Ranger Daddy

by Rebecca Winters

  What?

  “He needed help then, I can tell you. While I was at his cabin he fought any assistance, and hobbled around, even refusing to use his crutches. That man has driven me insane more times than I care to remember, but it doesn’t change the fact that I’ll always love him.” The throb in her voice spoke volumes.

  “Some men are too independent for their own good.”

  “You can say that again. Is your husband like that?”

  “No, but he has other problems.” Gabi didn’t bother to correct her on her own marital status, because she couldn’t take any more.

  “Please excuse me, but I have to return to the lounge, where my daughter’s waiting for me. When they bring Jeff down, tell him Ashley and I came to see him and we hope he recovers very soon with no complications.”

  “I’ll do that. What was your name again?”

  “Gabi. It was nice meeting you, Fran.”

  “You, too.”

  After exiting the cubicle, Gabi rushed outside the E.R. entrance to pull herself together. She needed time to organize her thoughts before she faced Ashley and Jeff’s friends.

  Last week his ex-wife had left a voice message on his house phone, no doubt letting him know she’d be at the benefit. Evidently she’d been coming to them for the past few years.

  Whatever his relationship with Fran, it was clear they were still involved with each other on some level Gabi couldn’t figure out. The other woman showed no recognition of Gabi’s name. That meant Jeff had never told his wife about her. Until they’d run into each other at the park, Gabi really had been dead to him.

  One thing was certain. She was glad she’d met Fran. Her presence in Jeff’s life acted like a bucket of freezing-cold water tossed in Gabi’s face, reminding her she, too, had unfinished business with her ex, a man who didn’t care who he hurt in order to get what he wanted. Tomorrow he was going to court to fight her.

  While Fran looked after Jeff and took him home to help him, Gabi was going back to Rosemead to deal with her own crisis. After drawing a fortifying breath, she joined the others in the lounge.

  “Mommy!” Ashley cried, and came running. “Is Jeff okay?”

  “He’s going to be fine, but he might have to have an operation.” Gabi spoke to all of them, because she could see the concern in the men’s eyes, too. “See this bone right here?” She touched her collarbone. Ashley nodded. “It’s probably broken and has to be set. He has a headache, too, but it’ll get better with rest. He’ll be able to go home in a few days.”

  “Can’t I see him?”

  “I’m sorry, but no one is allowed in there right now, so we’re driving back to the park. Thank Chase and Vance for taking such good care of us and giving us treats.”

  Ashley lost the battle with tears. They ran down her cheeks. “Th-thank you,” she said in a wobbly voice.

  “We’ll walk you out and get his suitcase,” Chase said in a low aside.

  Together the four of them left the E.R. and headed for the truck out in the parking lot. “When we left North Fork, I was in such a hurry, I just threw his clothes in,” Gabi said. “I’m sure it’s a mess.”

  “It’s a miracle you had the presence of mind to do that much.” Chase pulled Jeff’s case from the truck bed.

  “Drive safely,” Vance cautioned her as he helped Ashley into the front seat and strapped her in. “It’ll be dark soon. Call us as soon as you get there, otherwise we won’t sleep.”

  “I promise.” Gabi started up the truck, anxious to get away. Jeff’s accident had taken its emotional toll on her. Add to that the sight of his ex-wife, who seemed like a nice person, at the bedside, and Gabi was completely devastated.

  Ashley was so upset, she rested her head against the window and sobbed, but in time the tears subsided. To Gabi’s relief, she finally fell asleep and didn’t stir until they’d reached the Yosemite Lodge.

  “How come we stopped here?” Ashley had awakened while Gabi was phoning Chase to tell him they’d arrived safely.

  “We’re going to take our suitcases inside the hotel and leave them. In the morning, we won’t have to carry them when we walk over to catch the bus out in front.”

  “The bus?”

  “Yes. It’ll take us to the airport in Merced for our flight home.”

  “I don’t want to go home.”

  “We have to. Remember that Jeff used to be married?”

  “Yes?”

