Tracie Peterson - [New Mexico Sunset 03] (2 page)

Chapter 2

F
or the next few weeks, travel was all that Angeline could speak of. She enthusiastically bought magazines and books, as well as newspapers, all in the hopes of planning an adventure to equal her dreams.

An unexpected damper came upon things when a German submarine torpedoed and sank the British passenger ship
Lusitania
. The ship was only twelve miles from Irish shores and over eleven hundred people lost their lives. One hundred and twenty-eight of them were Americans. The event caused not only a hush to fall over the country, but from that hush rose up an anguished cry that demanded revenge. Collectively, Americans held their breath waiting to see if their country would break neutrality and join the others already at war.

Angeline saw the worried looks her parents exchanged. They were thinking of her older brothers, John and James, both in the army now. Would they be called to fight in the European War?

Angeline stewed and fretted with everyone else. She teetered on the brink of adulthood, with still very childish theories on how the world really worked. It was beyond her to understand why anyone would kill helpless human beings.

Sunday services were devoted to continued prayer for Europe and the survivors of the
Lusitania,
along with the fervent hope that America could somehow escape the nightmare. Angeline sat stiffly prim and proper, while Pastor David Monroe, her father’s only brother, offered words of encouragement.

“God is with us,” David reminded them. “He is watching over and tenderly caring for each and every soul, even as shots are fired in Europe, even as the war rages on. He knows our fears and our heartaches.”

Angeline glanced sideways at her parents, who gripped each other’s
hands tightly. They had each other to comfort and Angeline suddenly felt very alone. Her own fears made her feel very vulnerable, and that vulnerability softened her normally controlled expression.

With a look that resembled a frightened child, Angeline noted that her mother had tears in her eyes. Gently, her father reached upward and caught one as it rolled down her cheek. The look he gave his wife caused Angeline to marvel. They were so in love and so right for one another. Could she ever hope to know that same feeling?

After watching her parents for another moment, Angeline raised her face and locked eyes with Gavin Lucas. He seemed to sense her need, and the look he offered gave Angeline a feeling of comfort and peace. Then, just as quickly as it was given, Gavin resumed his study of the Bible in his hands, and Angeline was again alone.

First he ignores me,
Angeline thought to herself,
and now he acts as though he’d like nothing better than to put an arm around me. What in the world is Gavin thinking?
She continued to contemplate the situation long after Pastor David had directed them to turn to a popular hymn.

❧

Dinner at the Monroe house was quiet and reserved. Angeline hardly felt like eating as she pushed her food around the plate.

“You know what I think,” her father began with a cautious glance to Lillie. “I think we need some diversion from all this sorrow.” Lillie nodded but said nothing, while Angeline gave her father her undivided attention.

“I learned today that Mrs. Widdle plans a train trip to Denver to see her niece. I took the liberty of speaking with her and suggested that you might accompany her.”

Angeline perked up noticeably. “Truly?”

“Yes,” Daniel replied. “She seemed quite happy about the idea, in fact. She said that her niece had more than enough room to house you, and there would be ample time for you to see the town and visit the shops and museums.”

“It sounds wonderful!” Angeline’s mind raced with thoughts of what she’d wear. “When do I go and how long will I be gone?”

“Mrs. Widdle plans to leave next Friday. She intends to stay for two weeks, then return in time to head up the Sunday school class graduation ceremonies.” Daniel paused. “I know it’s not as extensive as you’d like. It certainly isn’t New York or California, but I think you will be pleasantly surprised.”

Angeline gave her father a reassuring smile. “I know it will be grand!”

Lillie smiled at her daughter. “It will be, but you must be cautious. Denver is a very big city and the likes of which you’ve never even known. People can’t be trusted the way they are here.”

“Your mother is right, Angeline. The larger the city, the less personal and more problematic,” her father joined in.

“I will be on my guard,” Angeline offered, completely unconcerned with her parents’ worries. She was going to Denver in less than a week!
Denver!

❧

“She’s going to Denver, at least that’s what Dr. Dan said,” Dolan relayed to Gavin.

“How soon?” he asked, trying to sound like it was unimportant. Inside he felt as though someone had dealt his midsection a severe blow.

