A Moment To Love

by Jennifer Faye

  Halting the direction of his thoughts, he moved to the doorway. “You can change here. You won’t be disturbed. I’ll go saddle the horses.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Maybe things were beginning to look up.

  Alexis knelt in front of the old chest and gazed in at the assortment of women’s clothing. Colorful tops, a stack of shorts, but only one pair of jeans. Who in the world had they belonged to? Alexis removed a white top. It consisted of a sleeveless corset that laced up the front. Interesting. Cord must like his women hot and daring. Alexis frowned. She was neither.

  She folded the clothing and placed everything except the jeans back where she found it. With the faded denim in hand, she stood up. She held the jeans in front of her, finding a rip above the knee. She couldn’t tell if it was from wear or if it was a fashion statement. And then there were streaks of paint, from sunny yellow to royal blue with a few other shades in between. The woman who once wore these must have been a painter, or her tastes ran on the unique side.

  In Alexis’s mind, she conjured up some pretty brunette, laughing and teasing Cord. If he still possessed a trunk full of her clothes, she must have meant a lot to him—the love of his life? A burning uneasiness churned in Alexis’s belly—could it be jealousy?

  Nonsense. What did she have to be jealous of? It wasn’t like she had any claims on the man. Still, wearing another woman’s clothes bothered her. She swallowed her ego and slipped on the mystery woman’s jeans. The one thing to soothe her was the fact that they were a little big on her. It wasn’t much, but it’s all the comfort she could find in this most uncomfortable situation.

  Not wanting to be reminded of the other woman—the one who’d obviously been an important part of Cord’s life—Alexis sent the trunk lid slamming shut. She dusted off her hands and headed out of the tack room. Not quite ready to face Cord, she walked to her SUV to retrieve a bottle of sunscreen. With a healthy amount smoothed over her exposed areas, she ran her palms over the jeans to clean off the excess. She grabbed her cowboy hat from the front seat. With all of her new acquisitions, she’d need to buy another suitcase—a really big one.

  All set for their outing, she turned toward the corral. With Cord nowhere in sight, she meandered over to where Midnight Star stood. When the horse heard her boots crunching over the gravel, he turned in her direction. His big, dark eyes studied her. As she drew closer to him, she realized he was much, much larger than she’d remembered. She swallowed hard.

  “Hey, boy,” she called out in a soothing voice. “Come here.”

  The horse studied her for a moment before approaching her. Alexis smiled. Okay. She’d definitely misjudged his size. Midnight Star had to be at least seventeen hands. Way too much of a horse for her to start out on.

  “I can’t stay.” She stroked his neck. “I just wanted to say hi.”

  She should get moving, but she didn’t want to leave—not yet. She didn’t realize until that moment how much she’d missed being around horses. If only she hadn’t fallen. If only her father hadn’t sold her horse, her beautiful Black Beauty. The sudden wave of memories brought with it regret and a deep sadness of how she’d sacrificed the things she’d cared about to become the daughter she thought her father wanted her to be. And yet even with all of the sacrifices, she still kept coming up short in her father’s eyes.

  “I see the jeans fit.” Cord strode into the corral with a horse all saddled up and ready to go.

  “Uh…yes. They’re a little big, but they’ll do. Thank you.”

  “Good.” He stopped on the opposite side of the fence and gave her a funny look. “Are you okay?”

  “Sure. Why?”

  “It’s just that you keep flexing your hand. Is it bothering you again?”

  “No. I’m fine. See?” She held up her arm and waved it around as she forced a smile. “Good as new.”

  She hadn’t even realized she’d been clenching her hand. The scorpion sting was almost healed. She made a conscious effort to hold her arm at her side with her hand still. It must have been the memory of her accident that had sent phantom pains shooting through her arm. The compound fracture had been a painful experience, but she also realized that she was one of the lucky ones. Her injuries could have been so much worse.

  Cord looked her over. “Are you still up for a ride?”

