Tall, Dark, Texas Ranger / Once Upon A Christmas Eve: Tall, Dark, Texas Ranger

Tall, Dark, Texas Ranger

Patricia Thayer

Once Upon a Christmas Eve

Christine Flynn

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dear Reader,

I’m back in Kerry Springs. There are so many wonderful characters in this small Texas town, and this time I got to add a little danger, a little suspense—then throw in a sexy Texas Ranger and you have a great mix.

My heroine is Lilly Perry. You’ve met her briefly in Little Cowgirl Needs A Mum. She’s the elementary school principal and a divorced mother with two kids: Kasey and Robbie. She has moved back into her childhood home with her widowed mother.

The twist is Ranger Noah ‘Coop’ Cooper is working undercover. One day Coop comes knocking at her door, wanting to rent the cottage out back. Soon he becomes the new handyman, doing repairs on the old Victorian home while trying to learn the truth about Lilly’s ex-husband’s death.

Even though Lilly has sworn off men, seeing this fine specimen shirtless, and with a tool belt slung low on his hips, causes her to re-evaluate that decision—until she discovers it’s all a lie.

I hope you enjoy their journey as much as I did writing the story.

Patricia Thayer

Tall, Dark, Texas Ranger

Patricia Thayer

Originally born and raised in Muncie, Indiana, PATRICIA THAYER is the second of eight children. She attended Ball State University, and soon afterwards headed West. Over the years she’s made frequent visits back to the Midwest, trying to keep up with her growing family.

Patricia has called Orange County, California, home for many years. She not only enjoys the warm climate, but also the company and support of other published authors in the local writers’ organisation. For the past eighteen years she has had the unwavering support and encouragement of her critique group. It’s a sisterhood like no other.

When she’s not working on a story, you might find her travelling the United States and Europe, taking in the scenery and doing story research while thoroughly enjoying herself accompanied by Steve, her husband for over thirty-five years. Together they have three grown sons and four grandsons. As she calls them, her own true-life heroes. On her rare days off from writing you might catch her at Disneyland, spoiling those grandkids rotten! She also volunteers for the Grandparent Autism Network.

Patricia has written for over twenty years and has authored over thirty-six books. She has been nominated for both the National Readers’ Choice Award and the prestigious RITA®. Her book Nothing Short of a Miracle won a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award.

A long-time member of romance Writers of America, she has served as President and held many other board positions for her local chapter in Orange County. She’s a firm believer in giving back.

Check her website at www.patriciathayer.com for upcoming books.

To Mom,

Your strength and endurance amazes me.

I’m one proud daughter.

CHAPTER ONE

COULD this be his lucky day?

Noah Cooper drove down Maple Street and saw the Cottage For Rent sign in the front yard of the three-story Victorian house. He couldn’t get any closer if he’d planned it. Now all he had to do was make sure he became the new tenant. He parked his truck at the curb under the large tree and climbed out, immediately feeling the Texas heat.

He also felt a stir of excitement as he made his way up the walk to the porch and climbed the crumbling concrete steps to the peeling porch floor and rang the bell.

It was a new job. A new challenge.

No answer. He glanced down and saw the sign on the doorknob that read, Gone Quilting.

Not to be detoured, he followed the wraparound porch to a set of stairs and a pathway that led to a large backyard. Even though the house looked a little shabby there were colorful flowers that filled the beds and the lawn had been recently cut. He guessed it paid to have family in the landscaping business.

In the back of the large lot he spotted a second structure. It was a much smaller scale, but the cottage was a singlestory clapboard with decorative shutters. The same gray and burgundy colors that were faded and peeling as the main house. Even though it might be a little feminine for his tastes, the location was ideal. He started for the door, hoping to get a look inside.

Stepping up onto the small porch, he saw the door ajar and heard music. Peering inside, he found a main living area with a brick fireplace. On the other wall was a row of cabinets with compact appliances and a small table with two chairs. The place was furnished, but from what era? That was when he spotted the movement.

A woman was on her hands and knees scrubbing the floor, keeping in time with the country song. Her nice shapely bottom swaying back and forth as her arms fought against the dirty tile, singing along with Carrie Underwood. Rich brown hair with golden strands was pulled up in a knot on top of her head, but most had escaped. Her tank top and shorts showed off a trim but curvy body.

