Cordero and Alexandra met 14 days ago


ENDING OF PREVIOUS POST:

"Thank you for listening." After sitting, he took a deep breath. "Any idea when you'll be ready to date again?"

Alexandra shook her head. "No but being around you makes me realize there are good men out there."

"You make me realize there are women who aren't selfish or shallow." He stood again. "We'd better get inside. Morning comes early around here."

She took his offered hand.

As he opened the glass patio door, their eyes met, and lips moved closer. Just before they touched, Samson shoved his way between them.

Cordero shook his head. "Samson! Really!"

Alexandra smiled and went to her room.


TODAY'S POST:

During Monday morning's breakfast, Jorge handed Cordero the supply list. "This looks good. I couldn't think of anything you've forgotten. You're moving Gary here to stay with the ladies?"

"I think so. Jim has more experience. I have four men for sure. I'd feel a lot better if we took one or maybe two more. What do you think?"

"I'd take two. One should be good here and one at your place."

"I agree." Cordero checked his watch. "I'm going to town in about thirty minutes to get the supplies. You want to go?" He paused. "I need to stop by Sarah's. Bambi might have an ear infection. I told her I'd be there around nine o'clock."

"Naw, go ahead. I'll check on that foal, plus I have some business to tend to." Jorge glanced at Rosa. "What do you ladies have planned for today?"

Rosa smiled. "It's Monday, laundry. How about you, Ali?"

"I need to fax those papers to Mom and then I was wondering if I could borrow the SUV. I need to take care of something in town. It should only take about fifteen minutes."

"Sure, with the laundry, I won't need it."

"Tonight I'll cook a Mexican dinner. Any suggestions? Do I need to stop by the grocery store?"

Jorge stood and rubbed his stomach. "There will be some good eats tonight."

Cordero asked, "I've been hungry for Elote." He faced Alexandra, "Sorry, Mexican Street Corn. Think it can be added to the menu?"

When Alexandra looked at Rosa for guidance, Rosa said, "Sure. It's added."

He stood. "Good. I'd better get going." His eyes met Alexandra's. "I'll see you later."

After the men left, Rosa sipped her coffee. "I've been thinking about tonight's dinner. How about chicken mole with rice and beans?" She grinned. "And Mexican Street corn. For dessert, Tres Leches Cupcakes."

"Sounds delicious. Anything I need to pick up while I'm in town?"

"While you fax your papers, I'll check the cupboards.

*****
In Lobo, Alexandra stood in front of the bank, adjusted her navy blue, skirt suit, and took a deep breath. I wanted to look professional. Maybe it'll give me the upper hand. This won't be easy but this man needs an attitude adjustment.

She walked up to the middle-aged secretary whose desk was in the lobby, but next to the bank president's door. "Hello, I'm Alexandra Black and I'd like to speak with Mr. Rogers."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"I don't, but if you tell him I'm here I'm sure he'll see me."

"I've been told he's in an important meeting and can't be disturbed." She pointed to a lobby chair. "Please have a seat and when he comes out, I'll ask if he'll see you."

Alexandra sat and watched customers come and go at the counters. After about twenty minutes, she overheard two ladies' conversation, "Lisa's been in his office for over an hour. How long does it take to see if your loan's been approved? It's a simple yes or no. I wonder what's going on."

Standing Alexandra walked over to the ladies. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but your friend has been with Mr. Rogers for an hour?" After they nodded, she continued, "Did she drop off a loan application?"

The shorter lady answered, "She did that about two weeks ago. Mr. Rogers called her, said he had the answer, and she had to come in. She told us it would only take five or ten minutes. We were going shopping and then to lunch together, so we've been waiting."

"Just a standard loan?"

"Yes, Lisa's a single mom. Her husband was killed in a car accident about three years ago. She owns the town bakery. She needed the loan to make some improvements. Her ovens need replacing and a few other things."

Alexandra pointed at the door. "And she's been behind that closed door for over an hour." After the ladies nodded, she said, "Something's wrong with this." She turned the doorknob and pushed the door open.

"What?" yelled Pat. He jumped attempting to cover himself.

Lisa screamed and grabbed her clothes.

"Get dressed," ordered Alexandra as she walked to Lisa. "What happened?"

Pat glared at her. "We're in a private meeting."

Deja vou. I've seen this before. Alexandra shook her head. "I know what you're doing." She glared at Pat. "I want her version." When Lisa didn't answer, she continued, "Your friends said you came in to see if your loan was approved. Is that correct?"

Lisa nodded. "Yes. I tried to get the answer over the phone, but he said I'd have to come in to get it." She slipped into her jeans. "Then he..." she started crying.

"Did he force himself on you?"

"I didn't rape her," yelled Pat. "She wanted it." He pointed to the open door. "Get out, or I'm calling the police."

