The Forest Ranger's Return

He glanced at her, seeing the sincerity in her eyes. And that was when he knew he still loved her. In spite of everything, he couldn’t be angry with her. Nor could he forget what she’d meant to him all those years ago. And knowing all that reminded him of why he could never be with her now. Life had changed them. Hardship had shaped them into the people they’d become. And his secret past would now keep them apart.

“Thanks for running with me, Dal.” They’d reached her front yard. The morning shadows had faded with the gleaming sunlight. The neighbor across the street came outside in his bathrobe to retrieve his newspaper.

“You’re welcome.”

Julie pushed open her gate, stepped past then closed it firmly behind her.

As Dal waited until she went inside her house, he longed to curse God. How could he accept this cruel twist of fate? Why, after all these years, had the Lord brought them back together? It seemed like a taunt. A spiteful prank played on him and Julie. It changed everything and nothing. And that was the cruelest part about this situation.

Chapter Four

The next morning, Dal showed up to run with Julie again. And the next. They settled into a comfortable routine. Warming up together. Chatting about the upcoming 5K race. The weather. Alterations for the horse trail and campsite. Workshops Dal had planned for the kids at the amputee camp. Everything but what was really on both of their minds. Why Julie had quit returning Dal’s phone calls and letters once she went into foster care.

The following week, Julie drove her Forest Service truck out to Sunrise Ranch. Tall aspens lined each side of the graveled driveway, the spring breeze ruffling the leaves. As she broke from the stand of trees, a panoramic view of the ranch opened before her. Nestled in the green valley, a variety of corrals and other ranch buildings surrounded the white two-story house. A spacious red barn, stable and gazebo sat on the south side. Compact cabins lined the outer perimeter on the north side, along with two large bunkhouses. Julie figured that must be where the staff and amputee kids lived when they stayed at the camp.

As she parked out front, she opened the truck door and looked to the east. Two men raced their horses across the green meadow. A blue-coated Australian cow dog zipped alongside the horses like a bullet. Though a goodly distance away, Julie had little trouble identifying Dal on a dun-colored horse. His confident carriage and the width of his strong shoulders were distinctive. He lay low across the neck of his horse, his right arm outstretched to give the animal full rein. The other man rode much the same way as their mounts sprinted toward the barbed-wire fence dividing two pastures.

A flutter of fear ruffled Julie’s already frayed nerves. She clutched the handle of her leather briefcase with whitened knuckles. As Dal and the other man crossed an imaginary finish line, they pulled up short of the corrals. Julie released a shaky breath of relief. The dog plopped down in the grass, tongue lolling out of his mouth while he panted. By Julie’s calculations, Dal had won the race by a full length. The horses slowed to a walk, and Dal clapped his friend on the back. Their laughter echoed off the tall mountains surrounding the ranch.

Julie sucked in a deep breath, trying to relax. For a moment, she’d feared Dal might crash into the fence. As he walked his horse toward the house, he looked her way, lifting an arm to shield his eyes against the glaring sun.

Julie’s pulse sped into triple time. She could almost feel Dal’s eyes boring into her like a high-speed drill. She couldn’t help being highly aware of him as a handsome, masculine man. In high school, he’d been outgoing and athletic to the point of being reckless. But now he was older and should know better. Perhaps being an amputee made him think he had something to prove. And yet, she was impressed that he hadn’t let his injury stop him from living a full, active life.

Knowing he could clearly see her truck, she feared that he might come over to visit her. She hurried toward the wraparound porch, eager to get inside the house. She’d be out here again tomorrow morning to ride with Dal up on the mountain to view Gilway Trail. That was soon enough to see him again.

She gave the front door several quick raps with her knuckles. A cute girl, about twelve years old with an adorable button nose, answered her call.

“Good afternoon. Is your mother home?” Julie asked.

“Yeah, come on in.” The girl stood back to let Julie step inside.

Julie’s gaze lowered to the girl’s legs. Dressed in a pair of knee-length shorts, the child also wore a prosthetic leg. Like Dal, she walked without a hint of a limp.

“Mom! The new ranger’s here,” the girl yelled over her shoulder.

“Oh, my goodness. Is it that time already?” a woman’s voice called from the kitchen.

The house smelled of cinnamon and warmth. Something nice must be baking in the oven.

“You must be Kristen,” Julie said to the girl. She knew Lyn and Cade Baldwin also had a new baby.

