Texas Christmas Defender
“What evidence?” Her hands fidgeted.
“A scarf and a bracelet. We’ve seen you wearing identical ones in surveillance videos.” Though Brent had always doubted her ability to strangle a man to death with a scarf—at least, a strong and sturdy man like Greg.
She blew out a breath. “That’s convenient, isn’t it? I mean, if you’re going to frame someone and have access to those sorts of things, makes sense to plant them at the scene, doesn’t it?”
His thoughts exactly. He’d said as much to Colt, though his friend hadn’t been very willing to listen. “It does. And it also makes sense that if you were there and committed the crime, evidence would be found.”
“It doesn’t make sense that I would leave that kind of evidence. That’s much too obvious.”
Hands shaking, Adriana rose from the bale. She appeared nervous, definitely nervous. Brent didn’t take his eyes from her in case he had it all wrong about her and she tried something. That possibility remained.
“I left those items behind in my home in Mexico when I fled. Your surveillance videos are from before I ran, aren’t they?”
She had him there. But he still had a lot of questions. “What about the money and drugs? Where are they?”
“So you’re still unsure of my innocence.”
“Something like that.” Either she was guilty, or she was in trouble and needed protection. Before he could do anything else, he needed to know which was true.
Though she remained wary of him, she grabbed the bucket she’d dropped. Some of the grain had spilled on the ground, but she continued feeding Kiana with what was left in the bucket.
She drew in a deep breath. “Yes, I took the cash and drugs. That’s the biggest reason Rio is hunting me now. Before, he wanted me for my betrayal. There is a penalty for the kind of disloyalty I showed when I saved you. Then he learned about what I’d stolen. A family heirloom. My grandfather’s Rolex. In my panic to escape, I thought I might need leverage. Something for which to trade my life, so I took it because it has a removable back that contained a gold key. That key was to the storage unit with the drugs and cash stores.”
“And we’ve seen the storage unit firsthand. Know that it’s empty. Where did you hide the goods, and why?”
“After I escaped, I realized I could do more than simply hide. I could take my brother and his cartel down—if he couldn’t access all those drugs and cash, the operation of his cartel would be hurt, maybe even collapse. But I had to act fast before he realized I’d taken the Rolex. Before he knew to wait for me at the storage facility. But my plan didn’t work. Even though I got away with emptying the storage shed without getting caught, he’s still in business.”
If she really had believed she could shut her brother down or cripple him by taking one warehouse out of the equation, she could dream on. They wouldn’t have been mortally wounded by her actions. But he admired her determination—that was, if what she said was true.
He swiped a hand over his face. Could she be telling the truth? He had to ask all the right questions, cover all the bases. Not let his own gut feelings or his debt to her cloud his judgment. “I would think the right thing to do would have been to turn the drugs and cash over to law enforcement rather than keep them yourself. Keeping them gives the impression that you stole them to start your own cartel.”
She gave a cynical laugh. “Right, as if I’d ever consider doing a thing like that. I want no part of that life. I want to be free...” She trailed off, as if she would have said more but hadn’t meant to reveal so much, then leaned her forehead against the llama’s neck. “You told me that I’m wanted for the murder of a border agent, which proves I cannot trust you. How could I turn the drugs over to you or any law enforcement? Would they let me go? No. They’d keep me locked away. I have to finish my mission first.”
“To take down your brother.” And then she’d be free, she’d said.
“And I can’t do that behind bars, can I?”
“True enough, but you hid the drugs and money before the border patrol agent was murdered.”
She held her chin high, anger flashing in her gaze. “I’m Rio Garcia’s sister. I couldn’t risk turning the supplies over to the law, who would imprison me, one way or another—whether to use me for their own devices or because they would never believe I’m innocent of any involvement in my brother’s cartel. I will never give up the drugs and cash. Not until I’ve taken down my brother. There is no one I can trust. Tell me I’m wrong!”
Brent sagged. I...can’t.
His grilling her even wore on him. And for some insane reason he couldn’t fathom, he found himself wanting her to trust him, as he’d trusted her two years before. “Look, Adriana... I want to believe you.”
As she gazed into his eyes, he hoped she read the truth of his words there.
