Tracie Peterson - [New Mexico Sunset 03] by Angel's Cause Page A

the hour, breaking the spell. Angeline looked away from Gavin and, for the first time, realized how very alone they were. “You shouldn’t even be here,” she said and pulled back. “If anyone finds you here, you’ll compromise my reputation.”
    “That would be a pity,” Gavin chuckled. “I might have to marry you then.”
    Angeline wanted to slug him, but she was too painfully aware of his injuries. “Gavin Lucas, you would try the patience of Job himself.”
    “So my mother has told me.”
    “Mine says the same thing about me,” Angeline couldn’t help but add with a grin. “But even my mother wouldn’t approve of you being here with me, like this.”
    Gavin nodded. “Sorry. I had to see you alone, and I didn’t want to risk having Baker see me. Since you two were having such a pleasant dinner, I thought your room would be the safest place to wait.”
    “But what if he’d accompanied me back here?”
    Gavin frown. “Then I would have had to accompany him back downstairs. He’d better never try anything with you, Angel. You belong to me.”
    Angeline felt both hemmed in and pleased at Gavin’s declaration. “I only meant that being a gentleman, he would have seen to my safety and escorted me at least to this floor. Douglas has never tried to impose his will on me. I can’t say the same thing for you.” Gavin took a step towards her, but Angeline outmanuevered him.
    “I make no apologies for my actions, Angel. Your folks like the idea of adding me to the family, and my folks adore you. Frankly, I’d appreciate it if you’d give all this up and come home now. I’ve got a great deal of work waiting for me at the ranch, and I’ve already endured more than I bargained for.”
    “So go home!” Angeline declared. “You’re the only one stopping you. I have no intention of pretending that I want you to stay.”
    Gavin moved faster than Angeline expected. He swept her into his arms and planted a passionate kiss upon her lips. “Tell me again how you don’t want me to stay.”
    “I don’t want you to stay,” Angeline said without conviction.
    Gavin kissed her again, only longer.
    “Tell me.”
    Angeline’s lavender eyes met Gavin’s smoky blue ones. “I, uh,” she began and saw the amusement on his face at her confusion. “Go home, Gavin.”
    Gavin lowered his lips to hers once more and, this time, Angeline kissed him back. “All right!” she declared and forced herself to step away from him, breathless and flushed. “I don’t want you to go, but I don’t want you to cause trouble, either.”
    Gavin laughed, picked up his hat from a nearby chair, and cautiously opened the door. “Good seeing you, Angel. Be careful.” He started to leave, then pulled back into the room and shut the door. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a piece of paper. “This is my room number. I’m just one floor down, so if Willa or your precious Douglas try to move you out of town, I’d appreciate it if you’d get word to me.”
    Angeline took the paper and nodded. “Now, go. Please.” She was more disturbed by his kisses than she cared to admit.
    “You’ll be in my prayers, Angel.”
    “Thank you,” she whispered. “And you’ll be in mine.”
    When Gavin had gone, Angeline sighed and leaned heavily against the door. Her mind raced with thoughts. Could Douglas really have paid to have Gavin beaten? She’d never known Gavin to lie, and he’d have no real knowledge of Douglas Baker, otherwise.
    “Oh, Lord,” she whispered the prayer, “what am I to do? Who can I trust?” Her mind quickly referenced a verse she’d memorized from childhood. Proverbs three, verse five. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart,” she recited, “and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
    “Everyone is running my life, Father,” she said, going to stare out the window. “Gavin comes here with his plans and dreams. He insists I marry him and won’t take no for an answer. Willa tells me what to do and