“I’m sorry, Chase,” she whispered.

“Shh,” he breathed, and held her. Damn, she was breaking his heart. “We’ve both made mistakes, Mal. I have to take some blame, too. If I hadn’t left you back then…if I’d stayed…” He wasn’t about to tell her that he’d returned, only to find she was al ready married, and all he could do was walk away from her a second time.

Mallory raised her head and looked at him, her green eyes luminous. “No. I knew all along how much you wanted to be a Ranger. And you are such a good one.” She touched his face and he about lost it. “And you’re a good man, too.”

What he was feeling and thinking right now was far from being good. “And you’re a good mother.” He couldn’t resist her any longer, and touched his mouth to hers.

“Chase…”

“Quiet, Mal. We’ve talked enough.” His mouth closed over hers, and he forgot about everything else but the woman in his arms.

Patricia Thayer has been writing for over twenty years, and has published thirty books with Mills & Boon. Her books have been twice nominated for various awards in the USA, including the National Readers’ Choice Award, the Book Buyers’ Best, and a prestigious RITA® Award. In 1997 NOTHING SHORT OF A MIRACLE won the Romantic Times BOOK Club Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Special Edition.

Thanks to the understanding men in her life—her husband of over thirty-five years, Steve, and her three grown sons and three grandsons—Pat has been able to fulfil her dream of writing. Besides writing romance, she loves to travel—especially in the west, where she researches her books first hand. You might find her on a ranch in Texas, or on a train to an old mining town in Colorado, and this year you’ll find her on an adventure in Scotland. Just so long as she can share it all with her favourite hero, Steve. She loves to hear from readers. You can write to her at PO Box 6251, Anaheim, CA 92816-0251, USA, or check her website at www.patriciathayer.com for upcoming books.

Dear Reader

This is a first for me. I’ve written numerous western stories over the years, and several of the locations were in Texas, but I’ve never written a Texas Ranger as a hero.

I have to admit I was a little intimidated just by their reputation alone. And I wasn’t quite sure what exactly their job entailed. Was it more of an honorary position? Did these men, and now women, just walk around wearing white hats and a silver badge?

Then I talked with Carol Mathis, Administrative Technician for Ranger Company E in Midland, Texas. She eagerly answered all my questions about this elite group of 116 lawmen and women. The Rangers have protected the people of Texas since 1823. Their jobs include anything from going after kidnappers and bank robbers to helping find missing people. No job is too small or too large for a Texas Ranger. And, when it’s needed, they still climb on a horse to go after the bad guy.

In my story, TEXAS RANGER TAKES A BRIDE, Chase Landon goes in search of a boy who’s been kidnapped by escaped convicts. The stakes are raised when he learns the child is his own son. Mallory Hagan, the woman he once loved but walked away from to become a Ranger, never told him of the boy. Now they have to put the past behind them and work together.

Once again, it’s been my privilege to learn about the Rangers. They are truly heroes. Thanks, Carol, for all your help.

Any mistakes in this story are mine and mine alone.

Enjoy

Patricia Thayer

TEXAS RANGER
TAKES A BRIDE

BY

PATRICIA THAYER

www.millsandboon.co.uk

To Helen,

I loved your fierce loyalty to your family and friends,

your joy for life, your bright smile

and your special way with words.

And I’ll miss you, my friend.

Gentle Persuader, Helen Haddad,

June 13, 1933–October 17, 2007

CHAPTER ONE

SHE HADN’T BEEN ABLE to shake the uneasy feeling.

Mallory Hagan looked out the kitchen window toward the barn and corral area. Still no sign of Buck and Ryan. She trusted her father to take care of her eight-year-old son, but that didn’t stop her from worrying.

On the plus side, he was a good rider, and his grandpa had taken him out on the trail many times. Just not overnight.

And never had they been four hours overdue.

Mallory paced the large ranch kitchen and stopped at the wall phone. Unable to stop herself, she picked up the receiver and called her dad’s cell phone. It went right to voice mail…again. They must be in a dead area.

She looked up when the housekeeper, Rosalie, walked into the kitchen. “Still no sign of them?”

Mallory shook her head. “I’m getting concerned.”

“Do you think Buck is checking his watch? No. He has his grandson out there, teaching him the cowboy way of life.”

Over the years the housekeeper’s once rich brown hair had turned salt and pepper. It was pulled back into a no-nonsense ponytail, revealing warm hazel eyes and defined cheekbones. Rosalie Dudley had been the only other female in the house since the death of Mallory’s mother over fifteen years ago. Mallory loved her like a second mother.

“So you’re saying I’m being overprotective.”

Rosalie smiled. “No, I’m just saying Buck wouldn’t let anything happen to the boy. You two are his life.”

Buck Kendrick owned a lot of land in this part of West Texas. On his forty-three sections he ran a large cattle operation, along with numerous oil wells, dotting the mostly barren landscape of mesquite, ocotillo cactus and buffalo grass that survived the area’s lack of rainfall.

Mallory knew her father would give it all up to have his wife by his side, and another half-dozen kids to inherit what he’d worked so hard to build. But she was his only child, and Ryan his only grandchild. And since her husband’s death, there weren’t going to be any more children. Sadness welled inside Mallory as she recalled her turbulent marriage to Alan. Toward the end she’d feared for her and her son’s safety.

Living outside of Lubbock, Texas, she’d been able to play the part of the dutiful wife. And keep Buck from knowing the truth about her husband’s drinking and incomprehensible actions.

She brushed aside the thought. “You know, Dad isn’t as young as he used to be.”

“You better not let Buck hear you say that.”

Mallory smiled. “Well, he still does too much. And I’m afraid he’s going to show off for Ryan.”

“Probably, but he’s got Joe and Mick with him,” Rosalie assured her. “So let the ranch hands deal with Buck. And we better concentrate on the roundup. We’ll have about three dozen hungry cowboys to feed this weekend, not to mention the other family members.”

“That’s why I’m here.” Mallory let herself smile. This was the weekend she came home every year. Lazy K Ranch’s late-spring roundup. With Mallory’s busy horse broker’s business in Levelland, they couldn’t get back to Midland very often. Just about four times a year.

