Cordero and Alexandra met 38 days ago.

ENDING OF PREVIOUS POST:

He kissed her. "You won your argument."

"Good." She leaned her head against his arm. After a few moments, she sat straight. "Did Alan threaten me when he said, 'You're going to regret that decision.'?"

"I can't answer for him, but it sounded like it." Cordero shook his head. "We'll add that to the threat list. It's getting longer."

She leaned her head against his arm again. "It seems so."

He kissed the top of her head.

TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 21

Early Monday afternoon, Rosa and Alexandra admired the anniversary photos Tonia had emailed. Rosa smiled. "You two make a gorgeous couple. I'm glad Cord met you there."

"Me too. I think he had a halfway decent time."

"He did. He always has fun with you. Mothers know these things."

Her eyes twinkled. "I enjoy his company." Her eyes widened and she jumped up. "What time is it? I'd forgotten. I get my stitches out at two-thirty." She checked her phone. "It's one-fifteen. I need to get ready."

Rosa touched her arm. "Sam dropped by while you were in New York. Pat Rogers is out on bail. You're not going by yourself."

She exhaled. "Cord was gone for a few days, so he's really busy. I can't take him away from work again."

"I think I heard his pickup a few minutes ago. You'd better talk to him."

When Alexandra walked toward the barn, she saw him unloading hay bales from the back of his pickup. She turned to go back inside.

"Ali, get back here. What's wrong?" Cordero walked toward her.

"You're busy." She studied her feet. "I'll figure it out."

Cordero removed his work gloves and used his finger to raise her chin, so their eyes met. "Figure what out?" She remained silent. "I have the quiet lawyer, again."

"You've missed so much work because of me, I can't..."

He kissed her. "You're more important than anything here. What do you need?"

"Pat Rogers is out on bail."

"Dad told me." His eyes widened. "Has something happened?"

"I'm supposed to get my stitches removed at two-thirty."

Cordero glanced at his watch. "Sorry. I'd forgotten. Give me a few minutes, and I'll be in to clean up. I'll take you."

Jorge came from the barn. "With Rogers free you two won't be going alone. I'm going too."

Jim stood beside him. "I'll hold down the ranch." He petted Klaus's head. "I have help." He grinned when Otto came over for a pet.

Nodding, Cordero said, "It's settled."

*****
As Cordero parked in front of the doctor's office, he nodded to his right. "Dad?"

"I see him." Jorge opened the passenger backdoor and assisted Alexandra. "I'm glad you didn't come by yourself."

She swallowed. "Thank you. Hopefully Pat won't do anything but stand there."

Cordero came around and slipped his arm around her waist. "Let's get inside."

Dr. Barnes was waiting. "Ms. Black, are you ready to get rid of those stiches? I'm sure they're itching."

As Cordero started to go back with her, their eyes met, and Alexandra said, "I'm not buying the bikini theory. You need to wait here."

Jorge chuckled. "She has your number."

"That she does."

*****
Both men stood at the window and watched Rogers.

"Why's he just standing there? Doesn't he have work to do?" asked Cordero.

"Can't answer that. It seems as if he's waiting for something." He glanced toward the door Alexandra went behind. "Has Ali filed the child support papers for Amy Harding?"

"No. She wanted to wait until after tomorrow's meeting."

"Probably a good idea. If he was faced with both lawsuits, she may not get as good a deal for the ladies. She's pretty smart."

"That she is."

A little less than an hour later the door opened, and Dr. Barnes led Alexandra out.

Cordero walked up to her. "Are they out?"

As she nodded, Jorge shook Bart's hand. "Thank you for taking care of our gal. Does she still have restrictions?"

"Just be careful. She healed pretty fast, but it wouldn't hurt to be careful a few more weeks just to be safe." The doctor faced Cordero. "I have a feeling this young man will take good care of her."

Cordero grinned at Alexandra. "I will." As they left the office, he offered her his hand. "Anything else you need in town or are you ready to go back to the ranch?"

Accepting his hand, she said, "I guess." She paused. "I've been so busy I've forgotten who's supposed to cook dinner. Do either of you remember where we left off?"

Jorge rubbed his stomach. "I think the last one was supposed to be Mexican, but something happened." He thought. "I remember. You had to come to town to stop the ladies' loans from being called in. Rosa did dinner."

"That's right. Tonight's French. Should I go ahead and cook? What do you suggest?"

The two men looked at each other and both said, "French."

"Okay. I hope you don't mind stopping by the grocery store." Alexandra thought a few minutes. "How about pan-roasted rosemary mushrooms?"

Jorge's eyebrows rose. "I like mushrooms but is there any meat?"

She hooked her arm through his. "Yes, chicken."

He grinned. "Sounds good." He winked at his son. "We'll have good eats tonight."

Cordero questioned, "Any dessert?"

"How about opera cake?"

He frowned. "Does ice cream go with it?"

She leaned into his arm. "Of course. Think I'd serve you a dessert without ice cream? I'm pretty sure you'll want vanilla. It's an almond sponge cake soaked in coffee syrup with buttercream and chocolate ganache topped with chocolate glaze."

