Healing the Forest Ranger

by Leigh Bale

  At least not yet. Cade could always change his mind.

  “Let me get my hat and we’ll go,” Cade said.

  He walked back inside the house for a few minutes. When he returned, Lyn had already led Flash outside the corral to the horse trailer. Cade helped her load the animal next to Apple. Together, they lifted the ramp in and shut the door.

  “All ready?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Oh! I almost forgot something. Just one moment.”

  For a second time, he ran back into the house. When he returned, the screen door clapped closed behind him. He carried a brown paper bag and carefully placed it inside his saddle pack. He offered no explanation to its contents, and Lyn didn’t ask.

  She jutted her chin toward the narrow dirt road. “You don’t have to go with me if you don’t want to, Cade. I understand this might cause a conflict between you and your tribe.”

  “I want to go.” He looked straight ahead, his jaw locked.

  “I just don’t want you to get into trouble with your friends.”

  “Actually, they want me to go with you. In fact, they’re the ones who asked me to do it in the first place. They just don’t want me to help Kristen.”

  “You mean they want you to spy, but not help me?” They’d had this conversation in the beginning, but she hadn’t known then that the tribal elders had asked Cade to ride with her.

  Over a month ago, she’d sent a letter asking the tribal leaders to let her meet with all of them to discuss problems and possible resolutions for the mustangs. They hadn’t responded. So she’d called them. Numerous times, leaving positive messages on their voice mails. Still nothing. Their lack of response spoke loud and clear. There would be no meeting. Instead, they’d asked Cade to serve as their mole.

  Cade flashed a devastating smile that made his dark eyes gleam. “I’d want to tag along even if they hadn’t asked me to. I’ve learned a lot from you. Billie just wanted an update on the wild-horse situation. I gave it to him. End of story. I’m not spying. I’m getting an education.”

  Okay, she could accept that. She didn’t have another choice.

  Settling her cowboy hat on her head, she gave him a knowing frown. “I have nothing to hide, Cade. If you want to know something, just ask. But I also have to follow the laws and approved environmental plans.”

  “I know. And it’s not Kristen’s fault the BLM might be called in to round up some of the mustangs. Nor is it fair to stop treating her because I don’t like the legislation used against the wild horses. That’s what I told Billie. I still want to protect the mustangs if at all possible, but I want to be reasonable, too. I hope you’ll do the same.”

  She nodded once. “Understood. I appreciate your candor.”

  “Why don’t we focus on work now?”

  “That sounds good to me.” She climbed into the truck, wishing there could be no trouble with the Shoshone Tribe, but knowing that was almost impossible now.

  As they drove into the mountains, Lyn explained that they would be checking on a water cistern the Forest Service had installed at Wilkin’s Peak the previous fall.

  “I saw it when it was brand-new and filled with cool, clear water for the local wildlife,” Cade said.

  “Apparently it’s not that way anymore.”

  He frowned, his body swaying easily as they drove over the rutted road. “What do you mean?”

  “I’ve been told it’s now in poor repair.”

  “But it’s not even a year old.”

  “That’s right.”

  “What do you think caused the damage?”

  Her knuckles whitened as she tightened her fingers around the steering wheel. She pressed the brakes as they came to a dip in the washboard road. “Why don’t we just take a look before we make any accusations?”

  He gave a huffing laugh. “In other words, you think the horses are to blame.”

  “I didn’t say that, Cade.”

  “But someone else did. One of your employees, maybe?”

  She didn’t respond. It’d do no good to confirm what he already knew. Her range assistant had given her a full report, along with a myriad of graphic photographs. But she’d wait until she saw the cistern with her own eyes and make her own deductions.

  Cade shook his head. “Maybe it’s not as bad as you think. At least, I hope not.”

  “Me, too.” And she meant it. Because more trouble just added up the reasons for her to call in the BLM for a roundup. The thought of calling the BLM made her stomach churn. At first, these outings with Cade had been about the mustangs. But now, it meant something more personal to Lyn. She didn’t want to hurt a kind doctor she and Kristen had both come to admire. But more important, Lyn didn’t want to lose Cade’s friendship.

  She’d call in the BLM only as a last resort.

  * * *

  Something was wrong. Cade sensed it as they rode their horses across the barren hillside toward the water cistern. Lyn seemed overly subdued and quiet today. No extra chatter as she pointed out problems with the watershed or discussed the lack of vegetation in the area. Something was bothering her. And he wondered if it had to do with the Shoshone Tribe, the wild-horse problems, Kristen, or all three.

  “It’s hard to believe, but this area looks even worse than Barton’s Canyon. Very desolate,” he observed.

  “Yes, it is. Without the cistern, there’s no water source here for the local wildlife. Just a barren wasteland. It’s been like this for thirty years.”

  He waited for her to elaborate on this, but she didn’t speak. Her body moved easily in the saddle, flowing with the gait of her Appaloosa mare. Gus’s panting and the sounds of their horses’ hooves striking the ground filled the air. A peaceful summer day.

  “How’s Kristen doing this week?” he asked.

