“The pony ride’s a success, huh?”
Vicki turned to see Dan standing beside her. Everything inside her lurched when she saw he was in full uniform, gun on his hip. A tan deputy’s uniform was different from the Austin PD’s blue, but not different enough. It reminded her sharply that this man lived a life she wanted no part of ever again.
He’d been watching her little girl on the pony and smiling, but he looked at her when she didn’t answer immediately.
“Yes,” she said, finding her voice. “She’s loving it. I can’t thank you enough for all of this, including all the tickets. You didn’t have to do that.”
“No, I didn’t. I wanted to. Some dreams just need to come true. Are you taking pictures? Because you’ll never again see your four-year-old taking her first pony ride.”
She nodded, feeling like she needed to catch her breath.
* * *
Conard County: The Next Generation!
The Lawman
Lassoes a Family
Rachel Lee
RACHEL LEE was hooked on writing by the age of twelve and practiced her craft as she moved from place to place all over the United States. This New York Times bestselling author now resides in Florida and has the joy of writing full-time.
MILLS & BOON
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To all the step-parents who open their hearts.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Epilogue
On a warm summer afternoon, Conard County Sheriff’s Deputy Dan Casey steered his truck around a rental truck half parked in Lena Winston’s front yard, and then into his own driveway. Lena had been a friend for years, an older woman whose company he enjoyed. On Lena’s porch he saw a little blonde girl, maybe four, sitting on the swing and rocking gently. She had her thumb in her mouth, a teddy bear in her arm and a sad look on her face.
Lena’s niece, Vicki Templeton, must be moving in with her daughter. He looked at that van, not a very big one, but still wondered where they were going to put everything.
He was glad, though, that he’d had to leave his patrol unit at the garage for some work today. Climbing out of his car, he hurried inside to change into civvies before going to offer his help. Fewer reminders of cops might be welcome right now.
He knew from Lena that Vicki was a cop’s widow, that she’d lost her husband a little over a year ago. Lena had stewed about it off and on for all this time, worried about her niece and grandniece, thinking it might be best for them to get away from reminders and come live with her.
Apparently, it had happened. As he wondered why Lena hadn’t mentioned it would be so soon, he pulled on jeans and a black T-shirt blazoned with a wolf, and made his way next door. The little girl was still sitting on the swing. Female voices came from inside.
“Hi,” he said from the yard, on the other side of the railing. “You must be Krystal. I’m Dan Casey. Are your mom and Aunt Lena inside?”
She took her thumb from her mouth and regarded him from eyes the color of the sky overhead. “I’m not supposed to suck my thumb.”
“I didn’t notice anything.”
A shy smile curved her mouth, just a little. She pointed to his shirt. “That’s not a dog.”
“You’re right, it’s a wolf. A wolf from Yellowstone Park. Maybe you can see them one day.”
Just then a young woman poked her head out the door. Blue eyes and black hair struck Dan immediately, as did a pretty face that looked tired almost beyond words.
“Krystal? Are you talking to someone?”
Krystal pointed and Dan moved closer to the steps. “Just me. Dan Casey. I live next door. Lena said you were moving in and I came to see if I can help. You must be Vicki.”
The woman hesitated, then stepped out fully, brushing her hands on her jeans. “It’s amazing how much dust seems to have moved with me.” She wore a blue checked shirt with rolled-up sleeves, and tails knotted around her tiny waste. Her black hair had started to come loose from a ponytail set high on her head.
Dan stepped forward, reached up across the three steps to offer his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Lena’s been looking forward to this.” Then he smiled. “Two fairly strong arms here, ready to pitch in. You can’t turn me down.”
She should have laughed, but all he saw was the flutter of a smile. “I think...”
Whatever she thought was lost as Lena came through the door behind her. Lena was in her midfifties, a little rounded by her years, with dark brown hair that was showing a lot of gray. Her eyes were a kindly brown. She, too, wore jeans and a man’s tan work shirt.
“Dan! You arrived just in time. We got all the small stuff out, but now we’ve got Krystal’s bed and some other big pieces. The three of us ought to be able to do it.”
“I