Ranger Thompson came around the corner and stopped him. “Chief? We just got the word the quake set off a small rock slide at North Dome on the Tenaya Canyon side. I’ve checked, and there are no registered hikers in the immediate area affected.”
Registered being the operative word. “Send a couple of teams up pronto. I’ll authorize an air search before it gets too dark.”
“Yes, sir.”
Coming back from Porcupine Creek was like maneuvering a minefield, but every thought left his mind when he hurried down the hall and saw Nicky. The boy stood outside the door to Beth’s office, waiting for him.
“Hey, sport!” Vance called out.
Nicky turned in his direction. “Vance!” He lunged for him. Vance doubted those six-year-old feet even touched the ground. The clasp of those arms around his neck felt so right, he couldn’t love him more if he were his own flesh and blood. “Did you feel the earthquake, too?”
“No. I was flying in the helicopter.” After rocking him for a long moment, he set him down. “Rachel told me there were waves in the tub.”
Shining hazel eyes looked up at him. “You should have seen them. They were huge!”
“They were,” she concurred.
He lifted his head and was impaled by a pair of brilliant green eyes. Rachel had come into the hall looking for Nicky. In a peppermint-pink shell top and white pleated pants, she looked good enough to eat.
“We’re glad you’re back,” she declared in a husky voice.
“The feeling’s mutual, believe me.” In another second he was going to grab her in front of anyone who happened to be around, and never let go. “Stay with Beth while I finish up some last-minute business, then I’m all yours.”
Giving Nicky’s shoulder a squeeze, he disappeared into his office and phoned air rescue. “We’ve got to get up to the North Dome stat. Is the largest chopper available?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Let’s take it up, just in case we have injuries. I’ll meet you at the helipad in ten minutes.”
After another phone call to Mark, who was in charge as of now, Vance hurried back to Beth’s office. Rachel’s eyes flew to his. “Done already?”
He nodded. “Let’s go.”
“Goody!” Nicky ran out in the hall. Rachel hurried after him.
Vance glanced at Beth. “Thanks for taking care of … them.” He’d almost said “my family.” “Mark has taken over until further notice. Talk to you later.”
She eyed him speculatively before he joined the two waiting for him. “We’ll leave through the rear door.”
He’d purposely taken them out the back way, where he kept the truck. Once he’d helped them inside, he climbed behind the wheel.
“Are we going to your house now?” Nicky asked eagerly.
“We sure are.” It only took a minute to reach it. He pressed the remote above the visor and they entered the garage. Quickly he got out and ushered them through the laundry room into the kitchen.
“Now that you’re here, I want you to make yourselves at home.”
Chapter Ten
Rachel sensed immediately something was wrong. Vance didn’t remove his hat. She darted him a glance. “Do you have to leave?”
“I’m afraid so, and I don’t know how long I’ll be. There’s plenty of food in the fridge.”
Nicky looked as crushed as she felt. “Where are you going?”
Vance hunkered down in front of him. “All the reports around the park have come in. The quake triggered one small rock slide at the North Dome. We don’t think anyone was nearby, but as a precaution, I have to fly up there with Chase and take a look around. It’s not far.”
Nicky stared at him. “You think some rocks fell on people?”
His expression turned grim. “I hope that didn’t happen.”
“If you find them, will you carry them in the helicopter?”
Rachel’s eyes closed tightly for a moment as she remembered what he’d done for Ben and Michelle, what he did every time there was a crisis. It took a special type of man to do what he did for a living and enjoy it.
“Yes,” he replied in his deep voice. He hugged Nicky hard before letting him go. “If I don’t get back in time, we’ll light those snakes in the morning.” He flicked his gaze to Rachel. “In any event, I want you to stay here tonight. There are beds for everyone.”
“We’re going to sleep here?” Nicky’s expression had brightened.
“Nowhere else.”
“Goody! Hurry back!”
“You know I will.” Vance high-fived him and stood up. His blue eyes searched Rachel’s with new intensity. “I’ll call you.”
She nodded. “We’ll be fine while you’re gone. Take care,” she urged, unable to prevent the quiver in her voice.
He stared hard at her. “I was just going to say that to you.”
Within seconds he was gone. When they heard the sound of the motor, Nicky let out a sigh. “I wish he didn’t have to leave.”
“So do I, but that’s the life of a ranger.” She put her purse on the counter. “I’ll fix dinner for us.”
“Can I have a hot dog?”
“I’ll look and see if he has some. Why don’t you go find the bathroom and wash your hands? Then we’ll eat.”
“Okay.”
After he bounded away, she made a quick call to her parents to let them know she and Nicky were fine. News of the quake would be all over the media. To her relief they hadn’t heard yet, and were glad she’d phoned to prepare them.
Once they’d hung up she examined the contents in the fridge. Besides a stash of root beer, she found some frozen corn dogs. Nicky loved them. She did, too. There were apples and peaches in a bowl on the counter.
As she started to microwave the corn dogs, Nicky came running into the kitchen. “Look! This is Katy.” He shoved a framed eight-by-ten picture at her.
