by Lynn Shannon
“You mean I can go to prison. That’s not going to happen. Put your gun down now, or I’ll cut her carotid. I know exactly where it is. Do you hear me?” Ken’s face heated with rage. He dug the edge of the blade into Tara’s neck. Blood beaded. “I’ll finish her.”
His hand trembled, and he tightened his hold on the weapon. Grady couldn’t lay his gun down. If he did, Ken would just kill him and then Tara.
“Ken, listen to me, we can work something out. You don’t want to do this.”
A shadow moved outside the window. Grady’s attention shifted for half a heartbeat. Something flew from Ken’s hand. Flames shot up. Within seconds, the entire back wall of the cabin was engulfed.
“The clock is ticking, Ranger. Once the fire reaches the gas can, it’s over.” Ken’s mouth twisted into a sick smile. “We all go boom.”
Grady met Tara’s eyes. She looked down and then back at him. She did it again. Smoke made the room hazy.
Ken laughed. “Now, what’s it going to be? Ready to put down—”
Tara maneuvered one hand out of Ken’s grasp and slammed her elbow into his stomach. He grunted, the blade lifting from her throat, and Tara dropped like a rock to the floor.
Grady fired.
The bullets slammed into Ken’s chest. Blooms of red appeared. He stumbled back and collapsed to the ground, his body going limp.
Grady closed the distance. He kicked Ken’s knife away before crouching next to Tara. “Are you okay?”
“Dan. We need to get Dan out.”
She grabbed Ken’s knife and crawled over to the injured man. Dan moaned.
“Get out of here.” Grady took the blade from her and sliced at the ties binding the other man to the chair. “Go, Tara. Get out.”
“Not without you.”
She tore at the ropes. They were a mess. Dan was secured several times over. The fire spread, the cabin going up like a matchstick. Within seconds, the entire perimeter was ablaze. Grady lifted Dan into a fireman’s hold. Smoke burned his eyes and lungs. Tara started across the room but stumbled and hit the cabin floor.
Her leg. She couldn’t make it, and Grady couldn’t save them both.
Water splashed in from the doorway. The fire retreated, and like an answer to Grady’s unspoken prayer, Jason appeared. He threw the empty bucket to the side. “Give him to me and get her.”
The marine buckled under Dan’s weight but recovered and disappeared into the smoke. Grady bent and scooped Tara into his arms. Her blood coated his hand, warm and slick. It pumped out of her with every heartbeat.
“Grady…”
“Stay with me, Tara.” He raced for the door. “I need you.”
He couldn’t lose her. He wouldn’t.
Fresh air caressed his face just before a loud explosion roared behind him. Heat seared his back as he slammed into the ground. He rolled, protecting Tara’s body with his own, wrapping her in his arms.
All around them shards of wood and ash fell.
Sixteen
One month later
“It was, by far, one of the best weddings I’ve ever been to,” Tara declared. “Janet, you looked perfect in your gown. The food was amazing, and the ceremony at the church couldn’t have been any lovelier.”
“It was better because you, Grady, and Maddy were all there to see it,” Deeann announced. “I know I’ve said it a hundred times, but don’t scare me like that again.”
A chorus of agreement rose from the table. The entire West family had gathered for a celebratory lunch the day after the wedding. Janet and Todd were heading off for their honeymoon in a few hours. Lauren, Grady’s other sister, and her family were flying back to Nashville tomorrow.
Maddy banged her hand on the table and Lauren’s two-year-old twins followed suit.
Grady waved his finger between them. “I can see these three are going to be trouble.”
His tone was full of affection and it warmed Tara’s heart. After the attack in the cabin she’d been at the hospital and then stayed on the West’s ranch, recuperating. Ken had sliced her deeply when she’d tackled him after removing her bonds. It’d taken surgery and physical therapy to put her back together.
Grady had been there every step of the way. He’d helped with Maddy, brought Tara books and magazines, and taken her to the doctor’s appointments. They’d had conversations and even a stolen kiss or two. However, between Janet’s wedding and a houseful of guests, there hadn’t been a lot of private time with Grady to discuss their future.
Now the wedding was over. Tara was fully healed. Maddy was safe. Tomorrow, things would go back to normal. Then, Tara vowed, she would tell Grady everything she was feeling.
“Who wants more roast beef?” Deeann asked, lifting the platter. Most of the table groaned.
“I don’t think I could eat another bite,” Janet declared. “It was amazing, Mom.”
“Well, I hope you saved room for dessert. I have three kinds of pie.”
Tara checked her watch. “Deeann, if you don’t mind, Jason and Dan are stopping by in a little while. I’d love to have them join us for dessert.”
“Absolutely. How are those two?”
“Good. Jason’s asked to spend some time with Maddy, and I’ve agreed. Marcus was an orphan, and Jason is the closest thing he had to a brother. I think it’ll be good for Maddy to have someone in her life who knew her father.”
