The Texas Ranger's Family

by Rebecca Winters

  She closed the lid and put the case back on the floor, then moved the table away.

  When she returned to his side, he reached for her hand and clasped it hard. “When the captain finds out, he’ll make you a Ranger.”

  “Oh, no, there’s only one Texas Ranger in our family.” She’d been so happy, she’d gotten carried away, said something she hadn’t meant to say out loud.

  “I heard that,” he said softly. “You can’t take it back.”

  Natalie’s mouth went so dry she could hardly swallow. “I don’t want to. I love you, Kit. I’ve been in love with you from the start. I would never have agreed for Father Segal to live with me if I hadn’t sensed I’d met the love of my life.

  “I was afraid you’d think badly of me for having been married to a killer. The thought is so distasteful to me, I can’t imagine what kind of thoughts you must have had at the beginning.”

  “If you’ll lean over and kiss me, I’ll give you an idea of what my thoughts were when you invited me into your house for the first time.”

  Natalie was already there. “I adore you,” she whispered. “I’m glad you’re a Ranger. I’ll never complain about you going out on a case, as long as you always come home to me.”

  “I promise I will always come home to you, Natalie. Marry me. Right away—I mean it. We’ll work out all the details later, but I want everyone to know you’re going to be my wife.”

  “People are going to think we’re rushing things.”

  “I don’t care what anyone else thinks. I’ve been waiting for you for years.”

  “Oh, Kit—” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “I hated to leave your condo yesterday. I wanted to be there when you got out of the hospital, but Cy showed up to help me move my things back home.”

  “I asked him to do it.”

  She kissed his mouth again. “Why?”

  “Because I want to spend my convalescence at your house where Amy is happy. We’ll have my couch brought over and I’ll sleep on it. That town house is no good to us, anyway. I’ve been thinking about buying some property with acreage for horses. We’re going to need a much bigger house.”

  Natalie smiled. “How big?”

  “With enough bedrooms for more children. I’d like to hire an architect to design a Western-style home with lots of windows and timber.”

  “That’ll be a project to keep you busy until you’re back on the force.”

  “I’m afraid that’s still iffy.”

  “No, it’s not. You’ll be back in no time.”

  He caressed the side of her face. “What did I ever do to deserve you?”

  “You’ve got that the other way around.” They couldn’t stop kissing each other.

  “My mother’s already crazy about Amy.”

  “It was so funny yesterday. Oh, Kit—we can’t wait for you to come home.”

  “One more night, then we’ll never be apart again.”

  That sounded like heaven.

  Epilogue

  Tonight was their three-month wedding anniversary.

  Natalie had prepared a special picnic and had driven to the new house they were building in Barton Creek. Kit had gone in for his physical and planned to meet her there afterward. She was nervous waiting to hear the verdict.

  This morning his mother had come to Natalie’s house and told her she wanted to look after Amy overnight. Whatever news Kit received, June knew how important this night was to the two of them. She wanted to give them time alone. Natalie had learned to love his mother and Amy was crazy about her nana. There’d be no more calling her “June.”

  The framework of the two-story ranch house had been erected. The drywall would go in next. Natalie walked inside. The front door hadn’t been hung yet. She went up the staircase to the master bedroom where the adjoining veranda looked out over their ten-acre estate. Kit would only be seven miles from work, yet it felt as if they were far away from civilization.

  As soon as the barn was built, Kit would bring his horse from Marble Falls and buy one for Natalie. Vic had purchased a miniature horse for his son. Kit couldn’t wait to get one for Amy, but she needed to be a little older first. He planned to take the daughter he was adopting on rides around the property. With the sixty-thousand-dollar trust fund she’d inherited, Amy could one day study to be anything she wanted—maybe an architect, like her great-grandfather. But secretly Natalie knew that Kit wanted to turn his little cherub into a cowgirl. Natalie loved the idea.