  “Fine. She walks like a pro, needing very little help. She refuses to use her wheelchair at home and even forgets to remove the C-Leg before she goes to bed. The prosthesis is a part of her now.” She didn’t look at him, but her mouth tightened.

  Okay, he took that as a sign. Kristen was obviously heavy on her mind. And maybe he could help.

  “She’s sure made a great deal of progress in her physical therapy. I can’t believe how physically strong she’s gotten,” he said.

  “Yeah.”

  Yep, definitely bothering her.

  “Something on your mind?” he couldn’t help asking.

  Her gaze glanced off his. “Why do you ask?”

  “You don’t seem your normal bubbly self today.”

  She quirked one brow, tilted her head and looked at him with amusement. “Bubbly? That’s an interesting way to describe me.”

  Just one of the many words he would choose. Intelligent, outgoing, compassionate and lovely fit her well, too, but he doubted she wanted to hear compliments right now.

  “I thought perhaps you were still upset over what happened with Kristen,” he said.

  That was blunt, but he couldn’t think of another way to get Lyn to confide in him. Her personal life wasn’t his business, but as Kristen’s doctor, he thought he should know of possible troubles impacting his newest patient.

  Her eyes crinkled in a frown. “What do you mean?”

  He decided to be honest. “Her forging her application so she could play soccer without your permission.”

  Lyn’s head snapped around, and she stared at him in disapproving surprise. “How did you know she’d forged her application?”

  He shrugged. “It’s a small town, and people talk.”

  She snorted and shook her head. “It’s no one else’s business.”

  “I know, but I’m her doctor and a bit concerned. For both of you.”

  Her shoulders tensed as she tightened her grip around the reins.
“You needn’t be. I’m her mother, and I’ll deal with it appropriately.”

  “I know you will, but maybe I can help. After what you and Kristen have been through, it can’t be easy dealing with everything on your own.”

  “We’ll make out just fine. We always have.”

  Another long period of silence followed. He should shut his mouth and leave this topic alone. But something pushed him onward, like a runaway team of horses. He cared about this woman and her child. He couldn’t stop it now to save his life.

  “Is there anything I can do to help?” he asked.

  “No.” And then she blurted out the words. “My own daughter hates me, Cade. Ever since the accident, she seems so sullen and distant. We used to be close, but now we just can’t seem to get past what happened. The only time Kristen smiles is when we’re with you and Lightning.”

  Wow, he hadn’t expected her to open up that much. He was a medical doctor, trained to help deal with such problems. But perhaps because of his own experience with war, he felt suddenly inadequate. He should refer her to a psychologist in Reno. “Have you tried talking to her about it?”

  “Yes, but she insists everything is fine. When she’s not doing homework, she stares out the window, like she’s waiting for something.”

  “Waiting for what?”

  She shrugged one shoulder. “Beats me. She won’t tell me a thing. It’s like I’m her enemy. We’re complete strangers.”

  “Maybe you should let her play soccer. It’s better than having her just sitting around moping.” He hoped she wouldn’t take offense at his suggestion.

  “No, this is something else. And I feel like if I can get to the bottom of it, we can both start to heal.”

  He paused, choosing his next words carefully. “Have you considered talking to God about it?”

  A clipped sigh escaped her lips. “That’s a rather personal question, don’t you think?”

  “Yes, you’re right. I don’t mean to stick my nose where it doesn’t belong, but it might help.”

  Cade left it at that. The last thing he wanted to do was lecture this pretty woman. She was hurting, and he didn’t want to add to that hardship. But they’d made headway. Lyn had confided her frustration over Kristen and was looking for resolutions, which was a start. When people started to talk about their problems, they usually discovered their own solutions. Right now, Lyn needed time to internalize their conversation. She’d come around—he hoped.

  He reached for her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “Don’t worry. Everything’s gonna be all right.”

  She showed a weak smile. “If only I dared believe you.”

  “You can believe me.” And yet, he doubted his own words.

  For now, he focused on the water cistern. A round, metal container approximately thirty feet wide and sitting in the middle of a dust bowl. The carcasses of two small mammals lay inside. Rodents of some kind.

  Cade noticed a major problem right off. The cistern was empty, the water all drained out around the perimeter to create a wide mud hole. A melee of hoofprints showed the recent use by unshod horses. Mustangs. Nothing but sage and rabbit brush grew within the valley, but the horses must still be coming here to drink.

  Lyn stepped off her mount and handed the reins to Cade so Apple wouldn’t wander off. He watched as she walked the perimeter, studying the ground before she inspected the empty cistern. Standing inside the dry container, she bent over the side to examine the base of the tank. She released a heavy sigh and shook her head.

  “Why is all the water on the outside of the tank? Is there a leak?” he asked.

  She placed her hands on her hips, her gaze scanning the mud. “No, but they built the cistern without a way for small animals to get out so they won’t drown.” She pointed at the dead mammals. “Their next mistake was they built the pipeline with PVC pipe. This line is over a mile long, but it needs to be more durable, especially around the tank. The horses dig down and knock off the pipe that actually fills the trough. That empties the tank of usable water. Then the horses mill around and cause all this mud.”

  He stared at the broken pipes at the base of the tank, following what she said. “What should they have built the pipe with?”

