Love Finds You in Sundance, Wyoming

by Miralee Ferrell

  “Ah. I see that means something.” Maria leaned forward, her face aglow. “Did your mother…?”

  “No. My papa and then my uncle.” Angel made her decision. “Tell me about her, please. I remember Mama, but only bits and pieces. I want to know everything.”

  Over an hour later Angel headed to the barn, her mind reeling. The stories, the family memories, and the very mannerisms Maria used brought back glimpses of her mother—and it all shouted the truth. Maria was her grandmother. She even knew the story of why her mother named her Angel—Mama had written Maria a letter shortly after her birth, telling her about the little angel that God sent to live at their house. It was hard to take in, but part of her spun in circles with joy as she had when just a small girl. Family. She had her own family now. There were older relatives still in Italy, but she was the youngest of their line. What would this mean to her future?

  Maria—Angel shook her head—Grandmother hadn’t asked her to return with her to the old country, but she’d not indicated she planned to stay here, either.

  Angel stepped inside the barn and inhaled the sweet fragrance of hay piled near the door. Bella would be impatient for her feed by now, but Angel wanted nothing more than to race like the wind across the Wyoming sod. If only she could run away from the questions assaulting her mind.

  But no. She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. José always said, “We tackle our troubles and deal with them.” Except that one time. The time he’d urged her to leave her life in the camp so she wouldn’t have to confront Bart Hinson. New hatred for the outlaw welled up inside and for once she didn’t try to push it away. He’d killed a Texas Ranger and had designs on her, as well. She should have drawn her gun and shot Hinson when she had the chance, but she’d done as Uncle asked and disappeared.

  Could God have stopped her parents’ death if He’d wanted? Why would He allow them to die when she still needed them in her life? So many questions she didn’t have answers for. She hadn’t kept her promise to God last Sunday when Grandmother had gone to church with Travis and his family. It was still hard thinking of Maria as her grandmother, but Angel needed to try. They’d all begged her to come, but the thought of riding all that way in the wagon, trapped and vulnerable to Grandmother’s questions, had kept her at home.

  Maybe tomorrow she’d think about going. But did she need to? What had God done for her? She picked up a crop someone had dropped on the floor of the barn and slapped the side of her leg. Nothing. He’d let Mama and Papa die, and Uncle send her away.

  Then shame swamped her as she remembered her frantic plea as James’s horse raced across the grasslands. God had answered when Travis caught the runaway. She’d never broken a promise in the past, and it might not be a good idea for her first broken one to be with the Almighty.

  Travis swung down and patted his stallion’s neck. He’d been breaking in the big black for the past couple of weeks. This horse had heart and stamina, both qualities needed on this range. He’d give him a rub-down and turn him out for a roll in the pasture. Travis pushed open the door and walked in, tugging at his horse’s reins.

  Someone or something moved in the shadows and Travis paused, waiting for his eyes to adjust. “Nate, that you?” His foreman had planned on doing some saddle repair this afternoon.

  “No. It’s Angel. I’m graining Bella and rubbing her down.” She stepped around the divider and smiled.

  Travis’s heart somersaulted all the way to his toes. “You just get back from a ride?”

  “No. I spent some time—with Grandmother.” She said the final two words in a rush.

  “So you’ve decided she’s telling the truth?” He slipped off Raven’s bridle and placed a rope halter on his head.

  Angel shrugged and avoided his gaze. “I guess so. Yes.” She fiddled with the curry brush. “You noticed?”

  “That you were avoiding her for the past few days? Yep.” Travis slung the rope around a nearby post and reached for the cinch strap on his saddle, loosening it as he talked. “What changed your mind?”

  “Some of the things she said about my mother.” Angel’s voice trailed off. She turned away and scrubbed Bella’s back with the brush.

  “Want to talk?” Travis slid his saddle off and hefted it over a low crossbeam.

  “No.”

  “Ah-huh.”

