A Texas Ranger's Christmas

by Rebecca Winters

  They made the rounds with Josh holding his father’s hand. He stayed so close to him on the runways, Jack could never get off a real shot. Blaire didn’t have an excuse and laughed at her own embarrassing score. “I’m terrible at this.”

  While he stood behind Josh showing him how to swing, Caige flashed her a grin. “Join the club. Have you ever been golfing?”

  “If you mean on a real golf course, Nate took me a couple of times. Golf was his passion. In high school he got a job at the municipal golf course mowing lawns so he could play and watch the better players. Eventually he worked at the Hilly Heights Country Club doing lawns and became a caddy. Sometimes he caddied for really good golfers and eventually for a golfer who’d turned pro. In lieu of payment, he gave him private lessons.”

  “That was a great trade-off. Who was it?”

  “Danny Dunn.”

  Jack frowned. “I think I’ve heard the name before.”

  She nodded. “He died ten weeks before my husband’s disappearance.”

  “Now I remember reading something about it in the paper.”

  Lines broke out on her face. “Yes. It was horrible. Nate had a theory about the reason for the murder, but he never told the police because he had no proof. It would have been pure speculation on his part.”

  “What was his theory?”

  A sigh escaped her lips. “That it might have happened over a lover’s quarrel.”

  “Had your husband met the woman?”

  Blaire shook her head. “Nate said that Mr. Dunn was gay, but no one knew it. Once in a while he’d hear him talking to his professional caddy, Ron. Something about their conversation made him think they might have had a liaison.”

  “Your husband was probably right.”

  “Nate took his death very hard. It wasn’t just a case of looking up to him. Mr. Dunn had told him that if he ever got his golf game to a certain level, he’d help him with the application process to become a pro. I went to the graveside service with Nate. It was tragic to think the golf world had lost someone so promising.”

  Jack nodded. “Being that Mr. Dunn was his mentor, it would have been especially hard on your husband. He must have picked up a lot of pointers from him, as well as a fabulous golf swing. Did you ever meet the pro?”

  “No. Nate didn’t want to presume on their relationship. I know he was invited to a party at Mr. Dunn’s home in Hyde Park, but it was a one-time invitation.”

  “I can understand that. Even a minor celebrity can feel hounded by fans.”

  “Exactly. Though I would have liked to say I met him once, it was never the right time with Nate’s and my busy schedules. I had recitals to set up on a regular basis for my piano students. He had to fit in his private lessons with Mr. Dunn early in the morning before he went to work.

  “As you can tell, I don’t have any skill or patience for this game.” She made one more attempt to sink a putt, but missed by a yard. “You see?” She smiled in defeat.

  Jack took a turn after her, but was off by a foot. “I think maybe we both need to pick another sport.”

  She cocked her head. “If your son would let me hold his hand, I bet you could tear this place up.”

  “You know what?” He leveled an amused glance on her. “I’d rather leave you thinking I’m Tiger Woods.” If that was his polite way of saying he didn’t think his son would like it, she totally understood. He was Josh’s whole world.

  “At least Phil Mickelson anyway,” she quipped.

  Their eyes held. “Did your husband always have ambitions to turn pro one day?”

  “Definitely. He loved everything about the golf world and was an encyclopedia of information on the top pro golfers. He chose our apartment because it was close to the Hancock golf course and spent every spare second there when he could.”

  Somehow it didn’t bother her to talk about all this with Jack. “When he was a boy, there was a man living next to his grandmother who took him golfing a few times and it became his raison d’être.”

  “That was a kind thing for the neighbor to do. What about his father?”

  “Nate’s parents died in a car accident when he was a baby. His grandparents raised him, but he lost his grandpa when he was ten. But enough of talking about him. What about you and your father?”

  Jack smiled. “I’m afraid my dad’s love of bull riding didn’t catch on with me.”

  “What were you good at?” She was fascinated by him.

  “I did some wrestling, but I’m afraid my great love was motorcycles. I got that from my grandfather. After I bought my first one, I banged it up so badly, it ended up in the motorcycle cemetery.” She burst into laughter. “Once I’d earned enough money to buy another one, I beat it up, too. In fact, I think it was in the shop more often than not. All I wanted to do was take off and ride.”

  “You and most of the male population. Do you still have one?”

  “I did until Josh’s accident. After that I sold it.”

  He didn’t have to explain. His son needed a full-time father who didn’t take risks. “Josh would thank you if he could.”

  Jack’s head went back. He stared hard at her. “You think?”

  “I know,” she whispered. “Your relationship with him touches my heart.”

  The more she was around him, the less she understood his ex-wife. But since Blaire’s marriage hadn’t lasted long enough to start a family, she had no way of knowing what it would be like to be a mother and then have to suffer through such a tragedy.

  When Nate had disappeared, Blaire hadn’t thought anyone’s pain could be worse than hers. But that was before she’d met this wonderful boy who needed his father desperately. It was opening her eyes to the pain his mother must have gone through and always would.

  Meeting Jack, watching him interact with his son, had opened up a whole new world of understanding to Blaire. He’d lost his wife. His son had lost his mother. Blaire could weep for the situation, but Jack was more than coping with what life had handed him. She wished she were as strong. He made her want to snap out of the malaise she’d let stifle her for so long.

