Texas Ranger Takes a Bride. Patricia Thayer

Ryan had stolen that same heart the second Chase walked into the shack to find the eight-year-old trying to be so brave.

      No, he was staying put. “Ryan…” He walked inside and stood at the end of the bed.

      “Chase…” Ryan quickly wiped his eyes. “You’re still here.”

      He nodded. “Your mom and I were talking. I wanted to make sure you were okay. Sometimes after something bad happens, people get scared again.”

      “Grown-ups, too?”

      “Yeah, I’ve seen grown men cry. How you acted the last two days was very brave. And a lot of people get nightmares.” He walked around to the side of the bed and sat down across from Mallory. “I’ve had a few myself.”

      “Really?”

      “I wouldn’t lie to you.”

      That got a smile from the boy and another funny feeling erupted inside Chase.

      “Ryan, you still need to go back to sleep,” his mother added. “There’s the roundup tomorrow. And if you want to help—”

      “I do,” he told her, then glanced back at Chase. “Will you come, too? It’s so much fun. Grandpa can’t ride but I get to help ’cause I’m eight this year.”

      “Ryan, Chase probably has to work.”

      “No, as a matter of fact, I’m off for the weekend.” He smiled at Ryan. “It’s been a few years since I did any roping. Maybe you can show me some pointers.”

      “Sure. So you’ll come?”

      “Wouldn’t miss it.”

      Mallory turned back to her son. “You will unless you get some sleep.” She kissed him and placed a lightweight blanket over the boy. “Good night, Ryan.”

      “Good night, Mom. Good night, Chase.”

      “Good night, son,” they both said in unison.

      Mallory allowed Chase out first, then she flicked off the light and closed the door. Silently they walked downstairs.

      “Are you angry because I said I’d come tomorrow?”

      She shrugged. “I’m protective of my son.”

      “Our son.”

      She didn’t hide her frustration. “Okay, let’s discuss our son. You really want to be in his life?” When he started to speak, she raised her hand. “Before you answer, Chase, be sure, because once you announce you’re his father you can’t just walk away. I won’t let it happen to him, not again…and I don’t care if you are a ranger. I’ll fight you or anyone to protect that boy.”

      An hour later, Chase found himself parking his truck in front of Jesse Raines’s house. Too keyed up to go home, he decided to take him up on his offer.

      He walked to the door, seeing the small tricycle and toys scattered in the yard. Another pang of sadness rushed through him as he knocked, then wondered if he should have just gone for a drink by himself. He wasn’t the type of guy who shared much, especially not his feelings.

      All that changed when the door opened and Jesse appeared. Dressed in nylon shorts and bare-chested, the young ranger looked as if he’d just finished a five-mile run.

      “Hey, what’s up?”

      “Is it too late to take you up on that offer for a beer?”

      Jesse smiled. “Never. Just happen to have a couple cold ones.”

      Chase stepped inside the neatly kept living room. An overstuffed sofa and chair were placed in front of the large television. Next to it was an overflowing toy box. The sound of kids in the background was muffled by a closed hall door.

      Jesse slipped on a T-shirt and motioned for him to follow him into the kitchen. He opened the refrigerator and took out a couple of long neck bottles. When Chase had transferred to Midland, Jesse had been the one who reached out to him. They had become friends.

      He twisted off the caps and handed one to Chase. “How’d it go tonight?”

      Chase took a long drink, then shrugged. “Ryan was happy to see me.”

      “That’s a good start.” Jesse walked to the sofa. “So you’re the boy’s father?”