A Moment To Love

by Jennifer Faye

“It was.”

  “I also noticed the old train depot on my way into town. How long ago did the train stop servicing the area?”

  “They did away with stopping here years ago when the town started to die off.” The young woman reached into the fridge behind the counter and pulled out the creamer. “By the way, I’m Piper. I own this place.”

  Alexis made a mental note to add the train depot to her growing list projects. “Hi. I’m Alexis. I’m from New York.”

  “Oh, so you’re the lady everyone’s talking about.” Piper smiled broadly.

  “They’re talking about me?” Somehow, that did not sound good, not good at all.

  “Don’t worry. The gossip mill is always talking about something or someone. I wouldn’t worry. By this afternoon, they’ll be on to something new.” Piper placed the hot coffee on the counter. Her diamond ring sparkled beneath the bright lights. “What else can I get you?”

  Alexis’s gaze strayed to the glass display case that held cinnamon rolls. “Uh…nothing.”

  “Are you sure? I just frosted those cinnamon rolls. They’re poppin’ fresh.”

  Alexis’s mouth watered. She really shouldn’t. It would cost her a ton of calories for the day. But they looked so good. And it’d been ages since she’d indulged in a cinnamon roll. Oh, what the heck? “Okay, I’ll take one.”

  “A girl after my own tastes.” Piper smiled. “I think this is the beginning of a wonderful friendship.”

  “I’d like that.” Alexis smiled back. “By the way, your engagement ring is beautiful.”

  “Thanks. The big day isn’t until next year.” Piper chatted a bit more about her wedding plans to a councilman’s son.

  It was nice to have a friend in this new town. She wasn’t sure how long she’d be here, but after what she’d overheard the day before, Cord Lawson was going to take some serious persuading to get him to sell his ghost town.

  When more people strolled through the door, Alexis paid her bill and moved to a table near the window. Piper hadn’t been exaggerating. The cinnamon roll was still warm and soft. It practically melted in Alexis’s mouth. A moan swelled in the back of her throat. This treat was definitely worth cheating on her diet.

  While she enjoyed her treat, she gave some more thought to the train depot. She did know a top executive with the railroad. They’d worked well together on another HSG project. He had said if she ever needed anything to give him a call. Something told her that helping to revitalize a small town hadn’t been what he’d meant, but it wouldn’t hurt to run her idea past him.

  After savoring the last bite of the roll, Alexis got to her feet. It was time to get to work. She’d grab a shower and then head to the Brazen H, the home of the handsome but stubborn cowboy who stood between her and building the resort. But what he didn’t know yet was that he’d met his match. She wasn’t about to jet back to New York until they hammered out a deal.

  ♥♥♥

  Cord slammed the phone down on the desk in his study. He jumped to his feet, sending the leather chair careening back into the credenza that rested beneath the window. Unable to stand still, he started to pace.

  He’d wasted more than an hour getting the royal runaround from the Internet bank holding his mortgage. Normally, he would have done business with Whistle Stop’s Save-A-Penny Bank, where he could do business one-on-one, but his ex-wife had made sure to turn the bank president against him.

  Cord’s foreman, Manny, had been playing pool at Cactus Mike’s Saloon when he’d witnessed Susan, half-drunk and rambling, telling the banker that Cord wouldn’t let her leave the ranch and that she’d had to sneak around to make it into town. Nothing could have been further from the truth.

  Cord drew his thoughts up short. There was no point in dwelling on the past. It wouldn’t change a thing. What was done was done. He just had to deal with the cards he’d drawn.

  He stormed out of the room, grabbed his hat from the round table in the entryway, and headed for the front door. It’d been five years since his ex-wife had strode out of the same doorway, and yet he was still working to piece his life back together. By letting his heart overrule his mind, he’d put the only way of life he’d ever known at risk.

