A Texas Christmas becomes a season of chilling danger and thrilling desire in this captivating tale of romantic suspense from New York Times bestselling author Mary Burton. The holidays bring painful memories for history professor and renowned linguist Marisa Thompson. Yet here they were again, just days after her return to Austin from her six-month sabbatical in the jungle west of the Yucatán. It was wrenching to tear herself away from the momentous archeological dig she'd begun, but there was no escaping Christmas, no matter how deeply she cloistered herself in her university office. And now, there was something unexpected to contend with . . . You're a hard woman to find. Marisa never imagined she'd be tracked down by Lucas Cooper, the six-foot-five, Stetson-wearing Texas Ranger with whom she'd uncharacteristically had a one-night stand in Mexico. It seems the elite lawman needs her expertise to help with an important case. . . . But when she starts receiving odd messages and threats, Marisa will need Lucas as much as he needs her. Someone is watching Marisa, stalking her. Someone determined to ensure she can't continue the dig. And when danger strikes all too close, Lucas's protective instincts come out in full force. He's tried to keep things professional with Marisa-they both have-but now the stakes include their hearts, and a killer who wants the past to stay buried . . .