Ranger Protector

“I’m not worried about it.” He lifted his hands in mock surrender. Mock because it was apparent there wasn’t a cell in his being that would make him change his mind. “I gave my word, okay? If you can clear things up, fine. But you can’t have a phone until the morning.”

Even without her knowing him, there was something about the way he held his mouth that convinced her he was serious. Compressed lips with the corner barely raised. Serious or sure of himself?

Jack MacKinnon was as stubborn as she was.

“Why are you doing this? What’s in it for you?”

Chapter Two (#u3177eef3-570c-5a9a-a437-e5f7a829ba13)

“What do I get? Not a thing. Call me crazy, but I’m doing a favor. I won’t let you down. Do you need a pinkie swear or something?” Jack crooked his little finger in the air like kids did and held it out to her.

“This isn’t funny. I have no idea why I’m here or why I listened to instructions over a phone call.”

It didn’t matter if Megan believed him. He’d keep his word to his partner no matter what. “I’m actually one of the good guys. You’ll feel better after a good night’s sleep.”

Just mentioning sleep had her eyelids drooping a bit. Right up until the phone rang. Megan jumped out of her skin. He’d dropped his phone in the drawer with his badge and gun. She stared as he answered.

“MacKinnon.”

Jack hesitated for a moment. Just a moment while he watched Megan turn white as chalk. Would she faint? Good thing she was already sitting on the couch. Her arms plopped down without much grace.

Jack tapped the speaker button and kept the phone in one hand while he picked up a hunting magazine. He waved it in front of Megan’s face while his next-door neighbor chattered in the background.

“I’m...I’m all right. Answer your call,” she whispered.

Megan wasn’t doing a good job making him think she was fine. Jack had serious doubts she wasn’t about to hyperventilate. He was looking around for something he could use like a paper bag to have her breathe into.

“Little Jack, are you there? Is someone there with you? Am I interrupting something?” His neighbor crooned her curiosity.

He was about to hang up when Megan drew a long breath and covered her face with a pillow. Whatever had her freaking out was beyond him. Maybe she was just tired. It must have been a shock to discover someone wanted to kill you. And to be thrown in the care of a complete stranger... There couldn’t be much comfort in any part of her situation.

“Little Jack? Little Jack!”

“Right here, Mrs. Dennis.”

“What was that ruckus a few minutes ago? Did a group of motorcycles come through town again?”

The pillow landed where Megan threw it, to the right of his desk.

“Nothing to worry about, Mrs. Dennis. I was late getting back. Sorry the truck woke you.” Jack gestured for Megan to drink some water.

She shook her head and mouthed the word no. She rested her head on the back of the couch. Her eyes glazed over, focusing on a point—if his calculations were right—just next to one of the cracks in his ceiling. Why would him answering the phone send her into a tailspin?

“There should be a noise regulation or something. Maybe you should have your muffler checked out, young man. It’s so loud it woke Junior. You know he goes to sleep at eight,” Mrs. Dennis complained over her bloodhound’s baying.

“All I can do is apologize, Mrs. Dennis. I’ll try not to do it again.” His eyes wandered to the long, silky-looking thigh showing under Megan’s tight skirt. Before she regained her composure, he forced his eyes to look at her feet.

Bare feet. Had he forgotten her shoes in the truck?

“That’s good, but it woke me from a perfectly sound sleep. You know we have a busy day tomorrow. You be sure to give Junior an apology.”

“Sorry to wake you...and Junior. I understand why you’re upset.” All he could do was agree and hope she’d hang up. “But while I’ve got you on the phone, is there a possibility of postponing the homecoming meeting until Monday afternoon?”

“Little Jack, you know a couple of the reunion committee members are driving in from Austin. It would be rude to ask them to drive after work on Monday. So it’s better if we keep it for noon tomorrow at Major’s Restaurant.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

He’d always be Little Jack to anyone who knew his father—especially the ones who had worked for his father. And probably to anyone who knew him in high school. Hell, a few junior-high kids had snickered that afternoon and whispered “Sure thing, temporary mayor Little Jack” behind their hands when he told them to stop skateboarding on the sidewalk.

He clicked the phone off and looked at his guest. She visibly gulped in front of him. He waved the phone back and forth, trying to break her trance. “That’s the problem with living in a small town. Everybody has my cell number.”

“You have a gun. And badge. Are you with the police?”

“No.” Hadn’t he told her? “I’m a Texas Ranger out of Company B in Garland. Is that a good thing or a problem?”

“Can I see your ID?”

“Sure.” He opened the drawer again, thought better about tossing the phone back inside and shoved it in his pocket. He picked his badge up from next to the remote. “Habit after having a dog that loved to chew on electronics instead of toys.” He handed her the official picture ID and badge.

Megan took a look and handed it back to him. “Things might have been simpler if you’d shown me that at the beginning.”

“Honestly, I saw the guy approach you and couldn’t get through security to help. I’d already shown my badge a couple of times. I was more concerned about getting you away from the airport. Then you passed out.” He rubbed his chin, conceding she was right. “I don’t know your friend Therese. I’m doing a favor for my partner.”

Before trying to pick her up, he’d assumed she already knew he’d be there to help. He wouldn’t be assuming anything about this so-called favor again. Jack liked a good mystery. He just didn’t need one this particular week.

“A man I don’t know. Why would Therese tell me to hide from the police, then send me to hide with a Texas Ranger?”

“Maybe to protect you?” Jack mumbled the smart-ass question. He was stunned whenever Megan looked up at him. He’d never seen eyes as green as winter rye. Outlined with smudged mascara, they were still as pretty as they came.

Stop. This woman was in trouble. He wasn’t going to admire anything. Not how she looked or how logical she was about staying with him. Letting her stay was a means to an end. He did this favor...his partner would get back in line. Okay, so he could hope.

“It’s been a long day. Where can I clean up?”

“Straight through there.” He pointed past the bedroom, through the hallway that was mainly hidden from view.

She pushed herself up tiredly from the old couch and looked him almost eye to eye. “For the record...I know how to defend myself. I’ll stay until the morning, if it’s really not a problem.”

Feisty. Determined. Cute. Stop.

“I don’t mind.” It wouldn’t have made any difference to his rogue partner if Jack had minded. Wade would have asked for the favor no matter the consequences. It was just the way he was. “You can take the bed and we’ll work out what to do in the morning.”

She gave him a two-fingered salute and followed the hall. He trailed behind and tried to lean against the wall casually. All of his senses were on alert. The ones concerning his guest shouldn’t be, but he couldn’t help it.

“Just my luck. There really is only one bed.” Megan turned slowly, grabbing the bathroom doorknob after passing his room. “And oh, gosh. No shower?”

“My grandmother always said a hot soak will do you good. You said you were sore.”

Her eye roll said more than words. She didn’t appreciate that he knew details from her day. Or was the fact that someone had gotten the jump on her embarrassing? It wasn’t important now. He could find out tomorrow.