A Moment To Love (4 page)

“You have a meeting around here?”

She nodded. “With you.”

With him. So he was right. She’d known who he was all along. His jaw clenched. “What do you want?”

She lifted her chin and looked him in the eyes. “Mr. Lawson—”

“Call me Cord. Mr. Lawson was my father.”

“Okay. Cord, you can call me Alexis. I’m here because I’m interested in purchasing the land you’ve put up for sale.”

He crossed his arms, sensing she was keeping something from him. “Lexi, how did you learn about my land being up for sale?”

Her eyes lit up, probably surprised by the way he’d shortened her name. Her mouth opened, but without a word, she snapped it shut again. He should have guessed a businesswoman like her would take herself too seriously to consider using a nickname. But he genuinely liked the name Lexi. It suited her.

“I saw an ad on the Internet and flew out here to see the property for myself.”

He took a moment to glance at the corral next to the lane with its wooden fence and the few horses that soaked in the morning sun. Could this stranger be the answer to his problems? Maybe he should hear her out. What could it hurt? He turned his gaze back to her. When he noticed her eyeing the horses, he asked, “Do you like horses?”

“Yes, I do. Quite a lot, actually.”

Some casual conversation before diving into business might loosen them both up. His mother used to tell him that you could catch more flies with honey than vinegar. He intended to get this particularly pesky fly snared in his trap before she opened up about her interest in his land. “Would you like to go check out my stallion? He’s one of the finest-bred horses in the county.”

Lexi didn’t answer as her gaze remained on the horse. For someone who liked horses, her hesitant expression puzzled him.

“Come on. I’ll introduce you.”

She shook her head. “Thanks. But I…I don’t think so.”

He knew by the way she continued to stare at his prize stallion that she was tempted. So what was holding her back? He knew it was none of his business, but horses were a passion of his and no one should fear them—respect them, yes, but not fear them. And then her comment and reaction came together.

“Did you fall from a horse?”

Her surprised gaze moved to him. “How did you know?”

He shrugged, not wanting to admit that the sadness reflected in her big blue eyes got to him. “Have you been on a horse since then?”

At first, she didn’t react. It was as though she hadn’t heard him, but then she shook her head. “I wanted to ride again, but…well, it didn’t work out.”

“Then come say hi to Midnight Star.” Cord led the way across the gravel parking area. The black stallion observed their approach. The horse remained perfectly still, as though curious about their intent. When Cord reached the fence, he glanced over to find Lexi a good five feet behind him. She stared in awe at the horse, but her shoulders formed a rigid line.

He had a hard time imagining being afraid of a horse. He’d always had a kinship with them, not that he was a horse whisper or anything, more like he had the patience other folks lacked. He liked to think that he was observant and open to their unspoken communications. More than anything, he took comfort in the fact that animals were not judgmental. They were accepting and loving, unlike most of the people who’d crossed his path.

The spirited stallion snorted, as though sensing the tension in the air. Cord let the horse and the woman keep their comfortable distance. Nothing good would come from rushing things.

“This is Midnight Star.” Cord climbed up and perched on the wood rail.

Lexi gave the horse a wide-eyed perusal. “He’s quite beautiful.”

“Yes, he is. He was a gift from my uncle.”

“You must be his favorite nephew.”

“I’m his only nephew.” Midnight Star approached Cord and allowed him to run a hand down his sleek neck. “After Uncle Pete’s stroke, he had to sell off his ranch. He couldn’t bear to part with the stallion, so I offered to board him. When my uncle passed away a few months ago, he left the horse to me.”

Lexi’s concerned gaze caught his. “I’m sorry about your loss, but it was kind of him to leave you the horse.”

Her sympathy warmed a spot just beneath his ribs. It’d been a long time since he’d opened up to anyone, even about the broad strokes of his life. What was it about this woman that snuck past all of his carefully placed defenses and burrowed into his chest? If she were to purchase that spot of land, how would he keep her at a safe distance? Especially when he’d ride past her place every time he drove into town.