Her face softened and she spread out her palms. “Look, it’s Christmas. Inez, the woman I lease this property from, helps me run the ranch, lives with me in the house. We’re family now. We had planned our own small celebration. She doesn’t have anyone, and apparently neither do you. Why else would you be here on Christmas morning?”
He hadn’t taken time off for Christmas in years.
Could he believe that she was innocent and had told him the truth? He’d suspected much of it and had hoped to hear as much from her. But he could very well be blinded to the truth staring him in the face for the simple reason that she’d saved his life before. Any criminal would claim to be innocent.
He wasn’t sure if he could trust his own instincts when it came to Adriana. Though he shouldn’t, he really shouldn’t, he had a soft spot in his heart with her name on it. He buried the thought and focused on his task.
“I haven’t decided what I’m going to do with you yet, even though it’s Christmas.”
A measure of fear flickered in her gaze. “How did you find me?”
“I’ve been receiving anonymous letters that gave me clues. Llamas. That you’re somewhere on the Rio Grande. The last one urged me to find you before your brother catches you.”
She gasped.
“I’ve visited a lot of ranches along the Rio Grande looking for you, including a llama ranch or two. And I had hoped this would be it. When I saw the booby traps, I guessed it could be you.”
“Well, that’s comforting, that I’m so easy to locate.” She rubbed her arms, clearly distressed. “And then you decided you would just accost me in my barn.”
He was a Texas Ranger. A lawman. Why should he be sorry for his actions? But he was. “I had to make sure it was you.”
“And you have. My brother won’t be long behind you.”
“If he’s tracking me, or has his own lead on you. I only found you because of the letters. Who do you think could have sent them?”
Adriana led Kiana to the barn’s exit and urged her outside to the blue skies and sunshine and this beautiful Christmas Day. “I don’t know, which is what worries me most. What else can you tell me?”
“We had the letters analyzed. It’s someone young. Probably female. We believe English is her second language.”
“Rosa...” she whispered.
Who?
Her eyes brightened, lifted to meet his gaze. “It could be Rosa. She was in my brother’s cartel. A low-level drug runner. While I wasn’t part of his cartel, just being his sister, being Adriana Garcia, made me feel dirty. The only thing I could do to feel better about myself was help people. I figured that God had me there for a reason—to help others get out. Rosa was one of those people. I mentored her and tried to help her change her life. Get out of the ugly business, but...”
“But escaping the cartel isn’t so easy,” he added.
Brent saw the truth of it in Adriana’s eyes—she really wanted to be free of her brother. She wanted to be free of her family ties to the cartel. This young woman she’d mentored was proof enough of that.
“How did she ever know where to find me? I can’t believe she sent the letters and has been trying to lead you to me. She must think—”
“That we’re the good guys and we can protect you.” He cut her off, but he didn’t want to risk the conversation taking another direction.
“As long as you, Brent McCord, aren’t on my brother’s payroll. And even if you’re one of the good guys, you still found me and you made it through my security network of booby traps.” She paced the barn, agitated. “If you can, so can my brother. He’ll be coming for me soon.”
TWO
“Tanya!” Inez called, using Adriana’s assumed name.
She kept her gaze fixed on the handsome Ranger but angled her head toward the barn door, where Kiana had finally exited. “If I don’t tell her something, she’s going to come out here to the barn and see you. I don’t want her to get hurt.”
Adriana didn’t see any point in trying to escape the Ranger. He was here now. But she didn’t want Inez to come between them and end up becoming collateral damage. Maybe Adriana should have thought about that when she’d chosen to stay with Inez and take on the llama ranch, but Inez had saved her life.
As far as Ranger McCord was concerned, Adriana wasn’t sure if she could trust this man yet, though she wanted to, and though she had a strong feeling she could. He tried to appear cold and intense, but she saw the compassion behind his gaze. The problem was that she didn’t know if she could trust her own judgment when it came to him—a man she didn’t even know. The only thing she knew for sure was that she had saved his life. And risked her own life to do it. That one decision had forever changed everything about her life. Did it matter as much to him as it did to her?
What was it about this handsome Texas Ranger that had her head spinning when she was near him? Had her doing crazy things?