  Maybe if he hadn’t been in such a rush—maybe if he had concentrated harder on reading the fine print on the mortgage—maybe then he wouldn’t be in this mess. Or maybe he’d created this fiasco by marrying a girl with big dreams. He’d hoped the Brazen H would be enough for Susan, but he’d been so wrong. And when she’d found out that he wouldn’t sell the ranch and move, she’d gone ballistic. If only he’d listened to his gut and not been rushed to the altar out of sympathy for Susan living in poverty. He’d wanted only to help her. Somehow, his good intentions had gotten all turned around. And now he might pay for it with his ranch.

  Why did hindsight have to be so damned enlightening?

  He jerked the front door closed with a loud thwack, followed by the bang-bang of the screen door. He’d started down the stairs when the crunch of gravel drew his attention. An unfamiliar tan SUV blazed up the lane, sweeping up a cloud of dust behind it. They certainly were in a mighty hurry.

  Cord paused on the bottom step and waited until the vehicle skidded to a stop, throwing up a spray of dirt. He did a double take when he caught the sheen of honey-blond hair. The chocolate fiend. What was she doing here?

  The woman smiled as she stepped out into the sunshine. He found himself smiling back. It was as though she’d sensed his thoughts—his loneliness—and shown up. In that instance, he realized he was being ridiculous. First of all, she was a stranger. And secondly, there was no such thing as intuition, or whatever you wanted to call it.

  Could she be the interested buyer? His muscles bunched up. He recalled Mr. Forbes saying the person was female. If so, he’d have to start thinking a lot more clearly. No sexy smile or sweet talk was going to sway him—not ever again. Susan had taught him that lesson—the hard way.

  Ms. Business Suit lifted her sunglasses and rested them on top of her golden hair. Good. He wanted to be able to look in her blue eyes when he talked with her. They were so expressive—so captivating.

  “I didn’t expect to see you this morning. If you’re here for more chocolate…”

  “No.” Amusement reflected in her eyes. “You must think I’m some sort of crazed chocoholic.”

  “That wasn’t exactly the description I had in mind.” When she responded with warm laughter, the melodious tone eased the tension in his body. Drawn in by her good mood and not wanting it to end, he asked, “Are you sure you didn’t stop by for directions to the next candy store?”

  Her laughter faded into a friendly smile. “No need. A generous cowboy sacrificed his chocolate bar to satisfy my craving.”

  “Nice guy.”

  “Definitely.”

  Cord approached her, checking out the tailored business suit that hinted at her curves. Wait a sec. Is that the same outfit she wore yesterday? Sure looks like it. He expected a woman like her, with her perfectly styled hair and her long, polished nails, to be finicky about wearing an outfit two days in a row. Still, he found himself contemplating the curves lurking somewhere beneath the folds of her clothes.

  “I’m surprised to see you’re still in the area. From the looks of it, I’d say your luggage has yet to catch up with you.”

  Her smile faded. Color poured into her cheeks, causing him to regret his thoughtless remark. He stifled a frustrated sigh. He was completely out of practice when it came to making casual conversation with women—with anyone. He kept to himself on his ranch. It was better that way. It kept the gossip to a minimum.

  The woman glanced down and moved a stone back and forth with the toe of one high heel. “The airline promised it would be here by this morning, but it isn’t. All I had in my carry-on was some casual clothes. I plan to go shopping after my meeting.”

  “You have a meeting around here?”

  She nodded. “With you.”

  With him.
So he was right. She’d known who he was all along. His jaw clenched. “What do you want?”

  She lifted her chin and looked him in the eyes. “Mr. Lawson—”

  “Call me Cord. Mr. Lawson was my father.”

  “Okay. Cord, you can call me Alexis. I’m here because I’m interested in purchasing the land you’ve put up for sale.”

  He crossed his arms, sensing she was keeping something from him. “Lexi, how did you learn about my land being up for sale?”

  Her eyes lit up, probably surprised by the way he’d shortened her name. Her mouth opened, but without a word, she snapped it shut again. He should have guessed a businesswoman like her would take herself too seriously to consider using a nickname. But he genuinely liked the name Lexi. It suited her.

  “I saw an ad on the Internet and flew out here to see the property for myself.”

