Page 98 of Texas Glory
She caught a movement out of the corner of her eye and turned her head slightly. A heavyset man leaned against the door frame that led into his work area. “Hello, Mr. Mason.”
“Mrs. Leigh.”
“We’re gonna go discuss names, Mason. I’ll come back and tell you what initials to put on that saddle.”
The man’s face broke into a hearty grin as he shook his head in obvious amusement. “You do that, Dallas.”
With his arm snugly wrapped around her, his body protecting her from the wind, Dallas escorted Cordelia outside. They walked briskly up the boardwalk and to the far end of town where the red-brick hotel stood.
Dallas shoved open one of the doors, and Cordelia rushed inside.
She took a moment to enjoy the aromas filtering out from the restaurant, the scent of fresh wood, the sight of new red carpet, the candles flickering in the chandeliers in anticipation of dusk.
She looked at Dallas. “You aren’t really going to register us for a room are you?”
His eyes grew warmer than the fire blazing within the hearth at the far side of the lobby. “Let’s stay the night.”
“I didn’t bring any clothes.”
“You won’t need any.”
Anticipation and joy spiraled through her. She had never expected him to lavish as much attention on her as he did: his touch was seldom far away, his gaze constantly seeking hers as though he needed her as much as she needed him. Every night she slept within his arms. Every morning she awoke to his kiss.
“I want to check on the restaurant while you get the room,” she said.
With a smile that promised no regrets, he kissed her lightly on the lips before he strode to the front desk. The child within her kicked. She slipped her hand within the coat and stroked the small mound. If only Dallas would love her as much as he already loved this child.
Turning, she walked into the restaurant. “Mrs. Leigh!”
She smiled warmly at the restaurant manager. “Hello, Carolyn.”
With rosy cheeks, Carolyn James carried excitement within her hazel eyes. “I was wondering if you would mind if we held a Christmas celebration here Christmas Eve. I thought it might be nice for the girls, ease the loneliness of being away from family.”
“I think it would be lovely.”
She blushed prettily. “Perhaps your brothers would like to come.”
“I’m sure they would. Is everything else going well?”
Carolyn nodded. “Very well, although I’ll be glad when additional girls arrive in the spring. Some of these cowboys eat four and five meals a day.”
Cordelia smiled, knowing their appetites had little to do with the need for food, but with the desire to simply watch a woman. “We’ll discuss the details of the Christmas celebration next time I come to town.”
“Don’t leave it too long. Christmas will be here in two weeks.”
Two weeks. As Cordelia walked back into the lobby, she thought it hardly seemed possible that she had been with Dallas for seven months, carrying his child for almost five. She hadn’t decided what to give him for Christmas. He had everything he wanted. Maybe she would simply tie a big ribbon around her belly.
At the absurd thought, she bit back her laughter as she approached the front desk where Tyler Curtiss was talking with Dallas. Dallas slipped his arm around her. “This is the woman you need to talk to.”
“About what?” Cordelia asked.
Tyler looked at Susan Redd as she stood behind the counter, her chin angled.
“Red, here—”
“It’s Miss Redd to you,” she said, her voice smoky.
The moment Cordelia had met her hotel manager, she had liked her. Her auburn hair was swept up, curling strands left to frame her face.
