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  Angel Kisses

  Romance on the Ranch Series

  Verna Clay

  This book is dedicated to everyone who yearns for a second chance.

  Angel Kisses

  Romance on the Ranch Series

  Copyright © 2016 by Verna Clay

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

  For information contact:

  [email protected]

  Website:

  www.vernaclay.com

  Published by:

  Verna Clay

  Cover Designer:

  Elaina Lee (For the Muse)

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Preface

  Because parents have more life experiences, they often try to guide their children in directions they believe are best for them. And for Angel Martinez, the heroine of this story, that is the case. All of her life she has heard how smart and beautiful she is from her parents, friends, and acquaintances; and because her personality is such that she tries to please everyone, it has caused her much anguish. However, try as she might, she cannot gender excitement over the many opportunities that so easily come her way. Her beauty is such that she could become a model, and her intelligence has gotten her a Master's Degree in Business Administration at a young age, with many lucrative job offers, but none of that interests her. In fact, the opportunities make her cringe.

  What Angel really wants is to become a homemaker and mother and create an internet blog geared toward mothers, both those working outside the home and those remaining at home. But more than anything, she wants to marry Harris Brightman, her longtime friend that is five years older than she.

  Harris, the illegitimate son of a rodeo star, has also become a rodeo star, and with the help of his brother Eli, is forging a legacy of kindness and charitable works in direct opposition to his deadbeat dad's legacy.

  Although this synopsis of Angel Kisses seems straightforward, I guarantee there are some twists that will surprise readers.

  Verna Clay

  Sequence of books in the

  Romance on the Ranch Series

  Dream Kisses

  Honey Kisses

  Baby Kisses

  Candy Kisses

  Christmas Kisses

  Rock Star Kisses

  Forever Kisses

  Forgotten Kisses

  Angel Kisses

  The Last Kiss (2017)

  Table of Contents

  Preface

  Prologue

  Chapter 1: Brothers

  Chapter 2: Idea

  Chapter 3: Assistant

  Chapter 4: Recognized

  Chapter 5: Reporter

  Chapter 6: "Barbie"

  Chapter 7: Slammed

  Chapter 8: Confrontation

  Chapter 9: Misunderstood

  Chapter 10: Dance

  Chapter 11: Truth

  Chapter 12: Driver

  Chapter 13: Headache

  Chapter 14: Ponderings

  Chapter 15: Spill

  Chapter 16: Wedding

  Chapter 17: Implosion

  Chapter 18: Paydirt

  Chapter 19: Flirtation

  Chapter 20: Visitor

  Chapter 21: Crying

  Chapter 22: Overnight

  Chapter 23: Misspoken

  Chapter 24: Broken

  Chapter 25: Fathers

  Chapter 26: Lips

  Chapter 27: Help

  Chapter 28: Departure

  Chapter 29: Sorry

  Chapter 30: Home

  Chapter 31: Sentencing

  Chapter 32: Determination

  Epilogue

  Author's Note

  Rock Star Kisses (Romance on the Ranch Series)

  Stranded in Oasis (Oasis Series)

  Novels and Novellas by Verna Clay

  Prologue

  Nudging her gelding into a sprint, aptly named Latte because of the cream color of his coat, Angel Martinez raced across her father's Triple T Ranch and headed for her favorite overlook, a bluff with awe inspiring views of McElmo Creek. She always rode there when she needed to ponder life's dilemmas.

  Twenty minutes later she had crossed a meadow, slowed Latte to a walk through cottonwood trees whose leaves shimmered and rustled in a spring breeze, and finally arrived at the bluff. Dismounting, she tied her horse to a nearby boulder and finally rested on her favorite rock. She inhaled the pristine air and scanned the meandering creek west of her until it dropped and became the raging current directly below. East of her, it once again became serene.

  Angel tossed a stick into the rapids and watched it disappear into the froth, pop up again, and bob away. She picked up a rock and slung it into the raging torrent that mimicked her own turmoil. Glancing at the azure sky, she thought about the previous winter when she had confided to her best friend Hannah Tanner, now Lady Hannah Wyndham, her feelings for Harris Brightman. Likewise, Hannah had confided in Angel about her love for Dr. Alexavier Wyndham. It was then that the women made a pact to go after the men they wanted, regardless of the consequences. Hannah had gone first and returned with a broken heart, but fortunately circumstances had later righted themselves.

  Angel tossed another stick into the water and watched it float away until it disappeared from sight. As for her part in the pact, it had definitely gone awry.

  Chapter 1: Brothers

  About five months earlier

  Angel Martinez glanced at her reflection in the rearview mirror one last time. She decided her makeup looked good as she smoothed back a stray lock of naturally platinum hair. She inhaled and opened her car door. It was maybe three hours before the rodeo gates opened, so the parking lot was mostly empty. The lot next door, however, was filled with the vehicles of those working the rodeo. Since the main gate was locked with no one manning it, she decided to try her luck at the workers' gate. Maybe they'd accept her ticket there.