  Silence settled over the barn as both worked on their horses, but Travis’s mind raced faster than the dust raised by his brush. He knew little more about this woman today than he had when she rode onto his ranch. Why was she so reluctant to talk about herself or even what her grandmother had shared? Of course, it was none of his business. He tossed the brush into a bucket and extracted a hoof pick. “Sorry if I asked something I shouldn’t.”

  “Hmm?” Angel lifted a puzzled face and stared. “About what?”

  “The talk you had with your grandmother.”

  “What about it?”

  He tried not to smirk. “Are you intentionally being obtuse?”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “You don’t seem like someone who’s slow-witted, but I must say you’re acting a bit strange right now.”

  Angel pointed a finger at his chest. “I am not slow-witted, and I’ll thank you to keep your opinions to yourself.”

  Travis dropped the hoof pick. “So I’m not allowed to speak my mind, is that it?”

  “Not if you’re going to call me names.” She stepped close to him and jabbed him on the shoulder with her finger. “I don’t have to work here, you know. I can find something else.”

  Travis refrained from saying something more, but he wanted to crow with laughter. He’d finally gotten a reaction from his normally reserved employee, and her beautiful eyes shot sparks that nearly singed him. His hand snaked out and grasped her wrist. “I’m not calling you names, Miss Ramirez, but you are mighty frustrating at times.”

  She jerked her good arm, but he held on tight, pulling her closer. “And you aren’t going to ride away and find another job. We have an agreement that you’ll work for me until I find someone to replace you, remember?”

  “Let go of me.” Angel scowled.

  Travis gazed down at the upturned face only a few inches from his own and broke out in a sweat. Her full lower lip trembled in anger, and her cheeks flushed with color. Her gaze bored into his, but his eyes kept wandering to that enticing mouth. He ran his tongue over his dry lips and slowly dipped his head, the temptation to kiss her almost more than he could resist.

  Her arm relaxed in his grip. No longer did she pull away but stood quietly, a quizzical expression softening her features.

  Travis lowered his head another inch, his mind pulsing with the need to see what those lips would taste like. Suddenly, his stallion stamped and snorted, destroying the spell.

  Angel gasped and lunged backward, breaking free of his grasp. Her hands flew up to cover her blazing cheeks. She shot him a wild glance, then turned without a word and fled from the stall.

  Angel raced through the barn, her pounding heart almost choking the breath from her body. What had just happened? Better yet, what had Travis been thinking? She should’ve laughed it off, but she’d been mesmerized by the sight of his lips moving close to hers and hadn’t been able to move. Her palms hit the door, slamming it open, and she catapulted through and into the light. Three more long strides across the barnyard brought her smack into a hard object.

  “Oof.” Arizona reached out to steady himself and gripped her shoulders with iron fingers. “You ‘bout knocked me six ways to Sunday, little lady. What’s the hurry?”

  Angel stiffened in his grip. The last thing she needed right now was another encounter with a man, no matter how friendly. “Nothing. Just need some air.”

  “Something stink in the barn?” He removed his hat, scratched his scalp, and plunked it back on.

  She could have shrieked with laughter at the ludicrous question, but her emotions were giving her fits. She didn’t trust herself to speak, so she simp
ly shook her head.

  “Just felt like runnin’, did ya? Well now, I guess a man can’t figure out the strange ways of a woman, no matter how hard he tries.” His dark brown eyes twinkled and he grinned. “I don’t mind, though. You can run into me anytime you want to.”

  Angel gasped and shook herself free, realizing he still held her arms. “I need to get to the house and…” She searched her mind for something plausible. “Talk to Libby about going to church.”

  Arizona scowled. “Thought you didn’t go in for that type of thing. You been staying home on Sundays since you got here. I was hoping you might take a ride with me tomorrow.”

  “Sorry, Arizona, but I made a promise that I’d go to church, and I need to keep it.”

  He jerked his head toward the emerging figure of Travis stalking out of the barn. “To him?”

  Angel felt heat creep up her neck and ducked her head. “No. I need to go.” She chanced a peek at Travis, then swung on her heel and dashed for the house, feeling like a thousand imps pursued her. First Travis and now Arizona. Next thing she knew James would try to corner her. A small, wild laugh flitted from her lips. The boy was only thirteen, but he’d been shooting her looks that bespoke of young love. Had someone poured a potion into the well water?

