Jan Hudson - The Texas Ranger

With his star pinned to his shirt and his gunned clipped to his belt, he looked every inch the tough Texas Ranger…except for the infectious smile

Skye walked straight into Sam’s arms, and before she knew it, she was dancing as she’d never danced before, feet flying and laughter bubbling from her like an artesian well. One dance led to another and another. She could have danced all night.

Suddenly a woman screamed and a fight broke out at the bar.

Skye froze. Panic hit her like a lightning bolt as the place erupted into pandemonium.

She had to get out!

Dear Reader,

For those of you who have been following the Outlaw family books, this is the last of the four brothers and a sister, all named for famous outlaws, following a tradition established by their grandfather. Sam Bass Outlaw’s story, The Texas Ranger, like Belle’s story, The Rebel, is set mostly in Wimberley, Texas, a real small town in central Texas known for its guest ranches, artisans and picturesque surroundings.

When I lived in Houston, a talented artist friend used to wax poetic about spending weekends in their river cabin in Wimberley, and other friends used to rave about the charming village, but I’d never been there until we moved to Austin. Cypress Creek and the Blanco River are the stuff of picture postcards, and when the wildflowers bloom it’s breathtaking.

Since a big hunk of my heart remains in East Texas with its tall pine trees and the rest of the Outlaw family, we’ll revisit Naconiche and the magic of The Twilight Inn Motel as well as meet the newest members of the clan.

In this book, I’ve also returned to my roots in psychology and hypnosis to deal with some special issues that haunt a heroine I’ve come to adore, Skye Walker. And I’ve always been a sucker for tall, dark, handsome Texas Rangers.

Enjoy!

Jan Hudson

The Texas Ranger

Jan Hudson

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Jan Hudson, a former college psychology teacher, is a RITA® Award-winning author of thirty books, a crackerjack hypnotist, a dream expert, a blue-ribbon flower arranger and a fairly decent bridge player. Her most memorable experience was riding a camel to visit the Sphinx and climbing the Great Pyramid in Egypt. A native Texan whose ancestors settled in Nacogdoches when Texas was a republic, she loves to write about the variety of colorful characters who populate the Lone Star State, unique individuals who celebrate life with a “howdy” and “y’all come.” Jan and her husband currently reside in Austin, and she loves to hear from readers. E-mail her at JanHudsonBooks@gmail.com.

HARLEQUIN AMERICAN ROMANCE

1017—THE SHERIFF *

1021—THE JUDGE *

1025—THE COP *

1135—THE REBEL *

SILHOUETTE DESIRE

1035—IN ROARED FLINT

1071—ONE TICKET TO TEXAS

1229—PLAIN JANE’S TEXAN

1425—WILD ABOUT A TEXAN

1432—HER TEXAN TYCOON

For the heroic Texas Rangers, past, present and future.

And for the eight great in Travis Country.

Thanks y’all.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Epilogue

When he spotted the blonde across the room, Sam felt as if he’d been hit upside the head with a tire iron. For a minute all he could do was stare at her. And she stared back. He wasn’t sure what was going on between them, but he aimed to find out. She was a beauty.

Sam made a beeline through the crowd toward her. The closer he got, the more sure he was that he might have to arrest her. He figured she must have stolen those eyes from heaven. They were big and blue and reeled him in as pretty as if he were a black bass on a twelve-pound line.

“Hello,” he said to her, flashing his best smile. “I’m Sam Outlaw, Belle’s brother.” He figured that the blonde knew Belle since this shindig was given in honor of her buying and becoming publisher of the Wimberley Star newspaper.

She smiled back. “I’m Skye Walker, Gabe’s sister.”

“Gabe’s sister?” Gabe Burrell was an old friend of Sam’s, the host of the party and the guy who was hot for his sister, Belle. “If I’d known that Gabe’s little sister looked like you, I’d have been beating down your door. Wonder why he never told me?”

She laughed, a soft chuckle that was both sweet and sensuous. “He told me about you. And so did Belle. You’re the youngest of the Outlaw brothers and a Texas Ranger.”

“Yes, ma’am. That’s me. How about a dance?” It was the best way he could think of to get her into his arms.

Skye’s eyebrows lifted as she glanced around the room. “There’s no music and no dance floor.”

“Darlin’, I’m not one to let a little thing like that stop me. There’s an empty spot behind the buffet table, and I’ll hum.” He grabbed her hands and pulled her to him.

A big German shepherd who’d been lying beside her suddenly rose, hackles up. His teeth were bared and a low growl rumbled in his throat.

“Take your hands off me,” Skye said.

“Honey, I’m harmless. Honest.”

The dog growled again.

Sam dropped his hands.

“Sit, Gus.”

The dog sat. But he didn’t take his eyes off Sam.

“He yours?” Sam asked.

She nodded. “He’s very protective. Excuse his manners. Gus, Sam is a friend.”

No stranger to animals, Sam tentatively held out the back of his hand for the dog to sniff. Gus didn’t seem interested in getting acquainted. He merely eyed him suspiciously, as if waiting for a reason to take a plug out of his butt.

“May I get you a drink?” he asked.

She held up her wineglass. It was full.

“Okay. How about you get me one?”

Skye looked amused. “What would you like?”

“Anything you want to give me.”

She caught the eye of a kid with a tray and motioned for him. She plucked a glass from the tray and handed it to Sam. “Champagne. In honor of Belle’s new position. Cheers.” She clinked her flute against his.

Sam sipped. “Mmm. The good stuff. Have you raided the food yet? I just got here, and I’m starved.”

“Can’t have that. Let’s find something to take the edge off.” She walked to the spread on the table. He and Gus followed. She handed him a plate and took one for herself.

“Skye, dear, who is this darling man? I swear he’s as tall as the door. And just as solid I suspect.” The middle-aged woman dressed in purple sparkles flashed a big smile up at him and held out her hand. “I’m Flora Walker, Skye and Gabe’s mother. I’m guessing that you must be Sam. I must have missed you when you came in.”

“Yes, ma’am. Sam Outlaw. I just got here.”