The Texas Ranger's Bride (Lone Star Lawmen 1)

Kellie got to work on it. When she’d finished, she read it over half a dozen times, but she needed another opinion before posting it. Since it was only eight thirty, she reached for her cell phone to call her friend Kathie. Seven messages were waiting for her, including one from Kathie. It wasn’t until now she remembered that she’d turned off her phone. The last one was from Cy. He’d called hours ago. She couldn’t believe it.

Her hand trembled as she pressed the button and listened. “Kellie? Call me ASAP.”

The urgency in his deep voice gave her heart the greatest workout of its life. He’d solved her case and was already working on another one. Why was he calling her now? Had he left something at the town house he’d forgotten and didn’t want to be accused of breaking in to get it?

If she didn’t phone him back, she’d never know the answer to that question. His call gave her the excuse to talk to him again. Feeling light-headed from emotions bombarding her body, she pressed the digit for his number.

He picked up on the second ring. “Kellie?”

“Hi.” She was trying to catch her breath.

“Thanks for calling me back.”

“I didn’t know you’d phoned until a minute ago. I’ve been out shampooing my horses and just finished.”

“How lucky for them.”

She chuckled in spite of her angst. “They love it and they were so good for me. They didn’t move.”

“That doesn’t surprise me. They love you. Horses aren’t that different from humans. Rosco P. likes to do tricks for me.”

“Rosco P.?” Kellie was charmed down to her toenails by the revelation. “Was he the horse you rode in the Bandera parade?”

“That’s right.”

“I didn’t know that was his name. Sounds like the bumbling character from the old Dukes of Hazzard television show with Boss Hogg.”

“The very one.”

“I adored that series. The way those brothers drove that car around, driving the Boss crazy, was hilarious.”

“I got a kick out of it, too.”

“What kind of tricks can you get your horse to do?”

“He can bow and do the Spanish walk.”

“You’re kidding!”

“Nope. Most of the time I use a ball to play with him. For incentive I feed him Rounders Molasses treats.”

“Starburst likes those, too.” Kellie almost said that they’d have to get their horses together, but she stopped herself in time. “Cy—I’m probably keeping you from your work. Did you forget something at the town house? Is that why you called me?”

“No. I phoned to ask if you want to go to my sister’s engagement party tomorrow night. We’d talked about it before, but that was when I was protecting you. Now that the threat is over, we can go without worrying about our undercover lie.”

She pressed a hand to her mouth to stifle a cry of joy. He still wanted her to go with him.

“I’d like that very much.”

“If it works for you, I’ll pick you up at your town house at six thirty. It’s a semidressy affair.”

“Thanks for telling me. I live in cowboy boots and forget they’re not suitable for every occasion.”

“Understood. I know you have questions about how everything went down last night. I’ll do my best to answer them. See you tomorrow night. I look forward to being with you again, Kellie.”

Her pulse raced. “Me, too. And you’re right. I’d like a little closure. Good night.” I want to see how serious your injuries are. She hung up in a daze, suddenly motivated because she knew she’d be with Cy tomorrow night.

In the morning she’d clean her one-stall horse trailer and living quarters to get it ready for her trip around the circuit. Kellie had to put fresh feed and hay on board, plus all her gear and plastic barrels.