Once A Ranger

“Three millionaires,” Lola crowed.

Lorraine elbowed her sister, giving her a meaningful look.

Lola didn’t seem to notice. Tony wondered if she’d always been so guileless, or if a small stroke at one time had affected her judgment. Or it could even be the early stages of Alzheimer’s.

Kat held up two fingers. “Just a pair. After the jackpot was split among five winning tickets, and Uncle Sam took his chunk, I received a lot less than people think.” She blotted her mouth with her napkin. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s a fabulous thing and I’m extremely grateful. But I’m not likely to join the millionaires’ club anytime soon.”

“Still, it’s a nice windfall.” Lorraine leaned forward. “If you need the name of a top-notch investment firm, I can refer you to the one we use. Our advisor has been very helpful in growing and safeguarding our assets. A single woman can never be too careful.”

“No brothers to help?” Sterling asked her. “Or nieces and nephews?”

“No.” Lorraine’s voice was tinged with loss. “We had a younger sister, but she died as an infant.”

Tony could almost see the wheels turning in Sterling’s head. Him selecting a new victim meant Tony might find evidence. But it also meant the Nash sisters would get hurt.

Will leaned forward. “Tony, what is it you do?”

“I’m a security consultant.”

“I bet that’s fascinating work. Foiling corporate espionage and all that?”

“Yes. But because of the spread of identity theft, more and more of my work is securing client information. It’s become a real liability issue.”

“I can imagine. I’ve been meaning to update the security software on my computer to make sure my client files don’t fall into the wrong hands. Do you have a card?”

Removing his wallet from his back pocket, Tony pulled out a pseudo business card. “I’ll give you a discount, since you’re a friend.”

“Great. I’ll call you after I get back from vacation.” Sterling slid the card into the breast pocket of his button-down shirt.

The thought of getting his hands on Sterling’s computer practically made Tony salivate. It was the easy kind of lie that cons used to bond with people, but still…

Lorraine and Lola regaled them with tales of their youth until their meals arrived.

Tony had selected the top sirloin with mixed seasonal vegetables from the Phoenix Rising garden. A footnote on the menu had indicated guests’ help in the garden was always welcome.

“These vegetables are wonderful,” Kat exclaimed. “Why can’t I cook them this way?”

“My guess is they taste so good because they’re fresher than a lot of grocery store produce,” he answered.

“You cook?” She seemed intrigued in spite of herself.

“Not much, but I’m learning. My ex-wife was big on buying locally grown, organic. I don’t cook when I’m working long hours, but now that I have my own business I sometimes have slow times.”

She tried to turn to Sterling, but he was deep in conversation with Lola.

“Do you garden?” Tony asked Kat.

“No, I’ve always been busy, too. But I’m realizing just how close to burning out I was. It’s not good for me to work sixty hours a week and never take vacations….” Shaking her head, she said, “I don’t know why I told you that. My life is fine the way it is.”

Tony was curious. On one hand, Kat seemed independent, with a streak of wildness, on the other she was solid and dependable.

He sipped his wine. “Sure, we all think our lives are fine right before we crash and burn.” He winced at the bitterness in his voice. Where in the hell had that come from? Striving for a more casual tone, he asked, “If there was one thing you could change about your life, what would it be?”

Man, he’d been spending too much time listening to marriage counselors.

She hesitated. “I’d quit expecting other people to make me happy. I’d do more things that were good for me, without considering what anyone else thought. All those activities I’ve dreamed about over the years, but said I didn’t have time for. Maybe learn to cook. Grow a few vegetables and flowers in a garden. I don’t know, it’s something to consider.”

“Sounds like a win-win proposition.” He shook his head. “Don’t tell my ex I said that, though. She was always after me to have more balance in my life. Less work, more play and relaxation.”

“You don’t impress me as the relaxed type.”

The waiter came and refilled their water glasses. Tony was tempted to elbow the guy out of the way so as not to lose the headway he’d made with Kat. At the same time, he tried to follow the conversation between Will and the sisters.

After Kat thanked the waiter, she turned to Tony, raising an eyebrow. “Well, am I right? You’re an adrenaline junkie?”

“Hey, I can be as relaxed as the next guy,” he protested. “But when I’m involved in something, I’m involved one hundred percent.”

