Her smile faded. Color poured into her cheeks, causing him to regret his thoughtless remark. He stifled a frustrated sigh. He was completely out of practice when it came to making casual conversation with women—with anyone. He kept to himself on his ranch. It was better that way. It kept the gossip to a minimum.
The woman glanced down and moved a stone back and forth with the toe of one high heel. “The airline promised it would be here by this morning, but it isn’t. All I had in my carry-on was some casual clothes. I plan to go shopping after my meeting.”
“You have a meeting around here?”
She nodded. “With you.”
With him.
So he was right. She’d known who he was all along. His jaw clenched. “What do you want?”
She lifted her chin and looked him in the eyes. “Mr. Lawson—”
“Call me Cord. Mr. Lawson was my father.”
“Okay. Cord, you can call me Alexis. I’m here because I’m interested in purchasing the land you’ve put up for sale.”
He crossed his arms, sensing she was keeping something from him. “Lexi, how did you learn about my land being up for sale?”
Her eyes lit up, probably surprised by the way he’d shortened her name. Her mouth opened, but without a word, she snapped it shut again. He should have guessed a businesswoman like her would take herself too seriously to consider using a nickname. But he genuinely liked the name Lexi. It suited her.
“I saw an ad on the Internet and flew out here to see the property for myself.”
He took a moment to glance at the corral next to the lane with its wooden fence and the few horses that soaked in the morning sun. Could this stranger be the answer to his problems? Maybe he should hear her out. What could it hurt? He turned his gaze back to her. When he noticed her eyeing the horses, he asked, “Do you like horses?”
“Yes, I do. Quite a lot, actually.”
Some casual conversation before diving into business might loosen them both up. His mother used to tell him that you could catch more flies with honey than vinegar. He intended to get this particularly pesky fly snared in his trap before she opened up about her interest in his land. “Would you like to go check out my stallion? He’s one of the finest-bred horses in the county.”
Lexi didn’t answer as her gaze remained on the horse. For someone who liked horses, her hesitant expression puzzled him.
“Come on. I’ll introduce you.”
She shook her head. “Thanks. But I…I don’t think so.”
He knew by the way she continued to stare at his prize stallion that she was tempted. So what was holding her back? He knew it was none of his business, but horses were a passion of his and no one should fear them—respect them, yes, but not fear them. And then her comment and reaction came together.
“Did you fall from a horse?”
Her surprised gaze moved to him. “How did you know?”
He shrugged, not wanting to admit that the sadness reflected in her big blue eyes got to him. “Have you been on a horse since then?”
At first, she didn’t react. It was as though she hadn’t heard him, but then she shook her head. “I wanted to ride again, but…well, it didn’t work out.”
“Then come say hi to Midnight Star.” Cord led the way across the gravel parking area. The black stallion observed their approach. The horse remained perfectly still, as though curious about their intent. When Cord reached the fence, he glanced over to find Lexi a good five feet behind him. She stared in awe at the horse, but her shoulders formed a rigid line.
He had a hard time imagining being afraid of a horse. He’d always had a kinship with them, not that he was a horse whisper or anything, more like he had the patience other folks lacked. He liked to think that he was observant and open to their unspoken communications. More than anything, he took comfort in the fact that animals were not judgmental. They were accepting and loving, unlike most of the people who’d crossed his path.
The spirited stallion snorted, as though sensing the tension in the air. Cord let the horse and the woman keep their comfortable distance. Nothing good would come from rushing things.
“This is Midnight Star.” Cord climbed up and perched on the wood rail.
Lexi gave the horse a wide-eyed perusal. “He’s quite beautiful.”
“Yes, he is. He was a gift from my uncle.”
“You must be his favorite nephew.”