  “Sure. I can’t wait.” She resisted the urge to worry her bottom lip as she glanced over at the intimidating size of Midnight Star. She’d really gotten herself into a fix this time.

  Her stomach was a bundle of jittery nerves. How in the world had this sounded like such a good idea an hour ago? She climbed up over the fence surrounding the corral ready to tell Cord that she’d changed her mind about riding Midnight Star when he handed her the reins to the horse he’d just led from the barn. She sent him a puzzled look.

  “This is Blaze. You’ll be riding her today.”

  Not about to argue, she said, “Okay. If you think it’s best.” She breathed a sigh of relief. “Would you mind if I ride around a little in here while you get your horse saddled?”

  If she was going to fall again, it might as well be here rather than out on the trail. Way to go, Alexis. You’re not even on the horse yet and you’re planning to eat dirt.

  Cord gave her a hesitant look. “You know it’s not too late to change your mind.”

  “I know. But I want to do this. I…I just need a moment.”

  Cord held Blaze in place while she climbed into the saddle. Her stomach shivered and her hands were clammy as they clutched the reins, but she was most definitely back in the saddle. See? That wasn’t so hard.

  She started to smile, but then Cord went to release his hold on Blaze. “Don’t let go!”

  He arched a brow. “You really are afraid, aren’t you?”

  “Do you have to rub it in? You have no idea how traumatic the accident was for a teenage girl, especially one with an overprotective father.”

  “Okay. Okay. I’m sorry.” Lines bracketed his eyes and mouth. “How about I walk both of you around the corral so that you can get your bearings again?”

  “You promise you won’t let go?”

  “Do I look like the type of guy who goes back on his word?”

  She didn’t know that honest men had a certain look, but she did know that Cord took his word very seriously. And good to his word, he led Blaze around the corral. Though her stomach was still uneasy by the time they returned to the starting point, she was feeling a bit more confident.

  Cord moved to stand next to her. “Maybe we should skip the ride. We can do it another time.”

  “No. I want to do this.” She was more determined than ever to regain this part of her life. Horses were something she’d been very passionate about, and she didn’t want to walk away now. “I can do this.”

  “You’re sure? Because if you aren’t, it’s okay. I swear I won’t think any less of you.”

  The fact that he was that generous of spirit meant a lot to her. They’d gotten this ride off to a bad start, but she intended to remedy that from here forward.

  “I really appreciate you doing this for me.” She meant every word. “I was beginning to think that I’d never get on a horse again, and I’m so glad I was wrong. Thank you for helping me get over my nerves.”

  “I didn’t do a thing.” He said it as though he didn’t deserve any of the credit. And that simply wasn’t the truth. He was thoughtful and patient.

  “Do you mind if I circle the corral again while you get your horse?”

  He shrugged. “It’s fine by me. Will you be all right by yourself?”

  It was a good question, but if she didn’t squelch the last of her fears now, she’d never know the utter bliss of riding horses again. And that simply couldn’t happen.

  “I’ll be fine.” She set off at walk. By the second round, she was smiling as Blaze trotted around the large oval.

  In no time, they took off on their adventure. She tensed up again as they hit the t
rail, but Blaze responded to her commands almost before Alexis made them. It was as though the horse was psychic. For a while, they rode without saying a word. The silence didn’t bother Alexis, as she was distracted by the beautiful landscape—surrounded by an enormous field of desert grass that swayed to and fro with the breeze. And now that her uneasiness about being astride a horse again had for the most part passed, she was having the time of her life. Of course, it didn’t hurt that she had the world’s sexiest cowboy next to her.

  “This area is so different from the East Coast.” She really enjoyed the beauty of the Southwest, from the wide-open spaces to Roca Mountain standing tall in the distance.

  Cord cleared his throat. “I wouldn’t be able to make the comparison since I’ve never stepped foot outside this state.”

