Read Tracie Peterson - [New Mexico Sunset 03] for Free Online Page A

Willa expressed with a nod. “Well, I’m glad you used the brains the good Lord gave you and came along anyway. Look here, there’s someone I want you to meet.” Angeline lifted her face to meet the gaze of a very handsome man. “Angeline Monroe, this is Douglas Baker. He is a great help to our cause and politically aligned to do us much good. He is very ambitious and very well may one day be president of the United States.”
    Angeline couldn’t hide her surprise as she extended her hand to the gentleman before her. Bending over and lifting Angeline’s hand to his lips, Douglas Baker kissed the back very gently, then lifted his head to reveal a broad smile. “I am charmed.”
    Angeline stared long and hard into the most beautiful green eyes she’d ever seen. Douglas Baker was very nearly perfect, she concluded. She pulled back her hand reluctantly and offered a weak version of her own smile. “How do you do?”
    “Quite well,” he replied, straightening up again. “In fact, much better now that you are a part of our entourage.”
    Willa laughed. “Douglas is quite the flatterer. He specializes in making women swoon and babies laugh.”
    “What about the men?” Angeline questioned without giving it any thought.
    “I outsmart the men,” Douglas answered with a mischievous smile. “Those I can’t outsmart, well,” he paused and laughed, “I guess I haven’t run across that man yet.”
    Angeline enjoyed his banter and took the window seat that Willa directed her to. Douglas quickly possessed the seat directly across from Angeline, while Willa sat beside her.
    Angeline couldn’t help but stare at Douglas. He was the kind of man who demanded attention and drew it to himself when it was otherwise unoffered. He was of average height and not nearly as muscular as Gavin, Angeline decided. But, he was more stately in his appearance, and his neatly manicured hands indicated he spent most of his time behind a desk instead of outdoors.
    Willa began speaking before the train even pulled out of the station, and Douglas was happy to engage the older woman in debates regarding the suffrage movement. Angeline simply sat back and took it all in. Mostly, she watched Douglas, fascinated with the way he conducted himself. She was so engrossed in her study of his neatly parted blond hair, that she missed hearing the question that Willa posed.
    “I’m sorry,” Angeline said, blushing slightly. “What did you say?”
    Willa seemed oblivious to the reason Angeline had missed her question, but Douglas wasn’t. He gave Angeline a sly wink, nearly causing her to miss Willa’s repeated words.
    “I was curious as to whether you were acquainted with anyone in the Santa Fe area?”
    Angeline nodded. “Yes, I know several families there.” She hadn’t real ly considered it before, but she quickly added up at least a dozen or more names who were not only acquainted with her family but actively involved in the government.
    “It always helps to get local cooperation,” Willa stated.
    “I haven’t seen some of them for a very long time, but many of the families that come to mind are close friends of my parents or at very least, associates of my father, who is a physician.”
    “Good, good,” Willa said and nodded toward Douglas. “Perhaps you will have the opportunity to introduce Douglas as well. He speaks the language of bureaucrats and often can sway them to listen to our cause.”
    “Do you outsmart them?” Angeline asked with a shy smile.
    “Of course,” Douglas replied candidly. “In politics it is required to stay two steps ahead of your opponent.”
    “But what of your allies?” Angeline questioned.
    “Ahh,” Douglas grinned, “for allies, it’s best to stay five steps ahead and two steps behind.”
    Angeline giggled, while Willa nodded as though Douglas had spoken a profound truth.
    ❧
    Angeline soon found it necessary to excuse herself, and once she was gone from the room Willa Neal leaned forward.