After complying, I cross my ankle on my knee. “Everything okay?”
Being a worrier by nature means my brain is already coming up with scenarios where I could be in trouble. The AT sweep is top of the list. Had I not disobeyed Guy’s warning, I never would’ve gotten stuck in a cabin for two days. Rangers should be the search party, not lost in the woods.
“If this is about the storm rescue—”
“I wanted to talk to you about my retirement.”
“—I can explain,” I continue. “Wait, what?”
“Hold on, what are you talking about?” He leans back in his office chair.
“Getting stuck in the old moonshiner’s place with the solo female hiker?” I pick at the hem of my pants.
He tips forward, resting his forearms on the desk. “And? No one died up on the mountain, right?”
I dip my chin.
With a shrug, he dismisses my concerns. “Then I’d say you did your job successfully, which brings me back to why I wanted to speak with you. I’ll be retiring early next year. Time for a change around here.”
“Congratulations.” I flash him a genuine smile. “You going to buy an RV and travel the country?”
“Maybe. Marcia has another couple of years of teaching to get her retirement. Kids are spread out all over the country, and she misses the grandkids.” He straightens the files and lines up his pens. “Making myself sound old.”
“Nah, you’re still in your prime,” I lie.
Ed’s been a father figure to me since I started here five years ago. Fresh out of grad school and eager to prove myself, I was kind of a kiss-ass the first couple of years I worked for him. Somehow he got me, and understood my need for solitary assignments and lots of space.
“I want you to take over as chief ranger,” he declares in a tone that warns me not to argue with his decision. “You’ve proved yourself and will make a great leader. Of course, there’s the added bonus that you’ll increase our diversity at the management level.”
No, no, no. I don’t want to manage people. I’m happy being a peer, not a boss, and me ticking off the Asian box doesn’t make the workplace more diverse if everyone assumes I’m another white guy.
Ignoring his declaration, I protest. “What about Gaia? She’s been here as long as I have, maybe even a year or two longer, and she has her Masters in environmental management and conservation. No one here is more qualified than she is.”
Plus, she likes people. Well, everyone except Griffin, but she knows how to manage him, which proves she can handle difficult employees.
Ed brushes his index finger over his white mustache. “You’re saying you don’t want the job?”
Do I? “I’m happy being a wildlife ecologist and resident avian specialist.”
“There’s more to life than birds, Daniels.”
A tangle of dark hair. Soft skin and delicate fingers. My mind conjures up images of Olive asleep on my bed.
“I know.” My voice is hoarse, so I clear my throat. “I’m happy doing what I do. I’ve applied for a grant for a new research project starting next year if I get the funding. I feel I can best serve the park in a scientific capacity.”
Ed studies me, his finger still petting his facial hair. “Most people want to advance in their careers. The money is better.”
“I already have my dream job, and it doesn’t involve pushing papers and sitting in an office. No offense.” I cringe at the unintentional insult. “I spent summers working as a seasonal ranger out in Yellowstone and Grand Teton, hoping someday later in my career a position would open up in the Smokies. These mountains are my home. With promotion comes more responsibilities and expectations.”
More exposure to people and society, which I try to avoid.
“What if I tell you it’s temporary? As a federal position, it will be posted nationally. No guarantee any local applicants will get it.”
I’m not sure if he’s trying to reassure or deter me.
“An even better reason to appoint Gaia. We both know she’s better at the soft skills. Other than Griffin, she enjoys the company of people.”
Ed knots his fingers together behind his head. I’m being studied with a familiar look, observed like one of the creatures we’re charged with protecting. A rare and unusual species.
“You’re kind of an odd duck, Daniels.”
He’s not the first to say this about me. “To an ornithologist, being called a duck isn’t an insult.”
“Figured. Okay, I’ll take your comments under advisement. Don’t tell anyone about this conversation, especially not Gaia. If I change my mind, no need for her to feel like second best.”
“What conversation?” Standing, I wait for him to respond.
He plays along. “Exactly.”
Dismissed, I casually exit and run right into Guy.
“Everything okay?” she asks, peering over my shoulder.
I shuffle both of us down the hall. “Totally fine. Ed’s happy as long as everyone makes it out alive. Less paperwork.”
“Good. What happened with your hiker? Did she head into town until the AT reopens?”
“No, she’s still here.” I avert my eyes. “Any word on when we’ll officially open the trails? We encountered a lot of debris and blocks on our way down Anthony’s Creek.”
“Thru-hikers can head back out in a couple of days unless we get more weather. The Appalachian Trail Club is advising everyone to stay put on their message boards. If it were me, I’d be eager to finish before more snow arrives.”
A couple of days.
My time with Olive officially has an expiration date.
“Aren’t you off today?” Guy reminds me.
“I am. Probably gonna head back to my cabin and get some laundry done. Catch up on sleep.”
“Speaking of laundry,” she says with a sly look. “I went to do mine last night and found some hiker gear in the dryer. You think one of the campers snuck over to our quarters? Weird, huh, given the door was locked and only rangers have keys. Wonder if I should bring it up to Ed. What do you think?”
