Ranger Guardian. Angi Morgan

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       Chapter Two

      Wade Hamilton shoved the last file into the back of the box. It represented months of work and the official end of his desk duty. It had taken him almost as long to heal from the beating he’d received six months ago. But everything worked again. Both with his body and his status as a Texas Ranger Company B lieutenant.

      Ready to take his place at his partner’s side. Ready to get out from behind his desk. Back to handling things by the seat of his pants instead of the rule book. Doing so had landed him in this desk chair. He’d learned his lesson to slow down and think a little. He liked fieldwork...not paperwork.

      Unfortunately, Major Clements had discovered Wade was good at paper shuffling. He’d been allowed to assist with a few cases as backup for Company B brothers. But the paperwork grew while he was gone.

      It seemed like the rest of the office had grown accustomed to him shuffling their requests, too. Coming in early and staying late was second nature now. Why not, since he had no life?

      That’s where he was bright and early on a Monday morning. At work before the rest of the staff or other Rangers finished their first cup of coffee, he was shuffling papers. Almost done, the latest request for his company’s support caught his eye. He knew the name of the FBI agent heading the task force. He’d attended her wedding just over five years ago.

      Kendall Barlow was the new team leader of a cybercrime task force and asking for computer and field support on the joint task force. Heath—her husband and the logical choice—had already been assigned to cybercrime. Now their relationship would need to be reviewed and disclosed. He’d been on the task force since it was headed by Jerry Fisher. But still, Murray was the best geek Company B had.

      It was up to Wade to recommend someone else or okay Heath for a couple of days in the field with Special Agent Barlow.

      It was also an opportunity to resolve his friend’s problem. He’d been listening to Slate talk about his temporary roommate for six months. How he worked the horses, cleaned the stalls, never missed a phone call with his daughter and never—ever—spoke to his wife. Heath, on the other hand, never said a word. Wade held on to the paperwork and grabbed a second cup of coffee.

      Who was he to jump in to the middle of a man’s business? Especially marriage problems? But the more he tried to talk himself out of it, the more his gut told him to assign Heath to work with his wife.

      Slate and Jack were both standing at his desk when he returned from the break room. Before he asked their advice, Jack pointed to the request.

      “What’s this?”

      “You’re sending him, right?” Slate asked. “It’s exactly what they both need to force them to figure out what’s going on.”

      “You think so?”

      “Damn straight,” they answered together.

      “The man’s turning into a bear,” Slate said. “I might take his head off if he snarls at Vivian again.”

      “If the FBI put in the request, you should accommodate it,” Jack stated, hanging his jacket on the rack.

      “What if she doesn’t want it?” Wade asked, already knowing that he would recommend Heath.

      “Then she has a friend who is thinking along the same lines we are.” Slate took his seat opposite Wade. “Maybe she’s as cranky as he is.”

      “Who’s cranky?” Heath asked as he walked through the door.

      “The old man, Major Clements,” Jack said, jumping in. “We’re coming up with reasons he might be out of sorts. I say he’s getting ready to retire. Wade says his wife might be cranky.”

      “My bet’s on the wife.” Heath winced as he took off his jacket, holding his side. “The old man’s never going to retire.”

      The guys nodded in agreement. Slate mouthed “Bear,” while pointing to Heath behind his hand.

      Wade recognized Heath’s movement. When his own ribs had been cracked, he’d held his side the same way. Heath had probably injured himself at the rodeo this weekend. But he’d never admit it.

      Wade agreed with hiding it from the boss. If he hadn’t been unconscious with an eye swollen twice its size, he probably would have taken a couple of days off and never admitted anything about the beating. Or about the woman who’d saved his life by alerting Jack to his whereabouts.

      Time to put his own fantasies to rest and find the woman who haunted his dreams... Therese. If he couldn’t work on that, the least he could do was help get Heath and Kendall back together.

      He reached for the request, ready to recommend his friend and submit it to Major Clements. The old man would make the final decision if Company B would waive the conflict of interest. Maybe Heath and Kendall could find mutual ground and resolve their differences.

      If not, then this assignment would at least help them reach that decision, too.

      He completed the paperwork and sent it on its way. Assignment made.