A Moment To Love (25 page)

The what if’s and maybe’s danced through her mind, keeping her up all night. By the time the sun had crept over the horizon, she’d had a new plan. It wasn’t a perfect plan, but it was better than nothing. However, there was one major hitch—her new idea would still leave her father’s company in a tough spot…

The words
her father’s company
profoundly struck her. Was this truly how she looked at HSG—as her
father’s
business?

She didn’t have to even contemplate the answer. Deep inside, she knew she’d followed in his footsteps because it was what was expected of her—not because she’d chosen the path herself. As much as she loved her father, she didn’t love running HSG. Did that make her an ungrateful daughter? A bad daughter?

Even so, could she keep on doing what was expected of her? When was it appropriate to follow her heart? Something told her that it’d never be the right time where her father was concerned. This meant she must now mark her line in the sand. She either chose her future with Cord or chose her preordained future at HSG—if Cord agreed to the sale.

The decision nagged at her as she drove down the familiar two-lane highway toward the Brazen H. She knew the answer her heart craved, but she didn’t know how her father would take the news.

If the resort didn’t go through, HSG would no longer have the working capital to stay in operation. The business’s assets would be sold off. Her father would be forced into retirement. At least money wouldn’t be an issue for him. He had plenty in savings to live comfortably the rest of his life.

At last convinced she knew what was best for all of them, she turned onto the gravel road to Cord’s house. She slowed down when she noticed an unfamiliar black sedan in front of the house. Who would be visiting Cord?

Her gaze moved to the porch where Cord was shaking hands with…with her father? She blinked. Her mouth gaped open. What was he doing here?

Her father accepted folded papers from Cord—the sales agreement. Her heart slammed into her ribs, knocking the breath from her lungs. Her father had flown out here because he hadn’t trusted her to finish this deal. She threw the vehicle into park, but she didn’t bother to cut the engine. She wouldn’t be here long enough to bother.

Cord turned as she marched up the steps to them. She lifted her shades, resting them on her head. She shot Cord a don’t-you-dare-mess-with-me glare. She’d deal with him later.

She turned to her father, taking in his drawn face and sunken cheeks. The strong man he’d once been was now reduced to the stature of a man twenty years older than he was. His gaunt appearance only fueled her anxiety over him traveling so far and all alone.

Howard Greer smiled. “Daughter, I’m glad you’re here. I was worried about you.”

“You were, huh?” She planted her hands on her hips. “So now it’s my fault you ignored the doctor’s orders and hopped on a plane.”

“I thought you might need me, and I was right.” His brows furrowed, and his eyes darkened, which always happened when he’d reached the end of his patience.

“Why is that? Oh, never mind. It doesn’t matter.” Her concern came out in anger—anger over his risky behavior. Already on emotional overload, she didn’t stop there. “You aren’t supposed to be working or traveling. I’m the one handling the business now.”

“Daughter, if you’ll calm down, I’ll explain. The doctor released me to resume normal activity—”

“And the first thing you decided to do was jump on a plane and come here to undermine my efforts to secure this deal.”

“I was worried—”

“About your company. I know. It’s all you talk about. Well, for months now I’ve been worried about you, but you don’t seem to get that.”

She swung around to Cord. Her fingers pointed at him. “And you, why would you cave in to my father after all I did to close this deal?”

“What are you talking about?” Cord stepped toward her but she backed away. “I didn’t cave in to him.”

She yanked the document from her father’s hand and shook them at Cord. “I talked to you—no, I
begged
you to sign these papers and save your home, but you flat-out refused.”

“I…I had to think things over. It was a big decision for me. Surely you understand—”

“Funny how all of your clarity came about when my father shows up.” Her hands pressed to her hips.

“That’s not true—”

“I bet if I look at these papers, they’ll be signed.”

“Wait.” Cord reached for the papers.

“I’ve waited too long already.” She moved out of his reach and unfolded them. The blue ink of Cord’s signature stood out. He’d at last agreed to sell Haggerty. A convergence of conflicting emotions dammed up inside her.

“Lexi,” Cord’s brown gaze pleaded with her, “we need to talk about this. Alone.”

“No, we don’t. There’s nothing left for us to discuss.” She was incensed to think he’d undercut her in front of her father. “And, Father, you obviously don’t need me. You seem determined to do what you please, whether it’s good for you or not. Well, don’t expect me to stand around and watch you work yourself into an early grave.”

