Angel woke with a raging headache. Groaning, she pulled her pillow over her head and tried to meditate on a meadow of wildflowers gently swaying in a breeze. Sometimes that helped, but not today. Images of Harris dancing with Lucinda kept flashing across her mind. But more than that, her intimate dance with Eli was causing her untold vexation. The longer they'd danced, the more she'd enjoyed his embrace and sweet words; so much so, that she'd continued to dance with him throughout several songs, and no matter how lively or slow, they'd slowly shuffled back and forth like no one else was in the room. At one point, she'd even felt him kiss her neck. It was then that she'd come to her senses and backed away from him, saying she'd had too much to drink and was ready to return to their table. She'd hoped that by confessing she was fuzzy headed he'd realize that her coziness was because of the alcohol.
Groaning again and rolling to her side, she pushed up until she was sitting on the side of the bed and waited for her head to stop spinning. Several minutes later she grudgingly rose to shower and dress. In the shower she closed her eyes and, much to her consternation, relived the feel of Eli's mouth on her neck. It had felt so good.
When Angel entered the main room, Lucinda was seated at the booth and tapping on the keyboard of her laptop. She looked rested and ready for the day. She glanced up and grinned. "I just started my article on Harris and I have to say, he's not what I expected. After my rudeness yesterday, I thought he'd probably toss me out on my ass. He's really a nice person. I–"
There was a knock on the door and Angel moved to open it. Eli stood outside and she only met his gaze for an instant before glancing away. His hair was a little mussed, he hadn't shaved, and his glasses made him look sexy and nerdy at the same time. It was a paradox that Angel hadn't noticed before. He said, "Angel, could I speak to you outside for a moment?"
"Sure." She turned to Lucinda. "I'll be right back."
Although Lucinda looked curious, she went back to typing on her laptop.
Outside the RV, Eli was pacing and looking worried, and Angel thought she knew what was wrong. Tentatively, she said, "Um, about last night, I was a little drunk and acting irrationally. I'm sorry…" she paused when Eli looked at her as if he didn't know what she was talking about.
Finally, he said, "Oh, that. Don't worry about it."
Angel was taken aback and, well, frankly, hurt. He was dismissing their actions as inconsequential and meaningless. But wasn't that what she wanted?
He spoke again. "We have a problem, Angel."
She frowned. If their problem wasn't them, what could it possibly be?
Eli stopped pacing. "Harris met up with his birthfather and hired him as a driver."
Angel tried to register that revelation and finally gasped, "What!"
Eli grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the RV. "He's adamant that this guy joins us and refuses to listen to reason, so I was just as adamant that he couldn't reveal our driver was his birthfather." He jerked his head toward the RV door. "Not with a reporter watching his every move."
Angel's headache returned with a vengeance as Eli gave her a short history lesson about Lucky Larry. What had Harris done, not only to his career, but to his family?
Lucinda didn't need to be hit with a brick to know something was up. She tapped a few more keystrokes and then closed her laptop. The beginning of her article was taking shape as she described what it was like being a greenhorn surrounded by rodeo jocks, cowgirls, and fans. She also gave her reaction to meeting up with Angel and Eli. As for Harris, he'd remain a blank slate for the time being.
She reached for her coffee, sipped, and tapped her fingernails on the table. Did Eli's private conversation with Angel have anything to do with Harris? She'd bet the farm it did. She thought about the night before and dancing with him. He was a great dancer and all around fun person. Several people in the restaurant had greeted him by name and there had been much back and forth banter. She'd even been introduced to the PRCA's current All-Around Cowboy who had greeted Harris warmly with a pat on the back and then proceeded to heckle him, but only in jest.
Something else Lucinda had observed was all the attention Harris received from females, both young and old, and in between. He was quite the lady's man. Her mind returned to dancing with him. She was still amazed that he hadn't asked another woman to dance. In fact, he'd seemed to really enjoy teaching her to line dance.
Reality suddenly intervened in her thoughts and she scoffed, You're a reporter doing an exclusive on him. Of course, he's going to cater to you.
The door opened and both Angel and Eli entered the RV with serious expressions.
Yep. Something is definitely going on.