Texas Lonestar (Texas Heroes Book 4) Read Online Free PDF Page A

easy. Having Governor Kyle Chancellor at his back had helped, but the feds and the state of Texas didn’t always see eye to eye. Texas was the only state in the union with secession rights and they never let anyone forget it.
    Grabbing the black remote, he turned on the flat-screen TV and settled down in his beloved recliner to watch the local news. The drone of the TV mixed with the hum of the appliances and soon he was nodding off to sleep. The best he could hope for was not to dream. Unpleasant thoughts woke him up and now he just lay there wondering what the hell had happened to his life. He was dead tired, his body protesting the lack of sleep and the lack of sexual release. For about the space of two seconds, Dallas considered calling Sonia and inviting her over or going to her place for some quick sex. His obvious lack of motivation stemmed from sheer boredom. Sonia Enfield was a nice enough lady, very pretty and a damn good lawyer. She loved to hang out at his place, more to be in his apartment, he thought, than any pleasure she took from spending time with him. Dallas smiled. He understood, his apartment was a rare find. Sonia always said that if he ever decided to move, she wanted first dibs at his apartment. Other than his incredible view of Lake Austin, she had no more interest in anything long term or meaningful relationship-wise than he did.
    So, what was the problem? Hell, if he knew. At the moment, he just didn’t want sex bad enough to move. But the longer he sat there, the more the familiar round of thoughts began to plague his mind…
    If Carly hadn’t found the box, if she hadn’t gone to Houston, if she’d wanted their baby...if he’d been worthy of her love…if…if…
    An endless sea of if’s and none of them meant a damn thing in the long run. All Dallas had now, that meant anything to him, was work. He could work hard, succeed, see the fruits of his labors–that was all that mattered. Because work was all he had.
    Draining the beer can, he considered getting up and fetching another one. But that would require movement and right now, it was just too much to ask of his tired body. Maybe he’d just sleep out here tonight in the recliner, in front of the TV. Beds just reminded him of what was missing in his life,
    Buzz! Buzz!
    Dallas eyed his cell phone with distaste. Who would be calling so late? Picking it up he squinted an eye to read the name in the dimming light. Ah, an old friend, Hiram Glover. Dallas couldn’t help but smile. Hiram had been his mentor when he first became a DPS officer. When he’d decided to try out for the Rangers, Hiram had encouraged him. The old man had retired a few years ago and now served as a ‘special ranger’, ready to be called up if the need be, serving in capacities where a ranger’s know-how was invaluable. Dallas liked to think of the unit as being akin to the National Guard on a state level. “McClain. Hiram, is that you?”
    “Hello, Dallas, it’s good to hear your voice.”
    “It’s good to hear yours. How’s Marge?” Dallas settled back, a smile coming to his face. He could still remember the day Hiram had ‘initiated’ him into the Rangers, the crank call where he’d been sent out on a drug bust only to find himself in the midst of a party in his honor, complete with a scantily clad, well-endowed dancer hopping out of a big round cake with the Texas lone star emblazoned on the top layer in chocolate icing. The sight had made Dallas distinctly uncomfortable, wondering if the woman who jumped out of the cake had a little boy waiting for her at home. The fact that he’d never said a word about the incident went without saying.
    “Well, that’s what I called you about, Dallas. Marge isn’t doing too well.”
    “What do you mean?” His friend’s voice sounded weak, not the usual strong baritone he was used to hearing. “Is something wrong?”
    “Marge had a light stroke. High blood pressure. I’m having to stay fairly close to home