  She slowed as she mounted the steps to the porch, suddenly aware of what she’d told Arizona. It was out in the open now, and she’d made a commitment. What would Travis think of her attending church with the family? She could wear her trousers, take Bella, and slip into the back of the building after they’d arrived, then head home a few minutes before the service ended.

  A tug at the door and she stepped inside. This was ridiculous. She’d come to this ranch because she wanted to start over, not continue the charade of being a man. At some point she had to start acting like a woman, but she didn’t know how. A couple steps took her through the front of the house and into the living room. Libby sat in a wingback chair with an embroidery hoop in her hand, and Grandmother lay with her head on a pillow propped on the arm of the nearby sofa, a soft snore coming from her lips.

  Angel tiptoed into the room and whispered, “I’d like to talk to you, but I don’t want to wake her.”

  Libby looked up and smiled. “I don’t think you will. James blasted into the room talking a blue streak not long ago, and she slept through it all.” She waved at a chair not far from her own. “Did you have a nice time?”

  Angel’s thoughts flew to the episode in the barn. “What do you mean?”

  Libby nodded toward the sleeping woman. “I saw you sitting on the porch with Maria, and you seemed to be having a good chat.”

  “Oh. Yes, it was nice. But I need to ask you something.”

  Libby lay the needlework down in her lap and turned her full attention on Angel. “Of course.”

  “I thought. That is, I wondered…” Angel was unsure how to go on.

  “What is it, Angel?” Libby leaned forward with an encouraging smile.

  “I’d like to attend church with you tomorrow, if that’s all right?” There. She’d said it and couldn’t take it back. After this one time, she wouldn’t have to return. She’d keep her promise to God and then go back to her regular life.

  Libby beamed. “That would be lovely!” She sat back, studying Angel for several moments in silence. “Do you own a dress, or a skirt and shirtwaist? How about shoes and a hat?”

  Angel shrank back against her chair and shook her head. “Uh— no. None of those things.”

  “You only have men’s clothing?” Libby’s brows knit together.

  “Yes. That’s all I’ve needed for the past few years.”

  “I see.” Libby set her sewing aside, rose, and held out her hand to Angel. “Come, dear. We’re going to get you all fixed up.”

  “Fixed up?” Angel felt like the slow-witted person Travis had chided her about earlier.

  “Yes.” Libby scanned Angel’s body from head to toe and back again. “I saw the perfect thing for you at Steven’s Dry Goods store in town.”

  “But—but—“ Angel stammered.

  “No argument, young lady. Why, by the time we get done with you, the men on this ranch won’t know what hit them.” She released a chiming laugh.

  Angel gasped and drew back, her heart hammering at the picture presented. “I’ve changed my mind. I probably need to work tomorrow anyway. I’ve been off far too long and need to make up some of the time I’ve been lying around since my injury.”

  “Piffle. No such thing. Come on now, we’re going to Sundance so you can see the outfit I have in mind.” Libby smiled smugly. “My, won’t it be fun to see their expressions when you come in to breakfast tomorrow.”

  Angel felt strange riding in the buggy instead of on her horse, but she took the opportunity to gaze up the dusty street of Sundance as Libby drove toward the dry goods store. Ponderosa pines dotted the foothills, but very few remained within the confines of the town. Angel’s gaze was drawn to a massive building. “Libby, look at that beautiful brick building. What is it?”

  Libby leaned forward and peered past her. “That contains the courthouse, the jail, and the sheriff’s office. It was built four years ago and is the pride of the county. That’s where they kept Harry Longabough after he was arrested.”

  “I heard something about that. Aren’t they calling him ‘The Sundance Kid’ now?”

  Libby laughed. “I think so, and it started because he spent so much time in jail here in Sundance.”

  Angel’s curiosity died. The courthouse, the jail, and the sheriff’s office were the last places she cared to visit. “This is the first time I’ve been in town since I came to the ranch. It’s bigger than I expected.”

