Heavenly Angel (8 page)

“Ride the horsies now?”

“In a little while. Let’s go see Rosie and get Uncle Joaquin a little something.”

“Yeah! Go see Rosie! Wah-keen needs a cowboy hat, too?” Then he very dramatically clapped his hand over his mouth.

“Uh-oh, kid. I think you let the cat out of the bag, didn’t you?” Angel chuckled at the look of consternation on the boy’s face. He was too smart for his own good. He put his chubby little hand over Angel’s mouth and put his other index finger to his lips and said, “Shh! I in
big
trouble now.”

Angel and Clay both had to fight laughter when Michael not so subtly changed the subject. “Then we go see Gracie?”

“Sure. We can stop in if you want to.”

“Good. We go see Rosie and ‘Dette now?”

“Yes, Rosie and Bernadette can help us out. So you think he needs a hat, huh?” Angel asked as he waved to Clay and his sales clerk and strode out the front door into the mild December chill.

At Cheaver’s, they found a nice, black felt Stetson for Joaquin. Angel set Michael down for a moment and whispered to Rosemary to wrap up a set of spurs and authentic leather chaps for itty-bitty boys they had on display, for Michael.

“Anything else we can’t live without, Rosemary?”

“Well, now that
you
mention it. Let me show you something that I happen to know Teresa likes. Come with me.”

Angel smiled, knowing he’d asked for it.

Rosemary led him to another rack and lifted a top from the rack in her size and said, “This would be gorgeous on her with her long black hair and dark brown eyes. I know she liked it but wouldn’t buy it for herself because it wasn’t on sale. It will go perfectly with the skirt she purchased.”

He smiled and nodded. “And of course, there’s a necklace or some other trinket that is perfect with it also, yes?”

Rosemary’s eyes twinkled with merriment. “I like how you think, Angel. Of course, I have just the thing. It’s right over here.” She happily led the way to the jewelry counter. When Rosemary finally let them out of the store, Angel was loaded down with the Stetson, Teresa’s blouse, a pretty necklace and earrings set done in shimmering onyx stones, and the chaps and spurs. He reminded Michael that secrecy was absolutely necessary for the Christmas gifts he’d found for Teresa, and Michael promised happily.

They stopped in at Rudy’s to pick up lunch for Teresa, ordering her favorite food, and then drove over to Stigall’s. The parking lot was full to bursting, and they wound up parking at the curb on Main Street. Michael grabbed his cowboy hat and popped it on his head, imitating Angel. Angel carefully lifted the container with her food in it and held Michael’s hand as they walked across the parking lot and approached the glass doors. Angel caught their reflection in the glass. Michael walked beside him like a miniature version of himself, his little chubby hand held securely to his own, and it wrenched his heart when he thought of how much he wanted that boy to be his own and call him Daddy, for real, for
good
.

Angel sauntered through the store with Michael walking just like him by his side. Teresa was floating today, working wherever she was needed. Angel found her tidying up the dressing rooms in the menswear department, one arm loaded with clothing.

When he spotted her, Angel released Michael’s hand, and he ran to her. “Mommy! We bring-ded you some lunch! Your favorite!”

“You bring-ded me lunch, huh?” She squatted down to give him a hug then stood to hug Angel. Her face glowed when she smiled up at him. It was all he could do not to take her in his arms right on the spot and lay a hot, wet kiss on her in front of the whole store. Then he remembered this was the spot where they had been introduced to each other the previous spring by Grace, back when she worked there on the weekends. Dang, but he was sappy today.

“There are beef fajitas, fresh tortillas, extra guacamole, and pico de gallo in the bag. We also brought you a sweet tea. You look like you’re busy, so we won’t stay long.”

“Angel, thank you so much for doing this for me. It’s a real treat on a crazy day. I’ll look forward to it and be thinking of you. What are you going to do now?”

“Well, we have presents to wrap, and Michael wants to stop in and say hello to Grace. I thought I’d let him take a little nap after lunch and then take him for a ride with me this afternoon.”

