by Verna Clay
Angel squatted in front of Hannah and her next words were shocking. "I can't believe you're giving up. Why are you still here at the ranch? You should be in England with Alex."
"What! Why would you say that? I told you he didn't want me to come with him."
"It doesn't matter. From what you've told me, Morgana is the last woman he needs to marry. You're the one he fell in love with, the one he married, even if it wasn't legally binding. From what you've just told me and what I've felt on the few occasions I was around Alex, he's not the kind of man who takes his promises lightly, mock wedding or not. He wouldn't have gone through with the ceremony if he didn't love you."
"But that was before his amnesia?"
"To hell with his amnesia."
Again, Hannah was shocked. She had never heard Angel speak a curse word in her life, not even a mild one.
Angel continued, "Hannah, love isn't like a light switch you just turn on and off. Did you ever hint at your relationship with him?"
Hannah shook her head.
Angel sighed. "That's what I thought. The guy has got to be confused. From what you've told me it seems like he's remembering fragments of his life. If I was him and suspected the two of you had been in love, I'd be wondering why you weren't fighting to save the relationship, especially when Morgana showed up." She frowned and added, "The witch."
"I guess I never thought about it like that. I thought I was doing the right thing in allowing him to either remember us, fall for me again, or fall for Morgana."
Angel shook her head. "Well, my two cents is that you should get on a plane and get your ass to England to fight for your man."
Hannah puffed a breath realizing that Angel was right and then had a shocking remembrance of Auntie Mia's warning. "Your happiness will soon be challenged, but if you are wise, you will not allow what is lost to slip away." To Angel she asked, "What's happened to you? You've said two curse words and bombed Morgana."
Angel's expression morphed from compassion to determination. "I've been talking to myself as well as you." Suddenly, she was the tearful one.
Hannah exclaimed, "Honey, what's wrong?"
Angel sniffed. "I just have to confide in someone. Maybe that's why I dropped by unannounced."
"You know you can tell me anything."
Angel nodded and sniffed again. "It's just that I've always tried to live up to my parents' standards because they're great parents, but…" Her voice faltered. "But it's making me miserable. I graduated from university at the top of my class with majors in business admin and IT technology. Then I earned my masters degree, which means I'm constantly getting great job offers, but…"
"What, hon?"
"But I don't want any of them. Everyone says how wonderful it is that I'm so smart. But I wish I wasn't smart. I wish…"
"What do you wish? I know you've had modeling offers because you're so beautiful. Is that what you want? Do you want to have a career like my dad?"
"No!" Angel replied vehemently. "I want a life like my mother's. I want to be a homemaker. I want a husband and children and I want to sew and cook and be a volunteer at my children's school. But I also want to develop a website to help moms, both stay-at-home and those with careers. I want to write apps to make life easier for them. I want to start a blog. I want to host homemaking classes. I want to direct my own life, not sit behind a desk making corporate decisions for some company. I want… I want…"
"Yes?"
Angel dropped another bombshell when she replied, "I want to marry Harris Brightman. I've loved him since forever."
Hannah gasped. "I never knew!"
"I know. It's been my secret since childhood. He's always treated me like his little sister because Eli and I are the same age. And now that he's out of the military and back on the rodeo circuit, he can have any woman he wants, so I'm torn between doing what's expected of me, or something crazy like going after him before he's taken." She hesitated, inhaled deeply, and said, "If he rejects me, I'll be devastated, but at least I'll know where I stand." She sniffed and added with a sad smile, "If that happens, I'll take one of those lucrative corporate positions and never show my face in Paxtonville again." Her smile faded. "But I love Paxtonville."
Hannah stood and stuck out her hand. "I'll make you a deal. If you'll go after your dream, I'll go after mine. I'll book a flight to Europe and confront Alex with the truth."
Angel said, "I'm so glad I finally told someone about Harris. I'll do it, but I only hope my courage doesn't fail when it comes time to tell him how I feel."
Hannah sighed. "Me too," and they shook hands to seal their resolve.
