Terri Reed - Daughter of Texas

“Of course. In my room. I’m just bummed I didn’t get the guy.” A pained expression tightened her features. “Or had it on me earlier!”

He shuddered at the thought of her confronting either assailant. And to chase after this one! What had she been thinking?

If this was the same culprit who’d killed her father, he could have easily shot at her again. Why hadn’t he? And where was the SAPD officer who’d been standing guard?

Ben decided he’d puzzle the questions out later. For now he had to stay focused on Corinna. This was his fault. He’d allowed her to be put in danger. He’d let his captain down.

Heart thudding in time with the pounding at his temple, he said, “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have let you stay here.”

Hugging her robe around her middle, she said, “You didn’t have much say in the matter.”

His jaw tightened. He’d made the mistake once of letting her talk him into going against his better judgment. There wouldn’t be a repeat. Not on his watch.

Where was the police officer he’d had guarding her? “Did you see the SAPD officer?”

Her eyebrows pulled together. “I didn’t.”

The sound of squealing tires and car doors slamming announced the arrival of other Rangers.

Anderson Michaels thundered onto the porch. His blond hair was mussed and his sharp eyes were filled with concern. “You two okay?”

Ben nodded over the top of Corinna’s head. “She’s unhurt. Someone broke in and trashed the study. He ran out through the back patio doors. Like last time. The SAPD officer is missing.”

Pulling his weapon from the back of his sweatpants, Anderson said, “I’ll find him.” He hurried around the corner of the house.

Another car barreled into the driveway. Gisella stepped out of her vehicle and rushed forward. “What happened?” she asked.

He quickly explained the situation, then turned to Corinna. “You should go change. I want to take you to SAPD to look through mug shots. Maybe we’ve caught a break.”

“Good idea,” Corinna said as she stepped onto the porch.

“Gisella, go with her,” Ben ordered.

Corinna paused and threw an incredulous look over her shoulder at him. “I can manage changing my clothes on my own.”

Of course she could, but he hated the thought of her alone and unprotected. He refrained from insisting, telling himself she’d be fine. They were all within earshot of her. “Sorry. Of course.”

She stared at him for a moment with questions in her eyes before she fled inside.

He watched her go, anxious at having her out of his sight even for a brief moment.

Anderson returned, helping a semi-conscious officer along with him. He propped the still groggy man up on the porch. “Found him knocked out under a bush in the back.”

Gisella flipped open her phone. “I’ll call for a bus.”

“What could the perp be looking for?” Ben asked. “We searched the place after Greg was killed and didn’t find anything useful.”

Anderson ran a hand through his hair. “Beats me. But the guy trashed the study. I wonder if he got what he came for before Corinna chased him away?”

“I suggest we search through everything again,” Gisella said. “Though I have no idea what we’re looking for.”

“That’s the million dollar question,” Anderson replied.

Ben agreed. “You two take care of it. When the others arrive, explain what’s happening. I’ll take Corinna into the station.”

“She’s welcome to come to my place when you’re done,” Gisella said.

Relieved by the offer, Ben said, “I’ll go tell her to pack her bags.”

He entered the house and strode down the hall. Stopping in front of her closed door, he knocked.

“Yes?” Corinna replied.

“It’s me.”

The door opened. Corinna had changed into black leggings, a long tunic-style red blouse and flat sandals that emphasized the delicate structure of her feet. She’d braided her hair off to one side. Her pale complexion set off her wide, dark eyes. She was so petite and fragile-looking that Ben wanted to wrap her once again in his arms and shield her from the world.

Whoa! That was not what Greg had entrusted her to him for.

Ben didn’t generally react in such a touchy-feely manner. Not even the few girlfriends he’d had over the years had elicited such a knee-jerk need in him to protect them the way Corinna did. But there was something about Corinna which evoked the response. Something he didn’t understand.

He’d better get a handle on his attraction, his weakness for her. She was off-limits. Greg had made that clear. Ben would never dishonor Greg.

He stayed in the doorway. “You’ll need to pack your bags. You can stay with Gisella until we catch this guy,” he said, more brusquely than he’d intended.

She arched a winged eyebrow. “You’re really going to tell me what to do?”

Didn’t she understand her life was in danger? “Your safety is paramount.”

Her eyes flashed. “No. Finding my father’s killer is the priority.”

He allowed a wry smile to tip the corner of his mouth. “Both are a priority. Solving your father’s murder could take months unless we catch a break. Right now you are our best lead, which makes you a target. So the most pressing issue at this precise second is getting you somewhere safe.”

Corinna considered his words, and then conceded his point with a slight incline of her head and a droop to her shoulders. “Fine. I’ll pack a bag.”

When he didn’t make a move to leave the room, she came to stand in front of him. “I’m safe now. You and the others are here. There’s no need for you to be so worried.”

He captured her hands and held them. “I can’t help it. If anything happens to you, I will never forgive myself.”

Though she was sure she knew the answer, she asked anyway, “Why do you care so much?”

Two little creases formed between his eyebrows. “Because you’re Greg’s daughter. He’s gone. It’s up to me to protect you.”

Unreasonable disappointment rushed over her. “Why you, specifically? Why not pass me off to one of the others?”

For a second, confusion darkened his hazel eyes. “I have to pass you off, as you say, to Gisella. For propriety’s sake.”

Hearing him confirm he was taking her protection personally gave her an unexpected thrill. She shouldn’t want his attention but she did. And knowing that he wanted not only to keep her safe, but to guard her reputation made tenderness tingle in her heart. “That’s very old-fashioned of you. I’m sure my father would be proud.”

Sadness crept into his expression. “Your father taught me a lot about values. And about faith. He was a great man.”

She couldn’t argue with that. She just wished her father had wanted to spend more time with her. Instead, he’d spent time with Ben. The old hurt throbbed. She withdrew her hands. “That still doesn’t explain why you feel as though you have to be responsible for my safety. I’m sure any of the others would do just as well.”

The corners of his mouth tightened slightly. “Greg asked me to look after you if anything should happen to him.”

“Ah.” Understanding smacked her upside the head. So she was his obligation. How idiotic of her to have harbored any thought he was taking such a personal interest for other reasons.

She was glad he’d put up the barrier between them. She’d let him protect her, while she protected her heart.

Quickly, she gathered her necessary belongings into a couple of tote bags, the only thing she’d need to get was a toothbrush since she left hers out in the barn, and followed Ben out of the house to his Jeep.

“Oh, wait!” she said when she saw Gabby on the porch. Scooping up the feline, she turned to Gisella. “Is it okay if Gabby comes to your house as well?”