The next day Tommy and Krisa were busy getting things ready for the bbq. Krisa was making her mom's famouse side dishes . While Tommy made up his famouse rub. The comfortable silence between the two was growing. Finally after another hour Tommy broke the silence.

""Babygirl are you alright? You seem lost in though."

"Yeah dadd Im fine. "

"Worried about something baby girl?"

"Just worried about Cordell meeting Matthew."

"Ah.."

Krisa sighed as she finished up making the otoes salad and puts it in the fridge.Tommy noticed something else was wrong with his daughter. Grabbing his daughter into a hug Tommy hoed she would tell him. What was really botherring her. Krisa couldn't be strong anymore and broke down in tears.

"Daddy they want to hurt him.""

"Who wants to hurt who babygirl?"

"Matthew he wants to hurt Cordell."

"How?"

"I don't know."

"Does Cordell know?"

"Yes he found out I'm not sure he found out everything.""

"Good…"

"Not good daddy what if Matthew finds out that Cordell knows?"

"Baby girl trust me Cordell won''t let on about anything."

"I hope your right daddy."

Tommy hugged his daughter tight before he was able to ull back when they heard a knock at the door. Tommy told Krisa to go to the bathroom and calm down while he got the door.

Krisa nodded and headed down the hall to the bathroom. While Tommy answered the door to find Matthew on the otherside.

"Matthew come in come in."

"Thank you Tommy."

Tommy ste back and allowed Matthew to walk into the house. They walked into the living room.

"Krisa here?"

"Yeah, she's taking a shower."

"Oh I was hoping to hel with the food for the BBQ."

"Well i could use a hand getting the meat on the pit."

"Be glad to leaned a hand."

Krisa stayed in the bathroom. When she heard her dad oen the door. Waiting five mintues she slied into her room hearing her dad say she was in the shower. Krisa took that as a clue to let her dad have time with him. Walking into the kitchen Tommy undcovered the meat and let Matthew take on of the meat trrays and out to the BBQ pit.

"This meat looks amazing Tommy."

"Thank you." Tommy said as they ut the meat on the it. Krisa walked outside leaening u agianst the door.

"Hey Babe." Matthew said walking u to Krisa.

"Hey you how was court."

"Good I think we won.""

"That's great babe."

Tommy watch with caution as the two walked back into the house talking. he didn't like the fact that tMatthew seemed to want his daughter alone and not where he could see her. When they were far enough away from Tommy Matthew qqquickly changed the subject.

"Has he agreed yet?"

"I'm working on it."

"Tick tok Krisa you're time is running out.

"I know that!"

"Then hurr u if his not in Houston by the time we get married you know what will haen."

"Everything okay in herer?" Tommy asked suddenly he had heard the whole conversation from outside and the second he heard Matthew about to threaten his daughter he ste in. Krisa saw the look in her father's eyes. There was a look of warning and anger that look was never good one.

"yeah dad everything is fine."

"Sorry Tommy I just needeed to show Krisa a last second wedding gdetail."

"Oh okay." Tommy said.

Krisa smiled and show'd Tommy pictures of table sittings on Matthews hone. The blue and urle flowers were nice to see but to Tommy the ictures felt like a cover u. Because he had heard every word they had said. Krisa got the feeling her dad wasnt buying it. Before anyone could say a word. They heard a knocke on the door. Krisa walked to the door and oended the door.

"Ms. Abby, Mr. Bo, Liam! come in come in."

"Thank you Krisa." Abby said as she gave the younge woman a hug.

"Good to see you darlin." Bohman said giving Krisa a hug.

"Hey Krissy." Liam said hugging Krisa.

"Abby , Liam, Bo good to see you all welcomee. Welcome." Tommy said.

Wounderful to see you Tommy." Abby said.

"Hey Tom."

Tommy smiled as he shook hands with Bonham and Liam. While he greeted Abby with a hug and quick eck on the cheek. Krisa looked behind the Walker's execting Cordell to walk in only she didn't see him.

"Where is Cordell and the kids?" Krisa asked as she hung up their coats.

"They'll be here in a few Cordi couldn't pick a shirt." Liam said giving Krisa a wink.

"This must be the Walker family I''ve heard so much about." Matthew said as he suddenly aeared suddenly in the living room.

"I'm Abyy , this is my husband Bohman and my youngest son Liam." Abby answered msking the introducetion.

"Matthew Starson nice to finally meet ya'll." Matthew relied as the shook hands with the Walkers.

"Liam you work for the DA right? I've heard alot about you." Matthew said.

"Yeah, same here you and your dad have that law firm in Houston right."

