Chapter 8: Chapter 8

ANGEL

Nash was quiet during the drive back to the ranch, whether from nerves or regret, Angel didn’t know, and she could feel herself losing her nerve.

After he had kissed her under the mistletoe, she’d been ready to tear his clothes off there and then.

But as Nash pulled the truck to a stop, and she let Moe out, there was an awkwardness between them.

She removed the hair from her face. “It’s been a long day, and I’m tired, so I’m going to bed. I want to thank you for today. It was a lot of fun, and I had the best time ever. Goodnight, Nash.”

As she turned to go inside the house, she had the feeling things had changed.

~Was the kiss a mistake? I don’t want to lose him as a friend. He’s been so good to me.~

After a quick shower, she went downstairs to get a glass of water. Nash was there, topless, washing his hands in the sink.

Her heart beat faster at the sight of his round, bulging biceps and toned abs.

He picked up the towel to dry his hands and, when he turned around, he gasped.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. I just came for something to drink, water or juice, it doesn’t really matter.” She shut her mouth tightly to stop herself from blabbering more.

“No problem, help yourself.” He stepped out of the way.

She grabbed a glass from the cupboard, walked to the fridge, and poured herself some juice. “Night,” she said and started toward the kitchen door.

“Angel.”

She stopped in her tracks, turning her head slowly to peer at him. He looked nervous, and his eyes were on the floor.

“Yes?”

“About what happened tonight, in the bar, the kiss that is…”

“What about it?”

“I’m sorry for kissing you. I shouldn’t have done it.”

Her heart sank, and she felt like a fool for thinking the kiss had meant something to him like it had to her.

“It’s okay, you were kind of forced into it. Don’t give it another thought.” She took a step toward the staircase but felt compelled to say, “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure, anything.”

“Was it that terrible?”

He peered at her with sad eyes before moving close and placing the palm of his right hand on her left cheek. “Oh, God, no, that’s not it. I liked it. I liked it a lot.”

“Then why did you say you were sorry?”

He removed his hand from her face. “We don’t know who you are or if there’s a man in your life. What if you’re engaged? I’m not the type to come between a man and a woman.

“I think it’s better that we don’t start something only to have it end in heartbreak.”

“I don’t get the feeling there’s someone else.”

“But you can’t be sure, can you?”

She closed her eyes, already missing the warmth of his fingers. “No, I guess not. Thank you for being a gentleman, and goodnight.”

She opened her eyes, gave him a sad smile, and walked to the stairs. “Oh, and just so you know, I really liked the kiss too.”

NASH

The next day, Nash spent the day avoiding Angel.

Between his struggle to keep himself from touching her and his fear she would regret their kiss when her memory returned, he thought it best to spend the day remodeling the downstairs bathroom.

He was almost relieved when Abby came by and took Angel out for a while.

But that relief turned to jealousy when she didn’t return until midnight, brought home by Eddie, no less.

She had her arm around him as Eddie carried her up the porch steps, where Nash was waiting for them.

“Erm, hey, Eddie. Do you mind telling me why it is you bringing her home? Where is Abby?” Nash reached out to take Angel from him and adjusted his stance to hold her up.

“The girls were in the bar, playing pool and drinking. They were both wasted, so I offered to drive them home. I dropped Abby off first. I’ll be off now. See you later, Nash.”

Nash nodded at him before angling his face toward Angel. “Let’s get you to bed.” He lifted her in his arms and carried her inside.

Angel put her arms around his neck. “I’ve been dying for you to take me to bed,” she said, slurring her words.

“I don’t know what took you so long. Are you going to rip off my clothes or would you like me to strip for you, nice and slow?”

He had to smile. She was so drunk and probably wouldn’t remember what she was saying in the morning, but he’d still enjoy it now.

As she nuzzled her nose into his neck, he swallowed hard. He would have loved to tear her clothes off her and make love to her, but it wasn’t meant to be.

Carrying her into her bedroom, he laid her down on top of the bed. She had passed out.

He wasn’t about to take the chance of removing her clothes, not with the way he was starting to feel about her.

Instead, he covered her up with a blanket, kissed her on the forehead, and turned off the light.

ANGEL

As soon as Angel opened her eyes, she ran to the bathroom, making it just in time to throw up in the toilet.

