Comanche Haven (The Loflin Legacy: Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

eyes bugged behind thick spectacles perched precariously atop
his crooked nose. A light emanating from the dining hall shone off
the man’s shining baldhead giving him the appearance of a freshly
polished newel post. Celia recognized the disdain in his face
before he said a word.
    “ Miss Claudette, Mr. Loflin,
may I be of assistance?”
    Their host glanced briefly at Celia
before his neck ran out of his starched, white collar like one of
the cranes she’d seen along the inlets of the Atlantic.
    Celia marveled at the man’s coloring.
He reminded her of one of the cadavers they’d used in school to
practice on. At least the cadavers had an excuse for being so pale.
Celia raised an eyebrow at the man in mild irritation.
    “ Mr. Loflin, Miss Haden,
would you like to be seated?” The man afforded Broken Horse and her
one more frigid glance.
    “ Yes, Alfred. That would be
lovely. Thank you.” Claudette’s reply was warm and seemingly
clueless. With Broken Horse at her side, Claudette moved toward the
velvet ropes barring the entrance to the room.
    Celia’s internal battle over Seth’s
close proximity became quickly forgotten as she sensed what was
about to happen. Back east, an Indian provided the curious an
exotic oddity to examine and appreciate like a fine wine. But in
Texas an Injun was less than dirt to most whites. Alfred was most
whites.
    Lifting a skeletal hand, Alfred
effectively halted their progress. “I’m sorry, Miss Harding.” The
man then turned his attention to Seth with a chilly demeanor. “Mr.
Loflin, we don’t serve Indians.”
    Celia was familiar with the tone Alfred
used. Prejudice was still the order of the day in Texas. Releasing
Seth’s arm, she turned for the lobby once more. It would do no good
to cause a scene.
    Seth’s hand snaked out and gripped hers
like a vice. Wheeling her to face him, his chin hard and
unyielding, he commanded, “Wait.”
    Celia was surprised. Would he argue the
point?
    Reluctant to stay, she stilled,
offering him no resistance but watching his eyes.
    Turning, Seth squared his shoulders and
took a step in Alfred’s direction, making the host swallow
convulsively.
    His tone was pleasant with just an
edge. “I’ll be paying with good ol’ American money, Alfred. I don’t
think there’ll be any problem.”
    He may have been trying to help, but
the implication stung. She could pay her own way. Did Seth assume
just because she was a woman and Comanche she couldn’t pay for her
own meal? She might be overreacting, but she didn’t need his help.
Celia took a step forward. “We’ll leave.” Her words came out cooler
and more clipped than she’d intended. A quick glance at Seth told
her he wasn’t happy with her interference as a muscle jumped in his
jaw. Celia pointedly ignored him and turned to her cousin for
affirmation. “Broken Horse?”
    Broken Horse’s eyes remained on Alfred.
“No, Celia, we’re staying.”
    Celia blinked. She’d been so sure he
would agree they should leave before causing a scene that she
couldn’t speak. The decision had been made it seemed. Despite her
misgivings, she had to admit she admired Broken Horse’s
determination. He exuded the cool, stoic persona of The People.
Intended to intimidate one’s enemy, his stance invited her to join
him in standing up for themselves.
    Glancing from Broken Horse
to Seth, she made her choice and stepped in line with the
men. She would discuss her displeasure with
Seth later and she did intend to explain a few things to the arrogant Mr. Loflin. But
for the moment, there was prejudice to defend against. Glancing
back at Seth, who stood braced for a fight, Celia gathered her
fortitude and nodded at him briefly.
    Out of the corner of his eye, Seth gave
her a cocky wink and then turned his full attention to the host.
“Alfred, please show us to a table.” The tone of his words sliced
coolly through the silence like a filet knife cutting through
flesh.
    Alfred began to fidget. “I’m