“I won’t…I…I’m not.”

“You are, and you’re too stubborn to realize it. You can do it alone, because I quit.” She looked at one stunned man and then the other. “You both are the most pigheaded men I’ve ever dealt with. You deserve each other.”

She tossed the papers at her father before turning on her heel and marching down the steps. Once inside her vehicle, the cold air from the vents fanned her hot face. She yanked the gearshift into reverse, not giving either man the slightest glance. Whatever they decided to do was no longer her problem.

She tramped the accelerator. The time had come to reevaluate her life. She could start over anywhere in the world she wanted. She was free. She should be jubilant. Relieved.

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

C
ord’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.”

“If she’ll have me.” There still remained one huge question in his mind. Would Lexi forgive and forget? Cord didn’t waste any time standing around debating the answer. Only the woman herself could let him know where he stood.

His hurried footsteps thundered through the house as he ran to the study. In the cabinet beneath the bookcase sat the safe. Inside were his mother’s diamond and turquoise-inlaid wedding rings. He grabbed the diamond solitaire and stuffed the little box in his pocket.

He headed for the door. He’d find everything else he needed to scale the wall around Lexi’s heart in town. He took the steps two at a time and strode to the pickup. He didn’t have time to waste—he couldn’t be too late to set things right with her.

♥♥♥

This had to be a nightmare.

But try as she might, Alexis couldn’t dismiss the fact that the two men she cared most about in this world had just let her down. How could they have done that to her?

Alexis wheeled her rental vehicle into the motel parking lot, turned off the engine, and sat there for a moment. Her heart was still pounding, and her hands were shaking. She needed to calm down—big-time. A Choconut Bar sprang to mind. And just as soon as the thought occurred to her, she realized that the last thing she needed was more calories.

As it was, she’d have to get up earlier when she got back to New York so she could spend extra time at the gym. And then her dinner choices would be relegated to the salad section of the takeout menus. Definitely not a regime she was anticipating, but a girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do. And right now, circumstances dictated that she wallow in the rich chocolaty taste of her favorite candy. Her dieting could just wait another day. After all, these were extraordinary circumstances.

She debated whether she should drive the short distance to the Hitchin’ Post or walk. The answer was easy—she’d walk. It wasn’t far, plus the fresh air and sunshine might help improve her sour mood, though she doubted it. She’d just stepped out of her vehicle when Mrs. Sanchez came rushing over.

“Are you all right?” The woman peered speculatively at her through her black-rimmed glasses. “An older gentleman was here looking for you. But don’t worry, I didn’t tell him anything.”

“No worries. It was my father. I just saw him.” She might as well tell her now. “I’m leaving.”

“Leaving?”

“Um, yes. I’ll be over to settle up my bill as soon as I run a quick errand.” She didn’t have the nerve to say that her craving for a Choconut Bar was greater than her willpower.

“But why?” Mrs. Sanchez’s round face creased with worry lines. “What happened? Is it the resort?”

Alexis shook her head. “I don’t know what’s going to happen with it. It’s not my problem anymore.”

“But…but you worked so hard to make it all work.”

“I’m not a part of HSG anymore. I just quit.”

Mrs. Sanchez’s mouth gaped. She looked as stunned as Alexis felt. And now that she’d actually uttered the words that she’d quit her job, she realized there was no need to rush back to New York. She was no longer needed there. But she couldn’t stay in Whistle Stop either. This was Cord’s town, and it was much too small to avoid each other indefinitely.

The thought of never seeing Cord again spiked her anxiety. She desperately needed that chocolate. “I’ll be back to pay my bill.”

For the first time since she’d met the woman, Mrs. Sanchez stood there, speechless, and merely nodded. The events of the day played over in Alexis’s mind as a gentle breeze brushed over her skin and threaded through her hair, scattering it about. How could she have been so foolish as to think she and Cord would be together? When was she ever going to learn that the people she loved would invariably let her down?

She took the long way around town, enjoying one last look around. When she reached the Hitchin’ Post, she pulled open the glass door, and the little bell jingled over her head. The backs of her eyes stung, and she blinked. After today, she’d never hear that bell again or talk to these wonderful people. Whistle Stop had grown on her more than she’d ever thought possible.

