"Shit, Angelina, you don't lie worth beans, do ya?"

"Is that bad?" she stuttered, her teeth still chattering with fear.

"It is when our necks are on the line. Remind me to teach you how someday."

"No, thank you. Where have you been?"

Charlie frowned though he kept his gaze on the bounty hunter in front of him. "Where do you think I was? Tryin' to get a clear shot most of the time. But you couldn't seem to stay out of the way."

Angelina gasped. "You mean you were going to shoot these two men?"

"Sister, they'd have shot me and done the same or worse to you if we had given them half a chance. When are you gonna wise up?"

Angelina just stared at Charlie in amazement. He was serious. He flicked his glance her way, then, as quickly, returned his attention to the man he held at gunpoint. "Shut your mouth, Sister. The flies'll get in." She did with a snap of teeth and earned a quirk of his lips for her compliance. "Now get me a rope so we can tie these two up and get out of here."

"You aren't going to get away, Coltrain," the bounty hunter sneered. "There's guys looking for you from Texas to California and every place in between."

"I had that figured out for myself. I'm only worryin' about you right now. Keep your hands where I can see 'em. I'd like nothin' better than to put a bullet in you after the way I heard you talkin' to the Sister here. In fact, maybe I will anyway, just for fun."

The bounty hunter turned pale and sweat rolled down one cheek.

"Would you quit taking about killing and shooting?" Angelina shouted, startling herself and the others with her vehemence.

Charlie frowned. "What's the matter with you?"

Angelina turned on her heel and walked away without answering. There was no reasoning with Charlie Coltrain. Stubborn men were always right. If she had to, she would admit he was the expert in handling dangerous situations. She just made a muddle of them. Still, he frightened her when he discussed murder as calmly as the weather. More and more she was coming to realize Charlie Coltrain was more man than she wanted to handle.

Within minutes Angelina returned to Charlie with the rope, ignoring his questioning look. Shortly thereafter, the two bounty hunters were tied securely, one still unconscious, though Angelina had checked his head and determined he would be all right. Then she and Charlie had returned to camp.

Angelina doused the fire and set about rolling up her bedding in preparation to leave. When she stood, the bedroll in her hands, and turned to go to the horses, Charlie blocked the way. She tilted her head back and looked into his face. His hat shaded his eyes, but she could still read the confusion within them as he stared down at her.

"Care to tell me what that was all about down by the creek?"

"No." She made to move past him.

He stopped her with his hand on her upper arm. "Yes, I want to know why you're so angry. Did you think I'd gone away and left you?"

"I didn't know what to think. I was frightened."

"You've got to know by now that I wouldn't have left you with them, Angelina."

Charlie's grip on her arm loosened, now more a caress than anything else. Angelina looked up at him again. "Why?" she asked. "Why would I know that?"

"I may be a lot of things, but I'm not a coward. I wouldn't walk away and leave a woman alone with two men like that, especially when she was doin' her damnedest to protect me."

He took a step closer and blocked the sun, throwing her into the shade caused by his shadow. Charlie's body brushed against hers, and Angelina caught her breath at the sensation. She couldn't seem to look away from his eyes. They held her in the same position, though she knew she should back away from him and the temptation he represented as fast as she could.

"Why'd you do it, Angelina?" His voice sounded somewhere between a whisper and a growl. "You lied for me. Isn't that a sin?"

A sin, yes, her mind answered. Her body answered a different call. When Charlie bent his head and touched his lips to hers in the softest of kisses, she leaned into him, raising her hands to cradle his face and pull him closer.

Suddenly all the fear that had been roiling in her stomach since she'd first seen the bounty hunters became an emotion of a different kind. If things had gone differently, if Charlie hadn't been who he was-the capable and dangerous outlaw-they would both be dead. But they weren't; they were alive. And she clung to him, to his heat and his passion and his life, as her mouth melded to his.

After his first initial start of surprise at her response, Charlie kissed her back with the same fervor. What had started as a gentle brush of lips became more as he coaxed her mouth open. When his tongue entered her, she met the caress with her own, shivering at the shaft of fire blazing from her mouth to her belly. She tangled her fingers in his hair and angled her head so she could experience the heat to its fullest.

Charlie wrenched his mouth away from hers and stared down at her, the confusion still present in his eyes. She took a step toward him, offering her lips again, but he shook his head sharply and put his hands on her waist, holding her back. Both of them were breathing fast, the sound harsh in the early morning stillness.

