“I’m stuck here. My car’s out at your place. I took Belle on a ride yesterday afternoon after our meeting with Jeff, and—”
“You left your car at our place?”
“Yeah, it’s a long story.”
Catie sighed and turned to Chad. “She’s had it rough. Let’s get her home.”
“Sure enough, sugar,” Chad said. “Come on, Angie, our car’s out back of Rena’s.”
“I’ll be right there. Just let me get the stuff I bought.”
Her packages in tow, she ambled behind the storefronts and found Chad and Catie.
“What on earth did you buy?” Catie asked.
“Just some dresses and shoes. And scarves.”
“To go with the closet full of dresses and shoes you already own, I presume?” Chad said.
Catie punched him in the arm. “Leave her alone. She was the closest to Daddy, and now this idiot uncle of ours shows up and threatens everything she has.”
“Sorry, sugar. Just tryin’ to lighten things up a little.”
No one spoke the rest of the drive. Angie transferred her purchases to her own car and drove home. She shed the dirty riding clothes and threw them in the trash.
She headed for the shower.
Pelting water soothed her body, but did nothing for her heart and soul. She forced her mind to go numb. She’d think about it tomorrow.
Tomorrow was another day.
She shook her head. Yeah, right. At least Scarlett O’Hara’s man hadn’t been married to someone else.
Who was she? Why didn’t they live together? Were they separated? What was the deal? And why in God’s name had he not told her he was married?
Love was crap. She’d marry one of the morons her mother had invited to dinner tonight. Didn’t matter.
She got out, dried off, and put on a short silk robe. She went out to the living room to grab her bags when a knock on the door startled her.
Standing behind her door was none other than Rafe Grayhawk.
Her heart lurched, and her nipples tightened against the soft fabric. Even now, he affected her. She should ignore him, but she couldn’t.
She opened the door but did not invite him in. “What is it?”
“Hey, baby.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“I want to explain.”
“Explain what? That you’ve been fucking me while you’re married to someone else? I already got that, thanks.”
“It’s not like that.”
“Seems to me that’s exactly how it is.”
“I mean there are circumstances. If I could just come in—”