  He took a moment to glance at the corral next to the lane with its wooden fence and the few horses that soaked in the morning sun. Could this stranger be the answer to his problems? Maybe he should hear her out. What could it hurt? He turned his gaze back to her. When he noticed her eyeing the horses, he asked, “Do you like horses?”

  “Yes, I do. Quite a lot, actually.”

  Some casual conversation before diving into business might loosen them both up. His mother used to tell him that you could catch more flies with honey than vinegar. He intended to get this particularly pesky fly snared in his trap before she opened up about her interest in his land. “Would you like to go check out my stallion? He’s one of the finest-bred horses in the county.”

  Lexi didn’t answer as her gaze remained on the horse. For someone who liked horses, her hesitant expression puzzled him.

  “Come on. I’ll introduce you.”

  She shook her head. “Thanks. But I…I don’t think so.”

  He knew by the way she continued to stare at his prize stallion that she was tempted. So what was holding her back? He knew it was none of his business, but horses were a passion of his and no one should fear them—respect them, yes, but not fear them. And then her comment and reaction came together.

  “Did you fall from a horse?”

  Her surprised gaze moved to him. “How did you know?”

  He shrugged, not wanting to admit that the sadness reflected in her big blue eyes got to him. “Have you been on a horse since then?”

  At first, she didn’t react. It was as though she hadn’t heard him, but then she shook her head. “I wanted to ride again, but…well, it didn’t work out.”

  “Then come say hi to Midnight Star.” Cord led the way across the gravel parking area. The black stallion observed their approach. The horse remained perfectly still, as though curious about their intent. When Cord reached the fence, he glanced over to find Lexi a good five feet behind him. She stared in awe at the horse, but her shoulders formed a rigid line.

  He had a hard time imagining being afraid of a horse. He’d always had a kinship with them, not that he was a horse whisper or anything, more like he had the patience other folks lacked. He liked to think that he was observant and open to their unspoken communications. More than anything, he took comfort in the fact that animals were not judgmental. They were accepting and loving, unlike most of the people who’d crossed his path.

  The spirited stallion snorted, as though sensing the tension in the air. Cord let the horse and the woman keep their comfortable distance. Nothing good would come from rushing things.

  “This is Midnight Star.” Cord climbed up and perched on the wood rail.

  Lexi gave the horse a wide-eyed perusal. “He’s quite beautiful.”

  “Yes, he is. He was a gift from my uncle.”

  “You must be his favorite nephew.”

  “I’m his only nephew.” Midnight Star approached Cord and allowed him to run a hand down his sleek neck. “After Uncle Pete’s stroke, he had to sell off his ranch. He couldn’t bear to part with the stallion, so I offered to board him. When my uncle passed away a few months ago, he left the horse to me.”

  Lexi’s concerned gaze caught his. “I’m sorry about your loss, but it was kind of him to leave you the horse.”

  Her sympathy warmed a spot just beneath his ribs. It’d been a long time since he’d opened up to anyone, even about the broad strokes of his life. What was it about this woman that snuck past all of his carefully placed defenses and burrowed into his chest? If she were to purchase that spot of land, how would he keep her at a safe distance? Especially when he’d ride past her place every time he drove into town.

  Lexi’s gaze moved back to the horse. “Do you ride him much?”

  “Not like I should. I just don’t have the time.” He studied the genuine curiosity in her bright eyes. “How long has it been since you were horseback riding?”

  “I was a teenager.” She paused as though wondering if she should say more, and he hoped she would. She licked her lips. “I tried talking my father into buying a horse farm, but he said our New York City town house was a lot shorter commute to the office. So instead, he got me a horse and boarded it. He hoped it’d get the notion of riding horses out of my system.”

  “And did it?”

  A thoughtful expression filtered over her face. “Yes and no.”

  “Not very decisive, are you?”

  “I rode for a number of years. I even took part in some competitions, but then I…I got busy doing other things.”

