George,
If a steel road bike is what you want, are you aware that almost any bike shop can get Salsa, Surly and Soma bikes? They are mostly sold as frames, but they can also order reasonably priced build kits to make them into bikes.
I think the Salsa Caseroll, Salsa LaRaza, Surly Pacer, Surly Cross-Check or Soma Smoothie ES could be just the ticket. All of these are well designed, traditional geometry frames that can be built into very nice bicycles for not too much money. I'm sure one of your local shops would be willing to get one for you.