Nevada sneered and lunged for him.
Marco smirked at her anger and cocked his head. “Hit a nerve, didn’t I?” A strange grin crossed his face. “He’s young and good looking, isn’t he? A real catch, I’ll bet. Your worst fear is that you’re not good enough for someone like him. You know it, but you’re afraid to actually hear it.”
“I swear,” she snarled. “I will take you in dead if you don’t shut up.”
“Knock it off over there,” Kirk yelled at them.
Nevada stormed away from Marco.
Ross rolled out a larger map of the county that clearly showed every road anywhere near the sanctuary. He pointed at the map. “This is the bird aviary at the north side of the reserve,” he announced, then pointed to another area just a short distance away. “So this has to be the ranger station just half a mile from the back edge of the sanctuary.”
“That puts Sam in close proximity. Only about a mile from the visitor’s center,” Beck muttered while shaking his head. “We have a beautiful set up here. I’d hate for her to ruin it for us.”
“My thoughts too,” Ross announced while deep in thought. “I’d like to see what sort of set up she has there. How many rangers work there? How much contact do they have with the rest of the world?”
“How do you intend to do that?” Zack asked while leaning against the nearby support beam. “Her horse is like a bloodhound. It’s as if they communicate telepathically or something.”
“Kind of like Monique and Colleen with their horses,” Bogart teased.
“We’ll just have to outsmart her horse,” Ross informed them.
“How do you outsmart a horse?” Monroe asked suspiciously.
“Jackie and Gil will pay Sam a little visit tomorrow morning,” Ross replied. “Darth should be enough of a distraction for the horse. That should give Zack and Kirk enough room to scope out the rest of the area around the ranger’s station.” He eyed the guys. “Any questions?”
“I have one,” Jackie announced, then looked at the guys while raising a curious brow. “According to what’s on your IDs, how many of you are living with me?”
Bogart raised his hand in the air, but that was to be expected since he did live with her some of the time. The rest of the guys avoided looking at her.
Jackie’s expression dropped. “All of you?” she gasped, stunned that they’d all do that to her.
“Just on our fake IDs,” Beck insisted while flashing an innocent smile. “I mean, we can’t exactly use our real addresses on our fake IDs.”
“What happened to the backup address in Colorado Springs?” she demanded. “Why aren’t you using that address anymore?”
“They turned that building into a convenient store,” Monroe informed her. “We just didn’t see the point to renting out another place just for a fake address. You live in Colorado Springs. It’s convenient.”
“Yeah, until someone checks our IDs and question our living arrangement,” Jackie huffed. “Miss Park Ranger thinks we’re living in some sort of free love commune. Very nice of you guys to at least give me a head’s up.”
The men chuckled.
“Sorry about that,” Ross replied despite hiding his grin that suggested he wasn’t really all that sorry. He was quite possibly amused.
“In the spirit of full disclosure,” Gil announced. “I have, on occasion, used Holden’s office fax number as my home phone number.”
Kirk suddenly snorted a laugh and leaned back in the nearby desk chair. “Who doesn’t?”
There was a round of chuckles.
Jackie shook her head. “You guys are the worst.”
§
The following morning, Jackie and Gil made the hike across the sanctuary and to the ranger station, which was almost a mile from the visitor’s center. Darth led the parade, sniffing and marking every tree along the way. Zack and Kirk made the hike as well, but they lagged behind by several yards, keeping to Jackie and Gil's right and left. If Sam’s horse noticed them, Sam would assume it was just the man and woman that caught the horse’s attention.
“This is nice,” Gil announced while looking around and smiling. “Just you and me for a change. Ross rarely pairs us up together.”
“Probably because he needs both of us to fly. Let’s face it,” Jackie remarked. “You and I are glorified chauffeurs.”
Gil chuckled, amused at the comment. “Air taxi,” he teased.
“Sky Uber.”
Both laughed.
“He’s only sending me because of my gender,” Jackie informed Gil. “I get it. Sending two guys might make Sam uncomfortable. She may feel less threatened with another woman.”
