Angel Kisses

by Verna Clay

  We ended up making love and it was incredible. He told me he loved me and I guess I was so overwhelmed by my feelings, I was speechless. I didn't tell him I loved him, which I regret now. Perhaps doing so would have averted what happened later.

  I remember dreaming of Harris and calling out his name so I could tell him I loved Eli. Obviously, I said Harris' name aloud because Eli heard it and thought I was wishing he was Harris.

  Oh, Hannah, everything is such a mess now! Eli was so hurt and angry he wouldn't let me explain. And then I got angry and refused to explain. He doesn't want anything to do with me.

  And to make matters worse, the reporter I told you about, Lucinda Bergamot, threw Harris under the bus. She found out private things and printed them in her exclusive. Honestly, she had us all deceived into thinking she was a nice person. Harris was even falling for her, but now he hates her because of the mess she's stirred up. Reporters have shown up in Paxtonville trying to interview anyone who knows the family. I'm just sick of it.

  I'm sorry to burden you with this, but you're the only person I can talk to about something so intimate.

  Love and hugs,

  Angel

  She plucked a straw from the bale and stuck it in her mouth. Since a future with Eli was out of the question, she'd decided to accept the job offered by the solar company. It paid well, presented amazing opportunities for advancement, and was located in Dallas, hundreds of miles away from Eli. It was also a company with products she believed in. The thought of leaving her beloved town and family, however, was making her stomach hurt.

  She heard her father call out her nickname, "Angel Baby! You in here?"

  "Over by the hay, Dad!" She waved her hand above her head.

  He walked over and sat on the bale beside her. He also plucked a straw and stuck it in his mouth. After a moment he said, "You can't hide away forever, you know?"

  She tossed her straw on the ground. "I know. But I'm just not in a frame of mind to meet up with reporters."

  "Can I ask what frame of mind you're in? Your mother and I are concerned about you."

  She stared across the barn. "I've been offered a job in Dallas with a solar company. They're well respected and successful and they want me to head up the marketing department, as well as explore expansion into other countries. The job pays extremely well and involves travel to exotic locations." She paused. "And I've decided to accept."

  "So you'll be moving to Texas?"

  "Yes."

  "And when will that happen?"

  "In about a month."

  They were both silent and listened to the movement of horses in their stalls. Finally, her father said, "Angel, you're smart and beautiful and you've just told me you've accepted a dream job, yet you're not happy. What's going on? You haven't been happy since you returned home, and your mother and I figured it was because of this business with Harris."

  "Of course, I'm happy."

  "No Angel, you were happy while working for Harris and Eli. In fact, you were happier than we've seen you in a long time. So, are you going to tell me what's going on or continue the ruse? Your mother and I have given you space, hoping you'd sort things out, but it hasn't happened. We're worried about you, honey. How can someone with so much going for her be so unhappy?"

  Suddenly, life with all its ups-and-downs and ins-and-outs, was too much for Angel. The fact that everyone believed smarts and looks and a fantastic education made for happiness, made her want to scream. She jumped to her feet, glared at her father, and exclaimed, "Because I want a life like my mother's! I don't want smarts and beauty and a great career. I want a home, a husband and children. I could care less about expanding a company's operations." She paused for breath so she could continue but the stunned look on her father's face was more than she could handle. She ran from the barn and into the house to grab her purse. She heard her mother call out, "Angel, is that you?" She ignored her mother and raced toward her car. Within minutes she was following their private road to the highway. She was going to Dixie's Cuppa Joe to enjoy a cup of coffee, and if any reporters approached, she'd tell them to go to hell!

  Harris stepped outside the home he'd lived in since the age of four, the one his mother had inherited; the one his parents had remodeled over the years to accommodate their growing family, and headed for the tree line. There was a path leading to the river where an indentation remained from the foundation of a cabin that had once stood there. The cabin, of course, had played an integral part in his mother's book, The Gift. It had been built for a true-life, civil war veteran who had lost both his legs in battle. However, as Harris had explained to Lucinda, the kindness of a widower and his three daughters had saved the soldier's life. Harris' mother had written a timeless story showcasing the goodness of humanity in its multiple facets of love, compassion, loyalty, self-sacrifice, and passion. Qualities Lucinda was lacking.

