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

to stare at her. As if those deep-set eyes could read her thoughts. “To be honest, Mr. Cooper—”

      “It’s Coop,” he interrupted. “I go by Coop.”

      “Coop,” she repeated. “I believe there’s someone else interested in the place.”

      He nodded toward the door. “The sign is still up in the yard.”

      He’d got her there. “Well, it’s not official. I’m just letting you know so you don’t get too excited.”

      “I guess I need to come back and talk to Mrs. Staley then. When will she be back?”

      Lilly shrugged. “It’s hard to say, she’s with her friends quilting. It could be hours.”

      He nodded, looking disappointed. “Okay. I guess I’ll have to wait.”

      He turned to leave when she heard the familiar voice. “Mom! Mom! Where are you?”

      “I’m in here, Robbie,” she called and went to the door.

      As fast as lightning, the five-year-old raced through the cottage door. “Colin and Cody are going swimming and they asked me to go, too. Can I, can I? Please.”

      “Robbie, slow down.” She brushed back her son’s blond hair that fell over his forehead. He stared back at her with blue eyes so like his father’s. It still caused her chest to tighten at the memories of their previous life. A father he’d never know.

      “If it’s okay with Colin and Cody’s mom?”

      “Yeah, she said you could probably get some more work done without me underfoot.”

      She wanted to grin. Her son started talking at a year and hadn’t slowed down since. “Maybe I should just put you to work, too.”

      He wrinkled his freckled nose. “Mom, I’m only five years old.”

      “Funny, yesterday you were counting the days to your sixth birthday.”

      “But I’m still a kid. I need to have some fun. It’s summer vacation.” Her son finally noticed Mr. Cooper. “Hi, who are you? I’m Robbie Perry.”

      “Robbie, this is Mr. Cooper,” she said, keeping a protective hand on her child’s shoulders.

      “Everyone calls me Coop, Robbie.”

      Her son glanced at her, then back at the stranger. “What are you doing here with my mom?”

      “Robbie.” She hoped to send a warning by her tone. She wasn’t happy with her son’s attitude, even if he had cause to be suspicious.

      “It’s okay,” Coop said. “He’s looking out for his mother.” He turned his attention to Robbie. “I want to rent this house. But your mother said someone else is interested in it.”

      Robbie’s frown deepened. “There is? Who, Mom?”

      Lilly felt her cheeks flame. Now her fib just got bigger. “I’m not sure.” She quickly changed the subject. “Why don’t you go and get your swim trunks and a towel.”

      His eyes widened. “I can go?”

      Lilly didn’t seem to have a choice. With her nod, her son did a fist pump and ran out.

      “That’s quite a boy you have there.”

      “Yes, he is. I wish I had his energy.”

      There was an uncomfortable silence, then Coop spoke. “Well, I should go, too,” he said. “Thank you, Mrs. Perry.”

      “Sorry it didn’t work out,” she said. “Hope you find a place. Are you working in the area?” Why was she asking? “I mean the ranches might be hiring if you have some experience.”

      Coop could see Lilly Perry was leery of him. After everything that had happened in the past few months, of course she would be, especially of any strangers. “I have ranching experience, but that’s not what I’m doing now. I’ll be working on the new houses project on the west side of town.”

      He saw her surprise. “For AC Construction? You work for Alex Casali?”

      “Yes, ma’am. I’m a finish carpenter by trade.” That part wasn’t a lie. If he pushed her for the cottage again, he might frighten her off. “Well, I guess I better continue my search. Goodbye.”

      Coop walked out the door, then along the path when the boy ran out of the main house. A bundle of energy, he bounded down the steps at full speed.

      “Hey, Robbie,” Coop called, wondering if the boy could help him. “Hey, by chance could you tell me where your grandmother has gone?”

      He nodded. “Oh, yeah, she’s quilting with her friends at the Blind Stitch.” He rolled his eyes. “It’s boring. They cut up old shirts and things to a make quilts. My sister does it, too.”

      “That’s good because guys have things that are just for guys.”

      The boy looked thoughtful. “Yeah, but I don’t get to do them too much ‘cause my dad died.”

      “I’m sorry to hear that.” He didn’t know what to say to the kid. A horn honked and let him off the hook. “Have fun swimming.”

      Coop watched the boy run off to the waiting car. He silently cursed the man for what he’d done to this family. Michael Perry had a pretty wife and a couple of kids. He lost it all so quickly.

      It was Coop’s job to find out who was behind Perry’s death. Was he the informant that never showed that night, or was it all just a coincidence?

      Now, he planned on finding the truth, and preventing any other people getting hurt in the process.

      Thirty minutes later, Coop found the Blind Stitch on Main Street. Not that it was that hard. The town of Kerry Springs, Texas, had a population of only about ten thousand. But he knew from experience that not all the people were good citizens.

      He opened the door and walked inside. Okay, maybe he would be more comfortable going into a seedy bar in El Paso, but he had a job to do.

      The store was laid out well. He was met with rows of colorful fabric that crowded the shelves and handmade quilts adorned the high walls. A large cutting table was busy with patrons waiting patiently for their turn. On the other side was a large doorway, opening into another area that had several rows of tables with sewing machines.

      Finally a young blonde woman came up to him, her stomach round from the late stage of pregnancy.

      “Hello, I’m Jenny Rafferty,” she said. “Is there something I can help you with?”

      “I was told that I’d find Beth Staley here.”

      The woman smiled. “Yes, Beth is here.” She nodded to a round table in the corner in the front of the windows where half dozen women sat. “‘The Quilting Corner’ ladies.”

      He nodded. “Thank you, ma’am.” He released a breath. He needed to sell this to make his job easier. Hat in hand, he put on a smile as he made his way to the table. The half dozen women, all different ages, suddenly stopped their conversation and stared at him.

      “Good afternoon, ladies,” he said. “I apologize for interrupting, but I’m looking for Mrs. Beth Staley.”

      “That would be me.” A tiny woman in her late fifties raised her hand. “Are you sure you got the name right?”

      The other woman laughed and Coop relaxed a little. “I’m sure if you’re the woman who has the cottage for rent?”

      When Beth smiled, he saw the resemblance to her daughter. Same sapphire eyes and shape of the face. The woman flashed a look at her friends, then back to him. “Why, yes, I do.”

      “Then I’m interested in renting it. I hope I’m not too late.”

      Mrs. Staley looked