“I don’t know her phone number.”
“I’ll get it from Ranger Sims. He’s probably on duty.” She walked back to her office for pen and paper. While she was at it, she’d find out if he knew Chase’s whereabouts.
Carly’s father was clearly pleased that Roberta wanted to play with his daughter. He gave her their home phone number but, to her disappointment, his explanation didn’t help her.
“He’s been working on a big case with the feds to arrest the men responsible for growing marijuana in the wilderness areas. I happen to know they have a manhunt on to ferret them out and need Chase’s help. That’s probably what’s keeping him.”
“I’m sure you’re right. Thanks, Mark. Talk to you soon.”
Annie clicked off, but she wasn’t reassured. Mark had been too ready with an easy answer. She knew what she’d seen last night. Chase’s sudden pallor had given him away.
“Here’s the number.” She’d crossed over to Roberta’s room to hand her the paper and phone. “I’m still working if you need me.”
“Okay. If she can come, can we make popcorn?”
“Sure,” she said, convinced his emergency didn’t have to do with park business. The pit in her stomach had enlarged to a cavern.
“AREN’T YOU READY YET, honey?”
“I don’t want to go trick-or-treating without Daddy,” Roberta called out from her bedroom. “Do you think something bad has happened to him?”
“No, I don’t.”
“But he’s been gone three days,” she said in a mournful tone.
“He’s a federal park ranger with important responsibilities. Sometimes he has to be gone on business he can’t discuss with us. I’m afraid it’s something we’re going to have to get used to.” This speech was for Annie’s benefit, too. “If you stay in your room all night, you’re going to disappoint Nicky, not to mention that you’ll be miserable. Do you think that would make your father happy?”
After a silence, she finally said, “No.”
“So what do you say?”
“Okay. I’ll come.”
“Have you taken out your curlers?”
“Yes. I used your hair spray to fluff it.”
“I bet it looks perfect. I can’t wait to see you and Nicky in your wizard robes. Luckily you can wear your coats under them.”
“Rachel bought him a wig and glasses. He looks just like Harry and practices walking around like in the movie.”
Annie chuckled. “You two will be the hit of the night.”
“Daddy was going to bring my wand from his office.”
Don’t think about Chase right now. “Maybe it’s better you don’t have it. All the children will want to hold it.”
“I know. Nicky’s bringing his.” Roberta opened the door, but it was Hermione who marched toward Annie with her Myers nose slightly in the air. The white blouse with the pointed collar was perfect beneath her black robe.
“Oh honey, you look just like her!”
Still staying in Hermione’s character, her daughter eyed Annie up and down. “You must be some kind of Indian princess. Who are you precisely?”
“It was supposed to be a secret. I wanted to see if your father could figure it out.”
“My father is brilliant,” she stated in a superior tone. “Of course he would figure it out, if he were here.”
They both broke into laughter. Bless her daughter for deciding to be a good soldier. It helped release some of the tension they were both feeling with Chase gone. This was the most animated her daughter had been in several days. Annie hoped this new mood would last, at least for tonight. They hugged, but not too hard. She didn’t want her makeup to get on Roberta.
Heavy eyeliner and darker pancake makeup helped create the rest of the illusion that she was Princess Tee-Hee-Neh. Ron Saddler had managed to borrow the dress for her from a friend. Much as she would have loved to wear the moccasins she’d bought in the gift shop, she would have to save those for the party at Mark Sims’s house after trick-or-treating because it had started snowing.
The only authentic part of her costume was a woven headband worn by the Ahwahnee women once living in Yosemite. After a couple of tries with her free hand she lowered it around her head so it gripped her forehead without dipping in the wrong place. As the legend went, Tee-Hee-Neh had long, dark hair. Annie wore hers the same way. She hadn’t had this much fun in years, hoping to impress Chase, even if she was in a cast.
As if her thoughts had conjured him up, the doorbell rang. “I’ll get it!”
Roberta zipped out of the room. With her heart in her throat Annie hurried after her. When she opened the front door, a freezing blast of air blew in. There stood Harry Potter carrying a plastic pumpkin to hold his candy. He was accompanied by a witch and a grim reaper in black, at least seven feet tall.
“Oh my gosh!” Roberta took the words right out of Annie’s mouth. Vance was frightening!
“Come in, everyone, and shut the door,” Annie urged. They all had a slight dusting of snow. “Well, Mr. Potter, I can’t believe I’m not at Hogwarts.”
Nicky giggled. “Thanks. You look pretty.”
“Thank you. Roberta? Give Nicky some candy, then I think we should start our trick-or-treating.”
“Goody!” Nicky took two Tootsie Pops before darting out the door first.
“Let’s leave the rest of them on the porch for the other children when they come.”
“Okay.”
Soon everyone had gone outside. Annie followed with her parka around her shoulders and locked the door. They stepped into a winter fairyland. Magic filled the air. With everyone in costume, the scene could have been taken right out of a fantasy where anything was possible and wonders were expected to happen.
Where was Chase? How would she stand another night without him?
After stops at the various houses, they ended up at the Sims’s house with plastic pumpkins full of goodies. There had to be a good thirty people assembled. Between all the food and the prizes to be given out, everyone would be on a sugar high for days.
