Gun Law of Phoenix Cline by Terrell Bowers

Author:Terrell Bowers [Bowers, Terrell L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Robert Hale
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Rachel felt the presence of someone and turned to see Bill was standing a few feet from where she was working.

‘Expanding the café side, I see,’ he said stating the obvious.

‘Yes, we’ve got some planks and wood coming to make more tables and benches. Mr Cline says we can change over to regular tables and chairs, once we are taking in enough money.’

Bill gave his head a nod of approval. ‘The man must think the Chinese restaurant will do a lot of business.’

‘He said them kinds of eating houses are springing up in a lot of major towns. And Charlie told me there were dozens of them in San Francisco. He says more and more people are eating Chinese-style food.’

‘I’ve been talking to Charlie and he strikes me as about the smartest man I ever met. I was surprised at how much he knew about dentistry.’

‘He promised to teach me writing and reading. I know I talk kinda’ poorly.’

Bill displayed a smile. ‘I like listening to you talk.’

‘Yes, but I don’t know how to speak like a proper lady. My folks never lived nowhere near a school. All of us kids kinda’ had to take care of ourselves.’ She lifted her chin. ‘I did learn numbers. I’m real good at my pluses and minuses.’

‘I’d like to court you proper, soon as you feel ready,’ Bill said bluntly.

Rachel was not ready for the statement. She knew Bill had a hankering for her, but to have him come right out and speak of courting. . . .

‘I only been widowed for a few weeks, Mr Williams.’

Bill’s expression was serious. ‘This here country has a real shortage of women, Rachel. You being young and attractive . . . well, that doubles the number of suitors that are going to line up at your door. When you consider you also have a business of your own, there’s no end to the number of men who are going to be chasing you.’

Having Bill call her by her first name didn’t seem proper, but she let it go. After all, she had known him for several months. Back before he lost his dentist office, he had eaten at the café most every day and been a complete gentleman. Still, the idea of courting had not been foremost in her mind, only struggling to keep the business going. The conclusion barely entered her mind before she had to admit she had felt something special when Phoenix was near. He had a way of looking at her that made her feel pretty and special. His comments had bordered on flattery, yet the words had been harmless, although warm and sincere. When she met Bill’s hungry stare, she felt uncomfortable. When Phoenix had locked gazes with her, she felt tingly and alive.

‘I ain’t ready yet,’ she finally told Bill. ‘I’ve too much to do to be thinking about romance.’

Bill smiled. ‘I don’t want to put any pressure on you, Rachel.’ He again used her first name. ‘But I wanted to be first on your list of suitors.

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