The Cowboy and the Angel (7 page)

“See that little colt?” He jerked his chin at the baby trying to eat its mother’s grain from the bucket. “He’s our last foal out of Sydney’s stud horse.”

She wasn’t sure what he expected in response so she remained silent. He cocked his head sideways and looked at her, his chin still on his forearms. His baseball cap on backward made his jaw look even more chiseled, and she felt her heart trip in her chest as his eyes locked with hers. “He’s going to be part of the foundation of our breeding program.”

“Sydney, your sister-in-law?” She edged away from him, giving herself a few more inches of space between them, trying to catch her breath and calm the nervous skipping of her heart.

He turned and faced her, standing upright, so she did the same. He took a step toward her, closing what little distance she’d created between them, and she felt his breath fan against her cheeks. She looked up at him. He was close enough that, had he wanted to, he could kiss her. Her heart lodged in her throat and her breath came in shallow gasps. She felt surrounded by him as he blocked her view of anything else. The scent of him, like leather and horses with a touch of cinnamon, heated her senses. She forced herself to stand her ground when everything in her warned her to back up and move away. She’d never allowed a man to have the upper hand before, and she didn’t want to start now with this cowboy.

Several moments passed and he hadn’t moved or touched her. He stood inches from her with his hands loose at his sides, staring down at her, waiting. She met his gaze and held her breath as his eyes darkened, becoming almost black, and she wondered if he might kiss her. She found herself wavering between wanting to press herself against him, feeling his fingers buried in her hair with his lips against hers, and running back to her car, returning to her apartment, and forgetting she’d ever met him.

“Why are you really here?” His voice was husky but gentle, coaxing the truth from her.

“I don’t know what you mean.” She resisted, barely able to put words together, let alone think of a logical explanation. Her heart pounded heavily against her ribs.

“I can’t let you ruin our business. I won’t let you destroy what Mike and my parents built.” His words should have sounded like a threat, but his voice was seductive, belying the warning. “You have to know that.”

“I don’t want to destroy anything,” she whispered, unable to tear her eyes from his mouth. She dug her nails into her palms, trying to refocus her attention on the pain instead of the desire swirling within, igniting dormant emotions.

“Why can’t I seem to stay away from you?” he growled quietly. Derek took a step toward her, pressing her back against the wall of the barn, his hand slipped up to cup her jaw.

She barely heard his question as blood rushed through her veins, shooting flames of desire through her limbs, burning through her clothing. She curled her fingers against his chest, feeling the muscles tense under her fingers, and wondered why she didn’t push him away. She could feel every inch of his hard frame pressed against her, holding her upright against the wall. His thumb brushed over her cheekbone, lighting a fire that spread over her skin. She could see the day-old beard growth dusting his jaw and imagined how that rasp would feel against her skin. A shiver of anticipation coursed through her as she met his hooded gaze. He leaned down toward her and she closed her eyes, expecting the touch of his lips on hers.

“Damn it,” he cursed and she opened her eyes. Derek pushed himself away from her, and cold air filled the space between them. “I can’t do this.”

Disappointment flooded her, permeating the lonely places she tried to hide behind her work and caring for her father’s needs. She’d never wanted a relationship with anyone before, never needed a man for anything, so why this one? She obviously wasn’t his type any more than he was hers. They had nothing in common, especially considering she was likely to destroy everything he held dear. She covered up the dull ache of dejection with sarcasm, refusing to let him see how his rejection hurt.

“Just like a cowboy,” she scoffed, “eight seconds and you’re done.” She shot him a disdainful glance as she pushed herself from the wall. “I’ll remember to keep my interview with you short and sweet.”

Angela brushed past him and flipped her hair from her shoulder, refusing to acknowledge how her skin still tingled from his touch or how her heart continued to race the entire way back into the house.

A
NGELA’S PARTING COMMENT
echoed through his mind, her eyes taunting him as she reminded him how, once again, he’d almost betrayed his family. Derek fisted his hands at his sides, his jaw clenched so tightly he thought it might break. He slammed his fist into the wall. Pain exploded in his hand before radiating up his arm and into his shoulder, but it did nothing to temper the ache in his chest. No wonder his family didn’t trust him. Hadn’t he learned his lesson when Liz used him to try and con them out of the ranch? He was still the same irresponsible Derek he’d always been, more interested in ladies and fun than in his obligations.

