Healing the Forest Ranger

by Leigh Bale

  “I hope you like white cake,” he said. “I didn’t make these myself, though. I bought them from the bakery in town.” He was smiling again, but not quite as wide. As if he was nervous she wouldn’t like his offering.

  “Wh-white is fine. My favorite.”

  His smile widened with pleasure. “Good. Happy birthday. Now make a wish.”

  “How...how did you know it was my birthday?” When no one else in the world knew, he’d found out somehow. That was a disconcerting thought.

  “Remember, I have Kristen’s and your medical records at my office.”

  Ah. She hadn’t thought about that. But she didn’t want him for her doctor. He was great with Kristen, but letting him treat her seemed a bit too personal. Revealing her physical and mental concerns to this man made her feel odd. After all, he was just interested in saving the wild horses.

  And yet, he’d become so much more to her.

  “But why would you do this for me?” Most men weren’t so considerate.

  He shrugged. “I know you and Kristen are alone, just like me. I know what it’s like to celebrate holidays on your own, and it’s not fun. I didn’t want that for you.”

  His thoughtfulness touched her like nothing else could. She liked him the way a woman liked a man she hoped might ask her out on a date. And that didn’t seem right, for too many reasons to count. Rob had been gone barely a year. It was too soon to think of dating someone else. Wasn’t it? Kristen would never accept another man to replace her father anyway.

  Neither would Lyn.

  Ignoring her thoughts, she made a quick wish and blew out the candle, feeling exposed. And guilty. Because her wish had been for herself, and not Kristen. Lyn wasn’t used to putting herself above her daughter. Not for a long, long time.

  “Good one.” Cade laughed, melting her frustration with his warm gaze.

  She didn’t move as he plucked the smoking candle from the frosting, then handed the cupcake to her. She held the confection dumbly in her hand. Cade didn’t wait, but picked up his own cake and bit into it. A splotch of pink frosting stuck to the corner of his mouth. She watched as he licked it away, feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Though she never showed it, she felt bone weary and tired of thinking she’d never be happy again. Tired of dealing with Kristen’s sullenness. Tired of everything. But Cade had eased that somehow. With a smile and a cupcake.

  Her gaze swung upward, and she regarded him openly. The terrain seemed to swim around her in bouncing waves. And for the first time that day, she laughed out loud.

  “Ah, there you are.” He nudged her hand gently with his elbow, urging her to take a bite of cake.

  She did, no longer fighting him. Instead, she enjoyed the sweet taste of buttercream icing on her tongue and tried to ignore the odd fluttering in her chest, wondering what was wrong with her.

  It took only moments to wolf down their cakes, but they were moments of wonder and relief for Lyn. It was her birthday, and someone had remembered to celebrate her life. That meant a lot. She’d never forget Cade’s kindness.

  “Thank you. This was very nice of you,” she said.

  “Did Kristen make you something special?”

  Lyn shook her head. “No, she didn’t remember.”

  “I should have reminded her.”

  Red heat enveloped her. “That’s not your job.”

  “But I knew and didn’t tell her.”

  “This was enough. Thank you.”

  He picked up the paper bag and stowed the plastic container inside. “You’re very welcome, Mrs. Warner.”

  “I’m not a missus anymore.” The moment she said the words, she regretted them. It made her feel disloyal to Rob and all the years ahead that she wouldn’t get to share her life with him. She wasn’t ready to move on and let him go.

  At least, not yet.

  “Yes, I know...Lyn,” Cade corrected.

  Without waiting for her reaction, he tossed a remnant of his cupcake to Gus, then walked around to his side of the truck. The dog chomped down on the treat and trotted after his master.

  Taking a deep breath, Lyn released it and gained her composure. She hadn’t planned it, but she counted Cade as a good friend. Without her telling him anything, he seemed to know her so well. And yet, he knew nothing about her. Not really.

  They weren’t supposed to grow closer together. She wasn’t supposed to confide in him or share her concerns about Kristen. But she had.

  Confused by their growing relationship, Lyn climbed inside the truck, started the ignition and drove them back to town.

