Page 53 of Texas Splendor
“Can we, Aunt Loree?” Rawley asked. “I’ll take real good care of him.”
Loree smiled softly. “I’d appreciate the help.”
“Now that that’s settled,” Dallas began.
Austin listened with half an ear as Dallas rattled off all the things that Austin needed to tend to that day. He remembered a time when he’d handled his chores and still had time to go into town and visit with Becky.
Right now, it seemed his list of responsibilities would leave him with little time to visit his wife. He watched as she sprinkled two spoons of sugar into her coffee and began to stir. Austin reached across the table and took her cup from her. When she started to protest, he silenced her with a lifted brow. Then he scooped four more spoons of sugar into the brew before handing it back to her. “There’s no shortage of sugar around here.”
Her cheeks took on the hue of a sunrise. “Most people don’t use as much sugar as I do.”
“Maybe if they did, they’d be as sweet as you are.”
Her blush deepened and she lowered her gaze to her plate.
“Have you heard a damn word I’ve said?” Dallas asked.
Austin shifted his gaze to the end of table. “Heard every word. I want to take Loree over to Houston’s this morning so she can pick out a horse.”
Narrowing his eyes, Dallas rubbed his thumb and forefinger over his mustache. “Reckon Amelia will have your hide if you don’t take Loree out and introduce her.”
Austin gave his brother a nod. “I figured the same thing. I’d rather face your wrath than Amelia’s.”
Dallas leaned back in his chair and laughed.
Austin drew Dallas’s buggy to a halt, unable to do little more than stare at the huge unfamiliar house. A balcony jutted out from a room on the second floor. Some sort of fancy railing circled the porch that circled the house. One side of the house eased out into a half circle. Bright yellow curtains billowed out from large windows.
“What’s wrong?” Loree asked.
“Houston has always preferred solitude. I just never expected to see him with neighbors.”
“It certainly is a fancy house,” Loree said.
“Yep,” Austin responded, apprehension taking hold of his gut. He slapped the reins, sending the two black mares into a trot. Beyond the corral where Houston worked with a palomino mustang, Austin saw the house he had helped to build. It appeared abandoned. Austin shifted his gaze back to the larger house.
A woman stepped onto the porch and waved, a tiny girl planted on her hip, another girl clinging to her skirt.
“Good Lord,” Austin muttered.
Loree leaned toward him. “What?”
He shook his head. “I never would have believed it.” He brought the horses and buggy to a halt near the corral just as Houston slipped through the slats. Austin set the brake and climbed out of the buggy. “Tell me that isn’t your house?” he ordered.
Houston grimaced. “Disgusting, ain’t it? I wasn’t looking for it, but success found me. Figured the least I could do was give the woman a fancy house.” He rubbed the scarred side of his face. “I hear tell Cupid’s cramp got a hold of you.”
Inwardly, Austin cringed at his brother’s phrasing. Cowboys used it whenever they got an urge to marry. “Yeah, you might say that.” Turning to Loree, Austin helped her out of the buggy and slipped his arm protectively around her. “My wife needs a horse.”
“Not gonna bother with introductions?” Houston asked.
“I figured it was obvious you’re my brother and this is my wife.”
Houston swept his hat from his head. Austin heard Loree’s tiny gasp. He’d grown up with Houston’s scars. He hadn’t thought to warn Loree about them.
“Welcome to the family,” Houston said quietly.
Loree’s lips spread into the most understanding smile Austin had ever seen. “I’m very happy to be here,” she said.
Houston gave her a distorted grin. “You have to be the most forgiving soul on earth to say that after meeting Dallas.”
