Texas Christmas Defender. Elizabeth Goddard

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       TWO

      “Tanya!” Inez called, using Adriana’s assumed name.

      She kept her gaze fixed on the handsome Ranger but angled her head toward the barn door, where Kiana had finally exited. “If I don’t tell her something, she’s going to come out here to the barn and see you. I don’t want her to get hurt.”

      Adriana didn’t see any point in trying to escape the Ranger. He was here now. But she didn’t want Inez to come between them and end up becoming collateral damage. Maybe Adriana should have thought about that when she’d chosen to stay with Inez and take on the llama ranch, but Inez had saved her life.

      As far as Ranger McCord was concerned, Adriana wasn’t sure if she could trust this man yet, though she wanted to, and though she had a strong feeling she could. He tried to appear cold and intense, but she saw the compassion behind his gaze. The problem was that she didn’t know if she could trust her own judgment when it came to him—a man she didn’t even know. The only thing she knew for sure was that she had saved his life. And risked her own life to do it. That one decision had forever changed everything about her life. Did it matter as much to him as it did to her?

      What was it about this handsome Texas Ranger that had her head spinning when she was near him? Had her doing crazy things?

      He nodded. “Tell her, then. And don’t worry. I have no intentions of hurting anyone.”

      Sorrow flickered in his gaze. Interesting.

      She stepped to the barn door opening. “I’m out here,” she called. “I’ll be there in a minute, Inez.”

      Her friend nodded, her bright smile easy to see from the porch of the house. “The cinnamon rolls are baking. They’ll be ready soon.”

      Adriana focused her attention back on Ranger McCord. “Though you say you’re not going to hurt us, that doesn’t mean I’m ready to trust you. I can’t be sure you’re one of the good guys. But what now? Are you going to join us for our Christmas celebration or arrest me and take me in?”

      He appeared to ponder her question. Hadn’t he already thought this through? Just what had he planned to do once he found her?

      Then, finally, he said, “I don’t want you running away.”

      Was that his agreement to spend Christmas Day with them? “Where would I run to? Inez is expecting me any minute. So you’d better make your decision. Are you going to join us, and if so, are you marching into the house as a gun-wielding Texas Ranger?”

      He frowned. “I’ll...sneak around so she won’t see me leaving the barn. Knock on the front door. You can introduce me as an old friend. Act surprised to see me or something.”

      “Are you saying that you’re not going to take me in yet? You’re going to let me enjoy my Christmas?” If she even could after Ranger McCord had scared her by holding a gun to her head. Her legs still shook, but she wouldn’t let him see her fear.

      “If you can still enjoy it while I’m here.”

      “I’m not going to let you ruin this joyful occasion.” Besides, she felt sorry for the man. Anyone who was alone on Christmas deserved her sympathy. “And you’re just pathetic enough in your loneliness that I’m compelled to extend a proper invitation to you.” She allowed a soft smile for the Ranger she’d thought about for two years, now here with her again. Who would have thought? “Will you join us for Christmas?”

      He seemed to consider her request for a moment, questions swirling in his gaze before it softened, his decision made. “I’d be happy to.” He stood taller, lingering suspicion in his eyes, but he still offered her a friendly grin and triple dimples lit up his cheeks. She’d almost forgotten about those. Considering the tingling in her toes that they caused, she wished he hadn’t flashed them now.

      Adriana quickly forced her attention from the attractive lawman wearing a Stetson. “Now, I’ll go distract Inez while you sneak out.”

      “Wait,” he said. “I’m letting you walk out of my sight on good faith, because...because it’s Christmas.”

      His tone had softened. Can I trust you? She read that desperate question in his eyes and realized he wanted to trust her as much as she wanted to trust him. They were two of a kind—reaching across an invisible barrier that separated them and trying hard to seal their connection.

      She nodded. They understood each other. But when she headed for the exit, he tugged her back and gripped her arm, his face mere inches from hers. “I haven’t decided if I think you’re guilty yet or not. I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt, for now, but if you try anything, you’ll soon wish you hadn’t.”

      She didn’t like that he’d suddenly tried to sound gruff, but at least she could see his hesitation, see the softer side of him behind the facade. Warmth spread through her. “And if you decide I’m innocent, what then?”

      He studied her, his intense eyes taking her all in, unsettling her in ways she couldn’t explain. “Either way—guilty or innocent—I’m here to protect you from your brother.”

      She hadn’t asked for his protection. Wasn’t sure she wanted it. And for how long would he be hanging around? Adriana didn’t like this uncertainty one bit. On the other hand, his presence did add another layer of defense against her brother, should he show up.

      Heart pounding, she arched a brow, then yanked her arm free and left the barn. After all Inez had done for her, she wasn’t sure she could lie to the woman about her relationship with Brent. Or, rather, nonexistent relationship. Nor did she believe she could hide the fact he was a Texas Ranger who had found her. But telling the truth about Brent would require her to reveal all the secrets that had become her burden to bear in her mission to hide her true identity on the llama ranch.

      Inez knew some of it already, of course. Adriana had been here only a month when she’d shared with Inez who she really was. Her old name. After all, Inez had found her dehydrated, bruised and exhausted from the trek across the harsh Mexican terrain until she’d crossed the Rio Grande and collapsed on Inez’s property.

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