His gaze grew more intense. “Elsie, someone set the Mount Washburn fire. I saw it flash up around our truck, but it could potentially have been burning for a short time before that. Did you see anything when you and your father parked? Was there anyone else around?”
“We couldn’t have missed a fire, Nate. Are you sure it wasn’t some malfunction with the truck? Or with my father’s truck?”
He went silent, a twitch forming in the side of his jaw.
The lighter was hers. How had it ended up there? The look in his eyes sent a tremor through her. “What are you thinking?”
His grip grew stronger. “Elsie, tell me about the lighter.”
Elsie. Not “college girl.” She slipped her hands free and stepped back. The crowd over by the geyser started chattering with excitement as the puffs of steam intensified, teasing an eruption. “Nate…”
He closed his eyes for a moment as if in pain. It was the same look he’d given her when he’d told her he couldn’t read. Resignation. Defeat.
“Nate, I didn’t do this.” Her voice sounded tinny and far away. “I didn’t. How could you…How could you even think such a thing?”
He opened his eyes, but he looked toward the geyser, now rising in the distance. “It wasn’t your lighter? Teddy Vaughn didn’t give it to you as a gift?”
“He did.”
“Elsie, tell me you weren’t responsible for this fire. Or any of the others.”
“I just did. Nate, I don’t know how it ended up out there.”
“Was it in your pocket? Did you drop it?”
“I could hardly bear to touch the thing. I kept it hidden in my desk drawer so I didn’t have to look at it. I intended to return it to Teddy, but I hadn’t had a chance.”
“How did it get from your desk to the scene of a crime?”
A crime. The words clanged inside her. If they thought she caused this—what would happen to her? She lifted her hands to her cheeks. What about her father? How could he continue to work for the park service if his daughter was accused of trying to burn down Yellowstone? Her stomach lurched. “Is that why you’re here?” Tears sprang to her eyes. “I thought maybe you were here to propose, but that’s not what you had in mind at all.”
His mouth dropped open. “I…Elsie—”
A surge of heat pooled in her middle, like the magma that fueled the park’s springs and geysers. “I can’t believe you would think that of me. I love Wonderland more than anyone. I’d never hurt this place. You should know that.”
He pressed a hand against his chest. “Elsie, I’m sorry.”
Elsie turned toward the deepening sunset. The red and purple sky did little to ease the turmoil in her heart. There was no way she could face him. If he believed her capable of setting fires, then she might lose this amazing man, the one who continually put the needs of others—his crew, his family, his friends—before his own. The man who put her dreams ahead of his own desires.
She could stand here and try to convince him of her innocence, but that would mean looking into those green eyes and seeing pain and accusation instead of love.
There was only one choice she could bear at that moment. She walked away.
“She won’t speak to me. What am I supposed to do?” Nate dropped the footlocker lid into place after retrieving his guidebook. He was determined to make it through another chapter before leaving Yellowstone, even if it took him ages to slog through each paragraph. It felt right to be back at Canyon Camp, even though the hotel remained closed and empty. Most of the savages had stayed on at Old Faithful. Canyon was like a ghost town.
Red sprawled across his bunk and groaned. They’d spent all day moving equipment. He pressed his fingers to his forehead. “You’ve got to make it up to her somehow, Nate. Flowers. Candy. Her own volume of Wordsworth poetry. I don’t know.”
That type of antic might work on some girls, but Red hadn’t seen Elsie’s face when Nate all but accused her of being an arsonist. He’d replayed the conversation countless times in his mind, trying to figure out how he could have said things differently.
Of course she hadn’t set the fire. He knew that. It was ridiculous to even entertain the thought for a moment. But she wouldn’t even talk to him about it. How could he help her if she wouldn’t discuss it? The thought of Vaughn opening a formal investigation sent a chill through him.
The lighter didn’t grow wings and fly out of her room. Then again, in Yellowstone, you never knew. Hutch and Kit had dragged several strange items into the tent while they were gone. Nate had found a fountain pen under his bed. He was still trying to figure out who it belonged to. Hopefully not Lieutenant Stone.
“She doesn’t seem the type to like elaborate gifts.”
“All dames like gifts, Nate. And she accepted that silver lighter from Vaughn, didn’t she?”
“There’s a difference between accepted and appreciates.” It rankled him that Elsie had kept that token from Vaughn. Nate had no right to be jealous, but it didn’t stop him.
Red rolled to his side and pushed up to his elbow. “Then something personal. A love letter, a poem, a song.”
“How many women have you wooed? You come up with these lists awfully quick.” Nate flipped open the cover to the book and sat on the edge of the bed, careful not to jostle the raccoon sleeping at the far end of the mattress. Kit only showed up occasionally to beg for snacks, but Hutch seemed to appreciate human companionship.
“These are important life skills, Nate. You go ahead and laugh, but when I’m happily married to the love of my life and you’re still muddling through by yourself, you’re going to wish you’d listened to me.”
Nate focused on the page, fiddling with the ruler device Elsie had made for him. He’d gotten to where he could read two or three words at a time before sliding it along the line to the next section. But right now, his eyes refused to focus. He ran his hand across the page. She’d given him so much. And how had he repaid her? With doubts and questions.