“I can relate.” She picked up her water glass and stared into it for a moment before taking a sip. “I’m that way in my relationships. I’ve been told it leaves very little room for the other person…to contribute.”

The last thing Tony wanted to do was contemplate his failed marriage and whether he’d contributed enough. Because, hands down, Corrine had done the lion’s share. At the time it hadn’t been so obvious. Or maybe he simply hadn’t wanted to know.

Shaking his head, he forced his thoughts to the present. “So what made you think I’m an adrenaline junkie?”

She nodded at his feet. “The biker boots. And I saw you in the lobby carrying a helmet. I figure you’re a weekend warrior with a Harley. That, and you’re always scanning the room as you talk, plus there’s this undercurrent to you, as if you’re spring-loaded.”

Tony wondered if he’d chosen the right woman to pursue. She was too damn observant for his comfort. Never a good thing in undercover work.

“You’re sharp,” he said.

“Not really. I simply have a talent for finding the one bad boy in every room. You might even call it a curse.”

CHAPTER FOUR

KAT COULDN’T BELIEVE she’d called Tony a bad boy. Or admitted her Achilles’ heel.

She watched out of the corner of her eye as he cut a piece of steak, speared it with his fork and shoveled it into his mouth.

He wiped his mouth with the cloth napkin and asked, “You had this talent long?”

“Since puberty.”

A smile twitched his lips. “I see.”

“No, I don’t think you do. I’ve decided to use my talent, as you call it, for good rather than evil. I’ve promised myself I’ll run like hell next time I zero in on the bad boy.”

“Darlin’,” he drawled, “you’re mistaken about one thing. I’ll admit to my share of bad moments. But I haven’t been considered a boy by a beautiful woman since I reached puberty. I’m one hundred percent man.”

If it was coming from another guy, Kat might have challenged this cocky statement. But she had no doubt Tony could live up to his self-anointed title given half a chance.

She resisted the urge to fan herself with her napkin and gulp her ice water. The room temperature had to have ratcheted up at least twenty degrees.

Tony leaned back in his chair and sipped his wine, all confident male.

Raising an eyebrow, she said, “While bad boys have a certain amount of charm, bad men are downright creepy. If they’re not in jail, that is. Then they’re wards of the state. And if they’re bad old men, they’re just pathetic.”

He laughed, showing straight white teeth and a dimple. His brown eyes sparkled.

Kat caught her breath, surprised by the intensity of the connection she felt with him. It was almost tangible, and transcended the fact that she couldn’t stand him.

A high-pitched laugh from the other side of the table reminded her they weren’t alone.

“Aren’t you two just the cutest thing,” Lola said, still laughing. She reached across Will to jostle her sister’s arm. “They remind me of that bartender, Sam, and the cocktail waitress, Diane. All that frustrated banter when you know they just want to tear each other’s clothes off.”

Lorraine reluctantly turned from Howard. “Who? Sam and Diane from Cheers?”

“We have our own Sam and Diane—Tony and Kat. Isn’t it fun?”

Kat felt her cheeks warm and wished the ground would swallow her up. She’d found Lola’s almost childlike views charming until this moment. It made her wonder if Lorraine was the older twin by seconds, and as such, had always kept an eye out for her younger sibling.

A responsibility Kat had been spared when her baby sister, Nicole, had gone to live with their mom after the divorce. They might have had a stronger bond if they’d at least lived in the same household.

Tony, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying the attention. “Now, Lola, we were only kidding around. You’re going to embarrass Kat. See, she’s blushing.”

The older woman leaned forward, her voice a stage whisper. “That’s because she wants you.”

Just then a commotion at the other side of the table had Will jumping to his feet.

“Oh, my,” Lola said.

“I’m so sorry.” He dabbed ineffectively at her lap. Her wine goblet was overturned on the table in front of her.

“I have to change my skirt and treat this stain before it sets.”

“I’m such a klutz. Let me walk you to your casita, Lola. It’s the least I can do.”

Kat could have kissed him. She suspected he had created the diversion to save her embarrassment.

Lorraine gazed longingly at Howard for a few seconds before she stood. “I’ll walk my sister back to her room.”

