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

for.”
    The man’s eyes steeled and he crossed his arms across his chest. “Us city folks, as you call us, lead very busy lives where we live.” His voice dripped indignation. “We have plenty of recreation and culture around us, and we rarely have time to make a visit to a dying back roads town.”
    Steve clenched his mouth into a smile he didn’t feel. Brighton was giving him a city-sized headache. “Sorry if I offended you, sir. That wasn’t my intention. We just need someone who’s willing to help us get on our feet. Can’t afford to increase taxes, these people are barely hanging on as it is.”
    “Then how will they repay the investors?” Brighton’s over-plucked eyebrows appeared over the rim of his glasses. He shook his head. “Look, I appreciate what you’re trying to do for this town. I sympathize with your predicament. But I cannot find one thing that I think would interest my clients.”
    “All I’m asking is for you to give it more consideration. I have proposals in my office. I’d appreciate it if you’d pass them on to your clients.”
    Brighton’s face reddened and his lips clamped into a thin line, but he followed him to City Hall, his black businessman shoes clopping angrily against the sidewalk. He snatched the proposals from his hand with an impatient snort, then pivoted and scurried from the building without a word.
    The slamming door sent Steve’s heart hurtling to his stomach, where it landed with a fizz.
    Wanda peered at him over the reading glasses perched at the end of her long nose. “I think Mr. Big Wig has too much starch in his shorts. If you ask me, he’s not the kind of person we want to do business with anyway.”
    Steve drilled a black look her way, wanting to comment that he hadn’t asked her. Instead he reined in his temper and released his disappointment in a sigh. “Based on how things just went, I don’t much think we’ll have to worry about it.”
    This would be the perfect time to implement Plan B. If he had one.

Chapter Six
     
    D ani forced open her eyelids and squinted at the sunlight streaming in through the windows. What time was it? She propped herself up on one elbow and labored to open her eyes wide enough to see the clock. 9:54! Her heart skipped a beat, and she bolted upright. That clock had to be wrong. She never slept late. Even on weekends. Come to think of it, she hadn’t slept that well in months.
    She listened. No traffic sounds. No impatient motorists with car horns blaring. In the tree outside her window, a mockingbird chirped out a song as if there were no tomorrow. Dani snuggled back into the cushioned comfort of her bed and let out a sigh of satisfaction. This she could get used to.
    In the soft light of morning she viewed her surroundings. The sun painted the lacy curtains the color of peaches and spread the pattern onto the walls in dapples of light and lace. This room oozed comfort.
    Home.
    Dani shook herself. This was simply a charming country home in a charming country town. Anyone would feel this way. Outside, in the distance, a rooster crowed. The sound hauled her to a sitting position and plastered a smile across her face. A rooster! A sound she never heard in Dallas. She made a mental note to tell her students.
    Dangling her feet over the edge of the bed, she allowed the weight of her legs to carry her to the floor. After a quick stretch, she donned her robe and slippers, peeked out the door, and listened. Good. No male voices in the house.
    With Steve’s image imprinted on her brain, guilt crept in like a tiger and gnawed at her. Would he forgive her surly behavior from yesterday? Surely he understood it wasn’t personal. Just another one of her award-winning days. Maybe she’d have the opportunity to apologize later. An image of his moody expression at last night’s dinner leapt to the front of her mind. On second thought, she’d rather run through hot coals. Barefoot.
    She descended the stairs and drifted through the