“Use that brain of yours, boy. That’s why God put it in your skull, you know.” His father’s words had faded in the past few months, but this week they’d roared back with a vengeance.
God had given Nate a brain, and thanks to Elsie, he’d finally started to unlock it. If he lost her, how long would it take for him to return to the life he’d had before? Nate Webber, failure. “I don’t have much to offer her.”
“Got that right.” Red grunted.
“But I’d give anything to keep her.” Nate let the book close. “How do I show her that? I don’t have the first clue how to start.”
Red sat up. “You could figure out who really started the fires.” The bed frame rattled with his motion. “What’s Vaughn going to do? You dropped that lighter in his lap, so he thinks it’s her. What’s going to happen now?”
Nate jumped to his feet and walked to the tent flap, staring out at the cool evening. “He can’t prove anything. Just because the lighter was there doesn’t mean she started the fire.”
“The lighter was there, and she was there.”
Nate rounded on his friend. “Now you think she did it too?”
Red spread his hands in front of him. “No way. I’m just trying to point out what Vaughn must be thinking.”
“Someone could have stolen it from her room.”
“Who even knew she had the thing?”
Nate folded his arms. “Vaughn.”
“He looked pretty shell-shocked when you tossed it at him. I don’t think he’s that good an actor.” Red rubbed his chin. “Plus, he has his own. Why steal hers just to start a fire?”
“Revenge?”
Red’s eyes locked on Nate’s. “She threw him over for you, remember? Unless he’s got a screw loose, you’d be the target of his wrath, not Elsie. And it would have been a heckuva lot easier to frame you. People will have a har
d time believing that the sweet little daughter of a park ranger could be a firebug. But some poor sap from Brooklyn? I’d almost believe it myself.”
Nate sank back onto the mattress. Red was right. Vaughn hadn’t shown any anger toward Elsie, just sadness. But toward him? “So who else has access to her room?”
“My girl, but I’d really like to rule her out too.” Red ran a hand through his hair.
Nate thought about Mary but discarded the idea. She just didn’t seem the type. Of course neither did Elsie, for that matter. Was there even a “type” when it came to arson? He lowered his head into his hands. “I don’t know. Maybe some other savage went into her room when they were gone. One of the porters or busboys.” A thought slithered through his gut. He lifted his head. “She mentioned something to me about Graham. He was at all the fires too.”
Red narrowed his eyes. “But not this last one.”
“No one was at this one, except for us and our crew. And Ranger Brookes. But anyone could have driven along that road and stopped there.”
“And the gear jammer has transportation, which you can’t say for all the savages and Cs.”
Nate ran a hand across the back of his neck. “Maybe we should go have a talk with him. Trouble is, he’s always on the move. He could be here in Canyon or clear up in Gardiner. How are we supposed to find him?”
“We could put the bug in Vaughn’s ear. Let him handle it.”
“No, you were right. The best gift I can give Elsie right now is to figure out who’s behind this.”
His friend chuckled. “And you don’t want the good ranger taking credit for it.”
Nate set his jaw. “No, I don’t.”
* * *
Elsie folded the red sweater and added it to her bag. She wouldn’t be sorry to say goodbye to this cramped room at Old Faithful. The crew here had been wonderful about letting them squeeze in after the fire threatened Canyon, doubling up in rooms so that they could make space for everyone.
Tonight was the Old Faithful Follies, and then tomorrow Graham would come pick her up for the drive back to Mammoth. She’d have one night with her folks, and then she and Mary would take the train to Missoula.
College. She’d dreamed of going for years, but now her heart felt empty, as if her fight with Nate had drained every emotion from her system. All that remained was a tiny bubbling mud pot of anger and regret, but even that seemed to be losing its steam. She sank onto the bed and pulled the bag into her lap.
Mary loaded bottles into her cosmetics case, sending a worried glance across the tiny room. “You’re being quiet.”
Elsie squeezed the bag against her stomach, hoping the pressure would make her feel alive. “I feel as if I’m walking around in a fog.”
Her roommate walked over and sat beside her. “You need to talk to him, Elsie. Don’t leave like this.”
“What’s the point? Even if we patch things up, I’m still leaving. Maybe”—she swallowed, her throat closing—“maybe it’s easier this way.”
“You know that’s not true. There’s nothing easy about this. You love the man. You can’t just switch it off.”
“Can’t I?” Elsie rubbed her arms. Maybe she’d been wrong about the lack of emotions. Talking stirred up everything again.
“If you could figure out how to do that, you could write a book.” Mary sighed. “I’m going to miss Red too, but I’m not going to look for some worthless excuse to call it quits.”
“That’s not what I’m doing.”
“It is.” Mary touched her shoulder. “He was right to ask you about the lighter. What was he supposed to do—ignore it? Hide it?”
“No, but he acted like I was responsible somehow. As if my life wasn’t at stake, just like his and the rest of the crew’s. And my father’s too.”
“I’m not sure there’s anything sensible about starting fires. We had a boy who did that in my school back home. He said he liked the excitement. People rushed to put it out; firemen came. He liked to watch people scurry, I guess.”
