Once she saved HSG, her father would never doubt her ability to run the company, and maybe then, he’d take a step back from the business. A crackle and hiss filled the line. “The connection is breaking up. Don't worry. This deal is in the bag.”
She only wished she felt as confident as she sounded.
Her need for a Choconut Bar multiplied significantly as she ended the call. Her father had never been an easy man. He liked having things done his way.
She’d be the first to admit he’d been a loving father. He’d raised her as a single parent and was always there when she needed him. Whenever times got tough at school, he’d listen to her and then give her a Choconut Bar. Once she’d devoured the rich chocolate coating with a gooey caramel and pecan center, she’d unwind and things would work out. She needed that optimistic feeling now.
A little bell tinkled above her head as she stepped inside the Hitchin’ Post. She glanced up to find a little brass bell. How quaint. Her stilettos clicked across the worn tiles. A menagerie of scents greeted her, from leather to cinnamon and cloves.
She glanced around, awed by the vast amount of food and other necessities crammed into every nook and cranny. Overhead, cowboy hats in earthen tones were suspended from the ceiling. How did someone squeeze so many goods into such a small area?
In no time at all, her gaze latched on to the candy rack at the front of the store. She rushed over and immediately spotted the familiar gold emblem of the Choconut Bar. Her mouth watered. She reached into the box but grasped nothing but air. Empty. No, this couldn’t be happening. Not now.
Not ready to give up, she clutched the cardboard box and rushed to the checkout. She plunked it down on the worn linoleum counter. “Do you have any more of these?”
An older man behind the counter with a name tag that read Sam grabbed the box to read it. He was a tall, lanky man. A few strands of silver hair were combed across his balding head. Through gold, round-rimmed glasses, his kind eyes glanced at her, and then he pointed to the right. “Sold the last one to him.”
Alexis followed the line of his finger to a cowboy headed for the door. “Hmm…thanks. Maybe I’ll have a word with him—”
“I wouldn’t. He’s…he’s not exactly social. Best to leave him be.”
What a strange warning. Well, it wasn’t like she wanted to strike up a friendship or anything. It’d be a simple business transaction, and then she’d be on her way.
Alexis’s attention zeroed in on the cowboy’s chambray shirt tucked into a pair of faded denim jeans that hugged his trim waist and firm backside. A breath hitched in her throat. Her gaze trailed down his long legs to his dusty cowboy boots. Her mouth grew noticeably dry. They sure had some mighty fine cowboys in these parts. She wrenched her gaze to the back of his hat.
Keep your mind on the task at hand. She’d never actually considered asking someone for their candy, but then again she’d never been under this much pressure. She started after him. Drat. Her black suede heels gave her some desperately needed height, but they prevented her from running after the man.
“Excuse me, sir.”
The cowboy turned. He shot her a questioning look, and her brain stuttered at the intensity of his brown gaze. His golden tan and muscled physique reminded her of a drool-worthy model on the cover of a sexy romance novel. If she was interested in having a little bit of fun in the sun, this cowboy would definitely be her first choice—but she didn’t have time to be entertained. She had a job to do. And everything would be so much easier with that candy bar.
Alexis moistened her dry lips and implored him with her most charming smile. “The clerk over there. He, um, said you bought the last Choconut Bar. It’s the only kind I eat. I was hoping you’d consider selling it.”
His brows arched up beneath the brim of his hat and then lowered into an uncompromising line. “No.”
The familiar brown wrapper peeked out of the pocket of his shirt as though taunting her. If she were like either of her parents, it’d be her father because once she set her mind to something there was no backing down. Besides, if she couldn’t persuade this man to sell her some candy, how on earth was she going to sew up the land deal?
The cowboy turned away.
“Please wait.” She rushed to stand between him and the exit. “I can make it worth your time.”
“I doubt it.” The corner of his mouth lifted. “Is this some sort of Candid Camera bit? You’re seriously going to haggle over a Choconut Bar?”
She yanked out her wallet and pulled out the smallest bill. “Here’s ten dollars. You can keep the change.”
He brushed aside her offer. “I don’t want your money.” He scowled. “I just want to be left in peace.”
Heat swept up her neck and set her cheeks ablaze. She’d spent too much time at her father’s land development company. She’d grown accustomed to negotiating for everything she wanted. Cowboys were a special breed. She would need a different approach.
She leveled her shoulders, ready to try again. “We didn’t get off to a good start. It’s been a long day with flight delays, and then the airlines lost my luggage—”
He held up a hand, halting her spiel. She hated how she’d let her guard down and played the oh-woe-is-me card.
He shoved his Stetson higher on his head while keeping a steady gaze on her. “You know, you aren’t the only one who has had a rough day.”
“Sorry.” She lifted an apologetic smile to the cowboy, but even in her four-inch heels, she still had to crane her neck to gaze directly at him.
He surprised her when his eyes flickered with amusement. With the scowl erased from his face, he looked less intimidating and years younger. Thirtysomething would be her guess—not too old for her—if she were interested, that is. Not that she was in the market for a relationship. Her disastrous engagement had taken care of her foolish dream of finding true love.