Healing the Forest Ranger

by Leigh Bale

  When he didn’t respond, she didn’t press the issue. It wasn’t her business what he did or who adopted the mustangs.

  Cade tilted his head, his eyes creased at the corners as though he was thinking about her suggestion. “It’s good to see you, Lyn. Tell Kristen I said hello. And my offer stands. You’re both welcome in my home and medical office. Anytime.”

  Turning, he walked across the porch. His boot heels pounded the wood as he hurried down the steps. Lyn appreciated his kind words, knowing they must have been difficult for him. As difficult as it was for her to let him go.

  As he backed his truck out of the driveway, the front door jerked open and Kristen gasped. “He’s leaving already? Without saying hello?”

  Lyn nodded, his flowers hanging limp in her hand as she held them upside down beside her leg. “He couldn’t stay, but he brought these flowers for you. He had to leave.”

  Because of her.

  Watching him drive away was one of the hardest things Lyn had ever done. Turning, she handed the daisies to her daughter, then went back inside the house. Kristen followed much later.

  * * *

  That afternoon, Lyn received another surprise visit. She’d enticed Kristen to go outside and help her water the clay flower pots lining the front porch. As Kristen showered pink and white petunias with the watering can, Lyn playfully squirted the girl’s bare foot with the garden hose. To Lyn’s surprise, Kristen giggled and tossed a handful of water back at her.

  Raucous laughter ensued. Finally. And it felt good after lying dormant for so long.

  Lyn turned off the water and coiled the hose near the outside tap. A white minivan pulled up out front. Wiping her damp hands down the sides of her blue capris, Lyn stepped onto the freshly mowed lawn. She’d worked hard today, missing the strength and comfort of a man in her life.

  Missing Cade in spite of sending him away.

  “Who’s that?” Sitting on the top porch step, Kristen shielded her eyes against the bright glare of sunlight.

  Lyn shook her head. “I have no idea.”

  A tall, balding man got out of the van and waved, then hurried around the vehicle, where he opened the back hatch. A woman with short, red hair and a thick waist got out of the passenger seat and gave them a timid smile.

  Conscious of Kristen pulling herself up to a standing position, Lyn sauntered over to the sidewalk.

  “May I help you?” she asked.

  The woman slid a back door open, revealing a little boy not much older than Kristen, belted into his seat. Lyn’s gaze immediately dropped to the child’s legs. Or leg. The left one was missing. His pair of knee-length shorts hung limp on that side, his stump wrapped in white bandages.

  Lyn’s breath hitched inside her throat, and compassion blanketed her. Another amputee child.

  “My name’s Martin Lewis.” The man held out his hand. “This is my wife, Sharon. And this is our son, Matt.”

  Lyn took the man’s hand and smiled in greeting. She figured they’d heard about Kristen and wanted to meet her. Group therapy was important for children to mingle with other amputee kids, but neither Cade nor Lyn knew of any other youngsters in the area whom Kristen could spend time with. Maybe that was about to change.

  “I’m glad to meet you. I’m Lyn Warner, and this is my daughter, Kristen.” Lyn jerked her thumb toward her daughter, who joined them, walking like an expert.

  Almost in unison, Martin’s and Sharon’s gazes dropped to Kristen’s C-Leg prosthesis showing beneath the cuffed hem of her shorts.

  “Hello, Kristen.” Sharon smiled, her cheeks plumping.

  “Hi.” Kristen gave a shy wave.

  The boy grinned, the bridge of his freckled nose crinkling. Though slim like his dad, Matt had his mother’s auburn hair. “Hi, there.”

  Martin folded out the wheelchair and lifted Matt into the seat. “I hope we’re not intruding. We tried to call before we dropped by unannounced, but no one answered the phone.”

  “We’ve been working outside most of the afternoon and probably didn’t hear the phone ring. It’s no problem,” Lyn reassured them.

  Kristen gravitated to Matt, standing close, but not comfortable enough to speak freely yet.

  “We’re from Winnemucca,” Martin explained. “I work for the State Fish and Game office. One of your employees told us about you yesterday. We couldn’t wait to take a drive and meet you.”

