Ranger Guardian Read online

  “Hey, sweetheart. How did today go?”

  “Bumble the rabbit died, Mommy. It’s so sad. I’ll miss her.”

  “That is sad, honey. Is your class all right?”

  “Yeah, Miss Darinda says it’s part of the circle of life. Like the lion movie.”

  “That’s true.”

  “I drew a picture. MiMi put it on the frigeator.”

  “I’ll be sure to look at it when I get home.”

  Skylar Dawn sighed long and very audibly into the receiver. “Working late again? My, my, my.”

  Her daughter mimicked frequent sayings of the adults around her. This particular one was used by Naomi in an attempt to make Kendall feel guilty or ashamed. Kendall already felt both, since she’d be missing time at home.

  “Yes, sweet pea. I’m working late, but I’ll be home in time to read a chapter from our book.”

  “I could get Daddy to read it.”

  God, she felt guilty enough without letting Heath know she was working late on a Monday. Tuesdays and Thursdays were normally spent in the office. That was Heath’s night at the house. For some stupid reason, she didn’t want him to know that the late hours were extending to other days of the week.

  “I’ll be home in time. Can you get MiMi?”

  “Love you, bye-bye.”

  Maybe it was superwoman syndrome or imposter syndrome or some other syndrome working mothers had come up with. Whatever it was could be added to the list of things she needed to face and talk about with Heath.

  Not Jerry. Not her mother. And not any other friend or coworker.

  It was time she admitted she couldn’t do everything.

  Right after she proved that Public Exposure wasn’t what they claimed.

  * * *

  HEATH’S PHONE ALARM SOUNDED. Five minutes until his six o’clock phone call. He swiped open the book, getting it ready to read for Skylar Dawn.

  “Barlow residence.”

  Naomi. Not the cheerful voice of his daughter.

  “Evening, Naomi. May I speak with Skylar Dawn?”

  “I’m sorry, Heath. She’s taking her bath. She got exceptionally dirty this afternoon hopping around like a bunny.” Naomi described the playful act with disgust.

  “Is Kendall available, or is she in with her?”

  “She’s not here tonight.”

  “And after Skylar Dawn’s done?”

  “Returning your call is not my responsibility, Heath.”

  “Gotcha. She’s being punished for getting dirty.” He waited, but Naomi didn’t respond. “At least tell her I called?”

  Again there was silence.

  If Heath hung up, it would be the only part of the conversation repeated to Kendall. He kept the line open, waiting until his mother-in-law responded. In fact, he put the call on speaker and looked at the book.

  He heard splashing and singing in the background. Naomi had returned to the bathroom.

  “I can’t stay on the phone any longer. It’s time to wash her hair.” She disconnected.

  “I think Naomi Barlow is in contention for the monster-in-law of the year award,” Wade Hamilton stated without looking across the office at Heath.

  “Mind your own business. Wait. That’s impossible for you, right?”

  “I was commiserating with you, man. I know what that phone call means to you.”

  “You’re as bad as an old meddling matchmaker. Admit it. You’re the one who assigned me to Kendall’s task force.” He swiveled in his chair to face Wade.

  No one else was in the office. He could speak freely. He had intended not to mention the conflict-of-interest part of his assignment. His anger was actually at his mother-in-law and the phone call. He should shut up. Keep it to himself—his general policy about everything these days.

  Too late now.

  Wade took a few seconds to smile like a cat skimming a bucket of milk still under the cow. Then he rolled his pen between his palms, shrugging his shoulders slightly.

  “I’m not sure if I should slug you or thank you.”

  “Hey, I’m just looking out for my own self-interests here,” Wade said, spinning back to his computer screen. “I’m tired of hearing Slate complain about your bad habits.”

  “I have a few stories I could tell.”

  He held up his hand. “God, no. I have no reason to listen to more. Instead, is there anything I can help you with?”

  “Thanks, but no. I’m running some facial recognitions and backgrounds. Why aren’t you going home?”

  Wade shrugged again. “I have my own demons to chase.”

  Demons? Heath recognized barriers. Several months ago Wade had been brutally beaten, cracking ribs and almost losing an eye. He would have lost his life if it hadn’t been for a woman named Therese Ortis warning another company Ranger, Jack MacKinnon.

  All traces of the woman had vaporized. Was she the demon Wade chased? Too late to ask. The conversation was over.

  It was a good time to step outside and call Kendall. He left a message when she didn’t answer, then texted her to call when she was home so he could talk with Skylar Dawn. The light pollution around here didn’t block every star in the sky. He perched against the tailgate and just looked out.

  There would be rain in the next couple of days. The color around the moon had changed. His mother had taught him that. He should take his daughter for a visit. Soon. But the nine-hour drive to Southwest Texas was hard enough when two parents shared the responsibilities.

  That had been the excuse, and his parents had accepted it. The last real trip they’d taken to Alpine had slowed them down further with the horse trailer to pick up Jupitar and Stardust almost a year ago. When had life gotten out of hand?

  The day I walked out of my house.

  Needing a pep talk, he dialed. “Hey, Mom. How’s everything going?”