  “I bet Josh would like some ice cream. What do you think?”

  Jack smiled at her. “He loves chocolate milk shakes.”

  “Then let’s all get one. My treat.”

  “Did you hear that, bud?” They walked back to the entrance and returned the clubs before heading to their cars. After he used the remote to unlock his, she opened the back door so he could help Josh inside. Once his son was all fastened, Jack shot her a glance. “Follow me. I’ll find us a drive-in.”

  “Okay.” She looked inside the car. “See you in a minute, Josh.” His son was rocking in the seat.

  “He’s excited,” Jack explained.

  “For the ice cream?”

  “For that and the drive. He loves to go for rides in the car. After work I take him for one every night before he goes to bed.”

  “That sounds fun to me. See you in a few minutes.”

  “Drive safely, Blaire,” he cautioned.

  Though it was something people often said to each other coming and going, with Jack there was more meaning behind it. “That goes for you, too.” She was afraid her voice throbbed just then.

  Chapter Four

  “Mac?”

  Caige’s boss was just getting off the phone and looked up from his desk. When he saw who it was, he smiled. “Come on in.”

  He shut the door. “While Blaire’s having lunch with her mother, I came over here to get a little work done before I pick her up to go out on our afternoon calls.” Caige had let Blaire off in front of the Iron Cactus, telling her to take an hour and a half. They could work late to make up the lost time. He’d already checked with Elly to be sure it was all right with her.

  “Sit down and bring me up-to-date.”

  “The ballistics report didn’t link Farley’s gun to the Danny Dunn murder or the other four, but there has to be a reason he bought one. I’m hoping Blaire wi
ll reveal it during the natural course of conversation.”

  “How’s that coming?”

  “Last night she told me her husband was a good golfer who used to caddy privately for Dunn. Apparently he learned a lot from his idol in the process and was paid by getting lessons while he caddied for him. That’s why he and Blaire went to the funeral. The police working on Dunn’s case need to know Farley told his wife he thought Dunn was murdered over a lover’s quarrel.”

  Mac’s brows went up.

  “You know what they say,” Caige murmured. “Caddies hear more stuff than a father confessor. Maybe his lover killed him for the money.”

  “What money?”

  “The $6,500,000 he withdrew from the Yellow Rose Bank of Texas campus branch two days before he was murdered. He had a home in Hyde Park, so that should tell you a lot.”

  “What?”

  “Farley’s theory about who killed the golfer should be followed up. He believed Dunn’s lover might have been his professional caddy, a guy named Ron.”

  Mac shook his head before chuckling. “We need to clone you.”

  Caige made a scoffing sound. “On the outside hunch that Farley’s alive and doing target practice somewhere, I talked to the sketch artist downstairs. She’s working up a drawing from one of the photographs in his file. He’s five years older now and may look different or have dyed his hair. After she puts a flyer together that will include her drawing plus several photo images, Ernie will circulate it to every shooting range in Travis County. Maybe someone has seen him around. It’s possible he took someone along with him who could be important to this case. If no ID is made, I’ll expand it to include all of Texas.

  “In the meantime I’ve copied his and Blaire’s bank statements for the period he started working at the Yellow Rose until his disappearance. So far the withdrawals and deposits aren’t suspicious, but I’ll go through them line by line and might come up with something that could give me a lead in a different direction.”

  Mac studied him for a minute. “What’s your instinct about Blaire Farley?”

  He sucked in his breath. “I think she’s as pure as the proverbial driven snow. But thinking doesn’t make it so.”

  Last night she’d acted so natural around Josh, he didn’t believe she was pretending in order to impress Caige. Instead of revealing fear or revulsion of his son’s condition, all he’d felt from her was compassion. She’d also looked a vision in that blue sweater.

  “I’ve barely gotten beneath the surface, Mac.” That was part of the problem. When he was with her, he forgot why he’d gone undercover. “Do me a favor and call this number?” He handed him a note. “Tell the manager at the Other Destinations travel agency I’ll be around in fifteen minutes on official business.” Caige shot to his feet. “Now I’ve got to run. See you later.”

  Before long, he entered the travel agency in question and told the man at the front desk he was there to see the manager. Caige was introduced to Mrs. Sanderson and followed her to her office.

  “How can I help you, Ranger Dawson?”

  “Your agency used to make airline arrangements for a Mr. Nathan Farley, who lived here in Austin with his wife, Blaire. He disappeared five years ago. I’m working on his case and need detailed information on all his transactions with your agency—airlines, hotels, rental cars, tickets for entertainment. Don’t leave anything out. It could be of vital importance.”

  He wrote down his cell phone number and handed the note to her. “I’d appreciate it if you’d call me as soon as you can.”

  “Of course. I’ll get right on it.”

  “Thank you.”

  On his way back to the restaurant to pick up Blaire, he stopped at Flowers by Phyllis. It was one of the shops on Farley’s bank statement. Caige asked to talk to the business manager and was shown to an office at the rear of the busy store. After he’d displayed his ID and explained what he wanted, the manager assured him he’d find the information requested and get back to him.

