Texas Lonestar (Texas Heroes Book 4) by Sable Hunter, Texas Heroes Read Free Book Online

practically the same–functional and more tomboyish than sexy. “I have been having problems,” she offered lamely, thoroughly cowed down by her own thoughts.
    “Hiram didn’t tell me much, ma’am. Why don’t you fill me in on the details?”
    Ranger McClain took out his wallet and opened it up and Lennon could see it contained a silver pen and a small notepad. His hands were fascinating–big, broad, with heavy veins on top. Lennon wondered what it would feel like to be touched by him. Chill bumps bloomed on her skin, causing her to shiver.
    “Lennon? Ms. Haley?”
    She jumped a bit, his masculine voice bringing her out of the erotic daze she’d been in. “Sorry, I was wool-gathering.” Her own excuse made her smile–fitting, since she raised sheep.
    A bolt of awareness shot through Dallas like a bullet. Her smile completely transformed her face–giving it life, making her brown eyes sparkle with gold. He realized they were not really brown at all, but a rich deep amber. She reminded him a bit of one of his favorite actresses, the dark haired girl who played Rachel on the television show called Suits. What was her name? Meghan. Yes, Lennon resembled Meghan. Just not nearly as sexy. “Explain to me the problems you’ve been experiencing.” He said nothing to lead her on, he needed to hear it all in her own words. Throughout his time with the Rangers, Dallas had learned to read people’s expressions and mannerisms fairly well. He prided himself on knowing when they were lying.
    “All right.” Lennon clasped her hands together, wishing they were softer and that her nails were painted a pretty color. “Several things have been happening and I’m not even sure they’re related, to tell you the truth. The first thing I noticed was the mailbox. Someone shot it several times until it came off the post.”
    Dallas made a note. “Could’ve been kids - teenagers.”
    “I’m aware it could be, yes. Someone also put sugar in the gas tank of my tractor and cut the waterlines between the house and the outbuildings. Those things were bad enough, more than a nuisance, really. But a few days ago we realized over a dozen head of our Beefmasters and Angus are missing. I found a place where a gap has been cut in the fence with wire-cutters and I found evidence of tire tracks.”
    “I’ll want to check all of this out, personally,” he murmured without looking up.
    “Of course.” Lennon wanted him to. “You’ll be welcome.”
    “Can you give me a detailed description of the missing cattle?”
    “Yes.” Lennon rose on unsteady feet and went to her desk. “I’ve already made a list.” She handed the paper to him. “If you need any more information, I’ll be glad to get it for you.”
    Dallas scanned the list she’d made. Description, age, weight, date acquired, where and from whom purchased, or if they were born at Apache Springs. All of this information was noted in a small, feminine hand-writing. Hell, she even had them named, he noticed. Brenda, Melissa, Mr. T., Darlise… Good grief. “This looks sufficient. What about the Apache Springs brand? Do you have one?”
    “Oh, yes, of course.” She took another piece of paper, found a pen and drew a picture of the Bar H brand. “Here you go.”
    Dallas took the paper, then checked his pocket watch for the time. “Can you show me around now before it gets any later?”
    “Well, the coffee’s done.” She could smell it. “Could you share a cup with George while I make dinner? Sally will be hungry and you’re more than welcome to join us. I put four racks of ribs in the slow cooker this morning. All I need to do is whip up some mashed potatoes and make a salad. After we eat, we could check things out. It won’t get dark until eight-thirty.” When he looked a bit skeptical, she hastily added. “Sally needs to eat, she’ll go to bed early . ”
    Dallas nodded. He understood. “That’ll be fine.” Even though he’d never gotten the chance to raise