“Are you going to make fried chicken?”

Rosalie nodded. “Your dad has already put in his order. He knows it’s the only time I let him indulge in fried foods. How about you making that potato casserole?”

“And some red beans and rice, of course.” Mallory reached for a note pad when her attention was drawn to the kitchen window. Outside, a horse and rider were walking toward the barn. She looked closer. It was Joe. He was slumped over his mount.

“Rosalie, Joe’s back, and something’s wrong.” She hurried out the door and kept the momentum going until she reached the horse just as two other hands arrived to help him down.

“Looks like he’s been worked over,” the ranch hand said.

Mallory knelt down beside him on the ground. “Oh, God, Joe, what happened? Where’s Ryan and Buck?”

The foreman’s face was etched with pain. “Two men ambushed us right before dawn. They shot Buck and worked over Mick and me pretty good.”

She gasped. “What about Ryan?”

“That’s why Buck sent me for help.”

Mallory’s heart pounded harder as she looked around for any sign of another horse. “Where’s my son?”

“I’m sorry, Mallory.” He grimaced. “I tried to stop them, but they took the boy with them.”

He had to be overlooking something.

Chase Landon sat in his office at the Ranger Company in Midland, Texas. He’d gone over and over the same information for the past week. He’d prided himself on his ability to find clues that others had missed, but this old case still had him stumped.

Since joining the Texas Rangers nearly nine years ago, one of his goals had been to find his uncle’s killer. He also knew he should leave it to the Rangers’ Unsolved Crimes Investigation Team in San Antonio. But this was too important to Chase, and he refused to give up.

“Anything new show up?” fellow ranger Jesse Raines asked as he stuck his head though the doorway.

“No.” Chase leaned back in his chair. “Ballistics still doesn’t match. There had to be another gun there. Another shooter.”

“We could go back and take another look.” Just being recently commissioned, Jesse was eager to help out on any and all cases. “But after all this time, it’s probably long gone.”

“I don’t think the shooter had enough time to get rid of it,” Chase said more to himself than to his partner. He closed the manila folder and stood. “Anything more on the Sweetwater escapees?”

Jesse cocked his thumb toward the door. “The captain is talking with the state troopers now.”

Although he’d been in the Midland Company for only the past year, Chase knew this area well. He’d grown up in the oil-rich Permian Basin of West Texas. His first job in law enforcement had been with the highway patrol there.

Suddenly the captain, Bob Robertson, walked in. “Landon. Raines. It looks like we’ve been called in,” he told them. “The two escapees, now identified as Charles Jacobs and Berto Reyes, have shot a civilian and carjacked a vehicle. Now, they’ve taken an eight-year-old boy hostage. So I need you and your gear ready in thirty minutes.”

The captain glanced at Chase. “Sorry, Landon, looks like your vacation is temporarily on hold. I need you on this.”

“Not a problem,” he said. “Where did they abduct the boy?”

“It was on the Lazy K Ranch. Southeast of Interstate 20.”

Chase felt as if he’d been socked in the gut. Then dread washed over him. “Buck Kendrick’s place?” He barely got the words out.

The captain nodded. “It’s Kendrick’s grandson, Ryan Hagan.”

Chase stopped breathing. Mallory had a son?

“You know the man?”

Chase managed a nod. “A long time ago.” He had trouble thinking of her with a child.

“So you know that even from Kendrick’s hospital bed, he’s demanding that every law officer in the state join in the search for his grandson. Not that I blame him.” He sighed. “We better get to it. The helicopter will take off in thirty minutes.” The captain walked out with Jesse.

Chase sank down into the chair and rubbed his hands over his face. This was crazy.

Mallory Kendrick.

The pretty, ebony-haired girl with big green eyes. An incredible contrast to her olive skin from her mother’s Spanish roots. Tall and slender, she had legs that men fantasized about. But Chase had had to quit seeing her. She was too young, and way out of his league.

She was the daughter of rich oilman and rancher, Buck Kendrick, and he was a kid from the poor side of town who would never fit into her lifestyle. But damn, even after all these years, thoughts still lingered of what might have been between them.

Mallory Kendrick…Hagan had made him crazy for years. From the time she’d turned eighteen clear through to their heated summer romance and their breakup when he went off to join the rangers.

Chase leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. If there had been a woman who could have deterred him from his dream… Mallory was the one.

Funny thing was he’d returned to Midland to see if they could work things out between them, but he quickly learned he was too late. He’d remembered vividly how good old Buck persuaded him to back away when he’d showed up at the door and learned Mallory had gotten married to another man and was on her honeymoon.

Over the several months that followed, he’d tried to convince himself it was all for the best. It didn’t stop his misery. Even concentrating on his new career with the rangers, he managed to let Mallory interrupt his thoughts for a long time. She was the one reason he’d nearly refused the transfer here a year ago. He’d wondered if he might run into her. He hadn’t so far.

And now, he was going to drive up to her door.

Her son was in danger. That had nothing to do with their past. It was the little boy he had to concentrate on…the boy he had to find. As a ranger, he couldn’t walk away.

Mallory stayed in the kitchen, and there was no point looking outside to see anything. It was after dark, and in the country that meant black as pitch. Besides, there were dozens of law officers who had cordoned off the area and set up a base at the barn. She could go down there. And do what? What she wanted was to grab one of Buck’s guns, climb on a horse and go search for her child. They weren’t about to let her do that. Look where that had gotten Joe and Buck.

She had seen her father brought in hours ago. She didn’t go with him in the ambulance, sending Rosalie instead. Luckily, his wound wasn’t life threatening, and he only had to spend overnight in the hospital.

Afraid and anxious, Mallory resumed her pacing while her mind worked overtime thinking about how scared Ryan had to be. And she knew that the convicts were lifers and had nothing to lose if they killed her son.

No. No. A tear ran down her face as she began to tremble again. She had to get him back. Ryan was her life…. They’d gone through so much together.

Her thoughts turned to the man from her past. Chase Landon. Nine years since Mallory had seen him. Back then he’d been a state trooper, with dreams of being a Texas Ranger. And when that day finally came, their idyllic summer had come to an end…and he had walked away from her, breaking her young heart.

