A Texas Ranger's Christmas

by Rebecca Winters

  After they entered the Falconhead club, Blaire drew a lot of satisfaction watching Ranger Dawson in action. The respect the staff gave him for his authority, as well as the aura of the intimidating man himself, made it fascinating for her to watch. He had some photos of Nate he flashed from his wallet.

  “I don’t recognize him.” To the manager’s credit, he had all the employees hustling to provide answers. The guy in the golf shop couldn’t have been more cooperative, but after looking through the records, he shook his head.

  “Danny Dunn didn’t play here often. When he did, he brought his own caddy, Ron Seeward.” Blaire and Caige exchanged a private glance. “Word got around that he preferred the Bermuda-grass greens at Lost Pines. Maybe your husband caddied for him there.”

  “Maybe,” Blaire murmured. “When I first met Nate, he did mention playing at Lost Pines, but he said playing, not caddying.” She supplied her own picture of Nate. “So none of you ever saw this man with Mr. Dunn? You’re absolutely positive?”

  Three of the men, seasoned golfers who would know, crowded around. “Sorry,” they murmured. “We hope you find out what happened to him.”

  “So do I.”

  “Thank you for your help, gentlemen.” Caige shot her a glance. “Shall we go?”

  “Lie number one verified,” she murmured once they were back at the truck. “Nate never went to Falconhead. Let’s hurry and get our work done. I want to drive to Lost Pines.”

  “I think you’ve done enough police work for one day.” He broke into a smile as he said it, but she didn’t buy it.

  “After working with you for a week, I can read you pretty well. What are you afraid of? That I might catch Nate in another lie and won’t like it?”

  Behind his silky black lashes, those silvery-gray eyes darkened with emotion.

  She swallowed hard. “How many lies do you already know about?” Silence followed her question. “Caige?” she pressed him.

  “Only one other verified lie so far.”

  “I see.” Damn if her voice didn’t tremble. “Well, it must be a whopper.”

  Chapter Eight

  It was the whopper of whoppers.

  Smothering a groan, Caige pulled out his cell phone to check his voice mail. Ernie. He played the message.

  “We got a call from Mel’s Public Shooting Range outside Burnet.” That was sixty miles northwest of Austin. “The guy who runs it showed the flyer to his father, Mel, who’s the owner. He recognized the photograph on the flyer—not the drawing—from a long time ago because of the bombshell brunette with him.

  “They came several times in a black BMW convertible in their flashy clothes. He thought they might be film stars because he was good-looking and had that kind of tan you don’t get in the States. But he said the name’s wrong on the flyer. She called him Rick. He couldn’t remember the last name and they don’t keep records. Said he was a good shot and paid cash both times. This one’s worth investigating.”

  Amen.

  Caige had a dozen questions. Did Mel remember the make of gun? Did he see the license plate? How young was the woman? He needed a full description. Did she have pierced ears? Did she speak with an accent? Did they mention where they’d been or where they were going? Did either of them wear rings on their ring fingers?

  “Caige?”

  He put his phone back in his pocket and eyed Blaire. “Do you trust me?”

  “What a question!” she cried. “You know I do.”

  “Then I’d rather not discuss all the aspects of your case until I’ve gathered some more facts.”

  “Without me, you mean.”

  “I didn’t say that. I’m curious to see what we can find out at Lost Pines.”

  Farley’s case seemed to be taking off in a new direction that might not have that much to do with Danny Dunn after all. But it wouldn’t hurt to run by the other golf course in case Nate had been seen there using another name.

  He picked up their schedule. “Let’s figure out how we want to proceed so we end up there last.”

  “I already did.” She started up the truck and turned on the radio. “Do you have a preference? Sports? Politics? Music?”

  “Why don’t you surprise me?” The air was thick with tension. She was trying so hard to be brave and positive about this. His respect for her was off the charts.

  The scanner went from station to station until she left it on a classical-music station. Whoever was playing was a fabulous pianist. “Do you know this piece?”

