Then she realized what that meant. “You got your job back?” Ash clamped a hand over her mouth and she realized how loudly she’d said it.
“Winter found us an unexpected ace in the hole. Caleb Callaway admitted he was the one who leaked the report, not me,” Ash said as he wrapped his arm around Macy’s waist. “Looks like I’ll be back running the Otter Lake Ranger Station. Do you think that will be good news or bad news to Sweetwater?”
Macy studied the milling crowd that had grown while she and Ash talked. Cars were lining the road now, and every booth and table had a small crowd. It was all working out exactly as she wanted.
Then she realized Ash was watching her. “What?”
“I asked if my being reinstated would be well received by Sweetwater.”
Before she could answer him, Woody Butler clapped him hard on the shoulder. “Ash Kingfisher, good to see you here. Need me some cookies.” Then he was moving on through the crowd, making a straight line for the campground diner’s table.
Macy stared up at Ash. “Seems like good news.”
“Are you going to come back and manage the visitor center?” Ash asked. “I only hire the best.”
This close to him, it was difficult to imagine working anywhere better than beside Ash. Then she remembered how many fights they’d manage to have in an eight-hour day before they switched gears to...whatever they might become.
Between that image and the list of things she’d get to tackle with the firefighters, it was easy enough to say, “No, I have a good job. I will work with Nicole, though. You’ll see how awesome she is with visitors.” Convincing her not to jump when Ash grumbled would only take a bit of time. Macy had needed that herself.
Ash nodded. “Fine. We’ll have lunch together in the diner, then. And dinner in town.”
“I can scramble eggs. I would be willing to do that for you.” Macy touched his chest, hoping he was getting the message that the domestic arts were not her strong suit.
“I like eggs.” Ash shifted closer. “This is a good plan.”
“We’re out of marshmallows, Gentry. There is a situation at the s’mores table.” Phil McKesson shifted his pants higher and motioned over his shoulder as if she might not know where that was. Then he narrowed his eyes. “You aren’t trying to hire away my administrator, are you, Head Ranger?” He squared up as if he were either preparing to take bad news on the chin or to throw the first punch.
“Nope. She’s happy where she is, Chief. I will be picking her up for lunch, though.” Ash glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. “Maybe dropping her off for work, too.”
Macy rolled her eyes. “Go inside the break room. I put four more bags of marshmallows in the bottom right cabinet.” She shrugged. “I was afraid no one would show.” Then she checked her phone again. “Six o’clock. I better make an announcement so we get people inside to see the new panels.” A dark car slowed on the road as she tugged Ash closer to the photo booth the firefighters had built. The backdrop would serve as a small stage.
While she waited for the crowd’s attention, she searched the crowd for RJ. He held up the box and stepped closer so that he could troubleshoot any problems.
She’d evaluated and discarded several ideas to get the crowd’s attention. She’d even asked the guys at the firehouse to hit the siren. When they’d tried it on the run-through, she’d decided splitting headaches were not the takeaway she wanted the people of Sweetwater to leave the ranger station with.
The easiest way to do this? The showstopper.
She pointed at Brett, who hit the power strip providing electricity to the lights closest to the backdrop. The sudden darkness caused people to stop. Then Cho hit the magic button, lights twinkled inside the miniature waterfall and water trickled down to form a pool.
The oohs and aahs were satisfying. This was the magical moment she’d dreamed of for their first open house.
Weeks of hard work paid off right there in that moment, as Ash watched from his space at the back of the crowd, a small smile curving his lips.
“Hello, everyone! Can I please have your attention.” Macy held up her arms until the crowd focused on her. “Welcome to the Otter Lake Ranger Station’s first open house. I’m hoping this will become a seasonal event because there is always important work happening at the Smoky Valley Nature Reserve. The men and women who serve here are committed to protecting the lands within the boundaries, preserving plant and animal species, and making this a place you’ll bring your families to for generations. Some of you already have.” Macy had rehearsed what she wanted to say, and she was carefully not meeting anyone’s eyes but Ash’s. Seeing the crowd would mean awkwardness like her morning speech at Smoky Joe’s.