Now, that man was going to be the one to help rescue her son. A few years back she’d read the story about how Ranger Chase Landon had tracked a robbery suspect to the Mexican border and talked him into surrendering. She was hoping for the same outcome now.

Hearing the helicopter fly overhead, she felt her heart race in anticipation. More commotion outside, along with voices. She released a slow breath, went to the door and opened it.

Chase stood well over six feet tall. His dark brown eyes were piercing, and his chiseled jaw was rigid. Dressed in army fatigues and sporting a baseball cap, he looked more like a soldier than a Texas Ranger.

Mallory knew one thing. The man still affected her in the same way he always had. His dark brooding looks still demanded respect. She once knew the softer, gentler side of this man, too. Right now, that seemed like a lifetime ago.

“Mallory,” he said with a nod.

“Chase. I’ve been expecting you.” She stepped aside allowing him inside followed by another ranger. He was about the same age as Chase, but with lighter hair and coloring. He was nearly as tall.

Chase thought he could handle their meeting after all these years, but seeing Mallory again drove all logic from his head. If anything, she was even more beautiful at almost thirty than at twenty-one. Her midnight-black hair was still long and silky as the wavy strands lay against her shoulders. Her wide green eyes were no longer bright, but frightened, bringing him back to the reason he was here. It didn’t stop the strong urge to pull her into his arms. He resisted it.

“Mallory, this is Sergeant Raines, Jesse. Jesse, Mallory…Hagan.”

She took his outstretched hand. “It’s nice to meet you, sergeant.”

He nodded. “Wish it was under better circumstances.”

She bit down on her trembling lip. “Just bring my son back to me.”

“We’re going to try really hard to accomplish that, ma’am.” Jesse looked at Chase. “I’ll head down to the command post.”

“I’ll be there soon.” Chase had given Jesse a brief summery about his past relationship with Mallory on the trip here. He knew Raines would keep the news private.

They both watched him walk out the door, then Mallory turned to Chase. “You should go, too.”

“I will, but first I need to talk with you. How is your father doing?” he asked as he directed her to the kitchen table and pulled out a chair for her to sit down.

“He’s going to recover,” she said. “He’ll be home tomorrow.”

“Good. Now, maybe you can answer a few questions.”

She looked up at him with those trusting green eyes. He quickly glanced away as he pulled a paper out of his pocket. It was a map of the ranch.

“Joe told us your father made camp here at this group of rocks.” He circled the area with his finger. “Right before dawn, two men appeared, one with a gun, catching Buck, Joe and Mick by surprise still in their sleeping bags. Then the convicts took some extra clothes, and the horses. When they went to take your son…Ryan, Buck tried to fight them. He got shot, and Joe and Mick were beaten.”

She nodded. “Dad said Ryan wasn’t hurt when they took him. Joe’s horse wandered back to camp—that’s how he was able to come for help.” She blinked at tears. “Please, you’ve got to get my son back before they do anything bad to him.”

Chase wanted to promise her he could, but there weren’t any guarantees when it came to finding prisoners who had nothing to lose. “We’re going to do everything we can to find them, Mallory. They took your father’s cell phone, so we’re hoping to be able to make contact with them.”

“Do you think they’re heading to the border?”

“It’s a possibility,” he told her. “The convicts didn’t plan this escape. From the second they’d carjacked the vehicle on the interstate until now being on horseback, I’m thinking that they’re just making it up as they go along.”

She shivered. “That’s what scares me. They’re desperate men, Chase. They could just decide there’s no need for Ryan any more.”

He reached for her hand, a natural reflex. It was cold and shaking as he cupped it in his. “No, Mallory, they do need the boy now. He’s their bartering tool. So you have to stay positive.” He worked up a smile. “I have a feeling Buck taught his grandson how to survive out there.”

She nodded, and surprisingly returned with a hint of smile.

It immediately took his breath. Finding his voice, he asked, “Tell me what Ryan knows, Mal.”

She released a long breath. “He’s a good rider.” Her brow wrinkled in concentration. “And can read animal tracks. Dad taught him to how find a direction by the sun and the stars.”

“That’s good…the boy knows how to handle himself.” Chase didn’t want to think about the other dangers out there…mostly human ones.

“So you think that could help him?”

He nodded. A strange feeling came over him as he studied Mallory. The woman he’d once cared about…she’d always wanted a husband and family. He couldn’t give her that all those years ago. Hopefully he could at least bring her son home.

“He sounds like a great kid.”

“He is, but he’s still my baby.”

He watched a tear fall and he reached out and brushed it away. He couldn’t imagine how she felt, but he did feel for her. It was something that hadn’t changed. “Mallory, I promise to do everything I can to bring him back.”

Chase stood. He needed to put some space between him and her. “I’ll be heading out to the camp. If the search dogs picked up their scent we’ll follow.” He looked around to see the room empty. “You shouldn’t be alone. Is there someone to stay with you?”

She shook her head. “No. I sent Rosalie to bed.”

“What about your…husband?” Why wasn’t the man there with his wife?

She looked at him a long time, then said, “Alan died two years ago. It’s just Ryan and me.”

CHAPTER TWO

AS THE SUN ROSE in the sky from the east, Chase knew that the twenty-four-hour mark had come and gone, and they hadn’t found them.

He swung his leg over the back of the horse and climbed down, as the other rangers did the same. The bloodhounds were taking a break, too, from their long trek across the dry plains, crossing Interstate 10 into Reeves County. Their trainers had them drinking water beside one of the prison vehicles.

Chase concentrated on his job and knelt to examine the tracks in the sandy soil. There were two sets of hooves and they were headed south. Mexico.

It didn’t take a rocket scientist to come up with that equation. Once they crossed the border the two men could get lost for a long time, especially when Jacobs and Reyes had been sent to prison under the “three strikes you’re out” law. They had nothing to lose.

And that was what worried Chase the most.

The two weren’t taking the easiest route. They were heading toward the Barrilla Mountains. There were fewer towns and traveled roads, but mostly because the rocky terrain provided better cover from the search helicopters.