His body suddenly came alive. In his profession that didn’t happen often, especially in the past year. But now wasn’t the time to suddenly get his libido back. He had a job to do.

“Excuse me, ma’am,” he called over the music.

Lilly heard her name and looked over her shoulder to find the stranger. She jumped, nearly hitting her head on the table.

She swore softly and the man started toward her. Holding up her hand, she stopped him from coming too close.

“Are you all right?”

With a nod, she managed to get to her feet and shut off the music. Then she turned around to get a look at her intruder.

Big. Tall. He had nearly black hair, thick and wavy, but his eyes were a whiskey-brown. He was dressed in faded jeans and a chambray shirt and boots much like south Texans, but she’d grown suspicious of any strangers.

“Who are you?” she said a little too harshly.

He didn’t look to be intimidated at all. “I’m hoping I’ll be your new tenant,” the man said with a nod of his head. “I’m Noah Cooper.”

“Lilly Perry, but I’m not the landlord. It’s my mother, Beth Staley, who owns the place and she rents out this cottage.” When her mother had decided to rent the cottage, they hadn’t talked about who they’d rent to, but surely not a … stranger. “You’ll have to come back.”

“Do you know when that will be?”

Lilly felt an odd feeling go through her as the man continued to stare at her. As if those deep-set eyes could read her thoughts. “To be honest, Mr. Cooper—”

“It’s Coop,” he interrupted. “I go by Coop.”

“Coop,” she repeated. “I believe there’s someone else interested in the place.”

He nodded toward the door. “The sign is still up in the yard.”

He’d got her there. “Well, it’s not official. I’m just letting you know so you don’t get too excited.”

“I guess I need to come back and talk to Mrs. Staley then. When will she be back?”

Lilly shrugged. “It’s hard to say, she’s with her friends quilting. It could be hours.”

He nodded, looking disappointed. “Okay. I guess I’ll have to wait.”

He turned to leave when she heard the familiar voice. “Mom! Mom! Where are you?”

“I’m in here, Robbie,” she called and went to the door.

As fast as lightning, the five-year-old raced through the cottage door. “Colin and Cody are going swimming and they asked me to go, too. Can I, can I? Please.”

“Robbie, slow down.” She brushed back her son’s blond hair that fell over his forehead. He stared back at her with blue eyes so like his father’s. It still caused her chest to tighten at the memories of their previous life. A father he’d never know.

“If it’s okay with Colin and Cody’s mom?”

“Yeah, she said you could probably get some more work done without me underfoot.”

She wanted to grin. Her son started talking at a year and hadn’t slowed down since. “Maybe I should just put you to work, too.”

He wrinkled his freckled nose. “Mom, I’m only five years old.”

“Funny, yesterday you were counting the days to your sixth birthday.”

“But I’m still a kid. I need to have some fun. It’s summer vacation.” Her son finally noticed Mr. Cooper. “Hi, who are you? I’m Robbie Perry.”

“Robbie, this is Mr. Cooper,” she said, keeping a protective hand on her child’s shoulders.

“Everyone calls me Coop, Robbie.”

Her son glanced at her, then back at the stranger. “What are you doing here with my mom?”

“Robbie.” She hoped to send a warning by her tone. She wasn’t happy with her son’s attitude, even if he had cause to be suspicious.

“It’s okay,” Coop said. “He’s looking out for his mother.” He turned his attention to Robbie. “I want to rent this house. But your mother said someone else is interested in it.”

Robbie’s frown deepened. “There is? Who, Mom?”

Lilly felt her cheeks flame. Now her fib just got bigger. “I’m not sure.” She quickly changed the subject. “Why don’t you go and get your swim trunks and a towel.”

His eyes widened. “I can go?”

Lilly didn’t seem to have a choice. With her nod, her son did a fist pump and ran out.

“That’s quite a boy you have there.”

“Yes, he is. I wish I had his energy.”

There was an uncomfortable silence, then Coop spoke. “Well, I should go, too,” he said. “Thank you, Mrs. Perry.”

