Ranger Daddy

by Rebecca Winters

  “It’s an easy hike,” Nicky interjected. “The water falls six hundred feet.”

  Ashley looked excited. “That’s a lot, huh.”

  “Yup.”

  “Can Sergei come?”

  “He wouldn’t miss it,” Jeff proclaimed.

  Nicky glanced at his dad. “Can I go, too?”

  “If it’s all right with Jeff.”

  “The more, the merrier.”

  “I wish I had a dog like him,” Ashley said with a sigh.

  “He’s a real hit around here,” the chief stated.

  Jeff pulled out another chair. “You’re welcome to eat with us.”

  “I’d love to, but it will have to be another time. Rachel’s parents arrived at the house a little while ago for dinner, and she’s expecting us home now. Let’s go, sport, and don’t tell your mom you’ve already eaten. Be sure and thank Jeff.”

  “Okay.” Nicky slid off the chair. “Thanks for everything, Jeff.”

  “You’re welcome here anytime.”

  The darling boy looked at Ashley. “Do you want to play after our hike?” She nodded. “Then you can keep the games and binoculars until tomorrow.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Be really careful with them. Dad gave them to me for a special present.”

  “I wish I had binoculars like yours. I promise I won’t hurt them. Maybe I’ll be able to see that woodpecker before I go to bed.”

  “Jeff will show you.”

  “Sure I will.” He ruffled Nicky’s blond hair with affection.

  Gabi decided not to say anything. Except for being Jeff’s houseguest for tonight, she didn’t know the rest of her plans. Tomorrow, after the hike, they’d leave the park, but now wasn’t the time to discuss it.

  Chief Rossiter nodded to her and Ashley. “We’ll see you tomorrow. Good night.”

  While everyone else walked to the front door, Gabi got busy clearing the table. Her daughter soon returned to help her. Jeff joined them while they were loading the dishwasher.

  “Where would you like to sleep tonight, Ashley?”

  “With my mom.”

  He flicked Gabi a glance. “Then you two can sleep in my bed and I’ll sleep in the guest room.”

  Gabi bit her lip. “But there’s only a cot.”

  “That’s fine with me. Since I became a ranger, I’ve probably slept on more cots than beds. While you finish up here, I’ll put on clean sheets.” He took off before she could argue.

  The best solution would be to let Ashley sleep with her tonight, Gabi decided. They were both exhausted and there’d be no histrionics. Tomorrow she’d leave the park and find another place to hide out for a time. No matter what, she couldn’t continue to stay with Jeff.

  By the time the kitchen was clean, Jeff’s bedroom was ready for them. He’d already put their suitcases inside. Fresh towels sat on the bed. “When we get back, you can bathe or shower in my bathroom. I’ll use the one down the hall,” he told them.

  “Where are we going?”

  Jeff flashed Ashley an intriguing smile. “If you’re not too tired, I thought maybe you and your mom would like to walk over to Curry Village to hear a program about the park. We’ll take Sergei with us.”

  Ashley’s head jerked to Gabi with excitement. “Could we, Mom?” Obviously, there was no sign of fatigue from her daughter.

  “That sounds fun.”

  “We’ll have to leave now if we don’t want to miss the storytelling.”

  “I’m ready!”

  “So is Sergei.” Jeff grinned. “He’s waiting for you to lead him. Here. You can put on his leash.”

  “Come on, Sergei.” By now Ashley was so natural with the dog, it seemed they belonged together. Amazing!

  Gabi glanced at Jeff. “Give me one second.” Her purse was on the bed. She reached for it and hurried into the bathroom to run a brush through her hair and put on lipstick.

  Before long they left the house and walked through the complex to the amphitheater. The temperature had to be in the seventies. Perfect weather. She felt as if they were a normal married couple out for a twilight stroll with the family. The whole effect was surreal, because in her girlhood dreams she’d fantasized about her and Jeff doing this very kind of thing one day, with their own children and a mutt like Nicky’s.

