"Okay, come in the house."
They settled on the sofa in the den with two steaming mugs of tea. Mitch sat stiffly with his jaw locked and his hands resting rigidly on his thighs. "Better start talking," he said with deceptive calm.
Lexie exhaled a deep breath. She glanced at his profile and willed him to look at her but he stared straight ahead. "I know you remember the night dad caught us coming out of the barn--"
"After we made love," he finished in a taut voice.
She fingered a side seam in her jeans. "Yes. You and dad had a terrible fight."
"I didn't come here to reminisce," Mitch said in a cold, exacting tone.
The muscles between her shoulder blades tightened at his remark. "Dad was determined to keep us apart. He didn't know that you already had plans to leave Chimney Rock so he concocted that little scenario with Jake to get you out of my life for good."
She watched his body relax almost imperceptibly in a loosening of the shoulders and an easing of the lines bracketing his mouth. If she didn't know him so well she wouldn't have noticed. Maybe he's starting to believe me.
Mitch turned his head and looked at her. For the first time since he'd seen her in Jake's arms there were doubts in his eyes. A little spurt of hope shot through her. "What do you mean?" he asked.
Lexie stared deeply into his eyes. "Dad found out we had a date that night. He knew we were meeting outside, what time and everything. So he paid Jake to pretend he was seducing me."
She shook her head. "You have no idea how shocked I was when Jake made a pass at me. One minute we were talking and the next he had his arms around me.” Lexie laid a hand on Mitch's arm and to her relief she didn't feel the muscles stiffen. "I ran after you to explain but you wouldn't listen, you wouldn't even look at me. I came by your house the next day to see you, but Judson told me you'd left town the night before."
Lexie moved her hand to the side of his cheek and rested it there. She felt the slight stubble on his skin tickle her palm. "The whole thing was a setup, Mitch. I never even knew until after it was all over. Jake confessed the whole thing. He accepted the money because at the time his little brother really needed it for school. Dad used him too, don't you see?"
He lifted his hand and cupped the back of her neck. His warmth infused her skin and the tense knot in her stomach eased. "I can't believe it. All these years I thought you didn't care about me.”
Mitch drew her into his arms. She rested her head on his shoulder and simply breathed him in. Lexie reveled in his warmth and the strength of his arms. After a moment, he tilted her face to his and kissed her gently on the lips. "I'm sorry I doubted you," he whispered. He shifted to her cheek then the line of her jaw before planting soft kisses on her neck. "Mitch, I--"
"Shh, don't say anything. Just let me kiss you," he murmured. Her brain fogged and her limbs felt heavy and weak. Her sensual conscience remembered the feel of him, his touch, his taste, the skill he used to arouse and titillate. But she remembered his gentleness most of all.
His breath blew over her neck and his lips nibbled with just a hint of tongue. Warmth spread from foot to head and back again as her knees turned to water.
He shifted slightly and skimmed his hands down to her waist. She inhaled a sharp little breath when his fingers whispered over the edges of her breasts. She remembered the feel of his hands on her breasts, the strength, the gentleness of his touch and the rough arousing feel of the calluses on the tips of his fingers. From there he moved his palms to her neck and buried his fingers in her hair. He tilted her head back so she had to look into his eyes.
Gradually, he lowered his head, laid his mouth over hers fully and slid his tongue between her lips. A moan glided from her throat. The kiss turned dark, heady. He assaulted her mouth, his hands roamed her back. From her back his hands moved lower and cupped her fanny lifting her closer to him. Her body touched his.
She felt every muscle and the rough slide of his jeans and the softness of his shirt beneath her hands. Her breasts grew hot, needing to be touched. As if reading her mind, he pulled the shirt from her jeans where she had tucked it in and let his hand glide from her waist to her ribs to just beneath her breast.
Slowly, ever so slowly he slid his hand higher until his palm covered her breast. With ruthless efficiency he rubbed his thumb over her nipple bringing it to peak. Then abruptly, he drew back. His eyes shone with arousal, desire. Her breath heaved from her lungs as did his.