  “Yes. It’s Grieg’s ‘First Piano Concerto.’ Van Cliburn.”

  “It takes an artist to know one.”

  “There’ve been so many renditions of it over the years, you learn the ones you love.”

  “Do you love this one?”

  “Yes,” she whispered. “There are certain passages that ring out with emotion. You hear how this is surging?” He nodded. “He has the pacing right. Some artists play it too fast or too slow.”

  He sucked in his breath. “Have you played this concerto yourself?”

  “Once upon a time. Naturally without a symphony,” she added with a chuckle.

  Blaire was that good? “Who’s another one of your favorite composers?”

  She gave him a little smile. “Have you got an hour?”

  “When I was a police officer, one of my partners loved classical music. He had a preference for Bach and Handel.”

  “Did you like them?”

  “To a degree, but I much prefer this. It grabs you by the throat.”

  Blaire chuckled. He hadn’t expected her mood to lighten. It came as a relief because they had the rest of the day to get through. “When it grabs you by the heart, then you’re truly hooked.”

  “I agree this is a beautiful piece. I presume you love Tchaikovsky, too. How would you like to go to the Nutcracker with me?”

  “I haven’t been in—” She stopped. “I’d love to.”

  “Good. I’ll get tickets. I’m sorry to say it’s one of the things Josh will never enjoy.”

  “There’s always the next life.”

  He flicked her another glance. “That’s what my father says when I get in one of my morose moods.”

  Her hands tightened on the steering wheel. “I’m finding out this life is shorter than I thought and time is fleeting. It wouldn’t make sense to only be here for a little while and not have it go on in some new wonderful way.”

  Time was fleeting. Caige wanted to wrap up this case today and grab at his happiness, who happened to be sitting next to him.

  After their next appointment, they stopped for Mexican food. Once back on the job, they finished out the day in record time. Before long they drove into Bastrop State Park and reached Lost Pines, one of four golf courses within the park’s boundaries.

  While Caige let Blaire ask the questions, he passed around the photos of Nate. No one recognized him, but they remembered Danny Dunn. “Oh, yeah. He and Ron used to hang out here with some of the guys, betting on the horses over in Manor. It’s closed down now.”

  Manor, once known as Casino City. Caige wasn’t the least bit surprised by this piece of information. Dirty money had kept Danny Dunn afloat. Did it fund Nate, too, or did his money come from another source? Caige was getting closer, but he couldn’t make it happen fast enough to suit him.

  On their way back to Austin, Blaire said, “Did your housekeeper get special training to learn how to take care of Josh?”

  His breath caught. She’d surprised him again with the direction of her question. “No. I taught her everything.”

  “Do you think you could teach me? I mean, if you trusted me enough?”

  The blood hammered in his ears. “What are you getting at?”

  “While we were at Lost Pines, I was given a little glimpse of what you do to try to get even one tiny piece of information out of people. As I see it, you need a lot of time and freedom to work a case like mine. It must drive you crazy to learn something, but not be able to act on it righ
t away because of other commitments.”

  “That’s true.”

  “Now that I know you’re a Ranger, it’s driving me crazy, too. I want you to solve this case as fast as you can because it’s my life hanging in the balance here. So I was thinking of giving up my forest-service job in order to come work full-time for you.”

  What? He had to be hearing things.

  “It would only be until Nate’s body is found. After hearing about Danny Dunn’s interest in gambling, I’m pretty sure Nate was involved, too, and was killed by the same people who killed Danny. You’re onto a good lead, Caige. With Elly leaving, I can help by taking care of Josh so you don’t have to look for another housekeeper.”

  Tight bands constricted his breathing. To think of Blaire sleeping under his roof… “You have no idea what’s involved.”

  “Did Elly?”

  His head reared. “She’s an older widow who has raised a family. You’re—”

  “I’m a nothing at the moment,” she cut in, “but I want to be a something.”

