Just as suddenly, Daniels mouth left hers. He pulled back and stared down into her eyes, his face mirroring her own confusion. Antonia could feel her blood racing through her veins; she could hear the rasp of her own breath, strained and too fast. Her hands fell away from his shirt. She turned, faintly surprised to find that her legs still worked, and hurried across the room and out the door. By the time she reached the small side stoop, she was running. She dashed across the yard and jumped into the mobile van, never looking back.
She turned the truck around and drove far too fast down the dirt road. As she neared the end of the drive, the electronic gate opened for her. She gunned the engine and rattled out onto the highway. She drove automatically, braking and turning on instinct alone, while her brain tumbled chaotically.
Whatever was she doingkissing a man she scarcely knew! And a client, at that! And why had it felt so wonderful and scary? Why did she feel as if she might fly apart at any moment?
Her life was calm, even, uneventful. Antonia had worked hard to make it that way, to avoid the chaos that had marked her marriage. Today, in a matter of moments, Daniel Sutton had turned all that hard work upside down. Antonia could not decide whether that more excited, irritated or scared her.
By the time she reached the clinic in town, she had managed to calm her shaking nerves, but she did not have a handle yet on her confused feelings. As she had predicted, her clientele had built up in the waiting room while she was on her emergency call. Almost as soon as she stepped in the back door, Lilian came hurrying down the hall.
Sorry. Weve got a ton of people waiting. Dr. Carmichael tried to take up the slack, but he had a full load this morning. I managed to get a couple of them to just leave their animals, so we could work them in as we can, but you know how most people are. We had one emergency. Doc Carmichael took him. She continued to talk as Antonia washed her hands and put on her white lab coat, checking in the small mirror above the sink to make sure that she looked more together than she felt.
Antonia sighed and smoothed down her coat. A lot of work, she thought, would take her mind off her inner turmoil. All right, she said. Lets get to them.
There was far too great a rush for Antonia to take a lunch break, but finally, around two oclock, one of the techs who had gone out to eat brought her back a burger, and she gratefully took the bag down to the employee lounge.
The only other person in the lounge was Rita Delgado, one of the technicians and also Antonias friend. Rita was short, with a voluptuous build, and she was constantly fighting a battle with calories. Today, as was often the case, she was eating a lunch brought from home, consisting of an apple and a carton of nonfat yogurt. Antonia knew that the odds were that Rita would be hitting the snack machines by four oclock.
Rita glanced up when Antonia entered the room and smiled. Hey, come sit down. I havent seen you all day. What a rush, huh?
Antonia nodded, going over to the table and setting down her bag. Rita was exactly the person to see if one wanted information. She had a huge circle of family and friends and was always abreast of all the latest gossip. She was also, unfortunately, like a bloodhound once she scented news.
So Antonia sat down in her chair and with studied casualness began to unwrap her burger.
So? Rita prodded, eyeing Antonias sandwich with envy. With a sigh, she dug her spoon into her own cup of fat-free yogurt.
Antonia shrugged. I dont know. Just a conversation opener.
What conversation?
An awkward one, Antonia admitted, a smile touching her lips as she looked at her technician. I want to ask you something, but I know youll go all big-eyed and pushy on me.
Me? Rita brought her hand up to her chest dramatically, opening her expressive brown eyes wider, until they looked almost round. Big-eyed? Pushy? How can you say that?
Antonia quirked an eyebrow at her. Rita leaned forward.
So whats the conversation? You cant just throw out a line like that and stop! Whats going on?
I wanted to ask you a question. Antonia hesitated. Now, dont read too much into this. Im only asking out of curiosity.
Sure. Sure. I know the spiel. Are we talking about a guy here?
Antonia took a deep breath and plunged in. Daniel Sutton.
Daniel Sutton! Rita sucked in her breath. She stared at Antonia, apparently rendered speechless by Antonias words.
Yes, Daniel Sutton, Antonia retorted with some asperity. Why are you looking at me like that? Is he the local ax murderer or something?
Rita made a face at her. Of course not. Hes gorgeouswell, not as gorgeous as Cater. Now, that one is the kind that could make a person forget shes a happily married woman.
Cater? Whos Cater? What are we talking about here?
The Suttons, silly.
How many are there? I met his father last week.
Oh, there are a bunch of them, all male. Well, except for one sister. Beth. Four boys. Theyre all gorgeous, even Cory, whos just a babyhes still in college. Daniel is the oldest, then Cater, then Quinnhes the sheriff. Hes a charmer, too, that one, and theres something about a uniform Ritas voice trailed off dreamily, then she shook herself and went on. But hes got that red hair, and Ive never been much for redheaded men, myself. Now, my cousin Lena, shes the evening dispatcher over at the sheriffs office, and she says hes sexy as hell. She has the hugest crush on him. But give me a black-haired guy any day, like Cater and Daniel. Cater doesnt live here, though. Hes a big writer now, and he lives in Austin.
Cater Sutton! Antonia straightened. The mystery writer? Hes Daniels brother?
Thats what I just said. I dont read much, but Roberto says hes famous.
He is. Definitely. Ive read all his books.
If youd rather hold out for him, he comes back to Angel Eye pretty often. He owns a little house off of Highway 43. Sometimes he stays there for weeks at a time. Roberto says hes recharging his batteries, either that or he comes here to work out the hard parts of his plot. Robertos got several theories.
I am not holding out for Cater Sutton or anybody else, Antonia said repressively. I was curious about Daniel, thats all. I went to his farm today.
Rita nodded. Lilian told me. Howd it go?
I managed to deliver the foal. It was tough, but
I know that. Rita grimaced. I meant how did it go with Daniel? Is he interested in you? Are you interested in him?
I justwondered what the story was on him. He, uh, well, he was quite obnoxious at first, but then later we talked and
Daniel Sutton? Rita asked. Obnoxious? Are you serious? Daniel is one of the most laid-back men Ive ever met.
He wasnt this morning. He was ticked off because I was a woman and he didnt think I could handle his horse.
Oh. Rita gave a dismissive shake of her head. Just worried about his mare, Ill bet. Hes a nice man. Ive never even heard him raise his voice. Hes very quiet, doesnt say much. But Im guessing what you want to know is whether there is a Mrs. Daniel Sutton.
Rita Antonia was irritated to feel heat rising in her face. She hated the way her fair blondes skin gave her away all the time.