Page 64 of Texas Glory
Austin shook his head. “Nope, and that’s the way Dee is when I take her to town. She’s got so many questions and everything amazes her. They never took her into town, Dallas. Never.”
“But you did, and I reckon she’s grateful for that.”
Austin took a step closer. “I wasn’t paying any attention to the questions she was asking. I was just answering them. The whole while I’m answering the questions, she’s working this idea up in her head. Today, she finally gets the courage to do something about it … and Mr. Henderson laughed at her. What made it worse is that Boyd was there and the bastard—”
“Whoa. Hold your horses.” Dallas held up his hand. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m trying to tell you what happened in town today. See, Dee figured when the railroad comes through here, people are gonna need a place to sleep. So she was thinking of building a hotel. She knew you had talked to Mr. Henderson about a loan for the cabinetmaker so she figured that was where she needed to start—by getting a loan. Yesterday she stood outside the bank all day. Couldn’t get up the courage to go inside.
“Today she reaches deep down, gathers up that courage, and heads into the bank. Only Boyd is inside, and he tells her the saloon has all the spare rooms this town is ever gonna need. Then he and Mr. Henderson start to laugh. Boyd tells her that your bed is the only bed she needs to be concerned with.”
“What did she do?” Dallas asked through clenched teeth.
Austin smiled. “You woulda been proud. She just thanked Mr. Henderson for his time and walked out with her head held high.”
“Who else was in the bank?”
“A couple of ranchers and the teller. Anyway, she’s feeling lower than a snail’s belly. I’ve been trying to tell her funny stories to make her laugh, but that ain’t what she needs. I thought maybe tonight you could sweet-talk her, make her feel special.” “Sweet-talk her?”
“Yeah, you know, say those words women like to hear. The words that make them shine brighter than a full moon.”
Dallas nodded. “I’ll do that.”
Austin’s face split into a wide grin. “I’m glad I told you. She was afraid you’d be mad at her for wanting to do something on her own.”
“I’m not mad at her.”
“I knew you wouldn’t be.” Austin backed up a step. “Reckon we ought to get to the house. She’ll be wanting to read soon. I sure do like listening to her read.” He turned toward the house.
“Austin?”
Austin stopped and looked back over his shoulder.
Dallas weighed his words. “Don’t ever tell her that you told me what happened today.”
“Oh, I won’t. You just be sure you give her some good sweet-talkin’.”
Dallas nodded. “I will.”
Sweet-talking. What did he know about sweet-talking? Not one damn thing.
Dallas pounded on the door until the hinges rattled. He heard the hesitant footsteps on the other side.
“It’s Dallas! Open up!”
The door opened a crack. Dallas reined in his temper.
Lester Henderson opened the door wider. “Dallas, good Lord, you scared me to death. Is something wrong?”
“I don’t know, Lester. I heard a rumor, and it’s keeping me from sleeping. I’m just hoping it’s not true.”
Always eager for gossip, Lester Henderson stepped onto the back porch of the second floor. Like most of the newcomers to Leighton, he lived above his business and his business was the bank. “What rumor?” he asked.
“I heard my wife came into the bank and asked for a loan today.”
Lester laughed with a high-pitched squeal that grated on Dallas’s nerves. “Oh, that. Don’t worry, Dallas, I turned her down. Boyd was there, and he explained to her the foolishness of her request. She’s supposed to be giving you a son, and Boyd spelled that out loud and clear.”
Dallas balled his hands into fists to keep them from circling the little weasel’s throat. “Could you come out a little farther, Lester?” Dallas asked.
