Page 12 of The Unbuttoned Ranger (Texas Heat: The Heart of a Texas Ranger #1)

Sharp surveyed the fence he ’ d spent two days building—it was taking shape. It should do the job to keep Piper ’ s cows where they belong. Somehow his to-do list had grown tenfold after he added things that needed repaired at Loveland.

He didn’t mind, not really.

Keeping busy kept his mind focused. He hadn ’ t spoken to any of the Texas Heat team in days. He guessed no news was good news.

His eyes wandered over the land. He saw CaDee every day, but she didn ’ t acknowledge him—hadn ’ t since they were mucking the barn days ago and she left in a huff.

He couldn ’ t quite describe what he ’ d felt when he saw the bruising on her skin outside of thinking it explained a lot.

A single woman showing up with a young kid always made people ask questions, but Sharp saw something in her that was more than needing a change of scenery.

Maybe the way she gave a little jump at loud sounds, and the way she pulled away when he asked about the marks, or how she was guarded over the simplest questions. It all made him more curious.

Hell, he shouldn ’ t have asked. He knew he could be tactless at times. The best detective was the one who observed first then asked questions second.

He could chalk it up to the rough military part of him.

After taking a long guzzle of water from his jug, he reflected on how farm work deepened his respect for hard labor—gave him time to clear his head.

Though he grew up here, he left for the military at eighteen and later joined the Texas Rangers, only returning to the farm occasionally when his schedule allowed.

He set down his water jug and saw Carsen near the tire swing, pretending a stick was a sword and battled invisible enemies.

Then Sharp saw CaDee.

She was inside the pig pen dumping slop. There was nothing elegant about the chore and she didn ’ t try hiding her disapproval. Her hair was piled high on her head and the bun flopped around as if she ’ d done a haphazard job at pulling it up. She wore those loose-fitting pair of jean bibs.

With bucket in hand, she weaved her way through the cluster of hungry pigs, and through the gate. That was when she saw him. Her eyes widened slightly, and she frowned. Something told him she didn ’ t trust him anymore than he trusted her.

It wasn ’ t that he didn ’ t trust her, but he could see she had a story to tell.

What he didn ’ t tell her was that he had Skeeter tow her car to Creed ’ s Creek so he could do the work himself. He wanted to save her a dime, and he enjoyed working on cars. He ’ d also made an oil change and put some air in her tires.

But what had him in a vice was what he found while he was under the car. Why would she have a tracker? A “ slap-and-track” device. Sharp recognized it as one law enforcement used to track suspects and vehicles.

This only made his suspicions grow.

He knew criminals. She didn’t fit the MO, but before he mentioned the tracker, and what he ’ d dug up on her, he first needed to observe.

“ Look at my sword.”

Sharp looked down. Carsen had come over and held up the stick proudly.

“ That ’ s a nice one you have there.” Sharp liked the kid. Over the last few days, he ’ d wandered up to Sharp just to say “ hi” and sometimes wanting to help build the fence. The kid was smart, no doubt, but somewhat sheltered. CaDee didn’t let him far out of her sight.

“ Carsen!” CaDee came rushing over, breathless. “ I told you to play near the tree.”

“ I had to show Sharp my sword,” Carsen said.

“ We don ’ t want to bother him. He ’ s busy. Let ’ s go back toward the house.”

“ Oh, Mom.” Carsen ’ s shoulders slumped as he did as she asked.

“ Just so you know, he wasn ’ t any bother.” Sharp could see the uneasiness in CaDee ’ s expression. He journeyed his gaze down the slope of the faded denim bibs that swam on her. “ You ’ re becoming a country girl in no time at all.”

“ Thanks to Piper. The fence…I see it ’ s almost done. I ’ ve noticed you ’ ve been working hard.”

“ This should keep you from chasing cows.” He tried to pull his gaze off her face, but the sunlight caught the color of her eyes, making them almost transparent. The bruising was gone, and she wore a short-sleeved shirt.

“ Skeeter brought my car back, but he said you repaired it.”

“ Can ’ t trust him to keep his mouth shut for nothing.” Sharp hadn ’ t wanted recognition.

“ It was supposed to be a secret?”

“ It doesn ’ t matter who fixed it. The important part is that the work is done.”

“ Thank you for your help. What do I owe you?”