  Harris sighed and pushed thoughts of back-stabbing Lucinda from his mind. He reached the place where the cabin had been and was surprised to see Eli sitting in the dirt in the center of it. "Mind if I join you?"

  Eli patted the spot beside him. "Suit yourself."

  For a long time the brothers were silent, staring at the river. Eventually, Eli said, "You know, I've read the book about our ancestors at least a dozen times and I think it's one of the most romantic stories I've ever read."

  Harris leaned back and asked, "You read romance?"

  "I read everything. I'm not a jock like you."

  "Somehow that doesn't sound like a compliment."

  "It's not." Eli softened the blow by glancing at Harris and grinning.

  Harris said, "Well, egghead, there's something I want to talk about."

  Eli looked mildly curious.

  Harris picked up a rock and tossed it toward the river, missing the water by a couple of inches. With calculated cleverness he said, "Since Lucinda did a number on me, I've decided to set my sights on Angel. She's always been like a kid sister, but traveling with her these past months has opened my eyes to what a treasure she is." He paused before adding, "And she's sexy as hell." With satisfaction he noted the widening of Eli's eyes and the sudden rage suffusing them.

  Eli said menacingly, "You stay away from her unless your intentions are honorable."

  "What's wrong with a little fun?"

  "Because she's a sweet woman and you'll just break her heart."

  Harris leaned backward until he was resting on his elbows. He stared at fluffy clouds floating in a cerulean sky. "No. I won't hurt her. In fact, I've been thinking about settling down and having a couple of kids. I think–" Harris felt himself jerked back to a sitting position.

  "I swear if you break her heart, I'll kick your ass."

  "But I just recovered from a broken arm and ribs."

  "I don't give a fuck!"

  Harris suddenly burst into laughter. "By your "F" bomb, I know you're in love."

  Eli released him. "What are you talking about?"

  Harris stretched back again. "You love Angel Martinez."

  Eli exhaled and slumped forward. "Yeah, but she loves you."

  Harris started laughing. "Little brother, you are such a blockhead. She isn't romantically interested in me anymore than I am in her. Before we returned home, I cornered her and got the truth about what happened between you two." He laughed again and mimicked, "Harris!" and then held his arms protectively in front of him when Eli looked like he was about to punch him. Quickly, he said, "Before you beat the shit out of me, I think you might want to hear what I have to say."

  Eli's angry expression didn't change.

  "She was dreaming about me."

  "Yeah, I know."

  "No, you don't. In the dream she was telling me how much she loved you."

  Eli exclaimed, "What?"

  "She. Was. Telling. Me. How. Much. She. Loved. You."

  Eli looked like he couldn't wrap his mind around the words, so Harris said, "See, I was right. You are a blockhead."

  Eli slump
ed forward. "Yeah. I am." Then he jumped to his feet and said, "Thanks, Harris, for pointing that out," before running toward the trail.

  Less than an hour after his confrontation with Harris, Eli arrived at Angel's house and hurried to the front door. In his haste to speak with her, he rang the bell several times. The door was opened by Jackson Martinez looking irritated.

  Eli said, "Hello, Mr. Martinez. Is Angel around?"

  "No. She left about an hour ago."

  Damn. "Any idea where she went? I really need to talk to her."

  "I'm not sure."

  Eli turned and ran back to his car, calling over his shoulder, "I'll find her. Goodbye, sir."

  Trying not to burn rubber in his haste to leave, Eli shifted his Toyota Tundra into gear and ended up chirping the tires. He glanced at the rearview mirror to see that Ann Martinez had joined her husband and they were both watching him leave.

  He decided to check Paxtonville first and arrived in record time. Scanning both sides of the street for Angel's car, he saw it parked in front of Dixie's Cuppa Joe and heaved a relieved sigh. He parked across the street and jogged to the coffee house. He had no idea what he was going to say to make things right…and maybe he couldn't make things right, but he had to try. He loved Angel with every cell in his body.