“Yeah, but when you’re not teamed up with Zack, Ross usually teams you up with Monroe,” Gil remarked. “I wonder why he didn’t send him.”
“Probably because you’re low-key, whereas Monroe is a bit high-strung,” Jackie replied and shrugged. “If not for Sam’s benefit, then for mine.”
Gil suddenly chuckled and eyed her. “Why’s that?”
“I love Monroe dearly, but the guy needs a girlfriend,” Jackie informed him. “He gets in his moods, and then he turns nostalgic. When he turns nostalgic, he brings up uncomfortable subjects, and I don’t want to keep revisiting that part of my life. I don’t need that constant reminder.”
“I hear you,” Gil replied and watched the German shepherd roaming the woods ahead of them. He then looked back at her. “Have you ever been paired up with Beck or Kirk?”
Jackie suddenly chuckled loudly and shook her head. “Hell no!”
Gil appeared curious. “Is that by design?”
“I don’t have anything against Beck,” Jackie insisted, “but he and I don’t see eye-to-eye. We fight more than Monroe and Beck when we’re alone together.”
“I never knew that,” Gil remarked. “What’s the story with you and Kirk not working together?”
She cast a look at Gil. “Are you serious?” she practically demanded. “The man has no filter between his brain and his mouth. If he got laid that week, he’s telling me about it in graphic detail.”
“Oh, he does that with you too?” Gil asked, then chuckled. “I guess he’s comfortable around you.”
“A little too comfortable,” she replied. “I’d like to assume it’s because he thinks of me as one of the boys, but then he’ll ask me if Zack and I are doing it.” Jackie then eyed Gil. “But, of course, in Kirk’s unfiltered language.”
Gil snorted a laugh and shook his head. There was a long moment of silence between them. Gil then looked at her. “You aren’t, right?”
Jackie looked at Gil with some surprise. “No, of course not,” she practically shouted, then turned defensive. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Sorry,” he quickly announced and recoiled. “It’s just one of those ‘guy thoughts’ that we have. I mean, it’s definitely possible. Zack’s been known to jump into bed with some pretty wild women, and everyone knows there’s nothing wrong with your sex drive.”
Jackie suddenly stopped and stared at Gil with surprise. She was stunned to hear him say something like that. Any of the other guys, but not Gil. Gil realized she was no longer beside him, stopped, and turned to face her.
“Since when do you talk like that?” she practically demanded.
“Come on, Jackie,” Gil replied and held back his tiny grin. “You and Holden woke up the entire house the other morning, and Bogart’s complained on more than one occasion about the noise coming from your bedroom.”
“The bastard,” Jackie scoffed.
“It’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Gil remarked. “I think it’s good for a healthy relationship.”
Jackie shook her head and continued along the path past Gil, who then hurried to catch up with her. “From now on, I’m insisting on being paired with Zack,” she muttered.
They walked the rest of the way to the ranger’s station in silence. As the station and barn came into view, Gil stopped Jackie at the woods' edge and forced her
to face him. His look was apologetic and sincere.
“I’m sorry, Jackie,” Gil announced somewhat timidly. “I didn’t mean to upset and or embarrass you.”
Jackie managed a tiny smile. “You’re forgiven,” she replied. “Fortunately for you, I like you.”
Darth entered the clearing and approached Sam as she tossed some hay to her gray horse in the paddock. Sam saw the dog and appeared surprised.
“Hey, there,” Sam announced and crouched down to the friendly dog. “Are you lost?”
She scratched Darth’s scruff and then checked his collar. As Gil and Jackie entered the clearing, Sam straightened, recognized Jackie, and smiled.
“Oh, hey,” Sam announced, then indicated Darth. “Does this guy belong to you?”
“Yeah,” Gil replied cheerfully. “Darth is friendly.”
“I see,” Sam replied and again petted the dog, then eyed Gil. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”
“Sam, this is Gil,” Jackie announced, then indicated the dog. “And you’ve met Darth.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Gil,” Sam replied, then looked around, seeming a little overly curious as if looking for others. “Just the two of you?”
