Fallen Angel (24 page)

“Ella I am really sorry if she has been a pain.”

“Don’t be silly, she has been fine.” Ella said brushing off Angelica’s concern but Angelica wasn’t fooled before she could apologize further the door opened and James and Charlie came in.

“Hey look at what the cat drug in! It’s about time you got out of bed.” James said and crossed the room to give her a quick hug.

“I know, one can only be lazy for so long before enough is enough.” She laughed. “Hey what happened to yours?” She asking pointing at his shoulder where he was no longer wearing the sling.

“It just didn’t go with my outfit.” He said and winked at her
. She burst out laughing and he went to retrieve his coffee.

“Good morning Charlie,” She said smiling warmly.

“Morning Ma’am.”

“How was your night?”

“Just the way we like it, slow.”

“Good to hear.”  Tom came through the door next and he grinned at her the same way the others had.

“Hey it’s my favorite house guest, finally decided to grace us with your presence huh.”

“Yeah, I figured I could only avoid you for so long before it was just rude.”  Angelica teased, Tom laughed. Luke came through the door next but he didn’t grin at her he frowned.

“What are you doing?”

“I am only sitting.”

“You’re supposed to stay in bed until you heal.”

“And I have, but I was going crazy
in there, I’ll be good, no heavy lifting I promise.” She smiled brightly at him and he finally smiled back although it looked like he really didn’t want to. He retrieved his coffee and sat down beside her.

“How is the pain?” he asked softly.
 

“I feel really good I swear, If it starts to hurt I’ll stop whatever it is that is making it hurt.” She smiled at him and he smirked at her.
She made a point to greet each of the men by name as they came in. She remembered everyone and she wanted to make sure they all knew it. She was still a little hurt that they had believed that she wouldn’t have acknowledged them after she left the last time.  She couldn’t believe how much she enjoyed the simple event of breakfast. The chaos as all the men dished up their plates. The predictability as Luke asked the same questions about the herd and how the night had gone. The laughter as they lightly teased each other. The way they all complimented Ella on the meal before they left. Every single element came together to create a big family in which not a single person at the table was related to another but it didn’t matter even without the blood ties they were related. They loved each other although they would probably never admit it out loud. This was the family she had always wanted and never had and by a sheer act of fate she had found them. She felt the overwhelming urge to cry but she forced the tears back, she knew if her eyes looked the least bit misty Luke would think it was from pain and send her straight back to bed.

She rested her chin on her hand and stared at Luke after everyone had left.

“What?” He asked giving her a puzzled look.

“I am ready.” The puzzled look remained
for a split second then she saw understanding dawn in his eyes. 

“Angie, don’t push it.”

“Luke, you said as soon as I felt up to it and I feel up to it.” She met his eyes unwavering he stared back for a long moment and finally he sighed.

“Alright but
not for long.”

They walked to the barn at about half the pace he would have normally walked and she laughed. “Luke I feel much better really. You don’t have to treat me like I am an invalid.”

“If I were treating you like an invalid you would still be in that room.”

“Well let’s not forget that is what you wanted!” She laughed. He smiled but he didn’t pick up the pace.

“Oh she has gotten so big.” She gasped as soon as she saw Ice. When she entered the stall Ice trotted up to her and rubbed her head against her. She winced slightly as
pain shot through the wound on her abdomen.

“I saw that.” Luke said and she laughed again. Angelica spent time brushing
Ice and talking to her. Luke didn’t say much he just sat back and watched.

“Are you stalling?” He asked at last. She stood up and walked over to where he was standing and slid her arms around his waist and smiled up at him.

“Luke I am going to be just fine, I don’t need a babysitter. If you have something more important to do just go do it.” He slid his hand up her neck and buried his fingers in her hair.

“There is nothing more important
than you.”

“I am not ready to go back inside, maybe we could go for a walk.” She said softly, he groaned looking into her eyes.

“I don’t want you to overdo it on your first day up.”

“You’re right, come on let’s go.” She smiled and passed him out of the stall. He closed the stall and caught up to her sliding his arm around her waist from behind.

“Why don’t we go for a ride, that shouldn’t put too much strain on you right.” He said softly against her ear. His warm breath sent shivers up her back.

“Unless I get thrown.” She teased hoping to dissipate the sudden tension she was feeling.

“Oh! Blaze will not throw you.” He sounded highly offended but he was smiling.

“Where are we going?” She asked once they were underway. She was once again riding in front of him leaning against his chest while he reached around her to hold the reins.  She wasn’t sure she ever wanted to go back to riding on her own.

“Thought you wanted to see the creek.”

“I do.” When they reached the creek he reached up and lifted her off the horse. He didn’t release her immediately when she was back on her feet, instead he pulled her close and kissed her softly.  She smiled into his eyes when he released her, he didn’t say anything, he didn’t have to. He laced his fingers with hers and they walked to the edge of the creek and sat down under a tree. 

“Wow it is still flowing a lot.”

“Yeah it’s usually down more but we’ve actually had a lot of rain this year.”

“That is good for the grass.”

“It is very good for the grass, which is good for the livestock which is good for us.” She smiled and laid her head against his chest so he wouldn’t see it. The way he said us sent a warm thrill running through her.

“Tell me what comes next, for the Ranch I mean.”

“Well it’s a rebuilding year, so you’re looking at it. I won’t decide until spring if the herd is big enough to warrant a drive.”

“I thought ranchers drove their cattle to market every year.”

