Tracie Peterson - [New Mexico Sunset 03]

by Angel's Cause

  ❧

  When the Santa Fe train finally pulled alongside the depot, Angeline was exhausted and hungry. She made her way slowly to the train, wondering how in the world she would find Willa, but to her surprise, Willa found her instead.

  “Angeline!” the older woman cried from the platform.

  “Am I ever glad to see you!” Angeline replied.

  Willa Neal was a rather severe looking woman. Nearing her forty-fifth birthday, she was the very image of cartoon depictions of suffragists. Although, as Willa had already shown Angeline, the newspaper cartoons were much kinder to the suffragists these days than they had been twenty or so years earlier.

  Dressed in her plain brown skirt and jacket, Willa had pulled her mousy brown hair back into a tight bun, without so much as a single wisp to escape the dourness. In actuality, she might have been a pleasant enough looking woman had she styled her hair differently and worn more flattering clothes. But, looking nice was not a concern of Willa Neal. Suffrage was! Suffrage was all she would give her precious efforts to.

  “I’m glad you decided to join us, Angeline,” Willa said, leading Angeline down the aisle of the train car. “Did you have any difficulty in winning your parents to our cause?”

  “Yes,” Angeline replied rather curtly. “I had a great deal of trouble. In fact, they didn’t want me to accompany you.”

  “Typical!” Willa expressed with a nod. “Well, I’m glad you used the brains the good Lord gave you and came along anyway. Look here, there’s someone I want you to meet.” Angeline lifted her face to meet the gaze of a very handsome man. “Angeline Monroe, this is Douglas Baker. He is a great help to our cause and politically aligned to do us much good. He is very ambitious and very well may one day be president of the United States.”

  Angeline couldn’t hide her surprise as she extended her hand to the gentleman before her. Bending over and lifting Angeline’s hand to his lips, Douglas Baker kissed the back very gently, then lifted his head to reveal a broad smile. “I am charmed.”

  Angeline stared long and hard into the most beautiful green eyes she’d ever seen. Douglas Baker was very nearly perfect, she concluded. She pulled back her hand reluctantly and offered a weak version of her own smile. “How do you do?”

  “Quite well,” he replied, straightening up again. “In fact, much better now that you are a part of our entourage.”

  Willa laughed. “Douglas is quite the flatterer. He specializes in making women swoon and babies laugh.”

  “What about the men?” Angeline questioned without giving it any thought.

  “I outsmart the men,” Douglas answered with a mischievous smile. “Those I can’t outsmart, well,” he paused and laughed, “I guess I haven’t run across that man yet.”

  Angeline enjoyed his banter and took the window seat that Willa directed her to. Douglas quickly possessed the seat directly across from Angeline, while Willa sat beside her.

  Angeline couldn’t help but stare at Douglas. He was the kind of man who demanded attention and drew it to himself when it was otherwise unoffered. He was of average height and not nearly as muscular as Gavin, Angeline decided. But, he was more stately in his appearance, and his neatly manicured hands indicated he spent most of his time behind a desk instead of outdoors.

  Willa began speaking before the train even pulled out of the station, and Douglas was happy to engage the older woman in debates regarding the suffrage movement. Angeline simply sat back and took it all in. Mostly, she watched Douglas, fascinated with the way he conducted himself. She was so engrossed in her study of his neatly parted blond hair, that she missed hearing the question that Willa posed.

  “I’m sorry,” Angeline said, blushing slightly. “What did you say?”

  Willa seemed oblivious to the reason Angeline had missed her question, but Douglas wasn’t. He gave Angeline a sly wink, nearly causing her to miss Willa’s repeated words.

  “I was curious as to whether you were acquainted with anyone in the Santa Fe area?”

  Angeline nodded. “Yes, I know several families there.” She hadn’t really considered it before, but she quickly added up at least a dozen or more names who were not only acquainted with her family but actively involved in the government.

  “It always helps to get local cooperation,” Willa stated.

  “I haven’t seen some of them for a very long time, but many of the families that come to mind are close friends of my parents or at very least, associates of my father, who is a physician.”