  He inhaled deeply and stepped inside Paxtonville's favorite hangout. Gazing around the room, he spotted her sitting at a corner table with her back to the door, her golden hair flowing around her shoulders. His heart ached in seeing her so alone, as if hiding from the world. Behind him, the door opened and he heard a male voice say, "There's Angel Martinez. You can't miss that hair."

  A female responded, "Let's see if she'll talk to us."

  Eli turned to see a woman holding a cell phone and videoing Angel's back. Beside her, a sleazy guy started to cross the room. From the corner of his eye, Eli watched Celeste MacKenzie, owner of the coffee house, motion her lead barista Justin Blake forward to deal with the intrusion, and then dial a number on her cell phone, probably the local police department. Eli lifted his hand to stop Justin and mouthed, "I've got this." Justin nodded, but Eli knew his friend would assist if needed.

  The seedy guy had reached Angel's table. "Ms. Martinez, I represent the Weekly Spin and I understand you grew up with Harris Brightman."

  Angel jerked around. "No comment. Leave me alone."

  The greasy reporter continued as if he hadn't been rebuffed. "Is it true that Harris is the love child of Tooty Brightman and Lucky Larry?"

  The woman videoing the encounter moved closer and by now all the customers were watching the exchange.

  Loudly, Eli said, "The lady said leave her alone, and I suggest you listen or your ass is going to end up in your pea brain."

  The startled reporter jerked around and so did camera girl. Eli lifted his eyebrows, waiting for the jerk's response. The man said, "I recognize you. You're Harris' brother." He moved his gaze between Angel and Eli and smirked, "Hey, maybe we got a three-way going on—the Brightman brothers and the angel." He laughed. "Smile for the camera! You're gonna make the tabloids!"

  It took Eli exactly five steps and one fist to deck the guy. Fannie Levinworth, a widow in her nineties who'd lived in Paxtonville most of her life yelled, "Pin him down, Eli, he's bigger than you."

  Eli saw the woman videoing the altercation shift her stance for a better view of the men, but when she saw Eli eyeing her phone, she started backing away. Eli jerked his hand out, grabbed the cell phone, tossed it on the ground, and crushed it beneath his boot heel. The woman started yelling profanities and the reporter on the ground recovered his senses enough to jump to his feet and slam Eli with a right hook to his left eye. Eli was just about to collar the guy when he felt his arms being pinned behind him. Opposite him, the reporter was also being cuffed by another of Paxtonville's finest. The cop holding Eli said, "Eli, you're under arrest, and started quoting Miranda rights. The other cop was pushing the reporter out the door and doing the same. Eli glanced behind him at Angel and mouthed, "I love you! I'm sorry!" before being jerked toward the door.

  Angel was stunned. Eli had once again come to her defense and been arrested. But more shocking was his confession before being hauled away by Officer Dan Pilcher. Although she hadn't heard his voice, there was no mistaking the words, "I love you."

  She grabbed her purse and rushed for the door, shoving past the reporter's female accomplice. The woman yelled, "I'm gonna sue your boyfriend for destruction of property!" and glanced around the room at customers returning to their tables. "And I have witnesses!"

  Mrs. Levinworth yelled, "I didn't see any destruction of property. I saw you drop your phone and step on it yourself."

  Justin called out, "That's what I saw, too."

  After that the customers joined in by saying they'd seen the same thing.

  Celeste shouted, "And I'm gonna sue you and your boyfriend for disrupting my place of business!"

  As Angel rushed out the door she heard Mrs. Levinworth yell, "Yeah, and I'm a witness to that, too!" After that, everyone started calling out their take on how the reporters had provoked a fight.

  Chapter 31: Sentencing

  Angel decided to forego her car and ran the short distance to the police station. She pushed through the door and saw Officer Pilcher talking on the phone. He glanced up looking exasperated and said into the mouthpiece, "We'll see you after lunch, sir." He hung up and said to Angel, "What is it about you and Eli and reporters?"