  The pathos in those words moved him unbearably.

  “I’ll be honest. My life has been empty in that one area where I need to be needed. When I was at your house the other night playing with Josh, it felt good, you know?”

  “He’s not easy, Blaire. There are times when it’s damn frustrating.”

  Her fathomless blue eyes beseeched him. “Is anything easy that’s really worthwhile? I like children and have taught music lessons to a lot of them. It would be a privilege to take care of him. He’s adorable, and you’re on the brink of making a big move to Naylor with no help when Elly’s gone.”

  “This case might not get solved for a long time.” There was no way on earth he’d be able to keep his hands off her. The whole idea was impossible.

  “It doesn’t matter to me. I can’t declare Nate legally dead for two more years anyway. Now that you’re working on it, nothing’s more important to me than knowing what happened to Nate so I can be free to get on with my life. With the office closing down for the holidays starting next week, Stan will have plenty of time to find a replacement.”

  “Blaire—”

  “Whether you believe me or not,” she went on, “when you told me you’d be losing Elly, I was considering asking for the job as her replacement before you told me you weren’t Jack Lignell.”

  Don’t listen to her, Dawson. The silken chains were tightening around him faster than he could fight them.

  “I can always go back to the forest service, but I have to tell you, Josh really got to me. To care for him is something I want to do while you put your life on the line for me. I’m not unaware that there’s danger involved. Danny Dunn’s death and my husband’s disappearance are a case in point.”

  “That goes with the job, Blaire, but you don’t know what you’d be getting into.”

  “You don’t think I could be the right kind of caretaker for Josh. Is that it? Or a decent housekeeper? I’m a pretty good cook. Ask my family.”

  He gritted his teeth in exasperation. She had it all wrong. “I didn’t say any of those things.” If she had any idea what was going on inside him…

  “I know. That’s what is making me nervous, because I’m afraid you’re thinking them.”

  “You don’t know what in the hell I’m thinking.” He was terrified by the thrill of excitement that shot through his body when he even entertained the thought.

  “Oh, yes, I do. You’re worried about what your family might say, or your colleagues. Most likely you’re nervous I’m trying to proposition you in the good old-fashioned sense of the word and you don’t want me getting any ideas about it being a permanent arrangement.”

  He was nervous, all right, but only because if he hired her, he’d wouldn’t be able to let her go when the time came, even if she wanted to leave. Caige knew himself too well.

  “But that isn’t my motive and deep down you have to know it!”

  He did know it. Her motive was pure. His wouldn’t be so pure if he gave in.

  “Our situation is unique. This would be a business transaction like you have with Elly. Nothing more, nothing less. You have to find someone else to replace her right away. Why not me?”

  Caige fought to suppress a moan of half joy, half despair.

  “I’m the one person who will understand your long absences and strange hours and never complain. How could I when you’ll be doing all of it for me?”

  They’d arrived back at the office. She drove him to his car to let him out. “Will you at least think about it?” she asked without looking at him.

  Talk about teetering on the edge…

  “I’ll sleep on it.” What a joke that was. There’d be no sleep for him tonight.

  “Thank you for not saying no to me outright. For the first time in years, I feel there’s hope for life to be good again,” she said in a hushed tone.

  BLAIRE SENT OFF THE SAMPLES before driving straight to her parents’ home. They lived only a mile from her condo. Her pretty, dark blonde mother was in the kitchen fixing dinner. “Mom?”

  “Darling!” Mrs. Koslov stopped what she was doing to hug her daughter. “Why didn’t you let me know you were coming?”

  “I didn’t know. I just found myself driving here. I need to talk to you.”

  “Of course. Your dad won’t be home for a while. Sit down.” But Blaire remained standing. “What’s wrong?” She cupped her daughter’s face. “What’s happened?”

  “I hardly know where to start.”

  “The beginning will do.”