He nodded. “Tell her, then. And don’t worry. I have no intentions of hurting anyone.”
Sorrow flickered in his gaze. Interesting.
She stepped to the barn door opening. “I’m out here,” she called. “I’ll be there in a minute, Inez.”
Her friend nodded, her bright smile easy to see from the porch of the house. “The cinnamon rolls are baking. They’ll be ready soon.”
Adriana focused her attention back on Ranger McCord. “Though you say you’re not going to hurt us, that doesn’t mean I’m ready to trust you. I can’t be sure you’re one of the good guys. But what now? Are you going to join us for our Christmas celebration or arrest me and take me in?”
He appeared to ponder her question. Hadn’t he already thought this through? Just what had he planned to do once he found her?
Then, finally, he said, “I don’t want you running away.”
Was that his agreement to spend Christmas Day with them? “Where would I run to? Inez is expecting me any minute. So you’d better make your decision. Are you going to join us, and if so, are you marching into the house as a gun-wielding Texas Ranger?”
He frowned. “I’ll...sneak around so she won’t see me leaving the barn. Knock on the front door. You can introduce me as an old friend. Act surprised to see me or something.”
“Are you saying that you’re not going to take me in yet? You’re going to let me enjoy my Christmas?” If she even could after Ranger McCord had scared her by holding a gun to her head. Her legs still shook, but she wouldn’t let him see her fear.
“If you can still enjoy it while I’m here.”
“I’m not going to let you ruin this joyful occasion.” Besides, she felt sorry for the man. Anyone who was alone on Christmas deserved her sympathy. “And you’re just pathetic enough in your loneliness that I’m compelled to extend a proper invitation to you.” She allowed a soft smile for the Ranger she’d thought about for two years, now here with her again. Who would have thought? “Will you join us for Christmas?”
He seemed to consider her request for a moment, questions swirling in his gaze before it softened, his decision made. “I’d be happy to.” He stood taller, lingering suspicion in his eyes, but he still offered her a friendly grin and triple dimples lit up his cheeks. She’d almost forgotten about those. Considering the tingling in her toes that they caused, she wished he hadn’t flashed them now.
Adriana quickly forced her attention from the attractive lawman wearing a Stetson. “Now, I’ll go distract Inez while you sneak out.”
“Wait,” he said. “I’m letting you walk out of my sight on good faith, because...because it’s Christmas.”
His tone had softened. Can I trust you? She read that desperate question in his eyes and realized he wanted to trust her as much as she wanted to trust him. They were two of a kind—reaching across an invisible barrier that separated them and trying hard to seal their connection.
She nodded. They understood each other. But when she headed for the exit, he tugged her back and gripped her arm, his face mere inches from hers. “I haven’t decided if I think you’re guilty yet or not. I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt, for now, but if you try anything, you’ll soon wish you hadn’t.”
She didn’t like that he’d suddenly tried to sound gruff, but at least she could see his hesitation, see the softer side of him behind the facade. Warmth spread through her. “And if you decide I’m innocent, what then?”
He studied her, his intense eyes taking her all in, unsettling her in ways she couldn’t explain. “Either way—guilty or innocent—I’m here to protect you from your brother.”
She hadn’t asked for his protection. Wasn’t sure she wanted it. And for how long would he be hanging around? Adriana didn’t like this uncertainty one bit. On the other hand, his presence did add another layer of defense against her brother, should he show up.
Heart pounding, she arched a brow, then yanked her arm free and left the barn. After all Inez had done for her, she wasn’t sure she could lie to the woman about her relationship with Brent. Or, rather, nonexistent relationship. Nor did she believe she could hide the fact he was a Texas Ranger who had found her. But telling the truth about Brent would require her to reveal all the secrets that had become her burden to bear in her mission to hide her true identity on the llama ranch.
Inez knew some of it already, of course. Adriana had been here only a month when she’d shared with Inez who she really was. Her old name. After all, Inez had found her dehydrated, bruised and exhausted from the trek across the harsh Mexican terrain until she’d crossed the Rio Grande and collapsed on Inez’s property.