  “It’s much the same. The baseball team looks to do pretty good this year. But you didn’t call to catch up on Sul Ross.”

  “I don’t mind hearing about it.” And he didn’t. Just listening to his mom’s voice gave him a sense of inner calm.

  “Are you still living...?”

  “At the Thompson ranch? Yes. And no, I haven’t really talked to Kendall. Skylar Dawn is growing and getting more amazing every day. She made new paintings for everyone. I’ll get it in the mail this weekend.”

  “No rodeo? No busting heads?”

  He rubbed his bruised ribs but knew his mother referred to Kendall’s mom. “That was this past weekend. Okay, maybe it happened a little tonight, too.”

  “Uh-huh. You’re going to kill yourself and make that woman very happy.”

  He was pretty sure he wouldn’t drop dead, but the pain was a constant reminder that he might not have too many rodeo days left. Maybe he should focus on more rides with Skylar Dawn instead.

  “Mom. We’ve talked about this. I need the money.” Yeah, he did. And one crack about his mother-in-law was all either of them was allowed.

  The extra work he did around the ranch still didn’t repay the Thompsons what boarding his two horses would cost. He was determined to make up the difference and not accept a free ride.

  “We could help you out, but you won’t let us.”

  “You already have three full-time jobs. A professor at the university, a wife and a nurse to Dad. You’re the one who needs to slow down. I should be sending money to you. Is he okay?”

  “Dad is still the same. He’s giving everyone what for, doesn’t remember doing it, then does it again.” She laughed. “I wish we could come see you, but breaking his routine is really hard.”

  “I know, Mom. I should be there.”

  “Nonsense. You have a very important job, a family and a wonderful daughter. Concentrate on those precious girls.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”
/>   “I’ll call my grandbaby this weekend. You okay? I should get your daddy into bed soon.”

  “Just that...I’m always better after talking to you.” His mother’s positive, can-do attitude poured out of her every sentence. “Love you.”

  “I love you, too, son.”

  Talking to at least one woman he loved gave him his second wind. He returned to his desk and began the computer searches he needed on Public Exposure. He wanted to know everything.

  Making a substantial contribution in the morning would make it much harder to stop his involvement with the case. The last thing he wanted was for Kendall to play the conflict-of-interest card.

  Wade finally went home.

  It was too late to speak with his daughter. Too late to read to her. He had no reason to text his wife. Again.

  “This can’t be right.” The addresses of the two drivers today weren’t only on the same street in Dallas—they were on the same block.

  He looked up the owners—not them, a corporation. Now the digging got fun. So fun he didn’t notice the time until it was two in the morning.

  Time to call it a night.

  He had what he’d been searching for. A good, solid, old-fashioned lead.

  Chapter Seven

  Kendall opened the front door and found Heath leaning against her SUV. One hand held a donut with sprinkles, and the other had a large coffee. Skylar Dawn ran past in her pink jeans and matching jacket.

  “Daddy!”

  Heath set the coffee cup down on the hood and lifted their daughter to his hip. He received his hug and smooches, then set their almost-four-year-old on the ground.

  “Is that for me?”

  “Yepper doodles.” He smiled like Kendall hadn’t seen him smile in months. “Jump inside and buckle up first.”

  He opened the door, got Skylar Dawn settled inside and handed her the donut, complete with a set of napkins to cover her favorite blue bunny shirt she wore in honor of Bumble the rabbit.

  Kendall stood there, finishing the last bit of coffee in her travel mug before setting it on the front porch. Without looking, she knew her mother disapproved behind the curtain. She didn’t care.

  Heath was a great father.

  Their baby girl had cried herself to sleep the night before. The tearstains had been apparent on her plump little cheeks. It had been a rare occasion that Kendall hadn’t made it home to tuck her into bed. Then she’d noticed her phone battery had gone dead. When she plugged it in, there were numerous messages from Heath.

  They’d ranged from upset about her mother to extremely worried about where she was to wondering why she was ignoring him and offering to pull himself from the Public Exposure investigation. She’d texted that her phone had died and received a Great in response.

  Of course it wasn’t great. Their situation was far from great.

  But watching him with their daughter made her knees melt. He showed so clearly how much he loved Skylar Dawn. It brought tears to her already puffy eyes. She hadn’t slept. A recurring vision of what could have happened at that intersection had kept her awake most of the night.

  “Come on, Mommy,” Skylar Dawn said between bites.

  “That better be a double shot, skim with a dash of vanilla,” she answered from the porch before joining them.

  “Why would I order you anything else?” He smiled at her, too.

  But as he handed it to her, he glared at the window where the curtains moved slightly. She didn’t blame him. Her mother had no right to decide Skylar Dawn shouldn’t speak with her father.

  That was a direction in which Kendall never wanted to head. No matter what happened between her and Heath, their daughter would never be used to hurt him. She’d made both of those points clear to her mother as soon as they’d gotten up.

  “How did you know to bring the donut this morning?” she whispered as she passed him.

  “I had a hunch.” He cut his eyes toward the window again.

  “I did speak with her about bath time.”

