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“Save it.” His hand crinkled the announcement of the town meeting into a tight ball. “Do you really expect me to believe you after you went behind my back to rally the town against me?” He threw the wad of paper toward a red garbage can and hit it squarely.
“It’s not what I meant to do.” The mumbled words drifted away in the wind as Cord jumped into his truck.
She wanted to argue with him, but he was right. She’d been doing what she’d been taught—applying pressure to bring about a quick and satisfactory resolution. But somewhere along the way, things had changed—she’d changed. For just a little bit, she’d been an honorary member of Whistle Stop. People had befriended her, and she liked it—and she liked Cord a whole lot. The thought of how quickly she’d come to care for him scared her.
She’d never intentionally do anything to hurt anyone in Whistle Stop. Right then and there, she promised herself that she’d do what she could to help Whistle Stop before she left town—regardless of whether Cord sold her the land for the resort or not.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Two very long, very quiet days had passed since Cord had last seen Lexi. He told himself that her absence didn’t bother him—that her plotting against him was reason enough for them to keep their distance. So then why was there a giant knot in his gut? Worst of all, he’d stormed off before he’d gotten her to sign the letter of intent. And the phone call from the bank that morning inquiring about its whereabouts hadn’t gone so well. He had to do something quick, but what?
“Hey, boss.” Manny strode over to where Cord was refilling the oil in his pickup. “You ever thought about doing something besides hanging out around here?”
Manny was always trying to talk him into heading over to Cactus Mike’s Saloon to join one of the dart tournaments. It was amazing that as many times as Cord had turned him down, the guy kept asking. “I’m not really up for darts.”
“No, not darts. I was thinkin’ you could join me at the fire department. They need more volunteers. And your friend Tony Granger was asking about you and whether you’d give it a try.”
“I don’t know.” He had so many things on his mind right now, especially one beautiful blonde who kept complicating his life.
“Hey, boss, something bothering you?”
“No.” Liar.
“Then you might want to stop filling your oil. It’s going everywhere.”
Cord’s hand jerked the almost-empty quart of oil upright. He cursed under his breath, knowing what a smelly mess it’d be once he started up the engine. With a frustrated sigh, he closed the oil fill and used a rag to clean up as much of the spill as possible. If he was smart, he’d call it a day. It’d be safest for everyone.
“I don’t blame you for being distracted, boss. Women are always messing with us guys.”
Cord snapped the cap back on the oil bottle. “What are you talking about?”
Manny crossed his suntanned arms and rocked back on his dusty, worn boots. “When I was at the saloon, I heard about the special town meeting. They were saying how that snooty woman is trying to turn the town against you so that she can make a quick buck. If’n you want, I can talk to the guys. Maybe some will go to that meetin’ and back you up.”
“Don’t bother.” Cord closed the hood on the pickup. “I appreciate the offer. But I can handle this.”
Manny shook his head. “I don’t know. I think you’re gonna be outnumbered.”
Cord grabbed the empty quarts of oil and a jug of wiper fluid and headed for the garbage barrel on the side of the barn. He could hear the scuff of Manny’s boots behind him. Cord didn’t want to discuss his impossible situation, or anything that had to do with Lexi. He still hadn’t been able to forget her lips or how close they’d come to fulfilling the promise in that kiss—if only that phone hadn’t rung. His hand tightened on the trash in his hands.
“Don’t worry.” He was doing enough of that for the both of them. “I’ll handle this.”
“You got a plan, boss?” Manny yanked a can of chewing tobacco from his back pocket, gave it a shake, popped the lid off, and stuffed some in his mouth.
Cord didn’t know how the man could stand that stuff. He turned his back on the bulge in Manny’s lip. There were more important things to think about, like persuading Lexi to buy only the section of land he had listed for sale. She could use it for…for a vacation home. Why not? She obviously loved horses.
“Hey, boss.”
Cord tossed the garbage in the can before turning to Manny. “I’ve got a plan.”
“That’s good, because here she comes.”
The sound of tires crunching over gravel had him staring down the lane. Lexi pulled to a stop behind his pickup. A smile adorned her beautiful face as she joined him on the driveway. His gut tightened at the sight of her in a white cotton top and a short denim skirt. Her brief outfit showed off the beginnings of a golden tan.
He cleared his suddenly dry throat. “I didn’t expect to see you. You’re lucky you caught me. I’m about to head out on a horseback ride to a nearby canyon.”
“Sounds like I have great timing.”
The mischievousness reflected in her eyes shot an arrow
