Love Me If You Dare (Bachelor Blogs 2)

Rafe had seen Angel since he’d been home. She looked healthy and happy except for the pain in her eyes caused by her disintegrating marriage. “She’s handling the responsibility of the business well. The B and B is thriving. Especially with the festival starting in a few days,” Rafe said.

The Hidden Falls Wine Festival, an annual summer event, had started out as a summertime town festival sponsored by a local vineyard and other homegrown businesses, including his family’s. Eventually, larger, national companies got in on the action—a weeklong event featuring up-and-coming local bands, a carnival and booths run by locals. Angel’s B and B was small, but it offered people a down-home place to stay, and this was her first time with a full house courtesy of the festival.

“So you agree with me. She’s overworked, stressed and unable to focus on what’s really important.”

Rafe set his jaw. “Uh, no. She seems to be coping just fine. You, on the other hand, are a miserable, unhappy son of a bitch.”

Nick narrowed his gaze. His curled his hands into fists, clenching them tight on the table. “I can’t believe you’re taking sides.”

“I’m telling it like it is, which nobody else in the family is willing to do. They’re all too busy hovering over Angel, reminding her you’re waiting for her to fail and come home.” Rafe drew a deep breath. “What’s really eating at you? Because until you figure it out, nothing’s ever going to get better.”

Nick didn’t answer. He merely raised his hand for another beer.

Rafe was finished nursing his and ready to go home. Nobody could help Nick except Nick.

Rising from his seat, Rafe pulled money from his pocket and dumped it onto the table. “See you at dinner at Mom’s tomorrow night?”

“I’ll be there.”

“Angel going?” Maybe there’d be a chance for the two of them to talk.

“Nope. She says it’s time we start acting like we’re separated. She’s not coming to family gatherings unless it’s for her immediate family—like her father or Aunt Vi. My family doesn’t count.” He stared into his empty glass.

“Come on. Let me take you home,” Rafe offered.

Nick shook his head. “I’ll be fine. It’s not like I’m driving. I’ll walk home after this last beer.”

Rafe shrugged. “See you tomorrow night.”

SARA KNEW DRIVING five hours in a car would be tough even if she stopped every sixty minutes to stretch her legs. She just hadn’t known how tough. Her leg was cramped, her knee aching by the time she arrived in Hidden Falls, near dinnertime. As she pulled off the exit, she saw a billboard advertising the Hidden Falls Wine Festival coming up this week. She hoped that wouldn’t impact her finding a place to stay until she located and spoke to Rafe.

As if divine providence was at work, the next sign advertised Angel’s Bed-and-Breakfast.

“Pretty name,” Sara mused. And if the accommodations were as heavenly, she’d soon be resting her knee.

She followed subsequent signs until she pulled into the gravel drive leading to a Victorian house painted in a robin’s egg–blue with white trim.

So far so good.

Leaving her suitcase in the trunk, she limped up the path to the front porch. Although she’d begun walking better, the drive had stiffened her muscles.

She rang the bell, and in no time the door opened and an attractive, raven-haired woman greeted her with a welcoming smile. “Can I help you?”

Sara nodded. “I saw your sign off the highway and was hoping you had an available room.”

“You can stay for two nights,” the woman said. “But after that, I’m booked. The Wine Festival is starting, and we’ve been fully booked for months.”

“Two nights works fine.”

She’d come here hoping she could stay with Rafe anyway. On the off chance someone discovered where she’d gone, he’d be right there as backup. But she’d be safe here at Angel’s for a short time. She felt certain nobody had followed her out of the city. She had been extremely careful, taking a long detour around Manhattan, stopping for errands, doubling back, making sure nobody was on her tail.

She’d rest her knee, and by the time Angel needed the room, she’d know whether Rafe minded having a visitor or if she had to make alternate arrangements.

“Okay, then, come on in. I’m Angel Mancuso, and I’m the owner. Chief cook, maid and companion, when you want one. And if you’d rather be alone, I can accommodate that, too. Do you need help getting your bags from the car?”

Sara barely heard her spiel. She was stuck on the woman’s last name. “Did you say you’re Angel Mancuso?”

“Yes. Why?” Curiosity etched her features.

It couldn’t be a coincidence. “I’m here to visit a friend. Rafe Mancuso?”

The other woman’s eyes widened in recognition. “Rafe is my brother-in-law!” Angel said. “I’d say it’s a small world, but around here everyone knows everyone and is potentially related somehow.” Angel laughed. “So, do you know Rafe from the city?”

Sara nodded. “We used to be partners.”

Angel studied her, her eyes narrowing. “Actually, you look familiar.”

“I can’t imagine why. I’ve never been here before.”

The other woman paused in thought. “I know!” Angel snapped her fingers. “You’re the one Rafe was with the night he was injured! My mother-in-law showed me the articles from the hostage crisis. You’re prettier in person.”

“Thank you. Those department-issued pictures aren’t very glamorous,” she said, laughing.

“The whole family appreciates how you took such good care of Rafe, staying by his side and all.”

A heated flush rose to her face. “We used to be partners. He would have done the same for me.” She turned away, taking in her surroundings. Paintings adorned the walls; an area rug covered the hardwood floor in the entryway.

“So, do you and your husband live here?” Sara swept her arm, gesturing at the lovely house.

The light in Angel’s eyes flickered and dimmed. “No. I’m afraid we’re separated,” she said, obvious pain in the admission.

“I’m sorry.” Something about Angel inspired an easy rapport, and Sara reached out, touching the other woman’s shoulder in comfort.

“Thank you. Why don’t you come on in and get settled?” Angel asked.