“Well, Jason has proved himself worthy as far as I’m concerned,” Deeann said. Grady’s mother had already made the marine an honorary member of the family. “And Dan?”
“He’s fully recovered from his injuries and back at work. He even signed up for a course at the community college. I think Vikki would’ve been really proud of him.”
Tara had a pang of sadness thinking of her friend. A journal found in Ken’s house after his death documented his obsession with Vikki. Her refusal to marry him was the final straw. He lured her out to the country road under false pretenses and killed her.
Afterward, as Tara had surmised in the cabin, Ken’s fixation turned to Maddy. In his twisted thinking, taking her would enable him to possess Vikki. He’d created an elaborate plan to keep Maddy in secret until he could move to another state.
Tara thanked the Lord every day that they’d been able to stop him. However, Vikki’s death haunted her. It was a tragic end for the young mother who had finally found her way in life. Tara was determined to share the truth with Maddy when she was old enough to understand. Vikki had loved her with everything she had.
As if he could hear her thoughts, Grady reached under the table and squeezed her hand.
“Well, if everyone is finished, I guess that’s my cue.” Raymond pushed his chair back from the table. “Deeann does the cookin’ and I do the dishes.”
“That’s cuz no one wants to eat your cooking, Dad,” Grady joked.
Everyone laughed. Tara helped clear the table. Maddy strained in her seat and managed to grab some mashed potatoes off a nearby plate left too close. She banged it on the high chair tray table, sending food remnants flying.
Janet tossed Tara a clean washcloth. “That’s all you, Mama.”
She rolled her eyes. “Thanks.”
Tara wiped Maddy’s hands and face. “You are a mess, baby. What am I going to do with you?”
Her little girl grinned, revealing four baby teeth. Tara dropped a kiss on her head as she removed the oversized bib. Underneath, Maddy’s pacifier string was attached to her dress. The baby tugged on it.
“Where did this come from?” Tara said, taking it gently from the small hand. “You haven’t used your pacifier—”
Her fingers stumbled across the end. She glanced down at her hand. Instead of finding the pacifier, there was a diamond ring.
Tara’s mouth dropped open.
A familiar hand came into view, unclipping the string from Maddy’s dress. “I know we haven’t been dating long, but we have known each other our whole lives, so I figure that should count for something.”
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br /> Grady lowered himself to one knee in front of her. Behind him, his whole family stood. Tears blurred her vision.
“Tara, there isn’t anything about you I don’t adore. You’re kind, you’re brave, you can take down killers with your sharp elbows.”
She laughed. Maddy banged on her tray table and screeched. Grady kissed one of her plump hands and ruffled her hair. “Hold on there, kid, I’m trying to convince your mom to marry me.”
“She doesn’t need any convincing.” Tara swiped at the tears running down her face. “The answer is yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
The room erupted into cheers. With a slightly shaky hand, in front of all the people they both loved, Grady slipped the ring on her finger before rising from his knee. His mouth brushed against hers. Sweet, tender, and full of promise.
“I love you, Tara.”
Warmth spread through her. “I love you too.”
Grady released her and scooped Maddy up in his arms. “Hear that, darlin’? We’re going to be a family.”
The little girl laughed. Tara wrapped her arms around them both. She leaned into them. Leaned into the love.
She’d found home.
Thank you for reading Ranger Protection! I hope you enjoyed it. Want more suspense and romance? Keep going for information on the next book in the series, Ranger Redemption.
Criminal defense attorney, Megan Hunt, is searching for evidence to appeal her brother’s murder conviction when she is attacked and nearly killed. She’s forced to accept the protection and help of her ex-fiancé, Texas Ranger Luke Tatum. But the secrets surrounding the case are far more sinister than they imagined, and exposing them could prove deadly.
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About the Author
Lynn Shannon worked as a family law attorney before becoming a full-time author. Her novels combine intriguing mysteries with heartfelt romance. You can learn more on her website.
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Acknowledgments
First, I must thank the Lord for putting this novel in my heart and urging me to write it. I once heard a story that God sends you a hint in the form of a whispers. If you don’t listen, He sends a pebble and then a bolder. Let’s just say, I nearly needed a mountain slide before finally heeding the call. Amazing things have opened up in my life since then, and I’m extremely grateful.
Additionally, I cannot move on without giving a huge thank you to my family. They sacrificed, in big and small ways, and none of this would’ve been possible without their support.
Texas Rangers are an invaluable law enforcement branch of Texas, but they are also an iconic part of the state’s history. This book would not have been possible without the help of Byron Johnson, Director of the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum. He patiently answered my questions, and his guidance was invaluable. Some aspects of the novel had to be adjusted for fiction. All of the mistakes are my own.
To my editors, critique partners, and beta readers, your hard work and comments made all of the difference. This book is better because of you. Thank you.