  Winnemucca was a small Nevada town about a two-hour drive to the east. Not a real long distance, but far enough away that Lyn was impressed by their eagerness.

  “May I ask who told you about us?” Lyn asked.

  The neighbor across the street started up their Weed Eater, and Sharon spoke louder over the noise. “Cindy Halston. She’s my first cousin on my mother’s side.”

  “She’s my office manager,” Lyn said.

  Like Kristen, Matt now belonged to a club of amputee kids he didn’t want to belong to. But being together helped the children realize they weren’t alone.

  “Yes, we know.” Martin’s grin widened as if he were relieved to have the introductions over with.

  “Won’t you come sit on the porch in the shade?” Lyn asked, feeling confident this family wasn’t a danger to her or Kristen.

  “Thank you.” Sharon stepped past Lyn and joined Kristen while Martin pushed Matt’s wheelchair up the path. Lyn hurried to retrieve a wooden ramp she always set over the stairs whenever Kristen used her wheelchair, which was infrequent these days.

  Martin pushed Matt’s chair up the ramp. The wheels thumped as they hit the porch. They all sat in wicker chairs while Lyn went inside to the kitchen and retrieved a cold pitcher of lemonade from the fridge. After collecting glasses, ice and a plate of chocolate-chip cookies, she carried the refreshments back out on a plastic tray and poured everyone a cool drink.

  “How old are you?” Kristen asked the boy.

  “I just turned twelve.”

  “I’m ten. When did you lose your leg?”

  “About five months ago. It got tangled in a hay chopper,” Matt said. “How’d you lose yours?”

  “In a car crash. My dad died in the accident, too.”

  A jagged thatch of red hair fell over Matt’s brow, and he pushed it back. “Gee, I’m sorry. Does your stump still hurt?”

  Kristen shook her head. “Not anymore, but sometimes I still have phantom pain. I just massage the stump, and it soon feels better.”

  Phantom pain...the feeling that her missing leg was still there. Cade had mentioned it once during a therapy session, but Kristen never complained about it to Lyn. It seemed Kristen had confided in everyone except her mom.

  Until today.

  “Have you started walking yet?” Kristen asked.

  Matt nodded. “But it hurts a lot.”

  The adults listened with rapt attention as the kids talked, anxious to hear every response. Kristen and Matt were so eager to share their experience with someone who understood what they were going through.

  “Give it time,” Kristen said. “Pretty soon, you’ll be getting around all by yourself. You should go see Dr. Baldwin. He’s the best doctor in the world. He helped me walk better, and I can even run now. You almost can’t tell I’m an amputee.”

  To prove her point, she stood and walked across the porch with barely a hitch.

  Tears burned the backs of Lyn’s eyes as she watched her daughter’s confident stride. Her beautiful, courageous girl. Kristen had overcome this horrible obstacle not because of Lyn, but in spite of her. When she glanced at Sharon, Lyn found the other woman wiping her eyes, too.

  “We’d love to meet Dr. Baldwin.” Sharon’s voice sounded hoarse with emotion. “Cindy told us he’s worked wonders with you. She said he uses horse therapy to strengthen your legs and back. Our Mattie loves horses, a
nd we want him to be able to ride again.”

  Lyn fought off a shudder of fear. How could Sharon stand to let her son ride after all he’d been through? Surely the woman was scared of Matt being hurt again. Wasn’t she?

  “We can take you,” Kristen offered eagerly. “Dr. Baldwin lets us visit his ranch anytime we want. He’s keeping my horse out at his place.”

  Lyn tensed, knowing where this was leading. She didn’t know if she was up to another visit with Cade today.

  “You can do anything you want,” Kristen told Matt, her expression and voice filled with optimism. “Don’t let your amputation stop you. I ride horses and even play soccer...or at least I used to.” She tossed a dismissive glance toward Lyn.

  Matt’s eyes widened. “You really think I can ride again?”

  “Of course. Why not?”

