Dallas said, âI donât agree. The sooner you accept the fact youâre stuck here, Angel, the sooner you can start learning the things you need to know to survive on your own.â
Angel contemplated arguing with Dallas, but decided it would be futile. His mind was made up. She was pretty sure he didnât half believe her story. As far as he was concerned, they had already examined the one route to the past he had suggested might be available. Now he seemed intent on helping her adjust to life in the future.
Angel wasnât ready to give up so easily. She needed to be in San Antonio by the end of the weekâor it would be too late. She had promised herself this trip. Not that whether she was thereor not would make any real difference. What was going to happen would happen with or without her. But she wanted to be there. It was the least she owed Belinda.
Dallas had given her no choice. She would have to go back to the cave on her own and give things a better, more thorough look. And she was going to have to steal Red to do it.
She hesitated over taking Dallasâs horseâstealing horses was a hanging offense in 1864âbut she didnât think she had a viable alternative. Dallasâs lack of cooperation meant she was going to have to sneak away at night in order to return to the cave. She could never get there on foot before he caught up to her. On the other hand, if she took Red and left him ground-tied outside the cave, it would be more like borrowing than stealing.
âIâd planned to take Red for a short ride before I fed him,â Dallas said, interrupting her thoughts. âI guess thatâll have to wait now.â
âWhy?â
âIâd rather not leave you here alone for any length of time,â Dallas said.
âDo you think Red would mind carrying double?â
Dallas grinned. âI donât think heâd mind at all.â
Angel watched carefully to see where Dallas kept the saddle and bridle stored, and whether Red had any bad habits like biting or kicking that she ought to know about. To her relief the big sorrel horse turned out to be spirited, but good-natured.
Once Dallas was in the saddle, he took his foot out of the stirrup and held out his hand to give Angel a lift up. At first she put her hands on either side of his waist to hold on. As he urged Red to a gallop, it made more sense to slip her arms around Dallas. Unfortunately that brought her breasts flush against his back. She was uncomfortably aware of his warmth, and a strange, tightening sensation that ran from the tips of her breasts down to her belly.
At first she tried to ignore the feelings. When they persisted, she gave up and enjoyed them. She might as well make the most of the few moments they had together. She leaned her cheek against Dallasâs back and tightened her grasp across his washboard belly.
Dallas was equally conscious of their close proximity and was cursing himself for having agreed to this folly. He loved having Angelâs arms around him, in fact, had been counting on it. The problem was he wanted more.
In the past whenever Dallas had wanted awoman, he had chosen one who knew the score. They would enjoy some mutually agreeable physical satisfaction and then part ways. He specifically chose women he could walk away from, women who were as unwilling to commit themselves as he was. He stayed away from women whose hearts were vulnerable, women who were not on an equal footing with him.
By his own standards Angel did not qualify as the sort of woman with whom he could have an affair. She was confused. She was vulnerable. And she was apparently inexperienced. Those were three strikes against her. Only he was having a little trouble putting her out of the game.
âWhere does that road go?â Angel asked, pointing toward a blacktopped surface.
âThereâs a little town about three miles south. Itâs got a bar, a food store and a gas
Angel contemplated arguing with Dallas, but decided it would be futile. His mind was made up. She was pretty sure he didnât half believe her story. As far as he was concerned, they had already examined the one route to the past he had suggested might be available. Now he seemed intent on helping her adjust to life in the future.
Angel wasnât ready to give up so easily. She needed to be in San Antonio by the end of the weekâor it would be too late. She had promised herself this trip. Not that whether she was thereor not would make any real difference. What was going to happen would happen with or without her. But she wanted to be there. It was the least she owed Belinda.
Dallas had given her no choice. She would have to go back to the cave on her own and give things a better, more thorough look. And she was going to have to steal Red to do it.
She hesitated over taking Dallasâs horseâstealing horses was a hanging offense in 1864âbut she didnât think she had a viable alternative. Dallasâs lack of cooperation meant she was going to have to sneak away at night in order to return to the cave. She could never get there on foot before he caught up to her. On the other hand, if she took Red and left him ground-tied outside the cave, it would be more like borrowing than stealing.
âIâd planned to take Red for a short ride before I fed him,â Dallas said, interrupting her thoughts. âI guess thatâll have to wait now.â
âWhy?â
âIâd rather not leave you here alone for any length of time,â Dallas said.
âDo you think Red would mind carrying double?â
Dallas grinned. âI donât think heâd mind at all.â
Angel watched carefully to see where Dallas kept the saddle and bridle stored, and whether Red had any bad habits like biting or kicking that she ought to know about. To her relief the big sorrel horse turned out to be spirited, but good-natured.
Once Dallas was in the saddle, he took his foot out of the stirrup and held out his hand to give Angel a lift up. At first she put her hands on either side of his waist to hold on. As he urged Red to a gallop, it made more sense to slip her arms around Dallas. Unfortunately that brought her breasts flush against his back. She was uncomfortably aware of his warmth, and a strange, tightening sensation that ran from the tips of her breasts down to her belly.
At first she tried to ignore the feelings. When they persisted, she gave up and enjoyed them. She might as well make the most of the few moments they had together. She leaned her cheek against Dallasâs back and tightened her grasp across his washboard belly.
Dallas was equally conscious of their close proximity and was cursing himself for having agreed to this folly. He loved having Angelâs arms around him, in fact, had been counting on it. The problem was he wanted more.
In the past whenever Dallas had wanted awoman, he had chosen one who knew the score. They would enjoy some mutually agreeable physical satisfaction and then part ways. He specifically chose women he could walk away from, women who were as unwilling to commit themselves as he was. He stayed away from women whose hearts were vulnerable, women who were not on an equal footing with him.
By his own standards Angel did not qualify as the sort of woman with whom he could have an affair. She was confused. She was vulnerable. And she was apparently inexperienced. Those were three strikes against her. Only he was having a little trouble putting her out of the game.
âWhere does that road go?â Angel asked, pointing toward a blacktopped surface.
âThereâs a little town about three miles south. Itâs got a bar, a food store and a gas
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