“Nicky … you shouldn’t have gone in Vance’s bedroom.”
“I didn’t. This was in the living room.”
“H-how do you know this is his wife?” Her voice faltered.
“‘Cause he showed me a picture of her from his wallet.” He still carried it around? Rachel groaned. “Don’t you want to see it?”
No. But her curiosity over the woman he’d married won out, drawing Rachel’s attention to the photograph. His redheaded wife was adorable. That she’d been full of personality and fun loving leaped from the picture. Rachel could well understand why Vance had never been able to move on.
Pain shot through her heart. “Put it back please, darling, then come and eat.”
“Okay.”
With a trembling hand she sliced up the fruit. When the corn dogs were done, she prepared their plates and put them on the table.
She heard Nicky’s cry before he entered the kitchen again. “I found Timberwolf! Guess where he was?”
“I can’t imagine.”
“By the remote in the living room.”
“I bet Vance knew Timberwolf was missing you, and left him out so you’d see him. Why don’t the two of you sit down and eat.”
“Okay. But Timberwolf doesn’t like human food.”
“Then how does he live?”
“They eat special pills on his planet.”
“Ugh—that doesn’t sound very fun. How sad he’ll never taste a corn dog.”
Nicky laughed. “You’re silly, Mommy. I mean, Rachel.”
She lurched in place. “That’s okay. You can call me Mommy if you want.”
He stared up at her with a sober expression. “Do you think my mommy would be mad if I called you that?”
Tears welled in Rachel’s eyes. “No, because she knows how much I’d like to be your new mommy.”
“You would?”
It was hard to swallow. “Yes.”
“But I wasn’t your baby.”
“No, but I feel like you’re my boy. I love you.”
“I love you, too. I told Vance I wanted to call you Mommy.”
While they sat in Vance’s house eating his food, she found herself loving the whole scene way too much. This was exactly like playing house. When she was little, she and the girl next door must have played it for hours a day. There was always a mommy and a child who waited for the daddy to come home from work.
But she’d never played ranger house. This was different. The daddy didn’t come home at five o’clock on the dot, nor did he wear a suit and tie. If you were the mommy in this house, you were lucky to see him coming and going. In between times your heart ached while you waited and waited….
“RACHEL?”
Vance’s low voice roused her from a light sleep. She sat up on the couch, shoving the hair out of her eyes.
He stood near the coffee table, but in the dim light of the living room, his body was a mere silhouette.
“Hi. How long have you been home?”
“I just walked in.”
“What time is it?”
“After eleven.”
She swung her feet to the floor. “Were there any people hurt tonight?”
“No.”
“Thank heaven.” She stirred restlessly. “In case you were wondering, Nicky’s asleep in the guest bedroom.”
“I figured as much.” He picked up the photograph she’d seen earlier and sat down on the chair next to the couch. Maybe it didn’t go on the coffee table.
“Nicky brought that to me earlier. Your wife was lovely.”
“She was.”
“How long has she been gone?”
“Five years.” That long, and he still wore his ring? It was like another dagger to Rachel’s heart. “We were very happy.”
“Obviously,” she whispered. “Did you try for a family?”
“No. We met in Germany while we were both in the military. I’d been injured and was flown there for treatment. She was one of my nurses. After eighteen months of marriage she was killed by a bomb while being deployed in the Middle East.”
“I’m so sorry, Vance. I can’t even comprehend it.”
“At the time, I couldn’t, either. I’m afraid we both
thought there’d be a future with children, but it didn’t happen. As soon as I’d done my stint, I came back to the States and signed on with the rangers first in Colorado, then Utah. My goal was to end up here so I could help take care of my grandmother, who’d become an invalid.”
Rachel nodded. “I know what that’s like. My father’s a virtual invalid because of a bad heart he’s had all his life.”
“All his life?” Vance sounded shocked.
“Yes. Last week his doctor told him of a new technology that could map it and find the problem to correct. He’s considering having the surgery. It could change his life. On the other hand, if it doesn’t work he could die on the operating table. If he decides to have it done, I need to be there.”
“In other words, it’s elective.”
“Yes.”
“What if he had the surgery in California, and could convalesce with you here? Your parents could move here permanently.”
He was still talking about her taking the job he’d offered her? Her pain was too much. “I’m afraid it wouldn’t work. They’ve each lived in Miami all their lives. To leave their friends, their memories … It just isn’t feasible.”
“Granted, all that is important, but you and Nicky are their lives. With your brother and his wife gone, nothing’s more important than that.”
She eyed him frankly. “You’re right, but I still couldn’t ask that of them at their age.”
“They couldn’t be that old. What’s the real reason you’re so hesitant?” Heat crept up her neck into her face. “Is it a matter of finances?”
“No. I appreciate your concern, but I don’t want to talk about it anymore, if you don’t mind.”
“Forgive me. It’s insensitive of me not to remember this is the place where Nicky lost his parents. Naturally, it has memories I’m sure you and your parents would rather forget.”
