In His Brother's Place (14 page)

For another hour he rode along the base of the mountains. Then,
finding no peace, he turned for home.

Marta was waiting for him when he walked in. If her dark eyes
had been bullets, Jordan would have needed a medic. “They’re gone,” she said.
“They packed up the car and drove away after breakfast. They even took the dog.
What did you do to her?”

“She didn’t tell you?”

“She wasn’t talking. But the boy was in tears. How could you
let that woman get away?”

Jordan stared at his housekeeper in surprise. “I thought you
didn’t like her.”

“Not at first. But then I saw what a good mother she was and
how she made you happy. I know you’re my boss, but I have to say it. You’re a
fool to let her go!”

The words struck Jordan like a slap. “Believe me, it wasn’t my
idea. Did she say anything at all?”

“Not about you. Just that she left a letter. In there.” She
pointed in the direction of Jordan’s office.

Jordan walked down the hall on leaden feet. Whatever Angie had
written, reading it wouldn’t be pleasant.

The letter was on his desk in a sealed envelope. Tearing it
open he unfolded the single, typewritten sheet and began to read.

Dear Jordan,

By the time you read this, Lucas and I will be gone. I apologize
for taking the car. As soon as I can get it refinanced, I plan to send you the
money.

As if he cared about the fool car! Fighting the
temptation to crush the letter in his fist, Jordan read on.

I appreciate all you’ve done for us. And thank you
for telling me how the crash came about. Taking Lucas away from the ranch was
one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. But you and I could never be happy
together. Remembering how our actions led to Justin’s death would wear us both
down, leaving nothing but bitterness.

I know better than to try and hide from you. You have the
means to find us anywhere. And I haven’t the heart to deny you the right to see
Lucas. Once we’re settled, you’re welcome to arrange some time with him. He
would like that. But please don’t expect anything more from me. I’ll be doing my
best to build a new life—without you.

Sincerely,

Angie

Sincerely! Jordan swore out loud. Not a word of
affection from the woman. Nothing about what they’d been to each other. Jordan
crumpled Angie’s letter and spiked it into the wastebasket. A moment later,
still scowling, he fished it out, smoothed it flat and slid it under the blotter
on his desk. Marta had been right. He should never have let her go. He should
have fallen on his knees, begged, bribed, threatened, done whatever it took to
keep her here.

He needed her. He loved her.

But he’d learned that too late.

Fourteen

A
ngie hadn’t planned to tell her cousin the story behind Justin’s crash. But Raquel’s gentle persistence could pry secrets out of a stone. The two of them sat at the kitchen table, sipping spiced
chocolate
as their sons romped with the dog on the patio.

“But how can you blame yourself,
querida?
” Raquel asked. “And how can you blame Jordan? Did either of you force Justin to get drunk? Did you drive him to the airport and shove him into that plane?”

Angie shook her head. “But what if I could have kept it from happening? Maybe if I hadn’t waited so long to tell him I was pregnant—”

Raquel put her cup down with a thud. “Listen to your cousin, even though you might not want to hear this. I always thought Justin was a sweet but spoiled little boy. He did what he wanted, and you were always making excuses for him. You’re still making excuses.”

“But he was so upset when Jordan told him what we’d done—”

“See what I mean? Yes, Jordan should have kept that story to himself. He made a mistake. But he didn’t know what kind of crazy thing Justin would do. Nobody could have known.”

Angie gulped back the ache in her throat. “You’re saying I should forgive Jordan?”

“Forgive him?” Raquel pulled a tissue from a box on the table. “Well, that depends. Do you think he kept the secret for selfish reasons because he didn’t want to take responsibility for what he had done?”

“No,” Angie answered without hesitation. Jordan was the last man on Earth to shirk his responsibilities. “I think he wanted to spare his parents and keep Justin’s memory from getting tarnished.”

“If he’d told his parents the truth, do you think they would have blamed him?”

Angie snorted. “Of course not. They’d have blamed me.”

Raquel nodded. “Right. So, in conclusion, to protect his parents and you, Jordan carried that awful burden alone for years, not telling a soul because he didn’t want anyone else to feel the pain he was feeling. Then he told you, and instead of giving him comfort, you ran away. Don’t you think he’s been punished enough?”