Her warm brown eyes sparkle with knowing there’s no security issue.
I completely forgot about her laundry. “It’s none of your business, but Olive stayed at my place last night. I did a load of her laundry because it was covered in mud.”
Guy’s mouth pops open. “Repeat the first part. Olive?”
“The hiker I was stranded with. No big deal. By the time we hiked back, the campground was full.”
“And you invited her to stay with you?” She presses the cool back of her hand to my forehead.
I jerk my head away. “What are you doing?”
“Checking to see if you’re delirious with fever after your arduous hike.”
“I’m fine,” I grumble. “Quit making a mountain out of a molehill.”
“When was the last time you had a woman in your place who wasn’t me?” She stares me down.
“I have no idea.” I keep my tone flat and disinterested so she’ll hopefully take the hint that this isn’t a conversation I want to have right now. Or ever.
I’ve dated over the last five years. Not often and not seriously, but I haven’t lived the life of a monk. Not completely. I don’t appreciate what she’s implying.
“Is Olive her trail name?”
“No, she goes by Snowbird.”
Something shifts behind Guy’s eyes. “Olive? Dark hair? Blue eyes? Heart-shaped face? Curvy?”
“How do you know what she looks like?” I glance behind me to make sure Olive isn’t standing there. Confused, I ask, “Did you see us in the park last night? Or at Daisy’s?”
“Oh my god. She’s still here?” Guy’s voice goes up an octave.
Not sure why she’s so excited, I explain, “I think she’s still asleep back in my cabin. You can meet her later—if you stop acting like a weirdo about me hanging out with a woman.”
I’m seriously concerned Guy might scare Olive away with her intensity
about my romantic life.
She gives me another strange look, her hand squeezing my arm. “You don’t know, do you?
“Huh? Know what?”
“Oh, Jay.” With her hand tucked around my elbow, she drags me to her desk and plops me down in her office chair. Leaning over me, she opens a brower window and types something.
“If you’re sitting me down for the birds and the bees talk …” I stop talking as she hits enter.
Olive’s face fills the row of images at the top of the page. The name Olive Perry repeats over and over again on the screen.
“What the hell?”
“Your hiker is Olive Perry,” she explains.
“I can read,” I grumble.
“Have you heard of the Runaway Fiancée?” Guy clicks on the first link.
“No. You know I don’t watch reality TV.”
“This isn’t a show.” She leans away so I can read the screen.
Olive Perry, 29, granddaughter of former President Theodore Perry, earned the nickname the Runaway Fiancée after she called off her third engagement. Now she’s done it again. A live video that captivated everyone’s attention shows a romantic mountain top proposal from her boyfriend Sutton “Tye” Wallingford III. No wedding date announced yet. Scroll down for pics of the gorgeous ring and the happy couple. We all hope the sixth time is the charm for Olive.
It’s possible my Olive has a doppelgänger. I tell myself this until I get to the first image. Staring back at me is Snowbird, wearing her blue backpack and grinning at the camera while a blond man kisses her cheek.
“Maybe my hiker is a different Olive?” My voice sounds weird to my ears.
“You okay, Jay?” Guy places her hand on my shoulder.
“I’m …” I have to clear my throat “Fine.”
“Not to get personal, but you didn’t sleep with her, did you?”
I want to ask her to define sleep, but I don’t. “No.”
“Okay, good. Sorry I assumed anything happened.”
I flinch at the pity in her tone.
“Yeah, no worries. I’d probably think the same thing if I found men’s underwear in your laundry. We should probably set up a rotation so we don’t have conflicts with the machines. Missing socks are already a problem around here.” I don’t know what I’m saying. Words spill out of my mouth in a rush. “I should go.”
I stand up quickly, sending the chair spinning on its wheels.
“You sure you’re okay?” Guy’s eyes hold sympathy and her forehead is lined with worry.
“Of course.” I look away. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Shoving open the front door of the station, I walk outside and then pause. I have no idea where I’m going.
Should I wake Olive and confront her?
Avoid my cabin and hope she decides to leave on her own and I never have to see her again?
Pretend nothing has changed? Pretend I didn’t open myself up to her, the first time I’ve done so in ages?
Storm back to my place and confront her while I’m feeling … what? Anger? Hurt? Disappointment? Sadness? All of the above?
I need to calm down, restore the protective layers I peeled away last night.
Instead of turning right to return to my cabin, I make a left.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Olive
After finding Jay’s sweet note, I set the coffee machine to brew while I take my second shower in the last fourteen hours. I’m going to soak up every joyful moment of hot water and fluffy towels I can before I get back on the trail.
Ever since I began my SoBo hike, I’ve been focused on finishing the AT, enjoying the moments but not the miles.
Now I’m sad when I think about leaving and saying goodbye to Jay.
Which is ridiculous.
We’ve known each other for three days.
I can’t be falling for him.
A quiet voice in the center of my chest whispers, “Oh, but what if you are?”
No, no, no.
I try to ignore the way my heartbeat quickens with the idea of falling in love with Jay.
You could stay and find out if he feels the same, my heart whispers.
