Love Another Day

by Regina A Hanel

  "And please, from now on call me Sam," she said reluctantly. "The whole 'Ranger Tyler' thing sounds way too formal." She rifled through the maps in her patrol vehicle until locating the one she'd been searching for. "Any idea where you want to go today?"

  "I'd like to take some shots of the Teton Mountain Range, and then focus on the larger animals in the park, like moose, bison, and elk."

  "That's a lot to take on in one day," Sam said, unfolding the map between them. She ran her finger along its smooth, protective surface. "Okay, how about this? Bison enjoy grazing on fresh meadow grass, and moose like the willow thickets and water plants. There's a favorite spot where they both hang out about twenty miles south of here by the grassy meadows near the Snake River. I go there sometimes to watch them. On our way we can stop by the Cathedral Group Turnout. It's one of the best places to see Grand Teton, Teewinot Mountain, and Mount Owen at the same time."

  "Sounds doable, but what about the elk?"

  Sam didn't answer at first. She was struggling with returning the folds of the map to the way they belonged. Frustrated, she handed the disheveled mass to Halie and put the Expedition in drive. "You mind?"

  "Not at all."

  Sam pulled out onto the main road. "Elk hide in the woods during the day where it's cooler. The best time to catch them's around dawn or dusk, when they come out to eat, so it's not likely we'll see any today."

  "That's too bad," Halie said, folding the map together on the first try. "That's a problem."

  "Why? It doesn't have to be. I could swing by the lodge early one morning and take you."

  "I'm not an early bird, remember? This is early enough."

  "Right." Sam slowed the vehicle as they passed a hiker plodding along the side of the road. She leaned forward glancing past Halie at him. Once he waved at her, she leaned back and resumed her normal speed. "Silly of me to think your work might take precedence over your sleeping habits."

  "You don't know anything about my sleeping habits or my work habits for that matter," Halie said. "Just because I'm not up at the crack of dawn with the roosters, or whatever you have that wakes you up around here, doesn't mean I don't put my time in. I know what it takes to be successful." She leaned her elbow on the armrest of the door and peered beyond the sagebrush flats, out toward the mountains as they drew closer.

  "I'm sure you do." Sam took a deep breath and gathered her thoughts, reminding herself to try and be pleasant. "Fine-- whatever. Forget what I said. If you don't want to get an early start, then our only other option is going in the evening."

  Halie relaxed in her seat. "That would be better."

  "Great."

  "Super."

  JAKE GREETED SAM at the door, whining and wagging with excitement and exuberance like he did every night she came home from work. She rubbed his sides and kissed him between the eyes, then let him out the sliding glass door to the deck. The deck was built a foot above the ground and had only one step, which Jake was able to manage with his casted leg. Though she and Jake couldn't play ball until his leg healed, per the vet's orders, he still enjoyed rolling in the grass, getting belly rubs, and sunning himself.

  After feeding Jake, Sam took out a plate of leftover potato and cauliflower casserole from the fridge. She heated it in the microwave and sprinkled parmesan cheese on top. She poured herself a glass of wine to go with the meal and sat on the deck facing the woods while she ate. Jake lay next to her, waiting for scraps, his front paws dangling off the stoop. She was thankful for his company and for the fact he always made her feel better when she was down. Today, she wasn't down, though the day wasn't a great one either. She didn't feel much of anything at that moment other than an appreciation for being home with Jake. She massaged his neck until his eyes closed and breathing slowed.

  Through the rays of fading sunlight, Sam saw two deer walk out from near the edge of the woods to chew on the young leaves of some smaller trees. A mommy and her baby. The animals were so precious. She glanced over at Jake, who thankfully remained sleeping. If he were awake, he'd have chased after them, cast or no cast.

  After a few more sips of wine, Sam's thoughts drifted to Halie. She was surprised Halie hadn't commented once during their morning together about the amazing scenery and terrain that are so unique to Grand Teton. She purposely drove to the Cathedral Group Turnout via Teton Park Road, which was one of the more scenic drives in the park. In Sam's mind, Halie's silence meant that the article was nothing more than another job, which did nothing to endear her to Sam. Yet, she was amused as she recalled the expression on Halie's face during the end of one of their chats.