  “Well, his wife was at the hospital, and she’s going to stay with him after he gets out.”

  “How come?”

  “Because she wants to.”

  “Even if they’re not married anymore?”

  “Yes. She loves him.”

  “Oh.”

  Once Gabi had removed the few items they needed, they approached the front desk and she paid the concierge a fee to hold their bags till morning. The man told her the bus would leave the hotel at 7:30 a.m. That meant they’d need to walk over from Jeff’s house by 6:45 a.m.

  As soon as they drove to the house, Gabi fixed them each a ham sandwich. With the truck parked in the garage, there was nothing more to be done except put the truck key and Jeff’s phone on the counter. Afterward, she set her alarm for six, so they’d have time for breakfast before leaving the house.

  They both slept on the pullout bed in the living room. Ashley needed comfort. So did Gabi, who was still dying inside.

  JEFF WAS HOPING TO SEE Gabi when he was wheeled into his private room. Instead, Chase and the chief were there to greet him. Not that he wasn’t happy to see them, but right now all he wanted was her. Gabi must have phoned them and then decided to go to a motel and put Ashley to bed.

  After the orderlies left and the nurse had checked his vital signs, his friends moved to the side of the bed. “We’re glad to see you’re in one piece,” Chase muttered. “Nobody can do the job you do.”

  “Thanks. To be honest, after my tire blew, I was glad to discover I hadn’t lost any of my own parts, if you know what I mean.”

  “We know exactly what you mean,” Vance murmured. “So that’s what happened. What’s the verdict on you?”

  “A bruised collarbone and a slight concussion. Much ado about nothing. I can go home in the morning provided nothing new shows up. Where are Gabi and Ashley?”

  “She drove them back to your house.”

  “What?” He tried to get up.

  “Take it easy, Jeff,” the chief cautioned him. “She was told it could be several days before you were released. At that news, Ashley’s heart was on the verge of breaking because she couldn’t see you. Gabi thought it best to get her home to bed. She gave us your suitcase so you’d have your things.”

  Jeff closed his eyes tightly. “I can’t believe this happened. To think my cycle flipped right in front of them. Ashley didn’t need to see that! It’s never happened to me before. There had to be a flaw in the tire.”

  “Forget it. The nightmare is over and they know you’ll be fine.”

  “I had plans, Chase—”

  “You can carry them out tomorrow or the next day. Gabi’s not going anyplace.”

  Vance cocked his head. “The nurse told us your ex-wife had been here. Apparently, she accompanied you in the helicopter. How did that happen?”

  Jeff let out a groan. “Our marriage was over years ago, but she still comes to my shows without invitation. She left a voice message last week, asking me to call her back. I didn’t, of course. After the crash, I had no idea she’d flown to the hospital with me. All I could think about was Gabi. When they brought me into the E.R., I was so dizzy and full of painkillers, I didn’t know what was going on. Later I was told she’d come.”

  “We think Gabi must have bumped into her when she went into the E.R. to check on you,” Vance said. “She was gone a lot longer than I would have expected, now that I realize you weren’t in there.”

  “Oh, hell…”

  “It would explain why she left the hospital in such a hurry,” Chase theoriz
ed.

  “I’m beginning to think Gabi could be a lot like Rachel,” Vance mused.

  “You’re reading my mind.”

  Jeff looked from one to the other. “What do you mean?”

  “When Rachel first came to the park with Nicky, she wouldn’t give me any indication that she was interested in me because she thought I was still in love with my first wife. I kept waiting for a sign that never came.

  “If your ex-wife gave Gabi the impression you’re still interested in her, it’s possible Gabi might believe she’s trespassing on private territory. That’s probably the reason she left for the park. How was she to know you’re not still hung up on your ex? In her mind it would make perfect sense, especially since you never remarried.”

  “Did she say anything about talking to Fran?”

  “Afraid not,” Chase said. “But she was clearly not herself.”

  Vance’s brows furrowed. “I agree.”

  “I’ve got to talk to Gabi right now! Damn—she has my phone in her purse. Will you call it?”