But the couple that had gotten out of the dark sedan threw her off her rhythm. When people in the crowd started to shift restlessly, she cleared her throat. “We want you to enjoy all the activities we’ve put together, but before you go, please stop in to see the new educational displays developed by Head Ranger Ash Kingfisher. Winter is a busy time here at the Reserve. Step inside to find out what the rangers are doing now.”
Before she could wave her hands and shoo people back to...whatever, Winter Kingfisher was cutting through the crowd, Whit Callaway being towed behind.
Apparently, the show was not quite over.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
ASH WATCHED HIS sister lead Callaway up next to Macy and wondered how this was all going to play out. When he’d dropped his sister off at their parents’ house, she’d been gripping her cell phone so hard he was afraid she’d break her hand. He’d believed the demise of the Kingfisher-Callaway engagement to be imminent.
But here they were.
If Callaway tried to steal the credit for either Macy’s hard work or the fire crew’s engineering, he’d have a chance to use his fists yet.
Ash maneuvered through the crowd to stand closer. If he needed to get to Macy or Winter fast, he could from that position.
This close, he could read confusion on Whit’s face.
Whatever Winter was up to, she was the only one in on the plan. He scanned the crowd. Everyone was intrigued. The people of Sweetwater understood that something interesting was about to happen. He turned back and glimpsed a tall guy in a baseball cap at the back of the crowd. From here, it was hard to be certain, but if it was who he thought it was...
Caleb Callaway had crashed the open house.
Ash couldn’t remember a single occasion Caleb had attended events on the Reserve. When Ash had demanded answers from Winter about what she and Caleb Callaway had talked about inside his office, the conversation that had convinced him to step up and take responsibility for releasing the environmental impact study to the governor, she’d given him a deadpan expression and changed the subject. Whatever was between her and Caleb, neither one was acting like Ash expected.
“Sweetwater, before you head back out to the party,” Winter said as she smiled warmly at the crowd, “I’d like to take care of some business. You might be wondering who will be leading the discussion of the panels inside.” She pointed at Ash. “Head Ranger Ash Kingfisher will be in charge tonight and moving forward. The Callaways have reinstated Ash.” Winter sighed happily at the murmurs that swept the crowd. “Yes, Sweetwater will continue to have a direct line to the leadership of the Smoky Valley Nature Reserve, someone who’s grown up here. You will be able to count on Ash Kingfisher to stand up for Otter Lake and the people who love it.”
She patted Whit on the back and said, “And you’ll all be happy to know that the lodge project will be moving forward. Thanks to Ash Kingfisher, the board of directors has approved an investigation into a new building site, one near the old weather station. The Callaways are committed to doing this the right way, with a complete environmental impact study first.” She nodded at the applause that swept through the crowd. Whit visibly relaxed. He must hav
e been as surprised to hear the positive reaction for the Callaway family as Ash was. Did that mean the engagement was saved? “A project of this stature will have a long timeline, but by the end of next week, you should be able to contact Monica Grey who will be acting as the public outreach officer until a new one can be hired.”
“There’s no need to quit, Winter,” Whit said as he turned to step between her and the crowd. “I want you by my side as I campaign, but you are too good at your job to leave. I get that.” He wrapped his hands around her arms. “Everything can be like it was.”
Ash was half a second from jumping up next to his sister when Winter gently urged Whit back to her side. She kept his hand in hers and Ash had no idea where she was going with this. When his parents stepped up beside him, he turned to ask his father with a glance what he should do. His dad shrugged. “She’s in control. Better let her lead, son.”
He would, but he’d be ready to defend his little sister as soon as she gave him the go-ahead.
“Macy, do you see my parents?” Winter asked and then nodded as Macy pointed them out. “Right. Mom.” Winter waited until their mother waved her hand to acknowledge she was listening. “I don’t know if a miniature model of Yanu counts, but I promised I would take Whit up Yanu, you remember?”