  "I'd skip the perfume tomorrow, if I were you," Sam said, her hands on the steering wheel as the vehicle idled. "It's a huge bug magnet."

  Halie rolled her eyes toward Sam and lifted her eyebrows at the same time. "I wouldn't worry about that if I were you. I've got bug spray. And by the way, are you always this polite to people you've just met?"

  "We haven't just met. We're on a first name basis," Sam replied.

  The deer bolted off into the woods as Jake shifted his head, breaking Sam's moment of recall.

  "You stay here," she said as a precaution in case Jake had seen the deer. Then she finished her glass of wine and watched the sun disappear completely before heading inside.

  Chapter Four

  "WHAT? NO PERFUME today?" Sam said as Halie got in the Expedition.

  "No. You were right. Bad idea."

  "Yeah, it's too bad in a way. I did like it."

  "What? Was that a compliment? And so early in the morning?" Halie asked.

  "Maybe, but I wouldn't get used to it."

  "No. I wouldn't dream of it," Halie said.

  Their ride south on Highway 89-191 to just north of the Moose Visitor Center was painstakingly slow due to the considerable increase in park traffic from the prior week. Halie pulled a guidebook-sized notepad from her backpack and a pen. "You mind if I ask you a few questions for my article?"

  "I guess that would be okay," Sam responded, keeping her eyes focused on the road. "Although I thought I might be exempt from reporter interrogation."

  "Oh, no. If anything, you're more susceptible to my inquiries than most."

  Sam smiled, but said nothing.

  "So, do you work in one set area of the park, or do you patrol everywhere?"

  "I normally work the southern end of the park, in the Jenny Lake Sub-district, unless I have to cover for someone."

  "You ever get bored on patrol?"

  Sam's eyes opened wide. She realized Halie had no idea of the expanse of what her job entailed. "I don't have time to get bored."

  "Never?"

  "Not so far, no."

  "Honestly?" Halie raised her eyebrows, along with her voice. "And how long is 'so far'?"

  "About five years."

  "What's a typical day on patrol like? You know, when I'm not around."

  "It's hard to say. For the most part I don't have a typical day. It's never the same thing twice."

  "Well, give me a for instance then."

  "Okay, let's see." Sam stole a moment of silence before answering. "I've had days where I've had to arrest someone, ride in the back of an ambulance to treat someone, participate in a search and rescue, and respond to a structure fire. And in between all that I've answered visitor questions, responded to reckless driving complaints, and responded to visitor call-ins."

  "All in one day?"

  "Yeah."

  "I had no idea--"

  "That's okay, a lot of people don't. Law enforcement rangers tend to be a mixture of Law Enforcement Officers, EMT's, Firefighters, Search and Rescuers, Field Biologists, and Resource Managers all rolled into one."

  "The work you do is amazing," Halie said.

  The compliment embarrassed Sam. "I guess," she said as she shifted uneasily in her seat. She wanted the interview to be over, but sensed Halie wasn't ready to let it end. Why she wanted to find out more about her, she had no idea.

  "You
work nights too?" Halie asked, turning the page.

  "Sometimes."

  "You like it?"

  "Not particularly. I could do without night shift." Sam glanced sideways at Halie who had fixed an inquisitive eye on her. "Night shift's typically filled with emergency response calls--serious accidents, fights, first reports on missing hikers." Sam didn't want to mention the sometimes eerie feeling she'd get sitting alone in the patrol car, listening only to the cracking of tree limbs and creatures of the night. "Day shift's a little more of what people typically think of when they think of a park ranger's duties. Answering questions from visitors, enforcing speed limits and park rules, stuff like that."

  Before Halie could ask another question, honking horns intervened. "Sounds like you might have one of those problems around the next bend," Halie said.

  "Let's hope you're not right."

  "Sorry. I hope I'm not either."

  "That's okay," Sam said, thankful for the break in questioning.

  THE NEXT DAY Sam accompanied Halie on her photo shoot. She drove them to the spot near where she had dropped Halie off the previous day.

  "I've got to confess something to you," Halie said. "I thought I'd be fine out here on my own, but so far it's been way more challenging than I'd envisioned. I feel like a speck in the center of all that vastness when I'm out there alone."

