Page 127 of Texas Glory
Cameron jerked awake, his neck stiff, his arm numb from using it as his pillow. His gaze darted around the lobby of The Grand Hotel.
It was empty, silent. Even the low fire that had been burning within the hearth had died quietly. Through the windows, he could see the darkness of night. It had been night when last he’d looked.
When was that?
He thrust himself to his feet and shoved his hand into his pocket, pulling out his watch. Two-thirty.
Dallas would kill him if he’d been sleeping …
He rushed across the lobby and pounded the little bell on the registration desk.
Bleary-eyed, Susan Redd peered out from the room behind the desk. “What do you need?”
“Has Mrs. Leigh registered?” he asked, unable to keep the alarm out of his voice.
Susan sighed and shook her head. “No, but she hasakey to one of the rooms upstairs. She could have come in without me knowing.”
“What room?”
“Three-oh-one.”
“Thanks.” Cameron dashed up the stairs and pounded on the door. “Dee?”
With an unexpected burst of panic, he kicked in the door. The room was empty.
Dread filled him. She should have been here by now. Christ, why had Dallas laid this burden on his shoulders? Should he wait ? or should he leave?
He took a coin from his pocket and tossed it into the air. Heads he’d leave.
It landed with a thump on the floor.
Heads it was.
The fiery flames licked at Dallas’s back unmercifully. He searched for the peaceful cocoon of oblivion, but it hovered beyond reach as the pain shot through his back and his whole body jerked in rebellion. “Damn!”
“Sorry, son, but I have to get these wounds cleaned.” Dr. Freeman.
Dallas forced his eyes open, only then realizing that he was lying in a bed, his hands fisted into the mattress.
“Dee?”
“I’m here,” she said softly as she laid her palm over his hand.
He wanted to turn his hand and intertwine his fingers with hers, but he was afraid he’d crush her bones. He didn’t seem to have any control over his body as it flinched with Dr. Freeman’s not-so-gentle ministrations.
“Home?”
She placed her cool fingers against his fevered brow. “Yes, we’re home. When I didn’t show up at the hotel, Cameron came here and told Austin what had happened. Austin had the men out searching for us. Our paths crossed near dawn.” She brushed his hair up off
his brow. “Why did you trust Cameron with the money?”
“The day you married me … he was the only one who cared about you … enough to threaten me. What about Cooper?”
“Austin went to town to get the sheriff so they can go arrest them. I drew them a map like the one you drew for me.”
“Good. Your … other brothers?”
When Cameron had heard the whole story, he’d paled considerably. She’d told him to check into a room at the hotel until the matter was resolved. She knew he didn’t have the stomach for the harsh conflict about to erupt. “I’ll take care of them. I’ll take care of everything. You just need to get well.”
