Free Her Texas Ranger Hero by Rebecca Winters Page B

going to have a timed contest to see who can go around the barrels the fastest. I’ve got a stopwatch. Come over to the table and pick out your starting number from the cowboy hat. Jeremy? Bring Daken so he’ll stay by me.”
    â€œYay!” Jeremy dismounted and hurried over to pick out a number. Daken followed and she tied the small animal to her chair.
    â€œHey. I’m number three!” the boy announced excitedly.
    One by one the partygoers drew their numbers. “I got five,” Ally told Jeremy.
    â€œWho’s first?” Claire asked.
    â€œLuckey’s my name,” Luckey said as he got back on his horse. The sight of him in his cowboy gear, sitting astride his palomino, almost overwhelmed Ally. He walked his mount to the starting point.
    â€œI’m clocking you. Ready, get set, go !”
    Ally sucked in her breath as Luckey rounded the first two barrels with ease. But he missed the third and was disqualified. Next went Kit, who showed expert horsemanship, but his horse hit two of the barrels, disqualifying him, as well. Jeremy rode his pony next, trying hard to keep his animal focused. It was hilarious. But he didn’t miss the barrels and didn’t hit them.
    Vic started out with a flawless performance until the second barrel, when his horse shied away in a different direction and was ruled out of the competition.
    Then it was Ally’s turn. She’d never barrel raced before and it showed. Hands down, she gave the worst performance of all the contestants, bumping every barrel, and was disqualified. But it was all done in good fun for Jeremy’s birthday.
    Last but not least came Cy, who started out well, but leaned too close at the third barrel. The momentum sent it rolling across the meadow and he had to chase after it and bring it back. With him out of the competition, the winner was clear. Luckey smiled at Ally as Claire stood up to make the announcement.
    â€œAnd the gold buckle goes to Jeremy Malone for a winning time of 22 seconds!” Everyone clapped as she handed him his prize. “Great job!” She hugged and kissed him before they all congratulated him.
    â€œOkay, guys. We’ve got hot dogs to cook. The buns and condiments are over on the table and there’s coffee, too. For dessert we’re having s’mores.”
    â€œYum!” Jeremy exclaimed.
    The bonfire provided the perfect backdrop for Ally to study Luckey’s rock-solid silhouette. While the horses grazed, everyone gathered around the fire to eat. Luckey found a stick for her and they cooked their hot dogs side by side.
    â€œYou and your Ranger friends acted like you honestly tried to do your best in that race. It’s so sweet of you to make this night so special for Jeremy. He seems like a great kid. I can’t believe he was kidnapped.”
    â€œIt was a nightmare, but Claire, who was his nanny at the time, helped find him fast. Vic married her soon after that.” Luckey shook his head. “I’d like to find the guy who stole the life from those four Asian girls. The sooner the better.”
    â€œI want that, too, Luckey.”
    After a wonderful evening, they said goodbye to the others and loaded up for the drive back to Ally’s parents’ ranch. On the way there Luckey said, “You were a hit with everyone, especially Jeremy.”
    â€œI’m flattered that he asked me to come to his parents’ house so I could play with Daken. What a cute boy.”
    â€œThe Lone Ranger scarf was the best present you could have given him.”
    She glanced at the man sitting next to her. “You have great friends. I’ve never had a better time, Luckey. After a night like this, I’m so glad I’m back in Texas.”
    â€œGlad enough to spend part of tomorrow with me? That is, if you don’t have work.”
    â€œIf this has to do with the case, then I can do both.”
    â€œWhat if this didn’t have anything to do