Texas Lonestar (Texas Heroes Book 4) by Sable Hunter, Texas Heroes Read Free Book Online Page A

his own child, he could sympathize. Hesitating, Dallas considered his options. He didn’t really want to sit down to a meal with this odd group. On the other hand, he was hungry. “The meal sounds great. Thank-you. I think I already know the answer to this, but is there a motel close by?”
    “There’s one back in Sierra Blanca, but that’s thirty miles.” She pointed to her left. “I wish I had an extra room, but I don’t. There’s the couch…but you’re way too big for it.” Her face brightened. “I know. I’ve been cleaning out the lodge and the bathhouse. It’s not completed yet, but the bedrooms are habitable. I could make up one of the beds for you. There’s also one of those old-fashioned window water coolers to stave off the heat. You could stay there.”
    He wouldn’t be lingering here any longer than necessary, but the idea held appeal. “I’d like that. Thank-you. Did you say bathhouse?”
    The front door opening and closing, along with the little girl’s excited voice drew his attention. “Is Tilly a good name for a pig, George?”
    “I think it’s a fine name, Sally.” George took off his cap and hung it on the back of a dining room chair. “Is that coffee ready yet, Lenny?”
    “Yes it is, George. I’ll get it for you.” Lennon glanced at Ranger McClain. “What do you take in yours, sir?”
    “You don’t have to be so formal. I’ll fix mine. I’m persnickety. I count the grains of sugar. Now, what were you saying about a bathhouse?” Dallas followed along behind her, his eyes moving down to check out her ass. Whatever shape she might possess was well hidden behind the bulky loose-fitting denim jeans. Pity.
    Lennon moved to the simple oak cabinets and took down two cups. She didn’t feel like coffee herself. “Apache Springs has been in my family a long time, Ranger McClain. Years ago, and I’m talking almost a hundred years ago, the bathhouse and lodge catered to society folk. People like President Taft and the Vanderbilt family came here to take advantage of the natural hot springs. The waters were touted as medicinal as well as recreational…” she faltered, realizing she sounded like a travel brochure.
    “Interesting. Are the baths still here?” He’d never seen one, but he’d read about the ones they had up in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
    “Yes, they are.” She pushed the sugar bowl and the small pitcher of cream over to him. “The waters are the hottest natural springs in Texas, about a hundred seventeen degrees. George uses them for his arthritis occasionally and I like to soak after a hard day of throwing hay bales.”
    An image of her lounging in a bath full of bubbles drifted through his mind. “Sounds amazing.”
    She picked up George’s coffee. “You’re welcome to use the pools anytime while you’re here. I’ll put extra towels in your room. Now, I’ll let you sit with George while I cook, so you won’t be bored to death with me.”
    Lennon stepped ahead of him, expecting Dallas to follow. Bored? How unusual for a woman to assume, much less admit, she was boring.
    “Here, George.” She handed him his favorite brown mug. Pulling a padded side chair closer to George, she motioned toward Dallas. “Please sit here, Ranger McClain. George can regal you with stories about the good old days.” While Dallas took his seat, Lennon squatted by Sally. “Very nice,” she admired the little girl’s drawing of a slightly misshapen pink pig. “Aren’t you glad we found her?”
    “Yes, Lenny, you need her.”
    “You’re right.” Lennon kissed her on the head. “I need all of you.”
    She gave Dallas an odd apologetic smile and fled to the kitchen. “Dinner will be ready in a jiffy.”
    “Did Lennon fix you up?” George asked, his blue eyes faded but alert.
    “She gave me some information. I’ll need to check it all out, of course.” Dallas sipped his coffee and met the old man’s gaze levelly. “What do you make of the situation, Mr.