Page 74 of Texas Glory
Cordelia looked at Dallas. He smiled. “Your moment.”
As he walked away, she began to answer the earnest young man’s questions about The Grand Hotel. She explained the fact that women would manage the hotel and work in the restaurant. When she answered his final question, she began to walk toward the other end of town where people were congregating. She could hear the sweet strains of a waltz. She saw Austin standing in the back of a wagon, playing his violin. Houston and Amelia danced, as did Becky and Duncan. Several men danced together.
“Dee?”
She stumbled to a stop and smiled at her youngest brother as she took his hand. “Cameron, I’m so glad you were here today.”
“You look happy, Dee. Is Dallas treating you right?”
She glanced toward the saloon. She could see her husband leaning against the wall, Precious nestled within the crook of his arm as he talked to Mr. Curtiss.
“He treats me very well.” She squeezed his hand. “You should come visit us. I think you would like Dallas if you stopped looking at him through Boyd’s eyes.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a flash of black streaking by. “Excuse me,” she said to her brother as she scurried away. “Rawley! Rawley Cooper!”
The boy staggered to a grinding halt and dropped his gaze to the dirt. She knelt in front of him.
“Hello, Rawley. I don’t know if you remember me. I saw you at the general store one day.”
“I ’member.”
“I was wondering if you could do a favor for me.”
His black gaze darted up, then down. He started digging his big toe into the dirt. She wanted to wrap her arms around him and hug him fiercely. She wondered if anyone ever had.
“I’ll pay you,” she said softly.
His gaze came up and stayed focused on her, but she could see the doubt and distrust swimming in his eyes.
“How much?” he asked. “A dollar.”
He bit into his bottom lip. “What I gotta do?”
“Take care of my prairie dog so I can dance with my husband.”
“Fer how long?”
“Until tomorrow morning.”
He narrowed his eyes. “You gotta pay me first.”
“All right.” She rose and held out her hand. “Let’s go talk to my husband.”
With his fingers curled, he reached for her hand, then quickly drew it back. “Holding hands is fer sissies.”
She wondered briefly if her brothers were of the same opinion. As far back as she could remember, Cameron was the only one who had ever touched her, and then his touch had always been hesitant. She didn’t want that for her children.
She walked toward the saloon with Rawley shuffling along behind her. She knew the exact moment Dallas saw her. His attention veered away from Mr. Curtiss, and although the architect and builder continued to talk, she felt as though she had Dallas’s undivided attention.
As she stopped in front of her husband, Precious yipped and Dallas shifted her in his arms.
“If you’ll excuse me, I want to talk with Miss St. Claire,” Mr. Curtiss said. “She’s thinking of expanding her business into an emporium.”
“Appreciate your help today,” Dallas said.
“My pleasure.” He tipped his hat toward Cordelia before walking away.
“How did the interview go?” Dallas asked.
