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“If she’ll have me.” There still remained one huge question in his mind. Would Lexi forgive and forget? Cord didn’t waste any time standing around debating the answer. Only the woman herself could let him know where he stood.
His hurried footsteps thundered through the house as he ran to the study. In the cabinet beneath the bookcase sat the safe. Inside were his mother’s diamond and turquoise-inlaid wedding rings. He grabbed the diamond solitaire and stuffed the little box in his pocket.
He headed for the door. He’d find everything else he needed to scale the wall around Lexi’s heart in town. He took the steps two at a time and strode to the pickup. He didn’t have time to waste—he couldn’t be too late to set things right with her.
???
This had to be a nightmare.
But try as she might, Alexis couldn’t dismiss the fact that the two men she cared most about in this world had just let her down. How could they have done that to her?
Alexis wheeled her rental vehicle into the motel parking lot, turned off the engine, and sat there for a moment. Her heart was still pounding, and her hands were shaking. She needed to calm down—big-time. A Choconut Bar sprang to mind. And just as soon as the thought occurred to her, she realized that the last thing she needed was more calories.
As it was, she’d have to get up earlier when she got back to New York so she could spend extra time at the gym. And then her dinner choices would be relegated to the salad section of the takeout menus. Definitely not a regime she was anticipating, but a girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do. And right now, circumstances dictated that she wallow in the rich chocolaty taste of her favorite candy. Her dieting could just wait another day. After all, these were extraordinary circumstances.
She debated whether she should drive the short distance to the Hitchin’ Post or walk. The answer was easy—she’d walk. It wasn’t far, plus the fresh air and sunshine might help improve her sour mood, though she doubted it. She’d just stepped out of her vehicle when Mrs. Sanchez came rushing over.
“Are you all right?” The woman peered speculatively at her through her black-rimmed glasses. “An older gentleman was here looking for you. But don’t worry, I didn’t tell him anything.”
“No worries. It was my father. I just saw him.” She might as well tell her now. “I’m leaving.”
“Leaving?”
“Um, yes. I’ll be over to settle up my bill as soon as I run a quick errand.” She didn’t have the nerve to say that her craving for a Choconut Bar was greater than her willpower.
“But why?” Mrs. Sanchez’s round face creased with worry lines. “What happened? Is it the resort?”
Alexis shook her head. “I don’t know what’s going to happen with it. It’s not my problem anymore.”
“But…but you worked so hard to make it all work.”
“I’m not a part of HSG anymore. I just quit.”
Mrs. Sanchez’s mouth gaped. She looked as stunned as Alexis felt. And now that she’d actually uttered the words that she’d quit her job, she realized there was no need to rush back to New York. She was no longer needed there. But she couldn’t stay in Whistle Stop either. This was Cord’s town, and it was much too small to avoid each other indefinitely.
The thought of never seeing Cord again spiked her anxiety. She desperately needed that chocolate. “I’ll be back to pay my bill.”
For the first time since she’d met the woman, Mrs. Sanchez stood there, speechless, and merely nodded. The events of the day played over in Alexis’s mind as a gentle breeze brushed over her skin and threaded through her hair, scattering it about. How could she have been so foolish as to think she and Cord would be together? When was she ever going to learn that the people she loved would invariably let her down?
She took the long way around town, enjoying one last look around. When she reached the Hitchin’ Post, she pulled open the glass door, and the little bell jingled over her head. The backs of her eyes stung, and she blinked. After today, she’d never hear that bell again or talk to these wonderful people. Whistle Stop had grown on her more than she’d ever thought possible.
She moved to the candy rack and went to grab a Choconut Bar, but found the box empty. Where had they gone? The box had been nearly full the day of the town meeting. She knew because she’d needed a little chocolate to take the edge off her anxiety before standing in front of the town and pitching her ideas.
She stepped up to the checkout counter. Sam gazed at her empty hands with a puzzled look on his face. “Hey, Lexi. Can I help you?”
“I hope so. You seem to have run out of Choconut Bars. Please tell me you have more in the back.”
“Afraid not. Ever since you’ve come to town, I seem to sell more of those than any other candy. But don’t you worry. Sam has you all taken care of.” He smiled proudly. “I ordered twice as many. They should be here in a day. Two, tops. I put a rush on them just for you. It’s my way of saying thanks.”
“Thanks? For what?” Had she missed something?
“It’s just that it’s been awhile since anyone has taken a special interest in Whistle Stop and gone the extra mile.”
“But I didn’t do anything.” Not really. Certainly not like she’d hoped by building the resort and providing more jobs for the families of Whistle Stop.
“You did more than you think.” He glanced around as though making sure they were alone, then he leaned across the counter and lowered his voice. “You got that lazy, complacent town council to sit up and take notice. I’m telling you, good things are coming to Whistle Stop, and we’ll all have you to thank.”
Alexis smiled and blinked back another wave of tears. She sure hoped Sam was right. Whistle Stop was a great place to visit and to live. Too bad she wouldn’t be around to see the changes.