As Adriana recovered, thanks to Inez’s care, she had known she owed the woman her honesty—to a point. Many secrets had to stay hidden for Inez’s own protection, not to mention her peace of mind. One of them having nightmares that never seemed to end was more than enough. So, while Inez was aware of her past, it was something they rarely discussed. Mostly, they focused on the work. The older woman who’d run this llama ranch for years taught her everything in a short time, and Adriana had come to love her like family.
She hadn’t wanted to use any of the cartel money but had some money of her own that she’d been stashing away for the inevitable day when she’d have to run. Besides, to purchase the ranch in her own name would give her location away. She and Inez had their own private agreement for now.
She hurried to the house and opened the door, the aroma of cinnamon immediately greeting her. My favorite. Somehow she had to compose herself or Inez would read her well enough to see that something had upset her. She absolutely refused to let the Texas Ranger’s untimely appearance ruin their Christmas. It was hard enough to celebrate as it was, considering the family she’d left behind and memories of a life when she was much younger, when her mother and grandparents were still alive and before her father had entered his own life of crime, her brother following in his footsteps after their father’s death.
She entered the brightly decorated kitchen and breathed in the scent. Normally this would relax her. But not this morning.
Inez instantly looked up from pulling the scrumptious cinnamon rolls from the oven. She set them on the stove and frowned at Adriana. “Tanya, your cheeks are flushed. You’re not ill, are you?”
While living here, she went by Tanya Parker and tried to speak mostly English. Yes, Adriana had an American mother, who’d taught her the language, but she had died when Adriana was very young. Died and left Adriana behind to end up being raised in a cartel family.
A second-generation American, Inez had helped her to polish her English and speak it well. With her curly auburn hair and glasses, she might not look or sound like Adriana Garcia, but in the end, she couldn’t disguise her Mexican heritage.
Inez set the oven mitts aside and pressed her hand against Adriana’s forehead and cheeks like her mother would have. Adriana smiled and stepped away from the woman’s reach. “No, it’s nothing. Just glad it’s Christmas. I look—”
The doorbell rang. Adriana stiffened. She hadn’t come up with a story to tell Inez yet. She didn’t much feel like keeping anything from her. But how did she explain? “I’ll get it.”
Adriana made her way to the foyer and peeked through the peephole just to confirm Ranger McCord stood there. Seeing his tall form, his brown hair mussed from the hat he’d removed, his broad shoulders held high, had her heart skipping. His green eyes stared down the peephole and her pulse jumped. The man appeared intense in a way she couldn’t help but find attractive.
She couldn’t let her emotions run away over him. If only she hadn’t been infatuated with him from the moment she’d met him two years ago. Her sentiments aside, she wasn’t even sure how she felt about his sudden appearance, even if he promised protection.
Sucking in a breath to regain her composure, she opened the door and smiled. Somehow she had to get into the act. “What a surprise to see you.”
Amusement sparked in his eyes as he returned her smile, flashing those dimples and triggering that tingle in her toes again. She tried to look at anything but his smile, but where? His eyes? His strong jaw? His more than adequate physique? He’d placed his Stetson back on his head and that wrapped up the complete handsome Texas Ranger picture.
She opened the door wide and waved him in with a flourish.
Inez appeared, wiping her hands on a towel.
“This is Brent McCord, Inez,” Adriana said, then turned her attention to the Ranger. “What brings you by? You’re welcome to spend Christmas Day with us.” She hadn’t even waited for his answer before inviting him. Adriana hated the way her words sounded so stilted and rehearsed.
She focused her next words on Inez. “That’s all right with you, isn’t it?”
Inez’s eyes widened. Her gaze held Adriana and a small grin lifted her lips as if she knew a secret. “Welcome, welcome, Mr. McCord. If you don’t have other plans, we’d be delighted for you to join us. You’re just in time for the cinnamon rolls. They’re just out of the oven. It’s a late breakfast for us. We’ll eat our Christmas dinner in a few hours. I hope you like smoked turkey.”
The Ranger nodded with a grin. That cute triple-dimpled grin. Adriana wished he wouldn’t smile at all, because he was entirely too charming. “No plans at all,” he replied. “I appreciate the invitation, ma’am.”