  They turned a corner onto the main street and Angel noted the businesses with keen interest. Nettlehorst and Irvin Drug store, a doctor’s office, Nelson’s Shoe store, and The Tiny Barber shop were all just beyond the Zane Hotel, along with Robert’s hardware store.

  Libby pointed her whip at the Barber shop and grinned. “See that sign, THE TINY BARBER SHOP?”

  Angel nodded.

  “A man named Tiny is the barber, and he’s one of the biggest men you’ll ever meet. I guess someone gave him the nickname years ago, and it stuck. He’s a good barber, even if he does take up a lot of room in his small shop.” She drew the horse to a stop in front of Frank and Co., General Merchandise Store. “Here we are. Abe Frank carries some of the best goods in the county.”

  They tied the horse, stepped onto the boardwalk, and made their way into the store. Angel paused, amazed at the display of merchandise. Bolts of cloth lay spread out on counters, pots and pans, dishes, and other sundry kitchen goods lined several shelves, food stuffs took up a large portion of one corner, and she caught a glimpse of tools down one aisle. “Why, this store has everything!”

  Libby nodded and slipped her arm through Angel’s. “Just about. Come on, the dress I want to show you is back here. You’re going to love it.”

  A middle-aged man wearing a white apron stepped around the corner and pushed a pair of spectacles up on his nose. “Can I help you ladies?” He glanced from one to the other, his gaze resting for several moments on Angel’s trousers and boot-clad feet.

  Libby tipped her head toward the dry goods section. “Yes. You had a deep green dress here a week or so ago.”

  “Ah yes. That’s a lovely garment. Just a moment, please.” He hurried between two tables of fabric to the back wall and reached up, lifting down a wooden hanger from a pole and draping the gown over his arm. A couple long strides brought him back to the front of the store. He held it toward Libby and smiled. “For you, madam?”

  She shook her head. “No, it’s for Angel. Miss Ramirez. Could you hold it up for us, please?”

  The fabric unfurled as the clerk held it up for their inspection. Angel gasped. A lace collar set off the rounded neckline and tapered bodice, touches of lace edged the cuffs of the sleeves, and folds of rich emerald green cascaded to the floor.

/>   He swung it around and pointed to the pearl buttons running from the neck to the waist. “Real mother of pearl. Not something you see every day.”

  Angel gripped Libby’s arm and drew her close, whispering in her ear, “I can’t wear something like this, and I certainly can’t afford it. We need to find a skirt and blouse, or maybe just a new pair of trousers.”

  Libby plucked the dress out of the clerk’s hand and held it up in front of Angel. “It looks like it was made for you. It’s going to fit perfectly.”

  “Libby, I can’t…”

  “Of course you can. You haven’t spent a cent since you arrived. You can’t wear trousers to church, and you need a dress. This one is perfect.” She turned back to the clerk. “We’ll take it. Would you wrap it for us, please?”

  “Certainly.” He beamed his pleasure and took the dress carefully, disappearing into a room behind the high counter. Minutes later he returned, bearing a paper-wrapped parcel and holding it out to Angel. “Here you go, Miss. How did you want to pay for that?”

  Libby waved her gloved hand in the air. “Put it on my brother’s account. Travis Morgan, out at Sundance Ranch.”

  “Libby!” Angel gasped and drew back from the proffered parcel. “Did you ask Travis? What will he think?”

  “Don’t worry so much. I’ll let him know, and he can take it out of your wages. Come on, we need to find shoes and stockings and a hat.”

  Angel planted her hands on her hips. “I am not spending any more money, and that’s final.”

  Libby chewed her bottom lip for a moment. “All right. I’ll loan you a pair of shoes and stockings, and you don’t really need a hat. I tend to forget sometimes that we’re not in the city. I’m sure the people at the Methodist Church won’t mind if you attend without one.”

  Angel tried to relax, but she still felt as though a tornado had swept her along for a dizzying ride. “They’d better not, because I have no intention of wearing one, unless it’s my sombrero.”

  A chuckle broke from the clerk’s lips, but he quickly stifled it. “Sorry, Miss. Was there anything else?”