  “Good, good,” Willa said and nodded toward Douglas. “Perhaps you will have the opportunity to introduce Douglas as well. He speaks the language of bureaucrats and often can sway them to listen to our cause.”

  “Do you outsmart them?” Angeline asked with a shy smile.

  “Of course,” Douglas replied candidly. “In politics it is required to stay two steps ahead of your opponent.”

  “But what of your allies?” Angeline questioned.

  “Ahh,” Douglas grinned, “for allies, it’s best to stay five steps ahead and two steps behind.”

  Angeline giggled, while Willa nodded as though Douglas had spoken a profound truth.

  ❧

  Angeline soon found it necessary to excuse herself, and once she was gone from the room Willa Neal leaned forward. “What do you think?” she asked in a whisper.

  “I think she’s incredibly young,” Douglas replied gravely. “She’s not even old enough to vote, even if she had that right. Are you sure we won’t have her parents chasing after us and putting out warning bells to prevent her from accompanying us?”

  “I’ve thought of that, but from all indications, Angeline seems quite capable of getting her own way. My sources tell me she’s the only child at home, and the only girl in the family. I’ll encourage her to call home and smooth matters over or at least to telegram.”

  “You’d better hope she has the connections you’re looking for,” Douglas said, easing back into his seat. “It won’t do much good to have her tagging along if she can’t get us the audience we need.”

  “She will,” Willa replied confidently. “She’s putty in my hands. I’ll have no difficulty in controlling her.”

  “Has she any clue that you’re using her?”

  “Why, Mr. Baker, whatever do you mean?”

  Douglas chuckled to himself and very nearly sneered at the older woman. “You know perfectly well what I mean, but since I’m using you as much as you’re using her, I guess I won’t protest too much.”

  Willa’s normally stern expression broke into a smug look of satisfaction. “That’s good of you, Douglas. Very good of you, indeed.”

  ❧

  Angeline returned to find Douglas and Willa pleasantly chatting about the barren New Mexico scenery. “I’m positively famished,” she said, taking her seat. “Might I dare to hope that there’s a dining car on this train?”

  “There is indeed, and one of the best,” Douglas said with formal bravado. “Perhaps you would allow me to escort you lovely ladies to breakfast?”

  Angeline glanced at Willa who shook her head. “I’m not hungry, but you two go on ahead.”

  “Are you certain?” Angeline questioned her mentor.

  “Absolutely. Besides, why would you want an old woman like me along? This handsome young pup hasn’t taken his eyes off you since you’ve boarded the train. It will do you good to get to know an educated man of Douglas’s background.” Willa’s words caused Angeline to blush.

  “Don’t mind her,” Douglas said, tucking Angeline’s arm around his own. “Willa’s a very smart woman,” he added with a smile over Angeline’s head at the older woman. “Very smart.”

  ❧

  Breakfast was a pleasant affair and Angeline was almost sorry to see it end. She followed Douglas down the narrow train aisle on the way back to their car and found herself righted by his strong arm when the train suddenly lurched.

  “You must always be prepared,” Douglas said with a smile.
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  His hand firmly held her at the elbow, and Angeline couldn’t help but gaze deep into his green eyes.

  “Prepared?” she whispered, completely captivated by the man’s charismatic appeal.

  “Yes.” He was already much too close, but if possible he leaned in even closer. “All battles are won with concentrated effort going into preparation.”

  “Oh,” Angeline managed to say, before Douglas pulled away with a dashing grin and another quick wink.

  “I think I shall enjoy teaching you the game,” Douglas remarked before once again moving down the aisle.

  “No more than I shall playing it,” Angeline muttered to herself with a smile.

  ❧

  “Here you are,” Willa said, waiting for Angeline to take her seat. “I was beginning to wonder if I’d lost you to Douglas’s wily ways.”

  Angeline looked from Douglas to Willa and shook her head. “No, I just like to eat a lot.” At this Willa joined Douglas’s laugh with her own.

  “It doesn’t seem to have hurt you any,” Willa finally said. She shifted in her seat to face Angeline. “I have something very exciting to talk to you about. Something I’ve been considering while you were gone.”

  “What is it?” Angeline questioned cautiously. She was still uncertain of what Willa Neal expected of her as a traveling companion.

