The Texas Ranger's Family

by Rebecca Winters

  “I’ve been told your living room window was shattered during the gunfire. It might be best for you to stay here until the Rangers have finished their job and the people from Forensics are through. Then they’ll have the mess cleaned up and new glass installed. I imagine that by tomorrow you’ll be able to go home.”

  Natalie felt numb. Home without Kit was unthinkable. “How soon can he have visitors?”

  “The surgeon told me not until tomorrow and maybe not even then depending on his condition. He’s been through a lot of trauma physically and psychologically.”

  “But he’s tough.”

  June nodded. “He’s just like his father.”

  “Has your other son been told?”

  “Yes. I called Brandon the second I had word from his captain. He’ll arrive at the hospital before long to talk to the doctor.”

  “Why don’t you stay here until you hear from him? I was just about to make coffee. Have you had any breakfast?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Then let me get us some. I’m so thankful he’s alive, I need to work off my excess energy and stay busy. I’m glad you’re here with me. Amy and I would love the company. It’s been very quiet with just the two of us.”

  “It must have been intolerable to be cooped up in your house.”

  “Not really.” Not at all. I’ve had Kit all to myself. Now there’s no excuse for us to be together under the same roof. “What I’ve missed is taking this little girl out to the park.”

  Amy awakened and stood in the playpen. “Mama.” She held out her arms. “Kit!”

  “Oh—” June laughed. “She knows his name. She’s adorable.”

  “He’s been playing with her.” She walked over to the playpen. “Amy, this is June. Can you say June?”

  She pointed her finger at Kit’s mother. “June.”

  “Yes, sweetheart. June!” Natalie looked at Kit’s mother. “Your son has won her heart. I’ll just change her diaper and get her dressed. Then she can eat breakfast with us.”

  She picked Amy up and carried her into the bathroom. When she returned to the living room she saw that June had gone into the kitchen. She’d made the coffee for them and was toasting Eggo waffles.

  “Waffles sound good.” Natalie put the baby in the high chair.

  “Kit has always loved them.”

  She got out the syrup and the butter. While June brought the plates of waffles to the table, Natalie found a jar of applesauce she’d brought with her. She broke a waffle into pieces for Amy and June poured the coffee.

  They began eating their breakfast, but after a few mouthfuls of fruit, Amy wanted to get down. “My daughter is restless. Excuse me for a minute. I’ll put on her sandals and take her outside for a little walk. In the rush to get here yesterday, I forgot to pack the stroller.”

  “I’ll walk outside with you. Right now I’m afraid I can’t sit still.”

  “Neither can I.” Their eyes met in silent understanding.

  Natalie was hurting for Kit, but she experienced a feeling of liberation to walk outside and know there was no danger lurking. The surveillance van had gone. Amy stopped and started many times, exploring this new world. It caused both women to laugh. Several times she stumbled. Natalie let her pick herself up.

  Already too hot to stay out for long, they headed back to the condo. Their return coincided with June’s cell phone ringing. She pulled it out of her pocket. “It’s Brandon.”

  “Go ahead and talk while we get ourselves some water.” Amy followed Natalie into the kitchen, where Natalie got down a glass and filled it for her. The little girl drank from it very well. Before long she wouldn’t need her sippy cup.

  June joined them. “I’m going to drive over to the hospital to talk to Brandon, but I’ll be back.”

  “You go and be with your sons. You all need each other.”

  “Thank you for being so understanding. You’re a sweet person, Natalie. I promise I won’t be long and I’ll bring any news.” She gave Natalie another hug and leaned over and kissed Amy’s cheek.

  “Bye-bye, Amy.”

  “’Bye, June.”

  Incredible.

  Kit’s mother laughed. So did Natalie, who felt as though ten years had just been added to her daughter’s life. They walked June to the door and watched as she drove off. Natalie would give anything to go to the hospital with her, but that wasn’t her place. Not until Kit either phoned or got word to her that he wanted her to come.

  She closed the door. Only now was it starting to sink in that everything was over and the murder case involving her mentally ill husband had been solved. Life could get back on track. Everything was going to change. No more Kit in the house. She was free to go to work again.

  But Natalie realized she didn’t want things to change. She wanted to go on living in a world where Kit stayed with her and Amy forever. Her thoughts flew to him. This shooting could have had a life-changing effect on him.

  What if the damage to his arm was bad enough that he couldn’t be a fully active Texas Ranger anymore? He had to have a full recovery. He had to.

  Chapter Ten

  The doctor walked into Kit’s hospital room and approached the side of his bed. “How are you feeling?”

  Kit had awakened again and was surprised to discover it was four in the afternoon. “No pain.”

  “That’s good. I’m here to tell you that the bullet perforated your upper arm in the best place it could have. It missed the bone and artery, so there’s no need for surgery. We’ll be able to treat this as a flesh wound.”

  “That’s the news I’ve been waiting for. I’ve got to get back to work.” I’ve got to get back to Natalie.

  “Not so fast, Ranger Saunders. I won’t be releasing you from the hospital until the day after tomorrow. You need bed rest while we tend to your wound and pump you full of more antibiotics. Infection is your biggest enemy. We don’t want to give it a chance.”