Ranger McCord stepped all the way inside and drew in a long breath, the aroma of cinnamon rolls obviously getting to him. Adriana motioned for him to sit on the sofa in the small living room of the ranch house, the huge window in front offering a good view of a portion of the ranch. From that position, they could see the unpaved driveway leading to the house on one side, and a part of the pasture on the other side with llamas grazing in the distance. By the subtle relaxing of his posture, she could tell he appreciated the chance to keep an eye on things and hopefully see any danger that might approach.
Inez returned with coffee and a plate of rolls for them. Adriana watched as the Ranger took a bite of Inez’s specialty and closed his eyes, savoring the flavor and texture. When he opened them, they looked right into Adriana’s. Unsettling.
She shook off the effect he had on her and grinned. “There’s nothing like them, is there?”
“I haven’t tasted better.”
The shared reaction to Inez’s cinnamon rolls oddly broke the awkwardness of the situation, and for a few minutes Adriana believed that she would be able to forget that Ranger McCord had been searching for and finally found her. And now he would...well, she wasn’t really certain what his next step was. At the end of this most holy day, she didn’t know what would happen to her. But, for now, they ate and talked as if nothing was out of the ordinary.
“What do you think of my lovely sweater?” Inez modeled it for them. “This was my Christmas gift from Tanya.”
Adriana looked at Brent. “We exchanged gifts last night. I guess we were both too anxious to wait to give our gifts today.”
“And what did Inez give you?” he asked.
She suddenly felt awkward because they had no gift for him, but he was an unexpected guest. “A beautifully carved leather handbag. I can get it, if you like.”
“No need. You can show me later.”
“I’m sorry I don’t have a gift for you. I didn’t know you were coming.”
“What?” He twisted his face in mock offense.
“Just a minute.” Inez gave a mischievous grin, then disappeared around the corner.
“So what’s it like working a llama ranch?” Was this Brent’s attempt at small talk? Benign conversation until Inez’s return? She’d play along, for lack of any other options. His voice intrigued her—it didn’t sound like he’d grown up in Texas. She might ask him about that later, if given the chance.
“I had no idea how much I’d love living and working on a llama ranch.” Adriana released a long sigh. “I could live here forever in peace.”
Brent moved away from the sofa and sat across from her on the floor, one knee up. His arm rested on his knee. “You mean, if it weren’t for the fact your brother is after you,” he whispered.
She leaned her head back. “You would have to bring him up. Bad enough you’re here, I had hoped to enjoy the day without thoughts of my particular situation.” She hadn’t forgotten her brother. Would never forget that everyone was after her—including the Texas Rangers—but, for today, she’d needed a reprieve.
“I don’t want you to relax. You can’t afford to until this is over.”
Brent stiffened at the approaching footfalls in the hallway and returned to his previous seat.
Inez held a wrapped package and handed it to Brent. He frowned as though he wouldn’t accept it. Adriana couldn’t let him hurt Inez. She grabbed the package for him and handed it over, forcing it into his hands, not letting him refuse. “Merry Christmas.”
Pain flickered behind his gaze. What was that about? Reluctantly he took the package. “There was no need,” he said as he glanced to Inez. “I’m intruding here, as it is.”
“God brought you here today for a reason.”
Surprise sprang from his eyes. “Well, I don’t have anything to give you in return.”
“Of course you do,” Inez said. “I know you’re here to protect my Tanya.”
Brent glanced at the woman. He turned his attention back to Adriana. She saw the question in his eyes. You told her?
Adriana gave a subtle shake of her head. Inez was extremely observant and had obviously figured out on her own that things were not as they seemed.
He hesitated another moment, then ripped into the small package. It was a leather-bound devotional filled with God’s promises. The leather carving was similar to that of Inez’s gift to Adriana, obviously purchased at the same craft shop.
“I had been praying about who to give this gift to,” Inez said. “A few moments ago, I knew.”
He stared at the gift long and hard before saying anything. For a moment, Adriana feared he would hurt Inez’s feelings with his lack of response, but then she realized she knew better. The woman was tough and her faith in God was strong. If she’d felt led to give this gift to Brent, nothing he said or did would make her regret it.