Love Finds You in Sundance, Wyoming (17 page)

Angel swung Bella around toward them. “You’re right, James. This is a hard land that can take a bite out of you quicker than a bear takes a chunk out of a honeycomb.” She tossed a smile at Travis, and her voice gentled. “But sometimes it’s all right to daydream when your horse is tired and you’re on the way home.” She raised her brows and grinned. “As long as you don’t overdo it, that is.”

Travis felt warmth stealing up his neck and ducked his head, letting his hat cast a shadow over his face. He knew it was nonsense, but it felt like she’d been poking around in his mind. He nudged his horse forward and grunted. “Yeah. I don’t know about you two, but those donuts are sounding mighty fine.”

James brightened, and he clucked to his gelding but kept constant pressure on the reins. “Yum! Ma makes the best bear sign in the West.”

Travis let loose a guffaw. “When did you start using cowboy talk?”

“Arizona and Wren been teaching me. They said if’n I’m gonna be a proper cowpoke someday, I got to know how to talk right.”

Angel’s laugh was pure poetry, and the sound made Travis mute. It was the first time she’d laughed that he could remember, and he prayed it wouldn’t be the last. He’d be jiggered if he wouldn’t find a way to get her to do it again.

She shook her head and her smile faded, but her eyes still sparkled. “Do you think your uncle is a good cowboy?”

“Sure. He’s the best! Otherwise, he never would’ve caught my horse and saved me today.” James’s head bobbed up and down, making his hat jiggle.

“Does he talk like Arizona and Wren?”

The boy grew thoughtful. “Uh. I guess not. But why can’t I talk like the cowboys?”

Travis sent a grateful smile toward Angel and stepped in. “It’s fine to use words like
bear sign
for donuts, but it’s not all right to use coarse words. Besides, you know your mother likes you to use good English.”

“I know.” James sighed and flicked the end of his reins against his thigh. “I don’t like disappointing Ma.”

“Good boy. Now if you think we can hold to a nice, slow lope, let’s get back to the ranch for some of that bear sign!” Travis grazed his horse’s side with his spur, and they moved into a controlled gait. It looked like talking to Angel would have to wait. But hearing her laugh and seeing the light in her eyes had made his entire day worthwhile.

A week later Angel slipped out of her room and headed for the barn, thankful she’d successfully avoided time alone with Maria. A couple of times the older woman came close to cornering her, but James or one of the cowboys had appeared in the nick of time. She had to admit that Maria was growing on her, and the sense of dread she’d experienced had retreated somewhat since her arrival, but she still didn’t care to be interrogated about her childhood or parents. Calling her “grandmother” as Maria had requested still didn’t sit well, so she simply steered clear of calling her anything at all.

Her foot hit the bottom step when the front door of the house opened. Angel swung around, hoping no one was looking for her.

“Angel?” Maria stepped out of the front door and walked to the edge of the covered porch. She clasped her hands in front of her waist and her fingers alternately tightened and loosened. “May I speak to you for a moment?”

Angel glanced around but saw no one who might come to her rescue. She shrugged. “If it won’t take too long. I really need to brush my horse and give her some grain.”

“Grazie.
I mean, thank you. I forget that your mother did not teach you our native tongue. I’m so thankful I learned English in my country.” She waved her fingertips toward the bench to the left of the door and the chair nearby. “Would you care to sit?”

Angel hesitated, then headed for the porch. “Sure.” She sank onto the chair, scooted it several more inches away from the bench, and leaned back, crossing her arms over her middle.

Maria heaved a deep sigh as she seated herself on the wooden surface. “Why are you afraid of me, Granddaughter?”

Angel lurched upright and stared. “Afraid? I’m not in the least frightened of you.”

The older woman’s face reflected a sad smile. “You avoid me each day, you smile but it does not reach your eyes, you say the right words when you speak, but they do not come from your heart.” She pointed her finger. “And you make sure you do not sit close enough for me to touch you. All signs you are afraid of me, sí?”