"What the hell are you doin', Angelina?"

"Kissing you. I thought that's what you wanted."

"I did. I do." He released her and ran a hand through the hair she had so recently caressed. "But you don't. Not really. I know what you're feelin' now. Sometimes when you think you're gonna die, and then you find out you're not, you want to prove you're still alive." He gave a short, harsh laugh. "I've been there enough times myself. But you shouldn't kiss me like that. You don't understand what you're doin'."

Anger flared along with the embarrassment. "I understand perfectly well what I'm doing. I'm not a child, Charlie Coltrain."

"Damn near." He held up a hand to stop her tirade. "You're young, you're innocent and you're goin' to be a nun."

"You told me once that you wouldn't kiss me again until I asked for it. Well, I asked for it."

"I think I told you you'd beg." A long sigh escaped him from somewhere deep inside. "Hell, I only said that to make you mad. I'm just a man, Sister, and not a very good one. I've done some awful things, but for most of 'em I had a reason, and I can still live with myself. Though just barely. If I ruin you, if I ruin your dream, I'll be doin' it for my own selfish need. That I can't live with." He looked straight into her eyes, and Angelina's breath caught in her throat at the earnestness of his gaze. "I'm the one doin' the beggin' now, Sister. Don't kiss me again. Don't touch me. I can't keep turnin' away from you forever. I want you too damn much."

Chapter Ten.

The tense silence that had existed between Angelina and Charlie for the past week continued over the next few days. She was mortified she had allowed her emotions to run away with her usual good sense. What was wrong with her?

Charlie had said she was merely reacting to a frightening experience, and he should know. But if Angelina was being honest, she would have to admit the feelings that had rushed through her when she'd kissed Charlie had not been new feelings. She had experienced their pull nearly every minute since she had first seen him. She had told herself that the tiny bud of heat burning within her whenever she looked at him was a reaction to the danger she sensed in him, or it was a reaction to the danger all around them, or maybe just a residue of the excitement she was experiencing over her mission. It might be all those things, but the feeling was something else, too. Something frightening, strange and new, something that endangered everything she believed in, everything she wanted and held dear in her life.

Angelina sat up straighter on her horse, shaking her head and willing the disturbing thought away. She would not give a name to such emotions. She would not. There was no reason to. They would arrive at her father's hacienda outside of Chihuahua in about two days, and then Charlie Coltrain would be but a memory. Besides, he had told her himself-no, he had begged her-to leave him alone. Just the thought of his words made her cringe with embarrassment, though she was thankful he had said them. She had to concentrate all her energies on her mission if she was to succeed before her time ran out.

Charlie stopped at the top of a ridge and reined in his horse. He shaded his eyes and gazed downward.

"What's the matter?" Angelina asked as she pulled to a stop next to him.

"Ranch up ahead." Charlie's voice drew her attention forward, and he indicated the buildings below them with a nod. "Want to stop?"

"Oh, yes, please." Until the opportunity had become available, Angelina hadn't realized how tired and hot and dirty she was. The chance that they might be able to rest awhile and maybe clean off the top layer of dust was too much to resist.

Charlie gave her one of his rare half smiles and nudged his horse down the ridge.

They rode into the front yard of the hacienda and reined in their horses. The place looked quite a bit like her own home, though on a less grand scale. Her father had always made sure everything on his ranch was built to impress. This yard was circled by a barn, corral and two-story home. Several horses strolled leisurely around the paddock, nickering a welcome to Gabe and Angelina's horse.

Charlie jumped to the ground and helped Angelina from her horse. She swayed a bit, having been in the saddle since early morning, and Charlie put a steadying hand to her elbow. The flare of heat that always enveloped her at his touch sparked anew, and she gritted her teeth against the pleasure.

Noticing nothing amiss, Charlie released her and glanced around the deserted yard. "Looks like everyone's gone."

No sooner had he finished his sentence than the door to the house opened and a woman stepped forward. Just above five feet tall and obviously pregnant, she took slow and measured steps. The slant of the porch roof shaded her features as she leaned against the doorway and wiped her face with a languid gesture. At the movement her long black braid fell forward over her shoulder and smacked against her ample belly. She threw the hair back over her shoulder with an impatient gesture.

