Tall, Dark, Texas Ranger / Once Upon A Christmas Eve. Patricia Thayer

       Tall, Dark, Texas Ranger

       Patricia Thayer

       Once Upon a Christmas Eve

       Christine Flynn

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

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      Dear Reader,

      I’m back in Kerry Springs. There are so many wonderful characters in this small Texas town, and this time I got to add a little danger, a little suspense—then throw in a sexy Texas Ranger and you have a great mix.

      My heroine is Lilly Perry. You’ve met her briefly in Little Cowgirl Needs A Mum. She’s the elementary school principal and a divorced mother with two kids: Kasey and Robbie. She has moved back into her childhood home with her widowed mother.

      The twist is Ranger Noah ‘Coop’ Cooper is working undercover. One day Coop comes knocking at her door, wanting to rent the cottage out back. Soon he becomes the new handyman, doing repairs on the old Victorian home while trying to learn the truth about Lilly’s ex-husband’s death.

      Even though Lilly has sworn off men, seeing this fine specimen shirtless, and with a tool belt slung low on his hips, causes her to re-evaluate that decision—until she discovers it’s all a lie.

      I hope you enjoy their journey as much as I did writing the story.

       Patricia Thayer

       Tall, Dark, Texas Ranger

       Patricia Thayer

      About the Author

      Originally born and raised in Muncie, Indiana, PATRICIA THAYER is the second of eight children. She attended Ball State University, and soon afterwards headed West. Over the years she’s made frequent visits back to the Midwest, trying to keep up with her growing family.

      Patricia has called Orange County, California, home for many years. She not only enjoys the warm climate, but also the company and support of other published authors in the local writers’ organisation. For the past eighteen years she has had the unwavering support and encouragement of her critique group. It’s a sisterhood like no other.

      When she’s not working on a story, you might find her travelling the United States and Europe, taking in the scenery and doing story research while thoroughly enjoying herself accompanied by Steve, her husband for over thirty-five years. Together they have three grown sons and four grandsons. As she calls them, her own true-life heroes. On her rare days off from writing you might catch her at Disneyland, spoiling those grandkids rotten! She also volunteers for the Grandparent Autism Network.

      Patricia has written for over twenty years and has authored over thirty-six books. She has been nominated for both the National Readers’ Choice Award and the prestigious RITA^®. Her book Nothing Short of a Miracle won a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award.

      A long-time member of romance Writers of America, she has served as President and held many other board positions for her local chapter in Orange County. She’s a firm believer in giving back.

      Check her website at www.patriciathayer.com for upcoming books.

      To Mom,

      Your strength and endurance amazes me.

      I’m one proud daughter.

      CHAPTER ONE

      COULD this be his lucky day?

      Noah Cooper drove down Maple Street and saw the Cottage For Rent sign in the front yard of the three-story Victorian house. He couldn’t get any closer if he’d planned it. Now all he had to do was make sure he became the new tenant. He parked his truck at the curb under the large tree and climbed out, immediately feeling the Texas heat.

      He also felt a stir of excitement as he made his way up the walk to the porch and climbed the crumbling concrete steps to the peeling porch floor and rang the bell.

      It was a new job. A new challenge.

      No answer. He glanced down and saw the sign on the doorknob that read, Gone Quilting.

      Not to be detoured, he followed the wraparound porch to a set of stairs and a pathway that led to a large backyard. Even though the house looked a little shabby there were colorful flowers that filled the beds and the lawn had been recently cut. He guessed it paid to have family in the landscaping business.

      In the back of the large lot he spotted a second structure. It was a much smaller scale, but the cottage was a singlestory clapboard with decorative shutters. The same gray and burgundy colors that were faded and peeling as the main house. Even though it might be a little feminine for his tastes, the location was ideal. He started for the door, hoping to get a look inside.

      Stepping up onto the small porch, he saw the door ajar and heard music. Peering inside, he found a main living area with a brick fireplace. On the other wall was a row of cabinets with compact appliances and a small table with two chairs. The place was furnished, but from what era? That was when he spotted the movement.

      A woman was on her hands and knees scrubbing the floor, keeping in time with the country song. Her nice shapely bottom swaying back and forth as her arms fought against the dirty tile, singing along with Carrie Underwood. Rich brown hair with golden strands was pulled up in a knot on top of her head, but most had escaped. Her tank top and shorts showed off a trim but curvy body.

      His body suddenly came alive. In his profession that didn’t happen often, especially in the past year. But now wasn’t the time to suddenly get his libido back. He had a job to do.

      “Excuse me, ma’am,” he called over the music.

      Lilly heard her name and looked over her shoulder to find the stranger. She jumped, nearly hitting her head on the table.

      She swore softly and the man started toward her. Holding up her hand, she stopped him from coming too close.

      “Are you all right?”

      With a nod, she managed to get to her feet and shut off the music. Then she turned around to get a look at her intruder.

      Big. Tall. He had nearly black hair, thick and wavy, but his eyes were a whiskey-brown. He was dressed in faded jeans and a chambray shirt and boots much like south Texans, but she’d grown suspicious of any strangers.

      “Who are you?” she said a little too harshly.

      He didn’t look to be intimidated at all. “I’m hoping I’ll be your new tenant,” the man said with a nod of his head. “I’m Noah Cooper.”

      “Lilly Perry, but I’m not the landlord. It’s my mother, Beth Staley, who owns the place