“I should get them down here,” Lilly said.
“We’ll go up instead.”
They climbed the stairs to the spacious second level. “I like all the openness,” she commented.
Enough to live here? Coop thought.
Lilly peeked into a small bedroom, then another looking for her children.
Robbie came out into the hall. “I want this bedroom, Mom.”
“And I want this one,” Kasey called from farther away.
Lilly blushed. “Kids, we’re not living here.”
Kasey then came out of one of the rooms. “Mom, you’re not going to believe it, there are four bedrooms, and this master suite has a closet to die for. And a huge bathroom with a whirlpool tub. The other bedrooms are big, too.”
Noah had to intervene. “Kasey, why don’t you take your brother downstairs and look at the kitchen and family room?”
“Okay, come on, Robbie,” the teenager said hiding a smile.
Once they were gone, Noah took Lilly into the master suite. He wanted her to love everything. Beyond the entrance was a small sitting room with a love seat, a chair and a side tables decorating the area. They continued on to the main room where a huge four-poster bed was the centerpiece, illuminated by light from a row of windows.
“Oh, my, this place just gets better and better. Allison did a wonderful job with the furniture.”
Lilly let out a gasp as she walked up to the bed. She reached out a shaky hand and touched the quilt draped across the end of the mattress.
She finally glanced at him. “My mother’s quilting group were working on this a few weeks ago. How did it get here?”
“Beth gave it to me.”
She only stared at him with those glistening green eyes. “Why?”
“I wanted something personal. Something that would make it feel like home to you. If not this model, there are three others we can look at.
She blinked in surprise.
That was his cue. “Lilly, since I’ve met you, it seems like all I’ve done is mess everything up.” He stepped back, taking a big breath. “You were right. I had no business getting involved personally, but I’d lost all objectivity when it came you. I’m sorry, I know I hurt you. That was never my intention.” His gaze remained on hers. “I’m asking you for another chance, Lilly. I hope I can convince you I’m worthy of your trust.”
“Oh, Noah.”
He ignored her plea. “I’m moving to Kerry Springs permanently. I’ve already got the transfer to work out of San Antonio. No more undercover. I want to come home to you and the kids. To make a life with you.”
Tears filled her eyes.
“Okay, I understand if you need some time. I’ll give you time, but let me tell you one thing, Lilly Perry, there’s no one who could love you as much as I do. All I ask is that you give me a chance to prove to you that I can be the man you need. I won’t let you down.”
Lilly put her fingers on her trembling lips, having trouble believe this. “You love me?”
He looked in her eyes and nodded. “Until I think I’ll go crazy if I can’t be a part of your life. I never thought I’d want all this, a home, hearth and kids. Then you came along. When I was working on your mother’s house, all I was hoping for was for you to come outside. I wanted to see you, talk with you. I had no right to touch you, to kiss you. And that incredible night we spent together making love.” He moved closer. “God, no, Lilly, you were never, I repeat never, part of my job. You were pure pleasure.”
“Oh, Noah. I know that now. It took me some time, but I realized I wanted to be with you, too.”
He cupped her face with his hands and his mouth closed over hers in a gentle kiss.
Lilly didn’t want to fight it any longer. She wanted this man. No more fears; she was going after what she wanted and all that Noah Cooper was offering her.
She tore her mouth away. “Oh, Noah, I love you so much.”
A big grin appeared and he lifted her up and swung her around, letting out a shout, making her laugh.
He set her down. “Oh, darlin’, you’ll never regret it, I promise.”
“I’m sorry it took me so long to sort out my feelings. But hearing what Mike had done for us, it threw me. The kids, too. I also needed to say goodbye to the past before I could come to you.”
He sobered. “I hope you mean it because I want nothing short of you being my wife. I want to marry you, Lilly Perry. Maybe not next week.” He searched her face. “Take all the time you need, well, not too much time.”
Lilly shook her head. “The only thing I need to hear is that you love me. I don’t need to sort out anything else, Noah Cooper.” She slipped her arms around his waist. “And I want to share it with you and the kids. So yes, I’ll marry you.”
