Tracie Peterson - [New Mexico Sunset 03] by Angel's Cause Read Free Book Online

companion.
    “When we are finished in Santa Fe and the other towns on the lecture circuit, I thought you might accompany me to Washington D.C.” Angeline’s eyes widened but she said nothing. “We have a meeting with President Wilson, and we plan to stage a rally and march to the Capitol.”
    “How exciting!” Angeline gasped, envisioning the possibility of being a part of the event.
    “Then you would consider going with me?”
    “Of course,” Angeline replied, deeply touched that Willa would ask. “I would be honored.” Then realizing it might be difficult to arrange, should her parents decide to interfere, Angeline added, “I will, of course, have to think about it and know more about the preparations.” She dared a glance at Douglas knowing she’d find his smile at her choice of words.
    Willa nodded completely unconcerned. “Of course. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Chapter 6
    I can’t believe that she defied us and went anyway!” Daniel bellowed after reading Angeline’s letter. “It’s the new way people look at things these days. Corruption of values and such.” He was storming through the house following Lillie, whose red-rimmed eyes told the rest of the story.
    “I’m going after her and that’s that,” Daniel said, considerably less noisy than before. He reached out and touched Lillie’s quaking form and pulled her into his arms. “Ah, Sweetheart,” he sighed against her carefully pinned hair, “it’ll be all right. I’ll find her.”
    Lillie composed herself for a moment and turned to face her husband. “You’re needed here,” she whispered. “You know half the town doesn’t yet trust young Dr. MacGreggor. You can’t just break their confidence and leave them to fend for themselves.”
    “I can’t let Angeline just gallivant around the country like she owns the place either.” The irritation in Daniel’s voice was clear. “What in the world ever got into her anyway? We raised her to know better than to run off with strangers.”
    “It’s her love of causes,” Lillie offered. “Her desperate need to right wrongs. In some ways, I admire her gumption, and in other ways, she terrifies me.”
    “Well,” Daniel said, setting Lillie from him, “I’m going to terrify her when I manage to locate her.”
    Lillie reached a hand out to stop Daniel from leaving. “There is another way,” she said softly.
    Daniel turned and eyed her suspiciously. “You’re not going to suggest we let her have her way, are you?”
    “No, never that,” Lillie replied. She thought back to the night of Angeline’s going away party and smiled. “I don’t suppose Gavin Lucas has had a chance to speak with you, has he?”
    “Gavin? No, I haven’t talked to him since the party.” Daniel looked even more perplexed. “Why would Gavin need to speak with me?”
    “Gavin Lucas intends to make Angeline his wife.” Lillie stated the words so matter-of-factly that Daniel could only stare back in surprise. “And, I do believe the boy, or should I say young man, is quite determined to do just that. He did, of course, intend to discuss the matter with you first.”
    Daniel’s face erupted in a broad smile. “Gavin and Angeline?”
    Lillie smiled and nodded. “He said she just needed time to get used to the idea.”
    “So he has asked her?”
    “That was rather what I gathered,” Lillie said and drew Daniel with her to the sofa. “I say we send for Gavin, and if his father can spare him from the ranch, we send him for Angeline.”
    Daniel’s smile broadened. “That would serve her right.”
    “Better still, I have no doubt that Gavin could get the job done. He has a vested interest, and I must say, I haven’t seen such determination in a young man since,” Lillie paused for a moment and reached up to run her hand through her husband’s gray-gold hair, “you decided to pursue me.”
    “Me?” Daniel pretended to be surprised. “I seem to recall it was you who chased after me.