She’d wanted to stop Noah from leaving. There was no doubt in her mind she’d developed feelings for him. She was crazy to even think of anything permanent between them.
What if he stayed in Kerry Springs? What if he was beginning to care about her, too? Could she risk her heart again? It was already too late; she had already fallen for the man.
She heard the back door open and put on a smile as Noah walked in. He looked as if he’d just showered and shaved and he took her breath away.
“What are you doing up?” he asked. “I told you I’d stop by for coffee. I can grab something on the way to the site.”
“It’s all ready.” She held up a plate of scrambled eggs and a slice of ham.
“Okay, I’m not going to turn this down.” He straddled the stool at the counter. “Thank you, Lilly. Are you going to join me?”
She grabbed her coffee mug and sat down. “I’ll keep you company.”
Noah attacked his food and she enjoyed watching a man with an appetite. He glanced at her and winked. “What are your plans today?”
“Well, Robbie will be bored because you’re gone. Kasey will be pouting. So I thought I’d take them to the library for some books.”
“Always the teacher, huh?”
“I guess. Will you be working all day?” She rushed on to say, “I mean, will you be home for supper?” Even that sounded like she was checking up on him. “What I mean to say, should I expect you for supper?”
He smiled. “Yes, I’ll be home after work, but don’t cook because of me. In fact, why don’t I take everyone out to eat tonight? You’ve been cooking all my meals. It’s time I treated you all. We’ll celebrate my first day at work.”
She was surprised. “Oh, Noah, you don’t have to do that.”
“I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t want to. How about if we go to Rory’s Bar and Grill?” Coop suggested.
“It’s a date.” She gasped, “I didn’t mean it that way. I meant as a get-together. Not like you and me together.”
He grinned. “It’s okay, Lilly. I know what you meant.” He glanced at the clock. “I better get going.” After finishing his coffee, Noah walked to the door. He paused and looked back at her. With a smile he came back to her. “I probably shouldn’t do this.” He leaned down, cupped her face and kissed her.
“Stay out of trouble today. I’ll see you tonight.”
CHAPTER TEN
IT WAS nearly six o’clock and Lilly still hadn’t been able to decide what to wear. It was a casual date. No, this wasn’t even a date. It was supper with the kids and her mother and Noah. So why was she nervous?
She walked back into the closet and found her best pair of jeans and slipped them on. With a glance in the mirror, she nodded with approval. Not bad for almost thirty-five. She’d lost some weight and her rear end was still firm. Thank you, workout video.
She put on a silky, royal blue blouse and tucked it into her pants, then added a silver chain belt. She stepped into her strappy sandals with the small heels, adding two inches to her five-foot-eight height. Of course that wouldn’t bother Noah Cooper since he was over six feet tall. She applied some lip gloss and ran a brush through her hair, then headed downstairs.
Lilly heard voices as she approached the kitchen where she found her mother, Robbie and Kasey talking with Coop.
She stood back and watched the interaction. Noah had managed to get Kasey to talk, and even coaxed a smile from her. Winning over Robbie hadn’t been a problem, but her mother was different. She’d never had much of a relationship with Mike, especially since the way things ended. Beth Staley was smiling now, so it seemed she didn’t disapprove of anything about Noah.
Lilly didn’t, either. “Hi, I didn’t mean to keep everyone waiting,” she said, sounding a little breathless. Maybe that was because she saw Noah’s appreciative look.
He’d showered and changed into nice jeans and a collared shirt. “It was worth it,” he told her.
“Yeah, Mom, you look pretty,” Robbie echoed. “Now can we go eat?”
“Sure.”
“Rory’s, right?” her son cheered as Kasey agreed.
She wasn’t surprised when everyone cheered.
“Barbecue sounds perfect,” her mother said. She was dressed in a pretty rose-colored blouse and capri pants.
