Alexis’s gaze skidded to a halt as she took in the bold headline:
A New Vision for Whistle Stop
She gasped and glanced at Cord. His brows were drawn together in a formidable line. She should have mentioned this to him sooner. She shouldn’t have let herself get distracted.
“I need to get going,” Mrs. Sanchez said. “I told the mayor I’d help hand these out.” She patted Alexis’s arm. “You take care of yourself and let me know if you need anything.”
Mrs. Sanchez entered the Cantina while Cord made his way toward his pickup. He didn’t waste time saying good-bye to Alexis.
“Cord, wait! Let me explain.” Somehow, she had to make this right with him. She couldn’t have him going off thinking she’d somehow deceived him.
He stopped in his tracks. His shoulders were rigid, and he kept his back to her.
“Aren’t you even going to face me?” She didn’t want to talk to the back of his head. She wanted to look into his eyes and know that he’d truly heard what she was trying to tell him.
He turned. His face was creased with frown lines, and his mouth was set in a firm line. “I don’t need a speech. It’s obvious that everything I’ve told you about my family and the land has been a complete waste of time.”
“That’s not true. Let me explain—”
“Is there a problem here?” The authoritative voice had them both turning. A tall, well-built young sheriff stood on the sidewalk. He tilted his cowboy hat to her and then turned a cold, hard stare to Cord.
“Um…no. No problem.” Alexis glanced at his nametag. “We’re fine, Sheriff Carson.” She flashed the sheriff her friendliest smile, wanting him to believe her and quickly move on. Cord was definitely not in the mood to make peace with the man who obviously had issues with him.
“Okay, ma’am.” He shot Cord a warning look. “If you need anything at all, my office is over on the corner of Mesa and Main streets.”
“Thanks.”
They both stood there awkwardly until the sheriff strode out of earshot.
She turned back to Cord. “I take it you two aren’t BFFs?”
“He isn’t worth worrying about. I don’t need people to like me.”
“But don’t you get lonely?” When Cord’s brows gathered and his eyes darkened, she realized she should learn to keep her thoughts to herself.
“I’m fine on my own.” His voice was loud, as though he had to speak up to be heard over the wall he’d built around himself. “Not that it’s any of your business. You came here to do a job, and you aren’t about to let anything stand in your way—”
“That’s not true. But you have to understand that without my offer you’re going to lose the land anyway. Otherwise, you wouldn’t need me to sign this.” She held up the still-unsigned letter of intent.
“Save it.” His hand crinkled the announcement of the town meeting into a tight ball. “Do you really expect me to believe you after you went behind my back to rally the town against me?” He threw the wad of paper toward a red garbage can and hit it squarely.
“It’s not what I meant to do.” The mumbled words drifted away in the wind as Cord jumped into his truck.
She wanted to argue with him, but he was right. She’d been doing what she’d been taught—applying pressure to bring about a quick and satisfactory resolution. But somewhere along the way, things had changed—she’d changed. For just a little bit, she’d been an honorary member of Whistle Stop. People had befriended her, and she liked it—and she liked Cord a whole lot. The thought of how quickly she’d come to care for him scared her.
She’d never intentionally do anything to hurt anyone in Whistle Stop. Right then and there, she promised herself that she’d do what she could to help Whistle Stop before she left town—regardless of whether Cord sold her the land for the resort or not.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Two very long, very quiet days had passed since Cord had last seen Lexi. He told himself that her absence didn’t bother him—that her plotting against him was reason enough for them to keep their distance. So then why was there a giant knot in his gut? Worst of all, he’d stormed off before he’d gotten her to sign the letter of intent. And the phone call from the bank that morning inquiring about its whereabouts hadn’t gone so well. He had to do something quick, but what?
“Hey, boss.” Manny strode over to where Cord was refilling the oil in his pickup. “You ever thought about doing something besides hanging out around here?”
Manny was always trying to talk him into heading over to Cactus Mike’s Saloon to join one of the dart tournaments. It was amazing that as many times as Cord had turned him down, the guy kept asking. “I’m not really up for darts.”
“No, not darts. I was thinkin’ you could join me at the fire department. They need more volunteers. And your friend Tony Granger was asking about you and whether you’d give it a try.”
“I don’t know.” He had so many things on his mind right now, especially one beautiful blonde who kept complicating his life.
“Hey, boss, something bothering you?”
“No.” Liar.
“Then you might want to stop filling your oil. It’s going everywhere.”
Cord’s hand jerked the almost-empty quart of oil upright. He cursed under his breath, knowing what a smelly mess it’d be once he started up the engine. With a frustrated sigh, he closed the oil fill and used a rag to clean up as much of the spill as possible. If he was smart, he’d call it a day. It’d be safest for everyone.
“I don’t blame you for being distracted, boss. Women are always messing with us guys.”
Cord snapped the cap back on the oil bottle. “What are you talking about?”
Manny crossed his suntanned arms and rocked back on his dusty, worn boots. “When I was at the saloon, I heard about the special town meeting. They were saying how that snooty woman is trying to turn the town against you so that she can make a quick buck. If’n you want, I can talk to the guys. Maybe some will go to that meetin’ and back you up.”