“Yes, and you’re Dal’s old girlfriend,” Kristen said. A statement, not a question.

Julie’s jaw dropped. Her mind churned, wondering what Dal might have told these people about their past. “We were good friends once.”

“I love Dal, too. He’s one of my best friends in the whole world.”

Too? The girl must think Julie still loved him. And Julie didn’t know how to disabuse the child of that notion without offending her.

“Dal saved my dad’s life,” Kristen said. “They were in the war together. Of course, Cade’s not my real dad, but I love him like he is anyway. Cade was a prisoner of war, and Dal went in to get him free. Dal pushed him out of the way during an explosion. That’s how Dal lost his leg. The bomb hurt him real bad. I lost my leg in a car crash that killed my real dad.”

“Ah, I see. It’s a good thing Dal was there to save Cade.” Julie blinked at this detailed information. Kids were so guileless, open and honest. Julie knew Dal had lost his leg in the war, but hadn’t known he’d done it while saving another man’s life. No wonder he and Cade Baldwin were such good friends. Hearing about Dal’s heroics made Julie feel emotional and patriotic. She had no doubt God had sent Dal to rescue Cade. But now she wondered if Dal needed rescuing.

“Have a seat. Mom will be right here.” Kristen walked back into the kitchen.

Resting her briefcase on the floor, Julie sat on the edge of the closest chair to wait. A soft baby blanket had been tossed over the armrest, and she pushed it to one side as she looked around.

Braided rag rugs covered the shiny hardwood floors. A large stone fireplace dominated one wall of the tidy living room. Woven baskets with colorful, intricate designs decorated the tabletops, along with vases of dried field flowers. A striking Native American headdress made of ermine and rabbit fur rested atop a tall armoire. Beautiful pictures of wild mustangs and modern cowboys adorned the walls. A playpen and a basket of toys sat in the middle of the room.

Obviously the Baldwins favored a Western motif. Julie had been told by her office manager that Cade Baldwin was part Shoshone Indian and ran a medical practice three days a week in town. Julie could find no fault with this comfortable home and had great respect for the work Dr. Baldwin and his wife did for amputee kids.

A scuffling sound came from the kitchen, and then an attractive woman with long blond hair and warm brown eyes appeared in the doorway. With a flustered sigh, she used a damp cloth to scrub an orange splotch of what looked to be baby squash off her shirtfront. Tossing the dishcloth onto the kitchen table, she came forward with a bright smile. “I’m so sorry. I lost track of time. I just finished feeding the baby.”

“Is this a bad time to talk?” Julie asked as she stood.

“No, of course not. It’s always crazy around here. I’m Lyn Baldwin, and you must be Julie Granger.” She extended her arm.

Julie returned the woman’s smile as they shook hands. “Yes, I’m glad to finally meet you. I’ve got so many questions I’d like to ask.”

“Sure. I’ll help any way I can. Please sit down and relax.” Lyn indicated the chair.

“Thank you.” Julie sat. “Do...do you need to get your baby?”

“No, Kristen’s with her.”

At that moment, Kristen came into the room carrying a chubby infant wearing a pink sundress and a full head of dark, curly hair.

Julie fell in love immediately.

Lyn pointed at the girl. “You’ve already met my daughter, Kristen. She’s twelve. And the little one is Clarisse, my other daughter. She’s seven months old now and getting her first teeth.”

Kristen jostled the baby on her hip. “Do you want to hold her?”

No! Julie knew nothing about holding a baby, but the invitation caught her off guard. “I, um, sure.”

Kristen handed the infant over, and Julie clutched the little girl around the middle with both hands. Little Clarisse hung suspended in the air, sucking on her fist. She gazed at Julie with wide blue eyes. And then the baby laughed. An exuberant chortle that made Julie blink in surprise.

“Hey! She likes you,” Kristen said.

“She sure does.” Lyn curled her bare feet beneath her and sat on the leather sofa.

Julie didn’t know what to say. Didn’t know what to do. Prickles of panic rushed up her throat. She hadn’t held a baby since...since she couldn’t remember when. But as she looked into the eyes of this innocent little being, so vulnerable and trusting, Julie’s insides dissolved into mush.

“Do you have kids?” Lyn asked.

“No, I’ve never married.”

“Well, you’re a natural mom. Anyone can see that.”