  “Sure.” Chase pulled out his cell and made the call, then handed it to Jeff. It rang until he got his own voice mail.

  “She’s not picking up. I’ll phone my house. Maybe she’s there by now and will hear me.” But several more attempts produced no results. He handed the phone back to Chase. “Thanks.”

  Vance eyed him with a sober gaze. “Ashley was terribly upset over having to leave the hospital without talking to you. You should have seen those blue eyes dripping tears. She’s one cute little girl. Nicky hasn’t stopped talking about her since Gabi first came to the park. I can see why.”

  “I love them both,” Jeff whispered.

  “I’ve been there,” Vance murmured. “She reminded me so much of Nicky when he had to go back to Florida the first time, it was déjà vu all over again. Maybe it’s better you can’t reach them until morning, after all of you have a good sleep.”

  Jeff’s jaw hardened. “You don’t know Gabi. If Fran said anything to upset her…”

  A pensive look crossed Vance’s face. “Is your ex-wife prone to cause trouble?”

  “No, but since the divorce, she’s been in denial that our marriage is over. I’m pretty sure she thinks I still care for her because I haven’t found anyone else. The problem is, I made the mistake of going to see her when her father went to the hospital for a mild heart attack. He and I were business friends before I started dating Fran. She thought it meant something, and I’ve regretted that visit ever since.”

  He watched Vance rub the back of his neck. “Until the very end, my wife’s ex-fiancé didn’t give up hoping she’d go back to him. Even after she’d said a final goodbye to him, he flew here and checked into the Ahwahnee, hoping she’d see reason.”

  Chase nodded. “It got so nasty while we were eating dinner with Nicky, I had to tell him to leave, or else.”

  Jeff heard what they were saying. “I can’t see Fran going that far, but she had to realize Gabi had come to the E.R. for a reason.”

  “And deliberately scared her off?” Vance said.

  “Maybe. It all makes an ugly kind of sense.”

  “Tell you what. Chase and I are going to sleep in the doctor’s lounge down the hall tonight. If Fran shows up in the morning while you’re still asleep, we’ll be here to let her know—in the nicest way possible—that we’ll be taking you back to the park with us in the helicopter.

  “If she wants to do anything more for you, we’ll tell her the wives have made arrangements to help you out for a few days until you’re on your feet. If you’re awake, you can tell her whatever you want, but we’ll be here for moral support.”

  No guy ever had better friends. Jeff was humbled by their concern. “Thanks for everything.”

  “Now you know how I felt when you and the others on the search-and-rescue team helped me pull Annie from that helicopter crash.”

  Jeff looked at Chase while they both recalled the accident that could have ended his wife’s life.

  “Get some rest. See you in the morning.”

  The second they left the room, Jeff rang for the nurse and asked her to hand him the phone. But Gabi must have turned off her cell and there was no answer at the house. Hell.

  Chapter Ten

  Once lunch was over, Jessica and Ashley went into the bedroom of the apartment to play. It gave Gabi a moment to phone Greg. To her relief she got his answering machine and left the message that she was still on vacation and would call him when she got home. But she didn’t give him a return date.

  After being with Jeff, she knew she couldn’t continue to see Greg, not when the feelings weren’t there for him. At the right time she would tell him the truth, that she was in love with the same man she’d loved since her teens. But she couldn’t deal with anything while her court case was going on.

  Gabi looked up at the clock. By now Mr. Steel would have been in court for her show-cause hearing. While she waited for him to phone and tell her what had happened, she checked her messages. There were three calls from Jeff. Unable to stand it any longer, she listened to the first one.

  Gabi? Call me back so we can talk. I’m in a private room now. The doctor told me my collarbone is bruised, nothing more. I’ll fly home tomorrow with Chase and Vance.

  So it wasn’t broken! That meant he could have been released from the hospital and flown to Yosemite by now.

  They told me you took Ashley back to the park. I won’t be able to go to sleep until I hear your voice and know you got home safely. This is the hospital number.

