by Tessa Layne
Lexi had stayed up all night, working on a three-point plan to bring vocational education to Prairie, along with expanding the research facilities at the local medical center, and expanding food and eco-tourism by working with local ranchers and entrepreneurs. At four a.m., she’d also had the brilliant idea of creating a high-speed internet shared workspace with low rent, so that anyone who had the capacity to work remotely, who maybe wanted to leave the big city, could make Prairie their next home. It was brilliant. Winning. And it would keep Prairie healthy for future generations. Heck, she wanted to raise her own children here.
The bell over the door jangled and Jarrod rushed in, waving at her as soon as he spotted her. He leaned over to kiss her before sliding into the booth across from her. “Sorry to keep you waiting. I had a meeting that ran long.”
“Oh?”
“I’ll tell you all about it over breakfast.”
“Great. I have news, too.” Lexi could barely contain herself. “But let’s order first.” She slipped out of the booth to retrieve two menus and the coffee pot. Perks of being the owner’s daughter, she just helped herself to whatever she needed and left the waitress a big tip. She dropped the menus on the table and filled Jarrod’s mug. “Cream or sugar?”
“Black is fine,” he said almost absentmindedly as he studied his phone.
Wow. Whatever his meeting was, must have been a big deal. He was usually so much more attentive. She returned the coffee pot and slid back into the booth, folding her hands on the table. She waited. And waited. And waited. Finally, she couldn’t stand it anymore. Waving a hand in front of him she spoke sharply. “Good morning. Earth to Jarrod. Hello?”
His eyes jerked up and he dropped his phone on the table. “What? I’m sorry. This is kind of a big deal.”
Lexi swallowed her irritation. “I can’t wait to hear all about it,” she answered with a forced smile, excitement for her own news beginning to leach out of her. “But how about we order breakfast, first?”
“Sure. I’ll have whatever you’re having.”
“You don’t want to look at the menu?” It shouldn’t piss her off, but it did. This was her mother’s pride and joy. She’d begun the diner before she’d had children, had rebuilt it after a devastating tornado leveled most of the town, and dammit, she was proud of her mom’s menu. “You can see your sister’s influence on some of the menu items.”
Even that didn’t seem to get him excited. “Oh great. Well, pick out something you think I’ll like then.”
Lexi smiled grimly and set down the menu. “I always order the special breakfast.” She contemplated telling him she always added a slice of her mother’s pie for dessert — even at breakfast, but she wasn’t sure even that would bring him out of whatever he was allowing to distract him.
“Is everything okay?” she asked quietly, stomach sinking. “Did something happen in D.C.?” This behavior was typical for D.C. lawyers. Hell, she’d been guilty of it too, on occasion, but only when she wasn’t very interested in her company. Was that all it took for Jarrod to lose interest? One week?
She bristled at the thought.
They had more than that, didn’t they? The conversations about his late brother, the horseback rides where she showed him all her favorite places… that all meant something… didn’t it? A knot stuck at the base of her throat. It meant something to her. When he still hadn’t answered, she got up and placed her order at the counter. Her mother looked at her sharply. “Everything okay, sweetie pie?”
She shrugged. “We’ll see.”
Dottie looked at Jarrod and frowned. “Somethin’s on his mind. Give him time.”
She hoped that’s all it was. For the most part, she’d managed to avoid Jarrod in D.C., so she couldn’t say if this was standard operating procedure or not. But whatever it was, she was going to take the bull by the horns, although her enthusiasm for telling him her big news dissipated by the minute. Lexi marched back to the table and sat down. Jarrod didn’t even glance up. She drew in a steadying breath and slowly exhaled, counting to ten. “So,” she said brightly. “I had a visit from Amy Watson yesterday.”
That got his attention. His eyes popped up, then narrowed. But at least his head wasn’t buried in his damn phone. “The mayor’s daughter?”
