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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.