  "Three hundred thousand acres of national park land surrounded by millions of acres of national forest and wilderness will have that effect on you," Sam said.

  "I suppose. I guess what I'm trying to say is, thanks for coming with me today. I appreciate it."

  "You're welcome, though it's not like I have a choice, is it?" The Chief's instructions were clear. She was to follow Halie's orders and that was what she was doing, nothing more. Sam parked and exited the vehicle.

  From the side of the road they descended a small incline through pinegrass and bearded wheatgrass, stepping on a rainbow of bright colored wildflowers that stretched as far as they could see. Sam led Halie northwest toward the Snake River. The air held a considerable chill, enough to redden the tips of their noses in under a minute. Sam watched the morning mist rise in the distance near the mountain's base. The sight of the jagged mountain peaks doused in beams of bright morning sun was breathtaking.

  "It's incredible out here," Halie said. "There's so much to see when you're not worried about where you're going and so much worth photographing, it's hard limiting myself."

  Sam's mood lightened. This was the first time Halie mentioned anything about the beauty of Grand Teton. Maybe she wasn't as bad as Sam first thought.

  "Although," Halie added, "it is a bit cold today."

  "Don't worry about the cold. You'll warm up as soon as we pick up the pace."

  "Who said I wanted to 'pick up the pace?' This is fine." Halie's words were more crisp than the morning air.

  Sam rolled her eyes. "Oh, excuse me for making a suggestion." So much for judging her too harshly. After that, she remained silent and walked at a slow but steady pace.

  Another hour passed before Halie broke the silence.

  "How much farther do we have to go?"

  "Not much."

  "You didn't bring lunch today, did you?"

  "No, why? Hungry already?"

  A half-smile crossed Halie's face. "No, not yet, but I will be soon. I packed us some sandwiches. You're doing a lot for me, so I figured it's the least I could do for you."

  "That's not necessary, but thanks." Sam paused and listened to the western meadowlarks hiding in the nearby bitterbrush bush trying to out-sing the yellow warblers. She searched for the warblers and saw them tucked in the chokecherry shrubs. The free concert lifted her spirits.

  Not long after, they came upon a herd of wandering moose. Halie grabbed her camera and immediately snapped some shots.

  Sam stopped and watched intently as Halie adjusted the camera lens and changed angles and lenses, all within a few blinks of the eye. For a second, she thought she'd sensed Halie's excitement, but quickly dismissed the feeling.

  "Let's try and get a little closer," Halie whispered.

  Sam agreed. They crept toward the moose at a snail's pace. Sam had always found moose to be incredibly cute animals, but also an intimidating sight that close. Without warning, Sam thrust her arm in front of Halie's midsection, forcing her to an immediate stop. "Don't move! I thought I heard something."

  With reflex speed, the startled moose herd bolted off, stopping several hundred yards away.

  "Great. You scared them off," Halie said.

  Sam glanced at Halie with a glint of annoyance. The eerie cry she'd heard seconds before emanated from behind a marshy patch of grass fifteen yards in front of them.

  Halie grabbed hold of Sam's shirt near the waist and stood motionless. "What was that?" she whispered, eyes narrowed.

  "I'm not sure. I don't think it's anything dangerous though," Sam responded in a hushed voice.

  "Oh, well that's a relief, but how do you know that if you're not sure what it is?" Halie asked. "I'm not looking to get chased for a meal."

  Just then, Sam noticed the white-knuckled grip Halie had on her shirt. For a brief moment, she enjoyed the feeling of Halie needing her. "I don't know. I just do. I'm gonna go check it out. Stay here."

  "Yes, boss," Halie answered.

  Sam's tough exterior cracked. "Cute," she said, and moved toward the sound. She pushed aside the thick reeds of grass and slipped behind the willow thickets. Her footing became unstable. The ground was soft and muddy under her feet. Twenty yards later she spotted a moose calf stuck with his hindquarters in a mud hole, dried splashes of brown muck crusted on his face, neck, and shoulders. The calf's front legs were just beyond reach of solid ground. The calf shuddered from exhaustion. Even in Sam's presence, he didn't attempt to move. Sam circled back to Halie, careful not to lose her footing. "It's a young moose," she said. "He's stuck in the mud. I'll need your help to get him out."

