Free Heavenly Angel by Heather Rainier Page A

the thing. It’s right over here.” She happily led the way to the jewelry counter. When Rosemary finally let them out of the store, Angel was loaded down with the Stetson, Teresa’s blouse, a pretty necklace and earrings set done in shimmering onyx stones, and the chaps and spurs. He reminded Michael that secrecy was absolutely necessary for the Christmas gifts he’d found for Teresa, and Michael promised happily.
    They stopped in at Rudy’s to pick up lunch for Teresa, ordering her favorite food, and then drove over to Stigall’s. The parking lot was full to bursting, and they wound up parking at the curb on Main Street. Michael grabbed his cowboy hat and popped it on his head, imitating Angel. Angel carefully lifted the container with her food in it and held Michael’s hand as they walked across the parking lot and approached the glass doors. Angel caught their reflection in the glass. Michael walked beside him like a miniature version of himself, his little chubby hand held securely to his own, and it wrenched his heart when he thought of how much he wanted that boy to be his own and call him Daddy, for real, for good .
    Angel sauntered through the store with Michael walking just like him by his side. Teresa was floating today, working wherever she was needed. Angel found her tidying up the dressing rooms in the menswear department, one arm loaded with clothing.
    When he spotted her, Angel released Michael’s hand, and he ran to her. “Mommy! We bring-ded you some lunch! Your favorite!”
    “You bring-ded me lunch, huh?” She squatted down to give him a hug then stood to hug Angel. Her face glowed when she smiled up at him. It was all he could do not to take her in his arms right on the spot and lay a hot, wet kiss on her in front of the whole store. Then he remembered this was the spot where they had been introduced to each other the previous spring by Grace, back when she worked there on the weekends. Dang, but he was sappy today.
    “There are beef fajitas, fresh tortillas, extra guacamole, and pico de gallo in the bag. We also brought you a sweet tea. You look like you’re busy, so we won’t stay long.”
    “Angel, thank you so much for doing this for me. It’s a real treat on a crazy day. I’ll look forward to it and be thinking of you. What are you going to do now?”
    “Well, we have presents to wrap, and Michael wants to stop in and say hello to Grace. I thought I’d let him take a little nap after lunch and then take him for a ride with me this afternoon.”
    “Don’t need no nap. I’m good to go,” Michael said reasonably, giving Angel a thumbs-up, then yawned hugely.
    “Uh-huh,” Angel replied, smiling, “you want to ride horses with me, buddy, you’ll take a little rest first. I don’t want you worn out when your mama gets home. She doesn’t want you to be a cranky boy, you know?”
    “Uh-huh.” Michael said with his little lip stuck out as he held out his arms for Angel to lift him up.
    “Wow, you must have had a busy morning, if he’s this subdued already.”
    “We had a few errands to run.” He grinned at her curiosity. “We also had last-minute shopping to do. I needed to get something for Joaquin for Christmas.”
    After saying goodbye, he leaned in and kissed her cheek then let Michael do the same. He glanced back at her as he walked with Michael to the main entrance, and her cheeks flamed adorably when he caught her ogling him.
     

Chapter Eight
    Angel was on horseback with Michael riding in front of him when his cell phone vibrated in his pocket. He smiled when he saw the caller ID.
    “Hey! I was beginning to wonder what had happened to you.”
    “Oh yeah? Remember how I told you I was…tied up in El Paso?” Joaquin chuckled suggestively.
    “Too much information, little brother. Are you on your way?”
    “Yeah, I just stopped in San Angelo to gas up and get a bite. I should be there right after supper time.”
    Angel shifted the reins and placed his forearm