  Of course, at seventeen Gabi had never heard of a Karelian bear dog, nor had she imagined Yosemite as the backdrop in her dreams. While her mind was caught up in past musings, her daughter was being besieged by tourists who recognized Sergei from the news. When the attention grew too much, Jeff had to take over.

  With the program about ready to start, Gabi discovered many eyes focused on them. The tourists could be forgiven for staring at Sergei. But Gabi knew deep down it was an excuse for the females in the audience to check out the rugged-looking ranger whose hard-muscled body was pressed against her side. The large crowd meant they’d all had to squeeze together.

  It reminded her of the hundreds of times she’d gone for rides on the back of Jeff’s motorcycle after school and on weekends. Rides giving them freedom to go wherever they wanted in order to have privacy. He’d tell her to put her arms around him and hold on tight. As if she’d needed any urging. She would have ridden off into the sunrise, sunset or any time in between with him, never to return, if he’d suggested it.

  By the time he found seats for them and the speaker took the stage, Gabi came back out of her reverie.

  “Welcome to the soundscape show. Sounds alert you to the things you’ve come to see at Yosemite,” the presenter began. “Close your eyes and listen very intently to every sound you hear in the park. A bird’s warble, running water, wind whistling around the granite structures—all of these take on new meaning because the acoustical depth here is much greater than in the city.

  “Turn off the sound in a movie, and the quality of the experience decreases. But the opposite happens when you enter Yosemite and leave the noise behind. You see, man-made sounds interfere with the beautiful sounds of nature. Periodic immersion in quiet park landscapes are beneficial to humans and wildlife alike, affecting the internal ecosystem.

  “Listen to this bleet of a bighorn sheep. Now listen to this juvenile bear being driven off by its mom for annoying her. Those are sounds natural in the park setting, but most of us will never hear them because of human engines. When you get up in Yosemite’s back country, there are intervals between jets flying over where it’s one of the quietest places in the U.S. That’s when you’ll hear nature at her best.”

  The program fascinated Gabi. But by the time it was over and the crowd started to disburse, she could see Ashley’s eyelids drooping. “Let’s get you home to bed, honey.”

  Sergei led the way, pulling Ashley along. Jeff put a hand on her shoulder. “Which part of the presentation did you like the best?”

  “The sound of the baby bear getting mad. That was funny,” she said with a giggle.

  Jeff slanted his gaze to Gabi. “What about you?”

  “I loved all of it. Too bad the explorer John Muir couldn’t have recorded the accidental sounds of the park back then when there was much less man-made noise.”

  Ashley looked up at Jeff. “Does that woodpecker make sounds?”

  “Tell you what—the binoculars won’t do us much good now that it’s dark, but as soon as we get back, we’ll sneak up close to the tree and stand very still. Maybe we’ll hear him.”

  One of the things Gabi had loved about Jeff was his sense of adventure. He also possessed a manliness that had stood out from the other guys she’d known at school. Even as a teen she’d felt perfectly safe with him in any situation. Gabi realized he was still the most exciting male she’d ever met or known.

  “We’re almost to the house,” he whispered to Ashley. “Let me hold you and Sergei. From here on, no one says a word.” He picked Ashley up and held her in one arm while he guided the dog with the other. Together the four of them moved closer to the tree in question.

  W
atching him with Ashley reminded Gabi of a time when she and Jeff had been enjoying a picnic at the park, and a flock of European starlings had descended. Suddenly there were thousands of black birds swarming all around them, foraging for food. She’d never seen a sight like it. Jeff had sensed her fear and pulled her close, telling her not to be nervous. His words and the feel of his arms around her had dispelled her anxiety.

  The memory of that incident sent a little thrill through her body as she saw how Ashley held on to him without being the least bit hesitant or shy. He had a way with people that instilled confidence.

  Jeff led them to within a few feet of the tree. While Ashley looked up, his gaze met Gabi’s, and her breath caught. In the quiet of the night they heard distinct tapping.

  Ashley forgot not to talk. “There he is! It sounds like he’s knocking on the door.”

  “Yup,” Jeff responded. “His own little house in the forest.”

