Read Online Heavenly Angel by Heather Rainier - Free Book Online Page A

on the spot, asking him more questions along that same line.
    “Mama cryin’?” Michael asked softly, sympathetically. She smiled, noticing that he had developed Angel’s habit of sometimes dropping the “g” at the end of words.
    “No, I’m fine. Mama just loves you so much.” She got up from the table and kissed the top of his head and allowed him to pat her cheek before nibbling his neck and making him giggle. A few minutes later, he came screeching from his bedroom when he heard Angel’s big dually pickup truck outside.
    Angel took one look at her face when she opened the door and smiled when she immediately went into his arms for a hug and Michael tugged on his leg and babbled.
    “What’s the matter, beautiful?” he whispered in her ear. She could hear the concern in his voice. The lump reformed in her throat, and she shook her head. Teresa gathered Michael’s backpack and cowboy hat, and Angel lifted Michael up onto his arm to carry him out to the truck. Michael loved being outside when Angel’s diesel truck was running.
    “Berbbbbbbbbb!”
    Teresa held Michael while Angel installed his car seat, and then he buckled the little boy in. After handing him his hat, Angel closed the truck door and turned to her. She’d had a minute or two to compose herself and will the lump trying to reform in her throat into submission. “Are you all right?” He brushed away a wisp of hair the chilly wind blew in her face.
    “I’m fine, Angel. Just feeling sentimental, you know? Michael is so excited about spending the day with you. Thank you for taking care of him for me.”
    “We men are going to have a good time.” Then focusing the attention back on her, he murmured, “You looked sad when you answered the door. What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
    It was difficult to speak through the thick huskiness that formed in her throat as she battled tears. “Nothing is wrong, Angel. I feel…very blessed,” she said as her lips trembled, “like my cup is running over. It got to me, I guess.”
    “All right,” he replied, smiling down at her with a look of understanding in his eyes. “Don’t bother packing a lunch because me and the little man are going to bring your lunch up to the store. I know you only get a few minutes because of the rush, so we’ll stop by with it then you can eat whenever time allows.”
    “You are the most thoughtful man I’ve ever known, Angel.”
    Angel smiled flirtatiously. “Wait until you meet Joaquin.”
    “Is he coming today?” They still hadn’t heard for sure when he was planning to arrive.
    “When I talked to him this morning, he said he was tied up. When he calls later today, I’ll have a better idea of what time he’ll arrive. He tends to be more spontaneous. I should know something by the time you get off of work. Now, you don’t work too hard today.” He wrapped his arms around her and leaned down to kiss her.
    They both laughed when they heard a loud squeal from inside the cab of the diesel. He released her and opened the driver door.
    “What’s all the ruckus in here for, boy?”
    “Mama kissin’ Daddy!”
    Teresa’s hands flew to her mouth in utter mortification. Angel roared with laughter then gathered her into his arms, flaming cheeks and all, and kissed her again for good measure.
    “Angel, I swear I didn’t teach him that or encourage him to say it!”
    He laughed softly, the sound resonating in her ears like a reassuring caress. “I know. He’s been calling me Daddy for at least a month when we’re together at the ranch.”
    “He asked if you were his daddy this morning. I think he sees other daddies picking up their kids from daycare and wondered where you fit into our lives.”
    Angel nodded in understanding, filling her heart with relief. “Out of the blue one day last month, while I had him on one of the mares, he called me Daddy. I saw no reason to correct him or confuse him further, so I let him. Don’t worry, sweetheart. It doesn’t bother