It only took about ten minutes until they arrived at Rory’s Bar and Grill. Coop sized up the friendly crowd as they waited by the door to be seated. The place was in between a dated sports bar and family restaurant. There were several booths that lined the walls, along with some tables scattered around filled with loud, happy customers. A large oak bar that took up an entire wall had several female patrons lined up as the big Irishman served up the drinks with a smile. Beside Sean was his son Matt doing the same.
“Look, Grandma, there’s Sean,” Robbie said. Just then the man in question glanced up. A grin spread across his face as he came around the bar. Wiping his hands on his white bar apron, he walked toward them.
“Well, this is a pleasant surprise.” He bent down and kissed Beth and Lilly, then hugged both kids. “Hello, Coop.” He shook his hand. “What brings you all in tonight?”
“It’s Coop’s first day at work,” Robbie offered. “We’re celebrating.”
“No, he’s just tired of my cooking,” Lilly said and they all laughed.
This was new to Coop, being with a family. “I thought everyone needed a change,” he added. “It’s too hot to cook anyway.”
“Well, whatever reason,” Sean told them, “I’m glad you’re here. Let me find you a table.” He glanced around to see the busboy clearing a booth and led them over. Once they were seated, he took their drink order.
Lilly nodded toward the bar. “Rory’s seems to be a popular place tonight with the ladies.”
Her comment had Sean grinning again. “It’s Matt who brings them in. The lad always did have a way with the lasses.”
Beth smiled right back at him. “I wonder where he inherited all that charm.”
The big man leaned down and lowered his voice. “I only want to charm one.” Then he placed a soft kiss on Beth Staley’s cheek. “I’ll be back with your drinks.” He walked off.
“Oh, Grandma,” Kasey breathed. “Sean is so sweet.”
“I think so, too,” the older woman echoed.
Coop looked at Lilly. She, too, seemed to be taken by the man. Great. How could he compete with that? Whoa. What was he thinking? That was the problem. He didn’t need to be charming any woman. No matter how pretty she looked in blue, or how those killer legs of hers looked in jeans, he had dozens of reasons why he should stay clear of her. None of which he’d listened to. None of which stopped his growing desire for her. Somehow he needed to find a way.
A few minutes later the drinks arrived and after Sean took their order, he went back to the kitchen. For a little while, Coop just wanted to sit back and pretend that he could enjoy tonight. Tomorrow was soon enough to think about work. Didn’t he get a little time off for himself?
Someone put money in the jukebox and a country-and-western song began to play. He stood and reached out for Beth’s hand. “Mrs. Staley, would you care to dance?”
She blushed and stood. He escorted her out and they began to circle the floor with several other couples. “If you’re trying to make Sean jealous it won’t work. He knows how I feel about him.”
“Doesn’t hurt to keep him on his toes.” He swung her around. “Pretty light on your feet, Miss Beth.”
“You’re not so bad yourself, Mr. Cooper.”
He took her through a series of turns and they both laughed when they completed it without a hitch. “Well, would you look at that? Seems your daughter is trying to steal your man.”
They both smiled when Sean came dancing by with Lilly in his arms. “I’ve got to put a stop to that,” she said. “Dance over there.”
The two couples ended up side by side. “Seems you have my lass,” Sean said.
Beth went into Sean
’s arms, and Lilly came willingly into his, just as the music changed to a ballad. Coop wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. They began to move to the seductive music and he breathed in the scent of her hair, her softness against him as her breasts brushed against his chest.
He knew this was all wrong, but he couldn’t help himself when it came to Lilly Perry. It didn’t matter how many times he told himself no, he still wanted her.
Lilly didn’t want the night to end. It had been a long time since she felt this way. Even in the truck, she wished that it was only her and Noah riding back to the house. She thought back to the way he danced with her, holding her so close. How he made her want things she hadn’t wanted in so long.
They pulled up at the house and everyone got out. The kids were chattering back and forth, and for once, not fighting. She hadn’t seen her daughter this happy in a long time. Sean even got her to dance, and Noah took a turn, too. This was the first time in a long while that Kasey seemed happy. It was a perfect night. A night she didn’t want to end by saying good-night to Noah.
