Page 48 of Texas Splendor
“Where did you go?” she asked, not ready to admit how very much she’d missed him.
“Riding.” He sighed deeply. “I just needed to ride.”
“All night?”
“All night.”
She realized then how tired he looked. Shadows rested beneath his eyes. His face remained unshaven. “I’ll finish packing if you want to get a little sleep before we leave,” she offered.
“What I want is a little kiss.” He brought her face closer to his. “I know it’s hard, but trust me, Loree.”
She nodded hesitantly. “I’m trying.”
He joined his lips to hers and rolled back onto the bed, holding her close, bringing her down with him, his mouth never leaving hers. He cradled her head, holding her in place as he plunged his tongue into her mouth.
Awkwardly, she straddled his thighs as his lips worked their magic. The warmth grew through her, and she hoped he’d kiss her forever.
He moaned low in his throat and shifted his mouth from hers. “So sweet,” he murmured.
He pressed her face into the crook of his shoulder. She heard his soft even breathing. She lifted her head slightly to gaze at him. He’d fallen asleep.
She eased off him. He tightened his hold, turning onto his side and bringing his legs onto the bed, forming a cocoon around her. “Don’t leave yet,” he mumbled.
“I won’t,” she whispered, snuggling against him. She was determined to stop feeling jealousy over the beautiful woman who worked in the general store. She was part of Austin’s past. Loree was his future.
Trepidation sliced through Loree as they neared Dallas’s house. She saw Austin’s brother standing by the corral, a young boy standing by his side. As Austin brought the wagon to a halt in front of the house, they both turned and headed toward them. Loree knew beyond a doubt that the boy was Dallas’s son. He had his father’s walk.
“Expected you to show up sooner,” Dallas said, an authoritative ring to his voice that made Loree think the man always got what he expected.
“I fell asleep,” Austin said as he helped Loree climb down from the wagon.
“During the day?” Dallas asked.
“Yep, not everyone works from dawn till midnight building empires,” Austin said, giving her a wink.
“Nothing wrong with building empires,” Dallas informed him.
“Didn’t say there was,” Austin said. “Only pointing out that not everybody does it.”
Once she was firmly on the ground, Loree glanced around, feeling like a bush surrounded by mighty oak trees. Even Dallas’s son stood inches above her.
Dallas swept his hat from his head. “Think I forgot to welcome you to the family yesterday.”
Before she knew what he was about, he’d taken her hand, leaned forward, and kissed her cheek.
“It’s a pleasure to have you here,” he said as he released her hand. “This is my son, Rawley.”
The boy swept off his hat in much the same manner as his father had. “We’re right pleased to have you here, Aunt Loree.”
He cast a furtive glance at his father who gave him a nod of approval, and she wondered how many times they’d practiced his greeting. Two-bits chose that moment to make his presence known. He leapt up, placed his paws on the side of the wagon, and began barking.
A broad smile split Rawley’s face as he rushed to the wagon. “You got a dog?”
“Yep. Why don’t you take him out?” Austin suggested. “He’s probably ready to do some running around.”
Rawley lifted Two-bits into his arms. The dog squirmed, snaking out his tongue to get a taste of Rawley’s nose. Rawley set Two-bits on the ground and dropped to his knees to rub the dog’s stomach as he rolled onto his back.
“What’s his name?” Rawley asked.