He started to kiss her again and she gasped, “There might be one more thing.”
“Anything,” he breathed.
“You’re too easy, Mr. Texas Ranger. Just so you know, I’m going to require more than half of that big closet.” She smiled, feeling light-headed. “Do you think we could negotiate something?”
He grinned. “We definitely can work that out.” He pulled her close and his mouth closed over hers. Soon they were lost in each other.
They barely noticed when the door opened and two kids poked their heads in. “Looks like we better pick out bedrooms after all,” Kasey said.
Robbie added with a grin, “And we get a new dad, too. This is the best day ever.” The kids took off down the stairs.
Coop broke off the kiss and smiled down at Lilly. “This is going to be the best life ever.”
EPILOGUE
THE summer ended and school had been back in session for over a month. Lilly couldn’t believe time had flown by so fast. Yet, it still wasn’t fast enough.
Although she’d wanted to wait a few months before Noah became her husband, she was quickly regretting that choice.
When they first set the wedding date, she had wanted to get things in order. To have a clean slate to start her life with Noah. That meant the landscaping business had to be sold. Too many bad memories for both her and the kids. The foreman, Jace Rankin, had been eager to buy the company. Lilly felt good that none of the employees would lose their jobs.
Part of the money from the sale was invested for the kids. Another part, she invested in their new family home. She wanted to be a full partner in her marriage to Noah. Never again did she want to be left out of any part of the decision making, the good or the bad. Even though Noah wanted to be the breadwinner for his family, he understood.
Noah also had made changes. He worked out of the Ranger company in San Antonio, then returned home to Kerry Springs at night. There still would be times when he worked on cases that he couldn’t be there, but no undercover work.
Then she and the kids went into counseling. They’d worked through issues with Mike. Noah even joined in some sessions to help as a family. She was blessed that her future husband loved her children as much as they loved him.
Lilly smiled at her man as he walked through her mother’s front door. He wore a dark suit in honor of the special day. She felt a warm shiver rush down her spine seeing how handsome he looked. He turned on a smile and she nearly melted on the spot. What was not to love?
“Hello, beautiful.” He kissed her sweetly.
Lilly glanced down at her blush-colored dress. The bodice was fitted to the waist and the skirt had several layers of sheer fabric. “Thought I’d dress up,” she said. “After all, it is my mother’s wedding day.”
“I wish it were ours.”
Lilly felt the same way, too. “Sorry I made you wait.”
He placed a finger against her lips. “You’re worth the wait. But I’m still counting the hours until you’re mine.”
She was a lucky woman. Noah had cut his vacation short so they could take a honeymoon later. All she knew about it was they would be headed to an island somewhere they could be alone and concentrate on only the two of them. Even Mi
llie offered to stay at the house and watch the kids. All the ladies of the Quilter’s Corner were taking turns helping.
“I only need you, Noah Cooper.”
He started to say something when someone called to her. “Sorry, I’ve got to help with this.”
“How about we meet at the cottage later?”
She agreed, then gave him a quick kiss. She took off, gathered the kids and went to help her mother with finishing touches. For a small backyard wedding, there was a lot to do. Lilly was happy that her mother had found a life with Sean. After their honeymoon to Ireland, the couple would come back to Kerry Springs and start up the new business of selling Rafferty’s Barbecue Sauce.
With guests seated out in the yard and the music playing softly, Beth Staley made her way down to the kitchen. She was wearing an ivory sheath-style dress. Her hair was adorned with some baby’s breath, and she held a bouquet of colorful roses. She looked so lovely.
Lilly hugged her. “You’re a vision, Mom. I’m so happy for you and Sean.”
“Thank you, Lilly.” She blotted at her tears. “We’re both so lucky, aren’t we? To find such wonderful men.”
Lilly nodded, knowing that no matter the circumstances of meeting Noah, he’d turned out to be the love of her life.
The sound of music filled the room. “Ready?”
