted, blowing air from his nostrils. He shook his head, his dark mane swaying with the sudden movement. He stared at James and approached him.
“But if—when—she does, you’re going to say it’s my fault, aren’t you?” James scoffed. He couldn’t believe he was having a conversation with an animal. Even still, this one-sided dialogue was helping him process through his thoughts. If Shiloh was willing to listen, he’d share his heart. “I can’t make Lexi stay. As much as I want to, she’s a grown woman with a mind of her own. She has dreams. Dreams bigger than staying in Sage Valley. She has talent, too. Have you seen the pictures she takes? She makes even me look presentable.”
The horse whinnied. Using his nose, he nudged James’s arm once, then twice.
James reached out and rubbed the bridge of Shiloh’s nose. “It’s so easy talking to you. If only you could talk back, boy. I really could use some words of wisdom.”
Footsteps suddenly sounded behind James, surprising him. Over his shoulder, he spotted a Stetson sitting on top of a head of gray hair. The friendly, smiling face of his great-uncle came into view. Bucky strode over, hands in the pockets of his worn jeans. “Evening, James, I came to check on the horses. What are you doing here?”
“Hey, Bucky.” James greeted him with a nod. “Just having a heart-to-heart with our friend here. For some reason, I have an easier time talking to four-legged animals than people.”