“Yes,” his mother drawled, as confused as the rest of them. “I’ll allow that it counts as a hike to the top.” Then she crossed her arms over her chest. “Are you going to kiss him?”
Realization dawned as Whit turned to Winter, a confused frown on his face.
Winter promptly gave Whit a hard shove into the pool of water. “No, Mom, I decided to push him off.” The gasps of the crowd died as Whit struggled to sit up soaking wet.
“You know, I think that pool recirculates right to the top,” his father said slowly, the tone of wonder amusing Ash. He wanted Macy next to him badly in that minute. This was a story they would tell their kids. Once again, he was so proud of his sister.
“Don’t believe it’ll wash the skeeves off that one.” His mother’s grim tone was too much. Ash’s chuckles drew attention. When his father joined in, more than one of their neighbors gave them worried frowns.
“I can’t marry a man who’d come after my family. I can’t vote for a man who will chase money, and not at the expense of this place that I love. I can’t stay on at the Reserve or go through with a wedding, but it’ll all work out. One last thing before I go,” Winter said as she scanned the crowd. “Is the Sweetwater Sentinel here?” She nodded as she pointed at a man with a camera in front of his face. “Good. The governor is going to defeat Whit Callaway in the upcoming gubernatorial election, and I’m going to help. I hope I can count on Sweetwater’s votes. And I’d like to introduce the man who made sure Richard Duncan got a copy of the environmental impact study. This man is not Ash Kingfisher.” Then she pointed at the guy in the baseball cap who was hauling Whit Callaway out of the recirculating pool.
When Caleb Callaway lifted his cap, the number of excited murmurs that swept through the crowd matched the flare of tension in the crowd. Woody Butler asked, “Who now?”
Ash wanted to chuckle again as he heard the answer whispered, repeated and finally shouted until Woody held up a hand to signal he understood. “Got it. Carry on.”
Caleb cleared his throat. “Yeah, I...” He yanked hard on his collar. “Construction at The Aerie would have been a mistake, but the Callaways are going to correct that. Thanks to Ash Kingfisher.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Thank you.”
Then he disappeared into the shadowy parking lot. Ash watched him go, dumbfounded that the lazy, laid-back guy from the board meeting could be even worse in front of a crowd than he was. The whole night had turned out to be a revelation.
When Whit Callaway jumped down with a loud splat, several people muttered. Woody was angry when he snapped, “Them Callaways.” But Whit had nothing to say as he marched off.
Macy stepped back to the center of the backdrop.
“Well, you came for an exciting update on what is happening here at the Smoky Valley Nature Reserve.” She nodded slowly. “You got more than you bargained for.” She pursed her lips, her eyes darting here and there in the crowd while she visibly searched for the right thing to say, and Ash couldn’t stand it anymore. She was dying up there and all that had to happen was one final “go see the ranger station.”
When he was next to her, he said, “To make sure no one leaves here dissatisfied, I’d like to say thank you for coming. I’m happy to be back. Macy Gentry deserves so much credit for putting this together. You can expect more in the future. We’re going to get married someday. Tours of the educational panels inside will start in two minutes.” Then before Macy could say or do anything else, he pressed his lips to hers. The cheers of their friends, family and neighbors were nice, but nothing mattered more than her understanding that they were in this, whatever it became, together.
When the kiss ended, Ash realized that as long as they were front and center on the miniature Yanu Falls and in each other’s arms, most of Sweetwater was prepared to stand around and watch them.
“Follow me.” Ash helped Macy down and led her to the overlook. It wasn’t the highest trail or the prettiest view or even the easiest climb, but it was quiet.
“Was I hallucinating?” Macy asked, panting a little as she hurried to keep up. “Did you say we’re going to get married?”
“My parents did when they met on Yanu. It’s a lucky spot.” Ash held her hands and they came to a stop.