“No need to bother yourself. I’m the one who made the spill. I should make it right,” Will stated.

“Really, it’s—”

“I insist. Sit down and enjoy your dinner. I’ll ask the waiter to keep our plates warm in the kitchen.”

Lorraine slowly sat. “I would hate to miss a moment of Howard’s going away dinner. Are you sure you don’t need me, Lola?”

“Positive,” she replied. There was a spring in her step as she left the table with Will, who cupped her elbow.

Kat turned and noticed Tony was watching them, too, his eyes narrowed.

TONY LEANED BACK in his chair as dinner was cleared, trying to appear relaxed when he was itching to find out what Sterling was up to.

Before they could begin to break up, Linda came by their table. “I wanted to invite you all to a special demonstration in the art studio in twenty minutes. In honor of his new great-grandson, Howard has commissioned my husband to create a glass sculpture to present to the proud parents. Garth won’t allow an audience when he’s working on the actual piece, but he’s going to make a special ornament to commemorate the baby’s birth. I’m sure Howard would love it if you would join him. Garth might take some requests from the audience, too, if you have special occasions coming up. Cake and coffee will be served afterward.”

“Oh, dear, Lola wouldn’t want to miss it.” Lorraine’s hand was tucked in Howard’s arm, her dilemma clear.

“How about if you two go ahead,” Tony suggested, “and I stop by your suite to tell her? That way you won’t miss any of the demonstration.”

“Thank you, Tony. We’re in casita number eight.”

“No problem.”

Kat eyed him speculatively. “What, not an art lover? Trying to duck out of the demonstration?”

“On the contrary.” He opened the double door for her. “But Lola’s been gone an awfully long time. I’m kind of worried about her.”

“She’s with Will, so I’m sure she’s fine. But it’s…unexpectedly nice of you. And should set Lorraine’s mind at ease.”

He couldn’t help but laugh. “Yep, that’s me—nice, pathetic, old bad man.”

“No, you haven’t quite reached the old and pathetic stage. That’s what makes you so dangerous.”

Kat thought he was dangerous? He’d obviously failed in his attempt to seem harmless. Her powers of observation might end up being a problem down the road. He would have to remember not to underestimate her. “That’s a relief. Save me a seat?”

“Maybe.” She rose. “Or maybe not. I’d hate for you to think I was predictable.”

“No worries about that.”

They left the restaurant in a group.

“I’ll go check on Lola,” Tony called to Lorraine as he took the side path that looped around to her unit.

He was halfway there when he saw Lola and Sterling headed in his direction. Covering the ground between them, he said, “There you are. Linda wanted me to tell you that there’s a special demonstration tonight in the art studio, followed by cake for Howard.”

“Thanks for letting us know.” Sterling tucked Lola’s hand in his arm. “You go on ahead. That way you won’t miss the start.”

“I’ll walk with you two. I don’t mind missing a few minutes.” He wanted to see how the con man worked. Maybe Sterling would let something important slip.

“Nonsense, Tony. These old legs of mine move too slowly,” Lola said. “Will promised to be my devoted servant for the rest of the evening.”

A devoted servant with his hand in her pocket.

But Tony didn’t want to raise Sterling’s suspicions by overstaying his welcome. “If you’re sure?”

Will smiled. “Positive. I’ll see that this lady arrives safe and sound.”

“Okay, I’ll tell Lorraine you’re on your way.”

Lola waved him off as she started telling Sterling a story about the time she’d met an Arab prince.

Tony turned and followed the path to the studio, catching up to Kat on the way. She stood in the path, gazing up at the sky.

“What’d I miss?”

“Bats.” Her voice was tinged with awe. “You can see them in the moonlight.”

“What’s so fascinating about bats?”

“We don’t have many in Phoenix. It amazes me that things can change so much only a hundred miles from the city. I saw a red-tailed hawk this afternoon.”

“You need to come to Texas then. We have more hawks and bats than you’d ever believe. You grew up in Phoenix? Let me guess—you were a rebel in high school?”

She shook her head and started to walk down the path again. “No way,” she said over her shoulder. “I was president of the chess club, then did a stint in debate. The science club, too.”

He caught up to her in two strides. “You? A nerd?”

