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

dropping off his barbecue beef and chicken. He’ll be out here soon.”

      “So I’m finally getting to sample some of this famous sauce I’ve heard about,” Coop said.

      “You haven’t been to Rory’s Bar and Grill?”

      Coop shook his head.

      “Well, you’re in for a treat,” Beth said. “People come from miles for a taste of his sauce. He’s been talking about marketing it.” Then she realized how much she was giving away. “Well, he’s talked about it a little.”

      “What a great idea,” Lilly said.

      It didn’t take long before Sean Rafferty came out of the back followed by two younger men. Coop recognized one as Jenny’s husband, Evan. Seeing the close resemblance to the other male, he guessed him to be Matt Rafferty. The one who had quite the reputation with the ladies.

      Sean grinned when he spotted Beth. “Beth. You made it.” He kissed her on the mouth, then hugged her close. “I missed you.” He had no trouble showing affection, and he wasn’t the only one in the family. His sons followed suit, hugging Beth. So everyone was happy with the couple.

      “Hello, Coop.” Sean shook his hand. “I’d like you to meet my sons, Evan and Matt. Boys, this is Noah Cooper. He rents Beth’s cottage and works for Alex.”

      “Good to meet you,” Coop said to Evan. “I saw you at the hospital, but I guess you were a little preoccupied.”

      Evan laughed and hugged his wife close. “Yeah, Jenny has a tendency to distract me, along with this little guy.”

      “Can’t say I blame you. Congratulations.”

      “Thank you.”

      Coop looked at Matt. “Hello, Matt. I hear you run a vineyard and a cattle ranch.”

      The younger brother put on a grin. “Among other things. So you’re working for Alex?”

      “I’m a carpenter.”

      He nodded. “And a lucky man to be staying with Beth and Ms. Principal here?”

      “I’m renting the cottage out back.”

      Beth jumped in. “Coop is also helping out with some repairs on the house.”

      Matt nodded, but didn’t respond. Was the guy wondering if there was something going on between him and Lilly? Had the two dated before?

      There were loud voices and they all looked to see more people coming. “Oh, the Merricks are here,” Lilly announced. “Look at Louisa, doesn’t she look great? I hear her and Clay are off on another trip soon.”

      Coop recognized the older gentleman as Senator Clayton Merrick, soon to be retired after he finished this last term. He wasn’t sure who the others were.

      “I didn’t expect to see her here,” Matt Rafferty murmured.

      Coop turned around to see a petite raven-haired woman. She was beautiful. Seemed Matt Rafferty wasn’t exactly happy.

      “Of course Alisa would be here,” Beth said. “She’s the project manager on Vista Verde.”

      “What’s the matter, Matt?” Evan asked as he nudged him. “Wouldn’t Alisa give you the time of day?”

      “I don’t need her to give me anything.”

      Jenny stepped in. “Oh, come on, Alisa’s not like that. You just don’t know her.” She smiled at her brother-in-law. “It couldn’t be anything you said or did to her, could it?”

      Matt shrugged, but Coop could see that the woman got under his skin. “Doesn’t matter,” he said. “There’s too many other women around.” He wandered off and found two willing females to spend time with.

      Beth patted Sean’s hand. “He just needs to find that special one.”

      Sean didn’t look convinced and suggested, “Why don’t we go and see Clay and Louisa and find out about their latest travels?”

      Beth looked at her daughter. “Would you mind?”

      “Of course not. Go and enjoy yourselves.”

      The baby had fallen asleep and Lilly gave him back to Jenny.

      “You have the touch,” the new mother said. “I better go put him in his carrier.” Jenny walked off with her husband.

      With everyone’s desertion, that left Coop with Lilly. “My mother looks so happy.” She beamed. “I couldn’t have picked any better guy for her. Sean raised his sons on his own after his wife left them years ago. Never complained, and his boys came first. So he hasn’t seriously dated anyone.” She sighed. “What am I doing? They only started seeing each other and I have them married. Maybe it’s just a friendship.”

      He cocked an eyebrow at her. He’d seen how Rafferty looked at Beth. He might be in his late fifties, but the man’s look showed desire.

      Coop started to respond when he saw Stephanie Perry walk in with Santos. “Your sister-in-law has arrived.”

      “My ex-sister-in-law. Darn, I was hoping she wouldn’t show today. If she comes anywhere near me, I’m calling the sheriff.”

      “No need, I’m here,” he told her, knowing he wanted to keep an eye on Santos. He only hoped that he’d show his hand today. Maybe get some idea what was going on. They could slip and say something. It was a long shot, but that was what he lived for.

      After eating far too much, Lilly ended up alone at the table. Robbie and Kasey had both finished and run off with friends. Since her daughter had been so cheerful, Lilly let her off restriction for a few hours. Her mother was with Sean and their friends. Noah had taken off, to speak with Alex about something work-related.

      Okay, pity party of one.

      “Well, well, sister dear. Seems you’re all alone. Again.”

      Lilly tensed as she turned to see Stephanie. “Go away, or I’ll get someone to remove you.” She glanced across the room but no sign of anyone to help. She got up to leave.

      Stephanie stopped her. “Just give me a moment.”

      Lilly sank back down on the bench. “Why should I? All you do is harass me. You have everything already, what else could you want from me?”

      Stephanie raised a calming hand. “Just something that’s gone missing. Some tax information that Mike had. I just thought he might have left a box that got mixed up with your stuff.”

      Lilly didn’t trust her. “Why would I have anything of Mike’s. He’s been gone nearly two years.”

      Stephanie seemed to stumble over her words. “Well, we need all the tax records for the last seven years. We’re being audited.”

      Lilly shook her head. “I don’t have it.”

      The bigger woman was crowding her space. “Maybe there’s a box somewhere. In the attic, or a closet.”

      “I told you it’s all gone. Now I’ve got to go.”

      “To your new boyfriend?”

      Lilly froze. “That’s my business. We’re done here.”

      “But you need to help me find the papers.”

      “For the last time, no. And if you don’t stop harassing me, I’ll get a restraining order.”

      The woman looked shocked, but then a sneer came across her face. “You don’t have the guts.”

      * * *

      Coop had been keeping a close watch on Santos all afternoon, but the man had stayed pretty close to Stephanie. They spent time with neighbors and friends, also with the hosts Alex and Allison Casali. One thing for sure, Rey Santos seemed to be well acquainted with