Read Online Tracie Peterson - [New Mexico Sunset 03] by Angel's Cause - Free Book Online Page B

her.
    ❧
    Two days later, Angeline found herself sitting to the far side of the stage, where Willa, front and center, urged the people of the small town to see the merits of women’s suffrage. This town was much smaller than Santa Fe and far less progressive in its thinking. Many of the men and women gathered there were natives to the area and cared little for the ideals behind voting when they were worried about water for their crops and animals.
    Angeline was amazed at the crowd’s seeming indifference, but even more amazing was the way that this indifference changed to anger at one simple statement made by Willa.
    “I have seen the treatment of animals in this country and deemed it better than that of women,” she announced in a heated fury.
    “Animals are our life’s blood,” a man yelled from the murmuring crowd.
    Willa shook her raised fist, and Angeline felt herself cower against the hard wooden chair. She didn’t much care for this side of Willa. “Women gave you life, not those animals you pamper to market.”
    This created quite a stir in the gathering and, before Angeline realized what was happening, there were angry shouts and rocks being thrown at Willa.
    Staring in dumbstruck silence, Angeline watched as several men approached the stage. They were shouting and cursing about Willa’s inability to understand their plight. It wouldn’t be learned until days later that several boxcars filled with sheep headed to market had derailed and consequently pushed more than one of the local families into financial ruin.
    Angeline came to her feet at the sight of the first dissenter coming on stage. She backed up against the edge, not knowing what would happen next, fearful that she would be unable to protect herself from the rushing crowd.
    Glancing around into the inky shadows of full night, Angeline began to pray as never before. “Please God,” she whispered, “please help me.”
    Utter pandemonium broke out after that, and the stage was rushed with Willa being safely spirited off in the opposite direction of where Angeline stood. Without warning, Angeline felt herself being lifted and thrown heavily against the broad shoulders of a stranger. She fought for all she was worth, kicking, screaming, and beating at the man’s back, but nothing could stop him.
    The man pushed through the crowds, leaving the dissenters behind to tear up the stage and suffrage banners. He wormed his way through new arrivals who were clearly endowed with false courage from the assistance of the local saloon. When her captor started to run, Angeline felt the wind knock from her as her mid-section slammed against his shoulder again and again.
    “Dear God,” she breathed aloud, feeling herself grow faint.
    Then as quickly as it had begun, it ended. The man stopped, glanced around, and opened the small wooden door that entered a tiny adobe building.
    He had to stoop to get through the doorway, but once inside, he straightened back up and pulled Angeline down into his arms.
    Angeline kept her eyes closed tightly. Partially because she was afraid to see her captor and partially because her head was spinning.
    “Hi, Angel,” the stern, but familiar voice called out, as Gavin Lucas cradled her to his chest.
    Angeline’s eyes flew open and a small gasp escaped her lips before she threw her arms around Gavin’s neck and squealed his name.
    “Gavin! I’m so happy to see you. I thought I was going to die back there!”
    “You very well could have. Those people weren’t a bit happy with your cause.” He said the word in such a snide way that Angeline immediately took offense.
    “They just don’t understand,” she began. “They don’t see the necessity of women being allowed to choose their representation in government.” She wound down a bit and looked around the room. “Where are we?”
    “I haven’t the slightest idea,” Gavin replied. “I looked in the window and saw the place was empty and figured I needed to check you