Krisa held her breath and said a silent prayer as she looked out the door. Her heart was ounding in her ears as she watched for Cordell's truck. After what seemed like forever and two heart attacks later. The blue Ford F150 finally ulled into the drive. Krisa rn out the door almost the second the truck stoped and waited. When a younge give with red hair dressed in white flowered sun dress and matching shoes got out of the truck.

Followed by a boy who reminded her of Cordell at sixteen got out. Krisa smiled when Cordell finally got out he was dressed like a ranger should be. Shirt, jeans, boots and stedson hat. he smiled at Krisa as the three made their way u the side walk.

"Hey Cordi."

"Hey Krisa."

"These must be your kids."

"Uh yeah this is my daughter Stella and my son Auguest."

"Auggie." the young man corrected.

"It's nice to meet you both. Stella you are as beautifl as your mom. An Auggie you remind me of your dad at your age. " Krisa said teasing Cordell.

Stella and Auggie both laughed as they noticed how Cordell was blushing.

"My folks here?"

"Yeah they're inside come on in." Krisa said as she lead the trio inside.

"Daddy, Cordell and his kids are here." Krisa called out the second she lead them into the house.

Tommy came into the eliving room and welcoming the three new-comers. After the introductions Tommy lead everyone out back where the others were waiting. Cordell felt Krisa go fridged next to him when he saw Matthew Starson coming towards them.

"You must be Ranger Walker?"

"That's me and you must be Matthew."

"Thats me. Its nice too finally meet you Krisa has told me alot about you." Matthew said.

"Stella, uggie why dont you tow go join the others by the fire itt." Krisa suggested to the teens who qqqquickly wwaalked away to join their grandarents and uncle.

"So matthew i hear you will be marrying Kris soon." Cordell said cenom clear in his voice.

"Less then a few weeks from now."

"You're a lucky man."

"Thank you i think so."

"Cordell, would mind heling me with something in the kitchen." Tommy said suddenly.

"Yeah sure, nice to meet you Matt."

Cordell turned and followed Tommy inside. Krisa smiled at Matthew wraing her arm around his waist as they walked off to join the others. Once Tommy was sure that he and Cordell couldn't be over heard he spoke.

"Cordell there is something wrong with that Matthew."

"What od you mean?"

"I mean I think his doing something to Krisa. I could swear earlier he did something to Krisa. Cordell I could swear he threathen her."

Cordell's jaw locked and his eyes went dark green when he heard this news. he had known yesterday both from Captain James and Krisa that Mattthew Starson was lanning something. Now this just confirmed his fear.

"Tommy what I'm about to tell you can nnever leave this kitchen."

"Did you tell him yet?"" Liam asked as he walked into the kitcheen. he noticed Tommy and Cordell walk inside and had a feeling something was wrong.

"I was about to."

"Tell me what boys?"

"Tommy myself along with Ca. james have been looking into matthew Starson and his father for the ast few months."

"What did you find?"

"We know the Starson are dirty. and that they have ties to the cartel. We also think they maybe threarning Krisa aboutt you and me." Cordell answered.

"What about you and I ..Cordell we don't know these people."

"We know only I think or rrather I have a gut feeling. Starson is threating to kill both you and I if Krisa even so much as told anyone. Anything about what they do."

Tommy sighed he had gut feeling about that Matthew the second he meet him.

"Tommy you told me that she had been ushing you to go to Houston right? Cordell asked.

"Yeah she's been asking me and asking me to come with her. I've told her no. Honestly I think she's been forced to try and gett me out of my own house to Houston.. Cordell I'm telling you that man has something on my daughter."

"Question is what?" Liam asked. Tommy was aboutt to say something when Matthew walked into the kitchen grabbing beers out of the fridge.

"Oh sorry guys, Krisa asked me to grab a few beers from the fridge."

"Hey Matthew did Krisa ever mention to you baout the caming tris we went on?" Tommy asked.

"Yeah, she mentioned something about a camping tri at the start of hunting season. Told me about how much she missed doing to that."

Cordell and Liam both grined at each other thinking about that ri. Both of them knowing there was no such tripp. Tommy glanced at the Walker's brothers and nodded at theem.

"I remember those tris we went with you a few times." Cordell said

"Dad use to love those tris." Liam agreed.

"Sounds like something she'd like to do again." Matthew said.

Just at that moment Krisa walked into the kitchen with Abby.

"Whats something I'd like to do?"

"The caming trips we use to go on babygirl."

"Oh I remember those you all had so much fun." Abby said.