“One of them.” He grunted, then glanced back at his phone, typing furiously as she continued to speak. “It seems there are some outside entities who want to develop the Watson ranch. It could hurt our interests at Falcon Ridge,” she said, smile frozen in place. It was like talking to a wall. She cleared her throat and charged ahead. “I’m going to run for mayor.”
“What?” His head snapped up again and he scowled.
Not…the reaction she wanted. She exhaled again, working to keep a lid on her temper. “I said…” she flashed him her brightest smile. “I’m running for mayor.”
His face darkened. “You can’t do that.”
Alrighty, now she’d had enough. “Why the fuck not?” she barked.
He leaned forward, glowering. “Because I’m running for mayor.”
She blinked, letting his words sink in. He was running for mayor? No. Nonono. This couldn’t be happening. “Why are you running for mayor? You don’t even live here.”
“I do now.” He smiled tightly.
She crossed her arms. “Since when?” Her voice rose
“Since last week.”
Last week? Heat raced up her spine. “So you’ve been planning to run for mayor since Wilson died?” Of all the nerve. People were starting to stare, but ask her if she cared. Let this be out in the open. Let the town know what kind of snake in the grass wanted to ruin them.
“Marshall talked to me at the service. Those entities you mention want to bring jobs to the area and Prairie needs to grow or it will die.” His voice was clipped, impatient.
She placed both her hands on the table, leaning forward. “Those entities want to bring low-wage, high-polluting jobs to the area. That absolutely will kill this town, and I won’t have it.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Oh, yes I do,” she practically shouted. “Those are exactly the kinds of corporations I have loads of experience with. They hurt people, they rape the land and then leave when there’s nothing left.”
Jarrod finally looked like he’d awakened from a fog. “Now you’re just being melodramatic.”
“Am I? Mr. I Represent Anyone For A Paycheck?” It slowly dawned on her. God, she’d been such an idiot. “The consulting work you mentioned. It’s for one of them isn’t it?” She was so hot she was literally seeing red. “Which polluter is your poison? The CAFO? The frackers? The pharmaceuticals?”
He at least had the decency to look a little ashamed.
Her chest ached from the pain of it. He’d stabbed her in the back and twisted the knife. How could she have been so naive? She stood. “How dare you take advantage of me this way? Of this town?”
Jarrod stood, too. “It’s not what you—”
“It’s exactly what I think. You can barely ride a horse.” She glared at him. “Your boots aren’t even scuffed.”
“Look sweetheart. You need to calm down. We can work—”
“Like hell I need to calm down. You’re going to sell us downstream.”
“I’m going to bring us jobs,” he shouted right back.
“ENOUGH,” her mother roared from across the diner. “You kids take your argument outside. I will not have a shouting match inside my restaurant.” She leveled a glare at Lexi that made her feel one inch tall. “Where are your manners young lady? And you—” she turned to face Jarrod. “Your sister would be ashamed of you.”
Lexi could have heard a pin drop. She’d never heard the diner so quiet. Her chest burned with shame. Her mother was right, she should never have let this dissolve into a shouting match. Especially if she wanted to be mayor. She swallowed and met her mother’s lethal expression. “I’m sorry, Mama,” she muttered, face flaming. She wanted to hide, to have the
earth open up and swallow her, but she’d been taught to take her lumps when she was in the wrong. And she was clearly in the wrong. She looked out over the patrons, many of whom she knew. “I’m sorry everyone. I didn’t mean to let things get out of hand. It won’t happen again. And yes, in case you didn’t hear, I’m running for mayor.” She blinked hard at the prickles in her eyes, grabbed her purse, and marched out of the diner, head held high. She and Jarrod would be the talk of the town in under six seconds, but one thing she’d learned from her time inside the Beltway, was that all publicity was good. She hoped to heck that was the case for her here.
Chapter Eighteen
Jarrod stormed out of the diner after Lexi. “Lexi, wait,” he called after her, but she’d disappeared. Where in the hell had she gone? He couldn’t believe that everything had turned into a shit show in there. He should have known better than to let himself get involved in a family dispute when Marshall had mentioned that his sisters had other plans for the land. But now that he was in it, he was in it to win it. Damn the consequences.