“Don’t need no nap. I’m good to go,” Michael said reasonably, giving Angel a thumbs-up, then yawned hugely.

“Uh-huh,” Angel replied, smiling, “you want to ride horses with me, buddy, you’ll take a little rest first. I don’t want you worn out when your mama gets home. She doesn’t want you to be a cranky boy, you know?”

“Uh-huh.” Michael said with his little lip stuck out as he held out his arms for Angel to lift him up.

“Wow, you must have had a busy morning, if he’s this subdued already.”

“We had a few errands to run.” He grinned at her curiosity. “We also had last-minute shopping to do. I needed to get something for Joaquin for Christmas.”

After saying goodbye, he leaned in and kissed her cheek then let Michael do the same. He glanced back at her as he walked with Michael to the main entrance, and her cheeks flamed adorably when he caught her ogling him.

Chapter Eight

Angel was on horseback with Michael riding in front of him when his cell phone vibrated in his pocket. He smiled when he saw the caller ID.

“Hey! I was beginning to wonder what had happened to you.”

“Oh yeah? Remember how I told you I was…tied up in El Paso?” Joaquin chuckled suggestively.

“Too much information, little brother. Are you on your way?”

“Yeah, I just stopped in San Angelo to gas up and get a bite. I should be there right after supper time.”

Angel shifted the reins and placed his forearm protectively in front of Michael as he squirmed in Angel’s lap. “Listen, I have some news for you. You’re going to be here for a special occasion.”

“This have anything to do with the ‘perfectly lovely young woman with the perfectly gorgeous long hair and perfectly perfect hourglass figure’ that Mom has been going
on and on
about?” Joaquin asked with obnoxious emphasis in an imitation of their mother’s voice. If she’d been there, she’d have popped him good for his disrespect.

“Mom has been talking about her? She only saw her a couple of times at the hospital after I got shot.”

“Yeah, about your records with girlfriends—?”

“This one is completely different. What did Mom tell you?”

“That she was shy and innocent, respectful and
very
beautiful.”

“She’s all of those things. I’m riding with her precocious two-year-old right now.”

“She has a baby?”

“Long, long story. So Mom liked her?”

“Yeah, I think that’s another reason why she was nudging me to visit with you.”

“Nudging you? Why?”

Joaquin chuckled. “Why do you
think
?”

Angel was taken aback by the thought, though not necessarily offended. He recalled his mom hinting to him when he was in the hospital that Joaquin might be taken with her also if he were to meet her. His only concern was how Teresa would react, knowing that his mother was suggesting that she might like Joaquin
also
.

“You still on the horse?”

“What? Yeah! I’m just wondering what
she
would think about that. She was raised in a sheltered environment.”

“Yet she has a two year old? Boy or girl?” Joaquin asked with interest.

“Boy. He’s a real pistol, too.”

“Awesome. So you’re going to ask her? When?”

“Tomorrow morning.”

“I’m looking forward to meeting her. I’m glad you found a nice one. That Patricia was an evil bitch.”

“Wish I’d known how evil. I would have given her the boot before she had a chance to use her gun on me and Ethan. Speaking of which, the guys are looking forward to the visit. Jack talks like you’re already working here, and we damn sure could use the help.”

Angel grimaced at the little intake of breath from in front of him. “Um! You said a
bad
word.”

Joaquin snickered into the phone. “You’re going to have to watch your mouth now, Daddy.”

“Sorry, buddy,” Angel said to Michael then to Joaquin he said, “Yeah, I am going to have to watch it.” He didn’t respond to Joaquin’s crack about being a daddy now because he didn’t mind one bit. Despite the years and miles, Joaquin was close to his brother and immediately picked up on that.

“Man, she must
really
be something.”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. You’ll see in a little while. She’s good friends with Grace. That’s how we met.”

“Jack, Ethan, and Adam’s new wife?”

“Yeah, she’s
another
keeper.”