  "Howdy, ma'am," said an aging cowboy with skin the texture and color of ancient leather. Angel had met many a cowboy like him growing up on her father's Triple T Ranch. Some had worked there only a short time before moving on. Others stayed for longer periods because the wages were good and the bunkhouse superior. There were even two old-timers who had remained since Angel's childhood. She smiled thinking of Old Coot and Handy Luke, nicknames the men had always been called by.

  She showed her ticket to the cowboy.

  He said, "This is the workers' entrance, ma'am. I'm not sup'ose to let you in here."

  Angel sighed and nodded. She had never been one to argue with authority. "When will the main gate open?"

  The cowboy, with at least a week's worth of gray bristles shadowing his jaw, pulled out the straw he was chewing on and tossed it on the ground. "You got some reason to want in early?"

  "Well, yes. I'm friends with Harris Brightman. We grew up together and I wanted to surprise him."

  The man's face brightened. "You're friends with Harris? You sure you're not jus' joshin' me so's you can git in and meet him?"

  "Yes, sir and no, sir."

  "Well, I can tell you he's on my list of favorite folks. Now answer me this and I might let you in. Was he an ornery kid growing up or–"

  Before the man finished his sentence, Angel heard her name called.

  "Angel! Angel! Over here."

  Both she and the gatekeeper turned in the direction of the voice. Angel saw Eli Brightman and grinned. She waved and called, "Eli! Hi! I didn't know you were here!"

  Eli jogged to the gate. "What are you doing in Houston? It's
a long way from home. Did you fly in?"

  "No. I drove. I decided to take a few weeks off from my normal routine and do some traveling." She hoped he wouldn't question her further about her travel plans, which didn't extend any farther than here. He didn't. He just gave her a questioning look and then grinned widely. To the cowboy he said, "Sidewinder, you can let her through. She's a friend."

  Sidewinder said, "I was goin' to do so anyway after she answered my question about what kind of kid Harris was growin' up."

  Eli grinned. "Hell, I could have told you that. He was a brat. But when he let me tag around with him, he was my hero."

  Sidewinder removed his hat, chuckled, and waved Angel inside. "You have a right good time, Miz Angel."

  Angel thanked him and then gave Eli a welcoming hug. His arms went around her waist and squeezed tightly before reaching for her hand and tucking it in the crook of his arm. They chatted as he led her past the corrals and toward a barn. Before they reached it, she paused and he turned toward her. Being the same height, they were on eye level. It always surprised her how different Eli was from his brother. Whereas Harris was tall, dark, and handsome, with short-cropped hair matching the color of his eyes, bittersweet chocolate, Eli was 5'9" with longish light brown hair, green eyes, and thick glasses. At school the mean kids had called him the usual names of four-eyes and nerd, not only because of his studious appearance, but because he was so smart. He'd always aced tests, and in that respect, he and Angel were much alike.

  She said, "I just want to thank you again for standing up for me with that awful reporter. I'm sorry it got you into trouble with the law."

  Eli placed his hand atop Angel's that was still holding his arm. "Angel, you don't have to keep thanking me. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. The guy was a jerk."

  "Yes. But you ended up with a black eye and a night in jail–"

  "–and he also ended up in jail and being kicked out of town. I'd say it was well worth the effort." The corners of Eli's mouth creased when he grinned, and his green eyes twinkled behind his thick glasses. A small dimple appeared on the left side of his chin that Angel had never noticed before.

  "Hey, Angel!" The shout distracted them and Angel's heart hammered. She recognized that voice. The person yelled again, "If I'm not lookin' at an angel, then my name isn't Harris Brightman!"

  Angel could barely breathe. Eli still watched her and his expression turned serious for a moment before he moved his gaze to his brother and grinned. "Hey bro, the heavens must be smiling down on you, 'cause your name is still Harris Brightman."

  Angel accepted the hug Harris gave her and when she stepped back, she thought, Harris, I'm going to find out if we have a chance or my name isn't Angel Martinez.

  Chapter 2: Idea

  Being raised on a ranch, Angel had attended many rodeos throughout her almost twenty-four years, but never had she been at such an exciting one as this. Every time Harris exploded from the gate in the saddle bronc competition the crowd went wild. Without a doubt, he was their favorite competitor. And that was no wonder. His personality was congenial and magnetic and his appearance the perfect blend of swagger and good looks with a touch of wildness added into the mix. He catered to the crowds and especially the women, with winks, hat tipping, and cowboy charm. And when he took first place in his category, the crowd roared. The awards ceremony was replete with a huge trophy presented by a beautiful cowgirl, and when Harris dipped her across his arm and kissed her amid whoops from the onlookers, Angel succumbed to a stab of jealousy.

  Eli glanced at Angel during the awards ceremony and sighed. As long as he could remember he'd been smitten by her. Of course, he'd always known her heart belonged to Harris by the way her eyes lit up whenever he was around. His brother's affect on the female population was legendary, and the fact that Harris wasn't plagued by vanity, only added to his allure. Sometimes Eli wondered if his half-brother's birthfather had anything to do with Harris' charm. Like Harris, the guy had been a handsome cowboy, but that's where the likeness ended. Lucky Larry, as he'd been known back in the day, had been egotistical, vain, and downright mean. He'd used women for his own pleasure and then tossed them aside. That's what had happened to Harris' and Eli's mother, Tooty. When she had confronted Larry with her pregnancy, he'd flippantly denounced it and left her to fend for herself.