Chapter 29: Mi'Lady
As the transcontinental jet landed at Heathrow Airport in London, Hannah's anxiety increased exponentially. Throughout the flight she had occupied her mind by reading her mother's latest romance novel or chatting with the elderly lady beside her.
While the plane taxied to the terminal she thought about Angel's revelation. Angel was almost three years older than Hannah and the same age as Harris' younger brother Eli, and although she and Angel had been friends, they'd been in different grades and never palled around much. After Hannah graduated from high school, however, they'd become closer while attending the same university. And even though Angel's graduation separated them, they'd stayed in touch. Angel was a shy, private woman, and it didn't surprise Hannah that she had never confided something so intimate.
Hannah's thoughts turned to Harris. He was about five years older than Angel and the son of Miles and Tooty Brightman, or rather the adopted son of Miles. He had been born out-of-wedlock when his mother was sixteen. His father, known as Lucky Larry, had been an up-and-coming rodeo star, and, according to Hannah's mother, Tooty had been smitten and truly believed Larry cared for her. How wrong she had been. The guy turned out to be a low-life player and all-around jerk. He'd denied paternity and, whether right or wrong, Tooty had not pursued him for child support. She'd toughed it out by dropping out of school, living with her parents, and finding work wherever she could. At the age of twenty, on the recommendation of Hannah's mother, she had applied for a job as personal assistant to famous suspense author Maxwell Henry, real name Miles Brightman, and gotten the job. And although their relationship had turned into a rocky one, he'd finally accepted the fact that he was in love with a woman eighteen years his junior. The couple now had five grown children and one of the strongest marriages Hannah had ever witnessed.
The FASTEN SEATBELT light turned off and Hannah retrieved her stowed baggage. While she waited to disembark, her thoughts again turned to Harris. He'd grown into a tall, handsome man, known to be easygoing and congenial. He was the epitome of the American cowboy with his drawl and impeccable manners. Hannah almost giggled when she realized that practically every boy she'd grown up with were the "real deal" when it came to cowboys.
As she exited the plane into the tunnel she breathed a silent prayer for Angel. Harris and Angel were exact opposites, but maybe the old adage that "opposites attract" would prove true in this case. Angel was the quiet, indoor, scholarly type, and Harris the rugged, outgoing, outdoors type. Growing up, he had participated in local rodeos in mostly roping and trick riding, but at the age of eighteen he'd surprised everyone by joining the circuit and turning professional. Hannah had once overheard Tooty and her mom talking about Harris, and Tooty saying that she guessed the rodeo lifestyle was in her son's blood. As it turned out, she was right. Harris was good—really good—and now held several saddle bronc rider championships. At the age of twenty-one he'd joined the military, did a deployment to the Middle East, and returned to the rodeo circuit after his discharge. Much to the media's amazement, he'd quickly become a top rider again.
Hannah headed toward customs after leaving the tunnel. Occupying her thoughts with her friends had been a nice distraction, but now it was time to return to the present. She cleared customs and followed the signs to baggage claim. After a long wait at the carousel, she finally lifted her large suitc
ase onto the floor and rolled it toward the exit to hail a taxi.
Inside her room at the Hilton Hotel, she quickly sent a text to her mother and father and then relaxed in a steaming tub. The hot water worked its magic and after her bath she snuggled into a courtesy robe before stretching across the king-size bed and falling fast asleep.
Hannah woke ravenous and called room service even though it was nine o'clock at night. While she waited for her food, she called her father's cell phone.
"Hello, baby girl."
"Hi, Dad. I'm in my hotel room waiting for room service."
"Good. Your mother and I got your texts. What are your plans for tomorrow?"
"I'm going to rent a car and drive to the Village of Hart near the Wyndham estate. There are several bed and breakfasts there and I'll see if any of them can take me in. Like I explained, I don't have a reservation because I didn't want to take the chance of Alex or anyone in his family knowing I'm coming. From what he told me before his amnesia, his family owns several of the local establishments. Anyway, if I can't find lodging there, I'll check the next village. After I find a place, I'll drive to the estate and surprise Alex." She paused and then said with trepidation, "I guess his reaction will determine what I do next." She hesitated. "Let me revise that. No matter what his reaction, I'm going to explain how we felt about each other in Africa and see if he wants to give us a chance to recapture what we had."