  The way she stumbled over her words and the way her gaze drifted off to the side, he’d lay odds there was more to her story than she was letting on, but it was none of his business.

  “Why don’t you come a little closer? Midnight Star won’t bite. I promise.”

  She took a few hesitant steps forward, until she was standing next to him.

  “Would you like to pet him?”

  Her gaze darted between him and the horse. Then she cautiously raised her hand. Cord wrapped his fingers over the back of her hand and guided her fingers to Midnight Star’s muzzle. Cord spoke to Midnight Star in a soft, hushed tone as Lexi petted the horse. After a few strokes, her shoulders started to ease, and she relaxed.

  Cord pulled his hand back, realizing there was no need for him to keep touching her—enjoying the softness of her skin. She turned her gaze to him, and a strange sensation rose in his chest. He swallowed hard. It had to be dirt the breeze kicked up that caused the weird feeling within his ribs because there was nothing special about this woman.

  It’d take a lot more than good looks and expensive clothes to impress him. A polished professional like Lexi would never understand a down-to-earth cowboy such as him—just like those suits at the bank didn’t understand his desperate need to keep his ranch.

  “Hey there, big boy,” Lexi crooned to the horse as she continued to run her hand over him. “I think you and I could be good friends.”

  This was Cord’s opening, his chance to sell her on the small parcel of land. “He likes you.”

  Lexi smiled, easing the stress lines from around her eyes. “Is that true?” she asked the horse as though the horse would answer her. “Do you like me?”

  Cord stifled the urge to laugh. She was like a child having met a horse for the very first time. And what surprised him most of all was Midnight Star’s tolerance of her fussing over him.

  Cord cleared his throat. “You know, when you purchase the land, you could have some horses of your own.”

  There was an extended pause, as though she mulled over his words. “You’ve got a really big farm here.”

  “West of the Mississippi, we call them ranches.”

  “The ranch has an unusual name. How did you come up with it?”

  “I didn’t. The ranch has been in my family for generations. I’m not sure who actually came up with the name, but it’s in honor of my great-great-grandfather. The way it was explained to me is that he’d brazenly set off for the then untamed Wild West to start up the mining town of Haggerty. Hence the name Brazen H.”

  “Int
eresting.” She turned away from the horse and gazed around at the array of different-sized buildings. “Do you run this place by yourself?”

  He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “No. I have ranch hands who do a lot of the work.”

  “Still, it must be a huge responsibility.”

  “It is.” His chest puffed up a little. Why did this stranger’s words mean something to him? The knowledge unsettled him. He’d prided himself on being a loner, on not caring what others thought of him.

  Besides, he couldn’t afford to risk getting to know Lexi better. When she found out the truth about him—that he was just a dumb cowboy—she’d laugh at him. Voices from the past echoed in his mind. He’d been the butt of the kids’ jokes while in school. Cord the gourd! Cord the gourd! Dumb as a board!

  Finally all grown up, he’d thought those days of public ridicule were over. Then he’d become the target of gossip when his marriage crumbled. The fact that his thoughts were unearthing ancient history threw up all sorts of warning flares.

  Cord hitched his thumbs in his jean pockets and pulled back his shoulders. “I have work to do. Can we get to the point of your visit?”

  Lexi opened her mouth, but all that came out was a cough, followed by another.

  “Are you okay?”

  She nodded. Her voice was a bit raspy when she spoke. “My throat is dry and it tickles.”

  “Come sit on the porch. I’ll get you a drink.” He led her to the porch.

  It’d been a long time since he’d had a woman here. Not that Lexi was his invited guest or anything. Soon she would be gone. The thought didn’t comfort him like he thought it would. Maybe he was lonelier than he was willing to admit.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  This cowboy was certainly full of surprises.

  Alexis swallowed hard, trying to soothe the dry tickle in the back of her throat. All the while her thoughts were on the compassionate side of Cord she’d just witnessed. He’d been so kind and friendly as he helped her work past her nervousness about being around horses again. How could a man who could be so patient with animals and humans have gained a reputation that had people hesitant to deal with him?