  She clutched the phone tightly. What about Fran? Now that Gabi had met her, pictures of the two of them together in Carmel making memories Gabi would never share with him had tortured her during the drive home.

  After she deleted the message, the second one played. He’d sent it at 11:30 p.m.

  Apparently you’ve turned off your phone. As soon as you hear this message, please call me—tonight, if you can. I’ll give you the number again.

  Still no mention of Fran.

  After deleting it, she listened for the third one. He’d sent it an hour ago.

  The guys flew me home with them. I’m back in my house, Gabi. Why aren’t you answering my calls? They think maybe you met my ex-wife at the hospital last night and for some reason were put off by her. Is that true?

  Gabi—I didn’t ask her to come to the benefit show. Though she’d like it to be otherwise, I’ve had nothing to do with her since the divorce. Except for visiting her father in the hospital, any time I’ve seen her after that she’s been the one to show up, unwanted and uninvited.

  When she phoned last week, I never called her back. She knew about you before we married. She knew you were the reason our marriage failed.

  Hot tears gushed down Gabi’s cheeks.

  When she realized you were back in my life, she obviously said something that made you run away. I’ll never know what was said unless you tell me, because when I was brought back to my room, she wasn’t there.

  Gabi? I hope you’re still listening. I’ve only ever been truly in love with one woman in my life, and you know very well who she is. Otherwise, why would I have followed you to El Portal and begged you and Ashley to stay with me? Only love would have caused me to fly to L.A. and bring you both home with me.

  Heaving sobs of joy shook Gabi’s body.

  But if your feelings don’t run as deep for me, then don’t phone me back. Let this be the end. If the love and trust aren’t there on your part, so be it. I’m through being crucified by circumstances beyond my control a second time.

  “Oh, Jeff…” She sank down on one of the kitchen chairs and listened to the message again, savoring every word. When it came to the end, she saved it and would never delete it.

  Almost out of breath with excitement, she decided to look in on the girls before she phoned him back. They were having an intense game of Match-Up. Hopefully, they’d stay engrossed long enough for her to have the most important talk of her li
fe with Jeff.

  Gabi went into her bedroom, leaving the door open a crack. But no sooner did she sit on the side of the bed to make her call than the phone rang. She checked the caller ID and clicked on.

  “Hello?”

  “Mrs. Rafferty? It’s Janine, Mr. Steel’s paralegal. We’re still at the courthouse. Just a moment, please. He wants to talk to you.”

  Gabi waited until he came on the line. “Mrs. Rafferty?”

  “I’m so glad it’s you. I’ve been waiting for your call.”

  “The hearing just ended. The good news is, you’ve won!”

  “What?” she cried, overjoyed for a second time in the past five minutes. “I’m so happy I can’t stand it.”

  “Your ex decided to withdraw his suit for joint custody of your daughter. He’s had a week to consider the stipulation that he must go in for psychological tests and counseling. When the judge asked the attorney if his client was ready to comply, he said Mr. Rafferty refused on the grounds that he’d had counseling in the Army.

  “The judge said that counseling had no relevance. The law required him to go through a whole new process because of the gravity of this case, which involved a minor. At that point your ex challenged his opinion.

  “It was the wrong thing to do in front of the judge, who told Mr. Durham to advise his client against any more outbursts. But Mr. Rafferty refused to calm down. The judge gave him one more chance to desist, but to no avail, so he declared the case permanently closed. Your ex stormed out of the courtroom. That’s the bad news.”

  Gabi gripped the phone tighter. “Because he’ll always be an angry man.”

  “Yes. I asked that the restraining order still stand until further notice, but my question to you is are you still in a safe place?”

  Adrenaline rushed through her veins. “No. I just arrived at my apartment a few hours ago.”

  “Then leave immediately and stay out of sight until your ex has had a week or so to calm down. Now that the case has been heard and dismissed, he might assume you’ve come back home, thinking it’s safe. My bet is he’ll come looking for you and Ashley.”

  Gabi shuddered.