Authors: Rebecca Winters

The Texas Ranger's Family (19 page)

BOOK: The Texas Ranger's Family

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“People are going to think we're rushing things.”

“I don't care what anyone else thinks. I've been waiting for you for years.”

“Oh, Kitâ” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “I hated to leave your condo yesterday. I wanted to be there when you got out of the hospital, but Cy showed up to help me move my things back home.”

“I asked him to do it.”

She kissed his mouth again. “Why?”

“Because I want to spend my convalescence at your house where Amy is happy. We'll have my couch brought over and I'll sleep on it. That town house is no good to us, anyway. I've been thinking about buying some property with acreage for horses. We're going to need a much bigger house.”

Natalie smiled. “How big?”

“With enough bedrooms for more children. I'd like to hire an architect to design a Western-style home with lots of windows and timber.”

“That'll be a project to keep you busy until you're back on the force.”

“I'm afraid that's still iffy.”

“No, it's not. You'll be back in no time.”

He caressed the side of her face. “What did I ever do to deserve you?”

“You've got that the other way around.” They couldn't stop kissing each other.

“My mother's already crazy about Amy.”

“It was so funny yesterday. Oh, Kitâwe can't wait for you to come home.”

“One more night, then we'll never be apart again.”

That sounded like heaven.

Epilogue

Tonight was their three-month wedding anniversary.

Natalie had prepared a special picnic and had driven to the new house they were building in Barton Creek. Kit had gone in for his physical and planned to meet her there afterward. She was nervous waiting to hear the verdict.

This morning his mother had come to Natalie's house and told her she wanted to look after Amy overnight. Whatever news Kit received, June knew how important this night was to the two of them. She wanted to give them time alone. Natalie had learned to love his mother and Amy was crazy about her nana. There'd be no more calling her “June.”

The framework of the two-story ranch house had been erected. The drywall would go in next. Natalie walked inside. The front door hadn't been hung yet. She went up the staircase to the master bedroom where the adjoining veranda looked out over their ten-acre estate. Kit would only be seven miles from work, yet it felt as if they were far away from civilization.

As soon as the barn was built, Kit would bring his horse from Marble Falls and buy one for Natalie. Vic had purchased a miniature horse for his son. Kit couldn't wait to get one for Amy, but she needed to be a little older first. He planned to take the daughter he was adopting on rides around the property. With the sixty-thousand-dollar trust fund she'd inherited, Amy could one day study to be anything she wantedâmaybe an architect, like her great-grandfather. But secretly Natalie knew that Kit wanted to turn his little cherub into a cowgirl. Natalie loved the idea.

In a few minutes she glimpsed Kit's car through the trees, coming up the winding drive. Her heart picked up speed.
Please let him bring the news he wanted.
They'd both stayed busy getting this house designed and built, but she knew he couldn't wait to be back with the Sons of the Forty.

His Ranger friends dropped in whenever they could, but when they were on a new case, Kit might not see them for weeks at a time. He'd been going to his therapy sessions faithfully and doing everything possible to hasten the healing process.

But sometimes he would get discouraged. He didn't know if he could handle a desk job for the Rangers. That rush he got when he went out on a case would always be missing. About a month ago he was having a bad night and she'd asked him if he'd be interested in forming a private investigator agency. He would own it and run in a way only he knew how to make it successful. To her surprise, he didn't dismiss her suggestion. Just to know he was considering the idea gave her hope.

She watched him pull up and get out of the car. His body language gave her the first indication that he wasn't happy. Her stomach clenched. She would have to be strong for him.

“Natalie?” Excitement was missing from his voice.

“I'm up in our bedroom, babe.” She'd brought blankets and their sleeping bags so they could spend the night. With her heart pounding, she waited in the bedroom for him. He walked in and his gaze darted to the picnic she'd laid out. He took in the sleeping bags.

“Tell me what the doctor said.”

His wooden expression said it all. “I'm not there yet.”

“You'll get there. When does he want to see you again?”

“In a month.”

“That's not a long time. Another month of therapy will make you stronger. By then our house will be finished and you'll be able to get back to work.”

He nodded before his hands went to his hips. He was so gorgeous and she loved him desperately, but she couldn't help him.