He’d terminated his contract with Taggart Foods as soon as he’d discovered the conflict of interest, but he still thought developing the land was a great deal for Prairie. They were talking three-hundred jobs. That was a lot for a town of five-thousand on a good day. He could do more good as mayor, working with the city council to bring in more business than he could consulting with those same businesses. He’d been excited to share his news with Lexi, figuring that the endorsement of Marshall Watson, the Sinclaires and the Grace family would be all he needed to tie up the special election. Now, he didn’t know what to think, except he had to find Lexi and convince her to drop out.
Jarrod walked the length of the street and back, but there was no sign of her. She must have high-tailed it back to the ranch. That had certainly been her M.O. in D.C. Anytime things hadn’t gone her way, she’d bolted. Not this time, this was too important. He stopped and sent her a quick text.
Where are you?
It took a minute, but at last he saw three dots and knew she was typing. The tightness in his chest released. At least she was still talking to him. He blinked at her response.
Go to hell
Well, shit. That wasn’t the response he was hoping for. He typed off another question.
Can we please meet? I want to explain.
Again, she took her time in responding, which irritated the shit out of him. She’d obviously seen his text.
I’m busy
Fuck that. She wasn’t so busy she didn’t have time for him. They’d planned a leisurely breakfast this morning and it wasn’t even nine a.m. He’d bet his left nut she was back at the ranch getting ready to check on the cattle. He’d head there first and hope to hell that Teddy or one of her sisters, or their husbands, wasn’t there with a shotgun. They just needed to talk things out.
He hopped into his BMW and pulled out of the diner parking lot, and turned down the road to Falcon Ridge. He needed to trade his car in right away for a pickup. And not a fancy one, either. A used one, preferably one a little worse for wear. Lexi would try and paint him as a city slicker, and given his profession and his new status in town, that depiction could stick.
His best bet would be to get her out of the race. He couldn’t see her wanting to still be with him in any capacity if they were running against each other for mayor. His throat grew tight at the prospect of ending things with Lexi. He liked her. More than he’d ever liked anyone. But he had to admit that running for mayor was bigger than that. He wanted to make an impact like his brother had. Leave something behind that was more than a perfect winning record in court. Becoming mayor and using his experience to help Prairie was the perfect way to honor Jason.
Jarrod sped by the wrought iron arch that led to Resolution Ranch. Falcon Ridge was next. He turned onto the dirt drive, going too fast for the conditions, but he didn’t care. He skidded to a stop and hopped out of the car, making a beeline for the barn.
“Can I help you?” a deep voice asked.
Teddy. He hadn’t yet been formally introduced to Lexi’s father, probably by design, and for a moment, he found himself mildly intimidated by the imposing older man working on a tractor midway to the barn. “I’m Jarrod,” he started.
“I know who you are. I’m guessin’ you’re looking for Lexi?”
“I am.”
“You’ll find her in the barn, but a word of advice? I’ve lived with the Grace women for decades. I love my girls and my wife to bits, but I’ve learned that when there’s smoke comin’ out of their ears, it’s best to give them a wide berth.”
Fair enough. “So are you saying I should come back another time?”
Teddy shot him an amused smile. “I’m sayin’ enter at your own risk.”
“Noted, sir.” And ignored. He wasn’t leaving until they’d talked.
“And another thing,” Teddy called after him. “Leather’s tough. It’s gonna take a lot of hard work to scuff up those shiny new boots.”
Point taken. “Also noted, sir.”
“No need to call me sir. Teddy’s just fine.”
“Okay, thanks, Teddy. I appreciate the advice.” He guessed he better get used to unsolicited advice if he was running for mayor. Everyone was bound to have an opinion.