Still, the escapees had to get across the Rio Grande. That was his job. To make sure they didn’t make it to the border, or they might never find them…or the boy.

How could he go back and face Mallory with that kind of news? He recalled the devastated look on her face. It had affected him more than it should have, especially when he needed to keep this case on a professional level.

Hell, how was he supposed to do that when he knew if he’d hung around years ago, so many things might have turned out differently.

Chase took the small picture of the boy, Ryan, out of his pocket and studied it again. His chest tightened as the cute kid with his curly dark hair and big eyes grinned back at him. Envy and regret surged through him as if he were on a runaway horse.

He shook it away as Raines came up beside him. “Same tracks?”

“Looks like we’re headed for the border.” He slipped the photo back in his pocket, then reached for his cell phone and called headquarters.

Bob Robertson came on the line. “Tell me you located them, Landon.”

“Sorry, not yet, Captain. We’ve picked up their tracks again.” He gave their location. “And as we thought, they’re headed for the mountains.”

“Damn, I wish I wasn’t right on that one. Maybe they aren’t as dumb as we thought. Do you need more manpower?”

“No, we have enough to handle it.” Chase hesitated, then asked, “How is Mrs. Hagan holding up?”

“She’s scared, of course,” the captain said. “I was hoping to give her some good news.”

Chase had hoped that, too. Suddenly he heard Mallory’s voice in the background.

“Hold on, Chase. Mrs. Hagan has something to tell you.”

“Chase…” She said his name like a plea.

“Mallory, we haven’t found them yet.”

“I know. It’s just that when you do, make sure you tell Ryan that Buck is okay.” He heard the tears in her voice. It killed him. “Dad’s worried because Ryan saw him get shot.”

“I’ll be sure to tell him.”

There was a long pause, then she said, “Ryan will trust you because you’re a ranger.”

“Mallory, I’m going to do everything I can to bring him back to you. You got my word on that.”

“I know you will. Thank you, Chase.”

When the line went dead, he was glad. He needed to concentrate on finding the suspects and forget the past. He clipped the phone back on his belt as Jesse watched him.

“This job is harder when a kid’s involved—and especially when it’s someone you know.”

Chase nodded. Although he’d given Jesse the brief rundown of his past with Mallory, Chase didn’t want to delve any deeper. What he couldn’t understand was why after all this time Mallory could still get to him.

“It’s okay to admit you have feelings for her,” Jesse said. “She’s a beautiful woman.”

Chase glared at him. “This isn’t the time to notice a woman. We’ve got a little boy to find.” He thought back to the choices he’d made in favor of his career. Being a Texas Ranger had been all he’d ever wanted. Mallory had been the only woman he’d even thought about sharing a life with. In the end, he chose the career over her. He tried to tell himself she’d been too young for him. Too late he realized that she was everything he’d wanted, but it was Mallory who didn’t think he’d been worth waiting for.

She’d married another man.

Chase quickly wiped away that thought as he took a drink of water from his canteen. Too many years had passed to renew a relationship that had been doomed from the start.

“We need to get moving.” He walked around his horse, then climbed on and adjusted his hat as Jesse followed suit.

He’d recalled earlier that day when he glanced toward the house and saw Mallory. She tried to look hopeful, brave, but he could see her pain…her misery. Who could blame her? Her child was out there.

He rode off, praying today was the last one they had to spend in this West Texas heat. More importantly, that a little boy would be found safe and could go home to his mother. And Chase could go back to business as usual.

Or could he?

“Stop smothering me, woman,” Buck Kendrick growled at Rosalie. “I can walk just fine.”

“You’re supposed to take it easy so you won’t open the wound,” the housekeeper told him as she followed him into the kitchen.

Mallory watched her father’s slow gait. He suddenly looked old and he wasn’t even sixty yet. He had thick, gray hair, and warm hazel eyes. He was tall and trim, but right now, his broad shoulders were a little slumped over. His expression was pained, and she knew it wasn’t from the gunshot wound he’d received in his side.

“Any news?” he asked.

“No. I did talk to Chase Landon.”

Her dad didn’t look surprised at the mention of Chase’s name. “We’ve got the rangers looking for the boy, we can’t ask for anything more.”

“You both need to eat,” Rosalie interrupted the silence and began to put together the fixings for lunch.

Her father frowned. “Crazy woman. She thinks about food at a time like this.”

“Rosalie is trying to stay busy the best she can.”

Buck cursed. “I should be out there looking, too.”

Mallory felt the same way. “No, Dad. Let the rangers do their job. Like you said, they’re the best. And they’re trained for this kind of thing.”

“I know. I know.” He sank into the kitchen chair. “I shouldn’t have let them take Ryan…. He’s so little. I begged them to take me instead.”

Even though Buck wouldn’t normally have begged any man, he would have for his family…his only grandson. He loved the boy more than his own life.

Mallory sat down beside him. “I know you did, Dad. None of this is your fault.”

“Damn. What kind of world is it when you aren’t even safe on your own land? They stole my grandson.”

Mallory remained silent and let her father vent. This was a second time Buck Kendrick hadn’t been able to protect his family from the cruelty of the world.

He finally looked at her. “Have you told Landon about Ryan?”

Although they’d never openly talked about it, her father knew about Ryan and she’d wondered when this day would come. She shook her head. “No. But he’ll know soon enough.”

Buck nodded in agreement. “Whether he figures it out himself or not, it’s time he knows the truth. And Ryan, too.”

Nearly three hours later, the search team finally lucked out.

A local rancher gave them the information they’d been hoping for. Two men and a boy on horseback rode along the back of his property, heading toward the foothills. The rancher also told them about a line shack at the base.

“If the rancher hadn’t spotted them,” Jesse began, “the shack could have made a perfect hideout.”

Chase nodded. “And there’s some supplies there. Even if they just stop for some food, we’ve gained some time.”

“They still have about an hour on us.”