  “Doesn’t it bother you to miss an opportunity to explore the States—heck, the world?”

  “New Mexico has everything I need. Can’t imagine I’ve missed too much.”

  “If you ever make it to New York City, I’ll give you the grand tour.” She wished he’d take her up on the invitation, but in her gut, she knew he wouldn’t leave his little piece of heaven for any reason—her included.

  If it meant seeing more of Lexi, he was tempted. “I just might take you up on the offer.”

  She flashed him a bright smile. “Do you spend much time outdoors?”

  His lips lifted at the corners and his eyes reflected his amusement. “I’m a rancher. What do you think?”

  “Oops.” She couldn’t help but laugh at how that question must have sounded to him. “I meant, do you do much riding or hiking?”

  His smile faded. “Not nearly as much as I’d like. But when I was a kid, my mother rarely knew where I was until dinnertime. When she’d ring that dinner bell, I’d come running.”

  “A dinner bell?”

  “It used to hang by the steps on the porch. My mother got lots of use out of it.”

  Alexis grinned and shook her head.

  “What’s so amusing?”

  “Just imagining you as a young Indiana Jones setting off on an adventure in the desert, seeking out treasure.”

  “Not treasure. More like horned toads and tarantulas.”

  “Yuck!”

  This time he chuckled, and the hearty sound melted over her. This was the part of Cord that made her job here so hard. She really, really liked him. And everything about their relationship was one complication after another. Don’t go there. Just enjoy this time together.

  “My mother used the exact same word right before she ordered me outside with my newfound friends.”

  “Boys. You all seem to like anything creepy and crawly.” She scrunched her face up into a disgusted look and gave a little shake.

  His lips spread into a full smile. The simple gesture tugged at her heartstrings. She couldn’t afford to lower her defenses with him. She was already more personally involved with him than she ought to be. If she weren’t careful, he’d undo all of her carefully constructed barriers.

  She had to steer the conversation in a less personal direction. “This definitely isn’t an easy place to reach. Are we close to the ghost town?”

  “Not really. Although this is still part of the Brazen H.”

  She’d seen the Brazen H marked out on a map, but she hadn’t comprehended its true size until she’d visited the ghost town. The ever-increasing rocky terrain and towering cliff enthralled her.

  What surprised her most was how much she enjoyed the tranquility. Out here, there was nothing but sunshine, fresh air, and peace. She didn’t even have to reach for her cell phone to know there wasn’t a signal out here, and strangely enough, that didn’t bother her in the least.

  This time it was Cord who broke the silence. “When my grandfather was alive, he’d take time to teach me all sorts of things about life and nature.”

  “Those must be very special memories.”

  “They are the reason I wish you’d give up on your plan to destroy my family’s land.”

  She clamped off the groan in the back of her throat and swallowed hard. “I don’t want to destroy anything. In fact, I’d like to preserve as much of the surrounding landscape as possible.”

  “Why can’t you build your resort somewhere else?”

  “I’m sorry, but I can’t back out of this project.”

  “Can’t or won’t ?”

  A washed-out spot where the path narrowed at the beginning of a canyon had them going single file. She doubted this backcountry could get any more primitive. She followed Cord wishing she could understand his reasoning for risking the entire ranch rather than accepting her offer and saving a little more than half of this paradise. As the path smoothed out, so did her thoughts. Getting into a confrontation with him now about the ghost town wouldn’t do either one of them any good.

  She urged her horse up alongside his. “I just meant we’re running out of time to make this deal happen,” she said softly, as though that would ease the impact. “Soon you’re going to have to trust me to care for the land.”

  “And what if I don’t trust you? What if your friendliness is nothing more than a sham to draw me in and get me to sign away my heritage?”

  His words jabbed at her chest. She’d really hoped they’d moved beyond their mutual mistrust. Her fingers tightened on the reins. “Is that what you think of me?”

  “I honestly don’t know what I think anymore.”