Lexi’s gaze moved back to the horse. “Do you ride him much?”

“Not like I should. I just don’t have the time.” He studied the genuine curiosity in her bright eyes. “How long has it been since you were horseback riding?”

“I was a teenager.” She paused as though wondering if she should say more, and he hoped she would. She licked her lips. “I tried talking my father into buying a horse farm, but he said our New York City town house was a lot shorter commute to the office. So instead, he got me a horse and boarded it. He hoped it’d get the notion of riding horses out of my system.”

“And did it?”

A thoughtful expression filtered over her face. “Yes and no.”

“Not very decisive, are you?”

“I rode for a number of years. I even took part in some competitions, but then I…I got busy doing other things.”

The way she stumbled over her words and the way her gaze drifted off to the side, he’d lay odds there was more to her story than she was letting on, but it was none of his business.

“Why don’t you come a little closer? Midnight Star won’t bite. I promise.”

She took a few hesitant steps forward, until she was standing next to him.

“Would you like to pet him?”

Her gaze darted between him and the horse. Then she cautiously raised her hand. Cord wrapped his fingers over the back of her hand and guided her fingers to Midnight Star’s muzzle. Cord spoke to Midnight Star in a soft, hushed tone as Lexi petted the horse. After a few strokes, her shoulders started to ease, and she relaxed.

Cord pulled his hand back, realizing there was no need for him to keep touching her—enjoying the softness of her skin. She turned her gaze to him, and a strange sensation rose in his chest. He swallowed hard. It had to be dirt the breeze kicked up that caused the weird feeling within his ribs because there was nothing special about this woman.

It’d take a lot more than good looks and expensive clothes to impress him. A polished professional like Lexi would never understand a down-to-earth cowboy such as him—just like those suits at the bank didn’t understand his desperate need to keep his ranch.

“Hey there, big boy,” Lexi crooned to the horse as she continued to run her hand over him. “I think you and I could be good friends.”

This was Cord’s opening, his chance to sell her on the small parcel of land. “He likes you.”

Lexi smiled, easing the stress lines from around her eyes. “Is that true?” she asked the horse as though the horse would answer her. “Do you like me?”

Cord stifled the urge to laugh. She was like a child having met a horse for the very first time. And what surprised him most of all was Midnight Star’s tolerance of her fussing over him.

Cord cleared his throat. “You know, when you purchase the land, you could have some horses of your own.”

There was an extended pause, as though she mulled over his words. “You’ve got a really big farm here.”

“West of the Mississippi, we call them ranches.”

“The ranch has an unusual name. How did you come up with it?”

“I didn’t. The ranch has been in my family for generations. I’m not sure who actually came up with the name, but it’s in honor of my great-great-grandfather. The way it was explained to me is that he’d brazenly set off for the then untamed Wild West to start up the mining town of Haggerty. Hence the name Brazen H.”

“Interesting.” She turned away from the horse and gazed around at
the array of different-sized buildings. “Do you run this place by yourself?”

He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “No. I have ranch hands who do a lot of the work.”

“Still, it must be a huge responsibility.”

“It is.” His chest puffed up a little. Why did this stranger’s words mean something to him? The knowledge unsettled him. He’d prided himself on being a loner, on not caring what others thought of him.

Besides, he couldn’t afford to risk getting to know Lexi better. When she found out the truth about him—that he was just a dumb cowboy—she’d laugh at him. Voices from the past echoed in his mind. He’d been the butt of the kids’ jokes while in school.
Cord the gourd! Cord the gourd! Dumb as a board!

Finally all grown up, he’d thought those days of public ridicule were over. Then he’d become the target of gossip when his marriage crumbled. The fact that his thoughts were unearthing ancient history threw up all sorts of warning flares.

