Love Finds You in Sundance, Wyoming (30 page)

Travis stared at the sheriff as he disappeared through the doorway, then pushed to his feet. “Guess I shoulda seen him out.” He ran his hand over his hair, still feeling a bit muddled at Angel’s story.

Grandmother cleared her throat, and Travis blinked a couple of times. “Young man, help me to my feet. I will find Smokey and get that mess cleaned up. You should take my granddaughter outside in the fresh air, is that not right?”

He scratched his chin and smiled. “Yeah.”

Maria leaned over, whispered something low in Angel’s ear, and brushed the hair off her forehead, placing a firm kiss there. “Quit running, little one. It’s time to trust God.”

Travis heard the words with only half his mind. He still couldn’t quite take in everything he’d heard. Angel had been raised in an outlaw gang, and Hinson had been after her all this time? A slow rage built in his gut and threatened to choke him. He shook himself and pushed down the anger. No need to let hatred take root in his heart. God would judge the man’s sins.

Angel sat still, staring at her hands twisted in her lap.

Travis wanted to haul her to her feet and envelop her in a hug, but he didn’t know if she’d accept his touch. Hadn’t she made it clear she didn’t care for him the way he cared for her? A sudden thought struck him. She’d been running from her past for years. Was it possible her rejection had been due to her fear of discovery? And hadn’t he just heard her say she’d lied to protect the people she loved? Hope emerged like a butterfly trying to escape a cocoon.

“Angel? Will you spend a few minutes outside on the porch?”

“I suppose.” She didn’t look up but put her good arm under her and tried to push up off the sofa.

Travis held out his hand. She hesitated, then placed her small one in his. He didn’t let go once she got on her feet but tucked her hand under the crook of his elbow and squeezed it against his side. “Come on. Smokey will come in soon, and I’d like to get outside before he decides to start visiting.”

Angel nodded but kept silent. They made their way through the house and out the front door. She sank onto the end of a porch swing with a high back and sighed.

Travis looked at the space next to her with longing. He hooked his toe around the leg of a chair, pulling it close, and sank onto it. “Angel?”

She kept her head down and didn’t respond.

“What are you afraid of? The sheriff said you’re in the clear. He’s not holding you responsible for your uncle’s decisions or what happened with Hinson. Shouldn’t you be celebrating?”

She shrugged. “I suppose.”

“What is it?” He touched her hand, but she drew back and tucked it between her legs. Frustration welled up inside. “Why won’t you look at me, or let me touch you? Maria told me she’s not returning to Italy, so I know you’re not leaving. What’s wrong?”

Angel raised tortured eyes to his. “I figured you and Libby would hate me. Grandmother forgives me because I’m her daughter’s only child. Why should either of you?”

He sat back in his chair and stared. “There’s nothing to forgive.”

She wrung her hands in her lap. “I deceived you—I didn’t tell you the truth about my past.” She shivered. “I let that man steal your cattle and hurt Smokey. I asked God to forgive me and I think He did, but I don’t deserve your forgiveness.”

He took her hand, and this time she didn’t resist. “None of us deserve to be forgiven, but God does it all the time when we ask Him to. As far as I’m concerned, you did nothing wrong. But if it makes you feel better, of course I forgive you.” He squeezed her fingers, raised her hand to his lips, and pressed them against her palm.

Her chin jerked up, and she gasped. “Travis?”

“Honey, haven’t you figured it out?” He placed another gentle kiss on her palm. “I’m in love with you. I told you before, but I don’t think you believed me, or you were too frightened to accept it. I’m hoping you’ll find it in your heart to care about me a little in return.”

Her hand trembled in his, and her eyes pooled with tears. “I do care.”

Travis’s heart beat like a runaway horse, and he struggled to breathe. “How much, Angel?”

She looked him full in the face and didn’t answer but slowly lifted the hand cupped over hers to her lips. Keeping her gaze locked on his, she pressed her lips against his knuckles. “That much.”

Travis smiled and gave a slight shake of his head. “Ah, that’s a good start. But I had something a bit—bigger—in mind.” He stood and settled down beside Angel, keeping hold of her hand. He extended his other hand, placing it on her good arm, and turned her toward him.

Her deep brown eyes glowed. “Bigger? I don’t understand.”

“Let me show you.” Travis loosened his hold and placed his fingertips under her chin. “You are the most stubborn—“ He leaned in close and touched his lips to her forehead. “Independent—“ Another kiss found its way onto her cheek. Travis could feel the heat in her skin and smiled. “Beautiful—“ This time he hovered over her mouth for a second, then bent to touch her lips, drinking in their sweetness.

She loosened her hold on his hand and slipped one arm around his neck, drawing him close.