She moved to the candy rack and went to grab a Choconut Bar, but found the box empty. Where had they gone? The box had been nearly full the day of the town meeting. She knew because she’d needed a little chocolate to take the edge off her anxiety before standing in front of the town and pitching her ideas.

She stepped up to the checkout counter. Sam gazed at her empty hands with a puzzled look on his face. “Hey, Lexi. Can I help you?”

“I hope so. You seem to have run out of Choconut Bars. Please tell me you have more in the back.”

“Afraid not. Ever since you’ve come to town, I seem to sell more of those than any other candy. But don’t you worry. Sam has you all taken care of.” He smiled proudly. “I ordered twice as many. They should be here in a day. Two, tops. I put a rush on them just for you. It’s my way of saying thanks.”

“Thanks? For what?” Had she missed something?

“It’s just that it’s been awhile since anyone has taken a special interest in Whistle Stop and gone the extra mile.”

“But I didn’t do anything.” Not really. Certainly not like she’d hoped by building the resort and providing more jobs for the families of Whistle Stop.

“You did more than you think.” He glanced around as though making sure they were alone, then he leaned across the counter and lowered his voice. “You got that lazy, complacent town council to sit up and take notice. I’m telling you, good things are coming to Whistle Stop, and we’ll all have you to thank.”

Alexis smiled and blinked back another wave of tears. She sure hoped Sam was right. Whistle Stop was a great place to visit and to live. Too bad she wouldn’t be around to see the changes.

She thanked Sam and rushed out of the store before she dissolved into a messy puddle of tears. She definitely had to leave—the sooner, the better. Saying good-bye to everyone was just too painful.

Not ready for another farewell with Mrs. Sanchez, Alexis headed for her motel room to pack. She’d just placed the empty suitcase on the queen-size bed when there was a knock at the door.

She took a deep, calming breath. Hopefully, it wasn’t her father or Cord. She wasn’t ready to deal with either of them. She looked through the peephole and then swung open the door.

“Mayor Ortiz, hi. Can I help you?”

“Do you have a moment to talk?”

She had absolutely no idea what they’d talk about, but she had to admit she was curious. And it’d be a nice distraction from her own problems. “Sure. Come on in.”

Leaving the door wide open, the mayor stepped into the small room. His gaze came to rest on the suitcase. “So the rumors of you leaving Whistle Stop are true?”

She nodded. “They are. My job is done here. I’m sorry, but I’m no longer working on the resort project, so I can’t tell you how it’s going to work out.”

“The town council and I would like to thank you for working so hard on the town’s behalf to make the resort a possibility. We owe you a debt of gratitude.”

Why did everyone keep thanking her? She didn’t deserve it.

“But I didn’t finalize the deal. It’s still up in the air.” She had no idea what her father and Cord had decided to do.

“Perhaps we don’t need the resort. Maybe the sole purpose of the resort was to bring you to our town. The older I get, the more I find that fate works in very unpredictable ways.”

“But if it wasn’t the resort, then what was the point of me being here?”

“That’s easy. To wake up a town that had grown accustomed to moaning and groaning about the economic decline and the continual erosion of residents.” He smiled at her and took her hand in his. “Thank you for waking up this foolish old man and making me see all of the opportunities that I was letting slip by.”

“You mean about the railroad and restoring the town square?”

“Yes.” He squeezed her hand. “I’ve called a special meeting of the town council to follow up on what you’ve started. In fact, I came here to invite you to the meeting. Your input would be most welcome. But I see I’m too late.” He released her hand. “If you change your mind, the meeting is tomorrow evening at six at the community center.”

“I’m sorry, but I really do need to get back to New York.” She wanted to go to that meeting more than she let on. She had a lot of ideas about festivals and hot air balloon rides. There were so many things they could do to draw the community together while also entertaining visitors.

“You will always be welcome in Whistle Stop. Maybe sometime in the future you can visit and see how we’re doing with the town’s makeover.”

“I’d really like that.” But she didn’t imagine it would ever happen.

After a brief hug, the mayor headed for the door. When it closed, Alexis felt more alone than she’d ever felt in her life. At least she could cling to the fact that her time here had done some good. She had no doubt the mayor intended to breathe new life into Whistle Stop. It wouldn’t dry up into a ghost town like Haggerty had.