His hand still held her breast beneath her shirt. With his eyes on hers he moved his thumb over her once more arousing the nipple to an even harder peak. "I want you, Lexie, more than I need to breathe, but now is not the time.”
Her breath hitched as he removed his hand from her shirt and smoothed it down. "Why did you stop?"
"Because there's still too many unresolved issues between us."
She lowered her chin knowing he was right. "You mean the ranch."
He reached out and grazed the tips of his fingers over her cheek. "Partly. Don't ever doubt that I want you. But there's something else I need from you first."
"What's that?"
"Your trust."
Chapter Ten
Slightly warmer air lay over the valley causing Lexie to shed her jacket and drape it over the fence. No clouds bunched over the mountains threatening rain or snow. The beauty of the day filled her with optimism making her believe she really did have a chance to save the land she loved so much.
She urged the bay mare into a slow, easy canter and tried to keep her mind on her work. From beneath the chin strap on the horse's bridle, a line trailed to the saddle's girth. The owner told her that his horse kept throwing her head back and refused to take her left lead.
Lexie had spent a restless couple of days mulling over Mitch's plea asking for her trust. Not to mention reliving the sensual moments she'd spent in his arms. The deep kisses he'd given her and the incredible touch of his big, warm hand on her bare breast. Just thinking about it sent a shiver of heat through her body.
The mare tossed her head and stubbornly refused to take her left lead around the corral. "Come on, girl, take that lead. You can do it," Lexie prodded. She had been working the mare for an hour, her frustration building almost to the breaking point, but she kept a strong hold on her patience.
Lexie signaled the dainty, little mare into a slow trot and leaned a bit in the saddle. Was it the mare's willfulness or her own nagging worries about Mitch taking the ranch that caused her frustration? She nudged the mare's right side with the stirrup and eased her back up to a canter.
Again, she balked. Her right forefoot struck the ground first, followed by the left and then the hind legs. Outside the fence, Toby barked with his ears pricked and his tail wagging.
Lexie turned her head and saw Harlen Fielding's blue Ford sedan rattle over the cattle guard and head toward the barn. A little spurt of panic darted through her veins at the sight of the bank president's car. Quickly, she pushed it aside. She was almost sixty days late with her last loan payment. He was probably here as a courtesy to tell her they needed a check as soon as possible. After all, he'd done that before when she'd missed a payment or two.
Her father had done all of his banking with Harlen and the First Bank of Chimney Rock. Since Mason's death, he'd extended a helping hand to her as well. No reason why today should be any different.
Harlen slid his slightly over-weight body from the car and threw her a wave. A gray pin stripe suit hung loosely on his medium-height frame with a red tie knotted at the collar of his crisp white shirt.
He stepped up to the corral fence, propped one foot covered in a brown snakeskin boot on the bottom slat and tipped his black Stetson back with the tip if his index finger against the brim. He might be a bank executive now but once a cowboy always a cowboy. "Hi, Lexie," he said in a friendly voice. "What are you trying to teach that little mare today?"
"Hi Harlen. She tosses her head and won't take her left lead."
He withdrew a pack of
cigarettes from the inside pocket of his coat and tapped a smoke from the package. He popped the cigarette between his lips, cupped his hands around the flame of his lighter and lit it. A plume of gray smoke rose into the air but was quickly blown away by the wind. "Mare needs a smack on the hind quarters is all. A faster gallop will force her to take that lead."
Most people in Chimney Rock came from farming or ranching families and Harlen was no exception. Lexie conceded that he knew a bit about training horses but then so did she. "I don't like using a crop on a horse. She just needs me to show her a few more times and she'll get it."
Harlen headed inside the barn. In a moment, he came out carrying a crop. He tossed his cigarette on the ground and pressed it into the sand with the toe of his boot before opening the gate. He walked over to Lexie, took off his jacket and slung it over his shoulder. He turned his back to the horse's head so she couldn't see the crop and handed it to Lexie. She shoved it back at him. "I won't whip a horse."
He shook his head. "I'm not suggesting you whip the horse, Lexie. Just give her a light tap on the hind quarters. It won't hurt her just surprise her a little that's all because she won't be expecting it."