  “I can do that at home.”

  “No you can’t. We’re keeping you on the IV and the dressings and wound care need to be handled here. I want your blood pressure to go down.”

  Kit could see this doctor meant business. “Can I have visitors now?”

  “Only your immediate family. The whole department of the Texas Rangers has kept our phone ringing off the hook, but none of them except your closest friends are allowed to visit before tomorrow. After I’ve done my rounds and can see that you’re improving, I’ll lift the ban. Have I made myself clear?”

  He sounded like TJ. “Understood.”

  “Before you’re released, a therapist will be in to discuss your recovery and rehabilitation.”

  “How long will I have to do therapy?”

  “That depends. Several months. I’d say no active field work for at least four, and only on my say-so.”

  Four? “Be honest with me. When all is said and done, do you think I’ll be able to pass the Ranger physical?”

  The doctor’s brows lifted. “I honestly don’t know.”

  “What’s your best guess?”

  “We can hope for maybe ninety-five percent.”

  Kit frowned. “That won’t be good enough.”

  “You just got shot, Ranger Saunders. These things take time.”

  “Don’t I know it,” he grumbled. “Can I have my cell phone back?”

  “Not before tomorrow. We’ve turned the landline off in this room, too. After what you’ve been through, it’s vital you get your rest. Take some naps. Watch some TV.”

  “That’s like watching paint dry.”

  “Exactly. Best therapy in the world.” He started for the door.

  “Doc?”

  The man turned. “What is it?”

  Kit knew he’d been rude. “
Thank you.”

  “Just doing my job.”

  Kit had used that phrase on Natalie several times. He’d never been on the receiving end of it. “Thanks, anyway.”

  The doctor smiled. “You’re welcome.”

  Left alone for the moment, the only thing that helped Kit handle this enforced bed rest was knowing Morales and his gang were dead or in jail. He was longing to debrief with Cy and Vic, but that would have to wait until tomorrow.

  “Kit?” June peeked her head around the door. “Do you mind if we come in?”

  “I’ve been waiting for you.”

  She came into the room, followed by Brandon. They both walked over to the side of the bed that was free of IV drips and monitors. Kit’s brother grinned. “You’re looking good for somebody who took down Austin’s finest gang of felons. They all had rap sheets a mile long. The news said they came at you with guns blazing, including an AR-15. You’ve been labeled the new Elliott Ness. Dad’s probably upstairs grinning from ear to ear.”

  “You think?”

  His mother leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Thank God you’re alive.”

  “I’ve been thanking Him.”

  Brandon said, “I’ve been thanking Him this didn’t happen before my event in San Antonio. You’re the best damn hazer I ever worked with.”

  “That’s a compliment I’ll remember, but I’m not dead yet. Mom, would you do me a favor and go over to my condo? Natalie’s staying there. She needs to know I’m all right and that the worry is over.”

  “Your captain called me early this morning and I went right over to tell her what I knew. We had breakfast and took a walk with Amy. Natalie taught her my name. You’ve never seen anything so cute in your life.”

  Kit could imagine it and felt his eyelids sting with emotion. He had to clear his throat. “How is Natalie?”

  “Handling it all like a trooper. She reminded me how strong you are. I needed that. I love both you boys.”

  Brandon eyed Kit and they exchanged a silent message. They knew this incident had brought their father’s death back to their mother. “We love you, too, Mom. Come on. I’ll take you out for a steak dinner, then we’ll come back to say good-night.”

  “I’ll see you later,” Kit murmured, pleased that his mother had spoken to Natalie, but surprised the talking had made him so tired.

  * * *

  NATALIE WAS FEEDING Amy dinner when her cell rang. She clicked on. Maybe it was June. She’d said she’d be coming back. “Hello?”

  “Mrs. Harris? This is Cy Vance. I’ve been at the hospital talking to Mrs. Saunders. She said the doctor won’t let anyone talk to Kit on the phone or visit him until tomorrow. When she said she was going back to his condo to give you the latest news, I told her I would do it.”

  What?

  “Your living room has a new window and all the mess has been cleaned up. If you’d like, I’ll come by for you in the van and we’ll move you back to your house. You and Amy will be able to sleep in your own beds tonight.”

  She groaned inwardly. The news that she could go home should have brought her relief. But she’d wanted to go to the hospital to tell Kit she’d stay at his place so she could help him when he came home.

  “That’s very kind of you. Are you coming now?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then I’ll gather up our things and be ready for you.”

  By eight-thirty, Cy had carried the last of the bags into her house. Everything looked as before, as though nothing had ever happened here. She thanked the Ranger profusely for helping her.

  “It’s the least I can do. Kit’s going to be fine—he wouldn’t want you to worry. If you need anything, call me.”

  “Of course. You’ve been wonderful.” She watched him drive away before she closed the front door.

  Amy had been playing right by her leg. She picked her up and took her to the nursery. Before long her sweet girl cuddled up in her crib with her cow and fell asleep after only two songs.

