Free Love Finds You in Sundance, Wyoming by Miralee Ferrell Page B

she’d just skip the noontime meal. One last look at the myriad of bags and tins on the shelves and she made her decision.
    The air outside smelled fresh and clean after last night’s shower. What to do? Angel pondered her next step. Take a ride and pretend not to be working, but bring her rifle along just in case? She shook her head. Bella needed rest, and that wouldn’t be fair.
    Try to find a book to read? But Angel had never been a big hand at reading, and this day was too beautiful to sit indoors.
    A boot crunched on the gravel, and Angel’s hand flashed to her waist. Stupid! She’d left her gun in her room. A muscle twitched in her cheek, and she turned slowly.
    Arizona stood there sporting a huge grin. “Sure glad you’re not armed today, Miss Angel.” He hooked his thumbs in his belt.
    Angel squelched the smile threatening to slip out. “That can easily be remedied.”
    Arizona’s grin faded, and he took a step back.
    “I didn’t mean any harm. Jest wondered if maybe you was feeling lonesome, with Libby gone and Travis and James on the range.”
    “I enjoy being alone.”
    “I thought pretty girls always enjoyed company.” He scratched his head.
    Angel leaned against a post of the covered porch. “I’m not a pretty girl. I’m a ranch employee, the same as you.”
    Arizona hooted with laughter. “Sorry, Miss. But that you ain’t. You and me, we’re not a bit alike.”
    Angel straightened. It was time to take control of this situation. “Where’s your sidekick?”
    “You mean Wren? You ain’t soft on him, are you?”
    “Soft on him?” She wrinkled her nose. “Are women all you think about, Arizona?”
    He stuffed his hands in his pockets and grinned. “Maybe, but I do have a few other interests. Nothing wrong with wanting to court a pretty woman, is there?”
    “I guess that depends on the woman—and if she wants to be courted.”
    The cowboy leaned closer. “I’d be willing to show you around town if you’d have me.”
    Angel stared at the man. He was nice enough but seemed to have one thing on his mind—finding a sweetheart—and she didn’t intend that to be her.
    A buggy pulled into the lane and headed their way. Saved by Libby. “Sorry, cowboy, no can do.” She wrinkled her nose and grinned. “I’m a working woman and don’t have time to lollygag around town with lazy cowhands.”
    “Lazy?” He drew himself to his full height. “Why, I can work circles around the rest of the bozos on this spread.”
    “Arizona!” Libby called from the buggy as she drew her horse to a stop in front of the house. “I’m glad you’re here. Help me unload the supplies?”
    He pasted on a sweet smile and nodded. “Sure enough, Miss Libby. Glad to be of service. Idle hands are a tool of the devil, my pappy used to say, and I sure don’t aim to be lazy” He shot a glance toward Angel, and a sly smirk peeked out.
    Angel shook her head and stepped closer to the wagon. “Need my help?”
    “Thank you. That would be nice.”
    The two women each took a box of foodstuffs and Arizona followed, his arms laden with full burlap bags. The next several minutes were spent unloading and shelving the items, then they shooed the cowboy back outside. Libby examined the kitchen. “You left things in perfect shape. Thank you, Angel.”
    “I, uh…” Angel avoided Libby’s eyes. How could she admit she didn’t know her way around a fancy kitchen? This pampered woman wouldn’t understand. What would she know of outlaw camps and deprivation? Nothing. And Angel didn’t care to educate her. “I wasn’t hungry.”
    Libby planted her hands on her hips. “Not hungry? It’s past two o’clock and breakfast was hours ago. Why didn’t you cook something?”
    Angel shrugged and started to turn away, but Libby touched her arm. “Angel. Do you know how to cook?”
    Angel winced and pulled away. “I cook all the time.”
    “I’m sure you do. Over a campfire. But how about on a kitchen stove?” Libby