Free Kiss of an Angel by Janelle Denison Page B

wisdom reflected in Laura’s eyes didn’t come close to matching her young years.
    “Twelve.” Laura’s chin lifted haughtily. “Old enough to know that my father is interested in you.”
    Shaking her head at the absurdity of that statement, Caitlan smoothed a strand of silky hair from Laura’s cheek. “Honey, the only thing your father is interested in is getting me off this ranch as soon as possible.”
    Laura’s lips pursed. Eyes identical to her dad’s flashed knowingly. “It’s the way he watches you when he thinks no one is watching him,” she said in a low voice, glancing covertly around them to make sure they were still alone. “I’ve never seen such a soft look in his eyes. It’s the kind of look Aunt Debbie gives Uncle Kirk sometimes, and then they’ll sneak off somewhere to kiss and do other things …” Her words trailed off when she realized her slip, her face turning crimson.
    Caitlan understood Laura’s compulsion to find someone for her father, but matchmaking her and J.T. was strictly out of the question. Nothing good would come from it, and the interference would only make things more difficult and awkward while she protected J.T. “Laura, don’t get your hopes up for something that’s not there. The only reason I’m here is because of my own stupidity and the fact that the bridge is out.”
    “Do you believe in fate?” Laura asked, looking deeply into Caitlan’s eyes.
    Caitlan felt cornered and didn’t care for the knowledge in this young girl’s luminous gaze. “Well, yes,” she said slowly, cautiously. Fate was part of her occupation.
    Laura pressed closer. “Do you believe fate can bring two people who belong with each other together?”
    Goosebumps raised on the surface of Caitlan’s flesh.
Do you believe fate can bring two people who belong with each other together?
Yes, she believed in fate and destiny, but she would know if J.T. was her eternal soulmate. Caitlan frowned. Who was her soulmate? She knew she had one. She was employed as a guardian angel while she waited to be joined with him. But who was he? Fragments, formed in her mind, a shadowy face with rugged features she couldn’t quite identify. Struggling to grasp the recollection, she received a sharp piercing pain to her memory for her efforts. Mentally, she drew back. The gold medallion between her breasts grew warm, then startling hot.
    “Caitlan?”
    Caitlan’s gaze cleared and she stared at Laura, a little rattled by what she’d just experienced. “Can you excuse me for a moment while I make this phone call?”
    “Sure.” Laura hooked her thumb back toward where they’d just come from. “We’ll be in the kitchen when you’re done. Down the hall, the third door on your right.”
    Caitlan forced a smile. “Thanks.” Slipping inside J.T.’s office, Caitlan leaned against the heavy door and let out a deep breath to steady her out-of-control pulse. The heat in the medallion subsided, and the ache in her head slowly faded away.
    Even though Caitlan wasn’t registered as a guest at Parson’s Dude Ranch, she went through the ritual of calling them, without actually dialing the number and connecting, just in case someone was at the door and overheard her. She felt foolish speaking to the dial tone but accomplished the task within a few minutes, then headed for the kitchen.
    The family sat around a massive wooden table ladened with a smorgasbord of aromatic food: chili, cornbread, chicken fried steak, green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn on the cob, and biscuits with honey and butter. Long bench seats flanked either side of the table, making dining in the kitchen an informal affair. She noticed Kirk had joined the group, and assumed this was a daily supper ritual.
    “Sit down and help yourself, Caitlan,” Paula said cheerfully, obviously happiest in her element as cook. “Would you like lemonade or iced tea?”
    “Iced tea, please.” Caitlan sat down in the only available spot at the far