Page 66 of Texas Glory
He walked out of the house, headed to the barn, and saddled Satan. By the time he rode the horse out of the barn, Henderson was climbing into his buggy.
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Henderson snapped, his lips pursed.
Dallas smiled with satisfaction. “I wouldn’t be as successful as I am today if I didn’t know the value of a good investment.”
“Women know nothing about business,” Henderson said.
Dallas tipped his hat off his brow. “They know how to manage a home. They know how to manage a family. Why in the hell don’t you think they can manage a business?”
Sputtering, Henderson slapped the reins and sent the horse into a trot, the buggy rolling back to town.
Dallas heard his wife’s excited squeal as she called Austin’s name.
He ignored the ache in his chest because she hadn’t chosen to share her joy with him, and he pretended that it didn’t matter because sooner or later, she’d have no choice.
She would have to come to him.
When she did, she’d learn that nothing in life came without a price. In order to have what she wanted, Dallas would have to get what he wanted.
At the gentle tap on his office door, Dallas turned from the window and the night sky. “Come in.”
Cordelia opened the door and peered inside. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
He heard the tremble in her voice. “Sure.”
Like someone about to confront an executioner, she walked into the room and stood before his desk. She waved her hand toward his chair. “You can sit.”
“Is that what you prefer?”
She gave him a jerky nod.
In long strides, he crossed the room and dropped into his chair. He planted his elbow on the desk and slowly rubbed his thumb and forefinger over his mustache. He lifted a brow.
She dropped her gaze to the floor. “I … uh.” She cleared her throat. “I thought it would be nice if your town had a hotel. I managed to get a loan and Mr. Curtiss is drawing up the plans for the building—”
“Dee?”
She glanced up.
“You should always look a man in the eye when you’re discussing business.”
She visibly swallowed. “It makes it harder.”
“The man you’re doing business with knows that. He’ll respect you for it, and he’s more likely to give you what you’re asking for.”
“Do you know why I’m here?”
“I’ve got a good idea.”
“And you’re still going to make me ask?”
“Everything in life worth having comes with a price.”
“And your price?”
Distrust and fear lurked within the dark depths of her eyes. He hated them both. “Ask.”
She took a deep breath and balled her hands into fists at her sides.