  Angel shrugged sheepishly. "I guess you put him in jail again?"

  "You betcha. And I called Miles and Tooty to let them know. They're on their way now. I also called your mama and papa. It seems you were at the center of this altercation, just like before."

  Angel acknowledged, "Yes, sir. Can I see Eli?"

  "You can see him when the judge arrives in another hour. And I can tell you this, Judge Ledbetter isn't happy about having his lunch interrupted."

  Again, Angel said, "Yes, sir," and glanced at Peggy Suzette Heber, who was staring daggers into Officer Pilcher's back. The seasoned policeman said, "Peggy Suzette, I know you're making faces at me, so stop it!"

  The secretary narrowed her eyes at him and then returned her attention to the pile of paperwork on her desk. Angel slinked out the door and sat on the bench in front of the police station. It seemed the safest place to avoid other reporters. She sighed heavily and considered the pickle she and Eli were in—her parents were on their way to town; his parents were on their way too; the judge wasn't in a good frame of mind; and the tabloids would probably pick up on the story, even though there were no photos. She sighed and then grinned. Eli had said he was sorry and that he loved her.

  An hour later, right on time, Eli and the offensive reporter were hauled across the street to the courthouse. Miles and Tooty rushed into the courtroom just as the prisoners were entering. Angel's parents had arrived earlier and she'd already related what had happened, as well as apologized to her father for her behavior in the barn. The courtroom was beginning to fill up with townspeople and Angel kept her eyes glued to Eli's back. When he'd entered the sanctuary the skin around his eye was already turning shades of black and blue, and the reporter didn't look any better. For an instant she'd made eye contact with Eli as he resettled his eyeglasses on his face, winced in pain, and gave her a sweet smile.

  The bailiff called everyone to attention as Judge Ledbetter entered. The judge settled into his seat, gazed across the crowd of onlookers and said, "Anyone taking pictures will have their equipment confiscated and locked up for eternity." He then focused on the reporter and Eli, and frowned. He shook his head and said, "Eli, I'm feeling some déjà vu, right now." He cleared his throat. "Do either of you want an attorney?"

  Both defendants said simultaneously, "No, sir."

  The judge said to the bailiff, "They can stay at their seats, just swear them both in." After the swearing in was finished, Judge Ledbetter said to the reporter, "Mr. Millard, please stay standing and tell me w
hat happened." To Eli he said, "You can sit for now."

  The reporter exclaimed, "I was assaulted by this lunatic!" He then went on to paint a picture of himself as the victim of a crazy man. When he finished he asked, "Can I call a witness to corroborate my statements?"

  The judge replied flatly, "No. Sit down." He turned to Eli. "Okay, Eli, it's your turn. Stand up and tell me what happened?"

  Eli stood and said loudly, "This man harassed the woman I love and I defended her. It's as simple as that. And I'd do it again if I had to. I have no regrets. Besides, you'd do the same thing if your wife was being hounded by a lowlife like him."

  The reporter jumped to his feet and shouted, "I object. He can't talk like that!"

  Someone in the courtroom yelled, "Yes, he can! You had your turn to talk; now let him have his!"

  Judge Ledbetter picked up his gavel and pounded it. "Quiet! Or I'll have the courtroom cleared!" Immediately, there was silence. Paxtonville's only judge was known for following through on his decrees. He glared at Mr. Millard and the man plopped back in his seat, then he scanned the crowd until he saw Angel. "Angel, please stand."

  Angel's heart stuttered. She could feel the eyes of the crowd boring into her. With shaky knees, she stood and awaited her fate.

  Judge Ledbetter said, "Do you corroborate Eli's story?"

  "Yes, sir," she said with conviction.

  The judge responded, "Since this is the second time Eli is sporting a black eye for you, I'd like you to expound on his explanation."

  Eli had turned around to watch her and they locked gazes. In front of everyone she proclaimed, "We love each other–"

  The judge interrupted, "Okay that explains everything. I'm ready to pronounce sentencing."

  Mr. Millard jumped to his feet again and shouted, "That's not fair! This court is rigged!"