  Why not? The words sank deep into Lyn’s heart. And suddenly all the fears and excuses she’d made as to why Kristen shouldn’t ride no longer made sense. Not at the expense of her daughter’s happiness. Not if it kept Kristen from doing what fulfilled her.

  Not if it kept the girl from living a happy life.

  “I just knew this visit would do our Mattie good.” Martin showed a toothy grin as he bit into a cookie.

  Lyn chewed her bottom lip, not knowing how to reply. She only knew how she felt. Petty and small. Seeing her daughter so confident and enthusiastic, Lyn wondered why she’d ever denied Kristen the opportunity to ride. When they’d first moved to Stokely, Kristen had seemed so hesitant and insecure. Now the girl was offering encouragement to Matt. Strong and positive. And just like that, a flood of understanding swept over Lyn. Yes, it was safer for Kristen on the ground. Safer not to try. But what was life without joy? The Lord didn’t want His children to be sad. He wanted them to be happy. Cade’s deep faith in God had taught Lyn that much. So what right did Lyn have to keep Kristen from reaching her full potential? What right did she have to keep her girl from trying?

  None at all.

  Kristen rested her hand on the push handle of Matt’s chair. “Dr. Baldwin’s place isn’t very far. We can take you out there today, can’t we, Mom?”

  Everyone stared at Lyn, awaiting her response. From the affirmative expressions on each face, Lyn knew they all wanted to go. What could she say? Especially since she wanted to go, too.

  “Um, sure. I’d be happy to take you out and introduce you to Dr. Baldwin.” She stood, surprised when Martin and Sharon hopped to their feet. Their eagerness spoke volumes. Like Lyn, they wanted to help their child in any way they could. They wanted Matt to be happy.

  While Lyn took the glasses and tray inside and set them in the sink, the Lewises laughed and chatted with the children. After retrieving her purse and keys, Lyn went back outside. Martin already had Matt buckled in his seat, and Sharon was just stowing the boy’s chair in the back of the van.

  What would Cade say when they showed up on his doorstep? How could Lyn explain seeing him again so soon? She didn’t know what she should say.

  Kristen sat next to Matt, but Lyn didn’t feel comfortable letting her daughter ride alone with these strangers. At least, not yet.

  “Honey, come ride with me in our car. You can help me show the Lewises how to get out to Sunrise Ranch.” Having said the words, Lyn held her breath, hoping Kristen agreed without a fight.

  “Okay.” The girl slid out of the van, got her balance and walked to their sedan parked nearby.

  Again, Lyn couldn’t help feeling pleasantly surprised by her daughter’s progress. Kristen’s movements were so fluid and smooth. So graceful.

  Both Sharon and Martin stared after the girl, their eyes filled with amazement. And envy.

  No doubt, they wanted this ease of walking for their own son. Lyn couldn’t blame them. And she had Cade to thank for it all.

  Cade, whom she’d shunned.

  As Lyn started the engine and backed her car out of the driveway, an overwhelming warmth enveloped her. A feeling that flowed through her limbs, chest and head. A feeling of absolute peace.

  Taking these people to meet Cade was the right thing to do. Lyn knew that without a doubt. But something must change in her and Kristen’s lives. And soon. Lyn just needed to sort it all out.

  Chapter Twelve

  “Lyn! I didn’t expect to see you again so soon.” Cade leaned his arms against the rim of her open car window and smiled, unable to pretend indifference. A sad melancholy had shadowed him since he’d left her house earlier that morning. Knowing the BLM planned a horse roundup frustrated him. And yet, he felt slightly better knowing Lyn would be there with him to ensure humane treatment of the mustangs.

  Because he trusted her. Because he loved her.

  She’d parked beside his truck in the graveled driveway at his ranch. He’d been cleaning out the watering trough, his pulse speeding into overdrive the moment he spied her car coming down the road. Filled with happy energy, he’d hopped over the rail fence and joined her as she lowered her window.

  “Hi, Dr. Baldwin.” Kristen unlocked her seat belt and flashed a wide grin from where she sat beside her mom in the front seat.

  “Hi, sweetie.” He couldn’t resist the cute little girl. He loved her, too. Like his own child.