Cord hitched his thumbs in his jean pockets and pulled back his shoulders. “I have work to do. Can we get to the point of your visit?”

Lexi opened her mouth, but all that came out was a cough, followed by another.

“Are you okay?”

She nodded. Her voice was a bit raspy when she spoke. “My throat is dry and it tickles.”

“Come sit on the porch. I’ll get you a drink.” He led her to the porch.

It’d been a long time since he’d had a woman here. Not that Lexi was his invited guest or anything. Soon she would be gone. The thought didn’t comfort him like he thought it would. Maybe he was lonelier than he was willing to admit.

CHAPTER FOUR

T
his cowboy was certainly full of surprises.

Alexis swallowed hard, trying to soothe the dry tickle in the back of her throat. All the while her thoughts were on the compassionate side of Cord she’d just witnessed. He’d been so kind and friendly as he helped her work past her nervousness about being around horses again. How could a man who could be so patient with animals and humans have gained a reputation that had people hesitant to deal with him?

She leaned against the wooden porch rail. Something sure wasn’t adding up. There was a lot more to Cord Lawson than she’d uncovered so far. And that only intrigued her all the more.

Her gaze sought out the man at the center of her thoughts as he headed for the door. His long legs covered the expansive porch in just a few steps. She couldn’t help but notice his broad shoulders that narrowed down to his trim waist. When her gaze lowered to his firm backside, she swallowed hard again.

Checking out this very fine cowboy was the absolute last thing she should be doing. Men were nothing but eventual trouble. In her experience, they couldn’t be trusted.

She forced herself to glance away. The hominess of the porch drew her in. She’d dreamed of one day slowing down long enough to kick back on one of her own. In the shade, she’d sip at a tall glass of fresh-squeezed lemonade while taking a moment to watch the world go by—but that wouldn’t be happening any time soon. Her duty was back in New York, taking care of the one person in this world who’d always stuck by her—her father.

Still, her imagination strayed, conjuring up a similar image. Only this time, Cord and a smiling woman were the ones relaxing on the two matching white rockers, laughing at some private joke. Alexis frowned and turned away. Sometimes her imagination knew no bounds.

She forced her attention back to the ranch that seemed to spread off in every direction for miles and miles. Standing there with the wide-open range at her feet was so liberating. This was the perfect place for a person to forget their troubles and just take in the majestic wonder of New Mexico. When the resort was built, its guests would love this setting. She certainly did.

Cord strode out of the house with a tall glass in hand. She readily accepted the drink and lifted it to her parched lips. The ice-cold water rolled over her tongue, cooling her windpipe and soothing her cough.

He sent her a concerned look. “Better?”

“Much. Thank you. I’m sorry to have bothered you. I’m just not used to these hot, dry conditions.”

“It’s no problem.”

The cloudless sky rained down an endless supply of sunshine. She refused the urge to fan herself. What in the world made her think a suit would be proper attire for standing around in the desert? But with her luggage missing, she couldn’t exactly meet him in her running attire.

“It would help if I wasn’t overdressed.”

“Lexi, what I said earlier about your clothes, I didn’t meant anything negative by it. You look good. Real good.”

She lifted her chin and their gazes collided. “Thank you.”

His brown eyes captivated her with their intensity. Alexis pressed her lips into a firm line, holding back her retort over him shortening her name. No one called her Lexi. But at this point, staying on the cowboy’s good side overrode her burning desire to correct him.

With effort, she glanced away, shrugging off her crazy interest in this cowboy. No matter how striking his looks, she couldn’t forget she was here for one thing and one thing only—to buy a ghost town.

She moved and set the glass on the table between the two rockers. “You must spend a lot of evenings out here, enjoying the view.”

“I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.”

The solitude, though foreign to a native New Yorker, actually appealed to her. Sometimes the hustle and bustle of city life could be so tiring. A glance out at the distant horizon, where the lonesome landscape butted up against the reddish outcrop, made her feel like she was on a different planet from the one she’d known all her life.