Angie felt the tears break loose inside her. This time she couldn’t hold them back. Her words were broken by sobs. She’d felt so hurt, so wronged by Jordan’s actions. How could she have presumed to judge him? How could she expect him to ever forgive her? “It’s too late. Jordan’s such a proud man. After the things I said to him...”

“Here,
chica.
” Raquel pressed a fresh tissue into her hand. “Go ahead and cry. Get it out.”

Angie dabbed at her streaming eyes. “The worst part is, I love him, Raquel. I love him so much, and now he’ll never take me back.”

“Mama?”

Angie glanced up. A forlorn little figure stood in the kitchen doorway. “Are you all right, Mama?” Lucas asked.

Angie blinked away furious tears. “I’ll be fine, sweetheart. Run and play.”

Casting a worried look at his mother, Lucas turned and trotted back to the patio.

* * *

Jordan pulled into the ranch driveway, head aching after an emotional hour with his mother. The decision to tell her about Justin’s drunken flight had been painful, but now that the story was known, and might spread, he’d wanted her to hear it from him.

He’d spared her the part about kissing Angie in his car. That was private and personal. It was enough to say that he and Justin had had a roaring fight in Park City, and Justin had gone off angry enough to get drunk.

Meredith had taken the news with her usual icy calm. But Jordan had known she was hurting. Justin had been her favorite. She’d never made a secret of that.

“How could he do such a thing when we loved him so much?” Jordan had detected a slight break in her voice.

“He didn’t mean to, Mother. He was out of control.”

“And you’ve known all this time.”

“I thought it would be a kindness to keep it to myself. Was I wrong?”

“Does it matter now? Your brother’s gone, and nothing’s going to bring him back.”

In a rare move, Jordan had risen, walked to his mother’s
chair and laid a hand on her shoulder. Meredith had never been physically affectionate with her sons, but she’d surprised him by tilting her head to press her cheek to his fingers.

“Justin was like your father,” she’d said. “Maybe that’s why I loved him so much. You’re more like me, keeping everything under control. I’ve counted on you for that.”

For the first time, Jordan had realized it was true.

“I suppose you’ve told Angelina,” she’d said as he moved away.

“Yes. She took it hard. But at least she knows the crash wasn’t her fault. It’s time you knew it, too. She’s taken far too much of the blame.”

“I know. After seeing her with that man in La Fonda, I asked my lawyer to check her background. He found nothing to suggest that she’s anything but honest, hardworking and a good mother. I still had my doubts, but the last time you were here, after you walked out on me, I did some soul-searching. How could you defend her so passionately if she wasn’t worthy of it? I don’t often admit to being wrong, but I fear I’ve misjudged her. I’d very much like to make amends in person.”

“I’m afraid that won’t be easy. She’s gone. Packed up Lucas and the dog and left the ranch yesterday morning.”

“And you didn’t stop her? What were you thinking?”

“Angie wasn’t a prisoner. She had every right to leave—and to take her son with her.”

Meredith had given him a look he hadn’t seen since his boyhood. “Well, for heaven’s sake, go after them! Do you want some love in your life, or would you rather end up a cranky, controlling old pain-in-the-derriere like me?”

Now, as Jordan gulped down two aspirins, he recalled his mother’s startling advice. Meredith Cooper was not a stupid woman. What she’d told him was right on the mark. But what he’d done—not just to Justin but also to Angie, in keeping the truth from her for all this time—was unforgiveable. Now that she knew, how could he have any hope of getting her back?

At least Angie was willing to let him see Lucas. Push her too far and even that could be snatched away. Better to leave well enough alone.

He still planned to make the boy Justin’s heir. Now that his mother was reconciled, that should be easy enough. And he would set up a fund to pay for Lucas’s education and anything else he needed. But Angie was no longer part of the package. She’d declared that she couldn’t be with him. End of story.

Wandering into his office, he surveyed the empty stillness.

The books and everything else had been left in immaculate order. But, damn it, he missed the cheerful chaos of Angie, Lucas and that fool dog. He missed the laughter. He missed the warmth. What was he going to do without them?

His thoughts were interrupted by the jangling of the landline phone on the desk. Strange, most people would’ve called on his cell. He picked up the receiver.

“Hello?”

“Uncle Jordan?” His heart lurched at the sound of the childish voice.