In the faint light of the parking lot below, he could see the urge to argue crossing her face. When she didn’t, Ash felt as if he’d hit the lottery. She understood their connection as well as he did. They had a chance to go all the way.
“You’re supposed to be giving tours in the ranger station,” Macy said as she inched closer to him. “Maybe you should kiss me and get to work.”
“Good advice.” Ash lightly touched her cheek. “I want to name three good things before I go.”
“Okay.” Macy slipped her hand into his. “I get to hold your hand whenever I want.”
Excellent start. Ash immediately felt taller, stronger, better. She had that effect on him.
“Let’s see. Number two. You have the tiniest, cutest bear painted on your cheek.” Ash smiled at her shock.
“Leanne painted a bear. That’s awesome.” Macy fidgeted in place. Her very next stop would be a mirror. “The next time we do this, remind me to put a mirror at her table. I wish I had my clipboard.”
Her aggravated tone was familiar. Ash usually heard it aimed at him, but it was sweet in this situation.
“Nothing but good luck for us.” Ash didn’t need a bear as a sign. The change he’d been fearing had been nothing but positive. He wished his enisi was around so he could prove messengers just had messages.
“Right.” Macy put her arms around him. “And number three?”
Ash peered at the darkening sky. The stars were faint but they were there. Tomorrow he’d be able to get up and come to work in the place he loved. Buckeye Cove and Yanu Falls and all the places he loved were still home.
And Macy would be there, working alongside him to protect their home.
Ash studied her face. Feelings. He was no good at admitting them even when he was having them. “I’m not sure I need three things anymore. I love you, have for longer than I can remember. We needed a little shake-up to get here, but as long as I have you, life is exactly as it should be.”
“Ash Kingfisher, you do have a way with words. I love you, too, even when you’re wrong and bossy. We butt heads, for sure, but here, standing next to you is where I want to be.”
As always, she had to have the last word. Why did he think that was cute? Life with her would be unpredictable, exciting.
Macy’s smile was beautiful. Holding her in his arms was the only luck he’d ever need
.
* * * * *
For more Otter Lake Ranger Station
romances by acclaimed author
Cheryl Harper, please
visit www.millsandboon.com.au today!
Keep reading for an excerpt from Christmas at Prescott Inn by Cathryn Parry.
Christmas at Prescott Inn
by Cathryn Parry
CHAPTER ONE
CHRISTMAS ARRIVED AT Prescott Inn the day after Thanksgiving.
Nathan Prescott stepped into the lobby just in time to see two workers erecting a large blue spruce tree. The sharp smell of pine needles wafted to his nose. The annoyingly upbeat jingle of seasonal music—Bing Crosby singing “White Christmas”—met his ears.
Nathan frowned. He didn’t mind if Christmas never came this year.
The inn’s rooms weren’t filling up. Expenses were excessive. He was worried about his investors’ meeting tomorrow and what they would decide. They’d already threatened once to shut down his line of credit.
Nothing could be worse than that.
Gloom descended over his heart.
“A cup of warm spiced cider, Mr. Prescott?” His front desk clerk held out a mug that steamed with the scent of apple and cinnamon. She gave him a tentative smile.
Nathan just shook his head and continued walking toward his office.
As he strode past the stone fireplace, the commotion of tree-decorating and decking-the-halls continued around him unabated. He scowled as a worker brought in a crate of red poinsettia plants.
More money spent—expenses his investors expected him to be cutting. But as he opened his mouth to refuse the delivery, a movement behind the lobby couch caught his eye.
Nathan paused. A dark-haired boy, about six or seven years old, popped up his head. A look of terror appeared in his hazel eyes.
He recognized the boy as one of the kids from the homeless shelter. During the winter months, Nathan housed some families with young children from the shelter. This particular boy had moved in with his mother the week before Thanksgiving. His mother never seemed to be around—working, Nathan supposed. He’d noticed the boy because he always seemed interested in what was happening around the inn.
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