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

With a frying pan, if I remember correctly.”
    Lillie remembered the scene in her mind. She had gone to New Mexico to visit Garrett and Maggie. It had been her hope to find some quiet place to think through her life, but that was not to be the case. One Dr. Daniel Monroe was already a houseguest at the Lucas ranch, and Lillie had endured a rather ugly meeting with him, before even arriving at the ranch.
    Throughout their weakly established acquaintance, Daniel had teased her unmercifully about her eating habits. Habits that had led her to a frightful weight gain and deep depression. On the evening in question, Lillie had simply had enough. She picked up a frying pan and ran after Daniel with the serious intention of putting it to the side of his head.
    Of course, matters had been made worse when Garrett and Maggie arrived home and found her chasing after Daniel, who was nearly hysterical from her antics.
    Lillie snuggled up close, the memory fading in the intensity of her husband’s questioning look. “You deserved that frying pan.”
    Daniel laughed. “Just like Angeline deserves a good spanking.”
    “I believe she’s a little old for that, but,” Lillie said with an impish grin, “she’s just the right age for a husband.”
    “Gavin Lucas, eh?” Daniel settled back as if considering the matter. “I’d like to have Gavin for a son. He’s a good man and a hard worker, and I can’t imagine anyone I’d rather have for in-laws than Maggie and Garrett.”
    “Me, either.”
    “Angeline will be hard to convince,” Daniel said as if this would be news to his wife.
    “I’m sure Gavin will have his own way of convincing her.”
    “You still have that frying pan?”
    Lillie laughed and edged her elbow into Daniel’s ribs. “Of course. I have to keep it handy just in case.”
    ❧
    Gavin Lucas was a little bit surprised when he received a note urging him to come at once to Daniel and Lillie’s. He immediately feared that something was wrong with Angeline. She’d only been home a few short days, and he’d purposefully made himself wait until Sunday to see her.
    Leaving word with his brother Jordy, Gavin saddled his horse and rode off for Bandelero. On the way, he reconsidered the situation and a more pleasant thought crossed his mind. Maybe Angeline had realized that she loved him and she wanted to tell him that she would marry him. With that thought in mind, Gavin picked up speed, mindless of the hot summer sun blazing down on him.
    ❧
    “Gavin,” Lillie said in greeting, “please come in, and thank you for being so quick.”
    “Is something wrong?” Gavin lost his sense of hopeful expectation and replaced it with a nagging dread.
    “Nothing we hope you can’t help to right,” Lillie said. She untied and laid aside her apron and motioned Gavin to follow her. “Come have some coffee with us, and we’ll explain.”
    Gavin went with Lillie to the family’s favorite gathering room and began to feel rather nervous when Lillie told him to wait there. She left the room, leaving Gavin to battle the butterflies in his stomach. What was going on? Where was Angeline?
    “Gavin!” Daniel came into the room with Lillie and a tray of goodies right behind him. “Thanks for coming.”
    “Sure thing Dr. Dan,” Gavin replied.
    “Come on and sit down,” Daniel motioned. “We have a great deal to discuss.”
    Gavin nodded and took the seat Angeline’s father offered him. Lillie placed the tray on the coffee table in front of him and took the seat directly opposite, while Daniel chose to stand.
    “I’m going to come right to the point, Son.” Gavin nodded and waited for Daniel to continue. “Lillie tells me that you hope to marry our daughter.”
    Gavin swallowed hard. “I intended to talk to you first.”
    “I know you did,” Daniel nodded, trying to put Gavin at ease. “Now before you go getting all worried, I want you to know I like the idea. Not only do I like it, I couldn’t have chosen better for