“Bingo?”
When had Lexi taken up spending her evenings with the locals? Why hadn’t he heard anything about it? He needed to start getting out more. Maybe joining Tony with the volunteer fire department wouldn’t be such a bad idea after all.
Ana laughed, drawing his attention back to her. “What’s so funny?”
“The surprised look on your face. Is it that surprising to find out the woman likes bingo? Or are you worried she might like it in Whistle Stop and decide to stay on?”
“She can do whatever she pleases. Makes no difference to me.” Not even he could buy into that lie. Everything Lexi did mattered to him.
Ana set a menu in front of him. “Ralph Vasquez wasn’t feeling well, so Alexis agreed to fill in as the announcer. You know how important bingo is to the town.”
“How’d you talk her into it?”
Ana rested a hand on her hip. “I didn’t. It was her idea. And she spent an evening at the quilting guild. Don’t say anything, but she still has a lot to learn about working a needle. But the ladies loved her, and they were happy to teach her the basics.”
After he ordered a cup of black coffee, Ana left him alone with his thoughts. Too bad all of these revelations had come too late. Lexi probably already had her bags packed. And even if he had sympathized with her situation, it wouldn’t stop her from returning to New York.
Maybe he’d subconsciously judged her by Susan’s yardstick. Those two were nothing alike when he looked beyond their need to be successful—but who didn’t want to be successful? It was all about how you went about fulfilling your dreams—there was a right way and a bunch of wrong ways to go about it. Lexi did it the right way. She didn’t sneak around. She’d been honest about what she wanted way before they’d shared their first kiss. He’d known what he was getting himself into. And he’d let himself get in deep—real deep.
Now, could he say goodbye to Lexi? The thought of him going to New York taunted his mind. He’d always sworn he’d never leave Whistle Stop, but now he was seriously reconsidering his decision.
???
Long before the sun climbed above the distant horizon, Cord’s day started. In fact, he’d never gone to sleep. Instead, he’d lain in bed staring into the darkness, knowing that when daylight dawned he’d have to face facts and choke down his pride.
All morning, he moved through his chores, forcing one exhausted foot in front of the other. His movements were slow and clumsy as his thoughts continued to stray back to his argument with Lexi. The guilt over the way they’d parted ways weighed down his already beleaguered body.
When he was alerted to the fact a windmill pump in the southern pasture had quit working, he heaved a weary sigh. He didn’t need any more problems. Losing Lexi had him tied up in knots. By the time Cord had dropped his wrench for the fifth time and busted a knuckle open, Manny pushed him aside.
“Go home, boss. I’ve got this.”
He gave Manny a questioning look and saw his friend meant business. “Are you sure?”
“Positive. Go do what ya gotta do. Things will be fine here.”
Cord knew he needed to step back and let Manny handle it. His friend had never let him down, and it was good to have someone watching his back. It made him wonder if Lexi had anyone watching hers. She was so busy trying to take care of him and her father that he didn’t think she ever took time to think of herself. How could he have accused her of doing otherwise? Regret punched him hard in the gut. He’d been a bigger fool than he’d originally thought, and that was saying a lot.
He glanced at Manny who was already hard at work on the pump. “You’re sure you have this?”
Manny nodded. “Go.”
“Thanks. You’re a good man.”
Cord headed for the house. His decision had been made, and putting it off wasn’t doing him or anyone else any good. He strode through the front door and immediately noticed how the silence engulfed him. He missed the blissful chime of Lexi’s laugh and her endless chatter. She may not be the best cook, but she’d been willing to try, and that had touched him.
Why did her presence in his life have to be tied to the land? Why did being with her feel like he had to choose between his past and his future? He recalled the distant promise he’d made to his grandfather to protect all of this land, including Haggerty. Don’t worry, Grandpa. I’ll take care of the land just like you and Pa did.
Only Cord hadn’t kept his word. He’d failed long ago—when he’d lost half of the ranch in the divorce settlement. Why hadn’t he realized that before now? Whatever action he took now wouldn’t change that sobering fact. Somehow, in accepting that he’d already failed to keep his word, it freed him up to follow his heart’s desire—Lexi.
After a brief shower, he threw on his newest jeans and the shirt he’d set aside for those rare moments when he needed to dress up. On his way to the door, he glanced down at the stand where the folded papers awaited his signature. Time to put his feet to the fire and save what he could of his past and his future.
He carried the papers into the living room and sat down. With great effort, he started to read. He was pleased to find the document was written in straightforward language. His conscience said he should have an attorney go over it, but his heart told him to trust Lexi. He firmly believed that she’d never swindle him—or stand for anyone else to do it.
Cord walked to the kitchen, grabbed a pen, and took a deep breath. It was for the best. He pressed the tip of the pen to the paper. He noticed the slightest tremor in his hand as he scrawled his name on the appropriate line. When he finished, he expelled a pent-up breath.
He folded the papers—his proof that he’d heard her, truly heard her.
With his Stetson in hand, he headed out the door. He’d reached the bottom porch step when he heard a vehicle approaching. Could it be Lexi? He stopped and waited. The breath caught in his chest. Had she come back to give him another chance to get things right?