Cord crossed his arms and shifted his weight against the railing. “Let’s get down to business. Are you here because you’ve decided to hang up your designer heels in exchange for a pair of scuffed-up cowboy boots?”

“Not exactly.”

“But you are interested in the acreage I have for sale, aren’t you?”

“The thing is…” She hesitated, searching for just the right words.

“If it’s the price, it’s non-negotiable.”

“It’s not that.”

Concern flickered in his dark eyes. “You do want the land, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do.” Alexis strove for a strong, confident tone. “The thing is, I’m not interested in buying it for personal reasons. I’m a land developer.”

“What?” A whole host of expressions filtered across his face. “You mean, like those people who divvy up huge tracts of land to turn it into residential property?”

“Well, yes, but that’s not what we want to do here.” She reached into her purse, pulled out one of her business cards, and handed it over.

“What
do
you want to do here?” He accepted the card, but he didn’t so much as glance at it before stuffing it in his pocket.

“Does it matter as long as you get your money?” When his brows furrowed together, she decided to take a different approach. “Normally I’d make this offer through your real estate agent, but this project is very personal to me. I thought if we could talk one-on-one, we could reach a quick and equitable agreement.”

“I don’t know about this.” He ran a hand over the back of his neck. “This isn’t what I’d been expecting.”

“My company is prepared to meet your asking price.” The way his brows furrowed into a dark, formidable line, she hesitated to say more. She worried that if she mentioned the ghost town now, he’d balk.

“Yesterday at the store you knew who I was, but you didn’t let on.” His narrowed gaze held hers. “You make me wonder what you’re really up to.”

Gone was the kind, thoughtful cowboy who’d teased her about her craving for chocolate and who’d taken time out of his day to show her his impressive stallion. She narrowed her gaze in on him. She just couldn’t make up her mind about him.

She glanced away, breaking their connection. “I didn’t know who you were at first. It wasn’t until we were on the sidewalk that I heard the ghost town mentioned and put two and two together. I tried inviting you to dinner to explain things, but you shot down my offer, more than once.”

He glowered at her. “You should have said something as soon as you realized who I was.”

No matter what she said now, he’d take exception to it. He was definitely in no frame of mind to be receptive to her plans. Time to back off and let him absorb her offer. “I’m simply offering you what no one else has, the full asking price for the land.”

“And you haven’t denied that there’s something you’re hiding from me.”

She crossed her arms, not about to be bullied into an admission. She was tired of men who thought she should cave in to their demands. First, her father and then her ex-fiancé. And look where that had gotten her—her father didn’t believe she was capable of running HSG without him, and her ex had had the nerve to replace her without even bothering to tell her that they were over. Well, things would be different with Cord. Of that she was certain.

She straightened her shoulders and tilted her chin upward, meeting the cowboy’s hard stare. She refused to let him intimidate her. He’d get his answers, but not like this. Past experience had taught her that sometimes the two negotiating parties needed to part company mid-negotiation. The downtime allowed common sense to settle in before they met again and tried to resolve any lingering issues. That’s exactly what was needed here—a chance for Cord to cool down.

“You need me,” she said, knowing about his financial bind. “And when you come to that conclusion, you can reach me at the motel in town. Good day, Mr. Lawson.”

Alexis lowered her sunglasses to the bridge of her nose. Without another word, she marched down the steps. She could feel Cord’s glare poking her in the back, but she refused to acknowledge him.

Had she made the right move? Or had she taken too hard of an edge with him? Was she walking away from her only opportunity to successfully complete this project? She envisioned how the news of her failure would send her father’s heart rate soaring through the roof. Her stomach churned. She’d already come too close to losing him. She’d do her best to keep it from happening again.

The knowledge that the contrary cowboy couldn’t afford to be egotistical for long gave her some peace of mind. Soon, reality would settle in, and then the stubborn Mr. Cord Lawson would be more agreeable to her terms.

