The very last thing he wanted to discuss was Mimi. He didn’t want to explain how he’d briefly dated her before he’d met Susan. No way. Things with Lexi were already complicated enough. And right now, he had one last chance of stalling the foreclosure, of clinging to the only world he’d ever known.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Why in the world had she referred to this as a date?
Alexis paused in the restaurant’s entryway and sighed. She’d noticed how her slip of the tongue had made Cord stiffen. There couldn’t be any more slipups. She had to stay focused. Her chance to carve out a delicious memory in Cord’s arms had passed her by. She told herself it was for the best, but she still wasn’t convinced. There was something different, something special about him. And she wanted to help him save his home, if only he’d listen to her and really hear what she was saying.
Inside the spacious dining room a large ceramic Native American Indian chief solemnly greeted her. While she waited to be seated, she glanced around, taking in the details of the quaint restaurant. Her gaze scanned the dining room with its red tile floor and white walls. Though the furniture was basic and a bit on the old side, the colorful red chile ristras, brightly painted Southwestern folk art, and Native American paintings brought life to the place. The decorations were almost as colorful as the town in which the restaurant resided.
A petite, dark-haired woman showed her to a corner booth. “Hi. Have you been in here before?”
“No. But I’ve heard great things about the place. And I’ve been anxious to try your food.”
The young woman smiled brightly. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Ana.”
“Hi, Ana. I’m Alexis.”
“So what brought you to our little corner of the world?”
“I have some business in town.” She wasn’t about to tell this woman about her plans for the resort. There would be time enough for that later, when she could properly present her ideas.
But this was an ideal time to learn more about Cord’s corner of the world—more than the statistics and data she’d already collected. She wanted to know more about the people who lived here, what their lives were like. Sure it would help her pitch, but it was more than that. This town and its residents were growing on her. She truly wanted to do what she could to help revitalize Whistle Stop.
“Would you mind telling me a little about the area?”
Ana walked to the front door and grabbed a pamphlet. She returned to the table and set down the canary-yellow paper. “This lists most of the area’s highlights. You’ll love the homey feel of the town. Now, what can I get you?”
“How about some coffee to start with?” After the waitress moved toward the kitchen, Alexis flipped through the pamphlet. There were numerous community activities listed for Whistle Stop, such as the dart league and the quilting guild and many events.
When the waitress dropped off the steaming cup along with a basket of chips and some salsa, then moved to a nearby table to refill the salt and pepper shakers, Alexis said, “Thanks for the information about the area. It’s surprising how much a small town can offer. The Whistle Stop Labor Day Picnic sounds like a big deal.”
“It’s more important around here than Cinco de Mayo or the Fourth of July.” Ana screwed the cap on a refilled saltshaker. “There’s a rodeo, a best-shot competition, and lots of kids games.”
“No sporting events? Or concerts?”
“In this area, rodeo and shooting are considered sporting events.”
She could easily imagine Cord taking part in both events. Too bad Labor Day had already passed. She’d love to see him bull riding…on second thought, it sounded too dangerous.
“Did you grow up here?” Alexis asked, taking a liking to the woman who appeared to be about her age.
“Born and bred.” Ana turned her attention to screwing the lid back on a peppershaker. “And you’re from New York.”
“Good guess.” She didn’t think she had much of an accent.
“No guessing involved. Mr. Forbes has been talking about a woman who’s in town to build some fancy resort. I put two and two together.”
So much for keeping her project low-key. She took a tortilla chip still warm from the deep fryer and scooped up some of the chunky salsa. “This is exceptionally good.”
“Thanks. It’s homemade from an old family recipe.”
“I’m impressed. It’s the best I’ve ever had.” Alexis took another bite. “So what’s a person to do around here for evening entertainment?”
“The cinema’s new releases run a couple months behind the rest of the world.”
“I’m not much into movies.”
“There are a couple of saloons scattered around town, but nothing to rival Albuquerque’s night life. You could try bingo at the town hall on Wednesdays. But go early to get a seat. A large number of Whistle Stop’s residents play.”