"Can I help you?" the woman called, shading her eyes and squinting into the sun. She focused on Angelina, then let out a gasp of delight and lumbered forward. "Angelina!" she shouted and walked down the steps to throw her arms around Angelina's neck, hugging her tightly.

"Maria," Angelina said, hugging the woman back despite the shock running though her. She stepped back, holding Maria at arm's length. "What on earth are you doing here?"

"This is my home. I got married." Maria smiled shyly and ran a hand over the mound of her stomach. "Obviously. His father gave us this land and some stock, and we started our own ranch."

"I'm so happy for you. You always wanted to have dozens of children."

"So did you-" Maria broke off with a quick intake of breath. "I mean when we were children you did. I know that now you-uh-I mean-" She faltered to a stop.

Angelina laid a hand on her friend's arm to ease Maria's embarrassment. "I know what you mean. That's one of the best things about the convent, too-teaching the children."

Maria nodded, obviously relieved she had not offended Angelina. "What are you doing here? Your parents said you would not be home for many years." Her gaze went to Charlie and she frowned. "Who is this?"

Angelina turned to Charlie, who had stood patiently next to his horse while he watched their reunion. Angelina motioned for him to come closer and he did, removing his hat. Maria gasped out loud at the sight of his golden hair and beyond handsome face. Her gaze flicked to Angelina's face, then back to Charlie's, and she smiled slyly.

"Where is your habit and veil, Angelina? Is this why you've come home? To tell your parents you've given up the church"-she nodded at Charlie-"for him?"

"No!" The word burst from Angelina's mouth, sounding guilty even to her own ears. She took a deep breath and looked at Charlie. He raised his eyebrows and shrugged. She bit her lip to stifle a reprimand for the amusement she read in his eyes.

"This is Charlie Coltrain. I had a little problem returning to my convent after a short trip to nurse some other Sisters. Charlie assisted me and now he's taking me home for a visit."

"Hmm," was Maria's only comment.

Angelina chose to ignore the skepticism in her friend's tone. She knew explaining herself any further would only create more suspicion.

"Charlie, this is my dear friend from childhood. Maria-" She smiled at her friend. "I don't even know your married name. What is it?"

Just as Maria opened her mouth to answer, the sound of a horse being ridden hard and fast in their direction reached them. They all turned toward the house and seconds later a rider burst around the corner.

From the corner of her eye, Angelina saw Charlie draw his gun, but neither quickly nor desperately. He merely withdrew the weapon from the holster as though he didn't even realize he'd done it. He cocked the pistol and held the weapon at the ready. Stepping forward, he focused his eyes on the rider as he placed himself between the two women and the new arrival.

Angelina felt protected, safe and secure in the shadow of Charlie's capability and assurance. Warmth flooded her that had nothing to do with the heat of the sun or the heaviness of her old brown dress. The warmth sprang from deep inside and she didn't want the feeling to ever go away.

Then she looked up into the face of the man on the horse as he reined to a stop in front of them. The warmth died as icy-cold recognition jolted through her.

The man's eyes met hers and widened with recognition as well, before narrowing with dislike. He sported a thin mustache on his upper lip that had not been there the last time she had seen him. He was still tall, wiry, with blue-black hair and stunningly blue eyes that contrasted with his sun-browned skin. A handsome man-with a distinctly unhandsome personality.

"Angelina Reyes," he said with a nod and a thin, nasty smile. "What brings you and your-" He flicked a disdainful glance at Charlie, who continued to hold the gun ready while he observed the rider. "Would this be a gunslinger? What would a nun"-he spat the last word with obvious distaste-"want with a man of his caliber?"

"Seems to me," Charlie drawled, his ruined voice earning a start of surprise from everyone but Angelina, "from the looks of you, the Sister needs all the help she can get."

"Is that so? And just who the hell are you? And what are you doing on my land?"

Angelina stepped forward and placed a hand on Charlie's forearm. Though he looked perfectly calm and in control, the muscles of his arm were bunched tightly with tension. "Juan Alvarez, this is Charlie Coltrain."

"Juan from the church?" Charlie asked.

Juan grimaced and shot Angelina a venomous glare. He had obviously not forgiven her for refusing to marry him. Even though he'd married Maria and received land of his own, his pride had been wounded, and Spanish men did not easily forget such a blow. Angelina knew well the stiff-necked pride of the criollo male. She had lived with seven prime examples of that pride for most of her life.

"I can't believe you told this, this"-Juan waved his hand dismissively at Charlie-"person about our private business."