“Sorry it didn’t work out,” she said. “Hope you find a place. Are you working in the area?” Why was she asking? “I mean the ranches might be hiring if you have some experience.”

Coop could see Lilly Perry was leery of him. After everything that had happened in the past few months, of course she would be, especially of any strangers. “I have ranching experience, but that’s not what I’m doing now. I’ll be working on the new houses project on the west side of town.”

He saw her surprise. “For AC Construction? You work for Alex Casali?”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m a finish carpenter by trade.” That part wasn’t a lie. If he pushed her for the cottage again, he might frighten her off. “Well, I guess I better continue my search. Goodbye.”

Coop walked out the door, then along the path when the boy ran out of the main house. A bundle of energy, he bounded down the steps at full speed.

“Hey, Robbie,” Coop called, wondering if the boy could help him. “Hey, by chance could you tell me where your grandmother has gone?”

He nodded. “Oh, yeah, she’s quilting with her friends at the Blind Stitch.” He rolled his eyes. “It’s boring. They cut up old shirts and things to a make quilts. My sister does it, too.”

“That’s good because guys have things that are just for guys.”

The boy looked thoughtful. “Yeah, but I don’t get to do them too much ‘cause my dad died.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” He didn’t know what to say to the kid. A horn honked and let him off the hook. “Have fun swimming.”

Coop watched the boy run off to the waiting car. He silently cursed the man for what he’d done to this family. Michael Perry had a pretty wife and a couple of kids. He lost it all so quickly.

It was Coop’s job to find out who was behind Perry’s death. Was he the informant that never showed that night, or was it all just a coincidence?

Now, he planned on finding the truth, and preventing any other people getting hurt in the process.

Thirty minutes later, Coop found the Blind Stitch on Main Street. Not that it was that hard. The town of Kerry Springs, Texas, had a population of only about ten thousand. But he knew from experience that not all the people were good citizens.

He opened the door and walked inside. Okay, maybe he would be more comfortable going into a seedy bar in El Paso, but he had a job to do.

The store was laid out well. He was met with rows of colorful fabric that crowded the shelves and handmade quilts adorned the high walls. A large cutting table was busy with patrons waiting patiently for their turn. On the other side was a large doorway, opening into another area that had several rows of tables with sewing machines.

Finally a young blonde woman came up to him, her stomach round from the late stage of pregnancy.

“Hello, I’m Jenny Rafferty,” she said. “Is there something I can help you with?”

“I was told that I’d find Beth Staley here.”

The woman smiled. “Yes, Beth is here.” She nodded to a round table in the corner in the front of the windows where half dozen women sat. “‘The Quilting Corner’ ladies.”

He nodded. “Thank you, ma’am.” He released a breath. He needed to sell this to make his job easier. Hat in hand, he put on a smile as he made his way to the table. The half dozen women, all different ages, suddenly stopped their conversation and stared at him.

“Good afternoon, ladies,” he said. “I apologize for interrupting, but I’m looking for Mrs. Beth Staley.”

“That would be me.” A tiny woman in her late fifties raised her hand. “Are you sure you got the name right?”

The other woman laughed and Coop relaxed a little. “I’m sure if you’re the woman who has the cottage for rent?”

When Beth smiled, he saw the resemblance to her daughter. Same sapphire eyes and shape of the face. The woman flashed a look at her friends, then back to him. “Why, yes, I do.”

“Then I’m interested in renting it. I hope I’m not too late.”

Mrs. Staley looked confused. “Why, Mr. Cooper, would that be?”

“Your daughter said there’s another interested party.”

Mrs. Staley sobered. “Oh, yeah, right. Well, that fell through so the cottage is still available. But, young man …”

“Sorry, it’s Noah Cooper. Everyone calls me Coop.”

“And I’m Beth, and these are my friends, Liz, Lisa, Millie, Louisa and Caitlin.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”

They all returned greetings.

“Excuse us, ladies.” Beth stood and moved away from the table for more privacy. “Well, Mr. Cooper, if you’re serious about the cottage, I’ll need references … and a deposit.”

Coop nodded in agreement. “Not a problem. My new job is with AC Construction. But I can give previous references from San Antonio.” His superiors wouldn’t have any problem coming up with something.