“I guess she’s leaving Friday,” Dolan answered. “Aunt Lillie thought it’d be fun to have a little party to send Angeline off on her trip. She told me to be sure and have everybody come over Thursday evening for Angeline’s last night in Bandelero. So she must be leaving the next day.”

Gavin took in the news and frowned when his brother wasn’t looking. This wasn’t in his plans, and given his serious manner of planning everything out to the last detail, the news was rather upsetting.

“Did you tell Mom?” Gavin finally spoke.

“Not yet, I was just on my way into the house. Hey, you gonna help me unload this feed or just stand there and look like you’ve lost your last friend?” Gavin gave his younger brother a puzzled look. “Oh, quit trying to play games with me,” Dolan smirked. “I know you’re in love with Angeline.”

“Oh, really?”

Dolan shrugged his shoulders. “It doesn’t bother me in the least, although it might be wise to lay your claim to her before she gets all the way to Colorado to look for a husband.”

“What makes you think she’s going to Colorado to find a husband?” Gavin questioned cautiously. Maybe Angeline had said something to make Dolan believe her interest in matrimonial conquests.

“What else would a woman like Angeline have on her mind?”

Gavin laughed at this. “Knowing Angel, she’s got plenty on her mind besides husbands.”

Dolan laughed and hoisted a heavy feed sack against Gavin’s chest and open arms. “I think you’d better talk to her just the same.”

Gavin said nothing, but he was still considering Dolan’s words an hour later when he saddled up his horse and headed to Bandelero. Maybe it was time to make his intentions clear to Angel. Maybe she was truly too naïve to know how he felt. She was, after all, just eighteen.

Gavin rode straight to the Monroe house and noted the absence of the buggy Dr. Dan used for housecalls. With any luck maybe he’d have a chance to talk to Angel alone.

❧

Angeline answered the door with her long blond hair dripping wet. “Gavin!” she exclaimed and quickly threw a towel over her head to hide her hair.

Gavin grinned sheepishly and stuffed his hands deep in his jeans pock
ets. “You’re looking good, Angel.”

Angeline blushed crimson. “Mother and Father are out delivering a baby on the Stanton ranch. Is something wrong?”

“No. I came to see you.”

“Me?” Angeline quickly forgot about her appearance as she lost herself in Gavin’s blue-gray eyes.

“May I come in?”

Angeline nodded and stepped back from the door. “I was just washing
my hair. If you’ll wait in the front room, I need to go comb it out.” She was
n’t at all the same self-confident girl who usually commanded the attention of everyone around her.

“Why don’t you bring your comb and come sit with me?” Gavin’s words were soft and alluring.

“I suppose I could,” Angeline replied rather nervously. She slipped into her parents’ bedroom and retrieved the brush.

When she appeared in the family sitting room, she held up the brush, momentarily not knowing what else to do. Gavin motioned her to sit and reached out for the brush.

“I think this looks like fun,” he said, and Angeline was so surprised that she couldn’t even protest.

Gavin took the brush in his trembling hands and began to run it down Angeline’s long, wet hair. The feeling was like nothing she’d ever known, and it was all Angeline could do to remain seated. No one besides her mother had ever brushed her hair, and now it seemed that Gavin’s actions were the most intimate she’d ever shared with anyone.

Gavin felt the same way, although he, like Angel, would never admit it. Forcing himself to speak, Gavin remembered his brother’s words.

“I hear you’re taking a trip,” he began, “to Denver.”

“What?” Angeline’s voice gave away her inability to concentrate.

“A trip,” Gavin repeated.

“A what?”

Gavin would have enjoyed her reaction had he not felt the same uncertainty and nervousness. “I heard that you planned to visit Denver.”

“Yes,” she managed.

“When are you leaving?”

“Uh. . . Friday. I’m traveling with Mrs. Widdle.” Angeline’s voice was barely audible.

Gavin continued the long brush strokes. “How long you gonna be gone, Angel?”

“Gone?” she sounded like a child and tried to shake herself out of it. “I’m not sure,” she answered.

