The Texas Ranger's Family. Rebecca Winters

barefoot little girl in a ruffled, lemon-colored top and shorts who now came into the den with one of her push toys had the look of both of them. She stopped short of bumping into Kit’s shoe and looked up at him with her grayish-green eyes.

      Was she about to cry at seeing a stranger? It didn’t even matter—Kit decided she was the cutest little girl he’d ever seen.

      Natalie had come into the den and leaned down to address her daughter. “Amy? This is Ranger Saunders. He’s going to stay with us for a while.”

      “Ranger Saunders is too hard to say. You can call me Kit.”

      Surprised, Natalie stood. “Kit? I thought you said your name was Miles.”

      “It is, but most people call me Kit. It’s my nickname.” He hunkered down next to Amy. “Hi, honey. What’s your name?”

      “Tell him you’re called Amy,” her mother urged. “You can say it. Ay-mee.”

      “Me,” her daughter mimicked, leaving out the A.

      He smiled and pointed to his chest. “I’m Kit. Kit.”

      “You can tell her mind is working on it,” Natalie murmured.

      “Kit,” the little girl finally pronounced.

      “Yes.” He nodded, pleased she’d picked it up so quickly. “I’m Kit, and you’re Amy. Now what’s that toy you’re pushing?”

      She immediately started moving it around, showing him she understood.

      “That makes a fun noise,” he said, encouraging her.

      Pretty soon she’d circled the room. When she looked to see his reaction and smiled, it tugged on his emotions.

      “Cow,” she said and ran out of the den on her sturdy legs.

      Natalie eyed him in amusement. “She’s gone for her favorite animal in her toy box.”

      While they exchanged a silent glance, Amy came back clutching the brown-and-white-spotted plush cow in her hand. She toddled over to Kit, almost stumbling, and held it up. “Cow.”

      “That’s right. It’s a cow.” Kit took it. “Moo.”

      “Moo-oo,” she repeated with all the earnestness in her then hurried out of the den.

      “Oh, Kit. I’m sorry. Now that she’s got a captive audience in you she’s going to bring you all her farm animals.”

      “I’m not complaining.” He sat on the couch and put the cow on the coffee table. Before long the golden-haired cherub returned and handed him a purple pig. “What’s this?” he asked her.

      “Pig!”

      Her enthusiasm caused him to burst into laughter. “That’s a colorful pig. What sound does it make?”

      Amy tried to imitate the oink. He couldn’t believe she was so adorable.

      “Oink, oink,” he grunted. Her giggle delighted him. “You’re without a doubt the cutest, smartest little girl on the planet. That’s because you’ve got a terrific mother.” Though her father had been a criminal, he’d done one thing right in his life to have helped create this angel.

      “Come on, sweetie.” Natalie swept her up in her arms. “Let’s go out to the kitchen and give you a little snack.”

      Kit followed them, enjoying the interplay between mother and daughter. After Amy had been put in her high chair, Natalie fastened a bib around her neck. Then she sliced half a banana into small pieces and put them on the tray. He took a seat at the table to watch while the little girl took her time eating each mouthful of the fruit.

      He glanced at Natalie. “Since you weren’t expecting a guest to stay with you, I thought I’d fix us some lunch with the groceries I bought. How does that sound?”

      “I was just going to ask if you’d like a sandwich.”

      “Sounds good, but I’ll do it.”

      She smiled, but he didn’t know what else was on her mind because her cell phone rang, reminding him of the reason he was here.

      “Go ahead and answer it, but put it on speaker.”

      Her smile faded before she reached for the phone and checked the Caller ID. “It’s Jillian.”

      “Good. Let her know a cousin is visiting you and you won’t be going to work for a while, so you won’t be needing her services. The less she knows, the better.”

      “I agree.” Her voice trembled. She clicked on. “Jillian—”

      “Hi. I just want to know if you’re okay.”

      “I’m much better today.”

      “That’s good. You sound better. I saw a car in your driveway earlier. If you have company, call me when you have time to talk.”

      “It’s all right, I have time now. I was going to call you today, anyway. My cousin Todd is here from Wyoming for a few days, so I’m taking more time off of work and won’t be needing you to look after Amy next week.”

      “Oh. Okay... I’m glad you have family with you.”

      “Me, too. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, Jillian. I’m hoping life can get back to normal soon.”

      “I hope so, too. Take care, Natalie.”

      “You, too. I’ll call you soon.”

      “Okay. ’Bye.”

      She’d done well. The plan was in place.