“Some do. I prefer to wait until the herd is large enough to make it a worthwhile endeavor.” She smirked at his choice of words but didn’t mention it. She felt him running his fingers through her hair. She had meant to ask Ella to braid it for her but she had forgotten and left it down. She lay there listening to him talk about the ranch and feeling his fingers in her hair and realized that there wasn’t a single element about any of this that she would change even if she could. It was completely perfect. He was completely perfect she didn’t even mind the over protectiveness or the fact that he was so private with his affection anymore that was all just Luke. She sat up and looked at him he looked surprised by her movement but he looked completely relaxed and gorgeous, his blond hair was blowing across his forehead in the breeze his hat was resting beside him in the grass. His eyes were as bright as always but they didn’t look quite as intense as the usually did, or maybe she was just getting used to it. She leaned forward and kissed him, she had intended it to be a quick soft kiss but when she started to pull away she changed her mind and leaned in kissing him again. The hand that had been playing with her hair moments before was now cradling the back of her head.  His other hand was on her back pulling her fully against him. His lips parted beneath hers and she parted hers as well, she felt his tongue touch hers and the sensation that was growing familiar surged through her. She put her hand on his neck and let it slide under his shirt collar onto his shoulder. The feel of his smooth warm skin under her fingers was more powerful than any drug.  She pushed herself closer wanting to feel more of him.

Her world felt tilted for a moment as he laid her back in to the soft grass.  But then he was there with her kissing her neck and sliding his powerful thigh between her legs. She unbuttoned his shirt so she could feel more of him. Her hand seemed to be controlling its self because her brain had shut down, the only thing she was aware of was all the places where his
body was touching hers, his hot breath in her ear and his tongue on her ear lobe.  He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her more tightly against him and pain shot though her, she gasped involuntarily and he immediately released her.

“Oh Angie, I am sorry.” She caught him before he pulled away
completely.

“It’s okay.”

“No it isn’t.”

“Luke, I am fine.” She reached up and put her hand behind
his neck and pulled him down and kissed him, she felt it the second he relented and began kissing her back, but he still broke away.

“Angie, I don’t want to hurt you. You’ll be healed soon enough, and we’ll be married and I will make love to you under every one of these trees if that’s what you want.” He whispered huskily then kissed her again.  She smiled up at him just hearing him say the words filled her stomach with happy butterflies.

“Every tree?” she teased but he didn’t laugh he softly kissed her again.

“Every single tree.” He whispered.

“That could take a long time.”

“A very long time.” He whispered against her lips kissing her again.

“I need to check on a few things. Promise me you’ll go in an
d rest for a while.” Luke said lifting her down from Blaze.

“Oh you are just no fun.”
She smiled at him but his face remained serious so she sighed, “Alright, I promise.”

“Thank you.” He kissed her forehead lightly before he swung back up into the saddle.

Angelica had only been back in her room for a few moments when her mother knocked lightly on the door.

“Where have you been, I was worried?”

“You didn’t need to worry Mother, I needed some air so I went for a ride with Luke. I assure you if anyone will keep me safe it’s him.”

“You went without a chaperone
?”

“What do you think I am going to do Mother, I am a little injured.”

“It is still the appearance Angelica, think about your reputation.” Angelica laughed at that.

“Mother I am going to marry him my reputation will be just fine.”

“Oh,” She was quiet for a moment and Angelica could see that she was trying to work up to something. “You know dear if you want to get married I know some very eligible bachelors in Oklahoma. They would be much more prepared to keep you in the style you are accustomed too.” Angelica could only stare at her mother completely dumbfounded she became aware that her mouth was open and it snapped her back to the present.

“Mother, when did you become such a snob?”

“I am not a snob, I just want what is best for you.”

“But you are the one who always told me to follow my heart, to always let my heart be my guide.”

“Oh Angelica, I was naïve then, more than you are now. Now I know you have to look out for yourself because no one else is going to. I just want to see you somewhere safe where you can be protected and pampered, somewhere where your security is assured both physically and financially. Please come back with me, at least for a little while you can always come back to your cowboy if you don’t find anyone else who suits you.”

“Mother I love him, he is not just some passing fling that I need to get out of my system.”

“I know you think you do but I thought I loved your father too.” She said with a bitter laugh, “That didn’t work out so well for either of us.”

“Luke is not daddy.” Angelica said forcefully.

“Of course he isn’t. I am sure he is a fine man, but he’s… well he’s beneath you. I know that sounds harsh but you’re essentially an heiress Angelica, your family has been in the upper class of society for… well we always have, your ancestors were French and English royalty, for heaven’s sake and now you’re going to marry a… a rancher. Don’t you want more for your children?” Angelica was completely stunned. In all of her memories her mother had been the one who had always told her to be kind to everyone, that she wasn’t better than anyone. It was like a completely different person was sitting in front of her. 

“You know what my family name brought me Mother? A great big house full of strangers, all the things I could ever want but no one to enjoy them with. There was no love in my life there was no laughter, I have spent my life alone and lonely. You had reasons for not being there and I understand that but don’t talk to me about what is best for my children. If I have to choose between the house I grew up in and this one I choose this one.  I would rather my children have parents that love them and each other than all
stuff money can buy.” Angelica felt like she was overcome with emotion. She needed some space and time to think. “Excuse me, I think I need some air.” She slipped off the bed and walked out of the room. She walked out the door and just kept walking. She found herself in the same rock alcove that James had shown her so long ago. She gazed out over the fields and she could see the herd in the distance, as she watched she saw Luke, she was too far away to see him clearly but Blaze was distinctive enough that she was certain it was him. She watched him cut a single animal from the herd and separate it from the others. Everything he did seemed so effortless. Like he and the horse were one being, a mythical centaur instead of a horse and rider.