  Somewhere along the way, she’d let herself foolishly think they had something genuine growing between them. She blinked repeatedly and focused on the rutted path. How could he think she’d stoop low enough to use their kisses, touches, and looks to work a business deal?

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  What in the world did he go and say that for?

  Cord glanced at Lexi, who now refused even to look his way. His hands clenched into tight balls. The leather reins dug into his palms. He had absolutely no idea how to deal with women. None whatsoever.

  Every muscle in his body grew rigid. He shouldn’t take his frustration out on her for his inability to remain immune to her charms. But just for once, he wanted a woman to like him for his own qualities instead of his assets. Was that asking too much?

  How long would Lexi wait before she once again broached the subject of buying Haggerty? Before she did, he intended to derail her by selling her on the idea of buying the couple hundred acres for a vacation home. He’d never been much of a salesman, but he’d give it his best shot.

  He guided his horse over to a shady area, and Lexi followed. Once he had the horses squared away, he turned to her. “We walk from here.”

  Her head turned toward the steep wall of the canyon. “We’re going up there?”

  “Yep. Are you up for it?”

  “Uh…sure.” Her tone lacked sincerity.

  “Don’t worry. It looks worse than it is.”

  “I sure hope so,” she mumbled.

  “Here.” He offered her a bottle of water. “You look like you need it.”

  “I have some bottled water in my backpack.” She retrieved it from Blaze’s saddle as well as a Choconut Bar. She waved it at Cord. “Want it?”

  The sight of her freely handing over her favorite candy lightened his mood. “Do you go anywhere without one of those?”

  She smiled, making him eager to believe there was something real growing between them. He wanted her—as much as he wanted to hold on to his family’s land. Wait. What? When had this happened? When had she sneaked past all of his strategically placed defenses?

  “A girl has to be prepared for anything.” She smiled up at him, and that funny feeling started again in his chest.

  It was true—she’d gotten to him. Still reeling from the revelation of how much she’d come to mean to him, he struggled to act normal. He couldn’t let on that his world had suddenly tilted off-kilter. “And you figured that with a trusty Choconut Bar handy, you’re ready to face any problem?”

  A hesitant smile lifted
her lips. “Something like that.”

  “But if I eat this, won’t you get hungry?”

  “I’m fine. I stopped by the Cantina this morning for some more of those huevos rancheros.”

  He smiled. That simple action eased his tension. “I told you they have the best food this side of the Mississippi. Put the candy in your bag. You’ll want it when we get to the top.”

  She did as he suggested. It was good to know that she didn’t always have to have her own way. Maybe there was a chance for them—oh, who was he kidding? Selling or not selling the land was a small part of their problems. They came from two totally different worlds. He could never make her happy long-term—eventually, the novelty of having a cowboy escort her around would wear off. But no matter how he rationalized it, he still couldn’t extinguish the desire to pull her back into his arms and show her what she was missing—what they were both missing.

  As they started their ascent up the jagged cliff, Lexi asked, “Is there a name for this place?”

  “I call it the Little Grand Canyon.” He paused to glance back at her. “If we hike to the top, you won’t be disappointed by the spectacular view.”

  Usually, he’d meander around exploring for wildlife, but not today. With Lexi being an inexperienced hiker, he planned to take the most direct path. He led them at a steady pace, while skirting the patches of desert grass and scraggly brush. His boots safely deflected the sticker burrs with tiny, painful barbs. The only sound was from the wind whipping through the canyon and the stones crunching beneath their feet.

  He paused about halfway up the wall of rock. “Do you need a break?”

  “I’m fine. You can keep going.”

  He didn’t stop until they reached the overlook with a spectacular view of the narrow canyon. He moved to a large rock, his favorite place to sit and take in the scenery. He set his backpack next to a boulder as Lexi caught up to him. She dropped her supplies on the ground. Her face was splotchy, and she looked exhausted. Maybe he shouldn’t have been so eager to share this spot with her.