And if not…she was working on a backup plan.

Before she’d left New York, Alexis had set up a meeting with one of New Mexico’s leading real estate agents to talk about other prospective properties for HSG’s ghost-town resort. Not about to take any chances upsetting her father when his health was so precarious, she wanted to have something to show him if she couldn’t make the Haggerty deal work. Luckily, the Realtor had mentioned he’d be passing by Whistle Stop today and they’d made arrangements to meet at the Poppin’ Fresh Bakery at ten. Apparently, the bakery’s reputation for divine baked goods was known far and wide.

Minutes later, Alexis eased the SUV into the town square, which had one-way traffic circling the park. Naturally, all of the parking spaces were taken in front of the bakery. She sighed and looped around again. She’d pulled into a nearby parking spot when the train whistle blew. She glanced at the clock. Ten a.m. Perfect. She was right on time.

She got out of the SUV and glanced around at the empty storefronts. The windows were dusty, and the for-sale signs were sun-bleached. But beneath it all, she could easily imagine that once upon a time this town had been a hubbub of activity. And it would be again if she had anything to say about it.

As she grew closer to the bakery, the aroma of fresh dough and sugary goodness filled the air. Then again, agreeing to meet here for coffee might not have been one of her better decisions, but Piper did make some of the best coffee she’d ever tasted.

Alexis opened the glass door and noticed Piper busy at the counter, helping some customers. They waved to each other before Alexis glanced around for Mr. Santos. She’d never met the man before, so this would be a little tricky. There was a cowboy at one table, leafing through the
Whistle Stop Telegraph
, a weekly paper. Today must be its publishing day, as she’d found a copy outside her motel door that morning. She looked forward to glancing through it when she returned to her room.

The next table had a man in a pressed blue dress shirt with a bolo tie. Clean-shaven and with every dark strand of hair in place, he looked ready to do business. His gaze caught hers, and he smiled as he got to his feet. “Ms. Greer?”

“Yes.” She moved to his table and shook the tall man’s hand. “Thanks so much for meeting me.”

“No problem. Please call me Ray.”

“And call me Alexis.” They both sat down. She lowered her voice. “I really appreciate you squeezing me into your busy schedule. This project is extremely important.”

Piper approached their table. “Would either of you care for some coffee?”

They were both agreeable to coffee and a couple of blueberry muffins fresh from the oven. This place was impossible to enter without sampling something delectable. It was a good thing Alexis intended to keep up with her running.

Ray leaned back. “I was pleased to get your call. I’m looking forward to working with you. I have some ideas to run past you.”

Alexis smiled. She liked a man who didn’t beat around the bush. She had the feeling they’d work well together. “I like what I’ve seen so far of the Southwest.”

“Is this your first time out West?”

“Yes. But it won’t be my last.” Turning the conversation back to business, she said, “When we move ahead with the construction, I’d like to disturb as little of the landscape as possible.”

The Realtor ran his hand over his chin. “I like your attitude. Not enough people worry about preserving the natural landscape.”

Piper dropped off their order and quietly slipped away.

Alexis stirred sweetener into her coffee. “I want this resort to look like a genuine part of the Southwest, including its surroundings.”

Mr. Santos nodded. “I’ve identified a few properties on the market with ready access to a highway and enough acreage to accommodate a resort.”

“Sounds good. Tell me more.”

Ray withdrew a map from his briefcase. “These properties I’m about to show you don’t have a ghost town, but that doesn’t mean you can’t erect a replica.”

“No.” She shook her head. “That won’t work. We want a place rich in history and structures that have withstood the test of time.”

“I hear you, but these properties I’m pointing out are a great steal. It might be worth sacrificing the genuine ghost town—”

“The ghost town is non-negotiable.” She had no interest in anything fake. HSG’s investors would never go for it. “We plan to use the authenticity and history of the town as the main thrust of our PR campaign.”