Her mother followed behind the kids. “I’ll put Robbie to bed. Why don’t you two sit out here and enjoy the evening breeze?”
Once everyone was inside and Lilly and Noah were alone, he looked at her. “I should get to bed, too, since I need to be up early.” He stepped toward her, cupping her face in his warm hands.
Lilly felt a shiver rush down her spine as he lowered his head and brushed his lips against hers. “Had a nice time,” he whispered.
Lilly smiled. “So did I.”
He touched her mouth again, teasing her as he nibbled on her lips before he pulled back. “Especially the dancing. You’re not bad for a school principal.”
“And you’re not bad for a carpenter.”
He started to lower his head again, then there was a shout from the house. Her mother rushed out the back door. “Coop, Lilly, someone broke into the house.”
Coop ran into the house without hesitation. Nothing was amiss in the kitchen, or the living room, but the den was a different story. There were papers scattered everywhere, and the desk drawers were pulled out.
Lilly started to rush in, but he stopped her. “Don’t touch anything. I’ve got to call the sheriff.”
“Who would do this?” she said absently. “We don’t have anything valuable.” She looked at him and her eyes slowly widened. “Stephanie?”
He shook his head. That was his guess, but he couldn’t say anything. He pulled his phone out and called Bradshaw. When he hung up, he heard the kids yelling.
“Mom,” Robbie yelled and they hurried out into the hall as he came halfway down the steps and leaned over the banister. “Somebody messed up my room.”
“Mom! Mom!” Kasey charged down, too, tears filling her eyes. “My room is torn apart, and so is yours.”
While Lilly comforted her kids, Coop took the steps two at a time and went from one bedroom to the other. The beds were stripped, dresser drawers open and clothes tossed. Kasey came in with her mother. “Is anything missing?” he asked the teenager.
“I don’t know, but my CDs and computer are gone.” Coop looked over the girl’s head to Lilly. He didn’t need to say Stephanie’s and Santos’s names again.
“The insurance will replace everything, honey,” Lilly told her daughter.
“But I had pictures…of Dad.” A tear fell. “It was just him and me.”
Lilly hugged her daughter. “Maybe we can find some more pictures.”
Just then there was a flashing red light through the window as the sheriff’s car pulled up out front.
“I’ll go talk to Bradshaw.” Coop looked at Robbie. “Don’t touch anything in your room. Okay?”
The boy looked frightened.
He gave him a smile. “Hey, it’s going to be okay.”
Robbie followed him out into the hall and grabbed hold of his arm. “Coop, what if they come back when I’m sleeping?”
He found himself hugging the boy. It tore at him that a creep like Santos could frighten young kids like this. Somehow he’d find a way to stop him. “I won’t let anything happen to you, or Kasey, Grandma Beth or your mom. And I’ll stay here to make sure they don’t.”
The boy looked doubtful.
“I promise, Rob. I would never let anything happen to you. Now, I need to go and talk to the sheriff so he can catch who did this.”
The boy finally let him go. “Okay.”
Coop hurried downstairs to find Sheriff Bradshaw talking with Beth. “Beth, would you bring the family out here? I’ll go inside and have a look around.”
She nodded. “Coop, will you talk with the sheriff?”
“Sure.” He started inside when Lilly came through the door with the kids. “Why don’t you sit down? I’ll show the sheriff the damage. Lilly, what did you do with those papers?”
“They’re in my briefcase.” She looked as frightened as her children. “It’s in the car.” She then walked toward the porch swing.
Coop led the sheriff into the den and they looked around at the destruction. “Seems they’re getting desperate,” he told Bradshaw in a low voice. “Whatever they want must be worth a lot.”
“Then you better find it,” the sheriff said as they walked back out to the porch. “I’ll take prints, but I doubt we’ll find anything.”
So did Coop.
“Does the family have somewhere to stay with tonight? I won’t be able to get a crew in until tomorrow.”
