Stranded with the Rancher

“Beth, I know. I get it. But I can’t control Mother Nature. If this storm is coming in as fast as Dan says it is, then there won’t be any airplanes going anywhere.”

“I’ve got to be in New York by Monday.” She tamped down a bubble of panic, searching for a rational thought. “Surely things will clear up by morning?”

“That could happen,” Sara commented. She reached out to pat Beth’s arm. “Sometimes our mountain storms hit quickly and then leave.”

Dan gave a shake of his head, indicating he doubted that was going to be the case today. “I’m making a delivery in Gunbarrel,” he said. “I’d be happy to take you that far. You can reevaluate the situation tomorrow. They’ve got a small hotel with an airport shuttle. At least you’d be halfway to the airport.”

Beth brightened at the suggestion. “Yes, that would be great. Thank you.”

“I thought you were on call tonight,” Ben said, looking at Dan.

“On call?” Beth asked.

“Dan’s a key member of our Paradise Clinic Snowmobile Rescue Team,” Ben said.

Dan shrugged at the words. “I traded shifts. My brother is out of town for a prosthesis fitting and left me in charge of the ranch.”

“What are you doing in town then?” Ben asked.

“With this weather we were short staffed at the pharmacy as well, so I came in for a bit.”

“You left the cows alone?” Ben said the words with a laugh.

“Oh, you know. The whole family pitches in. My mother can handle things in a pinch.”

He nodded. “How is Joe doing?”

“One step forward and two steps back.”

“We’re praying,” Sara said.

“Thanks.” Dan’s gaze met Beth’s. “Well, we’d better get moving.”

She turned and hugged first Ben and then Sara. “Thank you for a lovely visit.” Beth patted baby Carolyn and her twin, Amanda, on their soft heads and smiled wistfully at them. A pang of longing filled her as she allowed herself to imagine what it would be like to be married and happy like her cousin. To have a child.

“They are so beautiful,” she murmured.

“Give them five minutes. They both just ate and forgot they have ear infections in progress. You won’t want to be here tonight when they remember again,” Sara said.

“I’ll be back. As soon as my schedule permits,” Beth said.

Dan Gallagher’s hand covered hers as they reached for the suitcase at the same time.

She froze, embarrassed.

“I’ve got it,” he said. Following her, he carried the bag into the small anteroom and then closed the door behind them before staring out the front door at the blizzard, which had risen out of nowhere in less than an hour’s time.

A big silver pickup truck was parked in front of the house. The tarp that covered a snowmobile in the flatbed strained against its ties, while the edges of the blue fabric flapped furiously.

“That’s quite a wind,” Beth said. She wrapped her wool scarf around her neck.

Dan nodded as he pulled on a pair of dark leather gloves and picked up her suitcase again. “Ready?” he asked.

“Yes.”

When he opened the door a gust of wind rushed past and slammed into her, bringing stinging flakes along as well.

Heads down, they dashed through the nearly ankle-deep snow to the curb. Yanking open the passenger door, Dan carefully helped her up and into the vehicle. Chivalry was still alive in Paradise, Beth mused.

He adjusted his Stetson against the snow before he slid the suitcase into the backseat and then came around the truck to the driver’s side and got in. The man was well over six feet tall and the space inside the cab seemed to noticeably shrink as he settled in his seat. For the first time Beth really looked at him.

Beneath the brim of the Stetson his black hair was trimmed short, and the shadow of a beard accented his square jaw. When he turned slightly and his gaze met hers, Beth found herself staring into calm, slate-colored eyes. She turned away, embarrassed to be caught.

She cleared her throat. “I, ah, I really appreciate this.” She brushed the snow off her hair and reached for her seat belt.

“Not a problem.” He pulled on his own seat belt.

“What would you be doing if I wasn’t tagging along?”

“I was heading home. This is just another day for me. Winter in Paradise means that some days getting home requires a bit more patience than other days.”

“Where is it you live?” she asked.

“Outside of Paradise.”

“And where is Gunbarrel?”

“A little bit farther down the road,” Dan said.

“You’re sure we can get there?”

“Ma’am, I’m only sure of a few things in life. But I can tell you this—if I can’t get through then no one can.”

The CB radio crackled as the truck roared like a wakening lion. A moment later the massive windshield wipers began to slowly shovel the snow away in large wedges. The big blades moved with a thumping rhythm.

You won’t make it. You won’t make it. They chanted the words over and over again.

Biting her lower lip, Beth ignored the mocking and focused on trying to see the road ahead. She had to make it to New York. She’d spent too many years working her way out of her circumstances to once again be at the mercy of something she couldn’t control.

* * *

“What’s in New York?” Dan finally asked. They’d driven in companionable silence for several miles, and though the driving was slow, they were well past the outskirts of town.

“I have a locum tenens position that starts on Monday,” Beth answered.

“Locum tenens? You’re a temp doctor?” He couldn’t help the surprise in his voice.

“Yes.”