“The rest of the guys are around somewhere,” Jackie informed her as they approached. “We were exploring the area and saw the ranger’s station.” She looked around then smiled at Sam. “Nice little set up you have here.”
“Not the Ritz,” Sam remarked, then indicated the satellite dish on top of the barn, “but I have satellite television and internet.”
“The place is bigger than I thought it would be,” Jackie remarked.
The ranger’s station looked more like a three-bedroom ranch house than an out-of-the-way fort. The siding was recently power washed, giving it a clean appearance. There was a small front porch containing two rocking chairs and some hanging plants. There wasn’t much in the way of landscaping, but the few bushes were neatly trimmed, and other plants were meticulously tended. The place certainly benefited from a woman’s touch.
“Where are the rest of the guys?” Gil asked while looking around. “Sleeping in?”
Sam snorted a laugh. “Hardly,” she replied. “No, it’s just me. Well, me and Smokey.” She indicated the horse. “Other than the occasional lost hiker or stray poacher, the job’s not very demanding.” She then indicated the station. “I just put on the kettle. Did you want some coffee or tea?”
“We’d love some,” Jackie announced.
§
While Jackie and Sam had tea and talked at the table, Gil wandered along the main living area and studied the old framed photos on the walls. Some were from over one hundred years ago. Sam happily played with Darth, who sat at her feet almost the entire time. He was enjoying the ear scratches a little too much. The cabin's main living area was an open concept with the kitchen, dining area, and living room all in one large room. The walls were natural wood as well as the ceiling with exposed beams. There were several ceiling fans on the cathedral ceiling, and the many windows allowed plenty of daylight to flood the room. The ranger’s station was warm and inviting with a large screen television, a full library of DVDs, and a large bookcase filled with hundreds of books. There were two bedrooms and at least one bathroom that Jackie could see from where she sat at the kitchen table.
“I hope I don’t sound disrespectful,” Gil announced while glancing at the photos, “but don’t you get bored up here by yourself?”
Sam smiled and chuckled in her throat. “It’s not disrespectful,” she announced. “Unfortunately, I’m a bit of a recluse. I like being alone with nature.”
Gil paused by the large bookcase and eyed hundreds of books, both hardcover and paperback. “I’m guessing you spend a lot of time reading.”
“What gave me away?” she teased, then smiled eagerly. “Everything from romance to horror. I love fiction of every genre.” Sam retreated into her own thoughts a moment and shrugged. “I enjoy writing too.”
“What do you write?” Jackie asked while sipping her tea.
Sam seemed somewhat bashful now as if reluctant to talk about it. “Oh, a little of this and that.”
Jackie suddenly grinned and leaned a little closer. “Is that code for erotica?” she teased just loud enough for Sam to hear so she wouldn’t embarrass her in front of Gil.
Sam giggled and waved her off. “I wouldn’t mind a little of that, to be honest,” she replied. “But my ex-boyfriend killed whatever lust I’d had pent up inside me.” She met Jackie’s gaze and raised her brows. “In other words, I write mostly crime fiction and horror.”
Jackie couldn’t help but laugh.
Sam then shifted her eyes in Gil’s direction while staring at Jackie. “Are you two, you know, together?”
Jackie tensed slightly then laughed. “No, Gil and I are just friends.”
Sam then indicated Jackie’s ring finger. “But you are married, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I’m married,” she replied. “But my husband isn’t into photography.” Jackie then shrugged. “Or the outdoors. Or camping.”
“He doesn’t mind you going away with a bunch of guys for weeks at a time?” Sam asked.
“He’s used to it,” Jackie replied. “His work keeps him very busy.”
“My ex-boyfriend was a bit of a workaholic too,” Sam muttered, then frowned. “Even though he wasn’t around much, that didn’t stop him from keeping tabs on my every move. That’s why I love it up here. No one keeping tabs on me every second of the day. I don’t answer to anyone, but my superiors, and even they leave me alone unless there’s a problem.” She smiled and sighed. “I love the freedom.”