“Oh, yes.” Beth Staley beamed as she took her daughter’s arm and together they walked out onto the porch and down the steps. Wedding guests sat on either side of the aisle of green grass. Under an arch of flowers at the edge of the yard stood the handsome groom, Sean, with his two sons, Evan and Matt, standing beside him. He smiled at seeing his bride. They approached and Sean kissed Lilly’s cheek, then took Beth’s hand. Lilly went to stand beside Noah and Kasey and Robbie. Noah’s hand engulfed hers as she looked around the yard, filled with family and friends.
She caught Noah’s gaze on hers as the minister announced, “You may kiss your bride.”
Noah leaned down and placed his mouth on hers, pushing out the rest of the world.
Hours later, Noah arranged it so they had the evening to themselves. Something that he’d missed the last few weeks with all the wedding plans, and finishing the house to make sure it was ready for the family to move in. But tonight, with the newlyweds headed for Ireland, and the kids tucked into bed in the house, that meant Lilly was his for a few hours. He didn’t plan to waste a second of their time.
At the cottage, he opened wine and poured some into glasses, then lit candles. Stolen hours were all they had now, but in another month, he wouldn’t have to leave her…ever.
“Noah.” The door opened and Lilly walked inside. “I got your note.”
He walked over to greet her. Like he’d done, she’d changed into jeans after the wedding guests left.
He took her in his arms and kissed her. He needed her more than he ever thought possible. Her smile, her touch. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” She smiled up at him. “Are you going to kidnap me tonight?”
“Is that your fantasy? I do have a pair of handcuffs in the other room.”
She shook her head. “You don’t need them, Mr. Texas Ranger. I’ll come willingly.”
He kissed her again. “I wish we were already married.”
“I know.” She smiled again. “Look at it this way, I’m giving you a chance to back out. I mean, you’re taking on a teenage girl and an active six-year-old. No privacy.”
“Sorry, lady, you’re stuck with me for a long time.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m not going anywhere, either.”
Coop leaned down and kissed her. It started out slow and easy, but quickly it turned hungry…fast. Their few stolen moments the past few months hadn’t been enough.
He broke off the kiss. “I want you, Lilly,” he said. “But I want to talk to you about something first.”
She smiled. “I thought you had something else in mind besides talking.”
“Give me a few minutes and we’ll get back to it.”
Lilly sobered and released him. “Okay. Is there a problem?”
“Not in the way you think.” He backed away a little. “You know I care about the kids.”
She nodded. “Yes, and they feel the same way about you.”
“How would you be with me adopting Kasey and Rob?” He raised a hand. “I know they were close to their father, but I want them to feel part of us. I was a stepchild, and I hated it. I want your kids to know that I love them. For us to be a real family.”
Lilly blinked back tears. “Oh, Noah. I don’t think I could love you more than I do right now. I’m sure Kasey and Robbie would love the idea, too. I just don’t want you to feel pressured about doing this.”
He drew her back into his arms. “Are you kidding? Besides getting the woman of my dreams, I get a bonus with two great kids.”
She slipped her arms around his neck and kissed him. Not a sweet peck but a blow your socks off kiss. When they broke away, Coop said, “I take it you think I’ll make a good parent.”
She nodded. “You’re going to be the best, but I think maybe you need some practice with infants.”
Noah nearly choked as his throat dried up. “A baby? You want a baby? I never thought…”
“I know we haven’t talked about it.” Her gaze locked on his. “I’ll understand if you don’t want another child.”
His chest tightened. “Oh, God, Lilly. A baby. Our baby.” He pulled her back into his arms. “When I saw you holding little Mick…I had dreams about you carrying my child.” He placed his hand against her flat stomach. “Yes, yes, I want our baby more than anything.”
She beamed. “So do I, but maybe not right away.”
“As much time as you need. I love you so much.”
She went back into his arms and brushed her mouth over his. Noah knew that his life was going to change, but only for the better. It might not be perfect all the time, but with his new family, it would come pretty damn close.
ISBN: 978-1-4592-1429-3
TALL, DARK, TEXAS RANGER
First North American Publication 2011
Copyright © 2011 by Patricia Wright
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Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
EPILOGUE
th friends
Tall, Dark, Texas Ranger Page 16
