Cordero and Alexandra met 41 days ago.

PREVIOUS POST:

"We'll discuss it later." Cordero waited until somebody answered. "Dad, I found Ali." He listened. "I'm not sure about her injuries. It's bad out here. It's starting to flash flood. We'll spend the night at my place. It's closer." He listened and then said, "Call Bob and tell him to expect us." Again silence. "I'm guessing we're twenty or thirty minutes away. I'll try to call when we get there, but I'm almost out of battery." Again, he listened. "I'll be careful and love you guys too."

The rest of the ride was silent.

TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 23 C

When Cordero and Alexandra arrived at his house, he dismounted Chip and lifted her to the ground. Again, she flinched.

Bob ran from the barn. "Boss, I hope you don't mind, but I started a fire and lit some lanterns. We've lost electricity. You two get inside. I'll take care of Chip."

Cordero nodded. "Thank you. Give Chip some extra feed." He glanced at his phone. "Can you call my parents? My battery's dead."

"Sure, Boss. Anything else you want?"

"Don't think so." He carried Alexandra inside and set her on his bed. He ran back to the door and yelled, "Bob, can you bring me my saddlebag?" After Bob handed it to him, he said, "Thanks. I need to check her injuries." He returned to the bedroom. "I need to..."

"I heard," she interrupted. "I'm fine, really. Besides you're a veterinarian. You work on animals. I'm human."

"Humans are animals." Cordero exhaled. "I noticed you've flinched when I've touched you. I doubt you find me repulsive, so it must mean you're in pain." He moved closer. "I've lost count of how many things I'm angry over. I'm doing my best to keep my temper under control."

Alexandra nodded. "I'm sorry."

"I know." He hesitated. "Your left eye's almost swollen shut." He examined her eye and then her lip. "Do you have any loose teeth?"

"No. Just a cut inside my mouth."

Cordero nodded, before he rechecked her eye. As he did, he placed his hand on the right side of her head. "You have a goose egg. At any time did you lose consciousness?"

"No."

Removing his stethoscope from the saddlebag, he put it around his neck. "I've noticed bruises on your arms. Exactly where do you hurt?"

His eyes closed when she answered, "Everywhere."

"Why didn't you call for help?"

"I tried. Jim wasn't in the barn. Rosa had the pressure cooker and vacuum on. You were in town. I don't know where Jorge was. It happened so fast I couldn't get to my phone." Alexandra felt her pockets. "I guess I lost it."

"Jim found it on the ground along with some blood." As he moved his hands across her shoulders, he said, "I'm checking for anything that might indicate additional problems. Please raise the back of your blouse. I need to check your back." He spent time checking her kidney area. "There's a large bruise here. Did he kick you?"

"Yes."

"I'll watch it tonight. As soon as we get home, you're visiting Dr. Barnes." He hesitated. "If I see anything more serious, we'll figure how to get you there tonight." After using the stethoscope and listening, he said, "Your breathing sounds normal."

He continued moving the stethoscope to various locations, before he said, "Lay back and raise your blouse. I need to listen to your heart."

Alexandra's eyes met his. "Cord, please, no."

"Only expose your stomach." After she did, he checked the knife wound. "It looks like he missed this area." He spent a lot of time on the ribs. "They're badly bruised. I'm pretty sure none are broken, but a couple could be fractured. Just in case you'll need to be careful."

"I doubt I have a choice."

"You're right. I'm checking your spleen." He pressed on different areas of her stomach. "I'm pulling down your jeans, just a little." Again, he pressed areas as he examined them. "You can lower your blouse." He moved to her ankle. "What happened here?"

"When I was hit, I fell and twisted it. It wasn't very bad, until I got off of Dolly. I stumbled and made it worse."

"You can say when your ex hit you. I already know it was him."

"Cord?"

"We'll talk later." He pointed to the dresser and then the closet. "Help yourself to dry clothes. I have nothing to hide so search until you find something that'll work. I know everything's too big but do the best you can. The electricity's out so I can't use the dryer. Hang the wet clothes wherever you can."

Alexandra watched him leave.

Over his shoulder, Cordero said, "When you're dressed, holler and I'll carry you to the living room. It's warmer. I don't want weight on that ankle. I'll try to find something to eat."

*****
When Alexandra called, Cordero gave her a once over, as she said, "I hope this is okay."

"It is." Cordero set her on the couch, went to the kitchen, and then handed her a plate. "It's the best I could do without electricity."

She accepted the plate. "Thank you. I'm sure it's fine. I'm not really hungry."

"I'm sure that's true with everything you went through. Try to eat something." Cordero put another log on the fire. "I moved the couch closer to the fireplace. It should help you warm up. I'm going to change." He turned and left.

"Cord?"

"Ali, I'm cold and wet."

After Cordero changed, he walked into the room. Without saying anything he went to the freezer and returned with three bags of frozen vegetables. "Put one on your eye, and two around your ankle." After she did, he went into another room. When he heard her groan, he turned. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Coming to you?"

"Why? I don't want you putting weight on that ankle." He helped her back to the couch.

"You're not talking and it's scaring me."

"I'm sorry. You're right we need to talk, but I'm trying to sort my emotions." After releasing a deep breath, Cordero sat beside her. "We'll talk."

She adjusted herself on the couch, so they faced each other.

