The Soldier's Newfound Family

Savannah followed his instructions and saw a row of adorable little cottages scattered along a creek bed.

“I’ve been staying in the main house but the cottage on the end is empty. My sister had it all made up for me, but I never moved in. That means it’s all yours,” Carter said.

Yours.

In spite of her misgivings, the word flowed through Savannah, as sweet as a glass of tea on a hot summer day. Even knowing this was a temporary arrangement couldn’t prevent the sense of wonder that swept over her.

The branches of two mature pecan trees formed a canopy over a cottage as whimsical as an illustration in a child’s storybook. A sloping roof with patchwork shingles shaded an enclosed porch like the brim of a hat. Narrow wooden shutters trimmed the windows. Blue. Her favorite color. A hand-woven basket, overflowing with gourds and miniature pumpkins, sat on the top step like a welcome gift.

An Australian shepherd emerged from one of the outbuildings and ambled toward the car as Savannah pulled up in front of the cottage.

“That’s Nipper. Jack Colby’s dog.” Carter shook his head. “Don’t let the name fool you, though. The only thing that mutt might do is lick you to death.”

“Is Jack part of your family?”

“That’s the question of the day,” he muttered.

Savannah frowned. “I don’t understand.”

But Carter didn’t bother to enlighten her. Instead, he hopped out and jogged around the front of the car to open her door. His large hand gently cupped her elbow as he helped her out of the vehicle.

The warmth of his touch sparked something that sent Savannah’s blood racing through her veins like a prairie fire.

She sucked in a breath, yanked her heart back in line.

It wasn’t as if she were...attracted...to Carter Wallace. More than likely sleepless nights and low blood sugar had tipped her off balance.

Guard your heart, Savannah.

Savannah had forgotten her grandmother’s advice when she’d met Rob. She wasn’t about to make the same mistake again.

“Come on. I’ll show you the inside.”

Savannah balked. “You’re sure that your sister won’t mind an extra houseguest?”

Carter glanced in the direction of the main house. The flash of some emotion—guilt?—didn’t exactly put her mind at ease.

“Sergeant Wallace?”

“It’s Carter, remember?” That elusive dimple made an appearance again. A secret weapon designed to sneak through a woman’s defenses and affect her ability to think straight.

Fortunately, Savannah had become immune to a charming smile.

“Now that we’ve got that cleared up...how about answering my question?”

Chapter Five

Carter realized he’d made a tactical error. He should have known that Savannah would see through his pitiful attempt to sidestep the question before she unpacked her suitcase from the car.

“No one will mind a bit that you’re here.” Carter hoped it was true.

According to Maddie, the Colby family had taken Keira Wolfe in after she’d been injured in a car accident and suffered short-term memory loss. The veterinarian was now Jack’s fiancé and staying in a guest room down the hall until the couple exchanged their vows. Violet also made room for Landon Derringer and Elise and her son, Cory, during their frequent visits to the ranch. Even in the midst of their own problems, it seemed that Violet and Jack didn’t mind lending a helping hand to someone in need. And Savannah definitely qualified.

He couldn’t help feeling protective of her. It wasn’t that she appeared weak and helpless. Just the opposite. It couldn’t be easy to accept help from strangers, and yet Savannah had done the best thing for her and the baby. He respected that. He respected her.

Relief took some of the starch out of Savannah’s slender shoulders. “That’s good, because I don’t want to take advantage of your sister’s hospitality.”

Carter decided this might be a good time to clarify a few minor details. After all, Savannah would find them out sooner or later. Although if he had his way, later—much later—would be better.

“Maddie doesn’t actually own the ranch,” he admitted. “She’s a...guest...here, too.”

Savannah, who’d started up the narrow sidewalk, froze midstep. Twisted around to look at him.

“A guest?” she repeated.

“Belle Colby actually owns the Colby Ranch. Maddie is spending some time with Belle’s...daughter.”

Violet. Maddie’s identical twin sister. His long lost half sister. Carter could barely make sense of what had happened, let alone try to explain it to someone else. And something told him this wasn’t the time to launch into a lengthy explanation about the Wallace family tree. The one that had sprouted a few branches since his last deployment.

“So Belle Colby gave you permission to invite me here?” Savannah asked slowly.

Carter drove a hand through his hair. “Belle is...recovering from a riding accident that happened last summer. She’s in a long-term care facility in Grasslands right now, but the family is...hopeful that she’ll recover.”

Savannah’s lips parted but no sound came out. She glanced down at the keys clutched in her hand and Carter realized she was only seconds away from getting in the car and driving back to Dallas if he didn’t explain.

“It’s complicated.” Really complicated.

Savannah’s eyes narrowed. “What exactly is going on, Sergeant?” she demanded. “Are you dispensing information on a need-to-know basis only? Because if that’s the case, I need to know a whole lot more before I accept your invitation to stay here.”

Carter suppressed a smile. Savannah was downright beautiful when she got riled up. She got some color in her cheeks and those eyes...as green as cottonwood leaves.

“Fine. I’ll try to explain. But keep in mind that sometimes truth is stranger than fiction—”

“There you are!”

Carter slowly turned around. Great. Just great.

Walking toward them was the proof.

“Is that Maddie?” Savannah whispered.

Carter’s eyes narrowed on the young woman striding toward them. Brown-and-gold-plaid shirt, complete with pearl buttons. A silver belt buckle roughly the size of a paperback novel.

And he still couldn’t say for sure.

At some point over the past few months, Maddie had swapped her designer labels for Western wear. To make life even more interesting, the two women conspired together, taking an almost fiendish delight in making it difficult for people—like him—to figure out which one was which. Or who was who.

“Maybe.”