  “Galvanized steel. It costs a lot more and won’t keep the horses from digging down, but they won’t be able to damage it with their hooves as easily.”

  She stepped over the edge of the tank and walked back to Apple before gathering the reins in her hands.

  “What are you gonna do about it?” Cade couldn’t help asking. He knew without this cistern, the wild horses would have to travel a long distance to drink. They needed water here.

  She put her foot in the stirrup, gripped the saddle horn and pulled herself up. The leather creaked as she sat back. She was so graceful and light on her feet. “I’m going to try to find more money to rebuild the cistern with galvanized steel and include a way for small animals to exit the tank. That’ll require heavy trenching machinery. I’ll have to think about how that might impact reptiles and rodents and the possible damage to their burrows.”

  He tilted his head. “Huh?”

  Turning in the saddle, she met his gaze. “This isn’t an easy issue, Cade. It’s quite complicated. If the horses eat the vegetation and destroy water sources, it impacts creatures as small as birds, who feed on seeds and insects. If there’s no vegetation, then there are no bugs, no birds, no food for Golden Eagles, snakes and other carnivores. You understand the food chain, right? The damage done by wild horses impacts all creatures living within this area. I know snakes aren’t generally considered as pretty as a wild horse, but they’re just as important.”

  “I agree, but I admit I never contemplated that.”

  “Most people don’t, but it’s my job to think about it and take positive action to protect them all.”

  “Oh.”

  No, he’d never given these other animals a single thought. Raptors, rodents and reptiles weren’t on his list of favorites, but he knew they were necessary, too. Even he realized when nature got out of balance, bad things happened. And he suspected that was what was happening with too many wild horses on the range.

  Lyn clicked her heels lightly against Apple’s sides, and the horse stepped forward. Cade followed as Lyn voiced a mental list of considerations.

  “There’ll also be displacement of the wildlife during construction of the new cistern. I’ll have to think of a way to provide another water source during that period of time. And maybe we’ll need to install a cattle guard at the north end of Dixon Canyon.”

  “A cattle guard?”

  “Yeah, I don’t want cows coming in here to graze for a few years. There aren’t a lot grazing here now, but they might still come in for water and prevent the vegetation from recovering. All we can do is try.”

  Such a complicated subject. Cade never knew. And yet, he couldn’t fault Lyn for trying to help the mustangs and other wildlife living out here.

  As they rode back to the Forest Service truck, Cade found himself deep in thought. Troubled. Wondering how to weigh his preconceived notions with what he’d learned on these outings with Lyn and what the tribal elders wanted. Things he never knew or considered before. Issues he’d need to report to the tribal leaders at their next meeting on Monday night. And he doubted they’d like his findings. As much as he wanted the mustangs left alone in their natural habitat, he wouldn’t lie. Not when it meant the deterioration of other wildlife.

  Cade thought about asking Lyn to accompany him and make a presentation to the tribe, but decided against that. The tribe didn’t want her there. They figured they knew everything already. The BLM always consulted with the tribe before rounding up wild horses, and the meetings were tense, loud and angry. He didn’t want to subject Lyn to that kind of animosity. And yet, he knew it was her job, so he doub
ted she would shy away if he asked her to do it. Why was he trying to shield her, then? Why did he feel so protective of her and Kristen?

  None of his feelings made sense. He just didn’t understand himself anymore.

  * * *

  Lyn lifted the saddle from Apple’s back and set it on a sliding rack in the horse trailer. Removing her hat, she wiped her brow. Because it was her birthday, she missed Rob more than usual. Being with Cade lessened her sadness.

  She turned, preparing to climb into the cab and drive them to Sunrise Ranch, but hesitated. Cade stood before her, holding the brown paper bag he’d retrieved from his house earlier. He smiled wide, showing perfect, white teeth. A glint of mischief shimmered in his eyes.

  “Before we go home, I have something special I want to give you,” he said.

  Her mouth went dry. Standing frozen on the ground, she watched as he reached inside the bag and removed an oblong, plastic container with a red lid. He tossed the sack aside, and the plastic lid made a sucking sound as he popped it off. Two huge cupcakes decorated with fluffy, pink icing sat inside. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small lighter. After he poked a slim candle into the top of one cupcake, he lit the short wick and broke into a baritone rendition of “Happy Birthday.”

  Lyn couldn’t move. She felt glued in place. Like the whole world stood still.

  He lifted the cupcake toward her, moving slow so the flickering flame wouldn’t go out. “Make a wish and blow out the candle, Ranger.”

  His gaze locked with hers, his eyes seeing beyond the protective wall she’d erected around her heart. Tears burned the backs of her eyes, but she didn’t let them fall. Cade had no idea what he’d done. How hard it was for her to accept his gift. Or what it meant to her.

  As if sensing her discomposure, he stepped closer, his smile fading to a look of concern. “You okay, Lyn?”

  She nodded and glanced at the cupcake, her chin quivering. Rob had always brought her a cupcake on her birthdays, although much smaller, along with a wrapped present. Usually a piece of jewelry she wore on special occasions or on Sundays for church.