“Lucas! How did you get this number?”

“It’s on Rudy’s collar. I tried to call you before but you weren’t there.”

“Where are you? Are you all right?”

“We’re at Raquel’s. Mama was crying. She told Raquel she loves you. I think she wants to come back. I do, too.”

Jordan forced himself to breathe. “Did your mother tell you to call me?”

“No.”

“Where is she?”

“In the kitchen. She can’t hear me.”

“So she doesn’t know you called.” Lord, what now?

“Can you come and get us?”

“I don’t know yet. Listen, Lucas, hang up the phone and don’t say anything. I’ll see what I can do.”

“Promise?”

“I said I’d see.” By the time he hung up, Jordan was already having doubts. He knew where Angie’s cousin lived. But he couldn’t just go charging over there and make a fool of himself, could he?

What if Lucas’s story was a little boy’s fantasy?

What if Angie didn’t really want him?

But even as he weighed his excuses, Jordan was reaching for his keys and striding out the door and down to driveway to his car.

* * *

Angie was at the kitchen table, scanning the rental section of the
Santa Fe Sentinel
when the doorbell rang.

“I’ll get it!” Raquel bustled through the kitchen and vanished into the parlor. Angie heard muted voices. Probably a salesman. She went back to circling ads for the few places that allowed pets.

Moments later Raquel appeared in the kitchen doorway, a mysterious glint in her eyes. An unaccustomed prickle stole up the back of Angie’s neck.

“Who was at the door?” she asked.

“No one of importance,
querida.
Why? Did you think it might be Jordan?”

The name tightened a knot around her heart. “Stop teasing me, Raquel. He doesn’t even know we’re here.”

“What if it
had
been Jordan? What would you have done?”

Angie shrugged, feigning indifference. “Does it matter?”

“It does if you love him. And you said you did.”

Angie looked up from the newspaper. “Will you stop this? I
do
love him. And I know I’ve made a mistake. But Jordan’s a proud man. He wouldn’t take me back if I begged him on my knees.”

“Would you forgive him?”

Tears welled in Angie’s eyes. “What are you trying to do? Look, you’re making me cry again. Of course, I’d forgive him. I already have. But it’s too late. So leave me alone.”

What was wrong with Raquel? She was actually grinning.

The creak of the opening patio door broke into Angie’s thoughts. Lucas and Rudy had come into the kitchen. Suddenly the dog’s head shot up. Yipping with joy, he bolted through the kitchen and into the parlor with Lucas right behind him.

“Uncle Jordan!” Lucas flung himself at the tall figure who’d stepped into sight, fending off Rudy’s wild greeting. “You came!”

Overwhelmed, Angie pressed her hands to her burning face. She was dimly aware of Raquel ushering Lucas and his pet out of the room and closing the door.

“Angie.” He stood behind her, his hands resting on her shoulders. His touch sent a quiver through her body. “Say the word and I’ll go.”

She shook her head, forcing the words past the tightness in her throat. “Don’t go,” she whispered.

“I won’t. Not unless you and Lucas go with me.” Easing her to her feet, he pulled her against him. His arms cradled her close.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured against his chest. “I had no right to judge what you did in the past.”

“And I had no right to keep secrets from the woman I love. There’ll be no more, I promise.”

Angie pulled away a little. Her pulse thundered as she gazed up at him. “Did I just hear what I think I heard?”

His chuckle was tinged with raw emotion. “I love you, Angelina Montoya,” he said. “I love every stubborn, feisty, beautiful inch of you. And I’m not leaving this house until you promise to come back—for good.”

Angie’s throat welled. “You’re sure that’s what you want? A lifetime of chaos? Because that’s what you’ll be getting.”

He laughed again, a glorious sound to her ears. “I want the whole package—you, Lucas, that fool mutt and all the babies I can give you.” His arms tightened. “I should probably propose, but as I recall, I’ve already done that. How about an answer, lady?”

“You need to ask?”

“I’m asking.”

“Then it’s yes. A hundred times yes.” She pulled him down to her in a long, deep kiss as the kitchen door opened and the two eavesdroppers burst in.

“We couldn’t wait any longer,” Raquel said, hugging them both.

Lucas tugged at Jordan’s pant leg. “Uncle Jordan, can I call you Daddy now?”

A family had begun.