Jarrod pushed open the barn door. “Lexi?” he called softly, letting the door slide shut behind him. He blinked, letting his eyes adjust to the dimmer light. “I know you’re in here. Can we talk?” He walked down the aisle and found her brushing Oreo in the big open space at the end of the barn. “He looks happy,” Jarrod offered as an opener.
She didn’t glance up. Fine, he deserved that. “Look, I know I was a bit of an ass at breakfast—”
“You think?” she interrupted, but didn’t look up from her work. Oreo’s ears pricked forward, and he chuffed out a breath.
“I shouldn’t have been on my phone.”
“You shouldn’t have told me not to run for mayor,” she said tersely, moving farther down the horse to brush his hind legs.
“Not there, not in public. But I think you should drop out. For us.”
She paused and leveled him a glare so intense, he was sure it singed his shirt. “I… should drop out… for us.” She reiterated, voice dripping with disdain. “How about you drop out for us? This isn’t your home,” she said, voice coming out razor sharp. “You have no idea what’s good for this town.”
“I know that this town desperately needs jobs.”
“And if you’d listened…” She moved around Oreo’s head and began brushing his other side. “Instead of getting sucked into your phone, I would have told you about my plan to bring quality jobs, middle-class jobs, to Prairie.”
“Tell me now.”
She scoffed. “So you can steal my ideas? Nope. You can read about them in the op-ed I’m writing.”
That was a good idea. An op-ed to introduce himself to the city. He added that to his to-do list. “So you’re not backing down.”
“Are you?”
“Of course not.”
“Neither am I.”
“But what about us?”
“What about us?” she asked still refusing to look at him.
“C’mon, Lex. Don’t let this come between us.”
She snorted. “You should have thought about that before you decided to meddle in the business of a town you know nothing about.”
“Is that the way it’s going to be? That we’re going to be on opposite sides again, just like before? I don’t want that.”
Finally, she looked at him, but the hurt was so raw in her eyes, it cut him to the quick. “I don’t want that either. But I’m not going to stand by quietly and watch the place I love, the place of my heart, die a slow death while corporate fat cats bankrupt us. I can’t. This is my home, Jarrod. I want to raise my children here. If not at Falcon Ridge, then close by. I thought I showed you that last week.” Her voice grew thick and she turned away. “I thought you understood.”
“I do understand. And I want to help. That’s why I’m running for mayor. Can’t you see that?”
She shook her head. “If you want to help, fight with me to keep what’s wonderful about here, don’t side with entities that don’t care about the people or the land.”
“But they do care.”
She grimaced, shaking her head again. “That’s what you don’t get. You’ve bought into all the fancy corporate speak and the shiny PowerPoint presentations and the pretty marketing brochures. They care about profits. That’s it.”
Teddy was right, there was no reasoning with her when she was in this kind of a place. They were at an impasse, and as much as it pained him, he was going to have to walk away without a resolution. At least for the moment. “We are not done, Lexi,” he promised vehemently.
She shut her eyes, pressing her forehead to Oreo’s shoulder. “I think we are,” she mumbled quietly, sounding so defeated, Jarrod’s gut clenched.
“I’ll be back. This is not over.” He waited a moment for her to respond, but when it was clear she wouldn’t, he spun on his heel and stalked out of the barn, cursing his shiny new boots.
Chapter Nineteen
Lexi hopped off Oreo and tied him to the hitching post in front of the foreman’s office at Resolution Ranch. It was such a glorious morning, Lexi had decided to ride over instead of taking the truck a half-mile down one driveway and up the other. She hopped up the stairs and knocked on the door, turning the handle and poking in her head. “Hello? Emma?” she called.
“In here,” a cheery voice answered from the other room. “Come on in.” Lexi wiped her boots on the mat and entered, moving past the office to a separate room that Emma Sinclaire, now Walker, used as her PR firm. Emma swiveled around on a chair, belly showing that she would be due at the end of the summer. A pang shot through Lexi at the sight of Emma’s burgeoning belly. Those dreams were on hold, at least for now. “It’s good to see you Lexi, I heard you’re running for mayor. Take a seat.”