Sage said, "Honey, your mother and I think you're doing the right thing. But if your plan goes south and you need our support, we'll drop everything and fly to England."
Hannah smiled into the phone. "I know, Dad, and I appreciate that. But I'm a grown woman and I can't have my mother and father catching me every time I fall. If things go south, my heart will be broken, but I'll go on. Life is full of heartbreak and I don't want to become the kind of person who gets stuck in it."
Sage made a small, choking sound. "We're so proud of you, darlin'."
"Dad, I want you and Mom to know you're the best. Give my love to the family and I'll call you soon."
"Okay, sweetie. Our prayers are with you."
Locating lodging in the Village of Hart wasn't difficult since it was the off season, and soon Hannah was escorted to a lovely bedroom decorated with daffodil wallpaper, yellow curtains framing a window overlooking the Wyndham grounds and manor in the distance, and yellow accents bringing out the yellow in the mostly green bedspread and canopy. Standing before the window Hannah felt intimidated by the stately Georgian architecture of the manor and tried to visualize her reunion with Alex. In her mind she saw him opening his arms as she ran into them. Then he'd kiss her and say, "I remember everything Hannah, luv."
That's where her vision ended. If they were to reunite, where would they live? Most likely in England where Alex would direct the affairs of the estate for his brother. Could she live in England and be happy? A smile tilted the corners of her mouth. If she could survive a rebel attack, she could be happy anywhere with Alex.
After freshening up and changing into a pretty moss green, polished cotton, A-line skirt with a white lace bolero shrug over a matching shell, she drove her rental car to the front of the estate. The time for truth is now. Gazing upward past three stories to an ominous gray sky, she swallowed hard. Then she returned her gaze to the four pillars framing the intricately carved front door. Although there was a huge knocker, she rang the bell and waited. Her heart pounded and her breathing became rapid.
The door opened.
"Hello, Miss. Please state your business."
Hannah stared into the piercing gray eyes of an elderly gentleman she presumed was the butler.
Her voice squeaked a little when she replied, "Hello sir, I'm here to speak with Mr. Alexavier Wyndham."
A voice behind the butler called out, "Who is it, Stanton?"
Hannah recognized that voice.
The man appraised Hannah with a look that screamed faux pas and asked, "What is your name, Miss?"
"Hannah Tanner. I'm a friend of Mr. Wyndham's."
The butler nodded, turned and said, "The lady's name is Hannah Tanner. She said she's a friend of Lord Alexavier."
Within seconds a woman appeared beside the butler and Hannah now found herself staring into the cold eyes of Morgana. "You can leave, Stanton. I am acquainted with Miss Tanner. She won't be staying long."
The butler nodded. "As you wish, Mi'Lady. But I'll be nearby if you need me."
"Thank you," she replied, without removing her gaze from Hannah's.
Hannah used all of her willpower to keep her expression impassive, that is, until Morgana lifted her left hand to display a wedding ring and said, "Married at last."
Hannah inhaled sharply and blinked rapidly. Alex married her!
Morgana's expression broke into a huge smile and she smirked, "I see my marriage comes as a surprise. It's okay if you cry. If I were in your place, I would do the same. You realize, of course, this is a blessing in disguise. Now you can cease your pursuit of Alex and any aspiration of marrying into the aristocracy."
Morgana's words and the glint in her eyes were so vindictive that Hannah had to leave before she lunged out and punched the woman's aquiline nose. But more importantly, she couldn't risk running into Alex and shattering into a billion pieces, which would illicit his pity. She swung around and ran to her car. Even as she jerked the driver's door open, Morgana's shrill laughter punctuated the sudden downpour of rain.
After returning to her room at the B&B, she muffled her soul wrenching sobs into her pillow. Finally, she grabbed her cell phone and made arrangements to fly home as soon as possible.
