The Texas Ranger's Family

by Rebecca Winters

  “If she could say the words, she’d tell you the same thing.” Natalie was starting to feel emotional. “Kit—thank you for getting us out of harm’s way. Your whole life has been upended because of me.”

  He grasped the hand closest to him and kissed her palm. The action was so intimate she could hardly breathe. “I like being upended. These are the perks of being a Ranger. You never know what your next case will bring.

  “When I went to the cemetery to take pictures, I didn’t like the fact that I was attracted to you even before we’d met. I knew you were a person of interest to the police, but I found myself not wanting you to be guilty of a crime. Someone else should have worked this case instead of me, but the pull you had on me overruled my good sense. When I told the boss my plan, he had reservations about it, but he didn’t try to stop me.”

  She averted her eyes. “I’m afraid my good sense failed me when you gave me the choice between having the surveillance team watching me or having you guard me yourself. I liked the idea of my cousin Todd visiting me for the week. But I was thinking selfishly and didn’t consider that Amy could be affected.”

  “She may be little, but she exudes her own personality.”

  “She definitely does. You asked me if I thought she’d be disturbed to see a strange man in the house. I didn’t have to think about it because...because I sensed the goodness in you. So did she.”

  He reached for Amy and held her in the air while he was on his back. “Do you want to swim?” He moved her like she was a fish.

  “Swim!” she echoed, loving this new game.

  “That’s right, sweetheart. Swim, swim.”

  When he put her down, she protested.

  “Do you want to swim again?”

  “Swim gain.”

  “Did you hear that, Mommy? She said she wants to swim again. She’s speaking in sentences. I knew you were a smart girl.” He moved her around some more, dipping her near Natalie several times. The giggling continued.

  By now Natalie was laughing along with Kit. She couldn’t imagine heaven being more wonderful than this. Make it last, her heart cried. But of course it couldn’t because he’d be leaving when it got dark to face a known killer.

  Forcing herself to bring things to an end she said, “It’s time for your dinner, Amy. I bet you’re hungry after that workout. Let’s get your diaper changed first.” She got up from the floor and reached for her daughter. The bathroom counter would be a good place for that.

  “’Bye, Amy,” Kit said, still lying down.

  “Bye-bye.”

  Natalie took her into the bathroom. She put a towel down then reached into the diaper bag for a Pamper. Soon her daughter was ready. She carried her to the kitchen and put her in the high chair. After washing her hands, she reached for a jar of noodles and turkey and selected peaches for dessert.

  Kit came in a few minutes later. “Feel like breakfast for dinner?”

  “Always,” she answered.

  “I make a Texas omelet almost as good as your brownies. Even my mom says they’re better than hers.”

  “That’s because you learned from her.”

  “Yup. It’s about the only thing I cooked that I didn’t ruin.”

  “I had a few disasters myself growing up.”

  They bantered throughout the delicious meal, exchanging life stories. While they ate, Amy found her little shopping cart in the living room and pushed it into the kitchen, purposely running into Kit’s chair. He’d spoiled her so much she was wearing herself out with excitement. Natalie figured her little girl would fall into a deep sleep once she put her down. It was growing late.

  Kit insisted on doing the dishes, so Natalie went into the living room to empty the playpen and lay out a quilt for Amy. After putting her in her footed pajamas, she lowered her into the playpen and handed her the cow she treasured.

  “Nite, nite.” She kissed the top of her head.

  Amy didn’t like being put down. She stood at the railing. “Kit—” she called out in a loud voice. It sounded so urgent, Natalie burst into laughter. He came running.

  “I think she wants you to say good-night.”

  He hunkered down in front of the playpen. “It’s time to go to sleep, sweetheart. Nite, nite.”

  All of a sudden the tears came. Amy stood there not knowing what to do with herself. “Mama—Kit—”

  “I’d better go back to the kitchen,” he whispered.

  One more kiss to the top of her head and he left the living room, already bathed in darkness. Amy whimpered for a few minutes then sank down. Natalie sang a couple of songs she loved. Pretty soon silence reigned. The little girl had finally fallen asleep.

  Natalie made up the couch for bed. Kit had brought down sheets designed with Texas Longhorn steers. She loved them. His mother had probably put sheets like these on his bed when he was a boy.

  Natalie had liked Kit’s mother very much during the short time they’d had to talk at the rodeo. The pride over her sons had shone in her eyes. Who wouldn’t be proud? Kit was in a class of his own.

  With everything done except to put on her pajamas, she walked into the spotless kitchen and found Kit on the phone. He spoke in low tones so she couldn’t make out the words. He was probably talking to Cy.

  How they handled what they did for a living was beyond Natalie’s ability to comprehend. But she was incredibly thankful for men like him, and she couldn’t imagine him doing anything else.

  Being a Ranger was part of who he was. Natalie was fiercely glad of it. She loved him with her whole being. No matter how risky life was for him every day, she wouldn’t want him any other way.

  She could tell the moment he ended his call that he was preparing himself to leave. She grasped the back of one of the kitchen chairs. “Is it time?”

  “Afraid so.” He got up from his chair and turned to her. His features looked chiseled in the semi darkness.

