Taming Angelina: The Temptation Saga: Book Four (10 page)

C
ould
her life get any more screwed up?

Angie rushed to downtown Bakersville and headed to Deb’s Boutique. She’d hurriedly put her riding clothes back on, run a brush through her snarled hair, and left, barreling through Rafe’s hold as he tried to stop her. Nope, she didn’t listen. Didn’t want to hear about his so-called wife. So she escaped his grasp and ran. She had no car, no way to get home. Her car was still at Chad and Catie’s where she’d left it to go riding yesterday afternoon.

Thankfully, Rafe lived right in town and she could make it to Deb’s. She needed shopping. If she’d had her car, she’d have headed straight for Denver where the big department stores were. Yep, she needed
that
kind of shopping. But she’d have to settle for Deb’s.

“Angie.” Deb eyed her up and down. “Uh…how are you?”

“Is that little redheaded bitch working today?”

“Lori’s off today, and I’ll thank you—”

“Oh, Deb, spare me the hurt bunny look when I insult your employee. I need a shopping spree.”

“Angie, I was so sorry to hear about your father.”

“Spare me the feigning sympathy look too, please.”

Deb threw her hands up. “Fine. You’re the customer. Though why you’re wandering around town in wrinkled riding clothes is beyond me. You never allow yourself to look less than perfect.”

“There’s a first time for everything. What do you have new?”

“Some gorgeous evening wear just came in.”

She hadn’t been to a good party in months. But why not stock up for her next invite? “Show me something in black. And red. And silver. Short please. I want to show my legs.”

“Be right back.”

Deb whooshed away while Angie situated herself in the dressing room. More party dresses. Just what she needed.

What was wrong with her? Not only was the man she loved married to someone else, here she was shopping…when she was broke. She wouldn’t get her inheritance. How did she expect to pay for these new clothes?

She launched the problem from her mind. She’d worry about that later.

“Here’s the first batch,” Deb said.

Angie opened the door to the dressing room and grabbed the dresses.

The black one fit like a glove. She’d take it.

The red one was a little too ruffly, but it had a certain girlish look that appealed to her.

She’d take it.

The silver one wasn’t quite short enough, but would be gorgeous with strappy sandals in the same color.

She’d take it.

“I’ll take these three,” she said when Deb come with another armful.

“You’ll be happy to know that your friend Lori picked all of those from the last catalogue. I told you she knew about fashion.”

Right. The twit knew nothing. The red number was way too frilly. So why was she buying it again?

Didn’t matter. Her daddy always saw that she got what she wanted. But Daddy no longer existed. No one was here to see that she got her ranch.

No one was here to see that she got the man she wanted.

The next dress was all wrong for her.

She’d take it.

“I’m tired of dresses, Deb. I’m coming out. I want shoes to go with these four.”

She tried and discarded the first five pairs Deb showed her and then changed her mind. “I’ll take these, but now find me something that really screams feet.”

Was that an eye roll? Not the way to treat a customer.

Deb came back with a pair of strappy black numbers. “I’m sure you’ll find that these are real screamers.”

Angie tried them on. The stiletto heel was too high and horribly uncomfortable.

“I’ll take them. I want to look at fashion boots next.”

She chose a pair of black thigh highs in leather with another stiletto and a pair of sleek silver snakeskin ankle boots.

“Anything else?” Deb asked.

“Yes. Scarves. One to go with each dress I chose. You pick them out.”

“Very well.” Deb sighed.

Angie put her riding boots back on and wondered how in hell she’d get home. “Put all of this on my bill,” she said.

She stood and stared out the window. As luck would have it, Chad and Catie walked out of Rena’s Coffee Shop at that instant.

“Hey!” She walked out the door of the boutique. “Catie!”

Catie turned. “Oh, hi, Ang. How are you doing?”

That question was unanswerable at the moment. “Could you guys give me a lift?”

“What?”

They walked toward her. “What’s going on?” Chad asked.

“I’m stuck here. My car’s out at your place. I took Belle on a ride yesterday afternoon after our meeting with Jeff, and—”

“You left your car at our place?”

“Yeah, it’s a long story.”

Catie sighed and turned to Chad. “She’s had it rough. Let’s get her home.”

“Sure enough, sugar,” Chad said. “Come on, Angie, our car’s out back of Rena’s.”