"Kris remember the year we taught Liam to swim in the river."

"So did not you made me jump."

Abby and Tommy chuckled as the three friends laughed at the memories. Soon t hey were all sitting down to dinner. Krisa couldn't remember a time when dinner didn't feel so tense. Only it had been along time since she'd sat down and had a nice family style dinner.

Stella and Auggiehad asked qquestions about Cordell and Emily. Krisa was hay to tell anything becuse it made Cordell turn red and Liam laugh. Abby, Bohman and Tommy also told a few stories of their oown. Only Krisa noticed at one oint that Matthew was getting angry and she suddenly felt nervouse.

So when she had asked him to hel herr with dressert . She waited to see what he would do once they were alone in the kitchen.

"The walkers seem nice." he said suddenly.

"Theyre good eole Matt."

"You and Ranger Walker have quite the past."

"Well we did grow u together."

"I wounder hoow much he knows? Have you told him?"

"Whatt no, Matt I told you I haven't spoken a word."

"Then why isn't the old man packing for Houston?"

"He doesn't want to move okay. Look my dad won't say a word he knows nothing he isn't a."

"He may not be butt that Rangerr is . You have a desion to make herre Krisa. Either get your dad out of Austin to Houston. Ranger Walker becomes the late Ranger Walker. "

"You wouldn't do that?!"

"We would and we will. So who is it gonna be Krisa the clock is ticking down. An to give you a ush. I like your dad I'd had hate to loss him."

Matthew said as the two frirnsihed getting dessert and cofee. Not kowning Cordell and Liam had been eas droing thte whole time and had heard every singel word that had been said. After dinner and everyone had left. Cordell and Liam stayed behind they wanted to talk to Krisa nad figurer out just twhat it was Strason was holding over her.

The trhee sat in the dinning room in silence not saying anything at first until Liam spoke up .

""Krisa we have to know. What is it that Starson is holding over you."

"Liam, I can't tell you. If I do it puts Cordell and my dad's lives on the line and I can't risk that."

"Kris , hey listen to me we can get protection for Tommy okay, he can come stay out at the rance and we will keep him safe."

"An what about you? Who isi going to protect you Cowboys when they find out I told?" Krisa asked him.

"We will have extra details with Cordi and Mickey I promise you we will protect him. Krisa you have my word both as DA and as your oldest friend." Liam promised.

Krisa sighed she knew Liam wouldn't lie to her and she also knew the Walkers would protect her ddad. Only it wasn't enough. An she knew that not matter what nothing anyone did would keep her dad and Cordell safe. Turst was what made her want to talk. She trusted Liam and Captrian James both. Takeing a deep breath she spoke.

""I can''t tell you everything that happen but I can tell you some of what happen."

"Okay just tell us what you can." Cordell said reaching across the table takeing her hand in his.

"Three years ago Matthew's dad got a client from here. His name was Eamy Fantsies. Fantsies came to the house since Tad works from home most days. I dont know how but he said he knew me. He told Tad I was best friends with a Texas Ranger. An thats all i know."

Fantsies wasn't he a drug dealer you arrested back when you first started?"" Liam asked his brother.

"Yeaeh james and I arressted him with …." suddenly relization hit Cordell like a bucket of ice water. "He got arrested with Jimmy."

"You mean my cousin Jimmy?" Krisa asked confused.

"Yeah Jimmy and this guy got busted for a drug ring just outside town. Jimmy remembered me from school. he had a picture of you on him when I arrested him. I remember he said it was my fault you left town." Cordell recalled.

"The only picture of me Jimmy would have had on him was my graduation picture." Krisa said remembering the photo.

"So this Fantsies must have remembered you from the photo with Jimmy and pointed you out to Starson" Liam added.

"That would explain why when he saw me he said tell Jimmy stitches dig ditches for themseleves." I honestly have no idea what he means."

"Okay I'll look into see what I ican find on Jimmy." Liam said.

"I'll see if I pull up his arrest record see who his running with these days." Cordell added.

"Becareful you two. I mean it Starson knows alot of cops both in Houston and here. His got his hand deep in the cookie jar."

"Kris get Tommy out ot the rance tommrow and pack yourself a bag to. You're staying out at the ranch with him."

"Cor…"

""Do not even try and Cowboy your way out of this. Youre coming. Even if I have to throw you over my shoulder and drag you out there. Your comeing ."

Krisa giggled as she shook her head. After a little while of makeing plance Liam and Cordell left for the night. With Krisa word she and Tommy would be at the ranch tommrow. Little did any of them know that someone was watching and had reported everything back to the Starsons.