Feeling like something the cat had dragged in, she had a shower, put on some clean clothes, and stumbled downstairs.

Nash was making breakfast and turned to her with a toothy grin. “Hey, party animal. How are you feeling?”

“Like crap. I’m sorry for coming home so late and for getting so drunk.”

He waved her apology away. “That’s all right. You’re a grown woman and can do what you want. Are you hungry? I’ve made eggs and ham.”

Bile rose in her throat, burning her mouth. “Oh, God, no, my stomach won’t be able to hold it down. But I could sure use a hot coffee, black and strong.”

He laughed, pulling out the chair for her. “You sit down and relax. I’ll get it for you.”

“Thanks,” she said, sitting down. “I hope I didn’t say anything stupid last night. I don’t remember much after leaving the bar. I know Eddie brought me home. I’ll have to thank him next time I see him.”

“You’ll have a chance later today.”

“How so?”

“One of the fences is falling apart. Eddie and a couple of the other guys are coming over to help me build a new one.”

“Oh, okay. Is there anything I can do to help?”

He laughed. “In your state? Well, if you’re up to it, you can keep the coffee coming and maybe make up some sandwiches. But only if you want to.”

“I don’t mind, but I think I’ll go lie down for a while. At least until this banging inside my head stops.”

***

Angel awoke to the sound of banging outside.

~At least it’s not in my head anymore.~

She looked out her bedroom window and saw the men busy at work, tearing down the old fence, so she went downstairs to make coffee and sandwiches.

When there were two large plates of sandwiches made, the first two men came into the kitchen—Nash and his father. She poured them coffee and served them their food.

“Thanks, dear.” Wade took a bite of his sandwich.

Almost as soon as they were done, the next two came in for their break, Eddie being one of them.

She hid behind her hands. “I’m so sorry.”

Eddie just laughed, thanked her for the sandwiches, and they chatted for a while.

And so the men came and went as the next hours went by until, at last, they were finally done rebuilding the new fence.

Before the guys left, they all came inside and had a couple of beers. Once more, Eddie took the opportunity to sit close and talk to her more than any of the others.

“Well, it’s getting late,” Wade said, “we’ll all get a move on.” He stood up and motioned for the other guys to follow him out the door.

When everyone was gone, Angel went back into the kitchen to do the washing up, and Nash followed her. He picked up the dish towel and started drying the dishes she handed to him.

“Eddie sure has taken a liking to you.”

She didn’t look up from the sink. “Has he?”

“I think so. He spent a lot of time talking to you today.”

Drying off her hands, she turned to look at Nash. “Eddie is a nice guy, very sweet. We had a nice talk, and I feel like I know him a little better.”

“What did you talk about? I’m just curious.”

“He told me about his parents, where he went to school, and some of the places he’s visited. He did a lot of traveling but said he belongs here. I like him, he’s really nice.”

“He’s all right.”

She leaned up against the counter. “Are you upset about something?”

He ran his hand over his face. “I think he’s hitting on you. Don’t get me wrong, he’s nice, but I think you should be careful. He’s young and might expect more from you than you can give right now.”

“He did say there was a Christmas dance coming up and asked me to be his date.” She watched his facial expression; how he frowned and how the lines on his forehead deepened.

“Did he now? That’s nice. I suppose you said yes? That’s good. You’ll have fun. Everyone dresses up. It’ll be a good night.”

She studied the disappointment on his face, the way his jaw clenched and unclenched, and how his shoulders slumped. “I turned him down.”

“You did? Why?”

“I told him I was waiting for someone else to ask me.”

“Really? Who do you want to ask you? I mean, it’s none of my business but I also know there’s a long line of men who would love to go with you.”

Angel laughed and pushed him in the shoulder.

~Surely, he isn’t that dense.~

Nash wiped his lips with his thumb and smiled, showing off his dimples. “Will you be my date for the Christmas dance this Friday night?”

She crossed her arms, her eyes going to the ceiling, pretending to think about it before looking back at him.

He shook his head at her. “Now you’re just teasing me.”

Moe was sitting on his hind legs, looking from one to the other, his head cocked.

“What do you think, boy? Should I go to the dance with him?”

Moe barked.

She looked back at Nash. “I think he wants me to go with you, so yes, I’d love to be your date. And who knows? I might even let you bring me home at the end of the night.”