“What is wrong with you?” he muttered to himself, shaking his hand. “Idiot.”

He made his way back to the house slowly, cursing himself with every step as he heard the family gathering in the kitchen. She would already be sitting down with them at the table. He considered staying outside but rejected the idea quickly. There’d be far too much explanation needed, and he didn’t really want to examine what had just happened too closely.

He opened the back door in time to see Angela slipping into the chair between Sydney and Jen. Little Kassie was in her high chair at the corner of the table between her mother and father. Clay took the seat across from Jen with Silvie beside him. The only spot left was directly across from Angela.

Wonderful, now that contempt can stare me in the face all through dinner.
Bitterness was already ruining his appetite as he slid into the chair.

“Now that you’ve met everyone, we can eat,” Silvie said. “Derek, there you are.” She reached out for his hand and squeezed. He cringed as pain radiated up his arm but hid it behind a soft smile.

Derek couldn’t help but feel tenderness toward the only mother he could remember. He’d been young when their parents died and Silvie had stepped in; she’d cared for all three of them as best she could. He leaned over and pressed a kiss to her plump cheek.

“Just making sure everyone in the barn got the TLC they needed,” Derek said. He glanced across the table at Angela and winked. Her eyes widened as she caught his meaning.

“Casanova’s okay?” Sydney asked.

Derek’s eyes never left Angela. “Content with his mom, isn’t that right?”

“Um, he seemed to be,” Angela stammered uncomfortably, glaring at him.

“What was it about rodeos that interested you, Angela? It’s not something reporters are usually drawn to,” Sydney asked.

Derek arched a brow and gave her a smug grin. Sydney might sound like she was making conversation, but he knew her well enough to know she was fishing for information, trying to draw out their guest’s motives.

“Actually, I don’t know much about them other than what I’ve learned in my research. Last week I had an anonymous caller warn me that there would be animal cruelty at the rodeo. I wanted to investigate the claims further.” She smiled. “That led me here.”

Derek spooned some of Silvie’s famous chicken pot pie onto his plate and shoved a heaping forkful into his mouth, forcing himself to keep his mouth shut. There was no sense in attacking her again, at least not until she did something that would warrant it.

“So, you’re still doing research?” Mike asked. “Or have you already chosen your side of the argument?”

He dished up his own plate and indicated that Angela should hand him hers. He spooned a large helping onto it before passing it back to her.

“Well . . .” She paused, looking conflicted. “I don’t know. What I’ve found in my research doesn’t look promising for the sport in general.” Derek watched her play with her food, poking at it with the fork nervously. “But, I don’t really choose sides. The news is impartial. I report the facts and let viewers make their own decisions.”

“Bullshit.” Derek’s outburst caused every adult at the table to turn and stare at him. “You know damn well people believe whatever the media says, right or wrong. You’re making the decision for them when you go on the air and your mind was made up when you showed up at that gate yesterday.” He pointed his fork in her direction.

Her eyes blazed with emerald fire, reminding him of a cat stalking prey, but her voice remained calm—too calm. “I am reviewing both sides of the evidence, Mr. Chandler. That is my job. As I was saying”—she looked at Derek pointedly—“so far, it doesn’t look favorable for the sport of rodeo. There are multiple incidents of injury, abuse, and mistreatment of animals but I’m here so you can show me another side of rodeo, and to experience it firsthand. Unless, of course, you plan on showing me only the favorable side of rodeo.”

“And if we prove to you that we don’t mistreat our animals? That’s the story you’ll report?” Derek scoffed. “Isn’t that a bit
boring
?” He arched a brow in disbelief. “It won’t get those ratings you said you’re looking for.”

Angela opened her mouth to argue, but Scott spoke before she could answer. “Then I assume you’ll be heading out with us on Thursday to our next rodeo?” Scott’s voice was tight, and Derek could tell he was barely holding his temper.

“I believe that’s what we had planned.” She glanced at Mike for confirmation.

