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

“I made them for you.” She put half a dozen of the small squares on a plate and carried it to the table with some napkins.

“What’s the occasion?”

He watched her open a jar of Vienna sausages and hand her daughter one. “It’s a special thank-you. Would you like coffee or tea?”

“How about milk?”

“Coming right up.” She poured him a glass and brought it to the table. Kit got up from the floor and joined her.

“What did I do to deserve all this?”

“I talked to the pastor who officiated at the service for Gladys today. He said our visit gave her peace before she died.” Kit could tell she was fighting tears. “I’ll never forget that you made that visit possible. You could have gone on your own to get information. But being the kind of person you are, you included Amy and me, even though it would have been easier for you to go alone.”

“It was my pleasure, Natalie.”

“You’re such a good man. The pastor said that Gladys and Joseph Park were revered members of the congregation. That means everything to me. One day I’ll take Amy

to visit her grandparents and great-grandparents at the cemetery.” She cleared her throat. “He had pictures taken at the service to post at his church. I asked him to email me copies for Amy’s baby book.”

“Have they come yet?”

“I’ll look after I put Amy in the high chair. It’s time for her dinner.”

While she dealt with her daughter he started eating the brownies and couldn’t stop until he’d eaten every one. “Are the rest of the brownies in the pan for me, too?”

She looked down at his empty plate with a faint smile. “What do you think?”

“I think you’ve won my allegiance for life. You could have a million-dollar career selling these.”

“I’m glad you like them.”

“I promise to save you one.”

“Don’t worry about it. I can always make another batch.”

“Promise?”

Her eyes smiled at him before she fed her daughter some carrots and beef from the baby food jar. He got busy putting everything on the floor back in the drawers and cupboards. By now Amy was being treated to some Goldfish crackers. Her eyes lit up. “Fish!”

Kit grabbed one and put it in his mouth. “Fish. Yum!”

“Yum,” she mimicked. He laughed.

Natalie grinned as she checked her emails. “Better watch what you say around her. She’s a sponge.”

Kit ate another fish and Amy promptly imitated him.

“Oh, good! The pictures have come. There are two of them. One of the casket and the other a group photo.” She studied them for a minute. “The secretary took the time to label each person. How nice. The flowers on the casket are beautiful. Take a look.” She slid the laptop in front of Kit.

He knew these pictures meant a lot to Natalie, but the people held no significance for him until he saw the name Dr. Varoz.

She had blond hair, but it was Juanita Morales. He’d bet his life on it.

By the merest chance he’d found the woman Cy was searching for in relation to the mortgage fraud case. There was no time to lose. He flicked his gaze to Natalie.

“Excuse me for a second. I need to call the director of the nursing home right away.”

“Use my phone. I called Mrs. Issac not too long ago, so her number should be right there in my call history.”