Angel

  She tried moving her legs, and found out that she had aches all over from her cramped position. Her head fell .back against the wall, causing her to groan. She couldn’t remember ever having been so cold, and miserable—and afraid. She didn’t want to die. She wondered, if she told Gaylen that, whether he might reconsider. She almost laughed. He was as conscienceless as she’d once thought Angel was. But Angel had a deeply ingrained sense of justice. Gaylen’s justice was cold-blooded murder.

  “Cassie?”

  It was the wind, making her hear things she wanted to hear. That couldn’t have been...

  “Cassie, wake up, damn it.”

  She leaned forward to turn and stare wide-eyed at the wall. “I am awake,” she whispered excitedly. “Angel?”

  “Can you open the door?”

  “I’ll try, but it may take me a while. They’ve got me tied up.”

  “Never mind. I’ll break the door in.”

  “No,” she hissed. “If that doesn’t work, you’ll just wake them. Let me try first.”

  “All right, but hurry.”

  Hurry, when she ached so much she could barely move? Actually, with rescue imminent, her cramped muscles didn’t seem to hurt nearly as bad as they had earlier.

  Since there was no furniture to block her way, lying down and rolling got her across the room quicker than scooting would have. Getting up on her knees when she reached the door wasn’t as easy, though, but she managed it after several tries.

  Her real difficulty came from the rope lock. It hadn’t looked all that secure from across the room, but it was stretched tighter than she’d figured, and hooked over a curved nail. She was able to grasp one side of the loop with her teeth, but no matter how hard she bit down and pulled, the end wouldn’t slip over the hook. And trying to stand up to turn and use her hands would be a waste of time. Her fingers were too numb.

  She finally had to put her mouth to one of the cracks in the door. “Angel?”

  He was right there waiting. “What?”

  “I’m having trouble with this rope lock. Maybe if you open the door and push against it some, it will stretch the rope enough for me to work it loose.”

  His answer was to do just that. Cassie watched the rope carefully, ready to tell him to stop if she saw it stretch even a little. She should have watched the opposite edge of the doorframe instead. The pressure Angel was applying popped the rusted hinges loose and the door suddenly swung in on her from that side.

  Her cry of surprise came too quickly to silence it. “What the—?” was heard almost immediately behind her, and right after it, “Please do,” was heard from in front of her.

  Cassie wiggled her way out from under the door, which was now hanging from that damn loop of rope, to see Angel holding his gun on Gaylen and Harry, and itching for any excuse to pull the trigger.

  “You must be Angel,” Gaylen said.

  “The Angel of Death,” Angel replied for the first time in his life.

  “So you came without the money?” Even now, faced with an abrupt end to his scheme, Gaylen wore an expression that seemed almost indifferent. Beside him, Harry looked about to faint. “I hadn’t figured on that.”

  “The money is outside. Her mama happened to have it on hand. You want it, draw for it.”

  “That’d be real sportin‘ of you, ’cept I heard you never lose.”

  Angel just smiled. Cassie got mad, listening to them. She was cold, hungry, sore, and the door had hit her on the head when it fell sideways.

  “If you aren’t going to shoot them, would you mind doing something else with them so we can leave?”

  Her voice was about as frosty as it could get. It didn’t draw his gaze, just a nod, before he walked forward and motioned Gaylen to turn around. As soon as he did, Angel’s gun butt cracked against his skull.

  Harry stared bug-eyed as his friend went down and Angel turned to him. “Couldn‘ you just tie me up instead?”

  “I could shoot you instead.”

  Harry turned quickly to receive his blow. Cassie made a sound of disgust. Harry had had a good point.

  “Why couldn’t you have tied them up?” she wanted to know.

  Angel glanced at her for the first time. “Because that’s easier to do if they’re like this. I’ll do it now.”

  “Do you have a knife to cut me loose with first?”

  He pulled one out of his boot. Her mama would hate to know that they shared that habit in common.

  “You all right?” he finally got around to asking as he sliced through her bonds.

  “Couldn’t be better,” she snapped.

  She wasn’t sure why she was so angry with him. Possibly because she’d seen how much he’d wanted to kill Gaylen—or maybe because she’d like the comfort of a hug and knew she wouldn’t be getting one.

  “Actually, I’m amazed you let him live,” she said. “He’ll probably only get a few years in prison for what he tried to do here. You aren’t worried he’ll come after you again when he gets out?”

  “I never heard of Rafferty, but Gaylen Slater is another matter. That was him, wasn’t it?”

  “So he said.”

  “Well, he’s wanted in Colorado and New Mexico for murder. One of those juries ought to end up hanging him.”

  “I thought it didn’t bother you to kill someone who you knew was headed for the hangman.”

  “With you watching, it bothers me,” he said, then asked, “How did they get to you, anyway?”

  “I came to town last night to see you.”

  “Alone? And without your gun?” he said in a tone that implied she couldn’t have done anything more stupid. “What did you want to see me about?”

  “I don’t think I’ll tell you now,” she said stiffly.

  “You wanted to warn me about Slater?”

  “What if I did?”

  “I didn’t think you cared.”

  “I care.”