  Chapter Nine

  Kristen wouldn’t like this. Neither did Lyn. Being late picking her daughter up from physical therapy went against Lyn’s grain. As usual, work had interrupted her day. After dropping Kristen off, she’d raced back to the office to deal with another problem. Now Lyn tapped on the brake, slowing the car as she drove through town. A sheen of dampness wet her brow. She wiped it away and flipped on the air conditioner, too distracted to enjoy the beautiful afternoon. Taking a deep inhale, she tried to settle her nerves. Too much to do. Too many distractions.

  Thinking of the packs of purple pansies and yellow marigolds she had waiting at home, Lyn smiled. After picking Kristen up from therapy, she planned to take her daughter to the diner for a cheeseburger and fries before going home to work in their flower garden. Lyn’s fingers almost itched to dig in the soil. No ringing phones. No demands. Just her and Kristen, spending quality time together.

  Turning the corner, Lyn pulled over and parked in front of the doctor’s office. The bell above the door tinkled as she walked inside the reception room. Maya sat behind the long counter and greeted her with a smile.

  “Hi, Ms. Warner. They’re out back.” Maya jutted her chin toward the far door.

  Lyn yanked her gaze in that direction. She’d expected her daughter to be working inside the therapy gait room Cade had set up. “What are they doing outside?”

  Maya shrugged. “A new type of physical therapy Dr. Baldwin’s trying out.”

  Hmm. That seemed odd.

  Lyn pressed against the push plate on the back door and stepped out into the sunshine. The vacant lot behind the clinic stood empty, the dirt cleared of weeds. Cade’s truck and horse trailer sat parked nearby. Lyn couldn’t see her daughter, but she could hear her lilting voice mingled with the deep timbre of Cade’s laugh.

  And another man’s voice Lyn didn’t recognize.

  Lyn stepped around the truck, a smile on her face. She froze in midstep. Her smile dropped like stone, and she clenched her hands.

  Kristen sat astride Magpie, the old mare Cade kept out at his ranch. He stood nearby, but the girl held the reins, bouncing gently in the saddle as the horse trotted in a wide, arching circle. The clop of horse hooves filled Lyn’s ears in pounding waves.

  Another man Lyn didn’t recognize rode beside the child on Flash. Both men shouted encouragement to the girl. They were all having a great time, and they seemed oblivious to the potential dangers.

  Paralyzing fear held Lyn in an icy grip. For one horrific moment, she envisioned the car crash. Kristen screaming. And Rob’s lifeless body bleeding and broken, like a rag doll.

  “Wh-what are you doing?” Lyn’s voice throbbed with emotion, her voice a weak whisper.

  “Mom! Look at me.” Kristen waved.

  “Hi, Lyn.” Cade reached up and gripped the horse’s halter, pulling the mare to a stop.

  A touch of vertigo caused Lyn to reach out and steady herself against the truck. She shook her head, fighting it off. Trying to remain calm. Trying to keep her cool. But one question pounded her brain.

  Why? Why had Cade put her daughter at risk?

  Bracing his hands beneath the girl’s arms, Cade lifted Kristen off the mare and set her on her feet. He paused
long enough for the child to set her weight and gain her balance.

  Kristen laughed, breathless with happiness. Unaware of her mother’s fears.

  Kristen patted the animal’s neck, praising the horse. “You’re such a good girl, Magpie. Thanks for letting me ride you.”

  The other man loped Flash over to join them. His lean body moved gracefully with the gait of the horse. He pulled to a quick stop before he lifted one leg over the saddle and jumped to the ground. He was obviously a skilled horseman.

  “Wh-what are you doing?” Lyn was finally able to get the words out loud enough for the group to hear. Her gaze shifted to her daughter, but her words were for Cade.

  “I was riding, Mom,” Kristen said. “Did you see me? Oh, it’s been so much fun. I never thought I’d ever get to ride, but Cade says I can do anything I set my mind to.”

  “Dr. Baldwin,” Lyn corrected.

  “Yeah, and he says nothing should hold me back. I’m only as handicapped as I let myself be. I was riding all by myself. Isn’t that great?”