“I preferred to think of myself as an intellectual.”

“A fiery intellectual then.”

“Save the compliments for someone who cares.”

“Ouch. I was sincere.”

Her tone was light when she said, “That’s what all the bad men say. Where in Texas are you from?”

Grasping her arm, he pulled her to a stop. “Shh. See, over there under that cedar tree? It’s a mama javelina and her baby out for an evening snack.”

“Wha— Oh, I see,” she whispered. “They’re so dark I almost couldn’t make them out—smaller than pigs I’ve seen at the fair. How sweet.”

“Yes, but those mamas get mean if you get too close to the babies.”

They started walking again and the javelinas trotted off into the brush.

“You never answered my question about where you’re from. Are there javelinas in Texas?”

“I was born and raised in San Antonio. And yes, we have javelinas, too.”

“You’ve never wanted to live somewhere else?”

He shrugged. “My family’s there, my friends…. And an ex-wife.”

“Why am I not surprised you’re divorced? How long were you married?”

“Sixteen years.” He glanced around as they walked. “No kids, though.”

“Did you want kids?”

“Enough about me. Have you been married? Want kids?”

She hesitated, then gave him a withering glance. “Don’t bother trying to get me to talk about myself so I’ll let my guard down. I’m not interested in you, so sharing my history would only be a waste of time.”

“Ouch. Prickly much?”

She snorted. “Only with assholes.”

He threw back his head and laughed. Damn, he enjoyed sparring with her. She tried so hard to compensate for her vulnerability. He’d already figured out that her family and babies were sore topics for her.

The baby thing wasn’t hard to figure out. He could almost hear her maternal clock ticking from a couple feet away.

What was it about her family she didn’t want him to know? Tony filed the question away for future reference.

“Laugh all you want, just leave me alone. I’ll wait for Lola.”

CHAPTER FIVE

KAT COULD NOT BELIEVE Tony’s arrogance.

He’d called her prickly simply because she didn’t fall for his obvious come-ons. Because she saw through him and understood he was the type of man she should avoid.

Sixteen years? A man married that long should seem solid enough. Except that Tony hadn’t said he’d been faithful for all that time. Or that he’d been a decent husband.

Take her dad, for instance. She remembered her mother yelling at her father after his return from a business trip to Vegas. She’d been sorting his laundry and found a slip of paper with the name and phone number of a woman.

It was only the second time Kat had heard her parents fight. They’d announced their divorce a short time later.

A familiar sense of loss hit her hard. Her eyes misted as she wondered if that fight had marked the end of their family as she’d known it. And wondered why the memory had been buried all this time….

“Dear, is everything all right?”

She turned to see that Lola and Will had caught up with her.

“Oh, um, yes, everything’s fine. I…got something in my eye. I’ll be along shortly.”

“We don’t want to leave you out here by yourself, do we Will?”

He glanced at the studio, then grinned. “No, we don’t.”

That’s when Kat remembered they hadn’t even eaten dinner yet.

“I’ll be fine. It’s perfectly safe out here. You two go along, I’ll be there in a minute.” She stepped off the path to let them by.

“If you’re sure…” Lola’s gate was stiff and slow. It would have been hard for her to stand for very long. It had been sweet of her to offer, though. “Positive.”

Linda was waiting inside the door when Kat arrived a few minutes later. “We’re out back near the kilns. Unfortunately, we have to keep the studio doors locked because some kids from town vandalized Garth’s work last year. It was so sad. They smashed several pieces to bits.” She locked the front door behind them and led the way through the studio.

“Oh, how horrible,” Kat said.

Glancing around, Kat was immediately impressed by Garth’s art, displayed on lit pillars of different heights and shapes. There were large bowls with fluted edges in greens and blues. A more whimsical one had yellow polka dots. The pieces seemed to shift and flow with the light, as if they were undersea creatures. It had to be an optical illusion.

“I haven’t seen too much handblown glass, but even I can tell his work is special.”

“Yes.” Linda fairly beamed. “You’ll be even more amazed when you see all the work that goes into a piece. But Garth makes it seem effortless.”

“I’ll have to come back and look more closely another time.”

“Please feel free. The hours are posted near the front door. There are also several pieces for sale in the gift shop.”

