She rolled her eyes and shook her head.
After she washed up, she joined him at the table. They filled up their plates with steak and the salad he’d tossed with red wine vinaigrette.
They quietly ate until the silence started to bother him. “Did you tell your father about your encounter with the scorpion?”
“No. I didn’t want to worry him. He’s already more stressed than he needs to be.”
This was where Cord was supposed to interject something to keep the conversation going. But what? He had zero experience playing host or striking up an engaging conversation.
He settled for the first thought that came to his mind. “Your steak…is it cooked the way you like? I could put it back on the grill.”
She glanced down at her plate as though she’d momentarily forgotten about the food. “It’s great. Thank you for making it. I feel bad for making you go out of your way.”
He shrugged. “I don’t get many guests. I’d forgotten how nice it is to share a meal with someone.”
Now why in the world had he gone and said that? But then Lexi smiled at him. A genuine smile. One of those that lit up her whole face and warmed a spot in his chest.
“This is so much better than eating alone at my desk while poring over reports.” She took a bite of steak.
He couldn’t imagine someone so young and beautiful spending all of her time working. He’d have thought her social calendar would be booked. “Maybe you should cut back on your hours at the office. I’m sure there has to be a lot to do in New York City.” Not that he’d know. He’d never ventured beyond the New Mexico border. Everything he needed was right here. “What sort of things do you like to do?”
“You mean, aside from work?” She sat back as though giving his question serious consideration. “I like to read cozy mysteries. I started a really good one months ago, but I haven’t had time to get back to it.”
“You know what they say about all work and no play…”
“I do. But I have priorities.”
“That doesn’t mean you can’t take a moment to enjoy yourself.” He couldn’t believe what he was saying. Why should he care how she chose to spend her time? It was absolutely none of his business.
“Maybe you could show me more of your ranch. I really enjoyed seeing Haggerty. And I’d really enjoy riding one of your horses.”
He bit back an eager invitation. This was so unlike him. Even with his ex, he hadn’t been interested in her so quickly. Susan had been the one to initiate things. And look where that had gotten him. Still, he couldn’t be rude. His mother had raised him better than that. And Lexi deserved only the best.
“If there’s time before you leave, we could take a ride to a remote spot that you might enjoy.”
“Great. I’m looking forward to it.”
; He glanced up, surprised by her eagerness. Maybe they didn’t have to be adversaries. Maybe they could agree to disagree about what was best for the land and be friendly with each other. He didn’t have many friends, aside from the ranch hands. Something told him Lexi would be a good friend.
She added some butter to her potato. “Do you have any relatives in Whistle Stop?”
He shook his head. “Not anymore.”
She looked as though she were about to ask something else, but instead she mashed the butter into the potato before taking a bite.
Eager to make the most of the opportunity to connect with her, he said, “The land and the animals keep me grounded.”
“What about friends?” She laid down her fork and stared at him.
“Obviously, you must have heard some of the gossip about me that’s going around town.” She nodded, and he continued, “Then there’s nothing more for me to add.”
Her concerned gaze met his. “Sure there is. If you know what they’re saying, why don’t you stop it?”
“I can’t fight the truth.” So much for his fantasy about being a “real man” in Lexi’s eyes.
“You call that bunch of rehashed garbage the truth? I haven’t known you very long, but I know you aren’t like the man they described to me in town. And I told Mrs. Sanchez that—”