Among the many awards, the most hideous costume went to Vance, of course. Rachel was dubbed the best “bewitched” witch. Nicky and Roberta garnered the “most lifelike impersonations of the cinema” award. Carly won the prettiest award for her Tinkerbell outfit. Three of the kids came as vampires. Brody won the bloodiest award, the other two walked away with the creepiest and the scariest. Everyone won something. Annie was given the best award for an historical figure.
After she’d been given a prize of a free coupon to rent a movie, she wandered over to the punch bowl. While she was helping herself, the grim reaper appeared at her side.
“You’re terrifying me again, Vance.”
“I was just going to say that if Princess Tee-Hee-Neh looked as beautiful as you, then I can understand how the legend got started.”
“Chase!” she cried, so overjoyed he was here she almost spilled her punch on the floor.
He put it back on the table. “Come with me,” was all he said. To her shock he led her to the laundry room between the kitchen and the garage. Once he locked the door, they were alone.
“Before we do anything else, I have to have this.” Off came the fake head of his costume. She caught the gleam of his silvery eyes, then he was kissing her the way he used to do after they got home from the dig site. Their hunger for each other had been insatiable then and was worse now.
For a few minutes they fed from each other’s mouths, needing this rapture after three days’ deprivation. Transported by desire, neither of them was aware of the passage of time.
Finally he allowed her to come up for air. “I’ve been worried sick, darling.”
“I know,” he whispered against her lips. “Forgive me again.”
“There’s nothing to forgive—” she cried. “I’m just happy to be holding you again.”
“I never wanted to let you go. That phone call the other night came from Sid Manning. Since Vance knows ab
out my being in the witness protection program, Sid worked out an emergency code among the three of us. It was a necessary precaution in case of other people present or electronic surveillance on our phone lines. I’d hoped none of us would ever have to use it, but it happened.”
Annie hugged him tighter.
“Right after you left, Vance came for me and drove me to the pad. He said Sid would meet my helicopter in Bishop. The pilot was told it was emergency ranger business.”
“Did Vance say anything else?”
Chase grimaced. “I’m afraid so.” She shuddered. “Sid told him to be prepared in case Vance had to make someone else his assistant head ranger.”
She drew in a sharp breath.
“At that point I told him to turn around because I was taking you and Roberta with me. I’d already been to hell and back. No way would I ever leave you again, but Vance was way ahead of me. He said it was me Sid wanted to see, that every safeguard had been put in place to keep you safe while I was gone. Not to worry.”
His hands gripped her shoulders tighter. “Can you imagine Sid saying that when you’d just told me you’d marry me?”
“You went so pale,” she whispered. “It was an awful moment.”
Their eyes met in pained understanding. “For the last few days I’ve been sequestered with men from counterintelligence reviewing tapes that picked up chatter relevant to the planting of the bomb in Kabul ten years ago.”
“Why now, when we’ve just been reunited? Is that the reason?”
“No, darling.” He hushed her with his lips. “This had to do with Lon Wiseman.”
“I remember him. The Israeli from Jerusalem University working at the site.”
He nodded. “Lon’s the other man who escaped death like me. Lately his name has come up in the chatter. It seems they finally have proof he’s hiding back in Israel. Clearly the terrorists have never given up hunting for him or me, but the arguments have been loud and long as to where I’m hiding.”
“So they’re still actively looking for you.”
He drew her head against his chest. “They never stop. One of the most outspoken operatives insisted that the double agent who recognized me before I left the military believes I’m being protected by friends in China. Another one is convinced Pakistan. Still another is clinging to the theory that I’m back in the States, yet none of them can be sure I’m not still embedded with American troops.”
“Thank heaven they don’t know anything yet.”
“It’s clear they don’t, but those killers are some of the best trackers in the world. Though I’ve been at the park three years without incident, the day could come when a lead might bring them to Yosemite. Knowing Al-Qaeda hasn’t relented in their pursuit makes it imperative we be proactive.”
Annie looked into his eyes. “What are you saying exactly?”
“That this menace isn’t going to go away. When we tell Roberta we’re getting married, we have to let her know that the situation we’re in means we might have to relocate at a moment’s notice. In the meantime you and I have to decide if we’re going to continue to stay here at Yosemite or not.”
“Because of the danger to everyone else.”
“Yes. Our friends, your parents.”
“Oh Chase!” She wept quietly against him.
He rocked her in place. “How to protect all of us…that’s my torment.”
She sniffed and finally lifted her head. “We’re together again, aren’t we?”
“Yes.”
“That’s the most important thing, isn’t it? We have time to decide what we’re going to do?”
“Yes, yes, yes!” His eyes burned with love for her. “You’re so strong, Annie. With you I know we’re going to make it.”
As his mouth descended once more, they became aware someone was trying to open the door. With reluctance Chase eased her out of his arms. “When we’re back at your house, we’ll pick up where we left off. Right now, let’s enjoy the party.”
He put the top of his costume back on before unlocking the door. Mark’s wife stood at the kitchen sink. Annie flashed her a guilty look. “Sorry about that.”