  “Go get him, cowboy.”

  “I intend to.” The fierce tone in his voice had a heart-stopping effect on her. “How about a kiss for luck?”

  She struggled for breath. “You don’t need any but I might, so I’ll kiss you anyway.”

  She moved toward him and put her hands on his well-defined chest. He was letting her do all the work. That didn’t matter. She wanted to let him know how she felt and slid her arms up around his neck. Natalie had to rise on her toes to give him the kind of kiss she was dying for.

  The world spun away as he crushed her in his arms and gave her a devouring kiss she would never forget. It said so many things they hadn’t yet spoken to each other, but she didn’t need a translator to tell her what she’d prayed would happen. As Colette had told her a week ago, it was there in his eyes and in his body language.

  Her heartbeat merged with his. Their bodies molded together in one singing line of desire. Words weren’t necessary; not when they were communing in the age-old way that brought bodies and souls to life. This magnificent Ranger made her feel immortal.

  They’d only known each other a short time, but something so incredible had happened to her she knew his hold over her would last forever. There’d been such darkness in her marriage. Yet Kit had brought the light back into her life, the glory of being loved and cherished. Those were elements she’d never known before from any man and never would again. If she couldn’t have Kit, she didn’t want anyone else.

  Aching with love, she cupped his face in her hands. “Come home soon, Ranger Saunders. You’re needed by an awful lot of people.”

  Natalie made a swift exit from Kit’s arms and hurried into the living room.

  * * *

  THAT KISS HAD fanned the flame burning inside him. On fire with near-white heat, he’d left his condo and headed for her house.

  Come on, Morales. Bring it on.

&
nbsp; He parked his car one street over as he’d done that first night. He put his night-vision goggles around his neck. No one was in sight. He locked the car and darted through several yards. There were a number of fences to scale before he reached the tree in question. He’d done a lot of tree climbing in his youth. This one was easy.

  When he reached midway and was well hidden by leaves, he phoned Cy.

  “Where are you?”

  “In the tree looking at the back of the house. Have the guys put up the sign?”

  “About an hour ago.”

  “Good. I take it there’s been no other movement.”

  “Not yet.”

  “In that case, I’m going to join you. Leave the back door open. I’ll be there in two minutes.” He disconnected and started down the tree. One more fence to climb and he’d be there.

  When he crept in through the back door, it felt like home.

  Cy was waiting for him in the kitchen.

  Kit smiled. “Good to see you, bud.”

  “Likewise. Guess who else is here?”

  Kit couldn’t imagine.

  “Vic.”

  “You’re kidding—”

  “Nope. After you gave me the tip from Juanita about Alonzo hiding out at the billiards place, I went over there to investigate. One of the girls who works at the front as cashier is terrified of him and hopes we get him. She said he always has two thugs with him and carries an AR-15. They operate like a gang and drive around in an old hearse.

  “When Vic heard that, he volunteered to help us on this stakeout. There’s a bulletproof vest for you on the chair there. Needless to say the boss wants this killer caught.”

  Good old TJ.

  Kit put on the vest, then walked through the house feeling a ton heavier. He found Vic in Natalie’s bedroom watching the windows through his night-vision goggles. They talked shop for a few minutes before Kit returned to the kitchen.

  Cy eyed him. “What’s your gut telling you, Kit?”

  “The way Juanita explained it, I figure it’s going to go down gangster style. She says Alonzo’s a raging bull and he’s got nothing to lose at this point. I have no doubt he’ll blast his way in.

  “The only problem is, I don’t know how long we’re going to have to wait. Juanita felt it would happen right away because he’s desperate to settle his gambling debts. I hate tying up Vic when this isn’t even his case.”

  “He insisted, and the boss knows we work well together. He’ll send other guys to relieve us tomorrow if it looks like we’ll have to be here longer.”

  Kit nodded and pulled out his weapon. “Which door do you want to guard?”

  “Doesn’t matter.”

  “I’ll take the front and you cover the back. We’ll trade off.” Kit had a hunch they’d charge the front of the house and shoot the door off its hinges. Of course, anything was possible. He placed himself to the side of the glass so he could see the whole front yard.

  His father had gotten into a situation like this. But the shootout had taken his life. Kit wasn’t ready for that to happen yet. Tonight he’d found a new reason for wanting to live life to its fullest. Natalie may not have said all the words he wanted to hear, but he knew how she felt about him.

  Go get him, cowboy.

  Those were magic words. They’d freed him from the fear that she couldn’t handle what he did for a living. During all the years since he and Janie had broken up, he’d been afraid to fall in love. He couldn’t go through that again, only to be told that his career was getting in the way of total fulfillment.

  Kit had seen how hard it had been on Luckey. The poor guy had suffered when his wife had said goodbye. To be told that you had to find a different way to make a living after a year of marriage would have been devastating. Luckey was doing better, but he was as gun shy about falling in love again as Kit had been.

  Tonight Kit had been given a gift he hadn’t expected. He didn’t have to worry about that issue with Natalie. Even though she knew his father had been killed in the line of duty, she’d sent him off with her heart in her eyes, willing him to come back to her. That’s what he intended to do. He could see a future opening up. A fantastic future with the cherub and, God willing, maybe even a few more.

