The Forest Ranger's Promise

Her eyes narrowed. “I find that hard to believe.”

“Oh, you can believe it. For every dollar generated by the use of our renewable natural resources, an income of ten dollars is generated somewhere else down the line.” His voice filled with conviction. “Ranchers, auctioneers, loggers, truckers, the butcher in the grocery store, the contractor who builds our homes and many more—they all make a living because of our national lands.”

She nodded. “I’m glad you understand that concept.”

“Of course I do. We can’t regrow an oil field, but we can regrow trees and raise more cows. Our renewable resources are highly important to our nation’s economy.” He smiled at her. “And, please, call me Scott.”

Strike one. How dare he be so informal with her? She bit her lip to keep from telling him what she really thought. Who did he think he was? She knew very well how important the forest lands were to her own livelihood. “So you’re not a preservationist?”

“I’m guided by the Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act, which tells me to take care of our land for use by the most people for as long as we can. Ranchers are an important part of that effort.”

“Well. I’m glad we got that straightened out. But I’ll have to watch and see if you act on your words.” His ideas made sense and mirrored her own beliefs, but she’d heard other rangers say one thing and do another often enough not to trust what he said.

A low chuckle rumbled in his chest. “Just give me time, Mrs. McAllister. I’ll show you I’m a man of my word.”

She hoped so, but she wasn’t certain she liked where this conversation was going. She could easily like this man, but she didn’t want to. “Maybe I should have left you for the grizzlies.”

He laughed, not seeming to be injured in the least by her harsh comment. “I’m glad you have a sense of humor. I think we’ll get along just fine.”

Was he daft? She had no intention of getting along with him. The sooner she got rid of him, the better.

“Don’t think I’m easy pickings just because I’m a woman,” she warned. “I know all the games you rangers play and I’m not falling for it ever again.”

“Again?”

He studied her with those piercing eyes and she realized she’d said too much. The last thing she wanted was a snoopy forest ranger asking her questions.

“No games, Melanie. I grew up on a ranch myself. I know how important the land is to grazing livestock.”

Hmm. Maybe so, but he was still a ranger and would undoubtedly do whatever his bureaucratic bosses told him to do. She’d learned the hard way not to trust a ranger and it wouldn’t happen again.

Chapter Two

It took an hour of slow driving to reach the main road. Melanie didn’t head for Snyderville even to drop off her horses. Fearing Scott might die of some brain trauma, she sped on by the exit to reach the freeway to Evanston.

“Where you going?” he asked as they passed the road sign pointing to Snyderville.

Headlights blared in their eyes and she blinked as a semi passed them on the dark road. “I’m taking you to a hospital.”

“That’s ninety miles away.”

“That’s right,” she said.

“There’s no need for that. I’m fine.”

“You may have a concussion and I won’t be responsible for your death.” She didn’t look at him, wishing she could remain neutral. Wishing she didn’t care. Her husband had always chided her for taking in strays. She never figured that might include an injured forest ranger.

Anne sagged against her in sleep, her bright head drooping to her chest. Melanie almost cringed when Scott reached over and settled the girl in a more comfortable position on the seat. His kindness annoyed Melanie and she didn’t know why. His actions seemed too fatherly and she bit her tongue to keep from asking if he had kids. The less she knew about him the better.

She stared at the empty road, watching the miles go by, trying not to think of the man in the seat next to her. He filled up the truck with his bigger-than-life presence, so different from the previous ranger. This man was just too…likable.

The clock on the dashboard showed eight minutes past midnight when she pulled into the emergency parking lot in Evanston. She took up four parking spaces with the truck and trailer. Without a word, she climbed out and reached back to awaken Anne.

“Come on, honey. You can rest inside.”

The girl stumbled out of the truck, almost knocking Melanie over. Scott startled her when he took Anne’s arm to help. How did he get over here so fast?

“Leave me alone.” The girl jerked away, her jaw hard with belligerence.

Scott drew back in surprise. “Sorry. I just wanted to help.”

Anne didn’t smile and neither did Melanie. Anne had a natural aversion to men. She’d loved her father, but she’d also learned not to trust him. One minute, Aaron was fun and filled with gruff compassion. Then he’d lose himself in a bottle and became a mean drunk. Melanie had tried to shield Anne from her father’s rages, but hadn’t completely succeeded. The worst part about it was that Melanie now felt relieved Aaron wasn’t around to hurt them anymore. She missed him even as she felt joy in his absence. How could a woman feel that way about her own husband? It just wasn’t right and she felt guilty about it.

“Anne, don’t be rude.” Melanie led her daughter toward the lights of the hospital with Scott by their side.

In the brightly lit entranceway, he ran a hand down the back of his neck and Melanie sensed his deep frustration. She felt a nibble of guilt for being so curt with him but didn’t dare let down her guard.

Inside, she sat with Anne on a blue sofa in the waiting room while he stepped up to the front reception counter. Like a mother hen, Melanie kept an eye on him, just in case he needed her. Whether she liked it or not, she was stuck in Evanston with no way home until Scott Ennison got checked out.

She wasn’t certain what she’d do if the doctor decided to keep Scott overnight. Maybe she could drive his truck back to Snyderville without him and contact his office in the morning. His people could come out to her ranch to retrieve his truck and horse.

A nurse handed a clipboard with paperwork to Scott and he quickly filled it out before reaching in his pocket for his wallet and insurance card. An orderly glanced at Melanie. “Would your wife like to come back with you to the examination room?”

Melanie almost choked. “I… I’m not his wife.”

“She’s just a friend.” Scott’s blue eyes rested on her like a leaden weight. His gaze challenged her, as if he waited for her to deny his claim of friendship. The corners of his mouth curved slightly with amusement.

Melanie bit her tongue to keep from saying something rude and completely ruining all the good values she’d tried to instill in her daughter.

“Sorry. My mistake,” the orderly said.

“Would you mind calling Karen Henderson?” Scott asked Melanie. “She’s my office manager. Let her know what happened, but tell her I’m okay. I don’t want to worry her.”

“Sure.” Melanie nodded and reached for her cell phone as Scott followed the orderly down the hall.

Melanie called information to get Karen Henderson’s number, then made the call, keeping it short and sweet. Karen answered in a groggy voice and Melanie felt embarrassed. She had obviously woken Karen up, but there was no way around it. She quickly explained the situation, then hung up.

Sighing with exhaustion, Melanie wrapped an arm around Anne. She snuggled the girl close, breathing in her sweet smell before she leaned her head back.

Melanie would check on the horses in a few minutes. Right now, she felt absolutely worn out, her eyes gritty with fatigue. At least she had a clear conscience. Good Samaritan or not, God expected nothing less.

“You heard the doctor. I’m gonna be fine. I just have a mild concussion and a broken finger.” Scott sat in the passenger seat, leaning his head back to rest while Melanie drove them home to Snyderville. He felt loopy from the pain medication, as if everything moved in slow motion.

Anne sat passed out between them, her small body hanging limp against her seat belt. Thick darkness covered the road, the headlights glinting off damp pavement as Melanie pulled onto the freeway.

Scott would have called his range assistant to come get him, but he figured by the time Jim got to Evanston, they could already be home. Instead, he’d woken up Karen again to let her know he’d be home by five in the morning. Until Scott could find another child care provider, Karen had agreed to take Shelley when he needed to work on the mountain. Something would need to change soon. Shelley was bored to tears, sitting all day in the office with a woman old enough to be her grandmother. No friends to play with. No mother to love her.

No wife to love him.