  In a few minutes she glimpsed Kit’s car through the trees, coming up the winding drive. Her heart picked up speed. Please let him bring the news he wanted. They’d both stayed busy getting this house designed and built, but she knew he couldn’t wait to be back with the Sons of the Forty.

  His Ranger friends dropped in whenever they could, but when they were on a new case, Kit might not see them for weeks at a time. He’d been going to his therapy sessions faithfully and doing everything possible to hasten the healing process.

  But sometimes he would get discouraged. He didn’t know if he could handle a desk job for the Rangers. That rush he got when he went out on a case would always be missing. About a month ago he was having a bad night and she’d asked him if he’d be interested in forming a private investigator agency. He would own it and run in a way only he knew how to make it successful. To her surprise, he didn’t dismiss her suggestion. Just to know he was considering the idea gave her hope.

  She watched him pull up and get out of the car. His body language gave her the first indication that he wasn’t happy. Her stomach clenched. She would have to be strong for him.

  “Natalie?” Excitement was missing from his voice.

  “I’m up in our bedroom, babe.” She’d brought blankets and their sleeping bags so they could spend the night. With her heart pounding, she waited in the bedroom for him. He walked in and his gaze darted to the picnic she’d laid out. He took in the sleeping bags.

  “Tell me what the doctor said.”

  His wooden expression said it all. “I’m not there yet.”

  “You’ll get there. When does he want to see you again?”

  “In a month.”

  “That’s not a long time. Another month of therapy will make you stronger. By then our house will be finished and you’ll be able to get back to work.”

  He nodded before his hands went to his hips. He was so gorgeous and she loved him desperately, but she couldn’t help him.

  “Come on. The sun is setting. Let’s eat while we can still see our food.” She’d made his favorite fried chicken and brownies, but there was no tempting him.

  “I’m afraid I’m not hungry.”

  “That’s okay. Shall we go to a roadhouse and do some line dancing? Your mom is keeping Amy overnight. We’re free to do whatever we want.”

  “Natalie?” His eyes were like lasers. “I’m afraid you’ve married a failure.”

  She smiled and crossed the distance to press a kiss to his mouth. “What’s that awful cliché? It’s always darkest before the dawn. Your day is coming.”

  He suddenly clasped her to him and buried his face in her hair. “What am I doing? You’re so wonderful. How can you stand me while I’m feeling so sorry for myself? Forgive me, sweetheart.”

  “There’s nothing to forgive.”

  “I love you.” His fierce declaration was followed by a kiss to die for. They sank onto the double sleeping bag and clothes flew in all directions. Natalie lost awareness of time and place as Kit made sweet, savage love to her. Then it was her turn to worship him. The joy they brought each other went until late into the night.

  She rested against his chest. “Are you hungry?”

  “I think I am.”

  “Stay there.” She reached for the cooler and pulled it close. “What would you l
ike? How about a drumstick?” His appetite had come alive. He quickly ate everything she put in front of him, including all the brownies. But she didn’t want any food.

  “My, my. You really were hungry. I think you’re ready to handle my news.”

  She could almost hear his brain turning her comment over. “You’ve decided to go back to work part-time?”

  “No. I don’t think I’ll be going anywhere for a long time.”

  “I hate to admit it, but that makes me happy. What caused you to make that decision?”

  “The truth is, Kit, this night is special in more ways than one. We’re going to have a baby.”

  He jackknifed into a sitting position. “Natalie—”

  “I haven’t been to the doctor yet, but I know the signs. It’s just like it was with Amy. Please tell me you’re happy about it.”

  “Happy? Sweetheart, I’m overjoyed!”

  She lay still as he ran his hand over her stomach. “Our little baby is inside there. I’ve dreamed about having another cherub.”

  “You’re not just saying that?”

  “How can you even ask that question?”

  “Because I know you’re upset that your career is still up in the air.”