Again he held out the crop. Reluctantly, she took the crop. The leather covered whip felt hard and cold in her hand. The memory of Mason whipping a horse with a riding crop flickered through her mind.
She'd tried to stop him but all she'd gotten for her trouble was a shove and a brisk command to 'Git in the house, girl, if you're gonna whine like a baby.'
Lexie prodded the mare back onto the sandy track of the ring. First, she signaled her into a trot.
"Go ahead, give her a little tap," Harlen called from the center of the ring.
Guilt over what she was about to do settled in her chest. Her palms grew damp and sweat beaded her brow. Lexie gently rapped the end of the crop against the mare's hind quarters. Her body lurched slightly forward in response. Once again, Lexie flicked the crop on her hind quarters. The mare leaped toward a gallop.
She checked the mare's lead and satisfaction bloomed that she had finally taken her left lead. Wind whipped past Lexie's face, warming her skin and cooling her guilt. Lexie smiled and tugged on the reins bringing the mare to a halt. She leaned forward in the saddle and rubbed the mare's sweaty neck, all the while murmuring soft words of praise and apology for using the crop.
After a few turns around the ring, to cool out the mare, Lexie climbed down and patted her on the neck.
"Told you it would work," Harlen said smiling at her.
Lexie returned the smile and led the mare toward the barn. There was definitely a difference between Mason's use of the crop through force and intimidation and her gentle touch of surprise. "Yeah, thanks. Doesn't mean I like it but I must admit it did work. Why are you here, Harlan?" she said over her shoulder.
She strolled to the middle of the alleyway, slid off the bridle and replaced it with a halter. "I know I'm really late again on my loan payment, but I was hoping you'd give me another extension."
There were two lead lines attached to rings embedded in the walls of the alley way. She clipped the end of the lead lines onto the mare's halter and removed the saddle.
"Not this time, Lexie," he stated with quiet emphasis. "I'm sorry."
She halted in mid-stroke as she rubbed a soft towel over the mare's damp coat. A chill covered her skin from head to toe. Tense silence enveloped the barn while anxiety formed a hard knot in her stomach. He couldn't mean that.
Lexie turned her head and looked at him. Regret flitted over his features. She'd never begged before but at this point she was ready to do anything--anything to save the ranch. "The Dare family has been doing business with the First Bank of Chimney Rock for as long as I can remember. I hope you'll take that into consideration before you give me your final answer.” Harlen glanced down at his boots and pursed his lips but remained silent. "You know how much this ranch means to me, Harlen."
He removed his hat and pressed the pads of his fingers against the crown. He moved his finger tips back and forth as if molding the folds of the Stetson. His gaze flicked to her face then back to the hat he held in his hands. "I know how much business your family has given us through the years. And I appreciate it, I really do," he stated in his best banker voice.
He lifted his head and stared at her with a solemn expression blanketing his face. "You must understand, Lexie this has nothing to do with friendship and everything to do with business."
She dropped the towel into the grooming tools box and picked up a dandy brush. No kidding. Friendship flew the coop when money stepped up to the plate.
Harlen cleared his throat. "The board isn't as lenient as it has been in years past. They're tightening the purse strings.” He shrugged. "Giving customers extentions on overdue loans has caused the bank to lose money. They feel we have to put a stop to it once and for all."
She could feel the ranch slipping through her fingers. Oh, God, what am I going to do? How can I stop him? A mixture of anger and fear shivered down her spine.
Lexie whisked the brush over the mare's neck and withers as he mind whirled trying desperate to latch on to a solution to her terrible problem. But there was none to be found. He only option was to try and convince him to give her more time. "I understand but this ranch is all Dani and I have left.” She stopped brushing the horse and turned toward Harlen. "I'd like to come down to the bank in person and talk to the board. I'm sure when I explain my situation they'll understand.” She was grasping at straws and she knew it.
Harlen shook his head and his brow furrowed. "I spoke to the board on your behalf and tried to sway them, but they were adamant," he stated regretfully.
He pulled something from his inside coat pocket and handed it to her.
