Love Finds You in Sundance, Wyoming (22 page)

Travis stepped out of the barn, trying to contain his excitement at the surprise hidden inside. He grinned. Time to find Libby and James. Angel had taken the afternoon to work on her saddle, and he’d seen her walking to the house when he’d driven up in the buggy.

Travis poked his head in the door. “James? Libby?” He peered into the living area. Maria lay curled, sound asleep, on a sofa, a knitted shawl over her body.

He walked down the short hall and paused outside Angel’s room. Quiet voices sounded through the door. He rapped lightly. “Angel? I’m looking for Libby.”

Footsteps pattered across the floor, and the door cracked open. A pair of dark brown, sparkling eyes peered out. “Yes, she’s here. Just a minute.” The door closed, and a spate of giggles erupted.

What in the world? He hadn’t heard anything like it since he was a schoolboy when the girls concocted some scheme. Moments passed, and no one returned. He lifted his hand to knock again but hesitated. Was he intruding on something personal? Travis took two long steps backward and turned, ready to dash back to the barn.

“Travis?” Libby stood in the open doorway. “I’m sorry, you needed me?”

“Uh. Yes. I have a present for James, and I thought you’d both like to be there when I give it to him. Do you know where he is?”

Libby lifted a shoulder. “Did you look outside? He kept pestering us, so I told him to find something to do.”

“No. I came straight to the house.” He hurried up the hallway and out the back door, the women following close on his heels. “James? You out here?”

Nothing moved, and no one answered. “James!” He halted and listened. Yipping came from the front of the house. “Oh no. Sounds like he found him.” He broke into a run and dashed around the corner, skidding to a stop within sight of the hard-packed area between the house and the barn.

There on the ground lay James with a black-and-white, fluffy puppy, who was licking his cheeks and wiggling his entire body. “Aww, that tickles. Stop.” Gales of laughter erupted from the boy. He sat up and wrapped his arms around the squirming pup. “What’s your name, huh, boy? I’m going to ask Uncle Travis if you can stay.”

Travis barely noticed Angel and Libby approach. He broke into a wide grin. “He came from a ranch between here and town. The rancher’s dogs had a litter, and he didn’t want them all. He’s part sheepdog and smart. Call him whatever you’d like, he’s yours.”

James jumped to his feet and scooped up the pup. “No kidding? Whoopee!” The next few moments he danced a jig, kicking up dust. He set the puppy down, and it raced around James’s feet, barking and jumping.

James paused in his play and turned. “But why did you get a sheepdog? We only have cows!”

Travis laughed. “That’s just what they call his breed. They’ve had them for generations in countries that raise sheep, but they’re good cattle dogs as well.”

Libby sneezed and rubbed her nose. “You’re sure about this, Travis? I didn’t think you wanted a dog.”

“I know, and I’ve regretted that hasty decision more than once.” He turned to James. “But there are conditions.”

James straightened, and his face took on a solemn cast. “Yes, sir. I’ll do whatever you want.”

“He’s your responsibility. That means you feed and water him. The only time he can be in the house is at night in your room.” His first impulse had been to insist the dog stay in the barn but realized James would worry about his new pet and probably sneak out to check on him. Better to have him under their roof. “That means you’ll have to get up a couple of times in the night to take him outside. And work with him. I won’t have him chasing the horses or cattle. Think you can do that?”

“Yes, sir.” James flew across the intervening space, skidding to a halt in front of Travis. “Thank you, Uncle Travis. This is the best gift ever.”

“It’s your birthday in a few weeks and I was going to wait, but the pups are close to three months old and the farmer wanted them gone. So I decided to give him to you early.”

“I’ll take good care of him.” James bobbed his head up and down. “I’m going to call him Dakota, after the new state of South Dakota that I’ve been studying about.”

“That’s a great name, Son. I think it suits him.” Libby lifted her voice above the barking.

“Yeah, and Nate told me he used to have herding dogs, and he helped train them. I’ll bet he’d teach me.”

The puppy bounded to Libby’s side, and she leaned over to pet it. “I’m sure he would.” She turned a wide smile on Travis. “Thank you.” Standing on her tiptoes, she placed a kiss on his cheek. “I hope someday you find a wife who deserves you.” She cast a glance at Angel, then turned back to the puppy.

Travis’s stomach dropped. What was Libby thinking saying that in front of Angel? Why, she’d think he’d put Libby up to hinting he needed a wife. He peeked at Angel. A tiny smile tugged at the corner of her lips. On second thought, Libby was right. A wife was exactly what he needed, and if he wasn’t mistaken, he knew the perfect woman.

Contentment blossomed in Angel’s heart. She’d been lonely for so long, but since Travis made his announcement a couple of weeks ago about not hiring someone to take her place he’d been softer—more approachable. For the first time she felt her life might amount to something. No more running from her past or the ghosts that haunted her nights. She’d found a home and people she cared about—she might even allow herself to dream that Travis might one day come to care about her, as well.