  But what were they doing here? He thought he’d never see them again, except perhaps sometimes when they happened to come across each other in town.

  A white minivan pulled up behind Lyn’s sedan, and a man Cade didn’t recognize got out of the vehicle.

  “Actually, we’re not staying,” Lyn said. “We’re here on business. I just want to ask if—”

  Kristen shoved the car door open, swung her legs around to the ground and thrust herself into a standing position.

  “Kristen, wait,” Lyn called.

  The girl paid her mother no heed. Cade stepped back and waited for Kristen to walk to him. He accepted her hug, beyond relieved they were here, but not liking the way the girl ignored her mom.

  “Your mother wants you.” He pointed at Lyn and the child turned that way, a frown of dread marring her sweet features. No matter what, Cade thought Kristen should mind her mother. He would never subvert Lyn again. Not ever.

  “Never mind. Go ahead.” Lyn lifted a hand in dismissal.

  Dal came from the barn, leading a bareback gelding. Kristen gave a shriek of joy and hurried toward the marine. After tying the horse to the hitching post, Dal greeted the girl.

  “Howdy, pardner. You gonna ride today?”

  Kristen shook her head. “Mom won’t let me.”

  “Who are your friends?” Dal looked at the people emerging from the van.

  Cade caught Lyn’s disgruntled sigh behind him. He had no time to make amends as Kristen introduced him to the Lewis family and explained what they were doing here. Though he focused on Matt, Cade was highly aware of Lyn as she opened her car door. She extended a long, slender leg from the vehicle and stood, dressed in knee-length capris and a pair of white sandals. Out of his peripheral vision, Cade caught the flash of pink nail polish on her toes. Dainty, cute feet. But her shoes weren’t at all practical for a barnyard.

  “So, you want to meet Lightning?” Cade asked Matt.

  “Sure!” the boy responded eagerly. A good sign, considering he wasn’t yet walking well.

  Cade threw a smile in Lyn’s direction, then followed as Kristen led the way to the barn. Lyn brought up the rear, quiet and somber. Either she didn’t want to be here, or she had something heavy on her mind.

  Probably a mixture of both.

  Over the course of the next forty minutes, Cade and Dal gave the Lewis clan a tour of the place. Kristen helped, her jolly stride and exuberant laugh oozing a slightly hyper excitement.

  Under Dal’s supervision, the kids fed and petted the filly. Cade enjoyed their laughter as they adm
ired the wiry horse. For a few minutes, the children were able to forget they were different. That they didn’t have legs, and they walked different from normal kids. Here, at Sunrise Ranch, it didn’t matter. They were happy. They were wanted. They belonged. And Cade wished he could do the same for so many other amputee kids.

  Martin and Sharon asked numerous questions about Cade’s work. They explained Matt’s amputation and described his current medical treatment.

  “You think you could work with our son the way you’ve done with Kristen?” Martin asked.

  “We can sure try. Give my office a call to set up an appointment.” Cade reached into the front pocket of his Western shirt and pulled out a business card, which he handed to Sharon. He wouldn’t make any promises until he’d had time to formally examine Matt and study his medical files.

  “Lightning’s getting really big,” Kristen exclaimed. “Isn’t she beautiful?”

  “Yes,” Matt agreed, his eyes glowing with admiration. The small horse was just the right size as the boy sat in his chair and ran his hands over the filly’s smooth neck.

  “Let me show you Magpie,” Kristen offered.

  She tried to thrust Matt’s wheelchair through the mire of soft dirt, but the wheels bottomed out and Dal had to help push them forward. Watching them, Cade couldn’t help clicking off mental calculations as to how he might make his ranch more wheelchair friendly. He’d listened that morning when Lyn suggested he start a horse camp for amputee children, and he wondered why he’d never thought of it before. When he’d suggested the idea to Dal, the marine eagerly offered to help.

  Just one problem: after the roundup, Cade would love to buy a number of the younger wild horses for training, but he didn’t have the funds to convert his ranch to accommodate amputee kids. Now he couldn’t stop thinking of ways to overcome these obstacles.