The temperature rose at least ten degrees when they walked outside. Two large kilns were situated on a detached, covered patio, the roof and poles of which were made of some sort of metal. It was a strictly utilitarian area, in contrast to the display inside.

Kat recognized Garth from meeting him earlier, when he’d pointed out the hawk to her. The artist was perched on a tall metal stool in the center of the courtyard. He wore faded jeans and a long-sleeved chambray shirt.

To her right was an assortment of metal chairs arranged to make an impromptu viewing area, like some ragged, independent theater production.

“Go ahead and sit down,” Linda directed, pointing. “There’s a chair over there.”

Kat stifled a groan. She might have known, the only seat left in the house would be right next to Tony. Could this evening get any better?

She squeezed by several people she didn’t know to get to the seat.

But Tony didn’t even seem to notice, he was so focused on Garth.

TONY WAS BARELY AWARE of Kat sliding into the seat next to him. He’d been refining a short-term plan for his investigation while watching the glass artist work his magic.

Sterling and Lola had arrived a few moments ago. Lorraine had saved only one seat for her sister, so Will had been relegated to sitting next to the newlyweds. If he was irritated, he didn’t show it. He came across as a laid-back, genuine kind of guy.

Except Tony knew better.

He’d decided against breaking into Sterling’s casita unless there was no other option. Becoming buddies with the con man seemed his best bet for gaining information and staying on the right side of the law. And the law was still important to him.

Garth’s demonstration interrupted his thoughts, as the artist explained the variables in temperature, air pressure and materials. Tony soon realized why each piece was unique.

It was fascinating to watch the man twirl molten glass on a long tube while his twenty-something male assistant blew into the other end of the tube. Before Tony’s eyes, a vaselike shape emerged, but not apparently to Garth’s satisfaction.

He opened the door to the kiln and placed the vase, tube still attached, inside, rotating it skillfully. Seconds later, he withdrew it and resumed the process.

“Amazing,” Tony murmured.

“Not nearly as amazing as your ego.” Kat shifted, crossing her arms over her chest.

“What’s my ego got to do with it?” He didn’t look her way. The glass cooled so quickly Garth had to work at a rapid pace.

“How dare you call me a bitch,” she whispered.

“I didn’t call you that.”

“You might as well have. Prickly is the same thing.”

He risked a glance in her direction. He’d learned to recognize a storm brewing as a kid, when his normally smiling mother had worn a similarly tight expression. Usually because she was pissed at his dad, but would snap at Tony for leaving the milk on the counter or tracking in mud. He didn’t mess with her when she was in that state. “You aren’t really upset about that, are you? There’s something else.”

“Of course not.”

He sighed, frustrated that she wouldn’t own up, but added, “You may be right.” That was the only helpful phrase he’d picked up in counseling.

Kat snorted. But at least she was quiet after that.

Still, he felt as if he’d failed some important test. Kind of like retiring from the Rangers at Corrine’s request and being served with divorce papers a month later. He’d done what she’d asked, sacrificed a career he’d loved, but it still hadn’t been enough.

“Mr. Birmingham,” Garth asked, “what’s your favorite color?”

The young husband, who had finally joined the group, managed to stop kissing his blond bride long enough to reply, “Blue.”

“Ah, I can see that. Your wife has blue eyes.”

She giggled.

The groom raised her hand to his lips and kissed her palm, adoration smoldering in his eyes.

Kat made a strangled noise.

“What’s wrong now?” Tony whispered.

“How can they be so young and so in love?”

He shrugged. “We all were, once….”

Garth did his thing with the molten glass while everyone watched.

But despite Kat’s relative silence, Tony had a hard time concentrating, his attention drawn by Sterling and the need to figure out the man’s next move. Was Lola his target? How would he manage to separate her from not only her sister, but her trust fund?

“A gift for you, from the staff at Phoenix Rising.” Garth presented the newlyweds with two beautiful champagne glasses in swirls of blue layered upon clear glass.

Impressed and clearly touched, the pair thanked Garth. A few minutes later, they ducked out hand-in-hand. It didn’t take a brain surgeon to realize they would fall back into bed the minute they arrived at their casita….

Kat bumped Tony in the arm as she shifted in her seat.