Page 140 of Texas Glory
Dallas was on the verge of issuing a threat to silence his brother when Cordelia’s scream resounded through the house. Rawley visibly paled and backed into a corner.
Dallas shot out of the chair. “Take care of Rawley.”
He rushed out of his office and bounded up the stairs, taking them two at a time. As he neared his room, he could hear a small wail. He staggered to a halt, his heart pounding. He placed his forehead on the door and listened to the lustful cries of his son. A miracle he’d never expected. A child born of the love he shared with Cordelia.
The door opened and Dallas nearly tumbled into the room. He caught his balance as Amelia smiled at him.
“Hello, Papa.”
“How is she?” he asked.
“Oh, she’s fine.”
He peered into his bedroom. Late-afternoon shadows graced the corners. At least his son had the good sense to be born at a decent hour.
“Can I see her?”
“Dr. Freeman is finishing up now.”
She took his arm and led him into the room. He felt awkward standing at the foot of his bed, watching his wife run her fingers over their son’s head.
Dr. Freeman snapped his black leather bag closed. He gave Dallas a hard state. “Enjoy this child because you aren’t getting any more. I guarantee it I don’t know how she managed to give you this one.”
He shuffled from the room, Amelia in his wake. She closed the door behind them, leaving Dallas alone to gaze in wonder at his wife.
She cast a glance his way and smiled shyly. Dallas walked around the bed and knelt beside her. He brushed back a loose strand of her hair. “How are you feeling?”
“Tired, but happy. So happy.” Joy lit her face, warmed her eyes.
Dallas gazed at the tiny bundle nestled snugly within her arms. A small head, a scrunched-up face that looked as though it belonged on an old man, and black, black hair. “He sure has a lot of hair.”
He shifted his gaze to Dee. Her smile withered, and she brought the child closer to her breast as though to protect it.
“What?” he asked. “What’s wrong with him?”
She ran her tongue slowly around her lips. “He’s fine. Just fine.”
Dallas narrowed his gaze. “No, he’s not. I’ve never known anything to be fine when you say it’s fine.”
She took a deep breath before blurting, “He’s a girl.”
“What do you mean he’s a girl?”
She gingerly folded back the sides of the blanket. “You have a daughter.”
He stared at the spindly legs, the tiny toes, the small chest rapidly taking in air and releasing it. Quickly he covered the child to prevent her from getting chilled. His fingers inadvertently brushed against the child’s taut fist. She unfurled her hand and tightly wrapped it around Dallas’s finger.
She may as well have flung her arms around his heart.
“I’m sorry,” Dee said quietly.
“Sorry?” Dallas croaked.
“I know you wanted a son—”
“I have a son, and now I have a daughter.” He trailed his fingers along Dee’s cheek. “We have a daughter, and she’s beautiful, just like her mother.”
Tears welled in her eyes as she laid her palm against his bristled cheek. “I love you so much.”
