The Christmas She Always Wanted. Stella Bagwell

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СКАЧАТЬ course it would be Jubal, she thought with sinking dread. At this time of year, no one else would have reason to come back this way.

      Bracing herself, she fought the urge to run and waited instead for him to appear. When his tall, lanky body finally stepped through the open doorway of the kitchen, an unexpected thrill rushed through her.

      Jubal spotted Angela standing beside the kitchen table and stopped in his tracks. “Oh. It’s you,” he said with surprise. “I saw Geraldine’s truck and thought she was here.”

      She took an awkward step forward and Jubal could see her cheeks were flushed red, but whether from embarrassment or anger, or simply the cold, he couldn’t be sure. In any case, she looked completely uncomfortable.

      “Uh—Miss Geraldine sent me over with gift baskets. There was some food I needed to put in the refrigerator.”

      The last time he’d seen her, she’d told him that she never wanted to see him again. Jubal was relieved to see her for any reason. He only wished she was happier to be here.

      Pushing the brim of his black Stetson back a fraction on his forehead, he walked over to her. Here in the morning light, she seemed even more petite than he remembered. Her head would barely strike the middle of his chest, yet the curves hidden beneath her jeans and sweatshirt were all that he recalled and more. “I’m glad you brought them.”

      Stepping to one side of her, he poked through the items in one of the baskets on the tabletop. Angela tried to ignore his nearness, tried to pretend he still didn’t look like the sexy cowboy she’d first fallen in love with when she’d been a mere nineteen years old. But she had to admit there was a sensuality about the man that she’d apparently forgotten and it was calling far too loudly to her now.

      “Mmm, looks good,” he said. “I’ll have to thank Geraldine for being so thoughtful.”

      “I’ll tell her you’re pleased—as soon as I get back to the ranch house.” Turning, she quickly started out of the room.

      “Angie, wait.”

      Her heart hammering, she paused to look over her shoulder. For a moment, as her gaze skittered over his face, their eyes clashed and the brief meeting jolted her senses, reminding her of the wild, sweet taste of his kiss.

      He cleared his throat. “The weather is miserable today. Why don’t you take a minute to warm yourself at the fireplace?”

      Was he trying to be thoughtful? Did he think being polite could wipe away the past, she wondered crazily. Forget that, Angela, she chided herself. Jubal doesn’t want anything from you. Not now.

      “That’s hospitable of you, Jubal. Especially after—the things I said to you.”

      One of his shoulders lifted and fell. “You were upset,” he explained. “I’m just glad you decided to see me for any reason.”

      She didn’t know how to reply to that without raking up more of the past so she said, “I suppose I could stay for a few minutes.”

      Smiling faintly, he gestured toward the doorway and Angela preceded him out of the kitchen and into the living area.

      The long room was filled with comfortable leather furniture and bright Navajo rugs. A snappy fire on the hearth radiated a welcome warmth.

      For years she’d been haunted with the image of Jubal, Evette and their child sharing a home together. Now she had to rearrange those images and she wasn’t at all sure how she felt about that. The wounded part of Angela had been happy to hear that Evette hadn’t been able to hold on to him. But she wasn’t happy about his losing the baby. The child had been an innocent victim in the whole affair. Just like Melanie.

      Turning her back to the flames, she noticed that Jubal hadn’t taken a seat. Seeing him standing so tall and strong in the middle of the room made her even more aware of the attractive picture he made and how vulnerable it made her feel to be alone with him.

      “Did you know the family that lived here before?” he asked.

      She nervously clasped her hands together. “No. They moved out before I had a chance to meet them.”

      “Geraldine told me that the man had respiratory problems and had to move to the western part of the state.”

      “Yes. Cook said everyone hated to see the family go.”

      Jubal nodded. “I get the impression that once a person starts working here, he pretty much stays for life. Is that the way you feel?”

      Was that his subtle way of asking about her plans for the future, Angela wondered. Or was he simply making conversation? Either way, it felt more than strange to be standing a few feet away from him, hearing his voice. For so long now he’d simply been a memory. Right now, she wasn’t quite sure which was the best—the reality of being in his presence or the memory of being in his arms.

      “I…right now I’m just concentrating on getting through the last of my college studies. This job is a blessing because Miss Geraldine allows me enough time to deal with my classes.”

      Interest flickered across his face. “Oh. You’re still working on a college degree?”

      Maybe at one time in her life, she’d behaved as though being his wife was going to be her career. Dear God, how humiliating. The two of them had only dated three months, yet Angela had already started planning a future with him. She’d been aware that he’d dated the mayor’s daughter before her, but she’d truly believed that Evette was out of his life. He’d even insisted that the woman had only been someone to spend time with, not someone he seriously cared about. But then Evette had started making ugly noises, demanding that he come back to her. Jubal had refused. Then she’d announced she was pregnant, and everything had changed. Angela’s life had changed.

      Glancing away from him, she said, “Yes, I’m studying to be a teacher. But classes have broken for the semester right now.”

      Across the few feet of space separating them, she saw admiration in his green eyes. The reaction surprised her. It also made her think. Five years ago she and Jubal had been passionately involved, but they had not really known each other. Not in the way they should have.

      “I didn’t realize you wanted to be a teacher,” he said. “I’m impressed.”

      She tried to tell herself that his compliment was hollow, that it meant nothing to her now. But she couldn’t stop a tiny spurt of pleasure from spiraling through her.

      Shrugging, she said, “I like working with children and I think the job will suit me.”

      “Elementary or high school?”

      “Both, if I can pass the certification exam.”

      “You’re a smart woman, Angie. You’ll pass.”

      There it was, she thought with an inward groan. That endearing smile of his, the one that had once melted her heart, made her believe that she was the most special woman in his life. She couldn’t let it affect her again. She had to be strong, had to remember that he couldn’t be trusted. Ever.

      “Well, that’s a long way from now,” she told him. “I still have another semester СКАЧАТЬ