Lexie stared at the legal size envelope. Go ahead and take it. It's only your life.
She didn't have to open the envelope to know what lay inside. Anger overcame her fear at least for the moment. Lexie grasped Harlen's arm and led him outside the barn. She didn't want to raise her voice in front of the horses because it upset them. When they had cleared the barn, Lexie stopped and pulled Harlen up short. "That was damned sneaky of you, Harlen, to show up so affable and ready to help me with the mare; when all along you planned to serve me with foreclosure papers.” She raised her arms out to her sides then let them drop. "How could you?"
An indignant expression washed over Harlen's face. He straightened his shoulders and plopped the Stetson back on his head. "I'm sorry, Lexie. I truly am," he stated firmly. "But I'm just doing my job.” With those last words, he turned tail and headed for his car.
With a stiff gait as if pain racked her body, Lexie walked back into the barn. Everything seemed magnified all of a sudden; the wind dancing through the alleyway, the smell of horses and hay and the beams of sunlight that filtered into the barn. She slumped to a hay bale and squeezed her eyes tightly shut for a moment. This can't be happening.
Lexie opened her eyes and exhaled a deep breath. She stared at the envelope. Her heart tripped. This was a moment she wouldn't soon forget. With nervous fingers and shaking hands, she withdrew the papers. The mare shifted her weight to three legs and relaxed the fourth. She closed her eyes to rest as if all were right in the world.
Only nothing was right. The world--her world had suddenly been turned on its ear. Lexie gazed at the papers and read. The words blurred as tears filled her eyes. It was official. The bank had called in its loan. A hard lump slid into her throat. She had thirty days to vacate the property before it went on the auction block.
She couldn’t believe it. After all the hard work and the sacrifices, she had reached the end of the road. What the hell was she going to do now?
# # #
When Mitch arrived for dinner later that evening Dani met him at the door. She took his hand and wrapped her small fingers around his before motioning for him to lean down. "Mommy's sad," Dani whispered next to his ear.
Mitch lifted her hand and kiss
ed the back of her fingers. "What's she sad about?" he asked.
Dani gazed up at him with soulful green eyes. "The bank prezdent brought her some papers. We gots to move.” Her lower lip trembled. "Mama says the bank wants money. I thought the bank had bunches of money already.” A tear dibbled down Dani's cheek. "Can you fix it, Daddy?"
The soft plea from his daughter's lips nearly undid him. His chest filled with a sharp, squeezing hurt. Damn it, he wanted to fix it. If for no other reason than to put a smile back on Dani's face. He wanted to pay off the debt the ranch owed and hand the deed to Lexie. But he couldn't. Even if he had the money in his own bank account...he couldn't.
He should feel elated that it was finally over. All he had to do was go to the bank and make the deal. But he didn't feel happy, he felt lousy in fact. Seeing Dani upset tore at his conscience. He was the big bad wolf that had been scratching at the door, not the bank. And what about Lexie? She must be devastated.
Mitch squatted down beside Dani and wiped the tears from her cheeks with the pad of his thumb. "Don't cry, little butterfly. I don't know if I can fix things or not, but I'm going to try. Do you know where those papers are?”
"Dani, is that your daddy at the door?" Lexie called from the kitchen.
"Yes, Mom. We'll be there in a minute," she yelled back.
Dani tugged on his hand and led him into the study. Mitch found the papers lying on the desk and read them. He'd won and Lexie had lost. But he hadn't really won because if he went ahead with his plans he might lose Lexie and Dani forever. What would he do for the rest of his life without them?
They had just finished dinner when Dani's face lit up. "I'll be right back.” She scrambled up from the table and Mitch listened to her feet pound up the stairs.
Lexie popped up from the table and carted dishes to the sink. Mitch watched her scrape the plates and then rinse them. She'd tried to hide her emotions from him all evening. He hadn't mentioned that he knew she'd lost the ranch because he felt she would be embarrassed and humiliated that she wasn't able to hold on to everything. He wanted her to tell him herself.
The Secret Truth at Dare Ranch Page 12