  Finally alone to think, she phoned Jillian. They had a long talk. Jillian offered to look after Amy so Natalie could visit Kit in the hospital. What a great friend she’d been! She thanked her and rang off. There was one more call to make. Colette needed to know that Kit had solved the case and that a large part of it had been due to her.

  Natalie put off calling her boss at the pharmacy. She wanted to see Kit before she committed to going back to work. Kit might need help for a while and she wanted to be the one to provide it. That was, if Kit wanted her to. She’d felt so confident about his feelings when they’d kissed goodbye, she had no idea what sorts of things had been on his mind since he’d been shot. If anything had changed, she wouldn’t be able to bear it.

  Being in her own bed felt good, but she would rather be at Kit’s condo. She loved him so desperately. To think she could have lost him—emotion got the better of her and she started sobbing. And once they’d started, the tears continued to come, drenching her pillow.

  * * *

  THE NEXT DAY Natalie called the hospital, wanting to know when Kit was allowed to have visitors.

  She was pleased to learn that she could go in between four and five, and she arranged with Jillian to drop Amy off at three-thirty so she could be at the hospital in good time.

  She went through her normal routine with Amy, turning on the TV to have some background noise. There was a soap opera on one of the channels dealing with a case of stolen diamonds that had been hidden on the inside of the fireplace. She didn’t think much about it until later when she stood in the shower washing her hair.

  What a crazy place to hide something. Natalie was positive the police hadn’t looked inside her fireplace. Who would? But she couldn’t let the idea go. After she’d toweled off and dried her hair, she slipped on an old T-shirt and went into the living room. She glanced out the window, feeling a little silly, and removed the fireplace screen, reaching inside the way she’d seen the woman on the show do it.

  To her shock she felt a packet pasted against the bricks. She got her fingers around it and pulled hard. Out came two large and very dirty envelopes. Were there more? She reached in again on the other side and pulled out two more. Maybe there were others but she couldn’t reach up that far. Good grief.

  She took them into the kitchen and opened them on the table. Each packet contained a thick stack of hundred dollar bills, more cash than Natalie had ever seen in her life. Her eyes widened in disbelief. The $400,000! They never used the fireplace. Ever. Rod must have stashed the envelopes there, knowing they’d be safe.

  Wait till she showed all this to Kit.

  Excited about the find, she dug out a small, old suitcase. Kit would want Forensics to match serial numbers and dust the envelopes for prints, so she put all four packets inside and snapped it shut.

  She washed her hands and arms up to the elbows then finished dressing. She chose to wear a filmy white blouse and khaki-colored wraparound skirt Kit had never seen. Before she left for the hospital, she walked Amy over to Jillian’s. At first Amy acted shy, but then she saw her little friend and wiggled to get out of Natalie’s arms.

  Natalie hugged her friend and slipped out the front door while her daughter was occupied. She went back to the house and carried the suitcase out to her car. The hospital wasn’t far away, but it took time to park.

  She rode the east elevator to the fourth floor nursing station. One of the nurses told her that Kit already had visitors, but that Natalie could go in as soon as they left. The doctor didn’t want him overly excited.

  She had to wait fifteen minutes before being told it was her turn. Timed visits meant the doctor was still worried about him. Natalie’s heart pounded as she entered his room, hoping his eyes would reflect his true feelings.

  His head was raised, but his eyes were closed when she came in. He must
be exhausted. She took in the IV tube and the bandage on his right arm. She walked quietly to his bedside and set down the suitcase.

  She loved just looking at him. He was beautiful in a rugged, manly way. He opened his eyes, catching her in the act of feasting her eyes on him, but his gaze reflected concern. Why?

  Natalie said the first thing that came into her mind. “You got ’em, cowboy.”

  He sighed deeply. “Not without help. Cy saved my hide when he told me to duck. If I hadn’t...”

  “Let’s concentrate on the fact that you put away four felons. In honor of that spectacular feat, I have a surprise for you.”

  “Tell me it’s your mint brownies.”

  “You can’t eat those yet, but I’ve brought something I can guarantee will make you really happy.”

  “Is it edible?”

  “I don’t think you’d want to eat it, no. I’ll give you a clue. I discovered it while I was watching a soap opera this afternoon. Maybe you saw it, too.”

  “I slept through reruns of Bonanza.”

  “Well, luckily I didn’t sleep through my show.” She brought the tray table forward, taking care not to disturb the IV. “Are you ready?”

  Natalie put the small suitcase on top of the table and opened it.

  Kit’s eyes flickered then blazed. That’s the look she’d wanted to see.

  “Four-hundred thousand! It’s all there. It was dirty business, but I counted it.”

  He stared at her. “Where in the hell did you find it?”

  “Well, on this program today the culprit hid some diamonds in a packet inside the fireplace. I thought it was hilarious, but then again it was the only place in my house I could think of that hadn’t been searched. Just for fun I stuck my hand up the chimney and voila!

  “Those four dirty envelopes had been fastened to the inside with tape. You can tell your captain you’ve found the stolen money, at least what’s left of those millions. It’ll make you a bigger hero than you already are. I’ll never say a word. But that’s enough excitement for now.”