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

“I had a few disasters myself growing up.”

They bantered throughout the delicious meal, exchanging life stories. While they ate, Amy found her little shopping cart in the living room and pushed it into the kitchen, purposely running into Kit’s chair. He’d spoiled her so much she was wearing herself out with excitement. Natalie figured her little girl would fall into a deep sleep once she put her down. It was growing late.

Kit insisted on doing the dishes, so Natalie went into the living room to empty the playpen and lay out a quilt for Amy. After putting her in her footed pajamas, she lowered her into the playpen and handed her the cow she treasured.

“Nite, nite.” She kissed the top of her head.

Amy didn’t like being put down. She stood at the railing. “Kit—” she called out in a loud voice. It sounded so urgent, Natalie burst into laughter. He came running.

“I think she wants you to say good-night.”

He hunkered down in front of the playpen. “It’s time to go to sleep, sweetheart. Nite, nite.”

All of a sudden the tears came. Amy stood there not knowing what to do with herself. “Mama—Kit—”

“I’d better go back to the kitchen,” he whispered.

One more kiss to the top of her head and he left the living room, already bathed in darkness. Amy whimpered for a few minutes then sank down. Natalie sang a couple of songs she loved. Pretty soon silence reigned. The little girl had finally fallen asleep.

Natalie made up the couch for bed. Kit had brought down sheets designed with Texas Longhorn steers. She loved them. His mother had probably put sheets like these on his bed when he was a boy.

Natalie had liked Kit’s mother very much during the short time they’d had to talk at the rodeo. The pride over her sons had shone in her eyes. Who wouldn’t be proud? Kit was in a class of his own.

With everything done except to put on her pajamas, she walked into the spotless kitchen and found Kit on the phone. He spoke in low tones so she couldn’t make out the words. He was probably talking to Cy.

How they handled what they did for a living was beyond Natalie’s ability to comprehend. But she was incredibly thankful for men like him, and she couldn’t imagine him doing anything else.

Being a Ranger was part of who he was. Natalie was fiercely glad of it. She loved him with her whole being. No matter how risky life was for him every day, she wouldn’t want him any other way.

She could tell the moment he ended his call that he was preparing himself to leave. She grasped the back of one of the kitchen chairs. “Is it time?”

“Afraid so.” He got up from his chair and turned to her. His features looked chiseled in the semi darkness.

“Go get him, cowboy.”

“I intend to.” The fierce tone in his voice had a heart-stopping effect on her. “How about a kiss for luck?”

She struggled for breath. “You don’t need any but I might, so I’ll kiss you anyway.”

She moved toward him and put her hands on his well-defined chest. He was letting her do all the work. That didn’t matter. She wanted to let him know how she felt and slid her arms up around his neck. Natalie had to rise on her toes to give him the kind of kiss she was dying for.

The world spun away as he crushed her in his arms and gave her a devouring kiss she would never forget. It said so many things they hadn’t yet spoken to each other, but she didn’t need a translator to tell her what she’d prayed would happen. As Colette had told her a week ago, it was there in his eyes and in his body language.

Her heartbeat merged with his. Their bodies molded together in one singing line of desire. Words weren’t necessary; not when they were communing in the age-old way that brought bodies and souls to life. This magnificent Ranger made her feel immortal.

They’d only known each other a short time, but something so incredible had happened to her she knew his hold over her would last forever. There’d been such darkness in her marriage. Yet Kit had brought the light back into her life, the glory of being loved and cherished. Those were elements she’d never known before from any man and never would again. If she couldn’t have Kit, she didn’t want anyone else.

Aching with love, she cupped his face in her hands. “Come home soon, Ranger Saunders. You’re needed by an awful lot of people.”

Natalie made a swift exit from Kit’s arms and hurried into the living room.

* * *

THAT KISS HAD fanned the flame burning inside him. On fire with near-white heat, he’d left his condo and headed for her house.

Come on, Morales. Bring it on.

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