“Don’t bother.” Cord closed the hood on the pickup. “I appreciate the offer. But I can handle this.”
Manny shook his head. “I don’t know. I think you’re gonna be outnumbered.”
Cord grabbed the empty quarts of oil and a jug of wiper fluid and headed for the garbage barrel on the side of the barn. He could hear the scuff of Manny’s boots behind him. Cord didn’t want to discuss his impossible situation, or anything that had to do with Lexi. He still hadn’t been able to forget her lips or how close they’d come to fulfilling the promise in that kiss—if only that phone hadn’t rung. His hand tightened on the trash in his hands.
“Don’t worry.” He was doing enough of that for the both of them. “I’ll handle this.”
“You got a plan, boss?” Manny yanked a can of chewing tobacco from his back pocket, gave it a shake, popped the lid off, and stuffed some in his mouth.
Cord didn’t know how the man could stand that stuff. He turned his back on the bulge in Manny’s lip. There were more important things to think about, like persuading Lexi to buy only the section of land he had listed for sale. She could use it for…for a vacation home. Why not? She obviously loved horses.
“Hey, boss.”
Cord tossed the garbage in the can before turning to Manny. “I’ve got a plan.”
“That’s good, because here she comes.”
The sound of tires crunching over gravel had him staring down the lane. Lexi pulled to a stop behind his pickup. A smile adorned her beautiful face as she joined him on the driveway. His gut tightened at the sight of her in a white cotton top and a short denim skirt. Her brief outfit showed off the beginnings of a golden tan.
He cleared his suddenly dry throat. “I didn’t expect to see you. You’re lucky you caught me. I’m about to head out on a horseback ride to a nearby canyon.”
“Sounds like I have great timing.”
The mischievousness reflected in her eyes shot an arrow
of alarm into his chest. “Great timing for what?”
“That horseback ride you promised me. I’d love to see the canyon, if you’re up to playing tour guide again.”
Her interest in the land impressed him, but spending time with a woman who was set to turn the whole town against him was courting disaster. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Come on. You know you love my company.” The smile pulling at her lips made her blue eyes twinkle.
She reached out, grabbing his hand. He looked down at where they were linked. His thumb instinctively rubbed over her smooth skin. This wasn’t right. She shouldn’t set his heart racing with just a smile. She was the enemy.
His gaze moved to her eyes. Okay, maybe enemy was too strong a word. The real problem was that aside from their issue with the land, he liked her. He really liked her smile, her laugh, her chattiness. Oh boy, was he in big trouble. But as he stared into her eyes, his apprehension about her tagging along slowly ebbed into a whisper of warning in the back of his mind.
“If you give me this tour,” she said, still keeping hold of him, “you won’t have to worry about what I’m up to while you’re gone.”
“Why? Are you planning to do some more trespassing?” He cocked a brow at her. “Or are you working to turn more townspeople against me?”
She released her hold on him. “That isn’t my intent.”
“Really?” He crossed his arms and stared at her. “From where I’m standing, your little town meeting is intended to apply public pressure so I’ll agree to the sale of my family’s land for your resort.”
Her face filled with color. “It may have started off that way, but…”
He wasn’t about to let her off the hook. He needed to know what she wasn’t saying. “But what?”
She glance away. “But things have changed since then.”
“Mind elaborating?”
“Yes, I mind.”
It was nagging at him. What had changed? Was it the kiss? Or should he say, the kisses? They promised so much and left him barely able to think of anything else. And spending more time with her wasn’t going to help that situation. Of that he was certain.
He needed to remind her that the idea of them spending the day together was a bad one. “Your adventure to Haggerty didn’t turn out so well. I’m surprised you would want to go exploring again so soon.”
She planted her hands on her hips. “I’m not a quitter.”
“No, you’re not.”
“As I recall, we have an agreement about the letter of intent,” she said, gaining his full attention. “I’ll sign it once you let me ride your horse.”
His jaw tightened. He didn’t like being obligated to anyone and he didn’t go back on his word. What was it with this woman? She was more stubborn than the old bull he had in the north pasture. “You’ll be bored. There’s no ghost town to explore or folklore attached to it.”
She shrugged but her gaze never left his. “I’m sure I’ll find something to hold my interest.”
His heart thumped. Was there an underlying meaning in her words? Did she want to go to be near him? His gaze lingered on her face before zeroing in on her lush lips. Maybe having her along wouldn’t be so bad—as long as they stuck to a little innocent flirting.
She clasped her hands together. “Does the smile mean I can join you?” When he didn’t say anything, she grinned and added, “I could always go by myself.”
“Don’t even think about it.”
“Fine. I’ll play nice.”
Playing with Lexi filled his mind with all kinds of naughty scenarios. He’d start with exploring those tempting full lips, and then he’d find the ticklish spot on her neck… Each thought was steamier than the last. He swallowed. If he intended to spend the day with her, he’d best lasso his rambling thoughts. He couldn’t let the memory of her sultry kisses erode his defenses. Or he might end up doing something he’d later regret.
“You can come, but what about your clothes?” He glanced down at her skirt and cowboy boots. “Do you have anything to change into?”