  He kissed her neck. “Hearing that we’re going to have a baby puts everything else into perspective. Another month and I’ll know if I have to think about other work. Until then I’m going to do what I can to get better. Amy’s going to have a little brother or sister. I can’t wait!”

  “I can’t wait until the morning sickness passes. You’re so lucky you’re a man.”

  Deep laughter rumbled out of him; the kind she hadn’t heard for a long time. She was thrilled.

  * * *

  “RANGER SAUNDERS? WELCOME back to active duty.” The boss had assembled some of the Rangers in the conference room at the last minute.

  “You’ve only been gone four months, but you’ve been busy in that time—you’ve gotten married, built a new house. Is there any other news we need to know about?”

  Kit sat back with a smile. “We’re expecting a baby in about six months.”

  The guys hooted and cheered. TJ smiled. “Kit and Cy both went undercover on different assignments and look what happened—they married the women they were protecting. Here’s an APB for the rest of you single Rangers—watch out if you decide to go undercover to protect a woman in jeopardy. Okay. Get out of here.”

  Kit smiled at Cy as they left the room. Before they went their separate ways Cy said, “I’m glad you crossed the line, bud. Always go with your instincts.”

  “Back at you.”

  Only seven miles and he’d be home. Natalie didn’t yet know he’d gotten the call from TJ saying he’d passed the physical. Kit couldn’t wait to tell his wonderful wife, who’d never given up or let him lose hope. She was a gift.

  He turned onto the road leading to the house. When he passed through the trees he saw Natalie up on the veranda. It was her favorite place to be. They kept a high chair up there and he could see Amy enjoying her dinner.

  “Natalie!” He called to her and raced inside the house. Taking the stairs two at a time he ran through the hall and into their bedroom. She was there to meet him.

  “You’re back on the force!”

  “How did you know? It was supposed to be a surprise.”

  She kissed him passionately. “A wife just senses these things.”

  “Dada!” Amy called out.

  He turned to kiss his daughter. Life didn’t get better than this.

  * * * * *

  Watch for the final story in Rebecca Winters’s

  LONE STAR LAWMEN miniseries,

  HER TEXAS RANGER HERO,

  coming September 2016!

  Keep reading for an excerpt from TWINS FOR THE BULL RIDER by April Arrington.

  Get rewarded every time you buy a Harlequin ebook!

  Click here to Join Harlequin My Rewards

  http://www.harlequin.com/myrewards.html?mt=loyalty&cmpid=EBOOBPBPA201602010003

  In July 2016

  the HARLEQUIN®

  AMERICAN ROMANCE® series

  will become

  the HARLEQUIN®

  WESTERN ROMANCE series

  Connect with us to find your next great read,

  special offers and more.

  /HarlequinBooks

  @HarlequinBooks

  www.HarlequinBlog.com

  www.Harlequin.com/newsletters

  Get rewarded every time you buy a Harlequin ebook!

  Do you want to earn Free Books and More?

  Join Harlequin My Rewards points program and earn points every time you shop.

  You can redeem your points to get more of what you love:

  Free books

  Exclusive gifts and contests

  Book recommendations tailored to your reading preferences

  Earn 2000 points instantly when you join—getting you closer to redeeming your first free book.

  Don’t miss out. Reward the book lover in you!

  Click here to sign up

  Or visit us online to sign up at

  http://www.harlequin.com/myrewards.html?mt=loyalty&cmpid=EBOOBPBPA201602010001

  Twins for the Bull Rider

  by April Arrington

  Chapter One

  Trailer trash.

  Cissy Henley cringed. She’d learned early on that living in a trailer had little to do with the label. Only poverty and desperation were prerequisites. And the foul-smelling man hovering behind her in the Peachy Keen Diner thought that was exactly what she was.

  “Anybody home, baby?” He laughed. “I said, you reserving the place for me?”

