He made an appointment to meet with Thomas Pierce of the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway. Pierce and his associates had organized a new company, but Pierce had since bought them out and the Pierce Line was operating under the nickname of the Sunset Route. Pierce, Brandon had observed, was eager for expansion, a man with vision—a man willing to take chances in business.

A man who might be willing to take the Sunset Route across the Rio Grande…

It would be perfect. He had already managed to lay tracks almost to the border, feeder lines that would get his ore to market more quickly and safely. Bandits had taken a toll at times, stopping silver convoys to steal the ore. Another expense had been incurred to hire guards to get it out safely.

Satisfaction replaced Brandon’s earlier pique, so by the time he finished his steak and had a brandy in front of him, he was in a much better frame of mind. Leaning back, he only smiled when he recognized the man coming through the door.

Shanghai Pierce, an obstreperous Texan and owner of some of the richest land in the state, strode into the dining room as if he owned it.

With a sigh, Brandon braced himself with distaste for Pierce’s imminent companionship.

“I heard you were in San Antone,” Pierce said as he plopped down in the chair opposite Brandon. “You oughta come down my way. I know how to treat a guest, by God! So what’s this I hear about your new venture, heh? Still plannin’ on runnin’ a railroad into Mexico?”

The temptation to excuse himself was great, but the senator merely smiled politely, his tone low in the hope that Pierce would lower his own voice.

“I’m always interested in new commerce, of course. I like to diversify.”

Pierce cackled, slamming his open palm on the table with a loud smack. “Hell, don’t we all! Damn, but it ain’t no coincidence that I done bought me some more land in Wharton County. Gonna see about puttin’ up some sites on it to load and unload cattle. Got the Texas and Mexican Railway in mind to run a line across it, name me a town, maybe. Pierce’s Station sounds damn good to me.”

Nodding, the senator debated involving Pierce, but it seemed a better bet at the moment to court Thomas Pierce. He’d never really liked the brash Texan across the table. Nor did it endear the man to him when Pierce grinned slyly and brought up Steve.