Angel watched the antics of the puppy romping with James. Mostly black with a white chest and a white snip on his nose, the dog was full of energy. What a wonderful thing Travis had done for the boy. So many men would’ve threatened and punished James for that last stunt he’d pulled, but Travis seemed to see beneath the reckless behavior and into the boy’s heart. This puppy would help anchor him, give him a project to work with and more responsibility—a good thing for a youngster his age.

And Libby. Her throat tightened as she thought over the last hour spent in her room talking. She’d never had a friend besides her uncle—and never a woman she could open her heart to. This friendship was in the early stages, but Libby’s acceptance felt genuine.

Joy bubbled inside, but Angel stuffed it down. It wouldn’t do to get too comfortable in this new relationship. Things had a way of happening, and she couldn’t trust that her current situation would last forever. But it had been over three years since she’d left the outlaw band, and three states separated them. Safety and security were within her grasp.

Over the past weeks she’d even found her heart opening to the preacher’s words about God’s love. Seeing this family interact and the kindness they extended to others made her willing to believe God might actually love her too.

She caught Libby’s attention. “I’ll check on Grandmother. If she’s awake, she’d enjoy seeing James’s new puppy. Would you like some tea?”

Libby nodded. “Maybe after a bit.”

Angel smiled at the barking and laughing that escorted her back to the house. She stepped into the living area and tiptoed to where she could see the sofa. Empty. Rattling came from the kitchen, and she hurried that way.

Grandmother closed the door of the cookstove and looked up. “I hate to keep this stove hot, but it is the only way to get a decent cup of tea.” She fanned her red face with her hand. “This weather, she is going to cook me, as well as the water. Soon we will not need a stove. We just set the water pot in the sun and voilá!” She flicked her fingers in the air. “We have tea!”

Angel chuckled and moved across to where the older woman stood. “I know. This time of day it would be nice to have something cold to drink.”

“My piccolina, I have been hoping to talk to you but not here. Would you care to drive to town and sit with me at the hotel dining room?”

Angel wondered at the serious tone. “Are you feeling all right? I noticed you’ve been resting a lot lately.”

“No, no. My health, it is good. Do not worry about this old woman, little one.” She clucked her tongue and shook her head. “It is other things I think on. Will you go with me? I would like a few minutes sitting at a table being waited on while we talk.”

“Of course, Grandmother. I’ll run to my room and change out of these dusty clothes. Could you ask Travis to hitch the buggy, or shall I?”

Grandmother flicked her fingers toward the hall. “You change, little one, and I’ll ask.”

Angel drew the horse to a stop in front of the hitching rail and waited for the cloud of dust to settle before she stepped down from the buggy and turned to help Grandmother descend. The silence during the drive unnerved her, giving Angel plenty of time to stew over what might be coming. Had Grandmother somehow discovered her past and planned to confront her away from the ranch? A peek at the older woman revealed nothing, other than a seeming interest in the single-story building nearby. Zane’s Hotel was blazoned in gold paint on the glass pane of the door. Angel grasped the handle and swung it open, her heart hammering in her chest.

They walked through the lobby and into the dining room. The interior wasn’t what Angel expected. Most eating establishments in the West were simple, basic, and not always clean. This was just the opposite. Linen napkins graced the small, cozy tables scattered around the room, boasting both glasses and teacups set at each place. Cheerful gingham curtains splashed red and yellow color to the sides of the two front windows, and a glass case of pies lined the space between. Everything was tidy, sparkling, and fresh, giving off an air of rest and refreshment.

Both women settled into their chairs and Grandmother smiled as she shook out the linen napkin and carefully spread it over her lap. “A touch of civilization out in the wilderness. It is nice, yes?”

Angel started to answer but paused as a matronly woman with a white apron tied around her waist and hair pinned back in a bun bustled up to their table. “Good afternoon, ladies, I’m Emma. How about cold tea to start with, or perhaps a cup of coffee and pie? Or were you looking for a late dinner? We have soup and bread, or I can bring you a menu.”

Grandmother beamed. “Cold tea would be a wonderful treat, and perhaps a slice of pie.”

Angel nodded. “The same for me, thank you.”

Emma nodded and turned on her heel. She returned moments later with a tray and carefully set their order before them. “Enjoy, ladies, and take your time. Our evening rush won’t start for another couple of hours.”

Angel took a sip of the tea and sighed. “This is very good. They must have a root cellar where they store blocks of ice.” She leaned forward and placed her hand over Grandmother’s. “You were quiet all the way here. Is something troubling you?”

Grandmother’s eyes took on a dreamy quality and she stared into the distance. “Home,
mia.
Italy. My husband’s grave. Great-grandchildren. So much I must consider.”

“Great-grandchildren?” Angel leaned forward. “You didn’t mention that before. I thought your other son died without children.”

Grandmother focused again on Angel. “Sí. You are my only grandchild.”

“But…” Angel’s mind whirled at the words. “I don’t have children. I’m not even married.”