The kiss continued and deepened, and Travis felt his control starting to slip. He tamped down his desire and withdrew a few inches, then reached up and touched her face. His fingers lingered on her soft skin, stroking down her cheek and stopping at her chin. More than anything he longed to get lost in another kiss. “I need to ask you something, and this time I hope you’ll give me a different answer.”

Dreamy eyes gazed into his. “What?”

“Marry me. I love you, Angel. You’re everything I’ve ever hoped for in a wife, and more. I’d be eternally happy if you’d say yes.”

“Yes.” She leaned into him and raised her lips.

Travis couldn’t resist. He met hers with an eagerness he wouldn’t deny.

Angel was the first to pull away this time, her face rosy and a smile tipping up her thoroughly kissed lips. “How about Libby?”

“What about her?”

“She might not want me moving in permanently. I don’t want to upset her. She
is
the lady of the house, you know.”

Travis shook his head. “You don’t have to worry about Lib. Nate proposed to her. He told me she turned him down.”

Angel gasped. “What! Why?”

“She didn’t want to leave me alone. He told me to hurry up and throw a lasso around you, so he could tie the knot with Libby.” Travis grinned. “She’ll be only too happy to move to her own house. Of course, the men and I will have to help build them one, but I think he’s earned it.”

“I can’t cook, you know.” Angel cocked her head to the side. “Are you sure you don’t want to back out?”

“That’s why I hired Smokey.” He started to lean forward again, but she placed her hand against his chest.

“You haven’t noticed?”

He raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“Smokey and Grandmother.”

“Huh?” He felt like he’d been bucked off a bronco.

She giggled and nodded. “I think they’ve fallen for each other, and that’s why she doesn’t want to go back to Italy.”

Travis threw back his head and laughed. When he finally came up for air, he pulled her close and placed his cheek against hers. “Good. We’ll build them a house too, if we need to. It will be nice to have your grandmother close by, and Smokey can keep on cooking for all of us.” He placed a gentle kiss on her lips. “Any more reasons you can’t marry me?”

She shook her head, and her good arm crept around his neck. “Can’t think of a single one, Signor Morgan. I’m plumb out of excuses. This Angel has come home for good.”

Each book I’ve written for the Love Finds You™ series has been carefully researched as to place, setting, and time period, but this one was a little different. Due to an unexpectedly quick deadline, I did not have the chance to visit the museums and historical society in the town, take photos of the surrounding area, or do the in-depth research that typically accompanies one of my books, but I believe you’ll enjoy the story just the same.

None of the characters in the book are based on real people other than Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The businesses mentioned in the town of Sundance were actual businesses, and the Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal church was built in 1889.

Other than Sundance, The Wild Bunch, and the Hole-in-the-Wall gang, there is only one character in the book that’s real—the puppy Dakota. So far I’ve featured three of our family’s dogs in my books. The first was my daughter and son-in-law’s shepherd Hunter, who died of cancer a year ago; he appeared in
Love Finds You in Last Chance, California.
Then came Buck, a black lab we owned many years ago, who appeared as Art Gibbs’s dog in
Love Finds You in Bridal Veil, Oregon
(Art was my great-grandfather and did have a big black dog, but we’re not sure of his name). Dakota was a Border Collie/Australian Shepherd rescue puppy we got fifteen years ago who passed away almost a year ago. We miss them all, and I’m thrilled they’ll live on in my stories.

I’d had the idea for this book but only knew there would be a young woman raised in an outlaw band. I had no concept what she looked like or what her name might be. While drifting off to sleep one night, I saw a distinct picture of a black-haired woman in her early twenties with small bones, fine features, and wide, dark eyes. She proceeded to say, “My name is Angel. Angel Ramirez.” So, there you have it. I didn’t name Angel; she introduced herself to me.

I’d love to hear from you, so pop over to my website at
www.miraleeferrell.com
and drop me a note.

Miralee Ferrell grew up in a small town and married Allen, her high school sweetheart. They raised two children, who both serve the Lord. After they left home, she prayed about filling her time. In 2005 she received the answer. While at church the pastor prayed with her, stating he believed God was calling her to write and be published. After praying, she embarked on a new adventure. Two years later her debut novel,
The Other Daughter,
released, and since then five more novels have followed.

Miralee serves as president of the Portland, Oregon, chapter of ACFW. She speaks at women’s groups, libraries, historical societies, and churches.

Allen and Miralee have been married for thirty-eight years. They live on eleven acres in Washington State, where they love to garden, play with their dogs, and go sailing. Miralee also rides her horse on the trails near their home with her daughter, who lives nearby.

You can visit Miralee’s website to find out more about her books and her life, and find photos of the towns she’s visited while doing research for her Love Finds You蒂 books.

WWW
.M
IRALEE
F
ERRELL.COM