Page 82 of Texas Destiny
“One of the dresses Houston purchased. It got torn when the wagon overturned, but I can fix it.”
Furrowing his brow, he rubbed the silk cloth between his callused fingers. “It doesn’t have any ribbons or bows.”
She secured the needle in the cloth. “It’s really a simple evening dress, but I think it looks quite elegant when I’m wearing it.”
He looked up and the light from the lanterns shimmered over his black hair. “Don’t ladies like frilly things?”
She thought of the hat he’d sent her and tried to find the right words. “We like some frilly things. It depends on the occasion.”
“You must have been grateful, then, when that raccoon took off with your hat.”
“I was … I was greatly relieved.”
“Too many ribbons, huh?”
“Too many birds,” she confessed.
He nodded sagely and smiled. “Think a rattlesnake would have been better?”
“If I had opened that box and seen the head of a rattlesnake, I’m not certain I would have come.”
The smile eased off his face. “Why didn’t you tell me you were doing without? I would have sent money.”
“Your letters were comfort enough.”
His fingers skimmed along her cheek. “Too proud. I could always sense that in your letters. We’re well suited to each other, Amelia, and after waiting so long to finally have you here, two months seems like an eternity. I’ve sent one of my men to find the circuit preacher. Hopefully within the month, we’ll be married.”
She held his gaze. If she could not have a marriage built on a foundation of love, she at least would insist that it be built on trust and honesty. Lies from the past, hers and his, she would forgive and forget. But their future demanded a stronger foundation. “I want your word that you will never again lie to me.”
He clenched his jaw. “You saw Houston today?”
She nodded. “He wouldn’t tell me why he hit you, but I suspect it had something to do with me. I don’t imagine he told you that during the time we were together, he was always respectful of me and loyal to you.”
“No, he didn’t mention that, but I’m beginning to see that’s the way it was.”
“He became my friend, and I’d like to think that I became his. You’re his brother, and yet I don’t understand why you didn’t know he was raising mustangs, why you never went to his home before last night—”
Dallas surged to his feet. “He never asked! Not once. He likes his solitude, and by God, I owe him that if that’s what he wants.”
“But you sent him to fetch me.”
“To protect your reputation. No one would question your reputation knowing you’d traveled with him.”
“Because of his disfigurement?”
Dallas had the grace to blush. “That and his temperament. He keeps to himself, or at least he did until he made this journey.”
She lowered her gaze. He knelt beside her and touched her cheek. “Amelia, I need a wife that people will respect.”
She lifted her eyes to his. “I need a husband who won’t lie to me.”
His fingers curled away from her face as he averted his gaze, staring into the darkness beyond the porch. “I need you, Amelia, and I want you happy.” He shifted his gaze back to hers. “Give you my word that I won’t lie to you again.”
His large palm cradled her cheek, just before his lips touched hers. The kiss was tender, gentle, everything that Houston’s had not been.
Her remaining nights, her remaining days, she would be kissed like this, would feel this warmth with no heat, would feel safe, secure, content. She prayed it would be enough.
He moved his mouth from hers and smiled. “Sweeter than last night’s kiss.”
