Free Texas Tender by Leigh Greenwood Page B

Recovering quickly, both tried to pass through the doorway at the same time. Carl rescued the plate of bread and butter before it slid from Louise’s grasp. Taking advantage of her sister’s barely averted disaster, Sarah scurried forward, bearing the coffeepot like a symbol of victory. She sailed by Idalou without being aware of her existence.
    â€œMama sent you some fresh coffee,” she said in a voice that practically wilted from the brightness of the smile she bestowed on Will. “She made it black and strong just the way you like it.” The child stood there, holding the hot coffeepot out to Will just as if she expected him to take it from her with his bare hands.
    â€œSet it down on the desk,” Will said. “And tell your mother I think she’s wonderful to go to so much trouble for me.”
    â€œIt was no trouble at all,” insisted Louise, recovered from her momentary setback and pushing her sister aside. “She sent some hot bread and butter. She said you’d probably be hungry for a snack by now.” She preened and looked down on her younger and shorter sister. “I helped Mama make the bread.”
    â€œI ground the coffee beans,” Sarah said, attempting without success to elbow her older sister aside.
    â€œMama said she’d send more coffee at lunchtime,” Louise informed Will. “She said Mrs. Wentlock can’t make decent coffee to save her life.”
    â€œPlease thank your mother for me, but tell her I won’t be in the office for the rest of the day, so I don’t need any more coffee.”
    â€œWhere will you be?” the two girls asked in unison, dismay in their voices as well as their expressions.
    â€œI’ve promised to help Miss Ellsworth and her brother see if we can find their bull.”
    â€œDon’t you want the coffee?” Louise asked.
    â€œDon’t you want the bread and butter?” Sarah echoed.
    â€œI most certainly do. I’m sure Miss Ellsworth and her brother will enjoy it as much as I will.”
    Neither girl appeared to like the idea of their offering being shared with anyone else. “Mama has already put her name down for supper tomorrow night,” Louise said.
    â€œShe said breakfast wasn’t nothing compared to the supper she would cook for you,” Sara added.
    Idalou didn’t know whether to be angry at Mrs. Davis, her daughters, Will, or just be disgusted with every female who couldn’t wait to make a fool of herself over Will. The man was incredibly good-looking, but that didn’t make him the best catch in Texas any more than it made Junie Mae Winslow the most desirable female in Texas. Idalou metaphorically kicked herself for thinking of the woman Webb had been seeing when he died. She’d intended to put that woman out of her mind for good.
    â€œYou’d better be getting home before she starts to worry about you,” Will said. “Pretty girls like you are liable to get some young man so distracted he’d ride his horse right into the saloon.”
    The girls, only average in looks, giggled delightedly. Rather than leave, they stood there, waiting expectantly. Understanding what they were waiting for, Will poured himself a cup of coffee, offered the cup to Idalou and Carl, who refused, then took a swallow himself.
    â€œPerfect,” he announced. “Just how I like it.”
    Meanwhile, Sarah buttered pieces of bread, which she offered to Will. He directed her offering to Idalou first. She declined, but Carl took a piece and so did Will. Both men declared it was the best bread they’d ever eaten. Pleased, the girls took their leave. Idalou was certain they’d carry the praise straight to their mother, who’d spend every minute between now and next evening planning a supper that would eclipse anything Dorabelle Severns had made. She was irritated all over again.
    â€œThat was disgusting,” Idalou announced as soon as