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“Much better.” Lexi’s face reverted back to a worried frown.
After an exam and some questions, Doc smiled. “You can relax. You’re on the mend.” He turned to Cord. “And I hereby release you from nursing duty.”
With a couple of warnings, Doc sent them on their way. Cord knew it was ridiculous, but he was going to miss having Lexi around the house. He’d forgotten how nice it was to share a meal with someone and to make small talk.
Acting on impulse, Cord held the front door for Lexi. “How about an early lunch?”
“I’d like that.” She stepped out onto the sidewalk.
Before he could say more, he heard his name being called. “Cord! Cord!”
It was a familiar female voice. H
e wanted to keep going—in the opposite direction—but Lexi stopped and glanced around. He stifled a frustrated groan and turned.
Mimi Ortiz smiled broadly and waved as she tried to walk quickly in pink heels that matched the purse dangling from her arm and the tiny flowers on her snug sundress. “Oh, I was worried you hadn’t heard me.”
“Hello, Mimi. You look nice today.” She had an insatiable ego, and he knew it was easier to feed it than to have her work for the compliment.
“Oh, thank you. This old thing is nothing special.” She smiled broadly, failing miserably at being modest. “I can’t believe I ran into you. You don’t come into town nearly enough.”
“Only when I have business to tend to.”
That’s when Mimi’s gaze strayed to Lexi. “I see.” Mimi’s smile dimmed considerably. “Hi.” She held out her hand to Lexi, who hesitantly shook it. “I’m Mimi Ortiz. The mayor of Whistle Stop is my father.”
A light of recognition shone in Lexi’s eyes. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“And you’re that lady who wants to buy Cord’s land.”
“Um…yes. I’m Alexis Greer.”
“I know.” Mimi’s tone was short and clipped. “Daddy mentioned you—”
“We’ve got to go.” Cord wrapped his fingers around Lexi’s arm and guided her away from Mimi toward the truck. He sensed that this conversation was about to take a bad turn, and he wasn’t about to play referee.
“What’d you do that for?” Lexi asked once they were seated in the truck.
“Let’s just say I was doing you a favor. Mimi isn’t all sweet and innocent—”
“And you were afraid that I couldn’t handle her.”
“No.” He was quite certain Lexi could handle herself. He admired that about her. “The truth is, I do have someplace to be.”
“Oh. So I guess lunch is off.”
“Not at all. As long as you don’t mind waiting for me.”
“Will it take long?”
“Nope.”
“Then you have yourself a date.”
An awkward silence ensued as he guided the truck across town to the Green Chile Cantina. He assured himself this offer for lunch didn’t constitute a true date. His invitation had been an impulse—nothing more. After all, they both had to eat, so why not do it together? And he did have something to ask her—something important.
He pulled to a stop in front of the adobe building. “This place has the best food in the state.”
“I’ve had all of my meals at Tilly’s Café. It’ll be nice to try something different.” She reached for the door handle. “I’ll see you soon, and maybe you can tell me some more about Mimi. She seems…interesting.” With her laptop in hand, Lexi climbed out of the truck and headed for the Cantina.