Chase discussed the situation with the other men. They decided to keep the dogs at the ranch house. And Chase and Jesse would ride up alone, hoping to catch the escapees off-guard. After the rancher gave them directions for a back route to the cabin, Chase and Jesse headed through the rough terrain of the mountain range, using the thick trees for natural cover. The jeep, with backup men, waited about a mile way. Chase hoped the surprise element worked. They didn’t need to put Ryan in any more danger. If they weren’t careful, this operation could go bad real fast.

At a group of rocks behind the rough-hewn cabin, they climbed off their horses and tied them to a tree. Silently, they made their way toward the back of the structure, happy there weren’t any windows. Once flattened against the structure, Chase crept along one side as Jesse moved along the other side toward the open front door. He listened to the voices inside.

“We can’t stay the night,” one of the escapees said. “We can’t even stay another hour. I tell you they’re on our trail.”

“The kid’s asleep in the saddle,” the other man said. “And I’m tired of carrying him. Besides, the horses aren’t going to last much longer.”

“Then we’ll take fresh ones from that rancher. There were several out in the pasture.”

Suddenly one of the men came outside, wearing jeans that were too short, and an open shirt revealing a once-white T-shirt. Charlie Jacobs. As far as Chase could see he didn’t have a weapon on him.

“I’m going to get us some fresh mounts,” he called over his shoulder as he jumped down the step and walked to his horse.

Chase made his way to the back of the cabin as did Jesse. He motioned for Jesse to go after the man.

The ranger nodded, then hurried off toward his horse.

Chase went back to the side of the shack. He couldn’t see inside to tell where the boy was. And he didn’t want to take a chance on rushing in if one of the escapees had a gun pointed at the kid. He had to wait him out.

Ten minutes later, he got a text message from Jesse. Got him.

Chase knew Jesse would return as backup. Should he wait? Suddenly there was more commotion inside and the prisoner came to the door. “Stay where you are, niño, I need to pee, but I’ll be close by.”

Chase’s heart rate accelerated as the man he recognized in the picture stepped off the stoop and started for the outhouse. He wouldn’t get a better chance than this.

Chase took off running and tackled the guy to the ground with a thud. He knocked the air from his lungs, but the man was still able to put up a fight. Finally Chase landed a punch that connected with the man’s jaw and threw him to the ground again. Enough time for Chase to pull his gun and aim it at the suspect.

“Go ahead. Give me a reason to shoot you…dead.”

In answer Reyes cursed in Spanish, and raised his hands over his head. Chase instructed him to get into position, then he pulled his handcuffs off his belt and put them on him.

About that time, Jesse showed up. He grinned. “Sweet mercy. This is turning out to be a good day. Really good day.”

Chase wasn’t sure about anything until he saw the boy and knew he was safe. Once Jesse took charge of the prisoner, Chase holstered his gun and took off toward the shack. At the doorway he stopped, not wanting to frighten the boy.

“Ryan,” he called out. “Ryan, it’s okay. I’m a Texas Ranger.”

He looked inside to find a small figure huddled in the corner of the bunk. His eyes were big and red from crying. Chase blinked in the dim light and studied the boy’s dirty face, but he recognized him from the picture.

“Are you gonna take me home to my mom?”

Chase allowed himself to smile. “Yes, I am. She said to tell you that your grandpa is okay.”

Ryan’s eyes brightened. “Grandpa tried to fight them. I’m glad he’s okay.”

The kid had dark eyes and curly brown hair. His face was long and there was a small cleft in his chin. His features were so unlike Mallory’s, but he looked familiar.

“Are you really a Texas Ranger?” Ryan said, interrupting his thoughts.

Chase nodded as he pointed to the silver badge on his camouflage shirt. “Yes, I am. We’ve been tracking you for miles. Boy, is your mom going to be happy to see you.”

With a smile the boy climbed off the bed and came to Chase. “I bet she cried ’cause I got kidnapped.”

Chase knelt down in front of the boy. “She’s been pretty brave, too. You’re very important to her and your grandpa.”

Chase felt something tighten in his chest. What if they hadn’t got here in time?

“Did they hurt you?” Chase asked.

Ryan shook his head. “Not much. They pulled me around some. But I didn’t cry,” he said as he pulled up his shirt to show off some bruises and red welts along the thin torso.

Chase examined him and was drawn to a strawberry-colored birthmark on his small chest. It was very similar to the one Chase had on his lower back. The same type that his Uncle Wade had on his shoulder.

Chase stood, but his gaze remained on the boy. His lungs didn’t seem to work as he noticed so much more about the child. The similar chin with a small indentation. His dark eyes…

He shook his head. He couldn’t think that Mallory would do this to him. Nothing this cruel.

“Are you taking me home?” Ryan asked.

“Yes, so we need to get going.”

It surprised Chase when the boy slipped his small hand into his. “I’m ready.” Together they walked out to the porch to see Jesse come toward them.

“Boyd and Grant have the prisoners secured….” A slow grin appeared as he studied the two of them. “If I didn’t know better I’d say you two looked like—” He paused. “Sweet mercy,” he breathed as his smile died away.

“Close your mouth, Raines. We need to get the boy back to his family.”

Jesse nodded. “Right. Then you bring…Ryan down by horseback. And the helicopter is going to meet us at the ranch.”

Chase nodded. He didn’t want to speak right now. What could he say? Until he confronted Mallory, he wouldn’t know for sure. He stole another glance at the boy.

That wasn’t true. There was no doubt in his mind that Ryan Hagan was his son.

Hearing the helicopter overhead, Mallory hurried outside. It had been two hours since Chase’s phone call and she’d heard Ryan’s voice. Her son was back safe.

They landed about a hundred yards away in the pasture, but she didn’t care. She took off running. She needed to hold her child in her arms, to see for herself he was safe.

The blades were slowing down as Chase stepped out, then reached back and lifted Ryan to the ground. Together they started toward her. Father and son.

She stumbled on seeing the two together. They were so much alike, everyone had to see they were related. As much as she dreaded this day, she was happy it was finally here. The only problem was how much Chase and Ryan would hate her for keeping this secret?

“Mom,” Ryan called and shot off. He nearly jumped into her arms.