"It was hardly private, Juan, considering everyone in the area was there. I'm sorry I had to embarrass you that way, but you have to admit we would have been miserable together."

Angelina took Juan's silence for acquiescence and went on. "As I was telling Maria before you came-" She glanced over at her friend, whose face had taken on a green tinge since the harsh words had flown between Angelina and Juan. Obviously stress was not good for Maria in her condition. Angelina paused long enough to lead her friend to a chair near the house before she continued. "As I was telling your wife, Charlie is taking me home. I had no idea you or Maria had settled here or we wouldn't have stopped. I have no more desire to see you, Juan, than you have to see me."

Juan swung his leg over the horse and jumped lightly to the ground. Before she'd left, Angelina had believed Juan the tallest man in these parts. Such was the case no longer since Charlie topped him by several inches. But it was not the height that made Charlie seem so much larger. It was the hint of menace sizzling in the air around him with the ferocity of a midsummer lightning storm.

"Do you want to call off your man, Angelina?" Juan asked. "That gun of his makes me a bit nervous."

"The Sister don't own me," Charlie growled, though he reholstered his pistol anyway. "Now that you've had your reunion, let's go, Sister." He turned and walked toward Gabe.

"Oh, no, please," Maria cried, getting up from the chair with a lurch. "Can't you stay the night? It's been so long since I've seen Angelina, and the only women to talk to way out here are the servants. I-" She cast a glance at her glowering husband, then finished her sentence in a low-voiced rush. "Angelina and I were like sisters. Despite everything that's happened, I've missed her."

The thought of spending the night as a guest in the home of Juan Alvarez was anything but pleasant, despite the lure of a bed and a warm bath. Angelina could tell by Juan's face he loathed the idea as much as she. Charlie didn't look very happy either if the glance he sent her way was any indication. But the pleading tone of Maria's voice and the hope on her face had Angelina sighing in weary defeat before she nodded. "All right. Just one night. Then we must go on."

The thought occurred to Angelina that she had been hoping for a way to extend her time with Charlie, to learn how she was meant to help him. God had given her one more day. She would have to make use of the gift.

Maria's small cry of happiness warmed Angelina's heart. They had once been close. Though Juan might hold a grudge against her, Angelina knew Maria was too kindhearted to hold anything against anyone for more than a second. Maria possessed a saintly soul and everyone loved her. Angelina truly hoped Maria was happy with Juan. He was not really a bad man, just a man who had been raised to believe his will was one step below God's-and only that low when he chose to acknowledge it.

Angelina's attention turned to Charlie as he led the horses toward the barn. What was different about him that made her heart pound and her throat clench and her skin tingle whenever he was near? He was a man, but she did not feel the same distaste for him that she had for Juan.

Maria pulled on Angelina's arm and chattered rapidly in a mixture of English and Spanish as she drew her friend toward the house. Angelina glanced at Juan as she went by. He stared after Charlie, a curious frown on his face; then his gaze flicked to Angelina and he smiled knowingly. Angelina returned the stare without flinching.

"Is there something you wanted, Juan?" she asked.

"No. Have a nice talk, muchachas. I will be back for dinner. I have more work to do yet today. Perhaps your man will assist me?"

Angelina frowned. Juan was up to something, and it involved Charlie. "I don't think so. He needs to rest."

"I can speak for myself, Sister." Charlie spoke from the doorway of the barn, the command in his ruined voice stopping all conversation. "I'll help the man out. I know my way around a horse ranch."

"Splendid." Juan clapped his hands. "We'll get you a fresh mount and be off." He walked toward the barn.

Angelina scowled at Charlie, but she kept her displeasure to herself. He did not seem to appreciate any advice from her about what he was to do and not do. The side of his mouth turned up, and he shrugged, then followed Juan into the dark interior of the barn.

Maria chattered on as though the break in conversation had not even occurred, and Angelina turned away reluctantly to follow her friend into the house.

"We've got to get you another dress. Where on earth did you get that one?"

"A whorehouse," Angelina muttered absently.

"What? Oh, you can't be serious. Anyway, it's better than your habit, I expect. We'll find you something pretty to wear. You'll feel so much better with a pretty dress."

Angelina smiled. She was definitely home again if a pretty dress could fix everything. That had always been both her mother's and her father's answer to every problem. Unfortunately, for all of them, such tactics had never worked with Angelina.