“I’ll be right there. Just let me get the stuff I bought.”

Her packages in tow, she ambled behind the storefronts and found Chad and Catie.

“What on earth did you buy?” Catie asked.

“Just some dresses and shoes. And scarves.”

“To go with the closet full of dresses and shoes you already own, I presume?” Chad said.

Catie punched him in the arm. “Leave her alone. She was the closest to Daddy, and now this idiot uncle of ours shows up and threatens everything she has.”

“Sorry, sugar. Just tryin’ to lighten things up a little.”

No one spoke the rest of the drive. Angie transferred her purchases to her own car and drove home. She shed the dirty riding clothes and threw them in the trash.

She headed for the shower.

Pelting water soothed her body, but did nothing for her heart and soul. She forced her mind to go numb. She’d think about it tomorrow.

Tomorrow was another day.

She shook her head. Yeah, right. At least Scarlett O’Hara’s man hadn’t been married to someone else.

Who was she? Why didn’t they live together? Were they separated? What was the deal? And why in God’s name had he not told her he was married?

Love was crap. She’d marry one of the morons her mother had invited to dinner tonight. Didn’t matter.

She got out, dried off, and put on a short silk robe. She went out to the living room to grab her bags when a knock on the door startled her.

Standing behind her door was none other than Rafe Grayhawk.

Her heart lurched, and her nipples tightened against the soft fabric. Even now, he affected her. She should ignore him, but she couldn’t.

She opened the door but did not invite him in. “What is it?”

“Hey, baby.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“I want to explain.”

“Explain what? That you’ve been fucking me while you’re married to someone else? I already got that, thanks.”

“It’s not like that.”

“Seems to me that’s exactly how it is.”

“I mean there are circumstances. If I could just come in—”

“No.”

“Please.”

“I said no.” She started to shut the door, but he lodged his foot in it.

“I’m going to talk to you, Angie.” He edged her out of the way, entered the room, and looked around. “Been shopping?”

“None of your business.”

He shook his head. “Thought you’d been disinherited.”

“That’s a minor setback. I’ll take care of it. My mother’s lining up husband candidates for me as we speak.”

“Husband candidates?”

“Did I not make myself clear earlier? I need to get married or I lose everything.”

He pursed his lips. “You mean you’re going to marry someone else?”

“Of course I’m going to marry someone else. I’ve got to.”

“What about us?”

Was he serious? “What about us? You’re married. There is no us. There never was.”

“I want to explain about that.”

“Not interested.”

“Damn it.” He grabbed her arm. “If you’d stuck around this morning we could have cleared this all up.”

“Let go of me,” she said through clenched teeth.

He let her go, and she began pulling clothes and shoes out of the bags. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to decide on an outfit for tonight. Got to look my best, you know.” She held up the strappy stilettos. “These ought to get a few of them interested, don’t you think?”

Rafe shook his head. “Baby—”

“I’m not your baby, hand. You’re not good enough for me anyway. You never were. You were nothing but a dalliance. Now get on out of here. Go home to your own wife.”

Rafe’s dark eyes clouded. Well, served him right. He turned and left her home.

She’d told him where to get off. Nothing less than he deserved for keeping such an important fact from her. She’d done the right thing.

So why did she like she’d been hit by a truck?

F
rank Longhorn was
as boring as he’d been in high school when he’d nursed a major crush on Angie. And his ears still stuck out like Dumbo’s. He was short too. She towered over him in her stilettos.

Joe Bradley did clean up well. His dark blond hair was pulled back in a low ponytail—the same way Rafe wore his. Yes, he was attractive, but he was no Rafe.

None of them were.

She cornered her mother in the kitchen. “I can’t do this, Mama.”

“Angie, you have no choice.”

“Yes, I do. I’ll be disinherited, I guess. I can still live here with you, right?”

“Of course you can. As long as I have a home, you will always have one.”

“Thank God.”

“But give these men a chance, Angie. They’re clearly all smitten with you.”

“The only one smitten with me is Frank. The others could not care less, and they’re probably wondering why they’re here.” Her nerves skittered. “God, you didn’t tell them, did you?”

“No, of course not. I would never violate your privacy like that.”

