“I need to know. I need to understand why you took away the horse I loved.”
A strained silence ensued. “The day of your accident, I…I’d never been so scared in my life. You were still my little girl, and I wanted to protect you.” His voice grew deep and gravelly with emotion. “I probably overreacted…okay, I did overreact by selling your horse, but I couldn’t take the chance of losing you. I’m sorry I hurt you.”
Her heart swelled with love. Her father rarely ever talked about emotions, and for him to do so now moved her greatly. “Oh, Father, you’ll never lose me. I promise.”
“Ah, daughter, don’t make promises you can’t keep. You’re grown up now. Sooner or later, you’ll find the right guy and things will change. Things always change.”
Did he suspect something between her and Cord? Impossible. There was no way he could know what all had transpired between her and Cord. Her father continued talking while her thoughts spiraled back to that last toe-curling kiss. If they’d been somewhere more comfortable, she had no doubt things would have gone further—much further. But would that have been a wise decision? Perhaps not. Okay, definitely not. But at that moment, would that have stopped her? Heck no.
“Alexis, are you listening to me?”
“Um…yes.” Thank goodness they were on the phone, because it’d take her father only one look to know she was lying. “Father, you should take some of your own advice. It’s time you make some changes. You can’t go back to your crazy work schedule. Your body needs a slower pace.”
“I’m not ready to be put out to pasture. My mind is still sharp as a tack.”
She couldn’t argue. That’s why she’d made sure to keep him away from the office. It wouldn’t take him long to figure out the business was in trouble—serious trouble.
Her throat tightened, and she hoped her voice would sound normal. “Retirement doesn’t mean you have to stop living. It means you’ll have more time for hobbies. There are a million things you could try. It’s time you seriously consider what the doctors have been telling you. I don’t want to lose you either.”
“I hear you.” His voice suddenly sounded like that of an old man, something she never considered him. “Doesn’t mean I have to be excited about the future.”
“We’ll be okay,” she said, encouraged that he hadn’t outright rejected the idea of retiring. “Change will only make us stronger. Now I’m off to talk to a rancher about some land.”
With the town meeting not far off, she was running out of time to reason with Cord before the entire community was involved. In order to finalize this deal, she had to keep their interaction purely business. She wouldn’t let herself get distracted by the temptation of his persuasive lips or magical fingers.
Who did she think she was kidding?
Alexis hadn’t seen Cord in more than forty-eight long hours, and she’d barely thought of anything but saving the Brazen H and helping her favorite cowboy. She’d spent every waking moment of the last two days splitting her time between revamping her presentation to the town and researching an alternative site for the resort. Her presentation was almost complete.
She rushed to get ready to go see Cord, all the while going over everything in her head. The Arizona property had potential, but the owners weren’t exactly jumping to sell. However, the paper she’d signed for Cord’s bank remained valid for only forty-eight more hours—then the wheels of foreclosure would kick into gear.
In no time, she was driving toward the Brazen H. She could no longer go with her original approach to get the town to pressure Cord into selling to her. She’d already witnessed his difficulties with some of the town’s residents. She didn’t want to make him feel even more ostracized. And it was more important than ever that Cord be at the meeting. She wanted to show him that she was on his side and trying every which way to save his land and her company. After all, it didn’t have to be Christmastime for miracles to happen, did it?
She pulled her rental vehicle to a stop by Cord’s weathered barn. She didn’t even waste her time checking the house. He wouldn’t be there when there was work to be done. But with a sprawling ranch, Cord could be anywhere.
A young ranch hand stepped out of the barn. He was tall and lanky. Her guess would be that he had just graduated high school. When his gaze caught hers, surprise reflected in his eyes. She’d been around the Brazen H long enough to realize they didn’t entertain many guests here.
She approached the young man. “Hi. Do you know where I can find Cord?”
“You the woman that wants to buy his land?” His face was devoid of emotion, so she wasn’t sure what reaction to expect from him.
“Yes. I’m Alexis Greer.” She held out her hand.
The young man pulled off his gloves, rubbed his palm over his faded jeans, and then shook her hand. “I’m Jesse.”
“Nice to meet you, Jesse.” She smiled, but he didn’t return the gesture.
He stared at her as though trying to make up his mind about her. If this kid was having such a hard time trying to decide if he should give her the benefit of the doubt, no wonder Cord was so hesitant around her.
Jesse stuffed his hands into his pockets. “You’re going to be talking at the town meeting tomorrow, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I am. I hope you’ll be there.”
His brows gathered. “Are you gonna turn the town against Cord in order to get his land? ‘Cause he doesn’t deserve it. He’s a good guy.”
“I promise I don’t plan to make things worse for Cord. I’d like to help him if I can. Do you know where he is?”
Jesse nodded.