Page 42 of The Unbuttoned Ranger
She took a step back to let him enter. “I always did hate eating alone.”
“I need to wash up,” he said.
“Meet me in the kitchen.”
Not wanting to keep her waiting, he splashed water over his face and arms, ran his fingers through his hair that needed a cut, then put on the clean T-shirt he kept in his truck for just-in-case. Well, this was a just-in-case moment.
A pan of lasagna rested on the kitchen island, cooling. His mouth salivated.
“Have a seat,” CaDee said as she began slicing the pasta.
Two plates were arranged at the island. He took his place at one and poured water from a pitcher into a glass, drinking thirstily. He’d been in the sun most of the day.
He watched her place a square of lasagna on his plate and then one on hers. He tried to keep his attention off her, but he was drawn to staring. The sundress she wore kissed her curves and suddenly his hunger for lasagna turned into something quite different.
“Good thing we’re not disappointing Piper by having dinner together,” she said as she sat down. Her arm brushed his and it took great control not to kiss her.
He dug into the food like a starving man.
CaDee picked at her food.
He realized she was staring at him with curiosity brimming her eyes.
She cleared her throat. “Ursula told me about your injury.”
“I’m not surprised. She doesn’t own a filter.” He used a napkin to wipe his mouth. “I’m assuming you’ve got questions?”
“You were shot? How? Why?” She wiped her fingers on her napkin.
He settled back into the chair, knowing one day he’d have to tell her the story. “Almost three months ago my team and I were gunned down. I’ve been here recovering.”
As expected, it took her a moment to wrap her head around the vague details. “Team?”
“Texas Rangers.” He couldn’t tell her everything. The recon team needed to be kept under wraps until he knew he could completely trust her. He had some questions of his own and had been waiting for the right time to ask. It hadn’t taken much effort to uncover her past. Married to a cop. Divorced the cop. But he wanted her to fill in the gaps.
Some of her tan disappeared. “Texas Rangers?”
He understood her uneasiness. It wasn’t unusual that people lumped all law enforcement together. Her expression was proof that the divorce hadn’t been amicable.
“Yep.” He pushed his plate away.
“That’s dangerous.”
“It has its moments, but I’ve never been one to shy away from danger.”
“You were shot by a criminal?”
“As a Ranger we tend to accumulate enemies. It won’t be the last time.”
“Getting shot?”
He laughed. “Lord, I hope so. It hurt like a mother fucker—Oops. Sorry.”
“After getting shot you’re not retiring?” Her expression changed s.
He knew he had to be cautious about what he revealed. “I’m staying at Fin’s Creek on the ranch, working to restore it.”
“So that’s why you’re so guarded. You have been formed by the badge.”