“That’s not it. I love it here. There’s a majesty to this valley. At night the granite landmarks were even more awesome. After the humidity of Florida, I love the cool dry air at this elevation. You live in paradise.”
“But I’m making you uncomfortable talking about it.”
Rachel stood up from the couch to put distance between them. “You’re not. I think the quake upset me a lot more than it did Nicky. The thought of my dad having to experience one in his condition makes the idea of moving here out of the question.”
Now Vance was on his feet. “When are you taking Nicky back to Miami?”
“Day after tomorrow.”
“Does he know that?”
“Yes. He had another bout with tears tonight before he fell asleep. Dr. Karsh said to make the vacation long enough to let Nicky feel like he’d been on one, but not too long to get the wrong idea.”
“What’s going to happen when he expects to come on another one next month?”
Vance already knew the answer to that question. Why was he trying to upset her like this? “I can’t honestly answer that question. I told Nicky next spring, but I realize that sounds like a hundred years away. Excuse me for a minute. I want to check on him.”
She hurried out of the living room and down the hall to the guest bedroom, so she wouldn’t break down in
front of him. To her shock, Nicky wasn’t in bed. Maybe he was in the bathroom. She went across the hall, but he wasn’t there, either.
“Nicky?” she called out. “Where are you, honey?” Rachel swung around. Vance had just come from his bedroom. “Is Nicky in your room?”
A CHILLING HAND SEEMED to squeeze Vance’s heart. “No. I just checked.” He rushed toward Rachel and clasped her upper arms. “When did you put him down?”
“At eight, but I don’t think he fell asleep before eight-thirty.” She looked terrified. “Where would he be?” She sounded as frantic as Vance felt.
“He can’t be far,” he stated. “We’ll find him.”
Vance got on the phone to Chase, to begin a massive search of the village, starting with the immediate area. After he hung up, he turned to Rachel. “When you talked about going home, that’s when he must have decided to go into hiding. It’s the typical thing a boy his age would do.”
She nodded. “I’m sure you’re right.”
“Earlier today Nicky told me he wanted to live with me. I swear we’ll find him, Rachel.”
“Where do you think he could be hiding? It’s been dark for several hours.”
“While Chase coordinates the search, help me check the house.”
They covered the entire place, looking under beds, inside closets and cupboards, anything he might climb or squeeze into. The hamper. They checked everything: the garage, the inside of the car and trunk.
“He’s not here. Oh, Vance!”
He crushed her against him. “Shh …” He kissed her
forehead and temple. “He has to be nearby. At night, when he doesn’t know the park, he’d have to stay close.”
On their outing to the Tuolumne Meadows, Vance had emphasized how careful Nicky needed to be about black bears, but he kept those thoughts to himself now.
She slowly eased out of his arms. Her face glistened with tears. “I knew Nicky was determined to stay with you, but I didn’t think he would go this far.”
“It’s what you do when you love someone.”
“I know.” Her voice shook. “He lost his daddy here. It appears he refuses to lose you, too. I shouldn’t have brought him back.”
“That’s your fear talking. He’s familiar with the lodge and could be hiding there. We’ll drive over and look. Come on.”
When they backed the car out, Ranger Baird was already stationed in front of the house, coordinating a search of the grounds within the housing complex. The men had orders to check all garb
age cans and Dumpsters. He told Vance he’d stay put and keep an eye out for Nicky in case he decided to come back home.
With that arranged, Vance drove them to the lodge and found two more rangers combing the halls and foyer for Nicky. He hadn’t turned up yet.
“Maybe he’s in the dining court,” Rachel cried.
“We’ll check it out.”
Together they talked with every waiter and waitress. So far no one had seen him. The pool was closed, but they covered every inch of the area, including changing rooms, bathrooms and receptacles.
“Come on, Rachel. We’ll drive over to headquarters, where the rangers will be checking in.”
A few minutes later, Vance let them in through the
back door and ushered her down the hall into his office. Beth followed them in with two mugs of hot coffee. She put them on the desk before hugging Rachel’s shoulders. “Don’t you worry. The guys will find our little junior ranger.”
“I know. Thank you, Beth.”
While Rachel sat in one of the chairs, struggling to hold on to her emotions, Vance went around his desk and phoned Chase. He turned his back toward her. “What’s going on?”
“The entire Yosemite Valley has been put on alert. Every vehicle is being checked, including the trunks. Every hotel, every concession that’s still open.”
“What would I do without you?” he muttered to Chase. “If anything happens to him …”
“It won’t. We’ll find him.”
“I know.” He cleared his throat. “Keep me posted.”
When he hung up and turned around, Rachel was staring up at him, teary eyed. “Any word yet?”
“No, but not all the rangers have reported in. Drink your coffee. Beth always makes it with a lot of sugar. You need it.”
Rachel was too pale. His heart quaked in alarm.
She did his bidding and sipped a little of it before putting the mug down. “I just don’t know what to do anymore. I thought Dr. Karsh had given me the right advice, but to have it end like this—I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to him. I couldn’t bear it!” Her agony reverberated in the room.
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