  Eli wasn't sure how much Harris knew about his birthfather, but Eli knew about him because at the age of seventeen he'd accidentally overheard his parents discussing the rat. He'd been shocked to find out that his father had actually paid Larry a large sum of money to remove himself permanently from their lives, as well as sign paperwork allowing him to adopt Harris. And although it was known by everyone that Miles Brightman was not Harris' biological father, he was his father. Miles had treated Harris no differently than his own three sons and daughter.

  Eli moved his gaze to Harris lifting his trophy high into the air. He released a sigh. An idea had popped into his head, but he wasn't sure he could follow through with it. He was crazy about Angel, but she was crazy about Harris, and he had a gut feeling that's why she was here. As to whether Harris had any romantic feelings for Angel, Eli wasn't sure. His brother dated women, but didn't seem particularly enamored by any of them. He wasn't a player in any sense of the word. He never led women on like his birthfather had. He simply enjoyed the life of a rodeo champion that would someday end. That's why he'd hired Eli to become his manager and chief accountant. Together they were creating an impressive nest egg through lucrative endorsements and wise investing. Harris' face was well known in the profession in everything from western wear to livestock feed, and he was often a spokesperson for charities. He had a heart for the small, non-profit ones, and often attended fundraisers for fallen law enforcement officers, children's advocate groups, and even library drives. However, his favorite charities were those that helped disabled vets. Having served in the Middle East and witnessed firsthand the loss of friends and comrades, as well as the devastation caused by war related disabilities, be they physical or emotional, he had instructed Eli to locate charities dealing with those issues.

  Angel suddenly brought his mind back to the present when she said, "Eli. Eli." She gave a little laugh. "Earth to Eli."

  He said, "Sorry about that. I guess I've got a lot on my mind. Come on. Let's go find my brother and then get something to eat. I'm starving. How about you?"

  "I think I could eat a burger, a plate of spaghetti, and a few tacos, right now."

  Eli laughed loudly. "Goodness, woman, let's get you fed." He slipped his hand in hers and silently cursed at his pounding heart. No matter how much he wanted Angel, her heart belonged to his brother. It was then that he decided to put his idea into motion. He would suggest to Harris that they hire Angel as their assistant. Maybe then, Harris would come to view her as someone more than a childhood friend.

  Chapter 3: Assistant

  To celebrate the three-week anniversary of Angel joining Harris' workforce that consisted of Eli and her, Harris treated them to a night out at The Cowboy's Steakout in Stephenville, Texas. As she placed her order for a medium steak, double baked potato, collards, baked beans, and homemade biscuits, she wanted to pinch herself. She was in contact with Harris every day as the three of them put their heads together to further his career and allocate his funds wisely. As for his career, there seemed to be no need of oversight. They merely traveled the rodeo circuits from town-to-town as Harris did what he was best at—saddle bronc riding and engaging the crowd. He was a phenomenal success.

  Their waiter returned with a bottle of Trail Boss Cabernet by Purple Cowboy that Harris had ordered, and poured liberal amounts into their wine glasses. Harris lifted his glass and grinned. "Here's to Angel, the prettiest and brightest woman I've ever known. Eli's suggestion that we offer you a job displays his brilliance yet again." He laughed loudly. "Now I have two braniacs showing me how dumb I am."

  Eli clinked his glass to Harris' and Angel's and teased, "Hear, hear, brother. Truer
words were never spoken. Oh, and may you win another trophy tomorrow."

  Angel interjected, "Yes!" Everyone sipped their wine and then Angel said with sincerity, "I just want to thank both of you for giving me this chance. I haven't had so much fun since…well, since forever."

  Eli replied, "No thanks necessary. In fact, we should be thanking you. Your organizational skills are superb and–"

  Eli was interrupted by the return of their waiter with an appetizer platter of jalapeno poppers, fried mozzarella sticks, and spicy chicken wings. The brothers waited for Angel to choose what she wanted and then loaded their plates. It always amazed Angel how much food active men could eat. She'd seen it daily at her father's ranch when the hands gathered for meals prepared by Carlos, their cook for the past ten years.

  Throughout the excellent meal, Angel tried to keep from staring too much at Harris. To her, and just about everyone else, he was larger than life. He was perfect in every way. His physique was mouthwatering, his intelligence amazing—even though he joked about being dumb—and his presence overpowering. But most of all, she was enamored by his kindness, compassion, and patience. He never scolded anyone. He was always attentive to his fans and their endless requests for autographs, and he frequently made appearances for charity organizations. His enthusiasm and energy were amazing.

  After they finished their meal, Harris motioned the waiter over and ordered slices of apple pie. He winked at Angel. "I haven't forgotten that apple pie is your favorite. I remember all the Fourth of July community picnics and how you and your mom always baked them."