“Oh, Ryan,” she cried. “You’re safe.” She hugged him tighter. Inhaled that wonderful familiar boy’s smell of dirt and sweat. She loved it. She released him and did a quick examination. Although he’d been checked out in a small clinic near where he’d been found, she needed to see for herself. “You sure you’re okay?”

His head bobbed up and down. “I’m okay. The doctor said I just got some bruises.” He yanked up his shirt. “But they don’t hurt anymore.”

Just then Buck and Rosalie appeared and were calling to him. Before Mallory could stop her son, he shot off toward them. She was left alone with Chase. She finally was brave enough to look at him.

“Is he mine, Mallory? Is Ryan my son?”

Mallory swallowed and managed a nod.

His jaw worked. “We need to talk.” He glanced toward Ryan. “I’ll be back tonight.”

“No, it’s too soon.”

He tipped his hat back, his gaze bore into hers. “Too soon? Hell, Mallory, I’d say it’s years too late.”

He turned and walked back to the helicopter. The pilot started it up and soon it was in the air.

What was she going to do now? How could she explain everything away?

Buck waited for her as Rosalie took Ryan on ahead into the house. “He’s going to take a bath.”

She shook her head. “Kids are so resilient, aren’t they?”

“Oh, I think Ryan’s going to have his share of nightmares for a while.” He studied his daughter. “But we’ll be here for him.”

She felt the tears sting. “Chase knows, Dad. He knows Ryan is his son.”

He nodded. “It’s time. That boy needs a father…a real father, but only if Chase will be there for the boy.”

Mallory didn’t need to go into the reasons for their breakup. Buck Kendrick hadn’t been happy about his young innocent daughter dating a man who never planned to make a commitment.

“I’ve made a lot of mistakes, Dad. To start with, I never should have married Alan…. I should have tried harder to contact Chase.”

“Sweetheart, we can’t stand here and try to atone for all the mistakes made in our lives. If so, I’d have to take some blame, too. I pushed you into that sham of a marriage… but you and Alan seemed to be a great match.” He shook his head. “I had no idea that would turn out so badly.”

“Dad, stop it. It was my choice.”

Alan had been her boyfriend in high school, but knew his feelings for her were stronger than hers for him. When Mallory went off to college she ended their relationship, knowing she wanted to experience life. But they’d stayed friends. When she came home that summer from college and saw Chase, she fell hopelessly in love.

Chase didn’t. When he got the call to join the rangers, he was packed and gone without so much as a backward glance. Alan had been the one who came back into her life and was willing to take on another man’s baby. So she thought…

“But he hurt you and Ryan…and I can’t forgive him or myself for that.”

“Maybe if I’d tried harder to contact Chase all those years ago, it would have made a difference.” She looked toward the house. “Now, my only concern is protecting my son.”

He had a son…. He had a son….

The rest of the day those words had played in Chase’s head, even during all the paperwork and debriefing on today’s capture. He’d thought it would keep his mind off facing Mallory’s betrayal. It didn’t do any good. He was angry. How could she keep their son a secret?

Jesse stopped by his office right before the shift ended. “Hey, Chase. Wanted to let you know that Jacobs and Reyes are back in Sweetwater.” He shook his head. “Man, I’m glad they’re in lockdown now, especially Jacobs. He’s one mean son of a gun. The guy seemed to get pleasure out of telling me what his plans were for the boy. Reyes was pretty talkative, too. He was interested in your relationship to Wade Landon.”

That wasn’t uncommon. “How so?”

Jesse shrugged. “When I said Wade Landon was your uncle the guy just grinned. Think he’d know anything?”

“What’s Reyes? Forty-two? He could have been around back then. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to check his record…. Monday.” Reyes wasn’t going anywhere.

Jesse started to leave, then turned back. “You want to go for some food…maybe a beer?”

“Thanks, but I have plans,” Chase told him as he cleared off his desk.

Jesse didn’t move. “Well, if you want to talk, I’m around,” he said and started to leave.

“I’m going to the ranch to talk with Mallory.”

Jesse nodded. “I’d say that’s a good place to start.” He smiled. “Well, like I said, I’ll be around if you want to…get a beer.”

“Thanks.”

Chase watched as Jesse walked out. Would he ever be ready to talk about this? If he were honest, he wasn’t sure about his own feelings. How are you supposed to handle the news that you’re a father? That you have a son? There were eight years he’d missed with his boy. How was he supposed to feel? The problem was he felt too many things, joy…fear…and a lot of anger…

Before seven that evening, Chase had showered and changed, then walked out of his town house and climbed into his dusty white truck to head to the Lazy K Ranch.

He knew one thing. Learning Ryan was his kid had affected him like nothing else had in his life. He’d spent less than two hours with the child, but already he felt a bond.

But an instant father? What if Ryan hated the idea?

Chase turned off the highway and drove down the road that led to the Lazy K Ranch. He’d traveled this route many times when he’d been dating Mallory. Mostly he’d come by when Buck wasn’t home or out on the range. Her father hadn’t been crazy about a—so-called—older man dating his college age daughter.

Chase made a snorting sound. He was all of twenty-eight back then.

His heart rate accelerated as he pulled into the circular drive of the Spanish-style home. The golden stucco-and-stone structure revealed Buck’s wife, Pilar Kendrick’s, Spanish heritage. The patio out front was made of hand-painted tiles with a large fountain in the center. He climbed out of his truck and went to the door and knocked.

It wasn’t too long before he heard footsteps from inside. “I’ll get it,” called a child’s voice. The door opened and a freshly bathed Ryan with his hair combed neatly stood smiling up at him.

“Hi, Chase.”

“Hi…Ryan,” he answered, suddenly feeling awkward.

“Mom said you were coming tonight. Will you have supper with us? Rosalie made enchiladas.”

“That’s pretty hard to pass up.”

“It’s my favorite.” His dark eyes were bright. “That’s why she made it. For me.”

Chase stepped though the doorway into the terra-cotta tiled entry with rough-plastered, cream walls and dark wood trim that matched the rest of the house.

“You should get special treatment,” he told him. “You were brave to handle everything.”

“And I didn’t cry…much,” he said proudly, then leaned forward. “I got scared sometimes, but don’t tell Mom ’cause she’ll start crying again, and I don’t like it when she’s sad.”

