She'd gotten under his skin the moment he set eyes on the leggy attorney. But when Victoria Kirkland was attacked and nearly killed in her own bed, Lieutenant Brody MCQuade insisted on becoming her personal protector. Spending every moment by Victoria's side proved there was a woman capable of penetrating the Texas-sized chip on his shoulder. But seeing the fear in Victoria's sparkling green eyes reminded Brody that someone was waiting to come back and fi nish what he started. And this time, a Texas Ranger would be waiting .