My breath stalls in my throat. This isn’t rational. I can’t stay here. What would I do? Work in the campground store? I’m not qualified to be a ranger. I’d suck as a diner waitress.
What am I doing? I stop this crazy train of thought.
I have a goal, and I’m within ten days of completing it.
Once I have the all-clear on the trail, I’ll walk out of here, leaving the way I arrived.
I may have started this trek because of a guy, but I’m not going to bail because of a guy.
There’s no indication Jay wants me to stay.
We’re not together.
That kiss, though …
He kissed me back, slowly taking control of what I started.
And he did open up to me last night, revealing parts of himself I don’t think he shares with most people. Which makes me feel like an even bigger asshole for my own assumptions. I hate how he feels like he doesn’t belong.
I hate how well I can relate.
Feeling guilty for all the hot water I’ve used during my existential crisis, I turn off the shower and dry off.
Dressed in my new favorite sweats, I pour coffee and ponder what I should do with my morning until Jay returns.
Reorganizing my pack and jettisoning anything I won’t need for the next week and a half sounds like a productive way to spend my downtime. I will not spend the morning fantasizing about the ranger. Definitely not about the fit of his olive cargo pants or the strange fluttering low in my belly whenever I see his hat.
For some reason, my pack is lighter than normal. I unload the gear from it and stare in confusion at the small piles. Among my reduced food stash, the Cartier box stands out. Ugh. I hate it. Soon I’ll be able to give the ring back and be done with my old life.
“Where are all my clothes?” Perplexed, I sweep my gaze around the room. “I had them when I arrived last night,” I mumble.
Takes me at least five minutes to realize I gave them to Jay to wash and I don’t remember ever getting them back.
My shoes still sit outside the front door, a small breadcrumb Jay dropped for me to figure out his background. How many others did I miss?
Sounds of vehicles, conversations, and birdsong fill the air of the campground. I don’t see anyone near the cabins to ask where I can find the laundry room, so I wander around.
I smell fabric softener and follow the scent to the end of a low building. The door is held open by a large, river rock wedged next to the jamb. Inside, my meager pile of clothes are folded on top of the dryer. I check to make sure everything is there, including my underwear. Grateful for the laundry fairy, I scoop everything into my arms then walk out the door.
And right into a woman in a ranger uniform.
“Sorry,” I huff out.
“Miss, this laundry is reserved for staff. You’ll need to use the one in the main campground area.” She’s stern but not unfriendly as she chastises me.
“I’m all set.” I clutch my clothes against my chest.
Her attention shifts from the pile in my arms to my face.
“You’re Olive Perry,” she states, eyes wide with surprise. It isn’t a question; she recognizes me.
I want to say no, she has me confused with someone else, explain my name is Snowbird. However, she’s a ranger. Which means she’s a colleague of Jay. Sweet Jay who doesn’t know who I really am.
Unable to find my voice to lie, I simply nod in agreement.
“You’re the hiker Ranger Daniels rescued.” Her attention shifts to my clothes. “He told me he did your laundry. He’s a good guy. One of the best.”
“Rescued might be exaggerating a bit. I would’ve been fine if I had to camp at altitude.” I straighten my spine and roll my shoulders back. “While we might disagree about what happened on the mountain, I agree he’s a good
man.”
I don’t know this woman’s relationship to Jay, but I know territory-marking when I see it. She thinks she knows me and doesn’t want me anywhere near him.
“By the way, congratulations on your engagement.” She says this casually like we’re old friends who haven’t seen each other in ages, just two women chatting about our lives.
And then I know.
My real life has caught up with me in Tennessee.
“Where did you hear I’m engaged?” I keep my tone even, nonchalant.
“The announcement was everywhere a few months ago. Died down after you refused to make a public appearance and your family didn’t comment to the press.” She gives me a pointed look.
This is good news. If everyone has moved on from Tye’s stunt, it will be easier to move on with my life without the added scrutiny of the masses.
“Thanks for the update. I’ve been hiking the AT solo for the past five months, so I’m completely out of the loop when it comes to gossip.” My grin would be the envy of the Cheshire Cat.
Her lids close almost all the way as she stares at me. When she begins laughing, I’m caught off guard.
“I like you. I can see why you were able to crack through Jay’s grumpy veneer.”
I have no interest in her approval or disapproval of me, yet relief still floats through my body. If she’s close to him, I don’t want her as an adversary.
This woman makes me nervous with her directness. “By the way, who are you?”
“Gaia.” She doesn’t offer her hand.
Named for the Mother Earth goddess. No wonder she’s fierce.
“You obviously know who I am.”
She gives a quick bob of her chin. “Only the gossip I’ve read online.”
“I think I like you, too.” I laugh, the fight-or-flight tension leaving my body.
She goes back to her serious expression. “Don’t hurt him.”
“I don’t plan to.”
Her eyes meet mine again with a meaningful stare. “Good.”
“It was nice meeting you,” I saw, awkwardly because this hasn’t been nice. Not at all. “I should get back to my packing.”
Shaken after my encounter with Gaia, I realize I need to come clean with Jay. If his colleague knows the truth, does he?
Happy Trail (Park Ranger Book 1) Page 17