Page 70 of Texas Glory
He had offered to give her a discount on beef. She had reminded him that she didn’t need a discount. As his partner, she could simply take the cattle she wanted.
He’d laughed, deeply, richly, and she had realized that she loved his laughter, loved the way he listened to her, loved the approval of her suggestions that she saw reflected in his brown gaze.
“What’s bothering you?”
Cordelia looked up from the notes she’d been making regarding the restaurant. She tucked her feet more securely beneath her. “Nothing. Everything is fine.”
Sitting behind his desk, Dallas narrowed his eyes. “Have you got a problem with the hotel?”
She gnawed on her lower lip. “It’s not a problem really. Mr. Curtiss finished the design of the hotel … and it’s just not exactly what I had in mind.”
“Then tell him.”
She shifted in the chair. “He worked so hard on the design that I hate to hurt his feelings.”
“But it’s not what you want. You’re paying him to give you what you want. You are paying him, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Then go into town tomorrow and tell him.”
She drew Dallas’s latest brand at the edge of the paper. It reminded her of a heart more than it did twoD’sback to back. All it needed was Cupid’s arrow. She drew his brand again, biding her time, wanting to ask him to go with her—
“Do you want me to go with you?”
She glanced up, drawn by the intensity of his gaze. Once she had been uncomfortable with his scrutiny. Now she recognized it for what it was: simply his way of looking at everyone, everything.
She smiled softly. “No, I can handle this matter on my own.”
His gaze grew warm, and her heart fluttered like butterflies in the spring. Her answer had pleased him, and she wondered when it was that she had begun to care whether or not she pleased him.
The next morning, with the sun barely easing over the horizon, Dallas guided his horse through the village of tents. Someday they’d all be gone and nothing but wooden buildings would remain. People would come. His town would grow. His son would have a good future here.
He saw Tyler Curtiss standing outside his tent, his suspenders dangling as he shaved in front of a mirror strapped to the tent pole. Dallas drew Satan to a halt.
“Tyler?”
Tyler turned from the mirror and smiled broadly. “Dallas, you’re out and about kinda early this morning.”
Nodding, Dallas leaned on the saddle horn. “You’re making good progress on the town.”
“Every time I think my job is nearing completion, I get a request to design and construct another building. I have a feeling this town will be forever growing.”
Dallas smiled. “I hope so. Things should boom once the railroad gets here.” The saddle creaked in the predawn stillness as he shifted his weight. “Tyler, my wife is going to come by this morning. She’s not happy with the plans you drew up for the hotel.”
Tyler furrowed his brow. “Yesterday, she said they were fine.”
Removing his hat, Dallas studied the distant horizon. With featherlight touches, the sun stroked the dawn with soft hues, much as his wife gently brought sunshine to his days. “You ever been married?”
“No, sir, can’t say I’ve had the pleasure.”
“I don’t know how much of a pleasure it is. Women are contrary. When Dee says something is fine, it’s not fine at all. When it’s fine, she gives you a smile … a smile that will steal your breath away.” Dallas settled his hat on his head. “When she comes to see you today, make certain you do whatever it takes to give her that smile.”
Tyler nodded. “I’ll do that.”
“I’d appreciate it.” He turned his horse.
“Dallas?”