“You mean with me?”
He nodded.
“I only have what I’m wearing. But I can run back to the motel, if you’ll wait.”
Her pleading expression tugged at his misgivings. “No need.” He tilted up his hat and rubbed his forehead. “I might have something to fit you.”
Lexi fell in step beside him. He couldn’t resist glancing her way. There was something special about her—and it went much deeper than her beautiful eyes, pert nose, and rosy lips. And it was impossible for him to stay upset with her for long. Since when had he become such a pushover?
When Lexi lifted her sunglasses to rest them on her head like a hairband, he noticed the gold emblem on the side. Designer glasses. They probably cost as much as his new boots, if not more. Then again, she was a big-city woman and he was just a cowboy. How could he ever hold her interest when he couldn’t even read like a normal person? Cord shrugged off the inadequate feeling.
Lexi stopped dead in her tracks.
Cord turned back. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m waiting for you to move so I can go around the ladder.”
His gaze moved from her slender form to the ladder leading to the loft. There was plenty of space to walk on either side of it, but she preferred to walk on his side. Who was he to complain?
He kept going until he reached Blaze’s stall. The mare was out in the paddock, but the wheels in his mind shifted into high gear. Blaze was a gentle mare, even-tempered and practically read minds. She’d be perfect for Lexi, especially since it’d been years since she’d ridden a horse.
He imagined Lexi would probably put up a fuss if he were to switch the horse she rode, but dealing with her temper would be better than her getting tossed on her cute backside, or worse. After the scare at Haggerty, he wasn’t up for another trip to the doctor’s office.
Lexi followed him into the tack room, where he moved to the back and started clearing boxes off an old trunk. Lexi glanced around the room, examining this and that. It didn’t bother him as it kept her from peering over his shoulder and asking questions.
“Do you have a hammer and some nails?”
“What?” Surely he hadn’t heard her correctly. He spun around. “For what?”
“This old horseshoe on the wall.”
It had hung there all his life. He didn’t even know how it’d come to be there. “I don’t understand.”
She wiggled the old shoe back and forth until she was able to turn it upside down. “See? It should be hung with the U facing up.”
“I’d probably be better off not knowing, but why?”
She sent him an incredulous look. “To catch all of the good luck, of course.”
Of course. How could he have missed that? He shook his head in disbelief. The memory of the ladder came back to him. She had made sure not to walk under it. Could this refined New York businesswoman actually be superstitious?
He shuffled around until he located a hammer in an old toolbox and a couple of nails. He turned to her. When she reached for them, he pulled back. “Ms. Greer, I’d have never guessed you believe in superstitions.”
She shrugged. “It’s no big deal. Everyone does to some extent.”
“I don’t think so.”
Her hands rested on her hips. “Oh, come on. Are you saying you’ve never made a wish on your birthday and tried to blow out all of the candles in one breath so it would come true? Or believed in a lucky charm? How about knocking on wood three times for luck?”
“Maybe when I was a kid, but certainly not now.”
“Really. And would you disagree that bad luck comes in threes?”
She had him with that one. “My parents always said it, and over the years, I’ve seen it come true time and again.”
“Gotcha.” Lexi’s tempting lips spread into an ear-to-ear grin. “Most people believe in superstitions to some extent.”
“You se
em to believe in them a little more than most. How come? Who taught you all of these superstitions?”
“Mrs. Baker.” Lexi’s voice held a nostalgic tone. “She was my father’s assistant when I was a kid. She kept me out of mischief after school while my father worked.”
“And she was a superstitious woman?”
“Very much so. I followed her everywhere and asked a million questions. She was a patient woman. I certainly don’t believe everything she told me, but it doesn’t hurt to take all of the luck I can get.”
Sympathy welled up in him for the motherless girl who’d had to reach out to her father’s assistant for a mother figure. How could a woman abandon her own child? The thought was inconceivable to him.
“You better get to work then.” He held out the nails and hammer to her. “With time running out for me to save this ranch, I guess I better grab some of that luck.”
“You don’t need luck. You have me.” She flashed him a warm smile that lit up her eyes.
He longed for her to literally mean she was his. Then he’d sweep her up into his arms and enjoy her sweet kisses. He’d make sure to make up for their lost moment the other night when they’d been interrupted. Boy, would he ever.
Cord undid the lock of the trunk and lifted the dusty lid. He hadn’t looked in here since he’d packed what was left of Susan’s things after she’d cleared out. After her sob story, the court had given him enough problems as far as the divorce was concerned, and he hadn’t wanted to be accused of stealing. Then he’d forgotten about them.
He pulled out a pair of faded jeans. “Here, these might work. You can wear whatever you want.”
“Thanks.” Lexi stepped forward and started fingering through the contents. “Are you sure the owner isn’t going to mind?”
“These things are long forgotten. I’ll get rid of them one of these days. So help yourself.”
“I’m not sure anything will fit, but I’ll give them a try.”
His thoughts strayed to his ex. She had been a bit more full-figured—but curves weren’t everything. His ex certainly never made his heart pound like Lexi did when she brushed up against him—
A Moment To Love Page 15