The Texas Ranger's Family by Rebecca Winters

had come to the door to give her the receipt for the car. She watched through the screen as Rod’s car was hauled away. She was relieved to know the surveillance team was keeping watch. Tomorrow she’d take the bag of his clothes to Goodwill and that would be the end of any physical reminders. Except for photographs.
    Those were in a scrapbook Natalie had put away on a shelf. One day Amy would want to see pictures of her father. Natalie hoped that by the time Amy started asking questions about her daddy, enough years would have gone by that she’d be able to deal with them.
    After Amy’s bath, she put her to bed and was just coming out of the nursery when her phone rang. She hurried to the kitchen, hoping it might be Kit, but when she checked the screen, it listed an area code and number for Denver. With a frown, she answered.
    â€œHello?”
    â€œIs this Mrs. Harris?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œThis is Mrs. Issac, the director at the Cottonwood Nursing Home. You asked that we contact you about Gladys Park. I’m sorry to have to tell you that she died in her sleep this evening.” Natalie gasped. “She was comfortable to the end. There’ll be a little memorial service here for her on Monday at noon. Her close friend and her pastor are arranging it, but I knew you’d want to be notified.”
    â€œThank you so much for letting me know. It means the world to me. I don’t think I can make it to the service, but I’ll have flowers sent.”
    â€œThat would be lovely.”
    Natalie disconnected and buried her face in her hands. Another death. Emotion overwhelmed her and she broke down sobbing.
    * * *
    B EFORE K IT PULLED into the driveway, he waved off the surveillance team. With his business concluded early, he’d taken the next flight out of San Francisco.
    He drove into the garage and went into the house, where he found Natalie in the kitchen, crying her heart out.
    â€œNatalie?”
    She lifted her tear-streaked face. “You’re back—” she cried in surprise. “Oh, Kit, I’m so glad you’re here.”
    Without thinking, he pulled her into his arms and held her while she wept. “What’s happened?” he asked. His lips brushed her silky blond hair.
    â€œG-Gladys died this evening. I got the call a few minutes ago.”
    He gathered her tighter.
    â€œWhat if you hadn’t arranged for us to fly to Denver when you did? I would never have known her. Thank heaven you took pictures while we were there. Amy will cherish those when she gets older.” Natalie lifted her head so their mouths were only inches apart. “If it weren’t for you, I don’t know how I would have gotten through everything. I owe you so much.”
    Kit kissed the tears on her cheek but eased her away from him, even though it was the last thing he wanted to do. “I’m glad we went, too. Come on. Let’s go in the living room and talk. I take it Amy is down for the night.”
    She nodded and led the way.
    He waited until she sank onto a chair before settling in at one end of the couch. “When is her service?”
    â€œMonday. At the nursing home. I told the director I couldn’t be there, but I’d send flowers.” She wiped her eyes with the backs of her hands. “How did your prison visit go?”
    â€œSalter was uncooperative, but I spoke to several other inmates. One of them told me he knew the forger who’d made fake IDs for Salter and some of the other prisoners. The name was Barni Esger. It could turn out to be a promising lead if I can find a connection between this person and Rod’s forged documents.”
    â€œWhere is this forger?”
    â€œHe’s serving time in federal prison at Leavenworth in Kansas.”
    She groaned. “All those men in prison... That means you’ll be taking another trip.”
    â€œYes.”
    She lowered her head. “Did you tell Salter that