He moved a chair closer and placed a couch pillow on it. "Your foot needs to be elevated." He replaced the frozen bags around her ankle. "I'm going to ask questions and I need you to be one hundred percent honest with me."

"I've always told you the truth."

"True, but there are certain areas of your life you've avoided talking about." As Alexandra swallowed and nodded, Cordero continued, "This isn't the first time Griffin's hit you, is it?" When she studied her ankle, he put his hand under her chin and raised her head, so their eyes met. "He's hit you before, right? That's why you were scared and left New York."

"Yes," she whispered.

"Why'd you remain in that relationship? Why didn't anybody notice? One look and I can see the bruises. Why didn't you tell your parents or bring charges? You're a lawyer."

Alexandra remained silent.

Cordero stood. "I guess you aren't ready to talk."

She reached up and took his hand. "I am. It's just hard."

He sat beside her. "I'll be patient."

After exhaling a deep breath, Alexandra said, "The easy one first. Nobody saw the bruises. He knew where to hit so they wouldn't show."

Holding her hand, he said, "Continue."

"Why I didn't tell my parents and why I stayed have pretty much the same answer. The abuse started gradually. He'd apologize and promise it wouldn't happen again. By the time it became serious, I was convinced I'd provoked it. It was my fault. I was too ashamed and embarrassed to tell anybody. By the end, it was too dangerous to leave. He'd threatened what he'd do if I did."

As tears streamed down Alexandra's cheeks, Cordero leaned over. "There aren't many places to kiss that aren't bruised." He kissed her right cheek. "Why was he here? What did he want?"

"He wanted to bring me back to New York. He said something about me ruining his reputation. I'm guessing he wanted me to fix things with Joseph and the law review board."

"How did he find you?"

"That I don't know."

"Now for what you could've done something about." Cordero hesitated. "I'm glad you enjoy riding. I want you to ride. But you're a new rider and don't have many skills. Jim said he told you to remain by the house. Is that right?"

"It is and so did your mom."

"You didn't listen to anybody and left the area. Why? Better yet, why didn't you go in the house? Mom would've helped. I thought you two got along."

"I love your mom like an aunt." When his eyes widened, she exhaled. "It's the same reason I didn't tell my parents. I was ashamed."

"I have another question. I don't want a quick answer." After she nodded, he asked, "Do you trust me?"

Alexandra studied his eyes before she said, "I do. I trust you with my life."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." Alexandra leaned against him and flinched. As Cordero stood, she said, "I need to know we're okay."

He leaned over and kissed her. "Yes, we're good. The reason I asked about trust is because I'm getting you something for the pain. It's herbal and will make you sleepy. I don't want you to think I'm taking advantage of the situation."

"I know you wouldn't do that."

*****
When Cordero returned, he handed Alexandra a cup of tea. "This is wild lettuce tea. It's not addictive. I promise it'll help you sleep and relieve your pain. It could cause vivid dreams."

"I've never heard of it. It's safe?"

"Yes. Mom gave it to me after some rodeo accidents." When she looked at him over the cup, he said, "I won't make you drink it. I've used it and know it'll help."

As Alexandra sipped, Cordero sat beside her. "I'll be right here." He kissed the top of her head. "Dad watched the video of what happened. He said Klaus and Otto came to your rescue."

She had almost finished the tea. "They did. I don't know what would've happened if they didn't." She yawned and cuddled into his chest.

Cordero reached over and grabbed an afghan and covered her. "Getting sleepy?" After Alexandra nodded, he said, "Good. I'm going to check the kidney area again and listen to your breathing."

He made sure her lower area was covered before he lifted her blouse. After feeling her lower back, he used the stethoscope and listened. She should be all right.

Before long she was sound asleep.

A little later, when Cordero heard the door open, he grabbed his gun. "Don't scare me like that. You almost got yourself shot."

Bob entered. "I wanted to make sure you guys are okay before I shut everything down." He studied Alexandra. "He did a number on her. I'm surprised she's sleeping so soundly. She's got to be in pain."

"She is. I used some of Mom's wild lettuce tea. Could you get a pillow from the bedroom? I'm stuck and don't want to disturb her."

"Sure, Boss." When Bob returned, he asked, "What you want me to do with it?"

"When I get up, help me slip it under Ali's head."

After Cordero was up and Alexandra was stretched out on the couch, he covered her.

Bob watched him get a sleeping bag from the closet. "Why aren't you using your perfectly good bed?"

"It's cold in there, and the fireplace is keeping this room warm." Cordero studied Alexandra. "I know I could use blankets, but I don't want to move her more than necessary. There could be internal injuries. I need to be by her in case she needs me."

"I don't know her as well as Jim does, but he says she's just as sweet as she is beautiful."

"That she is. That's how she got messed up with this asshole."

Bob turned toward the door. "If you need anything, I'll be in the bunkhouse." He faced Cordero. "I figure we'll put Chip in a trailer, and I'll take you back to the main house in the morning, right?"

"Sounds like you have everything worked out. Klaus and Otto can ride in the pickup bed. 'Night. I'll see you then."



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I intentionally left off the accents on fiance and fiancee. I also intentionally left off the trema or dieresis on naive. I didn't want Evil Eddie adding 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.
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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 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

Lester Brown: Pat Rogers lawyer

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