“Come on. The sun is setting. Let's eat while we can still see our food.” She'd made his favorite fried chicken and brownies, but there was no tempting him.

“I'm afraid I'm not hungry.”

“That's okay. Shall we go to a roadhouse and do some line dancing? Your mom is keeping Amy overnight. We're free to do whatever we want.”

“Natalie?” His eyes were like lasers. “I'm afraid you've married a failure.”

She smiled and crossed the distance to press a kiss to his mouth. “What's that awful clichÃ©? It's always darkest before the dawn. Your day is coming.”

He suddenly clasped her to him and buried his face in her hair. “What am I doing? You're so wonderful. How can you stand me while I'm feeling so sorry for myself? Forgive me, sweetheart.”

“There's nothing to forgive.”

“I love you.” His fierce declaration was followed by a kiss to die for. They sank onto the double sleeping bag and clothes flew in all directions. Natalie lost awareness of time and place as Kit made sweet, savage love to her. Then it was her turn to worship him. The joy they brought each other went until late into the night.

She rested against his chest. “Are you hungry?”

“I think I am.”

“Stay there.” She reached for the cooler and pulled it close. “What would you like? How about a drumstick?” His appetite had come alive. He quickly ate everything she put in front of him, including all the brownies. But she didn't want any food.

“My, my. You really
were
hungry. I think you're ready to handle my news.”

She could almost hear his brain turning her comment over. “You've decided to go back to work part-time?”

“No. I don't think I'll be going anywhere for a long time.”

“I hate to admit it, but that makes me happy. What caused you to make that decision?”

“The truth is, Kit, this night is special in more ways than one. We're going to have a baby.”

He jackknifed into a sitting position. “Natalieâ”

“I haven't been to the doctor yet, but I know the signs. It's just like it was with Amy. Please tell me you're happy about it.”

“
Happy?
Sweetheart, I'm overjoyed!”

She lay still as he ran his hand over her stomach. “Our little baby is inside there. I've dreamed about having another cherub.”

“You're not just saying that?”

“How can you even ask that question?”

“Because I know you're upset that your career is still up in the air.”

He kissed her neck. “Hearing that we're going to have a baby puts everything else into perspective. Another month and I'll know if I have to think about other work. Until then I'm going to do what I can to get better. Amy's going to have a little brother or sister. I can't wait!”

“I can't wait until the morning sickness passes. You're so lucky you're a man.”

Deep laughter rumbled out of him; the kind she hadn't heard for a long time. She was thrilled.

* * *

“R
ANGER
S
AUNDERS
? W
ELCOME
back to active duty.” The boss had assembled some of the Rangers in the conference room at the last minute.

“You've only been gone four months, but you've been busy in that timeâyou've gotten married, built a new house. Is there any other news we need to know about?”

Kit sat back with a smile. “We're expecting a baby in about six months.”

The guys hooted and cheered. TJ smiled. “Kit and Cy both went undercover on different assignments and look what happenedâthey married the women they were protecting. Here's an APB for the rest of you single Rangersâwatch out if you decide to go undercover to protect a woman in jeopardy. Okay. Get out of here.”

Kit smiled at Cy as they left the room. Before they went their separate ways Cy said, “I'm glad you crossed the line, bud. Always go with your instincts.”

“Back at you.”

Only seven miles and he'd be home. Natalie didn't yet know he'd gotten the call from TJ saying he'd passed the physical. Kit couldn't wait to tell his wonderful wife, who'd never given up or let him lose hope. She was a gift.

He turned onto the road leading to the house. When he passed through the trees he saw Natalie up on the veranda. It was her favorite place to be. They kept a high chair up there and he could see Amy enjoying her dinner.

“Natalie!” He called to her and raced inside the house. Taking the stairs two at a time he ran through the hall and into their bedroom. She was there to meet him.

“You're back on the force!”

“How did you know? It was supposed to be a surprise.”

She kissed him passionately. “A wife just senses these things.”

“Dada!” Amy called out.

He turned to kiss his daughter. Life didn't get better than this.

* * * * *

Watch for the final story in Rebecca Winters's
LONE STAR LAWMEN
miniseries,
HER TEXAS RANGER HERO,
coming September 2016!

Keep reading for an excerpt from
TWINS FOR THE BULL RIDER
by April Arrington.

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