“I’ll find them a place.”
Just then a truck pulled up and Sean Rafferty jumped out and hurried toward the house. “Is everyone all right?”
“Yes. They’re just a little shaken.”
“Praise be.” He looked heavenward. “Where’s Beth?”
He nodded toward the swing. “They can’t stay here tonight.”
“Of course not, they’ll come to the ranch with me.” He took off toward the group. He hugged Beth, then went down the line until he assured every family member that he’d take care of them.
Coop found he was envious that he couldn’t do the same. What he needed to do right now was think about what Santos planned next. He could use some help. Dammit, Perry, where did you hide the proof?
Robbie ran to him. “I don’t want to go with Sean, Coop. I want to stay with you. You said I could.”
He looked at Lilly as she approached. “You and the kids are welcome to stay in the cottage.”
“What about you?” she asked. “You have to work tomorrow.”
“I’m sure Alex would understand.”
Kasey walked up to them. “Mom, Grandma’s getting some clean clothes from the laundry room. They’re ready to go.”
“I’m not going,” Robbie said. “Coop said he wouldn’t let the bad guys get me, so I’m staying here.”
“Well, I’m not,” Kasey added and marched off to Sean’s truck.
Lilly looked at her frightened son, then back at Coop. “Could you handle two houseguests?”
This wasn’t a good idea.
The lights were dim as Coop stood in the shadows and gazed out the cottage window toward the Staley house. The sheriff had left an hour ago, but there was a patrol car driving by every fifteen minutes or so.
He knew Santos wouldn’t be back. Not tonight. Hell, this break-in was more of a warning than anything else. And if he could only find what they were looking for before they did this game would be over. Santos/Delgado would be in jail.
That was another thing. He couldn’t let the drug lord panic and disappear over the border where they’d never find him. As it was, this guy had ways to move around at will.
Coop had contacted Vega earlier and he’d told him that Santos had been at the construction site, then went back to the landscape office the rest of the evening. Of course, that didn’t mean he hadn’t had someone else do his dirty work.
Now, all Coop had to do was figure out their next move. There was a delivery of drugs coming to Kerry Springs. He doubted it
would have been the first, either. Was this the reason Mike Perry had to die? He figured out the operation. What about Stephanie? Did she care that little about her own brother that she let her so-called boyfriend take over?
“Noah?”
He turned around to see Lilly. He tried to remain reserved, controlled. She was wearing her usual sleeping attire: a tank top and a pair of cutoff knit shorts that exposed far too much leg. He blew out a breath. This was going to be a long night.
“How’s Robbie?”
“Sound asleep. Lucky him, he’s always slept like a rock.”
She crossed the room toward him. “Are you going to stand guard all night?”
He gave a nod. “I promised Robbie.” He glanced at her. “A line was crossed tonight, Lilly. They mean business and aren’t stopping until they find what they want.”
“If you want to scare me, you’re doing a good job.”
“I want you aware, Lilly. I don’t want anything to happen to you or the kids.”
Lilly liked having someone to lean on. It had been so long since she’d had any kind of support, or to have a man around to protect her. Yet, even knowing it was a bad idea to have these feelings, she couldn’t shut off her desire for this man. The last thing she needed to do was start something with Noah Cooper. He’d told her already that he wasn’t the kind to stay for the long haul.
“Thank you for all you’ve done. And I’m sorry you’ve gotten involved in my problems.”
He looked at her. “None of this is your fault. You just happen to be in the way of what they want.”
“But, Mike…”
“If your ex-husband was involved, he needed to keep you and the family safe.”
And now it was Noah Cooper doing that job. Not her husband, but a stranger who she didn’t know much about. “May I ask you something?”
He shrugged. “Might as well.”
“Why haven’t you ever settled down?”
At first she didn’t think he was going to answer. “Who said I haven’t?”
She was surprised. “Were you married?”
He shook his head. “Almost was, when I was young and stupid.”
Tall, Dark, Texas Ranger Page 11
