Redeeming-Love-By-Francine-Rivers

F R A N C I N E R I V E R S
strength and tenderness that attracted them like flies. He would marry again
if he was that ready, and he wouldn’t have to wait long. The next one would
sure be better than this one.
“The Duchess’ll be glad to see you back again. I hear you were bringing
in a fortune to her coffers. She never would say where you went.”
Angel raised her head slightly and gave him a cloying smile. “Don’t feel
you have to make polite conversation.”
He grinned coldly. So he was getting to her a little. He dug deeper. “I
guess talking isn’t all that important in your business, is it?”
Angel felt the fury rise inside her. Sanctimonious pig. If it weren’t so
many uphill miles to Pair-a-Dice, she would get off this wagon right now
and walk, but she wasn’t fool enough to think she could make it. Let him
peck at her all he wanted. She could take one day of riding on a high seat
with a lowbrow hypocrite. She’d think about her gold. She would think
about her own little cabin in the woods. She would think about never having
to look at another man like him again.
Paul didn’t like being ignored, especially by someone like her. Who did
she think she was anyway? He snapped the reins and picked up the pace.
He hit every hole in the road, bouncing and jarring her. She had to hold on
tight to keep her balance and not be pitched out. He enjoyed her discomfort.
She pressed her lips tight but made no complaint. He kept the hard
pace until the horses tired and he had to slow down again.
“Feel any better now?” she said, mocking him.
He loathed her more with each mile.
When the sun was straight overhead, he pulled off the road and jumped
down. He unhitched the team and let them graze. Then he strode off into
the woods. When he came back, he saw her heading for the trees on the
other side. She moved as though she were in pain.
His saddlebag was under the front seat. Inside he had an apple, beef
jerky, and a can of beans. He ate them with relish. She glanced at him once
when she came back and went to sit down in the shade of a pine. He tore off
a piece of beef jerky with his teeth and chewed while studying her. She
looked tired and hot. She was probably hungry, too. Tough luck. She should
have thought to bring something with her.
183