Gavin, always given to getting right to the point, stopped in mid-stroke and drew a deep breath. “I came here to talk to you about us.”

“Us?” Angeline was hesitant. The single word brought Angeline to complete awareness. “What about us?”

“That’s what I want to know.”

“I don’t guess I understand,” Angeline said, turning to face Gavin.

“I don’t like the idea of you going off, but I guess it’s because I’ll miss having you around. It might also be because I don’t like the idea of those city fellows giving you ideas and causes that will take you away from here.”

Angeline’s mouth opened slightly. “What are you saying, Gavin?” she finally asked.

Gavin looked at her for a moment. Her lavender eyes were wide with surprise, and even with her hair wet and clinging to her back, Gavin thought she’d never looked more attractive.

“Look, Angel, we’ve grown up together. There’s never been a time when I haven’t been a part of your life.”

“The same can be said of your brothers and sister too,” Angeline protested. She was quickly beginning to see where Gavin was headed.

“That’s true enough,” he replied. Pausing for a moment, Gavin put the brush aside and reached out to pull Angeline to her feet. “The fact is, Angel, I’ve loved you since you were a little girl. I made up my mind when I was sixteen and you were just twelve, that you were the one I intended to marry.”

“Marry?” Angeline took a step backwards. “Marry?”

Gavin smiled. “I think I’ve been rather patient while you’ve courted half the town. Now I’m just laying my claim before you go off and get half of Denver to fall in love with you as well.”

❧

Angeline was stunned. For all the attention she was used to receiving, no one had ever asked her to marry them. Now here was Gavin Lucas, the one man who seemed least interested in her, and he was proposing marriage. No, he was demanding it, she thought.

Gavin seemed unconcerned with Angeline’s shock. “Look, Angel,” he said stepping towards her, “it’s time to consider the future. I want you to be my wife.”

Angeline quickly regained her composure and ducked under Gavin’s out
reaching arms. Putting a chair between them, Angeline shook her head. “I can’t believe you think you can just waltz in here and propose like that. Gavin Lucas, I have no intention of marrying you or anyone else!”

Gavin was the one who looked surprised now. Angeline quickly took the advantage. “You’ve treated me like I have some awful disease these last months. Hardly ever talking to me at parties or picnics. Never so much as saying a single word when we crossed paths in town. Now you come here and tell me that you’ve chosen me for your wife, like it’s some kind of honor.”

Gavin grinned at this. “You might consider it just that, after you get the ring on your finger.”

Angeline shook her head. “I’m not ready to marry anyone yet.”

“You are a bit immature, I’ll give you that.”

“Why you. . .you,” Angeline stammered for something to say.

“Look, Angel,” Gavin said, easily pushing the chair aside in order to get to the woman he loved. “I know I’ve surprised you, but it’s not like we’ve never had anything between us.”

“What have we had between us, except friendship?”

“Friendship is a good start,” Gavin said softly. “But we’ve always had more than that. You’re friends with my brothers too, but I’ll wager you don’t feel the same things for them that you do for me.”

Angeline shook her head once again. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I like all of you. You’re like family to me. But, I intend to travel a great deal. I want to go abroad when those European ninnies quit fighting with each other. I want to fly in one of those aeroplanes. I want to sail on the ocean, and I can’t do any of that by getting myself married off to you or anyone else.” Angeline noted that Gavin seemed completely unmoved by her declaration. “Besides that, there are things I want to do and be a part of. There are important causes out there, things that I can help with.” Angel backed up while Gavin just kept coming toward her. “I mean it, Gavin. I don’t have those kinds of feelings for you.”

Gavin reached out and pulled Angeline into his arms, then very gently he tilted her chin upward and kissed her deeply. Angel was too shocked to do anything. She felt Gavin’s strong arms encircle her waist, while his lips commanded her attention.

She held herself rigid, hoping the kiss would end in just a moment, but it didn’t. When Gavin continued to kiss her, Angeline couldn’t help but feel her resistance give way. It was after all, her first kiss. Although Angeline would never have admitted it to Gavin.

Gavin stopped kissing her abruptly and set Angeline away from him. He grinned when she gripped the back of a nearby chair to steady herself.