The Outlaw and the Lady by Lorraine Heath

Author:Lorraine Heath [Lorraine Heath]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
ISBN: 9780061748783
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2006-11-25T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Angela grew dizzy as Miguel, with his small hands pressed against her knees, encouraged her to go round and round. She wore a bandanna over her eyes because no one trusted her blindness completely. She couldn’t explain why that fact made her happy, perhaps because the action made her seem like everyone else.

Although Lee had not spoken to her for the remainder of the day except to bark out that it was time to celebrate Miguel’s birthday, she knew he stood nearby, could feel the heat of his gaze on her.

She stumbled and laughed. “I think that’s enough, Miguel. I’ll never find the piñata now.”

Miguel giggled. Someone thrust a pole into her hand. Before the person could retreat, she bopped him on the head. Miguel guffawed. She so loved his trills of delight. She would miss him when she left, and she knew that moment was coming sooner than she wanted, probably tomorrow.

She listened intently for the wind whispering across what Juanita had described as brightly colored streamers dangling from a clay pot. Angela had no plans to hit the piñata hard. She would leave the thrill of actually cracking it open to Miguel, but she did want to tap it just to prove that she was an equal at this child’s game. She swung out and sliced the pole through the air…at nothing. She regained her balance and dignity.

“You moved it up!” she yelled. She’d heard hemp scraping across bark.

“Of course, señorita,” Jorge said. “That is the way the game is played.”

She straightened her shoulders and took a deep breath, determined to move more quickly. A few swipes and stumbles later, she was breathing heavily and losing whatever semblance of patience she might have had. She clenched her teeth and swung the stick as quickly as she could with all her might—and it came to a dead halt as she hit an immovable object.

“Your turn is over, Angela,” Lee said in a low voice just before he snatched the pole from her. “Miguel, it is time for you.” Lee unwound the bandanna from her head.

“She was funny to watch,” Miguel said.

Lee took her arm and led her aside. “Stand out of harm’s way,” he ordered.

As soon as she supposed she was in a safe place, he released her. “Tomorrow, we leave for Fortune. Tonight you will sleep with Juanita.”

His plans should have had her jumping with joy instead of feeling a keen sense of loss. “How long do you intend to remain angry with me?” she demanded.

“How can you accuse me of being angry when I am granting your wishes?”

“I know you, Lee.”

“You know nothing.”

“You’ve avoided me for most of the day,” she pointed out quietly.

“I had chores to do.”

“Liar.”

“Don’t aggravate me, Angela,” he said in a tightly controlled voice.

Angela, not querida. He was definitely upset with her.

“Where is it? Where is it?” Miguel cried out.

“Lee, I’m not going to tell anyone what I’ve learned about you or your family.”

“I know that.”

“Then why remain upset with me?”

He sighed deeply.

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