“You’re working for Alex?”

Coop nodded again. “Yes. I’m a finish carpenter by trade. I’d rather not live in a motel for the next six, or eight months.” He’d had worse accommodations. “When I saw your cottage, it was a nice surprise.” He needed to sweeten the deal. “And I’ve done a lot of home restoration work in the past, and I could help with some repairs around your beautiful home.”

“I’m ashamed to say, my home has been neglected so badly. When my husband was alive he did all the repairs.” She folded her arms over her chest covered by a shirt that said, I’d Rather Be Quilting. “Would you have the time to work on my place with your other job?”

“My job doesn’t start for a few weeks. And I’m ready to move in right now. Of course, you need to check my references first.”

She wrinkled her nose. “I figure if you work for Alex Casali, you must be top-notch. His wife, Allison, owns this shop.”

“So Mrs. Casali quilts, too.”

Beth grinned. “You could say that. She’s one of the best.” She motioned him back to the table. “Ladies, Noah Cooper is going to be my new tenant.”

“Mother?”

Everyone turned to see Lilly Perry walking toward the group. She’d cleaned up from earlier, and changed into a pair of khaki shorts and a pink T-shirt. Her brown hair was brushed and laying in soft waves against her shoulders. He’d never guess this woman was in her mid-thirties, and the mother of two.

“Mother, what’s going on?”

“Good, Lilly, you’re here. I want to introduce you to Mr. Cooper.”

“We’ve already met,” Lilly said, not looking happy. “He came by the house earlier.” She stared at him. “How did you know to come here?”

“Your son, Robbie. He told me where to find Mrs. Staley. I didn’t want to miss the opportunity. You said someone else was interested in it.”

Beth looked at her daughter. “Who else?”

“Mandy Hews.”

The older woman frowned. “She’s only eighteen. Not only couldn’t she afford it, but I’d spend all my time chasing off that boyfriend of hers. Good Lord, don’t the women of this generation have any taste in men? The kid doesn’t even have a job.”

Lilly didn’t like being called out in front of a stranger. “Excuse us, please.” So she took her mother by the hand and pulled her away. Once across the room and out of earshot, she spoke. “Mother, you shouldn’t have agreed to rent to this man before you checked him out. Besides, I thought we decided to rent to a woman.”

“If I remember, you decided that. Besides, I wasn’t born yesterday and I know how to size up people. Don’t let your relationship with Michael cloud your judgment.”

“Michael did a hell of a lot more than cloud my judgment. He kicked me and the kids to the curb and took every dime of our money. Not to mention he humiliated me.”

Beth’s expression softened. “I know, honey. And I wish I could change that, but I can’t. Don’t you think it’s time to move on? Start a new life for you and the kids.”

Lilly did not want to rehash her problems right here in the Blind Stitch. There had been enough gossip about her around town to last a lifetime.

She glanced at the handsome Noah Cooper as he talked with the ladies around the table. He seemed to be very charming. That was the problem.

Mike had been charming when he wanted to be during their thirteen-year marriage. Then overnight things seemed to sour between them and he left her and the kids.

Suddenly there was a loud groan and everyone turned to Jenny who was doubled over. She gasped as a puddle formed on the floor below her.

She blushed. “Oh, God. My water broke.”

The group got up and went to her.

“My baby’s coming.” Jenny sucked in a breath. “I’ve got to call Evan.”

“I’ll do it,” Liz said to her. “You sit down.”

Jenny shook her head. “No, I need to keep walking. I want this over quickly. Call Jade, see if she’s on duty today. I want her in the delivery room.”

Lilly watched as Jenny shouted orders, but everyone seemed confused. She’d had enough. She stuck her two little fingers in her mouth and whistled. The frenzy stopped.

“Okay, let’s get organized here. Liz, you call Evan and tell him to meet us at the hospital. Millie, you phone Jade and let her know that Jenny’s in labor, then get Jenny’s phone and call her doctor to let her know she’s on her way.” She glanced around. “Now who brought their car?”

Silence. Then Noah Cooper spoke up. “I have my truck. It’ll carry four people.”