“Do you think that’s what’s going on here?”
“I don’t know. But hopefully whoever is pulling these pranks is done.”
The thought wove its way around Elsie’s heart and squeezed. “It could happen again.” Seeing flames climbing the trees on Mount Washburn had reawakened the old panic in her heart. Would she never be free of this? “It’s like fire follows me around. First my childhood, now here.”
“This is not your fault, Elsie.”
She thought of the lighter. “No wonder he thought it might be me. I’m a magnet for this, somehow.”
Mary frowned. “Now you’re being ridiculous.”
“Am I?” Elsie thought a moment. “When did you last see that lighter?”
“It wasn’t there when I packed up.” Mary stood up. “You had kept it on top of the desk. I don’t think I’ve seen it since that night you argued with Rose.”
“I took it from her and put it in the drawer.”
“It wasn’t there. I made sure to empty your drawers because I knew you were hiding your college money in there. I couldn’t bear the thought of you losing your tuition money after working so hard this summer.”
“So someone stole the lighter, but not the money?” Elsie frowned. “That doesn’t make sense.”
“Thank goodness they didn’t. I don’t want to leave you behind again. I’ve been looking forward to having you at college with me. It almost makes saying goodbye to the boys bearable.”
Elsie pushed away the fresh jab of pain. “There will be other men on campus—that’s what you’ve always told me.”
“They’re not as fun.” Mary pouted. “College boys are much too serious. I’m done with them.”
“Mary Prosser is done with men?”
“Not men. Just any man who’s not Red Walsh.”
Elsie went to the window and leaned against it. She stared at the view, an ache pooling inside of her. “But how do you know it will work out with Red?”
“I don’t, silly. But I’m willing to give it everything I can. And that means kissing him goodbye with every intention of kissing him hello again.”
Kissing him hello. Elsie closed her eyes for a long moment, the words almost too sweet to bear.
Mary sighed. “Let’s finish packing so we can get over to the Inn. One last talent show. We’ll make it the best.”
Nate eased into Old Faithful Inn, careful to keep to the shadows. Somehow he doubted Elsie would welcome seeing him at the Follies.
The lobby was packed, extra chairs set up all across the cavernous room. On one of the balconies above their heads, a string quartet played, the music wafting down to the people milling below. College kids ran about in silly costumes and wore big smiles, men toting guitars and women with bouquets of flowers. All season they’d cared for the hotel guests, plumping pillows, hauling luggage, and delivering dishes of food. Tonight was all about fun. Even the hotel guests seemed to be getting into the spirit, slipping envelopes with tips to their favorite staff members and wishing them luck in their studies.
The sight sent a jab through Nate’s heart. Somewhere in this mix, his college girl was getting ready for her first year away at school. Even though she was older than most first-years, she must be nervous. His arms ached to hold her. This was the first step toward her dream, and he couldn’t even share it with her.
“Nate?” A soft voice called to him.
He spun around, his heart jumping. It fell just as fast. “Rose—hello!”
The young woman’s eyes were shadowed, as if she hadn’t slept in a week. “Nate, I’m so glad you’re safe. I heard about what happened. Thank you for taking care of Elsie. I…I never dreamed…” She placed a hand against her mouth.
“Everyone is fine.” Nate chose his words with care. Elsie had told him her friend was sensitive
. “The fire is out.”
“I know.” She nodded, her lower lip between her teeth. “We’re leaving Old Faithful tonight. Did Elsie tell you?”
She hadn’t, but he’d heard it from Red. A lump settled in his throat. “I hope you have a great year. You deserve it.”
The young woman’s eyes filled. “I suppose. I’m not looking forward to going back. I thought this summer would fix everything, but…” Her focus darted away. “I guess nothing has changed.”
“Maybe this year will be better for you.”
She managed a weak smile. “I hope you’re right.”
“Are you in the show tonight?” Nate scanned the room, searching for Elsie.
“Only in the group number. Each of the areas compete, and we’re all expected to participate. But I only joined Canyon a month ago, so I don’t really feel a part of the group.”
“And what about Graham?” As soon as the question slipped from his mouth, he realized his gaffe.
“I wouldn’t know.” Rose blinked several times, as if fighting tears. “I suppose he put his cap in with Mammoth, since he’s based there. But he seems to have friends all over.”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have mentioned him.”
A blush spread across her cheeks. She looked away.
He needed to learn to keep his mouth shut. Excusing himself, Nate made his way to the far side of the room. It was probably best he stay clear of all the girls tonight. He seemed to have a gift for making them cry.
Red and Val had claimed seats on benches near the front of the dining room. If he could navigate the crowd, it looked as if they had a spot saved for him.
Graham Brookes appeared by the door, not far from where Rose was standing. His eyes were wide, his hat clutched in his hand. He made a beeline for Rose and whispered in her ear. She nodded and trailed after him into the lobby.
Not again. Nate reversed directions and followed them. He didn’t like the stiff expression on Graham’s face. The usually calm gear jammer looked decidedly rattled, as if he’d driven Dunraven Pass with no brakes. If Nate had managed to make Rose cry, there was no telling what Graham could accomplish.
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