"Please do. I'm sure the police would like to know what little scam you're running." She faced Lisa. "Did you consent to sex with this man?"

She shook her head. "No..."

"You're lying!" interrupted Pat.

Alexandra's eyes met Pat's. "You need to shut up." She paused. "Your name is Lisa, correct?" After Lisa nodded, Alexandra continued, "I can help. I'm an attorney."

Lisa swallowed and through tears said, "He said my loan was denied, but if I 'padded' the application, he'd make sure it was approved."

"So in order to get the loan to improve your business, you needed to have sex with him? Do I understand?"

"That's a lie," shouted Pat.

Opening her purse, Alexandra took out a handful of cards. "Lisa, here's my card. Call me tomorrow, and we'll sue him. I have a feeling you aren't his only victim. If you can think of other possible victims, please give them my card. I'm going to put a stop to this."

"Thank you. I know of a few other women this could've happened to." When Lisa walked into the bank's lobby, people applauded.

Pat glared at her. "You're just a cheap ambulance chaser. If you were a real lawyer, you wouldn't be hanging around the likes of Ortiz. You'd be on the French Rivera."

"Really?" Alexandra went to the door and addressed his secretary. "Ma'am, I see your laptop's up. Please google, Albatross Law Firm. When you're finished, bring it in here." She stood at the door waiting for the laptop.

When Alexandra had the laptop in her hands, she walked to Pat's desk.
"Please read what is says about our firm."

Pat closed his eyes and sighed.

Alexandra faced the secretary. "Ma'am, what's your name?"

"Mary."

"Thank you, Mary, would you please research and tell your boss the law firm's rating? Oh by the way, I'm a junior partner."

"Yes, Ma'am."

After a few moments, Mary showed the computer screen to Pat.

After he sighed, Alexandra continued, "I'm not an ambulance chaser. Our firm's one of the most prestigious firms on the East Coast and just recently throughout the United States. Now you know I'm serious. You've broken the law, and I'm going to make you pay. While I waited for Mary, I decided to offer my services to another one of your victims, Amy Harding."

"I'm not that brat's father and have been paying for nine years. Your boyfriend should be paying. Go after him, not me."

"You just told another lie. You're filled with them today, aren't you? I happen to know the DNA test cleared Cordero. Amy said you were the father and also cleared Cordero. Since you were in college when the court set child support, you only had to pay the minimum amount. I'm guessing Amy doesn't know she can go back to court and request you to pay a percentage of what you're earning now. Normally that's around 10%." She smiled. "I'll contact her and offer to be her attorney. I want you to get everything you have coming."

Pat plopped down in his chair. "If there's nothing else, you can leave."

"Actually, I haven't even touched on the reason I came in today. These were things I happened to walk in on. I came to tell you it was wrong getting Maggie Benton drunk and putting ideas in her head about her relationship with Cordero. Yes, we figured out you were the instigator. I'll be contacting your lawyer over the other situations."

Alexandra turned toward the door. "One more thing, I won't be going to Houston with you this weekend."


***** I know many of you are from large cities and not used to or don't believe people just share information with others. In small town USA, yes people just openly share everybody's business with everybody. It really does happen. I've lived in both large cities and very small towns. Each have pluses and negatives.*****


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Spanish accents have been removed so I don't get weird characters in my posts.

Mi hijo & Mijo are Spanish for son. Jorge will use them often.

Bendecido is Spanish for blessed.

Elote (eh-LOH-teh), also known as Mexican street corn, is salty, sweet, crunchy, and creamy in every bite. It hits all the right flavor notes, especially hot off the grill in the summer months when fresh corn is at its peak and abundantly available at every market. It's a popular street food in Mexico and can be served as a snack or side dish.
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I changed the name of the town from Alpine to Lobo. The reason for the change is because Alphine is a real town. It's very quaint and a lovely town in West Texas. In this post the owner of the bank, Pat Rogers takes unfair advantage of young ladies, and I didn't want anybody to assume the bank in Alphine is like that. This is only fiction and will always be only fiction.
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CHARACTER LIST:

Cordero Ortiz: 'Cord' runs his parents Texas ranch

Alexandra Black: 'Ali' is a New York City corporate lawyer, is junior partner in huge family law firm

Jorge and Rosa Ortiz: Cordero's parents who own a large West Texas Ranch

Jim: One of the ranch foreman's and good friend of Cordero. He takes care of the main house and surrounding ranch area.

Bob: One of the ranch foremen and good friend of Cordero. He works the entire ranch.

Pat Rogers: bank owner, possible suitor for Ali

Sam Bailey: Lobo's Sheriff.

Maggie Bentson:  an acquaintance

Tonia and Brent Black: Alexandra's parents

Joyce: Cords' ex-girlfriend