  While he kept watch, he checked in with the guys on his phone. Maybe tonight wouldn’t be the night. Only a few cars had gone by. They talked strategies. The hours dragged on. He ate a couple of Snickers.

  Around three-thirty in the morning when Kit had just about decided it wasn’t going to happen, he saw a dark vehicle turn onto the street and park a few houses away on the opposite side.

  He alerted the guys to get ready.

  Three figures had gotten out and were creeping toward the house. No sooner had Kit warned his buddies than the front window shattered from the impact of a semi-automatic weapon, just as Kit had imagined. Shards of glass flew in all directions. With his adrenaline gushing, he waited against the wall until they started to climb inside.

  Kit aimed his gun and shot the first two thugs. He would never forget the look of shock on Alonzo’s face as he spun around in the moonlight before falling to the floor. Cy shot at the third intruder, but he turned and started running.

  “Oh, no, you don’t.” Kit climbed up on the window sill and jumped to the grass. The thug shot at him, then took off toward the car. Kit raced after him and tackled him before he could open the door. It was like throwing a steer; the guy fell hard against the pavement and lost consciousness. With a grunt of satisfaction, Kit reached into his pocket to pull out his cuffs when a fourth man pointed a gun at him through the open rear window of the car. Kit hadn’t counted on him.

  “Get down!” Cy yelled. Kit had already obeyed the instinct and heard two shots fired. The last thing he remembered was a stinging sensation in his upper right arm.

  * * *

  NATALIE WOKE at seven and looked over at Amy. She was still asleep, her knees pulled up beneath her and her cute little bottom in the air. Her quilt was wrapped around her middle. It was a hilarious site. She quickly grabbed her phone and took a picture. Kit would laugh his head off.

  Her body quickened when she thought of him. She had no idea how long it would be before she spoke to him again, let alone saw him. But it didn’t matter because however long it took, she knew he’d eventually come home and she’d be here waiting for him.

  While Amy was still out cold, Natalie got dressed in a pair of jeans and a blouse. After freshening up in the bathroom she went into the kitchen to make coffee. Just as she found the jar of decaf in the cupboard, she heard the phone ring. Her heart pounded. Maybe it was Kit.

  She answered.

  “Mrs. Harris? This is Milo, one of the surveillance crew out front. You’re going to have a visitor in a minute. It’s Ranger Saunders’s mother. I didn’t want you to be startled.”

  Kit’s mother? “Thank you for letting me know.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  She hung up, curious to know why the older woman had come. Kit’s mother was probably here for an unannounced visit and would no doubt be surprised to find Natalie in residence. She was glad she’d gotten up and dressed.

  She walked to the front door and opened it in time to see Kit’s mother walking toward her. She was dressed in jeans and a top much like Natalie was wearing, but the older woman looked paler than Natalie remembered and for some reason she started to get nervous. “Mrs. Saunders?”

  The woman’s hazel eyes looked at Natalie for an overly long moment. “There’s no way to make this easy for you, Natalie.” Natalie’s heart plummeted. “Kit was injured last night. His captain asked me to come over here because he knew Kit had brought you here and that you’d need to be told.”

  She gasped. “But he’s still alive. Right?”

  “Yes. By some miracle he
is.”

  Natalie felt weakness overtake her as if she might faint, but she’d never fainted in her life. “Come in and tell me what happened.”

  “Oh. Your little girl is still asleep,” Mrs. Saunders said quietly as they entered the living room.

  “It’s fine. Please. Sit down.”

  “I’ve just come from the hospital. I don’t know all the facts yet, but he got shot in his upper arm.”

  “Oh, no—” Natalie exclaimed, causing Amy to stir.

  “We simply won’t know the prognosis for a while. The doctor explained that they have to look at the X-rays to find the extent of the damage. If it hit the bone, surgery might be required. He says there was little loss of blood, which is a very good sign. They’ve hooked him up with IV antibiotics and fluids. Whatever is decided, he’ll need wound treatment and dressings. The ironic part is that he was wearing his bulletproof vest, but it doesn’t cover the arms.”

  Natalie shuddered. “Mrs. Saunders?”

  “Call me June.”

  “June, then. If it hampers his ability to use his arm, will that mean he can’t be a Ranger anymore? Because I know that would just about kill him.”

  “That’s my worry, too. We’ll simply have to wait and see. On the bright side, you won’t have to worry about your safety anymore. Kit took down the man who killed your husband.”

  Talk about the bitter with the sweet—

  “He also killed one of the man’s accomplices and wounded another, who has been arrested. Ranger Vance killed the fourth man, the one who was hiding in the getaway car and injured Kit.”

  It took a minute for Natalie to take it all in. She stared at Kit’s mother. “You’ve been through this before.”

  “Yes. But this time we can be thankful Kit’s life has been spared.”

  “I—I’m so thankful, I don’t know how to react. How terrifying for you to have to hear news like this about your son.” Natalie put her arms around the older woman, and the two of them simply held on to each other for a little while before June pulled back, wiping her eyes.