Jenny groaned with another contraction.

“Okay, Mr. Cooper,” Lilly said. “You’ve been designated as official driver. Let’s go people.”

Lilly put her arm around Jenny and Liz took the other side and walked the expectant mother to the door. Her mother went with Coop to the door. “My daughter is a school principal,” she told him. “She’s good under fire.”

“And she keeps a cool head,” Coop said as he went outside, and he hurried to his truck at the curb. Opening the passenger side Millie placed a towel on the seat. Jenny apologized for making a mess.

“Not a problem, ma’am.” He helped her in, then raced around the other side, took his duffel bag out of the backseat and tossed it in the pickup bed. He climbed in the driver’s seat and started the engine. Lilly and her mother got in the back and gave directions to the hospital.

Lilly hoped to give up her supervisory position when they arrived. And the way Mr. Cooper was driving, it would be soon. She had to say one thing for the man: he hadn’t run away when things got dicey. That was a point in his favor, but only one.

A little over two hours later, Noah was on his second cup of hospital coffee and still no baby. At least the father had arrived and was with his wife. He would have left but he wasn’t sure how the rest of the women would get home. And it was his chance to get to know more townspeople. He leaned against the wall and watched as so many people came in and out of the waiting area. It seemed Jenny Rafferty was well liked in this town. According to Beth, Jenny’s husband, Evan Rafferty, was a local rancher/vineyard owner. The grandfather, Sean Rafferty, walked into the waiting area with his ten-year-old granddaughter, Jenny’s stepdaughter, Gracie. Both were very excited about the upcoming arrival of the new addition to the family.

Sean Rafferty was the one who drew the women. They were swarming around the older gentleman as if he were a rockstar. Beth let it be known to him that Sean was the most eligible bachelor in town for their age group.

Coop’s attention went to Lilly Perry who stood outside the sliding doors as she talked on her cell phone. She was probably checking on her kids. He recalled seeing her earlier, giving orders to everyone. She was a strong, takecharge woman. Was it possible she knew what had been going on? Had she known what her husband was involved in? Had that been the reason they split up?

Man, she’d be a hard woman to walk away from.

The door swished opened again and his new employer, Alex Casali, walked in with an attractive redhead he knew to be his wife, Allison Cole Casali.

Alex spotted him and excused himself. “Cooper, what are you doing here?”

“I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. I was the only one who had a vehicle close by to drive Jenny to the hospital.”

Casali smiled. “Welcome to small-town living.”

CHAPTER TWO

“IT’S a boy!”

Lilly looked up to see Evan Rafferty, dressed in hospital scrubs, in the waiting-room doorway. Several of the others in the group jumped up and offered their congratulations.

Sean was hugging his son when Lilly approached. “It’s wonderful news, Evan.”

The handsome new father grinned. “Yeah, it is. I wanted a boy, but another girl would have been great, too.”

Lilly felt tears of joy, recalling the happiest days of her life had been when she had her children. “How is Jenny doing?”

“She’s a champ,” Evan said. “Not one complaint. Jade was with her, and I was her coach.”

Lilly thought about her good friend. Jade was a nurse at the hospital and had recently married ranch owner Sloan Merrick. “I’m glad. How much did the baby weigh?”

“Sean Michael is eight pounds and six ounces.”

Grandfather Sean appeared. “Did I hear right?”

Evan nodded. “Jenny wants our son to have a family connection so we thought what better way than his grandfather and great-grandfather’s names? We thought we’d call him Mick.”

Lilly could see that Sean was touched. The big burly man didn’t have a problem showing his emotions as tears filled his eyes. “My dad would have liked that.” Sean looked down at his granddaughter. “What do you think, Gracie? Doesn’t that sound like a good Irish name?”

The ten-year-old nodded. “I like it. When can we see him, Dad? He is my brother.”

The group laughed and Evan said, “Come on, I think family has some privileges.”

Lilly watched as the threesome walked down the hall together. She felt envy for what she used to have, and had lost. What her kids had lost. Sadness engulfed her, but she refused to give in to it. She’d spent months trying to figure out what had happened with her marriage. What had happened between her and Mike. She never came up with any answers.