  “Yeah, just great.” Lyn barely heard her daughter’s words. Her mind whirled. First Kristen was injured playing soccer, and now this. Her alarm gave way to absolute fury—at Cade. She took several settling breaths, trying to regain her composure. Trying not to lose control.

  Instead she hugged Kristen tight, utterly relieved that her daughter was okay. No harm done. Kristen was safe. At least for now.

  “Mom, you’re squashing my eye.” The girl pushed her away.

  Lyn stepped back, her hands trembling. “I’m...I’m glad you’ve had a good therapy session. Now why don’t you go inside and see if Maya has a lollipop for you. I saw some sitting on her counter. I need to speak with Dr. Baldwin alone for a few minutes.” Her voice sounded wooden as she glanced at Cade.

  He met her stare, matching the challenge she put into her eyes. Surely he knew what he’d done. Didn’t he? He knew she didn’t condone taking chances with Kristen, yet he’d done it anyway. And he’d had no right. No right at all.

  “Okay.” Oblivious to the silent battle waging around her, the girl turned and gripped Cade’s hand. “Thanks again for letting me ride Magpie, Dr. Baldwin. I like this kind of physical therapy better than exercising on a floor mat. I can’t wait until Lightning’s old enough for me to ride.”

  Lyn blinked, her heart aching. Her daughter freely showed Cade the affection she craved from her child. Something Lyn coveted like the air she breathed. But because she loved her daughter unconditionally, Lyn had to fight off waves of resentment. Ugly emotions she refused to let take hold of her soul. How she wished Kristen loved her the way she used to.

  Cade’s gaze slid from Lyn’s face to the girl’s, and he patted Kristen’s cheek. “You’re welcome, sweetheart. But it’ll be a couple of years before Lightning can be ridden. Be sure to do your exercises at home anyway. You’re making great headway, but we want to keep strengthening your legs.”

  “I will. I promise.” Kristen turned toward the stranger and waved. “See you next time, Dal.”

  Dal. He must be a friend of Cade’s. But Lyn didn’t care. She had other pressing matters on her mind right now. Like what she should say to Cade.

  Both men smiled as the girl walked to the door with barely a limp. If not for the prosthesis showing below the cuffed hem of her knee-length shorts, they couldn’t even tell the girl was an amputee. Cade’s techniques had been working, but he’d gone too far this time. And Lyn couldn’t let it continue.

  The moment the door whooshed closed behind Kristen, Lyn whirled on Cade. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  He blinked in surprise, then gestured toward the man named Dal. “Lyn, I’d like you to meet my good friend Dallin Savatch. We served in the war together. Dal’s an expert rider.”

  Dal was a tall, handsome man with a square-jawed face, generous lips and sand-colored hair cut high and tight like a U.S. marine. He had a lean runner’s body with a wide chest and shoulders and long, muscular legs that went on forever.

  “Nice to meet you.” Her clipped words were spoken fast and by rote. No emotion and no interest whatsoever.

  Lyn ignored the hand Dal extended and barely spared the smiling man a glance before she repeated her question to Cade. She didn’t mean to be rude, but she was highly upset. This couldn’t happen again. She had to make sure.

  Cade jabbed his fingers through his short hair. “Look, Lyn, I know you’re angry right now. But I was beside Kristen the entire time she was riding. Her self-esteem has taken a giant turn for the better. She’s had a great time today. Riding is good for her.”

  “No.” She shook her head, refusing to hear what he said. Refusing to accept this course of therapy.

  “Yes, it is,” he insisted. “As she hugs the sides of the horse with her legs, it strengthens her thigh and calf muscles. I’ve worked with her on her posture, which will strengthen her abdomen and back.”

  “I don’t care, Cade. Give her some different exercises to strengthen her muscles. Something that keeps her safely on the ground.”

  He arched a brow. “You mean something in your control?”

  She skewered him with her glare. “Yes!”

  His eyes darkened like ripe, black olives. A long, horrible silence followed as they stared at each other, now standing toe-to-toe. Lyn didn’t know how they’d gotten so close. She couldn’t remember stepping over to the doctor. Or perhaps he’d moved toward her. So close, she could see a small, white scar along the edge of his left eyebrow.