  She giggled. “You’re funny.” They listened some more. The moment was magical. “Uh-oh. He stopped pecking.”

  “He’ll be back after we go in the house.” They headed for the front porch.

  “Has Nicky heard him pecking?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “Do you think he could sleep over tomorrow night so he could hear him pecking, too?”

  “Tomorrow we’ll ask his mom. If she says yes, then he can sleep on the pullout couch with Samson.”

  “Thanks, Jeff.” Ashley kissed him on the cheek before he put her down to unlock the door.

  Gabi had gone out with several men over the past school year, men who’d been good to her daughter. But she’d never seen Ashley come close to kissing any man of her acquaintance, not even Greg, who’d gone out of his way to make dinner special for them last week.

  More than ever they needed to leave tomorrow. Ashley wouldn’t like it, but there was no other option. Gabi didn’t want her daughter to get too attached to Jeff. Already it was happening. Just now she’d given her affection to him so freely, it reminded Gabi of herself when she’d discovered the wonderful older boy next door. Like mother, like daughter?

  “Come on, honey. Tell Jeff thank-you, then let’s get those teeth brushed.”

  “Okay.” She gave Sergei a hug, then looked up at Jeff. “I really liked the program.”

  He tousled her dark curls. “So did I. It’s fun when you can see it with friends.”

  “Could Sergei sleep with Mommy and me?”

  “No, Ashley,” Gabi declared in a firm tone, staring directly at Jeff as she spoke. “Jeff is taking care of the dog for his best friend and has certain rules for him. Good night, Jeff. We owe you a debt of gratitude for what you’ve done for us, and we won’t forget.” She bent over to pet the dog. “Good night, Sergei.”

  Grasping her daughter’s hand, she walked her down the hall to the bedroom.

  “Get a good sleep, Ashley. Don’t let the bedbugs bite,” Jeff teased from the other end of the house.

  She turned around with a smile. “Don’t let the woodpecker peck you.”

  With that clever, unexpected retort, both Gabi and Jeff broke into laughter. When it subsided he murmured something about Nicky having met his match.

  “What did he say?” Ashley asked after they’d gone in the bedroom.

  “I didn’t quite hear him,” Gabi replied.

  “He’s nice, Mommy.”

  She opened Ashley’s suitcase to get out her pajamas. “You think?”

  “I like him better than Greg.”

  “I can understand that. He let you play with Sergei. That was very nice of him, considering Sergei’s such an important dog.”

  “Nicky told me Ranger Davis really likes him.”

  “Who? The dog?”

  “No.” Ashley let out a little trill of laughter. “Jeff!”

  She knew exactly who her daughter meant. Jeff had mentioned a Ranger Davis the other day, but at the time Gabi hadn’t realized it was a female colleague. Though she hated asking the next question, she couldn’t help herself. “How does Nicky know something like that?”

  “He heard his mommy talking to her at the pool on her day off from work.”

  That Nicky. “He shouldn’t listen in on other people’s conversations.” Gabi had a feeling the cute little rascal did a lot of that. She was about to tell her daughter not to listen to any more of his secrets, but refrained, because tomorrow they’d be leaving Yosemite and wouldn’t be back. It made any warning unnecessary.

  “Let’s say our prayers, then it’s lights out.”

  Chapter Five

  Ashley looked up at Jeff once they’d made the twenty-minute climb from the trailhead. “lt’s really pretty, but I don’t think it looks like a bridal veil.”

  “I don’t, either,” Nicky chimed in.

  “That’s because there isn’t much water right now. In the spring, when it’s gushing, the breeze blows the mist and makes it look like a veil draped over a bride’s face,” Jeff explained.

  This was one of the most glorious views in Yosemite, but all he could see was the breathtaking woman dressed in jeans and a summery yellow top, taking in the sights. The morning light glinted in her dark, curly hair. He could well imagine sheer, white lace covering Gabi’s beautiful features.

  Jeff could envision himself lifting that veil to kiss the luscious red mouth beneath. All night long those lips had haunted him, bringing back memories of the passion they’d once shared. Though they’d been teenagers, their feelings had been real, and had run deep.

