Taming Angelina: The Temptation Saga: Book Four

by Hardt, Helen;

  “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.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  “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.”

  * * *

  Mrs. 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?

  * * *

  Dallas 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?”

&nbs
p; 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.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  “What happened?” Rafe asked Tom as he hurried into Doc Larson’s office.

  “He’s back getting an x-ray. Called the doc in on his day off.”

  “Well, that’s the chance you take being a small-town doc.”

  “True that. He fell getting out of the tub. That darn hip of his.”

  “Where’s Lilia?”

  “Around the corner getting us some coffees from Rena’s. You want anything?” He held up his phone. “I can call her.”

  “No, no, I just had some coffee. I’m good.”

  “Good news,” Doc said as he entered the waiting room. “No fracture. Just some bruised ribs. He’ll be in some pain, but he’ll be good as new in a few weeks. I’ll give him a couple Percocet. After that ibuprofen should be fine.”

  Lilia came in with the coffees. She handed one to Tom and one to Doc. “How is he?”

  Doc smiled. “He’ll be fine. Nothing’s broken, just bruised.”

  “Thank God.” Lilia sat down. “I was so worried. He’s so stubborn sometimes. He scares the devil out of me when he insists on going out walking alone at night. I’m always afraid he’ll fall and hurt himself. And then he falls getting out of the tub!”

  Tom laughed. “At least he’s keeping clean.”

  “It’s not funny. If anything happened to him—”

  “Nothing’s going to happen to him,” Rafe said. “Like you said, he’s too stubborn to let anything truly bad happen. If he’d use a cane, his life would be a little easier, but he’s too stubborn.”

  “Too proud,” Tom said.

  “Proud, schmoud,” Lilia said. “He’s still young at heart. Still handsome as anything. So his hips don’t work like they used to. So what?”

  “We’re sure glad he has you around, Lilia,” Tom said.

  Yeah, Lilia was a godsend. And here he was screwing everything up. What if she had to go back to Mexico? What would his father do? Rafe and Tom would have to step up and pick up the slack, that was all. They’d get him a housekeeper. It would cut into the money for the Arizona place, but so be it.

  Unless…

  No. Even if he couldn’t help Angie, he still needed to dissolve his marriage. Both he and Lilia deserved better than a marriage on paper only. They deserved love.

  “He doesn’t listen. Tells me I’m nagging.” Lilia took a tissue out of her purse, wiped at her eyes, and blew her nose. “Well, maybe I am nagging, but it’s for his own good.”

  Tom laughed out loud. “You sound just like our mother.”

  Rafe agreed. “He hated her nagging. He’s always been stubborn. Never did know what was good for him.”

  A few minutes later, out came Jack Grayhawk, leaning on Doc Larson.

  “I taped him up real good,” Doc said. “Leave him taped up for twenty-four hours. Here’s four Percocet. Take one every six hours, Jack.”

  “I don’t need any drugs.”

  “You stubborn man.” Lilia shook her finger at him. “You’ll do what the doc says.”

 
Rafe chuckled. Yep, just like Ma used to say. Maybe Lilia would have better luck. He doubted it.

  “You boys go on home,” Jack said. “It’ll take more than a little fall to bring me down.”

  “Just promise you’ll be a little more careful, Dad,” Rafe said, as he and Tom each took one arm.

  “Oh, he will be,” Lilia said. “The boys’ll get you into the car. Let’s get you home.”

  They helped him into the passenger side of his car while Lilia sat down in the driver’s seat. Soon Rafe’s father was heading toward Echo Gardens.

  “Hey”—Tom pointed—“isn’t that your girlfriend?”

  Rafe shifted his gaze. Angelina Bay was leaving the boutique, her arms full of packages. What was the boutique doing open on a Sunday?

  “She’s not my girlfriend.” But God, I wish she were.

  “Sure seemed that way the other night at the bar. I was afraid you two were going to make a baby right there on the dance floor.”

  Yes, they had gotten carried away. The fresh lavender scent of her hair still made his nostrils tingle, the smoky orange taste of her kisses, her soft breasts crushed against him as they swayed to the music.

  But that was all over now. He couldn’t marry her in time to save her ranch. So what good was he? She didn’t want him any longer anyway. She wouldn’t even listen to him when he’d tried to explain about his marriage.

  And she’d never said she loved him.

  He was nothing. Just a ranch hand. She’d made that clear as day.

  So why can’t I get her out of my heart?

  “Hey there!” Tom gestured to Angie.

  “Shit. Don’t call her over here.”

  “Too late.”

  Angie ambled over, her bags an obvious burden.

  “Let us help you with those,” Tom said, taking the biggest one and handing it to Rafe. “Here, help the lady to her car.”

  Rafe gave his brother what he hoped was a “fuck you” look.

  Tom laughed. “I gotta run. An…appointment.”

  “On Sunday?” Rafe tried the “fuck you” look again.

  “Yep, on Sunday. See you.” With a tip of his hat, he was gone.