  Halie didn't appear excited to help, but followed Sam closely. Seeing the calf, she gasped. "Yikes! He's stuck in deep. I don't think you'll be able to get him out."

  "Well, not on my own I'm not, but we can't leave him here." Sam crouched down, hoping she'd be less intimidating if she appeared smaller to him. Halie squatted as well. While Sam decided on an action plan, Halie snuck in a couple photos of Sam and the calf.

  "Keep inching toward him with me when I move, okay?" Sam instructed.

  "Okay."

  "Let's push him on his hind end. We'll rock him to the right and then the left to relieve the suction. Hopefully, that'll be enough to set him loose."

  "I guess, but the ground's softer than a sponge cake around here," Halie said, her knees sinking into the sludge. She positioned herself opposite Sam and as close to the moose as possible while still maintaining firm leverage.

  In unison, they rocked and pushed the calf from side to side while he cried out and struggled to gain a firm foothold.

  "All set for one final shove?" Sam asked.

  "About as much as I'll ever be."

  "We'll lift on three. Ready?"

  "Ready."

  "One, two, three." The 'three' ended in a high pitch as Sam strained along with Halie to get the animal loose.

  With Sam and Halie's help, the calf wriggled himself free. He stood with stalk-like legs wobbling, struggling to regain a few ounces of strength. Mud dripped off his young, reddish fur. He shook himself, sending globules flying through the air.

  Sam and Halie sat in the direct line of the mud-slinging. When the onslaught was over, they stared at each other and burst into laughter.

  "Look at you! You've got mud all over you!" Halie bellowed in near hysterics.

  "Oh yeah?" Sam said, wiping her face with the front of her sleeve. "So do you."

  Halie wiped her hands off on the front of her shirt. Undeterred she took four more pictures of the moose, and an equal number of Sam.

  The moose stepped sideways and fixed his wide open chestnu
t brown eyes on the two women. Then he took two wobbly steps forward, and stopped. After a short pause, during which his nostrils flared and filled with air, he took three more steps before hurrying off in the direction of his waiting family members.

  Halie reached her hand out to Sam, who grabbed it and gave a gentle squeeze. "That felt so good helping him," she said, her eyes welling up with tears. "I hope he makes it."

  Sam regarded Halie in a favorable light. "I think he will. He seems to have a strong will to survive."

  "I don't think I realized how fortunate you were until now. You get to save animals and people every day. It must be so rewarding."

  Sam felt the warmth of a blush on her cheeks. "Things like this don't happen every day, but it's days like this that make me love this job. It's what makes the crazy schedules, so-so pay, and risks we take all worthwhile." Sam stood and stretched her legs. She reached out and pulled Halie to her feet. Then she brushed as much of the remaining mud off her as practicable, recognizing for the most part her effort would be futile.

  With eyes focused on Sam and revealing a gentle smile, Halie wiped her hands on the front of her shirt a second time. Then she reached over and wiped a streak of mud off Sam's cheek with her thumb.

  Sam held the steady gaze into Halie's eyes, experiencing warmth that wound its way through her inner core, making her feel drunk. "Ugh, thanks." The words barely made their way out. Sam realized this was the first time she'd genuinely took Halie in, and she recognized a familiarity--a connection to her.

  "Sure, my pleasure," Halie teased.

  Sam cleared her throat, attempting to rein in the growing desire dominating her body and her thoughts. She hesitated, uncertain what to do next. She opted for a safe and easy escape route. "We should probably search for a place to dry off and have lunch."

  "Sounds good to me. I know I've worked up an appetite."

  HALIE SAT WITH legs crossed, facing Sam. She enjoyed the knowledge that she was the cause of Sam's hesitation when her comments veered suggestive. She also liked the connection she felt toward Sam when she'd grabbed her shirt earlier, and she wondered if Sam felt that closeness to her as well. Halie hoped she had, but thought probably not, as she devoured half her sandwich. While she ate, she kept picturing the innocent face of the moose calf. Reaching for the second half of her sandwich, she glanced over at Sam and noticed she hadn't taken the wrapper off her sandwich yet. "You're awfully slow over there, aren't you?"