  “Do you realize what you’re saying?” he asked. His voice was whisper-soft and filled with disapproval.

  “It’s my job to protect her.”

  His jaw hardened. “Protect her, yes. But don’t stifle her, Lyn. You’re holding on too tight. Let her live. Let her learn and grow and be her own person. That’s the only way she’ll ever be able to lead a normal, happy life.”

  “I can’t take the risk.”

  “Yes, you can.”

  “And what if she gets hurt again?” The thought made her stomach clench.

  “Then we’ll deal with it. We’ll be here for her. Always.”

  She sucked in a harsh breath. “You’ll be here? You’re just her doctor, Cade. You’re not her father. If Kristen gets injured, it won’t impact your life whatsoever. You’ll go on like nothing ever happened while I deal with the fallout. You had no right to do this. I’m her mother.” Oh, it was so tempting to yell and screech at him. But she didn’t. Not at all.

  But inside she was screaming.

  His mouth tightened perceptibly. “I’m sorry, but I care about Kristen, more than I can say. I care about you, too. If you continue down this path, you’re going to lose your daughter for good one day. And I’m not talking about death or injury.” His voice sounded so deadly calm. Which made it even more frightening.

  Lyn iced over, her knees wobbling so hard she could barely stand. She couldn’t accept what he said. Outside of normal compassion, he couldn’t possibly care for them. They weren’t married. They weren’t a family.

  They weren’t anything.

  * * *

  Cade couldn’t believe this situation. How had things gotten so out of hand? Obviously, he’d lost Lyn’s trust, but he hadn’t intended to. Now he had to make things right. This was a moment of truth between them. Lyn could make a lot of trouble for him. A malpractice suit might destroy his medical career, or at least his reputation. Would Lyn do something so horrible?

  “Do you want to sue me?” he asked cautiously.

  Dismayed surprise filled her eyes. “Of course not. I just want to know my daughter is safe when I drop her off at your office.”

  “I’d never let anything bad happen to Kristen. I thought you knew that. I thought we were friends. Good friends.”

  She chewed her bottom lip,
her eyes wide with alarm. She looked suspicious and hunted. “I thought so, too, but now I’m not so sure.”

  “Lyn, you can trust me to do what’s right for Kristen. I want to show you something.” He pivoted toward Dal.

  Lyn looked at the other man and blinked, as though she’d forgotten he was here, listening to this entire tirade. For a few minutes, Cade had forgotten his friend, too.

  “Dal, would you mind showing Lyn your legs?” Cade asked.

  Lyn’s gaze lowered to Dal’s limbs. Cade could see the question in her honey-brown eyes. Nothing appeared out of the ordinary. Just a pair of long legs sheathed in faded denims and worn cowboy boots.

  Dal didn’t smile as he bent over and rolled up his pant legs. Lyn stared at one strong, muscular calf dusted with dark hair. Dal’s left leg was a C-Leg prosthesis. Almost identical to the one Kristen wore, except bigger and longer to accommodate his greater height and weight.

  Understanding filled Lyn’s eyes. Dal was an amputee. Just like Kristen.

  “Dal saved my life in Afghanistan,” Cade said. “He lost his leg above the knee in the process, but he didn’t lose his will to live. He’s one of the fastest men in the world. A few years ago, he won the 100-meter dash and a few other races in the Paralympics.”

  Lyn’s gaze darted up to Dal’s face. The man stood there, tall and proud. A U.S. marine who’d given so much for his country. Cade owed everything to this good man, and they loved each other like brothers. The best of friends.

  “I’m sorry for all that you’ve lost,” Lyn said.

  Dal inclined his head. “Thank you, ma’am.”

  Lyn faced Cade again, her expression hardening. And he knew nothing had changed between them. Not for her and Kristen.

  “I’m sorry, Cade, but I’ll be taking Kristen into Reno to a therapist from now on. We won’t be coming to you anymore.”

  Cade swallowed hard, his stomach churning. “Don’t do that, Lyn. We can work this out. If you feel that strongly about it, I won’t put Kristen on a horse again. Just don’t take her away.”