Mike nodded. “Yep, although we’ll need to figure out some sort of sleeping arrangements before we leave. Maybe you can stay with Sydney. Scott and Derek can bunk together.”

Derek shot a look at Mike. “And in the meantime? Is she just going to wander around the ranch? Who knows what kind of trouble she’ll get into or where she might sneak a camera?”

“I’m still sitting right here,” Angela pointed out. “And I have plenty of online research to do before we leave on Thursday.”

“Actually,” Mike interrupted, “the best way for you to see what we do is from the back of a horse. Have you ever ridden?” Derek saw her eyes widen and the color drain from her face at the suggestion.

“I . . . um, I’ve never been around animals,” she admitted. “Except a few stray cats I fed in our neighborhood.”

“Then you’re in for a treat. While you’re here we’ll teach you how to ride and how to take care of cattle.” Mike winked at her, beaming as if someone had just told him tomorrow was Christmas morning and he was playing Santa Claus. “Maybe we can even teach you to throw a rope. You’ll learn all the ins and outs of a ranch.”

Derek shook his head and took a long swallow of his tea, wondering what Mike was thinking.

Scott was the only voice of reason. “Are you going to teach her all of that, Mike? I will be in the north pasture fixing the fences this week. Sydney’s taking care of the foals, and Jen and Clay will be at the auction tomorrow.”

Everyone at the table turned to look at Derek expectantly. He saw the blush staining Angela’s cheeks. He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest, feeling his pulse throbbing against his temple. He was unsure if it was anger or frustration, but he couldn’t deny the burst of desire that settled below his belt buckle. He made no attempt to hide his displeasure.

“So I get to babysit?”

“I really do have plenty of research to keep me busy until we leave,” she insisted.

“Derek,” Silvie scolded, frowning at him as she slapped his shoulder. “Don’t be rude. You can at least show her how to ride tomorrow and take her around the ranch.”

He clenched his jaw and glared at his plate. Of course he
could
, but it irritated him that they’d all assumed he had nothing better to do than to show this city girl how useless he was in the business. He didn’t want to have her here at all, let alone be stuck playing tour guide for her. When he looked up Angela met his gaze, and he could see the audacious glint in her eyes.

Her eyes flashed and a slow smile spread across her face. “We could get your interview out of the way. I’m sure it won’t take long.”

To anyone else it might appear she was flirting, but he knew better. He wasn’t about to let her attempt to mock him slide without a retort.

“I guess that all depends on how long you think you can stay in the saddle.” He winked at her, giving her a confident grin, and slid his chair back from the table. “Thanks for dinner, Silvie. I’ve got a few things to get done.”

Chapter Six

T
HE REST OF
dinner passed with a blur of conversation. Angela couldn’t keep up with the discussions about which cattle were sick, where they wanted to move them, and which horses needed extra work. Most of the terminology they used went over her head, and she made mental notes to go online and look several of them up. If she was staying here, she’d need to keep from making a complete fool of herself. Apparently that also meant figuring out how to ride before tomorrow morning.

The prospect of spending the day with Derek Chandler could prove to be a double-edged sword. The man was a tempting enigma. He was definitely antagonizing and didn’t fail to make it clear at every opportunity that he didn’t want her anywhere near the ranch, but at the same time there was something about him that consumed her thoughts. She longed to discover the burden that hovered in the depth of his eyes. He had secrets he wasn’t revealing, and she wondered if she recognized the fact because she carried a few of her own well-hidden secrets.

Who are you kidding?
It wasn’t his secrets that made her want to rip his shirt from his body and let her fingers trace every creviced muscle she’d seen though the thin material of his t-shirts. Then there was the mischievous, playful side she’d caught a glimpse of in the barn. Secrets or not, Derek Chandler was sexy as hell. She glanced toward the door he’d exited and wondered where he might be now.

After dinner Jen and Clay excused themselves, saying that their baby had been coughing. Mike headed to his office with Scott to finish some paperwork, leaving Angela, Silvie, and Sydney in the kitchen. Sydney grabbed a washcloth and wiped off the baby’s face, scooping her out of the high chair and holding her out to Angela.