Chapter 30: Brothers
Angel Martinez glanced at her reflection in the rearview mirror one last time. She decided her makeup looked good as she smoothed back a stray lock of naturally platinum hair. She inhaled and opened her car door. It was three hours before the rodeo gates opened, so the parking lot was mostly empty. The lot next door, however, was filled with the vehicles of those working the rodeo. Since the main gate was locked with no one manning it, she decided to try her luck at the workers' gate. Maybe they'd accept her ticket there.
"Howdy, ma'am," said an aging cowboy with skin the texture and color of ancient leather. Angel had met many a cowboy like him growing up on her father's Triple T Ranch. Some had worked there only a short time before moving on. Others stayed for longer periods because the wages were good and the bunkhouse superior. There were even two old-timers who had been there since Angel's childhood. She smiled thinking of Old Coot and Handy Luke, nicknames the men had always been called by.
She showed her ticket to the cowboy.
He said, "This is the workers' entrance, ma'am. I'm not sup'ose to let you in here."
Angel sighed and nodded. She'd never been one to argue with authority. "When will the main gate open?"
The cowboy, with at least a week's worth of gray bristles shadowing his jaw, pulled out the straw he was chewing on and tossed it on the ground. "You got some reason to want in early?"
"Well, yes. I'm friends with Harris Brightman. We grew up together and I wanted to surprise him."
The man's face brightened. "You're friends with Harris? Not jus' joshin' me so's you can git in and meet him?"
"Yes, sir and no, sir."
"Well, I can tell you he's on my list of favorite folks. Now answer me this and I might let you in. Was he an ornery kid growing up or–"
Before the man finished his sentence, Angel heard her name called.
"Angel! Angel! Over here."
Both she and the gatekeeper turned in the direction of the voice. Angel saw Eli Brightman and grinned. She waved and called, "Eli! Hi! I didn't know you were here!"
Eli jogged to the gate. "What are you doing in Houston? It's a long way from home. Did you fly in?"
"No. I drove. I decided to take a few weeks off from my normal routine and do some traveling." She hoped he wouldn't question her further about her travel plans, which didn't extend any farther than
here. He didn't. He just gave her a questioning look and then grinned widely. To the cowboy he said, "Sidewinder, you can let her through. She's a friend."
Sidewinder said, "I was goin' to do so anyway after she answered my question about what kind of kid Harris was growin' up."
Eli grinned. "Hell, I could have told you that. He was a brat. But when he let me tag around with him, he was my hero."
Sidewinder removed his hat, chuckled, and waved Angel inside. "You have a right good time, Miz Angel."
Angel thanked him and then gave Eli a welcoming hug. His arms went around her waist and squeezed tightly before reaching for her hand and tucking it in the crook of his arm. They chatted as he led her past the corrals and toward a barn. Before they reached it, she paused and he turned toward her. Being the same height, they were on eye level. It always surprised her how different Eli was from his brother. Whereas Harris was tall, dark, and handsome, with eyes the color of bittersweet chocolate, Eli was 5'9" with light brown hair, green eyes, and thick glasses. At school the mean kids had called him the usual names of four-eyes and nerd, not only because of his studious appearance, but because he was so smart. He'd always aced tests, and in that respect, he and Angel were much alike.
She said, "I just want to thank you again for standing up for me with that awful reporter. I'm sorry it got you into trouble with the law."
Eli placed his hand atop Angel's that was still holding his arm. "Angel, you don't have to keep thanking me. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. The guy was a jerk."
"Yes. But you ended up with a black eye and a night in jail–"
"–and he also ended up in jail and being kicked out of town. I'd say it was well worth the effort." The corners of Eli's mouth creased when he grinned, and his green eyes twinkled behind his thick glasses. A small dimple appeared on the left side of his chin that Angel had never noticed before.
"Hey, Angel!" The shout distracted them and Angel's heart hammered. She recognized that voice. The person yelled again, "If I'm not lookin' at an angel, then my name isn't Harris Brightman!"