  “Ha. Like that has ever worked before,” he said to her over the SUV, then pulled at the booster seat straps to verify they were locked in place. “Mind if I ride in with you?”

  Not waiting for an answer, he jumped in the passenger seat and buckled up.

  He has a point.

  Setting her mother straight hadn’t ever done any good. The woman had a habit of behaving exactly how she pleased. Oh sure, her mother helped by picking up Skylar Dawn and spending the night whenever the job required late hours. But she never really let Kendall forget that she’d helped. Or that Naomi Barlow’s way was probably the better one.

  Explaining why Kendall did something a particular way didn’t matter. Naomi just nodded and proceeded as she liked. It was something Kendall had accepted for years.

  But not after last night.

  Not after seeing her precious little girl’s hitched breathing from crying in her sleep.

  “It won’t happen again, Heath,” she said, buckling her belt. She meant it. And she’d told her mother as much.

  He placed his hand over hers on the shifter. “Tell Naomi that next time, she’ll have to tell me to my face.” His voice was low and carefully controlled.

  They were all upset. Well, perhaps their daughter wasn’t any longer. Her smile had white icing and rainbow sprinkles surrounding it.

  “Is that good, sweet pea?” She changed the subject instead of reassuring Heath again.

  Skylar Dawn nodded, holding out the now-icing-free donut. “Want a bite?”

  “No thanks, Daddy brought me my own treat.”

  They drove to the day care, listening to stories of Bumble the rabbit. The kids had a memorial service planned for today. Kendall tried to concentrate, but her brain—and body—kept coming back to the surge of energy she’d felt when Heath’s hand had covered hers.

  The split second of comfort and reassurance had done crazy things to her emotions. She missed that feeling. Missed driving together. Missed family dinners.

  Missed him.

  This tsunami of emotions set her dangerously close to tears as Heath walked inside the day care with Skylar Dawn. She had only a few minutes to get herself together.

  Turn off the emotions. Turn on professionalism. Think professionally.

  “Man, those kids are taking this bunny thing seriously,” he said, getting back into the car.

  Kendall pulled through the drive and was back on a major street before she tried to think of something to say. But her mind was blank. Wiped spotless like a counter top after her mother had cleaned.

  “Find anything by working late last night?” he asked.

  Professional.

  “I eliminated possibilities, but haven’t found anything specific.”

  “I worked late, too.” His voice held a subtle tease that she recognized.

  “How could you find something on the first day?”

  “I didn’t want to speculate yesterday. But I kept getting the feeling that the drivers of the other cars knew each other.”

  “I totally missed that.”

  “You were kind of shaken up.”

  A professional wouldn’t admit that she’d been shaken up all night. “Did they know each other?”

  “It goes beyond that. They’re both members of Public Exposure. Have been for about three years.”

  Six years ago, she had slammed on the brakes and hugged him after a similar announcement. It had broken the ice, and after their joint case was over, they’d gone on a date. Then another and another.

  “It’s hard to believe they’d be that bold and try to...to...”

  “Kill us? They probably would have liked those results.” He took out his phone. “I have their address. They live on the same block off Wycliff, near Uptown.”

  Genuine excitement. They mig
ht be getting a break. She headed the SUV in the general direction that would take them north of downtown Dallas. New nightclubs and restaurants were springing up in the area all the time. Housing was sort of limited and in high demand, barely keeping up.

  “You got a lot accomplished last night.”

  “There’s more. They were both convicted of fraud. The Postal Inspection Service brought charges that stuck. The guy’s still on probation. He’ll see his probation officer next week.”

  “Why didn’t you mention this yesterday? I could have saved you time and run it through the FBI database.”

  “I got what we needed,” he said, pointing out a left turn. “I could just as easily have been wrong and wasted the whole night.”

  “But you weren’t. This might just be the break we needed.”

  “Are you going to tell me why you feel so strongly about this case? What made you think there’s more to it?”

  “Maybe I had a hunch myself.”

  She couldn’t admit she needed something big for her next promotion. Or that the promotion might result in a transfer. Not after the night they’d all just had. She wasn’t prepared to have that conversation yet. Talk about counting chickens before they hatch.

  She glanced at him during a stop light. He was waiting, patiently. Good grief, wasn’t there anything bad about the man? Oh yeah, he wanted her to quit her job.

  “It bugged me that this antisocial group would be paying people to monitor their social media use. Where’s all the money coming from for their so-called study?”

  “Have you checked on that?”

  “One fund. They actually told me about that.”

  “You’ve interviewed them? Been to their offices?”

  “I actually made a phone call. I don’t have enough to subpoena their financial records. Maybe they thought if they told me, I’d give up.”

  “But it just made you more curious.”

  “Exactly.”

  “If there was an actual social media study, they’d have a variety of participants. Almost all of the people who were accepted are over the age of sixty. They’re almost all single-person households and all homeowners.”

  “I noticed that, too. Wouldn’t you want to target social media users under thirty? I mean, if you’re trying to change the world and want less use. Why such weird participants? That’s what piqued my curiosity. Then I found the odd complaint about being watched or feeling like they were being watched.”