  Cissy straightened her shoulders and maintained her stance facing the restroom door. The flimsy sticker proclaiming MEN had a gash through the middle and sagged at the corners. She kept a firm eye on the faded wood, reminding herself that no one had entered it during the past few minutes. And she would ensure it remained that way.

  “No,” she said. “It’s out of service for the moment.”

  “Yeah?” His croon dropped a notch, his hot breath hitting the back of her neck. “Well, whatcha say I hang with you till it’s back in service?”

  Cissy sighed. Chauvinistic redneck. Harassing a woman was probably the highlight of his Saturday night. He deserved a swift kick in the shins. Unfortunately, she couldn’t afford to lose her temper.

  Ignore him. He’ll go away.

  A stained T-shirt and hairy arms obstructed her vision. The man wedged himself between her and the door, flashing a smile that was all dingy teeth. He rubbed a lanky hand over the grizzled stubble of his chin.

  “Not right for a lady like yourself to be all alone this late at night.” The words slurred. He ran his bleary eyes over her face and down her chest, leaning back to survey her legs.

  Trailer trash. Cheap. Easy. Her lip curled. She knew the words were flashing in his head.

  Cissy ran her eyes over him, taking stock of his scrawny build and unstable frame. His hands trembled. Probably from too much liquor and too hard living. Harmless fool. But a fool nonetheless.

  “I’m not alone.” She elbowed her way to the other side of him and refocused on the bathroom door.

  “No, not anymore.” He shoved his face in front of hers. Delight pooled in his eyes. He licked his lips and leaned forward.

  “I wasn’t alone before you joined me,” Cissy bit out. “Now, I suggest you take your ass on.”

  His smile faded. It took a moment for his unfocused gaze to register the soft words as a rejection. He blinked hard. “What’s that?”

  The bathroom door banged open. Two blond boys tumbled out, shoving at one another before barreling into them.


  “Aunt Cissy, they ain’t got no paper towels in there,” Kayden, her six-year-old nephew, declared, dragging his palms over the other boy’s shirt. Frowning, he looked the drunk at her side over from head to toe. “Who’s he?”

  Cissy quickly gathered the boys against her legs, unable to contain the grin that spread across her face. She lifted an eyebrow at the man’s confusion.

  His head swiveled, taking in the boys, then her and back again. It was clear rambunctious twin boys were not part of his agenda. He moved around them, limbs wobbling.

  “You bothering my aunt Cissy?” Kayden clenched his fists and pulled against her hold, attempting to follow the man’s stumbling steps into the bathroom.

  “N-no, not at all,” he stammered, easing away with an uncomfortable laugh. “Just making polite conversation is all.” He nodded. “Was nice meetin’ you.”

  “You, too,” she called out with a saccharine smile.

  “I’m starving.” Jayden, the eldest twin, disentangled from her clutch and clamored up into a nearby booth.

  Kayden tore away and settled beside his brother. They bent over a menu, leaning into each other.

  Cissy frowned and thumbed through the bills at the edge of her pocket to calculate for the third time. Seventeen dollars and sixty-two cents. Unfortunately, her count had been correct the first time and remained so ever since. She slipped the bills back into her shorts, making sure all the coins were settled underneath, then plopped into the booth across from the boys.

  “Aunt Cissy, they have triple-decker cheeseburgers.” Kayden shoved a greasy menu in her face. His eyes sparkled as he pointed to the colorful close-up of a burger meal.

  Mmm. Her mouth watered. She smashed it shut so she wouldn’t drool on the table.

  Seventeen dollars and sixty-two cents. She had to stretch that as far as it would go.

  “And onion rings.” Jayden bounced in his seat. He scooted to his brother’s ear and shielded a conspiratorial whisper behind his hand.

  Snatching up the mug in front of her, she forced a mouthful of coffee past the lump in her throat and winced as the bitter brew seized her taste buds. Her stomach churned and rumbled. She rubbed a hand over her belly. Even the leftover gummy bears from twelve hours ago would be a blessing right about now.