“I almost wish Harper hadn’t found the codicil. Then I’d be disinherited and that would be that. Now I have to go through this ‘try to find a husband in two months’ routine. It’s humiliating.”

“I know, honey. I’m so sorry. I hope you know that your father had absolutely no knowledge of that provision in his grandpa’s will. You know he’d never do this to you.”

She shook her head, her hands on her hips. “He was about to disinherit me himself.” Then she softened. “I’m sorry, Mama. I know he never meant it. He told me on his deathbed. He never would have gone through with it.”

“No, he wouldn’t have,” her mother said. “You were his pride and joy, Angelina. His mother’s namesake. He couldn’t have loved you more if—”

Why did she stop? “If what, Mama?”

Maria smiled and shook her head. “Nothing. Nothing at all.” She urged Angie back out to the living room. “You mustn’t be a poor hostess. Go out there and shine.”

Shine? These shoes hurt like hell, and the dress that had fit like a glove in the store was now too tight. But shine she would. She pasted a smile on her face and returned to the sea of men.

“
A
nnie
, I owe you one,” Rafe said at the door of Annie and Dallas McCray’s ranch house.

“You and Tom are great tenants and friends,” the pretty curly-haired woman said. “Dallas is happy to help.”

“How are you feeling?”

“Just a little queasy and hot-flashy, same as last time. The doc says that means everything’s good. Come on in. Dallas is in the kitchen.”

Rafe followed Annie through the living area to the large kitchen in the back.

“Dallas, you know Rafe.”

Dallas stood and stretched out his hand. “Of course. Chad speaks highly of you. I hear you’re teaching Angelina Bay how to ride.”

No longer. She’d find another instructor. Maybe an instructor who could be her husband. The thought haunted him.

“I’m sorry to interrupt your Sunday morning.”

“No problem. The girls are on a day trip to the zoo with their aunt and uncle, so it’s just Annie and me today. She tells me you have a legal problem.”

“Yes.”

“You should know I’m not a practicing attorney. I’m licensed and I know a little, but my work is here on the ranch.”

“Yeah, I understand. But I need some guidance, and you seemed the most likely choice. I mean, you’re my boss’s brother and all, and Annie’s my landlord, so I figured I had an in.”

Dallas laughed. “You want some coffee? Or herb tea? Annie doesn’t drink coffee.”

“Coffee would be great, thanks.”

“I’ll get it, hon,” Annie said. “You two go ahead and talk.”

Annie poured a cup of coffee and set it on the table. “Come on and sit down.”

He sat down and took a sip of the hot brew. Nice and strong, just as he liked it.

“Angelina’s brother, Harper, is also a lawyer,” Dallas said. “Well, a rancher who’s trained as a lawyer, same as me.”

Rafe nodded and swallowed another sip of coffee. “I know, but I can’t talk to him about this.”

“Okay,” Dallas said. “So what’s up?”

Where to start? “It’s a long story.”

“Best to start at the beginning then.”

“Do you know my father, Jack Grayhawk? He lives over in Echo Gardens?”

“No, can’t say I do. He in some kind of trouble?”

“No, nothing like that.” He took another sip of coffee and let the strong liquid soothe his parched throat. He hadn’t slept at all last night. Sat up inhaling Angie’s scent still clinging to his sheets, wondering how he could make this up to her…and knowing there was no way he could.

“My father has a thirty-five-year-old Mexican woman who lives with him. She’s been there for about five years, since before my ma died. She cooks and keeps house. Her name is Lilia Martinez.”

Dallas nodded. “Okay.”

“Lilia—” Rafe closed his eyes and inhaled. “She’s my wife.”

“
I
didn’t know
you were married, Rafe,” Annie said.

“Well, I’m not. Not really. It’s a marriage on paper only.”

“Oh?” Dallas said. “What do you mean?”

“Lilia moved to the trailer park about six years ago, and my parents became quite fond of her. She didn’t have much money and she rented a room from one of the other residents. She was cleaning houses, but having a hard time making ends meet. When the other residents moved out and sold their trailer, she had no place to go.”

“Surely she could find another place to live.”

“She wasn’t making enough cleaning houses to find her own place.”

“Then why didn’t she get a different job?”

“She… She couldn’t. She didn’t have a green card and she couldn’t get one.”