  Before Caige left, he bought two red poinsettias. The one for Elly he asked to be delivered. The other he was taking with him.

  “DO YOU WANT ME TO WAIT with you?”

  “Oh, no, Mom. You get back to your shopping. Jack will be along any minute.” They’d just left the restaurant and were walking to her mother’s car.

  When they reached it, she gave Blaire a second look. “There’s been something different about you all through lunch. What’s going on?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t know exactly. You seem…happier.”

  “Maybe that’s because you’ve given me this new iPhone.” She hugged her mom again. “Thank you for being so wonderful to me. How could I have lived through everything without you and Dad?” Visions of Jack having to carry the whole load with Josh weighed on her.

  “Darling—what’s brought this on?”

  Blaire wiped her eyes. “Can’t I tell my mom how much she means to me once in a while?”

  Her mother smiled. “You tell me all the time, and the feeling’s mutual.” She got in her car.

  Blaire shut the door. “I’ll phone you tonight.”

  After watching her mother drive away, Blaire walked back to the sidewalk in front of the restaurant. Before long Jack’s truck pulled up to the curb, and he opened the passenger door for her. By now she ought to be used to her heart doing a flip-flop at the sight of him. She jumped in and shut the door.

  His eyes glanced at the bag she held. “What have you got in there?”

  “My mom gave me my Christmas present early. It’s the latest iPhone.”

  “Now, that’s what I call a present. I couldn’t live without mine. Have you experimented with it yet?”

  She laughed. “All through lunch.”

  Jack reached for the iPhone in his breast pocket. “What’s your number? I want to program it into my phone.”

  Her pulse sped up before she told him, “I’d like your number, too, but I don’t know how to do that yet.”

  “Let me see yours and I’ll fix it for you.” Excited, she pulled out her new phone and handed it to him. “You go to favorites. Ah,” he said, “it looks like I’ll be the first one on your list.” With a smile of satisfaction, he put in his number. “Now we don’t have to go through Sheila.”

  He gave her back her phone, then put the truck in gear and they entered the stream of traffic. “Let’s head for South River City since it’s the farthest away.”

  “Good idea.” She turned to him. “How was your lunch?”

  “Nothing like yours, but a chili dog still gets the job done when you’ve got Christmas shopping to do.”

  “What did you buy?”

  “For one thing, I went to a florist and had some flowers sent to my housekeeper. It’s something she won’t be expecting.”

  “Take it from me, she’ll be thrilled.”

  “I hope so. Elly’s a real treasure.”

  “How did you find her?”

  “Through a friend at work. She told me this morning I’ll be losing her next week.”

  “That’s going to be hard on both you and Josh.”

  “The day had to come. Given time, I’ll find someone else and the family will help.”

  Blaire bowed her head. Every time she thought about him moving to Naylor, she felt a deeper wrench. “What would we do without family? I was just telling my mother that before you drove up.”

  Jack flashed her a quick glance. “We’re both lucky we never had to find out. Even so, you’re a strong woman, Blaire. To live five years and still not know what happened to your spouse would bring most people to the breaking point.”

  She shook her head. “If anyone’s remarkable, it’s you. I don’t know many men who would put their child before everything else. Josh is so sweet.”

  “My son didn’t mind having you around last evening.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “He didn’t have a tantrum.”

  “I take it tha
t’s good,” she teased.

  “It’s very good. Sometimes he’ll just quit on you. Other times he bites or hits to get attention. I’m warning you now in case you’d like to come to my house on Friday night and decorate the tree with us. But if you have other plans, I understand, although I’ll admit to being disappointed.”

  Jack had a way about him that filled her with excitement. To think that for the past four Christmases she’d stayed at her folks’ to avoid doing anything to her own place because she couldn’t bear the memories. Now suddenly there was nothing she wanted more than to be with Jack and help him make the holiday more meaningful for Josh.

  “Well, I can’t risk disappointing my colleague now, can I? So…I’d love to come.”

  “That’s good because you didn’t want to see me have a tantrum.”

  Unable to help it, she burst into laughter. But when she looked at him, all mirth subsided because tiny pinpoints of light shone through the beautiful gray of his irises, snatching her breath away.

  For the rest of the afternoon they did their work climbing trees and taking samples while they talked their heads off about everything under the sun. After so many years of being alone, to be able to express her thoughts to someone as intelligent and fascinating as Jack Lignell was cathartic.

  It was so much fun, she hated it to come to an end, but the second he took them back to the office, she knew he had to get home to Josh and couldn’t linger. To her surprise, he drove her right over to her car. While she got behind the wheel, he pulled a wrapped floral gift from the bed of the truck and came around to put it on the floor of her front seat.

  “What’s this?”

  He was leaning inside the car. Their gazes connected. “A small token for the way you handled Josh last night.”

  “But I didn’t do anything—”

  “That’s the point. The few women I’ve taken around him freak out one way or another and he senses it. You’re easy to be with, Blaire. See you in the morning.” While her thoughts were spinning he added, “Are we supposed to wear our uniforms to the hotel for that presentation we’re doing tomorrow?”