  “How much?”

  “Too damn much,” she replied sharply, in contrast to his soft tone, only to spoil that confession by adding, “But then, we aren’t enemies, so I’d like to think that makes us friends. And I care about all my friends.”

  He gave her a dark look that said he wasn’t going to take much more of her sass. Then he left her to attend to the binding of the two unconscious men. She stayed where she was, rubbing the circulation back into her hands before she sought out her boots.

  She moved stiffly, her muscles still sore. And she started getting annoyed at herself. She should have been nothing but relieved. She was safe. Angel was safe. She should have been thanking him instead of snapping at him—but she still hadn’t had that hug.

  “This was too easy,” he said, coming up behind her.

  She turned to face him. “They weren’t expecting you until noon, so they didn’t bother with a watch.”

  His eyes narrowed suddenly. “Did either of them touch you, Cassie? And tell me the truth.”

  “So you can still kill them yourself?”

  “Yes.”

  He was nothing if not honest, her Angel. “No, they weren’t attracted to me.”

  “They must be blind.”

  Her cheeks started glowing pleasurably. “Are you attracted to me, Angel?”

  “What the hell do you think?” he said before he yanked her into his arms.

  Chapter 40

  Cassie got a few hours’ sleep on the way home, sitting in front of Angel on the saddle and using his chest for a pillow. He made the ride nice and slow so she could, but not before he offered a confession in a low-voiced grumble. “I’m damned if I want to take you home.” They were both remembering that kiss and crushing hug he’d given her in that relic of a cabin. “If your mother weren’t waiting...” He didn’t finish, and Cassie didn’t answer. But she was smiling as she went to sleep— and more determined than ever to keep her Angel.

  The sun was just up when they rode into the yard of the Lazy S. Catherine was on the porch to greet them. She hadn’t gott
en any sleep last night herself.

  After a backbreaking hug, Cassie forestalled any interrogations with a quick “I’ll talk to you later, Mama. I have to settle something with Angel first.” And she turned to him to add, “I’ll be right back, so don’t go away.”

  They both stared after her as she ran into the house. Catherine finally looked at Angel, who hadn’t come more than halfway up the porch steps—to keep his distance from her.

  “Did you kill them?” she asked.

  “Not with her there.”

  “I would have.”

  He didn’t doubt it. “Cassie tends to get upset at the thought of me killing folks. She does crazy things to prevent it. Even wanted to challenge Rafferty Slater herself, so I wouldn’t.”

  Catherine digested that slowly and with a good deal of dread, though her expression didn’t change. She wasn’t about to mention to him that it sounded like her daughter didn’t want him hurt, at any cost.

  She raised a brow. “What’d she do with the Slater who’s still alive?”

  “Started bitching at me instead of thanking me for getting her out of there.”

  “Then let me thank you—”

  “None’s needed.”

  She hadn’t thought so. “Do you know what she means to settle with you?”

  “No.”

  Catherine was afraid she did, but she wasn’t going to warn him. A gunfighter for a son-in-law. She supposed worse things could happen.

  With a resigned sigh, she said, “I’ll send someone to the sheriff to take care of those men. Tell Cassie you did the explaining for her. I’m going to bed.”

  Angel frowned before the door had closed behind her. She was leaving him alone with her daughter? The same woman who’d wanted him as far as he could possibly get from Cassie?

  When Cassie stepped back out onto the porch, it was to find Angel with one arm around Marabelle’s neck and the other hand scratching at her ears. “When did that happen?” she asked incredulously.

  “What?”

  “You and Marabelle getting along.”

  “Why shouldn’t we?” he said in all innocence. “She’s just a big ol‘ pussycat.”

  Cassie snorted to tell him how much she was accepting that. He just grinned up at her— until he noticed that she was now wearing her gun. His frown came quick and furious.

  “Just where do you think you’re going with that?” he demanded.

  “Nowhere.”

  “Then what’d you put it on for?”

  “Because I’m challenging you to the draw, Angel.”

  “That’s what you think.”

  “You want that divorce, don’t you?”

  His frown got darker. “What the hell’s the one got to do with the other?”

  “If you win, I’ll go straight to the lawyer’s office and get the divorce started.”

  “And if you win?”

  “There won’t be any divorce.”

  Angel went very still, his eyes riveted to hers. “Why would you take that chance?”

  “It seems to be the only chance I’ve got—to keep you.”

  “You want to stay married?”

  His amazement made her hold back a decisive answer. She said instead, “I’ve kind of gotten used to it.”

  “All right, we’ll draw,” he said, stepping slowly up onto the porch to pace off with her. “But there’s no way you can beat me, honey.”

  She grinned at that point. “I might just surprise you, Angel.”

  A few seconds later he was surprised. She was damn near as fast as he was. But she was more surprised because today he’d been slow, so slow a child could have drawn faster. He’d let her win. When it occurred to her why, she ran to him and threw her arms around his neck.

  “You lost!” she cried happily.

  “That’s what you think,” he replied before his mouth found hers and rendered her breathless.

  It was a long time later when she said, “I don’t understand. Didn’t you want the divorce?”