Angel’s thoughts raced. The woman saw through her attempts to evade. How could she be honest and not hurt Maria? At times like this she wished she’d just kept riding and never answered Travis’s telegram. She’d be on another ranch somewhere, living a simple life, and not faced with her past and all that entailed. A tiny voice of reason nudged at her heart. If she hadn’t come, she wouldn’t have met Travis and she’d still be living a lie. She forced a smile. “No, Signora. I just don’t know you, and your claims make me—uncomfortable.”

Maria’s eyebrows rose. “My claims? You mean that I am your grandmother?”

“Yes.”

“You do not believe me?”

“I guess I’m not sure. I was young when my parents died, and my uncle never spoke of you or your husband. Why wouldn’t he have told me about my mother’s people if they were still alive?”

“I cannot say,
Cara”

Angel bristled. “I’m not your darling.”

“Ah. You know that word?”

“I’m—not sure. Maybe I heard my parents use it—“ Angel dropped her hands into her lap. “I’m sorry I snapped at you.”

Maria gave an airy wave with her fingertips. “No matter. My late husband, he could growl like a giant bear. I think you call them grizzly bears in this country, sí?”

“Sí.” Angel smiled at the picture the comparison created. “Your husband was an unhappy man?”

“No. He was quite happy most of his days. But when he did not get his sleep or someone disturbed him while he read his paper—“ A tinkling laugh escaped her lips. “You understand? He was a man who valued his privacy, but oh, how he loved those he gave his heart to.” Her face took on a faraway expression momentarily before she turned her attention back to Angel. “Pardon. I drift away on the clouds of memory. We were talking of your happiness and fear, not my husband’s. What has been wrong,
piccolina?
I hope you do not mind me calling you that. It was my husband’s name for your mother when she was a girl.”

“Little one.” Angel nearly whispered the words. “Piccolina— pequeña.” She’d heard both growing up. Mama had called Papa
darling
and Papa had called her
little one.
Even when she grew up, José insisted on using it. Could he have gotten it from her parents? She had a vague recollection of Papa doing so when she was a child.

“Ah. I see that means something.” Maria leaned forward, her face aglow. “Did your mother…?”

“No. My papa and then my uncle.” Angel made her decision. “Tell me about her, please. I remember Mama, but only bits and pieces. I want to know everything.”

Over an hour later Angel headed to the barn, her mind reeling. The stories, the family memories, and the very mannerisms Maria used brought back glimpses of her mother—and it all shouted the truth. Maria was her grandmother. She even knew the story of why her mother named her Angel—Mama had written Maria a letter shortly after her birth, telling her about the little angel that God sent to live at their house. It was hard to take in, but part of her spun in circles with joy as she had when just a small girl. Family. She had her own family now. There were older relatives still in Italy, but she was the youngest of their line. What would this mean to her future?

Maria—Angel shook her head—
Grandmother
hadn’t asked her to return with her to the old country, but she’d not indicated she planned to stay here, either.

Angel stepped inside the barn and inhaled the sweet fragrance of hay piled near the door. Bella would be impatient for her feed by now, but Angel wanted nothing more than to race like the wind across the Wyoming sod. If only she could run away from the questions assaulting her mind.

But no. She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. José always said, “We tackle our troubles and deal with them.” Except that one time. The time he’d urged her to leave her life in the camp so she wouldn’t have to confront Bart Hinson. New hatred for the outlaw welled up inside and for once she didn’t try to push it away. He’d killed a Texas Ranger and had designs on her, as well. She should have drawn her gun and shot Hinson when she had the chance, but she’d done as Uncle asked and disappeared.

Could God have stopped her parents’ death if He’d wanted? Why would He allow them to die when she still needed them in her life? So many questions she didn’t have answers for. She hadn’t kept her promise to God last Sunday when Grandmother had gone to church with Travis and his family. It was still hard thinking of Maria as her grandmother, but Angel needed to try. They’d all begged her to come, but the thought of riding all that way in the wagon, trapped and vulnerable to Grandmother’s questions, had kept her at home.

