Heavenly Angel by Heather Rainier Read Free Book Online

of his voice set her on edge immediately. “There’s been an accident out on FM 709, at the bridge. Rachel Lopez was involved in a collision. It sounds like she was injured pretty seriously.”
    “Is there anything I can do to help?”
    “I don’t know. But I’ll call you later, regardless.”
    “If anyone needs food brought over, I can take care of that.”
    “I’ll ask and see about bringing Eli something to eat and drink tomorrow, since I’m sure he won’t leave her. It’s nice of you to think of that.”
    “I don’t know Rachel that well, but any friend to Grace is a friend to me. I’d be happy to bring him breakfast and lunch tomorrow if that would help.”
    “I’ll let Grace know. Thanks, sweetheart. You and I will have a chance to sit down and talk soon. I promise. Be safe.”
    “I love you. I’ll pray for them. Be careful.”
    “I love you, too.”

Chapter Five
    Teresa rose very early the following morning and got to work in the kitchen. After the carne guisada was simmering, she set about making fresh tortillas. She thought of her mother and remembered when she taught her to make tortillas. Her mother told her it was easy to make them yourself, and they tasted better when the person who made them loved you. Smiling at the memory, she rolled them out one at a time with her little roller pin. She made an extra large batch of carne guisada so she could take some breakfast tacos out to the ranch after stopping in at the hospital to bring Eli his breakfast.
    When she spoke with Angel on the phone the night before, he told her Rachel was stable. The doctors were fairly certain Rachel would suffer no lasting damage from the accident, but her injuries were extensive.
    Teresa got herself ready and loaded Michael for the trip to his daycare. After kissing him goodbye, she drove to the hospital. She found Eli dozing upright in a chair in the ICU waiting room.
    Even in slumber, his handsome features were tense, his stress and exhaustion apparent. His long legs were stretched out in front of him, and his head rested against the wall, propped up on one hand. Teresa imagined he had not been asleep for very long. She sat without disturbing Eli to give him time to rest while he was able to. After fifteen minutes, a door chimed down the hall when someone came through it, and he shifted in his seat, gradually waking up. He looked over at her blearily, and her heart went out to him.
    “Eli? I’m Teresa Palacios. I’ve brought you breakfast tacos and something to drink.”
    Eli’s voice was deep and gravelly as he spoke. “You’re a friend of Grace’s?” He sat up and rubbed his eyes. “I remember you. You’re Angel’s girlfriend, right?”
    Teresa smiled and said, “Yes, I am.” She opened the paper bag she’d placed his breakfast tacos in and held it out to him. She’d put five in the bag for him. Now she was glad she’d packed him extra because he was probably starving. “I made fresh carne guisada this morning.”
    He smiled and took one from the bag and opened it. He groaned when the succulent aroma of the breakfast taco rose to his nostrils.
    “This smells incredible, Ms. Palacios. Thank you so much.”
    “Call me Teresa, please.” She smiled as he took a big bite and groaned then started chewing voraciously. “Good?”
    “Uh-huh,” he said, taking another big bite. After the third taco, he sat back and sighed deeply. She closed the bag and set it on the table with his coffee and orange juice.
    “I’m glad I brought you extras. There are two more in there for a snack later.”
    “Thank you, Teresa. Those were delicious. Angel is a lucky man. You’re a good cook.”
    “Thank you. I’ll be bringing your lunch, too. Do you like barbecue or hamburgers?”
    “Wow. I hope you’re not inconveniencing yourself too much?”
    “Not at all. I know I wouldn’t want to leave Angel’s side if he was the one in ICU right now. I take my lunch break at one o’clock, and you can expect me a