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As they walked along the sidewalk, everyone smiled and greeted them. A few times, Mrs. Sanchez stopped to hear a bit of news. Other times, she’d pause to share what she’d learned with others. Texting and instant messaging had nothing over these ladies. They were quite efficient and definitely stayed on top of everything that happened in town.
“It’s a shame there’s so many emp
ty storefronts,” Alexis said as they walked along Grande Avenue.
“Whistle Stop wasn’t always like this. When I was a kid, this town was booming. There was a copper mine that kept the town thriving. When it closed up, people started to move away.”
“That happens a lot with small towns. They lose their main employer and die out.”
“It’d be great to see it grow again. I just wish Mayor Ortiz hadn’t given up on the town. That man and his cronies that sit on the town council seem to have made peace with just letting Whistle Stop languish a slow death.” Mrs. Sanchez shook as though she’d just had a sudden chill. “It just gives me the willies thinking of the town I grew up in turning into a ghost town like Haggerty.”
Alexis didn’t like the idea either. “I wouldn’t give up yet. From what I’ve seen so far, this town has a lot of heart. It just needs a push in the right direction.”
Mrs. Sanchez slanted her a suspicious gaze. “Do you have something in mind?”
Great. She’d said too much, and now she had to backpedal out of it. “No, nothing specific. It just sounds like whatever the town council has tried so far hasn’t worked, and they’ll have to try something different.”
“Hmpf…that would mean they’d have to get off their duffs and get back to work.” Mrs. Sanchez leaned closer. “This is all just between us girls. I wouldn’t want it getting around.”
“Of course not.” Alexis bit back a laugh at the hypocrisy. “I won’t say a word.”
“What business did you say you’re in?”
All Alexis wanted now was for the sidewalk to open up and swallow her. She could see why Mrs. Sanchez seemed to know everything that was going on in Whistle Stop. She was exceedingly good at pulling information out of people. And now what did she tell the woman? The truth?
“Good morning.” An older gentleman strolled up the walk in the opposite direction.
“We were just looking for you, Mayor.”
Thank goodness for the interruption. Now it was time to get to work. Alexis just hoped her plan would work. Because she wasn’t getting far with Cord.
“You were looking for me?” The man with thick, wavy silver hair and a friendly smile stopped in front of them. “I’m such a lucky man to have two lovely ladies looking for me. What can I do for you both?”
“Let me introduce Alexis Greer. She’s visiting us from New York City. And she’s interested in the Lawson land.” Mrs. Sanchez lowered her voice. “I’m guessing that Cord isn’t being reasonable and she may need your help.”
“Is that so?” The man’s blue eyes turned to Alexis with much interest. “I’m always happy to help out. I was just stopping by Tilly’s Café for a cup of coffee. Would you care to join me?”
“I’d love to.” Alexis was never one to pass up coffee. And since her meeting with the county and state officials had gone quite well, it was time to get the local community on board with her plans. “I’d like to discuss the future of Whistle Stop with you.”
The mayor’s bushy brows rose. “You will have my full attention.” He pulled open the turquoise-painted, intricately carved door for her. “Shall we go inside?”
Alexis thanked the man as she passed by him. She noticed that Mrs. Sanchez was hot on her heels. This meant everything said in the meeting would spread around Whistle Stop faster than an express train. She would have to be extremely tactful.
Although if she worked this meeting just right, it might be what her plan needed to be a success. Alexis smiled. Her father wasn’t the only one who could think fast to salvage a deal.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Cord gripped a large coffee mug in his hand as he stepped onto the porch. It was mid-morning, but he still couldn’t seem to wake up. Nor could he sleep for worrying. He rested the cup of steamy and strong black brew on the white wood railing before stretching his tight muscles. There had to be a solution, a way to pay off the loan without selling out.
He yanked the papers Lexi had left him from his back pocket and unfolded them. At first glance, the words looked like gibberish. A groan started to form deep in his throat. He swallowed it down. He could do this. He just needed to take his time and focus like his mother had taught him all of those years ago when she’d patiently helped him with his studies.
With considerable effort, he saw the print on the page form words. He’d been struggling with this his whole life. He’d always been the last to finish school assignments, and the other kids had made fun of him for reading slowly or mispronouncing a word. Against his mother’s wishes, he’d finally dropped out to help his father around the ranch—the only person to truly understand what Cord had to deal with day in and out. His father had the same disorder and insisted reading wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.
Cord’s mother had vehemently disagreed with her husband and refused to let Cord give up. Each evening after chores were done, she’d work with him to learn how to cope with his severe dyslexia. Thanks to her love and determination, he’d earned his GED and could read when necessary. It was necessary now.
He’d made it through the first paragraph of Lexi’s legal document when the drone of an engine caught his attention. Expecting to find Lexi, he got to his feet. He straightened to his full height and pulled his shoulders back, ready to do business. It was time they got a few things straightened out. His gaze focused on an old but familiar pickup, definitely not Lexi’s late-model SUV. His shoulders sagged. What in the world had gotten into him? Since when did he sit around waiting for a woman?
Manny, his foreman, pulled to a stop in front of the porch, turned down a Johnny Cash tune and leaned an elbow out the window. “Hey, boss. I thought you were checking on the herd.”
