She glanced at her reflection in the rearview mirror, catching sight of the damp streaks trailing down her cheeks. She was something all right. Disappointed. Crushed.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Cord’s hands clenched as Lexi’s SUV roared down the lane. In her wake, the billowing dust cloud obscured the last sight of her—or was it the steam from her boiling temper?
He couldn’t believe he’d handled things so badly. He’d meant to say he loved her and to beg her forgiveness, but he hadn’t been able to bring himself to grovel in front of her father. Cord’s body tensed. He’d once again let his foolish pride trip him up.
“What are you doing, boy?” Mr. Greer moved to stand by him at the porch rail.
Cord, still lost in his thoughts, looked at the man in confusion. “What?”
“Are you just going to stand there and let her get away?”
“She said she doesn’t want anything to do with either of us.”
“And you believe her?” The man shook his head in disbelief. “My daughter has been deeply hurt in her life. When her mother left, Alexis was devastated. Not only did she have to deal with her mother’s absence, but then exaggerated rumors about her mother spread like wildfire. Alexis’s peers overheard those vicious lies and taunted my daughter mercilessly…”
Mr. Greer’s face grew ashen. His head lowered, and he shook it. Cord stood there, utterly stunned. Alexis hadn’t mentioned any of this to him.
“I…I failed her.” Mr. Greer’s voice grew emotional, and his shoulders slumped. “My ex-wife’s affair took me by surprise, and then her legal battle for the company sucked up most of my attention. My daughter was left to fend for herself, and I’m afraid she learned to hide her heart behind walls that are so high you’ll need climbing gear if you hope to scale them.”
Everything the man told him filled in the blanks about Lexi’s past. Cord longed to race after her, but he held back. He needed to be prepared if he wanted to get past her now reinforced walls.
Cord started for the front door—but then he paused.
“What is it, boy?”
Cord turned back. “No matter what she says, she loves you.”
“I know.” The man’s eyes were shiny with emotion. “I love her, too, even if I don’t always show it.”
“My going after her will only hurt her more.”
Mr. Greer’s gray brows scrunched together. “I don’t follow.”
Cord shifted his weight from one foot to the other. The admission would cost him dearly, but he had to do his best to help mend the relationship between father and daughter. “Lexi didn’t mean it about quitting HSG. She was blowing off steam. She won’t leave you alone at the company. She’s told me that numerous times. After she cools off, she’ll be back at work.”
The man’s face grew solemn. “That?
??s one of the things I wanted to tell her. After I’d gone over everything at HSG and took stock of the challenges awaiting me, I had a long chat with my doctor.”
Mr. Greer turned and rested his palms against the porch railing and stared out at Roca Mountain. Would he just spit it out? What had he decided? Something told Cord this decision was going to greatly impact his life. For better or worse remained to be seen.
“And…” Cord prodded, unable to stand the suspense.
“And my daughter will no longer have to worry about me or the company. I also think it’s time my girl has someone of her own to lean on. Someone who’s dependable and will put her best interests first.” Mr. Greer turned and looked Cord squarely in the eyes. “I think you’re that man. Now quit standing around. You have a woman to track down.”
In Cord’s book, those words qualified as a father’s approval. He turned toward the front door.
“You’re going the wrong way if you want to catch her.”
Cord turned back. “I figure I’ll need some special climbing gear if I’m going to scale those walls around her heart.”
The man chuckled. “And I’ve got a plane to catch. Tell my daughter I love her and I’ll talk to her soon.”
“Will do.” In his rush to get to Lexi, Cord almost forgot to do something very important. He extended his hand to Mr. Greer. “Thank you.”
The man’s eyes opened wide, and then a smile eased the ingrained lines on his face. “My daughter does have good taste.” He gripped Cord’s hand with a firm grip. “Just remember to send me an invitation to the wedding.”