“It’s our secret.”

“What’s your secret?”

Chase looked toward the archway that led into the living room to find Mallory. His chest constricted as if he couldn’t draw air into his lungs. She had on a long, multicol-ored skirt and a rose-colored T-shirt. Her shiny ebony hair lay in soft waves against her shoulders. Although her green eyes were weary, she looked beautiful. That was something he didn’t need to notice tonight…or any night.

“Nothing. Just some guy talk.”

“Well, you can talk about it later. Rosalie says supper is ready.” She looked at Chase. “I hope you’re hungry.”

He nodded as Ryan ran on ahead. “This isn’t going to keep us from having our discussion.”

“I know, but Ryan needs family right now.” She straightened. “This doesn’t just involve the two of us, there’s a child to think about. And I’m going to do everything I can to protect him.”

“Is that what you’ve been doing for these years, protecting him from me?”

“However you feel about me, Chase, don’t take it out on Ryan. We’ll settle things after my son goes to bed.”

“I agree with you there, except he’s our son, Mallory.” He glared at her. “You need to remember that from now on.”

Mallory sat on Ryan’s bed watching him sleep. She silently thanked God over and over again for bringing her son home safely. When he’d been kidnapped she wasn’t sure she’d ever get the chance to put him to bed again. Now that she had a second chance, she also had a second threat. Was Chase a threat to her family?

She saw the look on his face during supper, and knew he wasn’t just going to walk away. And she wouldn’t deny Ryan his father, either. Not again.

She placed a kiss on her son’s forehead and watched as he curled up on his side and snuggled deep into the pillow. She walked out and closed the door behind her.

Whatever was going to happen with Chase, she still had to return home to Levelland in a few days. The success of her business depended on her being there. She couldn’t expect her partner, Liz Mooney, to handle both the training and the broker business. She headed down the stairs to the great room where she had left Chase with her father.

Surprisingly, she found the two men leaning over the dining table going through one of Ryan’s baby albums. She hadn’t wanted to notice how devastatingly handsome Chase was. At nearly thirty-seven, he was toned and trim. She sighed as her gaze roamed over his long body. He wore jeans better than any man she ever knew. They rode low and fitted over his tight rear end and muscular thighs.

“That’s the first time I got him on a horse,” Buck said. “Mallory threw a fit.”

She started into the room. “That’s because Ryan was nine months old.”

“I was holding him…firmly,” her father said.

She frowned at him. “He was still too young to be on a horse.”

“After that she wouldn’t let me take him out of the house until he was three.”

Mallory smiled, but Chase didn’t. She didn’t blame him. She’d been the one who’d caused him to miss all those years.

Buck closed the album. “Well, I think I better call it a night.” He turned to Chase. “I can finally sleep now. Thanks for bringing Ryan home.”

Chase nodded. “I’m glad it worked out.”

Buck paused for a long time. “So am I.” He placed a kiss on his daughter’s cheek and walked out of the room.

Mallory suddenly felt nervous. For a lot of years she’d wondered about Chase. She’d known he’d become a Texas Ranger, but she never dreamed he’d be back here… in this house.

And after today everything would change…her life and Ryan’s life would never be the same.

“Can I get you some coffee?”

“No,” he said as he folded his arms over his chest. “All I want right now are some answers.”

She nodded, directed him to a brown sofa, and took the chair across from him, putting the glass-top coffee table between them. “Ask whatever you want.”

“I’ll start with the obvious. Why didn’t you tell me you were pregnant?”

“At first, I couldn’t believe it was true,” she said weakly. “We used protection.”

He didn’t respond.

“And I did try to call you.”

“Like hell you did,” said growled. “I don’t remember any phone calls from you saying you were pregnant with my child.”

She took a breath and let it out. “I called…your mother. I asked her to get you a message…and that it was important that I talk to you.”

She saw a glint in his eyes that told her he’d gotten the message. “You should have tried harder—Told her the reason.”

“The day we broke up and you left, I was devastated.”

“If I remember correctly, you were the one who told me to get out,” he challenged.

Mallory remembered everything about that last night. They’d made love. She told him she loved him…and he told her he was leaving for Austin to join the rangers. “You chose to leave.”

“I told you before we started dating, that our relationship couldn’t go beyond the summer because I would be leaving for training. Besides, you were returning for college.”

“That was my father’s plan. I wanted to go with you, and you didn’t want me. You let me know that being a Texas Ranger was all you wanted.”

His jaw tightened. “So to punish me you didn’t tell me about my baby and you married another man.”

“It wasn’t like that.” She stood and went to the window. “I was so hurt. My world ended when you went off to Austin. I was convinced you’d find someone else…and forget all about the naïve college girl back home.”

She took a breath, and continued. “About three weeks later, Alan came to the ranch with his father. I hadn’t seen him since we graduated high school. We’d dated off and on, but mostly we used to be friends.” She looked at Chase’s stone-cold glare. “I had just learned I was pregnant… I was shocked and scared. And, yes, I told Alan. He listened to me, let me cry it out. He told me he’d always love me…that he’d take care of me and the baby. He asked me to marry him right then.” She left out the part about Buck’s trouble with the ranch, and Alan’s father stepping in as a business partner.

Chase’s fists clenched. “Nice to know you forgot me so quickly.”

“I didn’t!” she gasped. If he only knew how much she’d loved him. She also didn’t tell him she was terrified to be a single mother. “I didn’t decide to marry him until after I tried to call you several times, but you never returned those calls.” She paused for his explanation. She got none. “You weren’t coming back to me, were you?”

His gaze never broke with hers. “Doesn’t seem to matter now. You didn’t give me the chance.”

“It seems answering my phone call would have given you a big chance.” She felt tears well. Even after all these years, why did it still hurt so much? Pride was fighting with her emotions. “So when Alan asked me to marry him, I accepted.”

“After all these years of your silence—when you’ve been living happily ever after with my child—you expect me to believe anything you say.”

CHAPTER THREE

MALLORY WAS FUMING. How dare he?

“I didn’t think you wanted us.” She lowered her voice. “You didn’t call me, or see if I was okay.”

