The Texas Ranger's Family (Lone Star Lawmen 3)

“Saturday night in San Antonio, but I don’t know how he’ll do because he lost his hazer this week.”

Natalie’s smile faded. “What happened?”

“His hazer, Scott, was in a car accident and has a broken leg. Brandon’s got to find a replacement, fast.”

Colette finished the last of her sandwich. “Good ones are hard to come by. That’s bad luck. I feel sorry for both of them. Hazers are almost invisible unless they make a mistake, but a bull dogger couldn’t get a low score without an outstanding one to keep that steer close.”

Her comment made Kit feel even guiltier.

She looked at Natalie. “How soon is your return flight?”

“In an hour. We’ll go downstairs in a few minutes. Amy has almost finished.”

Natalie had been feeding her a jar of chicken and stars. Kit couldn’t get over what a great little traveler she was.

“In that case I’m going to leave you two in time to get some grocery shopping done before I drive home.” She rose and hugged the baby and Natalie. Then she turned to Kit. “It’s been a pleasure meeting you, Father Segal.”

He got to his feet. “Thank you for getting together on such short notice. Your testimony is more helpful than you know. If you think of anything else, don’t hesitate to call me on my cell. Here’s my card.” He handed it to her.

“I promise.” She started to dig through her purse but Kit shook his head. “This lunch is on me. Drive safely.”

“I will.” Her glance rested on Natalie. “We’ll talk soon.”

&n

bsp; “I’ll call you. Thank you again.”

Colette made her exit and Natalie wiped Amy’s face and hands, then turned to Kit. “We’re ready to go downstairs. Amy’s been awake since first thing this morning, so I think she’ll probably nap most of the way home.”

“She’s been a model child—honors go to her mother.”

“I can’t take the credit. She came this way.”

Kit decided not to argue. But he’d watched how Natalie handled her daughter and could tell she was a terrific parent.

He left money for the bill on the table, picked up the bag and car seat, and ushered the girls out of the restaurant, anxious to get back to Austin. It pleased him that he and Natalie would be going home together. He found himself enjoying her company more than he should.

His thoughts returned to the case. Stan should be getting back to him with the rest of the information on the fingerprints. He was also eager for the FBI agent to send him the background on the missing independent auditor for LifeSpan. As for the black hairs found in Rod’s car, they might be a match for the hair on the woman Colette had seen with Park. She could be an unsuspecting girlfriend or she might be an accomplice, corrupt to the crown of her head.

There was a lot Kit needed to go through and analyze. But he decided that while he was waiting for more answers, he would fly to California in the morning and speak to Salter. Hopefully he could get it all in and be home by tomorrow night. He couldn’t get this case solved fast enough.

Chapter Five

After a homemade spaghetti dinner, Natalie gave Amy her bath and put her down for the night. She’d grown restless on the airplane and hadn’t napped the way Natalie had hoped. Kit had taken over and held her for a while, playing with her toes. Amy had loved it when Kit pointed to each toe; laughed each time he touched one. The stimulation had kept her awake, but happy. Now what she needed was a good night’s sleep.

Natalie found Kit in the den, laptop open while he talked business on the phone. He saw her and motioned for her to come in. She sat in one of the comfortable armchairs, pleasantly tired. It had been great to see Colette again, but their visit had been too brief.

“How’s the cherub?” Kit asked when he finished his call.

“Out like a light.”

“I’m not surprised. Your little girl has done enough flying for a while.”

“She’s never had a more exciting week in her life. A new man in the house, jet-plane rides—”

His eyes studied her for a moment. “It makes me happy that she doesn’t mind having me around.”

“Mind? She’s crazy about you. It astonished Colette when Amy said your name in the restaurant.”