Annie touched Rafe’s forearm in a motherly way. “Was she here illegally?”

“No. At least, not at the beginning.” Rafe inhaled. Time to pay the piper. “Her visa had expired.”

“So she came here legally?” Dallas said. “At least originally?”

“Yeah. Some friends helped her get the necessary documents and leave before her father and brother found out.”

“I see.” Dallas drummed his fingers on the table. “So she has a valid Mexican passport?”

“As far as I know, yes.”

“And what type of visa did she carry?”

“She was in a hurry, and the quickest way to get a visa was for study abroad here in the U.S.”

“Did she actually study?”

“She planned to.”

“But she didn’t.”

“Not that I know of. She was supposed to meet relatives here in Colorado who would help her get registered at school. She was supposed to live with them.”

“Let me guess. The relatives never surfaced.”

“Right. She was naïve, no doubt. But at least she was away from her past.”

“Oh?”

“Her father and brother were heads of a big drug ring in Nogales. She’d suffered from their abuse for years. She’d finally escaped about three months before she showed up in our trailer park, looking for relatives she couldn’t find. She’d made her way here by working odd jobs as much as she could, getting paid in cash. One of the families, Thompson was their name, at Echo Gardens took her in. She kept their house and did other house cleaning jobs. When they sold their trailer a few months later and moved on, they didn’t take her with them.”

“So she didn’t go to school, and her visa expired a year later.”

“And there were no relatives?” Annie said.

“None that she ever found.”

“Once her visa expired, she was here illegally. She needed work, and she couldn’t go back to Nogales, face her brother and father, and return to the abuse. She told my mother things—things she wouldn’t repeat to my father or me. My mother just cried and said we had to protect Lilia no matter what.”

“I see,” Dallas said, “so that’s how you ended up marrying her?”

“Like I said, my parents were really fond of her. They couldn’t let her be deported. I was the only option.”

“What about Tom?” Annie asked.

“Tom was already married. They got divorced two years later.”

Rafe paused, but neither Dallas nor Annie spoke.

“She needed to be able to work. She needed a green card. By marrying a U.S. citizen, she was able to get one.”

“I see,” Dallas said again. “This may be none of my business, but did you have any feelings for her at all?”

“I was fond of her. She was kind of like a big sister to me.”

“No feelings of love?”

“Sure, I loved her. But not in a sexual way.”

Dallas let out a slow breath. “I’m not judging you, but you realize you broke the law, right?”

Rafe nodded. “I know it seems ridiculous. It does to me too. But at the time, I was twenty years old. I swore I’d never marry, never want kids. It was a stupid decision.”

“It wasn’t stupid to want to protect an innocent woman,” Annie said.

“No. I have no regrets about helping Lilia. Neither my parents nor I liked the idea of breaking the law, though.”

“I guess I can understand that.” Dallas stood. “So what do you need me for?”

“Simple,” Rafe said. “I want a divorce.”

M
rs. Franklin John Longhorn
.

She gulped as her esophagus threatened to reverse. The sound of it nauseated her.

All her kids’ ears would stick out.

But she’d have her inheritance, along with all Frank’s money. No problem with her shopping habits. She didn’t have to learn to ranch after all.

And no more riding lessons with Rafe Grayhawk…

She’d have to sleep with Frank. Let him kiss her, touch her, probe her most intimate parts.

She shook her head to clear it. Mama was right. There was no other way. Besides, Frank adored her. He always had. He’d broken out in tears when she’d gotten engaged to Zach McCray all those years ago.

She held her head high as she walked into Deb’s Boutique.

The redheaded pain in the ass approached her. “Hello, Angie.”

“Hello, Lori. Is Deb here?”

“I’m sorry, she’s not feeling well today. She called me and told me you wanted a private Sunday shopping session and asked me to come in. What can I help you with?”

Angie stood silent for a moment, collecting herself. Was she completely presumptuous expecting Deb to open the store on a Sunday just for her? She’d done it before. Why not now? Why hadn’t she just told her she wasn’t feeling well when Angie had called? She sighed. She’d give Lori a chance. After all, how difficult could it be to pick out a dress for a small courthouse wedding next Saturday?

D
allas cleared his throat
. “A divorce.”

“Yes.”

“May I ask why?”

