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“You’re sure about that?”
“I’ve been here long enough to get to know some of the town’s people, including Cord, and I’ve come to understand how much the land means to him.”
Her father grunted. “While you’re getting all friendly with that cowboy, don’t forget that our project is on the line.”
She stifled a groan. She realized the severity of the situation more than he did, but she also believed Cord deserved to keep his family’s land intact. She didn’t bother trying to explain any of this to her father. He wouldn’t understand.
“Quit stressing,” she said. “I have everything under control.”
“I can fly out—”
“No. Stay there and go to your physical therapy.”
“I still think there’s something you’re not telling me. What is it?”
She ignored his question. “There is one more thing. After we complete this deal, how about you sell HSG and retire? There are a couple of companies interested in acquiring it.”
“This isn’t the time to discuss such things. You have more important matters to attend to,” he grumbled.
More stalling tactics. “Father—”
“Fine.” He sighed. “I don’t want to argue about this over the phone. We’ll discuss me cutting back on my hours after you’ve returned to New York.”
“I’ll take that as a promise.”
New York hadn’t crossed her mind until now. Other than her adoring father, she hadn’t left behind anyone to miss her, not even so much as a cat or a dog. The fact her parent would be the only one to notice if she didn’t return to the city was a sad commentary on her life. She’d have to change that when she returned, but she wasn’t quite sure how to go about it.
With high hopes for the Arizona property, she grabbed her laptop, hoping Cord had Internet access at the ranch. She wanted to go back over the information the Realtor had e-mailed her about the prospective property’s specifics. She yawned. She was anxious to find an alternative site, but she wasn’t foolish enough to rush in without checking the specs. Another yawn soon followed. Still, she couldn’t douse the rising hope that this would be the answer to their problems. And maybe she’d consider all of it after she closed her eyes for a bit.
The ride to the Brazen H was quiet and short. She wondered if Cord was starting to regret his insistence that she stay with him. It’d serve him right for being so stubborn. She could have taken care of herself, but it was nice to have someone worry about her—even if it was out of some sense of obligation.
Now, as Alexis stood in Cord’s living room, she immediately noticed how everything was in its place. Interesting. For some reason, she’d thought a bachelor would be messy and his house would be chaotic. Cord surprised her—and not for the first time.
While he was still outside having a word with his foreman, Alexis glanced around at the cream paint covering the walls and the tan draperies that hung on either side of the large bay window. She noticed how the room lacked any books. Upon closer inspection, she found it devoid of magazines or even a newspaper. How strange. She’d always found that she could tell so much by a person’s reading habits, but Cord still remained an intriguing mystery.
A small collection of antique black-and-white photos drew her interest. She couldn’t resist walking over to have a closer look. A tall, light-skinned man posed in front of a rustic wood building. She squinted to read the name on the post office. Haggerty, New Mexico. In the picture, the man’s hand rested above his gun belt as he leaned casually against a rough-hewn pillar near the open doorway. His eyes gleamed with pride while a full beard partially obscured his smug smile. Everything about his appearance said he’d conquered the world.
Just then Cord strolled into the house. “Sorry about that. We were discussing moving the herd to a new field.”
“No problem. I was just looking at your photos. Is this the man who founded the ghost town?” She glanced over at Cord, who took a seat on the couch.
“Yes, that’s James Haggerty.” Pride rang out in Cord’s voice. “The boy in the photo is my great-grandfather.”
Another photo of the same man hung to the left. This time a beautiful Hispanic woman dressed formally in a hat and fancy dress accompanied him. A little boy stood between them. Their smiles reflected in their eyes. What had they sacrificed to settle this land? Between what she’d lea
rned from Cord about Haggerty’s history and now putting a face to the land made Alexis begin to regret her plans, but it was too late to back out now. She’d already put her plan in motion to rally the town’s support for the resort. And it would help so many residents of Whistle Stop—it’d also help Cord.
She glanced back and forth between Cord and the photograph. “Definitely a family resemblance.”
Cord didn’t respond. He sat across the room from her, looking stiff and uncomfortable. Their gazes connected and held longer than necessary. Her heart thump-thumped harder, faster. Her mouth grew dry. She continued to stare at him as the tip of her tongue swiped over her lips.
“You need more ice for your hand.” Cord jumped to his feet. “They gave me a few of those plastic cooling packs so that you would always have an icy one. I’ll go get it.”
He practically tripped over his own feet making a hasty exit. Had he felt it, too? That magnetic pull that had drawn them together out in the desert was still there—no matter how much she wanted to deny it. But she had no intention of acting on it—not a chance. No matter how tempting the idea.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Having a woman—not just any woman, but one he’d passionately kissed—staying in his house was enough to drive Cord to distraction. He wasted the entire afternoon paying two measly bills. With the likelihood of transposing the numbers, he made a habit of taking his time and triple-checking his work. The rest of the time, he’d been tiptoeing down the hall to check on Lexi. He couldn’t believe he’d been reduced to creeping around his own house. Once he’d even caught himself gazing at her longer than necessary to ascertain she was breathing comfortably.