He chuckled. “ Not a damn thing.”

“ How about dinner tomorrow night? In fact, why don ’ t you invite your father to come too? Piper speaks very highly of him.”

This was a turnaround from the last conversation they had together. Maybe she remembered the adage, keep your friends close and your enemies closer . Not that he was her enemy. Sometimes the way she looked at him though…

Sharp started to reject the invitation but stopped himself. Why would he not go? This was an opportunity to get to know CaDee and her situation better. Hell, he didn’t mind spending time with her. He liked a challenge.

He wondered if he could get past the guarded wall in her eyes what he would see there?

“ I ’ ll take you up on it, and Pa is always available for a home cooked meal.”

“ I should be getting back to my chores.” She took several backward steps. “ See you around six tomorrow?”

“Sounds perfect.” He reached down and picked up his hammer, then paused. He saw one of the pigs wandering in the yard. ” Closed gates stay closed. Open gates stay open.”

“Huh?”

“The pig pen gate wasn’t latched. You have a fugitive.”

“Oh no!” she groaned. She ran after the escaped pig that was munching on Piper’s marigolds.

CaDee’s movement toward the pig causing it to retreat.

They did a little dance as CaDee slowly stepped closer.

The pig oinked loudly in protest, and when CaDee lunged to catch the escapee it didn’t go so well for her.

Unfortunately, the grass was slick and muddy, and CaDee fell into a puddle, face first.

“ Ah, shit.” Sharp dropped his hammer and jogged over to make sure she was okay. She lifted her head, looking up at him. Mud covered her face. Tendrils of wet hair stuck to her rosy cheeks. Using the back of her hand, she scrubbed the wetness off her skin.

He laid out his hand and, after an initial hesitation, she allowed him to help her to her feet.

“ What just happened?” she muttered.

“ I should have warned you. Never rush a pig. They usually go right back into the pen after they test the waters.”

She rolled her eyes. “ He ’ s back in the pen.”

Sharp had to force his laughter down. She looked like a mess—a cute mess. Water dripped from the ends of her hair and chin. Mud was smeared all over her.

“ You want to laugh, don ’ t you?” She looked like she wanted to start a mutiny.

“ Of course not. There ’ s nothing funny about your situation. Could be worse.”

“ You think? How?”

“ Could have fallen in the pig pen and been covered in more than mud.”

Her nose wrinkled. “ I can ’ t walk into the house like this.”

“ Come on. I ’ ll show you what we do around here.” He led the way to the water hose. “ This will be cold.” He squeezed the trigger and sprayed water over her.

She squealed and ran in place as the cold water soaked her. He released the trigger.

“ I think you enjoyed doing that.” She stared him down.

“ We ’ ve all been there before. I don ’ t think you want to keep this.” He pulled a blade of grass out of her hair.

She smiled, but it didn ’ t quite reach her eyes.

“ Mommy why are you wet?”

Sharp laid the hose down. “ Your mama and a pig wrestled.”

Carsen giggled. Then Sharp couldn ’ t contain himself any longer. He laughed.

“ You two think this is funny, do you?” CaDee tapped her boot.

The next thing Sharp felt was a cool spray of water. “ Happy?” he said, swinging his head to dry his hair.

“ I thought you needed cooling off?” she said innocently, as a mischievous gleam burned in her eyes.

CaDee and Sharp turned their attention on Carsen as he laughed.

“ Are you thinking what I ’ m thinking?” Sharp said.

“ If you ’ re thinking that he ’ s still dry then yes. I don ’ t think that ’ s quite fair.”

“ Agreed.”

“ Let me remedy this.”

Sharp watched as CaDee chased Carsen, spraying him in spurts. Milo had joined the fun and was jumping and dancing around the mother-son duo.

Sharp felt…what? One minute he suspected her of foul play and the next he felt an undeniable attraction. This was a lot like…family.

His chest expanded. Sure, he could like her and Carsen, but feeling something more couldn ’ t happen, not this quick.

Not when he barely knew her.

At some point she ’ d turned the nozzle back toward Sharp and didn ’ t let up.

When she finally gave him some time to breathe, he said to Carsen, “ I think it ’ s our turn with the hose.” Sharp took a few steps toward CaDee and her water weapon.

