TEXAS ROADS (A Miller's Creek Novel Book 1) by Cathy Bryant Read Free Book Online Page A

secretary, sounded panicky. “Did you forget the meeting?”
    “Take it easy. I have the situation under control. The meeting’s not ’til ten. I have plenty of time.”
    “Well, for your information, Mr. Big-Wig’s already roaming the streets, poking his nose in every nook and cranny.”
    His stomach rolled. “I’ll be there as quick as I can.”
    He clicked the phone shut and gripped the steering wheel. So much for having the situation under control. What was it Mama Beth always said? Something about pride before a fall. Well, this fall could affect the whole town. He gunned the motor and sped down the hill toward City Hall, praying Ernie wasn’t nearby. Just wouldn’t look right for the mayor to get a speeding ticket.
    Steve found Brighton in downtown Miller’s Creek, prowling the streets in his expensive black suit. He grimaced and glanced down at his own khakis and polo shirt. Casual wear to a man like Brighton. He steered the truck into a parking space, braked hard, and jumped out to greet his guest. “Mr. Brighton?”
    “Yes?” The man spoke in a cultured voice and shook Steve’s hand as if it were a smelly fish.
    “Steve Miller. Sorry I wasn’t here to welcome you, sir, but I wasn’t expecting you ’til later.”
    The man elevated his nose. And sniffed.
    Great. Just what he needed. Another city person looking down their nose at him and his town.
    “It’s part of my job to investigate potential investments for my clients, Mr. Miller.”
    Steve swallowed his smile, his mouth desert-dry. “Yes sir, of course. Can I show you around?”
    “Actually, I think I’ve seen all there is to see.” Brighton clipped his words with extra precision and clicked his ballpoint pen. He deposited the pen in the inside pocket of his jacket then pushed his wire-frame glasses up his nose with a well-manicured finger. “Quite honestly, I don’t think my clients will be interested. You’re aware of the amount of money it will take to renovate this town?”
    “Yes sir. I’ve researched all the possibilities over the past several months. That’s why I’d appreciate it if you’d let me show you around. Then we can go back to my office for the proposals.”
    A cynical twist curled one corner of Brighton’s mouth, and he followed with a half-hearted nod. The man’s sour expression left no doubt as to what he thought of Miller’s Creek.
    Steve unfurled the fingers which had bunched into fists. What was it with city people and their uppity ways? An image of Dani’s sulky face moved to the front of his memory. He pushed the picture away and began his spiel. “Miller’s Creek dates back to the early 1800’s. Rumor has it Sam Houston himself traveled through here on a regular basis.” He rattled off the speech he’d practiced for weeks. “The town grew by leaps and bounds when the train came through, but in the 1980’s the train company canceled the route, and the population dropped. It’s getting harder and harder for people to make a living.” Steve purposely stopped in front of Granny’s Kitchen, where the smell of the café’s home-cooked breakfast still lingered.
    Brighton’s eyes snapped with impatience. “That’s the story of thousands of small towns across the country, Mr. Miller. Why would my clients want to invest their money here?”
    He squelched the flare of temper that roared inside him and struggled to keep the irritation out of his voice. “The plan is to restore the downtown area and bring in more retail. A few restaurants, antique stores, dress shops. Miller’s Creek would make a great tourist attraction, sort of a nostalgic getaway.” The disinterest on Brighton’s face made his heart sink. This wasn’t working the way he’d figured. “The people of Miller’s Creek are the salt of the earth, Mr. Brighton. Hard-working folks who want to stay here and raise their families. We offer fresh air, home-grown crops, and a hometown feeling, something I think city folks are hungry