  “When we are finished in Santa Fe and the other towns on the lecture circuit, I thought you might accompany me to Washington D.C.” Angeline’s eyes widened but she said nothing. “We have a meeting with President Wilson, and we plan to stage a rally and march to the Capitol.”

  “How exciting!” Angeline gasped, envisioning the possibility of being a part of the event.

  “Then you would consider going with me?”

  “Of course,” Angeline replied, deeply touched that Willa would ask. “I would be honored.” Then realizing it might be difficult to arrange, should her parents decide to interfere, Angeline added, “I will, of course, have to think about it and know more about the preparations.” She dared a glance at Douglas knowing she’d find his smile at her choice of words.

  Willa nodded completely unconcerned. “Of course. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  Chapter 6

  I can’t believe that she defied us and went anyway!” Daniel bellowed after reading Angeline’s letter. “It’s the new way people look at things these days. Corruption of values and such.” He was storming through the house following Lillie, whose red-rimmed eyes told the rest of the story.

  “I’m going after her and that’s that,” Daniel said, considerably less noisy than before. He reached out and touched Lillie’s quaking form and pulled her into his arms. “Ah, Sweetheart,” he sighed against her carefully pinned hair, “it’ll be all right. I’ll find her.”

  Lillie composed herself for a moment and turned to face her husband. “You’re needed here,” she whispered. “You know half the town doesn’t yet trust young Dr. MacGreggor. You can’t just break their confidence and leave them to fend for themselves.”

  “I can’t let Angeline just gallivant around the country like she owns the place either.” The irritation in Daniel’s voice was clear. “What in the world ever got into her anyway? We raised her to know better than to run off with strangers.”

  “It’s her love of causes,” Lillie offered. “Her desperate need to right wrongs. In some ways, I admire her gumption, and in other ways, she terrifies me.”

  “Well,” Daniel said, setting Lillie from him, “I’m going to terrify her when I manage to locate her.”

  Lillie reached a hand out to stop Daniel from leaving. “There is another way,” she said softly.

  Daniel turned and eyed her suspiciously. “You’re not going to suggest we let her have her way, are you?”

  “No, never that,” Lillie replied. She thought back to the night of Angeline’s going away party and smiled. “I don’t suppose Gavin Lucas has had a chance to speak with you, has he?”

  “Gavin? No, I haven’t talked to him since the party.” Daniel looked even more perplexed. “Why would Gavin need to speak with me?”

  “Gavin Lucas intends to make Angeline his wife.” Lillie stated the words so matter-of-factly that Daniel could only stare back in surprise. “And, I do believe the boy, or should I say young man, is quite determined to do just that. He did, of course, intend to discuss the matter with you first.”

  Daniel’s face erupted in a broad smile. “Gavin and Angeline?”

  Lillie smiled and nodded. “He said she just needed time to get used to the idea.”

  “So he has asked her?”

  “That was rather what I gathered,” Lillie said and drew Daniel with her to the sofa. “I say we send for Gavin, and if his father can spare him from the ranch, we send him for Angeline.”

  Daniel’s smile broadened. “That would serve her right.”

  “Better still, I have no doubt that Gavin could get the job done. He has a vested interest, and I must say, I haven’t seen such determination in a young man since,” Lillie paused for a moment and reached up to run her hand through her husband’s gray-gold hair, “you decided to pursue me.”

  “Me?” Daniel pretended to be surprised. “I seem to recall it was you who chased after me. 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 Angeline, if I’d been given that right.”

  Gavin physically let out a sigh of relief, causing Lillie to smile sympathetically. “Did you think we were going to roast you over hot coals?”

  Gavin smiled. “I was ready for just about anything.”

  “Good,” Daniel said before Lillie could reply, “because we have a problem.”

  “I suppose Angeline’s in the middle of it,” Gavin surmised.

  “No,” Daniel replied. “She is the whole problem.”

  Gavin grinned at his father’s best friend. In all the world, Garrett Lucas had told his son, there was no better man than Daniel Monroe. “Go on,” Gavin urged.

  “Angeline has run away,” Daniel began. “She got it in her mind to join the Women’s Suffrage Movement and travel the country whistlestopping and stumping for equal rights and the vote.”