"I'm sure it's good, but what's ganache?" asked Jorge.

"It's a type of whipped filling."

Jorge glanced at his son. "Did you know that?"

Cordero shook his head. "No, but I figured it was good." He took Alexandra's hand. "Let's get to the grocery store."

*****
After they arrived home, Rosa watched them carry numerous bags into the house. "Ali, I forgot to mention, never, and I mean never allow these two in a grocery store together."

Alexandra laughed. "I understand. It won't happen again."

Jorge chuckled. "Cord, I think we'd better head for the barn."

"Should we put away the groceries first?"

Shaking her head, Rosa said, "Go. Ali and I'll take care of them. I hope I can find a place in the freezer for all this ice cream."

Cordero kissed her cheek. "Mom, I know you'll find somewhere to put it. You always do."

The ladies watched the men head toward the barn. Rosa shook her head. "They knew better."

Alexandra reached into a bag. "I'm sorry. I should've suspected they were up to no good when they wanted to go grocery shopping."

"That would've been a clue," teased Rosa.

*****
During dinner, Cordero asked, "Ali, what time's your meeting with Brown tomorrow?"

"Eleven o'clock."

His eyes met his dad's. "Should we both escort her?"

"Probably. Rogers will be at the meeting, right?"

"He should," answered Alexandra.

Jorge thought for a moment. "But he could pay somebody to cause trouble. He did before."

"Would he really try that again?" she asked.

Cordero set his fork down. "I won't take any chances."

"Me either." Jorge's eyes met his wife's. "We promise not to do any grocery shopping."

Rosa shook her head. "Better not." She answered her ringing phone. "Darn! I forgot. I'll be there in a few minutes." She put her phone away. "There's a woman's church meeting. It's about the auction for new kitchen equipment." She stood. "I'd better get to these dishes."

Alexandra stood. "Go. I got these."

Cordero nodded. "Mom, I'll help. Get to your meeting."

Jorge grabbed his hat. "I'll escort you."

As Rosa and Jorge walked out, Cordero called. "Mom, try to get me out of that auction."

She answered, "Not going to happen."

*****
Alexandra stacked some plates and carried them to the sink.

Cordero followed with a handful of bowls. "I'll get the rest."

As Cordero carried in the last dish, his phone rang. After he answered, his eyes met Alexandra's. "Sorry, but I'm needed in the barn. Jim wants me to examine our new mom. He thinks she may have problems. I hate to leave you with this mess."

"Don't worry about it. It won't take long."

*****
Almost thirty minutes later, Klaus and Otto ran to the house's front door and barked.

Jim pointed. "Boss, what's wrong with those two."

Cordero ran toward the house. The closer he got he heard screaming. "Ali's alone."

Inside the kitchen he stood and laughed. Water squirted up and out from the faucet. Alexandra, drenched from head to toe, attempted to stop it by cupping her hands around the faucet. Beside her on the floor, Samson wallowed in the puddles.

Alexandra glared at Cordero. "Quit laughing and help!"

He knelt. "Move over. The off valve's inside the cabinet." Once the water had stopped, he stood and grinned. "Now I know what you look like in a wet T-shirt." He shook his head. "Mighty fine." He chuckled as her cheeks glowed red. "I'll get the toolbox. You'd better change."

As Alexandra turned and walked away, she said, "Are your thoughts illegal, again?"

"Only rated GP. I didn't know you before. Now I know and respect you."

"Good."

When Alexandra returned, she watched Cordero for a few moments. "You fixed it that fast?"

"I've had lots of practice. It does it often." He pointed to the vacuum. "If you turn this button, it sucks up water. We should've warned you. After I dump the water, if you want, we can go to the barn."

"I forgot to ask, how's the new mom?"

"She's fine now, but I need to keep an eye on her. An infection may be brewing. How about the barn?"

"Yes. I visited Bendecido and Jewel before lunch. I'd like to say goodnight to them."

He leaned over and his kiss lingered. "Let's go." He took her hand and led her outside.

~~~~~
I intentionally left off the accents on fiance and fiancee because Evil Eddie would put all sorts of strange characters in my post. Thank you for understanding.
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Hola is Spanish for hello

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

Bendecido is Spanish for blessed.
~~~~~

CHARACTER LIST:

Cordero Ortiz: 'Cord' runs his parents' Texas ranch

Alexandra Black: 'Ali' is a New York City corporate lawyer, is a 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 foremen and best 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, not a good person

Sam Bailey: Lobo's Sheriff.

Dr. Bart Barnes: Town doctor

Judge Sean Pickett: County Judge

Tonia and Brent Black: Alexandra's parents

George Black Alexandra's grandpa

Gary Hart: A young ranch hand

Luke: All around bad guy

Amy Harding: A lady who Pat Rogers raped during High School Prom, her son, Matthew

Alan Griffin Alexandra's ex-fiance

Joseph and Ruth Aaronson One of the first clients, family friends, owner of a prestige jewelry shop