  “Oh, Mom—I think I’ve done a terrible thing, and now I don’t know how to undo it.”

  Her mother blinked before her hands fell away from Blaire’s cheeks. “What’s this supposedly terrible thing?”

  “Today I applied for the job of caretaker to a brain-injured boy. I practically begged his father. Now I’m afraid I’ve put him in an impossible position.”

  Her mother sat down in the nearest chair. “Who is this man?”

  Blaire hugged her arms to her waist. “He’s a captain in the Texas Rangers. After you and Dad talked to Agent Robbins, he assigned Caige Dawson to my case.”

  “That happened faster than I would have thought. When did you meet him?”

  “I-It’s a long story.” Her voice faltered. She sank down on the other chair, and suddenly it all came pouring out. Blaire didn’t stop until she’d told her mother everything about the investigation, about Jack Lignell before he turned into Caige, about his little boy.

  Her mother was silent for a long time. Her eyes searched Blaire’s. “Are you in love with this man?”

  “Yes,” she said with an ache in her voice.

  “That sounded definite.” She cocked her head. “Is he in love with you?”

  “I don’t know. Sometimes when he looks at me, I can hardly breathe, but it’s very complicated. He’s the most fabulous man I ever met in my life. You should see the way he loves his son. It brings tears to your eyes.”

  Her mom sat back in the chair. “I take it he hasn’t hired you yet.”

  “No. He said he’d sleep on it. I don’t think he wants to hire me, but if I call him and tell him I’ve changed my mind, he’ll wonder what kind of woman he’s dealing with.”

  “If his mind is already made up against hiring you, does it matter what he thinks?”

  “You know it matters to me, but if it will relieve his mind of a burden, then I ought to phone him right now.”

  “Did you make the offer in order to get closer to him?”

  Blaire jumped up from the chair. “I don’t think so. If you’d met him, you would know he’s the person who can find out what happened to Nate, but with his housekeeper leaving, he’ll have to find another woman and train her. It’ll take time away from his work. If I take care of Josh, he’ll have that time much sooner.”

  “He was right when he said it wouldn’t be easy.”

  “I’m sure it won’t be, but being in hell for f
ive years hasn’t been easy, either.”

  The next thing she knew, her mom’s arms went around her. “I think it was the most un-Blaire-ish thing my cautious daughter has ever done in her life. If you want my opinion, I’m all for it.”

  “You mean it?” she cried. Her mother nodded. “That means more to me than you know.” She wiped her eyes. “Thanks for talking to me. I’ve got to go, but I’ll keep you posted.”

  Blaire returned to her town house in a better frame of mind than when she’d driven to her parents’ house. Her mom had given her that shot of confidence she needed. Still feeling jumpy after making that extraordinary proposal to Caige, she decided a shower and shampoo might help her to relax.

  After leaving the bathroom, she put on a long-sleeved navy sweat suit and was ready to go downstairs to make herself a sandwich when she heard her doorbell ring. Maybe her dad had gotten home from work and they’d decided to come over to talk some more.

  She left her room in bare feet and hurried downstairs to get the door. “Mom?” she said before unlocking it.

  “No. It’s Caige.”

  He’d come over without calling? That had to be a bad sign. Her body broke out in a cold sweat.

  “Hi,” he said when she found the nerve to open the door. Her tall, ruggedly handsome Ranger had showered and changed into jeans and a blue T-shirt. He held a carryall bag in one hand. Josh, who was dressed in the same kind of outfit, had hold of his other hand and clung to him.

  Caige’s slate-gray eyes traveled over her face and figure, missing nothing, from her bare toes to the crown of her still slightly damp hair. He’d caught her without makeup, not that she wore much more than lipstick.

  “We were out for our evening ride and wondered if you were up for some company. That is, if you’re free. I’m curious to see how he responds to you in an unfamiliar environment.”

  This was a test. He was giving her a chance. Don’t blow it, Blaire. Don’t frighten Josh by being too friendly.