“I hear you,” Jackie replied. “Out in the woods, alone, with just a camera.” She smiled. “That’s bliss.”
“I feel the same way about writing,” Sam informed her almost excitedly. “Smokey and I go out for hours and just take it all in. Sets the mind free.”
Jackie couldn’t exactly admit it to Sam, but that’s how she felt when she was flying, especially when she was flying solo. It was peaceful in the sky by herself. During solo flights, she mostly reminisced about her father and all the time they’d spent together flying.
“If you’re interested,” Sam announced, snapping Jackie out of her thoughts. “There’s an amazing spot a little further up the mountain. It’s kind of steep. There’s an old tower at the top. Climb up that tower, and you can see for miles. I travel up there once a month just for a little extra inspiration. You’d probably get some great pictures.”
“Thanks,” Jackie announced. “We’ll check it out another time. Maybe sunrise or sunset one of these days.”
“I’ll try to swing by and check on you and your party every couple of days,” Sam informed her. “In the meantime, if you have any problems, just give me a shout over the radio. I always have it on.”
Chapter 35
Zack relaxed within the crook of the tree that afternoon and shut his eyes a moment. The sun was shining, it was pleasantly warm, and the reserve was peaceful and serene. The faint sound of saddle leather creaking could be heard, breaking the silence. Zack’s eyes popped open, and he looked around without barely moving. He saw Sam on her gray horse almost thirty yards away and heading toward the visitor’s center. Zack groaned and lightly touched his ear transmitter.
“Look alive, the Lone Ranger is twenty clicks and closing,” he announced.
Zack remained completely still and watched as the horse and rider seemed to pass without noticing him. He again shut his eyes.
“Hey, Zack,” Sam’s voice was heard.
Zack’s eyes suddenly popped open. He looked around and saw both Sam and her horse now turned and riding back toward him. The horse gave him away again! Damned horse and its enormous ears that heard everything!
“Catnapping in the tree?” Sam teased as she stopped her horse not far from his tree while staring up at him.
“Seemed the logical thing to do,” Zack reported, seeming slightly unc
omfortable. It wasn’t often he was caught doing his thing.
“Understandable. It’s an unseasonably warm afternoon,” she informed him. “Most of the photogenic wildlife will be taking the afternoon off.”
“The photographer too,” he replied and even managed a tiny smile. At least this time, he had a camera to back up his story.
“I found some homemade fudge in the freezer,” she announced and patted her saddlebag. “I thought maybe you and your friends would like it. I’m seriously addicted to the stuff and don’t trust myself around it.”
“Kirk will relieve you of it, I’m sure,” Zack informed her with little emotion.
Sam appeared curious and cocked her head. “I don’t think I’ve met him yet,” she replied.
“Show up with food; he’ll appear out of thin air,” Zack remarked.
“Are you going back to the visitor’s center for lunch?” she asked with what seemed like more than a passing interest.
Zack considered the comment. “I suppose I should,” he remarked, opting to do whatever it took to lower the ranger’s suspicions.
“Want a lift?”
Zack eyed the horse with a curious look then met Sam’s gaze. “Can I drive?”
“Well, I’m not sure what you mean by that,” Sam teased then smiled, “but, yeah, sure.”
Zack swiftly descended the tree and jumped the last few feet, once again sticking the impressive landing. Sam watched him and appeared equally as astonished as she had the first time she’d watched him make the jump.
“You’re really very good at that,” she marveled.
“I’ve had a lot of practice,” he replied, then approached the left side of the horse.
Sam removed her foot from the stirrup and extended her hand to him. She was a little surprised when he grabbed her wrist in a combat catch. He easily scaled the horse, barely using the stirrup, and swung behind her. Sam was slightly set back by his spry mounting style.
“I’ve been riding a long time, and I couldn’t do that on my best day,” she informed him.
“I do quite a bit of climbing,” he announced while situating himself behind her.
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