Rafe fidgeted with the handle of his coffee mug. “I’d like to marry someone else.”

“I see.” Dallas rose from the table and paced to the kitchen. He picked up the carafe. “More coffee?”

Rafe shook his head as Dallas poured himself a cup, returned to the table, and sat down.

“Is there any way to end this marriage without harming Lilia?”

“I’m not an immigration lawyer.” He took a sip of coffee. “Do you think Lilia would be willing to return to Mexico if there was no threat to her?”

“I haven’t asked her, but I don’t see why she wouldn’t.”

“Who knows about this marriage?”

“Just my father, Tom, and me. Lilia didn’t change her name. Anyone who sees her green card just assumes she’s a legal immigrant, which she is, as my wife.”

“We could dissolve the marriage quietly,” Dallas said. “That’s not the issue. The issue is protecting both you and Lilia.”

“Yes, I know. We had to go through the interview process when Lilia got her green card. We played the loving couple, and the officer who interviewed us didn’t look twice. He knew the situation, that she was here on a student visa that was about to expire, and that we’d decided to get married so she didn’t need to renew her visa. And it’s not like she got something for nothing. She pays her taxes like everyone else.”

“True, and that will no doubt be considered.” He sipped again. “Is there anyone else who might be willing to marry her if you divorce her?”

“She keeps a low profile. She hasn’t dated, to my knowledge. She seems perfectly happy keeping house for my father in that little trailer.”

“I don’t think there would be any harm to Lilia. Since she’s been married to you for more than three years, her resident status probably won’t change.”

Rafe breathed out in relief. “That’s good news then.”

“Yes, but like I said, I’m not an immigration attorney. We really need to run this by someone who knows the current laws.”

“Do you know anyone?”

“Of course. I know several people in Denver who could take a look. Some who owe me favors.”

“How much would that cost?”

Dallas smiled. “For you? Nothing. Like I said, they owe me favors.”

Rafe widened his eyes. “Really? That’d be wonderful. I never expected to get anything for nothing.”

“I know that. But if Annie and Chad both vouch for you, I have no problem trading in a favor for you. Give me a day or two, and let me see what I can come up with.”

“Great!” Rafe nearly jumped out of his skin. “If everything works out, how soon can I get the divorce?”

“Not sure on that one. You don’t have any property to split, no children. Should be pretty straightforward. I’d say you could be a free man in six months.”

Six months?
Angie needed him in two months.

“Can we speed that up a little?”

“Not in this state. You have to wait ninety days after papers are served. You could go to Las Vegas, but one of you would have to live there for six weeks to establish residency.”

“Crap.” Rafe sighed. What was the point now? He couldn’t save Angie’s ranch. No doubt she wouldn’t have him.

“What’s the hurry, if you don’t mind my asking?”

“This is all confidential, right?”

“Absolutely.”

“Do you want me to leave, Rafe?” Annie asked.

“No, of course not. Please stay.”

In a daze, he poured out the story of Angie and her long lost uncle. “I don’t know everything, but that’s the gist of it, to my understanding.”

“I feel for Angie, Rafe, I really do,” Annie said, “but do you really want to get into another marriage for the wrong reasons?”

“I have to agree with my wife,” Dallas said. “Marrying for any reason other than true love is not the way to go. Trust me, I’ve been there and I know.”

Rafe nodded, his mind racing. Why did he want to marry her? Was it solely to help her? To save her inheritance?

No.

I love her.

He loved Angelina Bay.

Or rather, he loved the Angie he knew when they were alone. The woman who bought clothes like they were penny candy? Not so much.

But they were the same woman. One and the same. How could he love one but not the other?

He couldn’t.
I love them both. I love her.

“Is it possible there was a loophole in the grandfather’s will?” Annie asked.

“If there was,” Dallas said, “Harper would have found it.”

“Like I said, I don’t know the whole story.” Rafe stood. “I’ve taken up enough of your time. Thanks so much to both of you.”

Dallas stood and shook his hand. “I’ll call in that favor first thing tomorrow morning, bright and early. I’ll call you when I have any information.”

“I’m obliged,” Rafe said.

When he’d shut the front door of the ranch house behind him, his cell phone buzzed.

Tom. “Yeah, Tom, what’s up?”

“Come to the doc’s,” Tom said. “It’s Dad.”