Progressive Properties is aggressively taking over where small neighborhoods once flourished. Now Angelique's Shelter, St. Gabriel's, is under attack. Who shows up at her door to deliver the news? John McDougal, now a prominent property attorney, an...
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Satisfied that Rebecca was settled in and taken care of, Angelique quickly set off for the shelter. She had left word with Alice that she was on her way in and that Michael was not to wait for her. She knew she made him late and on the outs, most likely, with Rev. O'Bryan.
Honestly, though, her motives far more selfish. Her nerves felt raw. Angelique did not believe she could take much more. She needed more time before addressing the problem of the shelter's closing with Michael.
Alice met her as she entered the door. Angelique got an immediate briefing on John's rude behavior before the woman filled her in on what duties still needed to be done. Angelique apologized for John's behavior, knowing the man in question would never do so.
"I can't see why you are apologizing for him. It's not your fault he's so ignorant. Hard to believe those two men are brothers." Alice pondered, thinking of Michael and John. Angelique didn't know what to say in response.
At least all was quiet at the shelter. No pressing matters to deal with. Maybe she could take a ten-minute nap before setting up for lunch. The pleasure that idea brought died as she entered her office and saw Michael sitting behind her desk with a brooding look on his face.
"Michael! Didn't Alice tell you...?"
Michael held up his hand to stay the rest of her sentence. "I know very well what you told Alice to tell me," Michael began, "and you know damn right well that I wouldn't go anywhere until we sorted this out."
Angelique sighed deeply, but tried again to divert the subject. "But my father ..."
"Is fully aware of the situation and agrees that my place is here," Michael concluded for her.
"But..." Angelique began again, to no avail. Michael came around the other side of the desk and placed his hands on her shoulders. "No, more buts."
Looking down at her, he had to tilt her face so that she would look at him. "Angelgirl, why didn't you tell me about the shelter?" As Michael's one hand rested on her shoulder, he could almost feel the energy drain from her body. He pulled over a chair for her to sit down.
"I didn't mean for you to find out the way you did," Angelique fumbled, feeling so disheartened.
Michael pulled up another chair to sit across from her. "I take it then you also had a run-in with the devil incarnate this morning."
"Michael!" Angelique admonished, even though his words provoked a small smile to touch her lips.
Taking Angelique's hands in his, he asked, "Why didn't you let me help you? Don't you trust me?"
"Trust you?" Angelique looked at him as if he had suddenly gone daft. "Michael, I'd trust you with my life, but just the same, I'd rather not see you get hurt by getting yourself mixed up with this mess. This is my battle to fight, not yours."