“ Don ’ t come any closer,” she aimed the nozzle his direction, pulling the trigger in pulses as if that might deter his advancement.

She laid her head back and laughed. This was a new side to her. One that he could get used to seeing.

He lunged for the hose and got it from her. “ Now who ’ s afraid?” he joked.

“ You wouldn ’ t dare!” She held her hands up.

“ No?” He sprayed her and she and Carsen ran around in the water.

****

By the time they finished playing, all three of them looked like drowned rats. So, they laid under the warm sun to dry while Carsen and Milo played with a ball.

“ I haven ’ t seen him this happy in a long time,” she said to Sharp who was stretched out in the grass.

He sat up. “ There ’ s something about Fin ’ s Creek that makes people happy. The country air. The scenery. The people.”

She plucked a blade of grass and rolled it between her fingers. “ The views. The sunshine. The fresh air makes me think Texas is just showing off.”

“ Who needs gourmet coffee shops, fancy clothing stores, and high rises when you have that?” He jutted his chin toward the lush pasture then landed his warm gaze on her.

She felt warmth spread from her roots to her toes. “ You do have a point.”

“ This could be all yours. Texas has enough room for two more permanent residents.” His smile made his eyes twinkle.

She swiped her hands together. “ At some point I ’ d like for us to stop running.”

“ Running? From what?”

She realized her slip of the tongue. “ I only mean that I want us to find a place that ’ s ours. He ’ ll be starting school next year and I want to be settled.”

“ He ’ s a good kid.” He settled his gaze on her. “ He likes it here. Fin ’ s Creek has a lot to offer.” A moment passed between them, an unspoken thought.

This sobered her some.

She stood, feeling his gaze stay with her.

“ Carsen, it ’ s bath time.” He was already back to discovering bugs in an old tree.

“ I just took a bath,” he groaned emphatically.

“ Getting wet isn ’ t a bath.”

“ He fits right in here,” Sharp said as he stood, adjusting his Stetson back on his head.

“ Carsen! Come on,” she called again.

“ I want to play longer.”

“ Come on. I have chores to do inside.”

“ Give the kid ten more minutes.”

She took a step toward Sharp and said in a lowered voice, “ Do you have children?”

“ No, ma ’ am.”

“ Then please don ’ t get involved in the parenting of mine.” She saw the twinkle leave Sharp ’ s eye. If she were honest with herself, she felt a twinge of disappointment. She guessed she was a bit off balance being near Sharp

“ Note taken.” Sharp nodded stiffly. “ Carsen, see you soon, buddy.”

Carsen raced toward the house and CaDee was right behind.

Stepping onto the porch she saw that Piper was sitting in the rocker, watching. CaDee saw disapproval in the woman ’ s grey eyes.

“ Run ahead and get ready for your bath,” CaDee told Carsen. Once he was inside, she turned to Piper. “ Why do I feel like you want to say something to me?”

“ It ’ s okay to let loose and have some fun sometimes,” Piper said. “ It ’ s scary, but don ’ t let that keep you from living life.”

“ Really? When was the last time you had a good time yourself?” The stress had pushed CaDee over a boundary. It felt like a knot was unraveling in her stomach and she didn ’ t know how to handle the release. She took a step toward the door but Piper ’ s hand on CaDee ’ s elbow stopped her.

“ You know, we might have a lot more in common than you think.”

“ How would you know that? You and I haven ’ t had a friendly chat since I arrived. The only time you talk to me is when you ’ re telling me what I should do.”

Piper dropped her hand and an understanding crawled across her weathered features. “ I guess I ’ ve closed off a part of myself and it ’ s hard to get it back. Believe it or not, I want the best for you and Carsen.”

CaDee walked inside, battling tears. She hated how Dante embedded distrust inside her. Made her fear getting close to anyone.

Climbing the stairs grimly, she saw Carsen standing in the middle of the hallway holding a pair of Spiderman pajamas. “ Look, Mommy! These were on my bed.”

“ Th-that ’ s wonderful.” CaDee looked down the staircase where Piper was standing at the bottom looking up. “ Thank you,” CaDee said to Piper.

A lighthearted smile passed over the woman ’ s thin mouth before she stepped away from sight. CaDee reminded herself that the road to friendship went both ways. She needed to stop putting up walls to block people.