Maybe tomorrow she’d think about going. But did she need to? What had God done for her? She picked up a crop someone had dropped on the floor of the barn and slapped the side of her leg. Nothing. He’d let Mama and Papa die, and Uncle send her away.

Then shame swamped her as she remembered her frantic plea as James’s horse raced across the grasslands. God had answered when Travis caught the runaway. She’d never broken a promise in the past, and it might not be a good idea for her first broken one to be with the Almighty.

Travis swung down and patted his stallion’s neck. He’d been breaking in the big black for the past couple of weeks. This horse had heart and stamina, both qualities needed on this range. He’d give him a rub-down and turn him out for a roll in the pasture. Travis pushed open the door and walked in, tugging at his horse’s reins.

Someone or something moved in the shadows and Travis paused, waiting for his eyes to adjust. “Nate, that you?” His foreman had planned on doing some saddle repair this afternoon.

“No. It’s Angel. I’m graining Bella and rubbing her down.” She stepped around the divider and smiled.

Travis’s heart somersaulted all the way to his toes. “You just get back from a ride?”

“No. I spent some time—with Grandmother.” She said the final two words in a rush.

“So you’ve decided she’s telling the truth?” He slipped off Raven’s bridle and placed a rope halter on his head.

Angel shrugged and avoided his gaze. “I guess so. Yes.” She fiddled with the curry brush. “You noticed?”

“That you were avoiding her for the past few days? Yep.” Travis slung the rope around a nearby post and reached for the cinch strap on his saddle, loosening it as he talked. “What changed your mind?”

“Some of the things she said about my mother.” Angel’s voice trailed off. She turned away and scrubbed Bella’s back with the brush.

“Want to talk?” Travis slid his saddle off and hefted it over a low crossbeam.

“No.”

“Ah-huh.”

Silence settled over the barn as both worked on their horses, but Travis’s mind raced faster than the dust raised by his brush. He knew little more about this woman today than he had when she rode onto his ranch. Why was she so reluctant to talk about herself or even what her grandmother had shared? Of course, it was none of his business. He tossed the brush into a bucket and extracted a hoof pick. “Sorry if I asked something I shouldn’t.”

“Hmm?” Angel lifted a puzzled face and stared. “About what?”

“The talk you had with your grandmother.”

“What about it?”

He tried not to smirk. “Are you intentionally being obtuse?”

“I beg your pardon?”

“You don’t seem like someone who’s slow-witted, but I must say you’re acting a bit strange right now.”

Angel pointed a finger at his chest. “I am not slow-witted, and I’ll thank you to keep your opinions to yourself.”

Travis dropped the hoof pick. “So I’m not allowed to speak my mind, is that it?”

“Not if you’re going to call me names.” She stepped close to him and jabbed him on the shoulder with her finger. “I don’t have to work here, you know. I can find something else.”

Travis refrained from saying something more, but he wanted to crow with laughter. He’d finally gotten a reaction from his normally reserved employee, and her beautiful eyes shot sparks that nearly singed him. His hand snaked out and grasped her wrist. “I’m not calling you names, Miss Ramirez, but you
are
mighty frustrating at times.”

She jerked her good arm, but he held on tight, pulling her closer. “And you aren’t going to ride away and find another job. We have an agreement that you’ll work for me until I find someone to replace you, remember?”

“Let go of me.” Angel scowled.

Travis gazed down at the upturned face only a few inches from his own and broke out in a sweat. Her full lower lip trembled in anger, and her cheeks flushed with color. Her gaze bored into his, but his eyes kept wandering to that enticing mouth. He ran his tongue over his dry lips and slowly dipped his head, the temptation to kiss her almost more than he could resist.

Her arm relaxed in his grip. No longer did she pull away but stood quietly, a quizzical expression softening her features.

Travis lowered his head another inch, his mind pulsing with the need to see what those lips would taste like. Suddenly, his stallion stamped and snorted, destroying the spell.

Angel gasped and lunged backward, breaking free of his grasp. Her hands flew up to cover her blazing cheeks. She shot him a wild glance, then turned without a word and fled from the stall.