He glared at her for a long time. “So you just hopped into bed with another man to find a more favorable father for your baby.”

“No, it wasn’t like that. We—” She stopped. There was no reason to tell Chase about how long it took her to give herself to her husband.

“You what, Mallory?” he prodded. “Found it easy to give yourself to another man.”

“No, it wasn’t easy. You knew you were the first man…and how much I loved you.” She took a breath. “It was you who didn’t want me… And I was convinced you didn’t want our baby, either.”

He was silent as he glared at her. “If I’d known we created a child that night, I never would have left you.”

She closed her eyes. “I didn’t know that. I was young and scared, Chase. And so unsure that I could compete with your dream.” She tried to stay calm. “And you had always made it clear that avenging your uncle’s death, and being a ranger came first in your life.”

Chase’s gaze moved from hers, not before she saw a flash of his own guilt, too. So she’d hit a nerve. He wasn’t so righteous now.

“Maybe I was wrong to turn to Alan, but he said he loved me…that he’d love Ryan.” She hesitated and that caught his attention.

“What happened?” he repeated. “What did Hagan do? Did he change his mind about the boy?”

“Nothing at first, he was a good husband… and good to Ryan. But he wanted more children….”

“But what?” Chase coaxed.

“I agreed, but I never got pregnant and Alan learned he couldn’t father a child. After that our marriage was never the same. And his relationship with his son was… strained.”

“Stop calling him that,” Chase said angrily. “Ryan is my son.” His hands clenched. “What I want to know is was the boy punished for your husband’s…inadequacy?”

“No! And stop interrogating me like a criminal. Alan never lifted a hand to Ryan.” Her husband had saved that for his wife. “We separated not long after that.” Her voice softened. “About two years ago Alan was killed in an accident.”

“It still doesn’t excuse what you did, Mallory. You kept my son from me.”

She wasn’t about to tell him her recent plans to find him. He wouldn’t believe her. “And you ran out on me,” she emphasized. “I was miserable and lonely, and I turned to another man who promised to love me. I never got any promises from you.”

Chase opened his mouth to argue when a child’s cries drew their attention.

“Ryan,” Mallory gasped as she ran to the stairs and hurried up to his room. Chase was right on her heels.

She pushed open the door, rushed to the bed and eased down beside her son as he was thrashing around on the mattress. “Ryan, wake up, honey.”

The boy gasped and sat up. “Mom!” he cried and hugged her. “They’re coming after me again.”

“No, honey.” She held him close. “Those men are in jail. They can’t hurt you anymore.”

Chase stood at the door feeling awkward as he watched Mallory rock her son back and forth. This was all so new to him. How do you learn how to be a father? How do you make up all those lost years?

Maybe he should just walk away. Who would know? He saw the boy’s tears in the dim light and something tightened around his heart. Ryan had stolen that same heart the second Chase walked into the shack to find the eight-year-old trying to be so brave.

No, he was staying put. “Ryan…” He walked inside and stood at the end of the bed.

“Chase…” Ryan quickly wiped his eyes. “You’re still here.”

He nodded. “Your mom and I were talking. I wanted to make sure you were okay. Sometimes after something bad happens, people get scared again.”

“Grown-ups, too?”

“Yeah, I’ve seen grown men cry. How you acted the last two days was very brave. And a lot of people get nightmares.” He walked around to the side of the bed and sat down across from Mallory. “I’ve had a few myself.”

“Really?”

“I wouldn’t lie to you.”

That got a smile from the boy and another funny feeling erupted inside Chase.

“Ryan, you still need to go back to sleep,” his mother added. “There’s the roundup tomorrow. And if you want to help—”

“I do,” he told her, then glanced back at Chase. “Will you come, too? It’s so much fun. Grandpa can’t ride but I get to help ’cause I’m eight this year.”

“Ryan, Chase probably has to work.”

“No, as a matter of fact, I’m off for the weekend.” He smiled at Ryan. “It’s been a few years since I did any roping. Maybe you can show me some pointers.”

“Sure. So you’ll come?”

“Wouldn’t miss it.”

Mallory turned back to her son. “You will unless you get some sleep.” She kissed him and placed a lightweight blanket over the boy. “Good night, Ryan.”

“Good night, Mom. Good night, Chase.”

“Good night, son,” they both said in unison.

Mallory allowed Chase out first, then she flicked off the light and closed the door. Silently they walked downstairs.

“Are you angry because I said I’d come tomorrow?”

She shrugged. “I’m protective of my son.”

“Our son.”

She didn’t hide her frustration. “Okay, let’s discuss our son. You really want to be in his life?” When he started to speak, she raised her hand. “Before you answer, Chase, be sure, because once you announce you’re his father you can’t just walk away. I won’t let it happen to him, not again…and I don’t care if you are a ranger. I’ll fight you or anyone to protect that boy.”

An hour later, Chase found himself parking his truck in front of Jesse Raines’s house. Too keyed up to go home, he decided to take him up on his offer.

He walked to the door, seeing the small tricycle and toys scattered in the yard. Another pang of sadness rushed through him as he knocked, then wondered if he should have just gone for a drink by himself. He wasn’t the type of guy who shared much, especially not his feelings.

All that changed when the door opened and Jesse appeared. Dressed in nylon shorts and bare-chested, the young ranger looked as if he’d just finished a five-mile run.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“Is it too late to take you up on that offer for a beer?”

Jesse smiled. “Never. Just happen to have a couple cold ones.”

Chase stepped inside the neatly kept living room. An overstuffed sofa and chair were placed in front of the large television. Next to it was an overflowing toy box. The sound of kids in the background was muffled by a closed hall door.

Jesse slipped on a T-shirt and motioned for him to follow him into the kitchen. He opened the refrigerator and took out a couple of long neck bottles. When Chase had transferred to Midland, Jesse had been the one who reached out to him. They had become friends.

He twisted off the caps and handed one to Chase. “How’d it go tonight?”

Chase took a long drink, then shrugged. “Ryan was happy to see me.”

“That’s a good start.” Jesse walked to the sofa. “So you’re the boy’s father?”

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.