The other woman in the vampire outfit grinned. “No problem. Here—” She handed Annie a napkin. “Your makeup’s all smeared.”
By now Chase was chuckling. He took the napkin and fixed her face before declaring she was presentable. When they joined the others he whispered, “Do you know every man in the room is envious of me?”
It appeared Chase and Vance had planned ahead of time to wear the same costume. Now there were twin terrifying figures in the house.
“Thank you for the compliment. I wish I could return it, but I have to agree with the MC. Vance won the award for the most hideous costume. You two should be banned to extinction.”
His husky laugh played havoc with her insides, turning her legs to mush. While she was trying to recover, Roberta ran up to them. Nicky was right behind her, casting spells on everyone. He was hilarious as usual. Evidently they didn’t know what to think with two grim reapers in the room.
“Hi, sweetheart.” He picked her up and hugged her.
“Dad!” she squealed in delight and hugged him back. “When did you get here?”
“A little while ago. I came in through Mark’s garage.”
So that was where he’d come from. Nicky looked shocked. “I’ve got to tell Daddy you’re here!” Everyone was relieved Chase was back, but no one more than Annie.
While he ran off to find his parents, Roberta showed him the coupons for ice cream she and Nicky had won for their costumes. Chase was like a magnet. The rangers congregated around the witch’s brew punch bowl to talk to him. Annie didn’t mind.
Nothing mattered now that he was back. Before long they’d be alone…. Her body filled with heat. What if she’d stayed home wallowing in pain like she’d wanted to, like Roberta had wanted to do? His arrival had turned the place into a real party that went on for another half hour before some of the rangers had to leave to go back on duty.
Vance gathered up their party of six. After saying goodbye to their hosts, they started walking home. En route their group agreed it had been a perfect Halloween. The kids groaned when Annie and Rachel reminded them they had school in the morning and needed to get to bed. The two families parted at the corner.
“See ya tomorrow, Roberta. Be sure and bring your candy. I’ll bring mine.”
“I don’t think so,” Vance interjected.
“How come?”
“Because Chase and I plan to eat all of it at work.”
Chase burst into laughter. It sounded so funny, especially while he was still in costume, but Nicky didn’t find it at all amusing.
“Mom? Can he do that?”
“I’m afraid so. He’s the chief ranger.”
“But that doesn’t give him the right to eat our candy,” Roberta whispered to Annie. It was always the fairness issue with her.
“He’s only teasing.”
“Oh.” Roberta was still a little in awe of Vance. “See ya, Nicky,” she called over her shoulder.
As they went their separate ways they heard Nicky giggling again. “You see? Vance adores Nicky.”
Roberta nodded.
“What are you two whispering about?” Chase wanted to know.
Annie winked at him. “We were hoping you’d come home with us. We’re going to make a fire and watch The Great Pumpkin.”
At the unexpected invitation, Roberta looked like she was going to explode with joy. This was only the beginning. Annie couldn’t see Chase’s face to register his expression, but she knew how he felt.
“I haven’t seen a Charlie Brown cartoon in years. Let’s do it.” He reached the front porch first and scooped up the bowl she’d left out for the kids. It had one Tootsie Pop left.
Once inside the house she said, “I’ll change my clothes and be right out.”
He took off his costume, revealing the man she loved beyond comprehension. His eyes
swept over her in intimate appraisal. “I like you the way you are,” he murmured.
Roberta smiled up at him. “Have you guessed who she is?”
“Could she be the Princess Tee-Hee-Neh?”
“How did you know that?”
“I know many things,” he teased. Yes he did, Annie mused excitedly to herself. “She was a beautiful princess, the fairest of the daughters of the great chief Ahwahnee. She captured the heart of every young chief in the Yosemite Valley. Legend has it she was erect as the silver fir and supple as the tamarack. Her raven hair was silky as milkweed’s floss, her movements graceful as a fawn’s.”
Annie trembled. When had he taken the time to learn that particular legend by heart?
“Each morning she stepped from her wigwam and would go to her secret place to meet her beloved. But one morning she found him dead from a fallen piece of granite where he’d been shooting arrows. She knelt down beside him. When he wouldn’t wake up, she died, too. From then on the place with the giant slab above them was known as Lost Arrow.”
While Annie realized it could almost be their story, Roberta looked mesmerized. “Nicky told me Lost Arrow is up by the falls. Are we going to climb up there someday?”
“We’ll do it all, sweetheart.”
“Roberta? Why don’t you change into your pajamas before we start the movie.”
“Okay. We’ll be right back, Daddy. Don’t leave.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
Chapter Ten
A few minutes later the sight of Annie in the blue velour robe he’d once given her took him back ten years, causing his pulse to race. The dim light from one of the lamps threw her features into exquisite relief. She’d removed the pancake makeup that had turned her into an Indian princess. He desired her either way. It hurt to breathe.
“Annie?” His voice sounded hoarse even to him. Out of need he grasped her free hand, drawing her over to the couch where he sat down and pulled her onto his lap. Unable to resist, he brushed his lips against the soft warmth of her throat and mouth.
“There’s something else I have to tell you before Roberta comes in.”
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