Her Texas Ranger Hero by Rebecca Winters Read Free Book Online Page A

He thinks talking to you and Dad would be very useful. But before I say any more, I need to call him. Maybe he won’t be able to come this evening. Be right back.” She dashed up to her room and phoned his cell.
    He answered on the third ring. “Ally?”
    â€œHello again. I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
    â€œNot at all. I just got out of a meeting with my boss and am headed home.”
    Hearing his deep voice sent a thrill through her. “I talked to my mother and told her you’d been to see me at the university on an investigation. She has no idea why, but when I told her you wanted to talk to her and Dad, she said you’re welcome to come over this evening for dinner. We’re having steaks on the patio. Very casual and low-key. But if tonight isn’t good for you, I’m sure we can arrange another time that’s more convenient.”
    â€œThe timing couldn’t be better,” he said without hesitation. A big smile broke out on her face. “When would you like me to be there?”
    â€œIs six all right? My dad likes to eat early when he’s home.”
    â€œI’m salivating already.”
    Her stomach flipped over. “Good.”
    â€œWhere do you live?”
    Ally gave him the address on Crystal Mountain Road.
    â€œThe gray stone-and-wood ranch house sitting at the top of the canyon?”
    â€œYou’ve seen it?”
    â€œFrom a helicopter. You live in prime horse country.”
    â€œThe Duncans have been ranching people for three generations. My dad was a cowboy who married my cowgirl mom before he went into the marines.”
    â€œHow did he end up being ambassador to China?”
    â€œThe commandant requested two marine officers to be assigned to the navy’s program for the study of Chinese, a project originally developed in the early 1900s. He ended up studying with several Chinese tutors. His Mandarin was so good that he was called in to work for US Intelligence and one thing led to another. But he’s planning to retire and be a full-time rancher again at the end of the summer.”
    â€œI look forward to talking to him. See you in a little while.”
    Ally removed her leather cord, she headed for the bathroom to shower. After toweling off, she dressed in jeans and a navy crewneck sweater. She slipped on her tan wedge sandals. This wasn’t a real date. Luckey was working a case, but her heart didn’t know the difference, because he was coming to the ranch and she could hardly wait to see him again.
    After giving her hair a quick brush and applying a coat of pink gloss lipstick, she was ready. She pulled the letter from Soo-Lin out of her purse, went downstairs and found her parents out on the patio off the kitchen, drinking iced tea. Her dad had stretched out on a lounger in his cowboy boots.
    â€œSorry I took so long. What a great help I am!” Ally saw that her mom had already brought out the food and plates to the serving table.
    â€œDon’t worry about it.”
    â€œYou look lovely,” her father said. “I understand we’re expecting a Texas Ranger for dinner.”
    â€œYes. I told him to be here at six. But before he gets here, you and Mom should see this.”
    Ally handed her dad the letter and watched his face darken as he read it. Wordlessly, he handed it to her mother, who was proficient in Chinese, too. She started to read it. “Poor Soo-Lin. I know how much she wanted a baby.”
    â€œIt breaks my heart, but the other news is even sadder. Keep reading.”
    After a minute, her mother cried out, “Oh, no—not Yu Tan!”
    â€œHorrible, isn’t it?” Ally said. “But I don’t believe the story about her running off with a man.”
    â€œNeither do I,” her father muttered.
    â€œBecause Luckey sought me out at the university yesterday needing help on a case involving female trafficking, I showed him this letter