Tall, Dark, Texas Ranger / Once Upon A Christmas Eve: Tall, Dark, Texas Ranger

“You didn’t ask, I offered to help. Lilly, it’s not rocket science, it’s tossing a baseball with a boy. Besides, I don’t start my construction job until next week.”

She raised her chin and smiled at him. Good Lord, she was pretty. Her skin was rosy and flawless.

“I have another favor to ask.”

She was getting to him. Bad. “Sure.”

“Would you please go with us to get some ice cream?”

He smiled. “Okay.”

Lilly knew she was acting schoolgirl crazy, and she knew better. Something about this man brought out those silly, giddy feelings in her.

“Thank you. Of course, it’s my treat for all the work you’ve done.”

“Sure. I don’t have a problem with a lady buying my favors.”

“I probably couldn’t get much with two scoops of Rocky Road on a sugar cone.”

He stared down at her and her heart began to race. “Change that to Cherry Pecan and your smile, and it’s worth a lot more.”

Oh, boy, she was in trouble. “We better go round up the kids.” She scurried ahead of him to the kitchen door and hollered for Robbie and Kasey. Surprisingly they both appeared and followed her outside.

Her daughter headed for the car. “No, Kasey, we’re walking.”

“Mom,” she whined. “It’s too hot.”

“It’s getting rather pleasant,” Lilly insisted. “Besides, we’re only four blocks from town. I’m a school principal who pushes physical fitness. How would it look if we go driving around everywhere?”

Kasey stomped over to her. “Then I don’t want to go.”

“You don’t want any of Shaffer’s ice cream?” She slung her arm over her daughter’s shoulder, and she didn’t shrug away.

The girl shook her head.

“Well, you still have to go along anyway.”

The teenager opened her mouth to complain again when Coop appeared. “Is he going, too?”

“Yep. Looks like you’re stuck with me.” He motioned to Robbie. “C’mon, Rob. Let’s see if the ladies can keep up with us.”

The boy looked over his shoulder. “Yeah, see if you can keep up.”

Lilly looked at her daughter. “Are you going to let them win?”

Her beautiful child got an ugly look on her face. “I don’t care.”

Lilly started moving, but kept well back behind the guys. “Look, Kasey, I get you’re angry with me. But when you don’t obey the rules, there are consequences.”

“I know. You run things like a prison around here. I have no freedom.”

“I don’t think I did at thirteen, either. But you are still young and you went to a place that was off-limits. It’s my job as a mother to protect you.”

“Fine. I get it, but I don’t have to like it.” She marched up ahead, past the guys. Robbie took off after his sister and Coop dropped back with Lilly.

“I take it she’s still angry with you.”

She nodded. “My mother says it’s payback for how I treated her.”

“You’re doing the right thing. Stay on her because it’s tough out there.”

Lilly frowned. “Is there something you’re not telling me? Something more that happened at the arcade?”

He shook his head. “It’s just the element that hangs out there isn’t the best.”

Coop glanced around the tree-lined street, and the manicured lawns and hedges. It seemed like the perfect place to live and raise a family, but looks could be deceiving. “At that age they think they can conquer the world, that nothing can harm them.”

“I remember those days. Yet, this town doesn’t have the problems that large cities do. We all know each other and watch out for each other.”

An older woman standing on her porch called Lilly’s name and waved.

“Hello, Miss Olivia. How are you feeling today?”

The fragile looking, gray-haired woman came down the steps as Lilly went to her. They exchanged a hug and he could see her hands were crippled with arthritis.

“I’ve heard your mother’s working at the quilt shop these days.”

“She’s filling in for Jenny.”

A big smile appeared. “Oh, yes, she had her baby, didn’t she?”

She nodded. “Sean Michael will be christened next Sunday at church. I bet you can get a look at him then.”

“I’ll make sure my sister takes me.” Miss Olivia patted her hand.

“How is Miss Emily these days?”

A loud sigh. “Sister complains a lot, but she’s well. I’ll mention that you asked about her.” Her expression changed. “I never got the chance to tell you how sorry I am for your loss. Michael was always a kind person to me.”

Coop could see that Lilly was uncomfortable. “Thank you,” she said and took her hand away.

That’s when Miss Olivia took an interest in him. “And who is this young man?”

“Noah Cooper, ma’am.” He shook her hand. “I’m a carpenter on the Casali housing project. I’m renting Beth Staley’s cottage.”

“Isn’t that nice.” She glanced between the two. “A pleasure to meet you, Noah.”

“Well, we should be going,” Lilly said, pointing to the kids already nearly a block away. “I promised Robbie and Kasey ice cream.”