“From the sound of it, you must be rolling in available women. I may fit in just fine out there.”

“One thing. She’s shy, so no teasing. Give her a chance to get to know you.”

“Gotcha. Does little mister like horses?”

“Loves them, why?”

“They’ve got a western store here that I’ve stopped at before. I thought it might be nice to not come empty-handed for Christmas, you know?”

“Sure. What did you have in mind?”

“Hat?”

“Covered.”

“Boots?”

“Covered.

“Chaps?”

“Covered that today.”

“You probably got spurs, too?”

“Yep.”

“Horse and saddle?”

“Funny.”

“Belt?”

“Bingo. He’s two years old, average size.”

“How about your lovely lady? Jewelry?”

“Sure. Surprise her. You’re gonna make all kinds of brownie points around here. So I’ll see you after supper?”

“Yeah, depending on how busy the store is right now.”

“Be careful. You remember how to get here?”

“Yeah, I think so,” Joaquin said sarcastically. “I’ll call if I get hung up.”

Angel ended the call, and Michael asked him if it was “Wah-keen” calling. They talked about Angel having a little brother and the kinds of things they liked to do when they were little boys growing up.

“You ride horsies?”

“All the time.”

“I gonna be a cowboy just like you, Daddy,” Michael stated, sat back against Angel, and was still for a while. They rode the fence line, and Angel showed him the creek that ran through the back of the property and told him sometime when he was a little older, they could go fishing in it. Michael liked that idea.

Angel and Michael headed back to the barn and took care of the mare. Afterward, he got Michael settled watching a video and started preparing supper.

Teresa arrived after six thirty looking a little dazed. With concern, he asked her if she was all right. She said she felt like she’d been hit by a truck. A
big
truck. Michael greeted her with a kiss and went right back to his movie, and Angel convinced her to go lay on his bed for a while and rest. She made him promise that he wouldn’t let her oversleep.

* * * *

Teresa awakened later to the feel of sensual lips trailing over the flesh of her throat and shoulder and a big hand stroking her hip. The combined sensations made her feel a little shaky as she gradually awakened and realized it wasn’t a dream. She shuddered and panted lightly when his warm fingers stroked her lower back above the waist of her slacks. A restless ache invaded her core, and the juncture between her thighs throbbed. It was seldom that Angel touched her so intimately, and she was usually conscious when he did so, so she was prepared for the sensations. But waking up like this, her need slammed into her, swamping her with waves of desire. That hot, quivering spot pulsed when the tip of his tongue and his lips brushed the flesh beneath her ear. She was utterly defenseless when he paid attention to that spot.

She reached for him, and he gathered her to him and held her close. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and her fingers slid into his hair, which was down loose today. He stole her breath with his kiss, and she moaned when he finally released her from it. Angel’s eyes were full of desire, and his hands were gentle as he stroked her ribs and hip. He swept her hair over her shoulder and kissed the other side of her throat.

Teresa reached for his hand, her heart pounding in her throat, and slid it down over her breast. Her breath hitched at the contact. Her nipples tingled as his hand cupped her breast and stroked a hard peak through the lace cup of her bra. She heard Angel groan against her shoulder. This was the first time she’d ever directed him to touch her so intimately, and the long wait made it all the sweeter.

“I love you so much.”

“I love you. I want you, need you.” She whimpered, clinging to him. On the verge of something huge, Teresa looked up at him, not bothering to hide the need she felt. A deep, enthralling tremor swirled and built up in her pelvic region. His only response was a soft growl in her ear, and a sudden tension built rapidly inside her. Gathering her to him snugly, he kissed her as though he were ravenous. He slid his hand down her hip, over her derriere, touching her there for the first time. His hand slid farther until it cupped the back of her thigh and pulled her to him so that her core was pressed more intimately against his hip. Her breath rushed out in a shuddering pant, and a pulsing started deep in her depths, gathering heat and momentum. A great pleasure bloomed inside her, and in that split second, she knew what she needed. One more little touch, one more little sound.
Just one more.