  Whatever history had gone on for her since then, she’d come here after seeing his picture. That she’d instinctively sought him out was something to cherish, at least.

  “My mom wore a veil when she got married, didn’t you, Mommy?”

  “Yes,” Gabi answered faintly. She had been quiet all morning, no doubt trying to control her fears over what her ex-husband was up to right now.

  “So did mine.” Nicky piped up. “It was really long and Uncle Chase let out a big cough because Dad couldn’t find the end of it.”

  Gabi’s amused eyes met Jeff’s, and for an instant he caught the flecks of purple in them. His heartbeat sped up before she glanced away again. He remembered the countless times they’d looked at each other like that, totally keyed in to what the other was thinking.

  Much as he wanted to have one of their old talks, he couldn’t do it here in front of the children, or the tourists who’d spotted Sergei and started crowding around.

  “I’d better take over with the dog till we reach the Volvo, Ashley.”

  “Okay.” She handed him the leash.

  “What do you guys say we head back to the Pizza Patio for lunch before I have to put in a few hours work?”

  “Hooray!” Nicky cried.

  When Jeff reached his office, there’d be a bunch of reports to get through. Mondays tended to start off hectic, but for once he’d had something important and personal to do this morning, and had asked Diane to cover for him. If there’d been an emergency, she would have phoned him.

  “You’ll like the pizza,” Nicky confided to Ashley during the easy descent to the parking lot. “I like pepperoni.”

  “So do I, but I don’t like onions.”

  “I like those, but I don’t like mushrooms or peppers.”

  The cute little kids had no problem communicating. The problem was Gabi, who hadn’t said more than a couple words since getting up this morning. She walked next to him, with their arms and hips occasionally brushing because of all the people on the trail. With every step, Jeff’s awareness of her grew, swamping him with wants that had lain dormant for years. But he knew her thoughts were concentrated on her ex-husband.

  He had to be all kinds of a fool to be caught up in his own desires when she was on a nightmarish countdown before facing Ashley’s father. The thought of her former husband physically abusing her or Ashley because he couldn’t have what he wanted gutted Jeff.

  When they reached the car, Sergei climbed in back
with the kids. Jeff helped Gabi in, then they took off for Curry Village. En route he gave her a covert glance, marveling over the phenomenal success she’d made of her life.

  She’d come into this world destined to be an orphan, and had lived in a succession of foster homes without the support of a loving mother and father. Yet she’d held jobs, managed to study and get a college degree and teach school, all the while being a superb mother to Ashley. He couldn’t praise her enough for what she’d accomplished. For her ex-husband to explode back in her life like this wasn’t fair.

  But then, nothing was fair. His hands tightened on the steering wheel. Jeff’s own mom had died too young, forcing him to accept Ellen, the virtual wicked stepmother replacement. Between her machinations, which had held his dad hostage, and Bev White’s agenda, which had involved Nora’s willing cooperation, Jeff had been left with no choice but to leave Gabi strictly alone, or else…

  If life could have gone on and played out normally over the next couple of years, with no evil subplots to sabotage his plans, Gabi would have ended up being Jeff’s wife. He was positive of it! By now they might have produced a child like Ashley. She was as precious as Nicky.

  Jeff could see why Chief Rossiter’s heart had been touched by the little boy who’d lost his parents on top of El Capitan. When Vance had fallen in love with Rachel, that love had included her nephew. Already Jeff could feel his own heart responding to Gabi’s daughter. The fierce need to protect both of them had taken hold.

  “Has everyone finished eating?”

  Gabi flashed him a glance. “I know you need to get to work. Why don’t you leave now? The children and I will get ice cream and walk home.”

  “Tell you what. I’ll give you the car key so you can drive home when you’re ready.” He drew the key chain from his pocket and pulled off the one in question, handing it to her. “The remote for the garage is on the visor. The door into the kitchen is unlocked. Since Samson isn’t with you, I’ll take Sergei with me. That will free you up to do whatever you want this afternoon.”

  Her blue eyes stared into his. “Thank you for a wonderful morning.”