Kiss of an Angel Read Online Free PDF

been gruff and demanding in response. He didn’t want to analyze his reaction to Caitlan too deeply, and instead strove for a stern tone of voice. “You’re trying my patience, Caitlan Daniels. Listen up. Where did you come from and what were you doing trespassing on private property?”
    She hesitated for a moment, as if thinking up a plausible excuse. “I’m a guest at Parson’s Dude Ranch,” she began, folding her hands primly on the table before her. “It was an absolutely gorgeous day yesterday. At least in the morning it was sunny and pleasant.” The direct look she gave him made him feel as though the temperamental change in weather had been his fault. “I was out on a trail ride doing a little sightseeing on my own, except I have a lousy sense of direction. I got lost.” She cast a dubious look heavenward and gave a slight shake of her head, as if even
she
couldn’t quite believe her tale.
    He had his doubts as well. “Parson’s Dude Ranch is well over eight miles away, most of which is rugged terrain.”
    She shrugged delicately. “See how lousy my sense of direction is? I
thought
I was headed back
toward
the dude ranch.”
    Her story had a loophole, and he zeroed in on it. There was only one way to and from Parson’s that separated the dude ranch’s property from Rafferty land. “Didn’t you wonder where you were going when you crossed the bridge over the American River?”
    “I wanted to explore the other side of the river.” An impish expression etched her features, and he found himself totally charmed by the mischief sparkling in her eyes. “I never thought I wouldn’t be able to find my way back. How can you miss a body of water as big as the American River?”
    “
You
obviously did.”
    Her spine straightened defensively. “If it wasn’t for the sleet storm, I would have found it again eventually.”
    “Sure.” He settled back as comfortably as the unyielding wooden chair would allow. Stretching his legs out under the table, he laced his fingers over his stomach. “Go on, please,” he said in a lazy drawl.
    “I started to panic when the storm rolled in. When I found the creek I followed it, hoping it would lead back to the river, a main road, or another ranch.”
    “Creeks don’t necessarily lead to roads or ranches, and they can take miles to reach the river, depending on which direction you’re heading.”
    “Well, excuse my ignorance,” she said haughtily. “I didn’t know what else to do.”
    Feeling appropriately reproved for making light of a situation that could have been perilous, he murmured, “I’m sorry.” He could well imagine her fear of being stranded in a strange place and softened a bit. After all, she wasn’t here in his line shack of her own choice, and she
had
saved his life.
    Seemingly satisfied with his apology, she continued. “I was following the creek when a bolt of lightning struck nearby. Daisy didn’t take too well to the thunder and lightning and took off like a bat out of—” She stopped abruptly, her cheeks pinkening.
    “Hell?” he supplied, holding back a chuckle at her chagrin over a simple swear word.
    “Uh, yeah, I guess that’s the term.” She cleared her throat and fiddled with a napkin on the table. “Anyway, I shouldn’t have asked for such a spirited horse. I could barely control her. We passed this shack, and when I tried to stop her she just got more skittish. By the time I got her back under control, we were only feet away from where you lay by the creek. I jumped off Daisy to see if you were still alive and she took off before I could tether her to a tree.”
    He stared at her for the longest time, past those deep blue eyes and beyond. Finally, he shook his head. “That’s the damnedest story I think I’ve ever heard. It’s so unbelievable, I actually believe it.”
    “It’s what happened,” she said, brushing a swath of hair from her cheek, the movement artless and feminine. “How else would I have found