  “Honey, why do you think I didn’t stop the MacKauleys from marrying us?”

  “But you couldn’t stop them.”

  “Couldn’t I?”

  Her eyes widened. She’d seen him turn and draw within the blink of an eye. He could have prevented Richard from taking his gun that day. And he’d been close enough to Frazer on the way to the house that he could easily have disarmed him and put an end to it there.

  “Then why were you so mad at me that day?” she wanted to know.

  “Because you all but begged them not to do it,” he replied.

  “But that was because I was scared to death you were going to kill them all if they did.”

  “Was that your only reason?”

  “Actually—yes,” she said with a slight blush. “I didn’t half mind marrying you myself. Of course, I was worried about what my mama would say about it.”

  “Are you still?”

  “Not really. You wouldn’t believe it, but she’s really been a lot more mellow since she and my papa started talking again.”

  “No, I wouldn’t believe it.”

  Cassie laughed. “Did I tell you he’s coming for a visit, my papa? I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they actually get back together soon.”

  “Are we back together, Cassie?”

  “I expect you to collect your things and move in here today.”

  “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.”

  “Why? You already know the house intimately. It really is an exact copy of my papa’s.”

  She was deliberately missing his point—her mother’s guaranteed objection. He let her for the moment. “Did you ever find out why he did that?”

  “Not exactly. I would imagine it was to keep the memories fresh.”

  “That, and because he still loves me,” Catherine said from the other side of the window they were standing near.

  Cassie and Angel turned toward her, only to see her abandon her eavesdropping post and walk away. They both burst out laughing.

  “She said she was going to bed,” Angel told her.

  “Before she found out just what was going on? Not my mama.”

  “Then she’s gone to get her gun?”

  Cassie grinned up at him. “That’s not something you’ll have to worry about anymore. If you didn’t notice, she just gave us her blessing by not saying anything.”

  “I didn’t notice.”

  “You’ll figure her out eventually. You’ll have lots of time to try.”

  He pulled her closer. “You can’t imagine how nice that sounds to me.”

  “So tell me.”

  She was putting him on the spot. Words like he wanted to say to her didn’t come easily.

  “I don’t know how you came to mean so much to me, Cassie, but you do. Hell and I couldn’t get through a day without thinking about you, and wishing you were mine.”

  “Angel, are you telling me you love me?”

  “I guess I am. But you aren’t going to turn me into a cattleman.”

  She was laughing and kissing his face. “I wouldn’t try.” But her meddling instincts made her add, “The next sheriff of Cheyenne, maybe...”

  Chapter 41

  “I think that’s the first time I’ve ever seen Colt Thunder in a suit,” Cassie told Angel as they watched the newly wedded pair circulate among their guests. “And do you know how long it’s been since he cut his hair?”

  “I know,” Angel replied. “I hardly recognized him at the church. I would have waited until spring myself, but I doubt cold ears even entered his decision. I’d say he’s finally put the past behind him, thanks to the duchess.”

  “It always takes a woman—”

  “Not always.”

  “Most of the time, to set things right.”

  He snorted. “With an opinion like that, if s no wonder you meddle.” And then his black eyes took on a warning cast. “But we’re breaking you of that habit, aren’t we?”

  “We’re going t
o try,” was all she allowed, but she hadn’t quite met his gaze to say it.

  “Cassie—”

  “I’ll be right back.”

  He frowned at her departing back—and the end to that subject. But after a moment he grinned to himself. He’d already decided to go easy on her. Cassie wouldn’t be Cassie if she weren’t meddling in someone’s business. But she didn’t have to know that yet. He’d like at least a few weeks of peace before he had to shoot anyone on her behalf.

  Cassie headed straight for her mother, sure that Angel wouldn’t follow her there to continue their conversation. He’d been ill at ease this morning, being in Catherine’s dining room when she entered it, a clear indication that he’d moved in. But all she’d said was, “Are there any eggs left?” That hadn’t made him relax, as it had been intended to, but he would with time.

  “You know, I’m going to have to throw one of these myself,” Catherine said as Cassie reached her side.

  “One of these?”

  “Weddings. I missed yours, and since you’re obviously not going to get rid of that gun-fighter, I suppose I ought to see you married to him properly.”

  Cassie smiled brilliantly. “Do you mean that, Mama?”

  Catherine sighed. “Unfortunately, yes.” But she had to ask, “Are you sure, baby?”

  Cassie didn’t need that clarified. “I love him, Mama. I can’t get more sure than that.”

  “All right,” Catherine said, then warned, “But you’ll never make a cattleman out of him.”

  “I wasn’t going to try.”

  “Why not?”

  “It would be a waste of his peacemaking abilities.”

  “Angel? A peacemaker? Have you been hitting that punch Chase spiked?”

  Cassie laughed. “I never would have thought so, either, Mama, but Angel really does have the ability. Look what he accomplished down in Texas. I only set it in motion, but Angel was the one who made it possible for that feud to end. And look at you and Papa, on speaking terms again—and maybe more. That was Angel’s doing, too.”

  Catherine didn’t correct that “maybe more.” She said instead, “It is a total contradiction to associate peace with a man who leads such a violent life.”