“Besides Nicky?”
He nodded.
“There was, but I broke off our engagement.”
“How long ago?”
“A year.”
“Was this before or after you lost your brother?”
“Two weeks before.”
“What a horrendous time for you.”
“It was.” She eyed him curiously. “What about you?”
He didn’t pretend not to understand. “I’ve been divorced going on three years.”
“I’m sorry it didn’t work out.”
“For a long time I was, too, but then you move on.”
She sensed he’d been deeply hurt. Maybe she could tell because she’d so recently been through a betrayal herself.
“That’s what I’m trying to do, but Steven won’t accept it.”
“And on some level that pleases you?”
The man had razor-sharp instincts. “I think you were a psychiatrist in a former life.”
“Maybe I should have been one so I could have dodged what was coming down the road toward me.”
“No. Nicky’s psychiatrist would tell you it doesn’t work that way.” Rachel groaned. “Pathetic, isn’t it? He was unfaithful and I don’t want him, but …”
“But dreams die hard,” Chase stated. “I’ve been there.”
“I suppose it feeds my vanity that he keeps insisting his infidelity was a mistake and he wants me back. Emotionally, I haven’t been able to deal with it, not with Nicky’s problems at the forefront.”
The ranger put down his empty cup and folded his arms on the table. Leaning toward her, he said, “I take it that’s why you’re here.”
“Yes. The doctor said he needs closure.”
“Don’t we all,” Chase murmured sympathetically.
She eyed him frankly. “I’m only now beginning to realize my brother and sister-in-law’s deaths affected a whole range of people besides Nicky and me.” She lowered her head. “In my pain I lashed out at Chief Rossiter yesterday, without knowing the facts. It makes me ashamed now. I was cruel and he didn’t deserve it. When I saw how wonderful he was with Nicky last night and this morning, I’m really embarrassed for my behavior. He’s a wonderful man.” Her voice was quavering a bit.
There was a slight pause before the ranger said, “You probably didn’t say anything to him he hasn’t already said to himself a hundred times over. Tell me something. How do you think your brother would have reacted if the chief had ordered him off El Capitan at gunpoint?”
She lifted her head. “Knowing Ben, he would have felt no one had the right to tell him anything. In the heat of the moment he would probably have wanted to throw a few punches first.”
Her companion nodded. “Chief Rossiter would have taken him on, but it’s against park policy. Since the accident, that’s what has been eating him alive. Next time a situation like this arises, he’ll take the law into his own hands to protect a headstrong tourist, even if it means Vance’s badge.”
“And you’ll be there to back him up, right?”
He flashed a smile. “Dead right.”
“Ben was a fool.”
“Have you ever considered it was their time to go?”
“Yes. It’s the only thing that has helped me get through this. But maybe I should start a grassroots movement to change park policy. Chief Rossiter shouldn’t have been left to suffer like this over something he couldn’t prevent.”
“Whether you’re serious or not, what do you say we talk about it while we walk the loop you were going to take yesterday?” He got out of his chair. “The wildflowers are out. It’s nearby and takes less than an hour.”
She rose to her feet. “I’d like that. It’s clear I need something to get my mind off Nicky until he’s back. Chief Rossiter is too important a man to have gone to all this trouble for him today.”
“He wanted to.”
“That’s what he told me.”
“Then believe it and try to enjoy yourself.”
She laughed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to unload my worries on you.”
“That’s what I’m here for.”
“You’re very nice.”
AT NOON RACHEL PARTED company with Ranger Jarvis, who’d asked her to call him Chase. They made firm plans to go horseback riding the next day with Nicky. The man had been easy to talk to. The horseback ride would round out their visit before she and Nicky flew back home.
After she got back to her room, she started getting things ready to move to the new room. It turned out to be a suite with more amenities. Nicky would love the little kitchen and the jetted tub.
She sank down on one of the queen-size beds and phoned the airline to arrange for their return flight to Miami. With that done she tried out the tub in the hope of relaxing for a while.
Three o’clock came and went without a call from the head ranger telling her a frantic Nicky wanted to talk to her. Rachel could have phoned her parents, but decided to keep the line free, just in case.
The TV provided background noise. She tried to concentrate on a couple of shows, but couldn’t get into them. When six o’clock rolled around without incident, she realized she’d been an idiot to worry. However, by quarter to seven, with no word, she was starting to get nervous for an entirely different reason.
In the middle of her pacing, her cell phone rang. She grabbed for it. “Hello?”
“Ms. Darrow? It’s Chief Rossiter.”
“Oh—I’m so glad to hear from you!”
“We got back here as soon as we could. Is it all right if I bring Nicky up to your new room? We ‘re in the lobby.”
“Of course.”
“See you in a minute.”
With pounding heart she hurried into the hall to wait for them. They weren’t long in coming. The moment Nicky saw her he cried her name and came flying down the corridor. She swept him into her arms. “How was your trip?”
“We had the best time ever!”
“I second the motion,” the chief declared in that low, masculine voice.
Over Nicky’s blond head her eyes made contact with his. This was the first time she’d seen him without his hat. He was holding Nicky’s backpack. His short-cropped hair was black as a raven’s wing, adding a potent virility to the total male picture, which was quite stunning.
Embarrassed to be caught staring at him, she buried her face in her nephew’s curls. “Did you find those owls?”
Nicky eased out of her arms. “No. We looked and looked, but we couldn’t see them anywhere. Vance says we’ll have to camp out on Saturday night and watch them when they’re moving around in the dark.”
Her nephew didn’t know it yet, but this afternoon she’d booked their flight to Miami for early Sunday morning. That meant spending Saturday night in Merced. Nicky wouldn’t like it, but she would discuss all the details with him after Chief Rossiter went home.
“What was it like being in a helicopter?”
“I loved it! You can see everything! We spotted bears and deers and elks!”
“Did you take pictures?”
“A whole bunch.”
“I can’t wait to see them. I bet you’re ready for dinner.”
“Yup. Vance says he’s hungry enough to eat a horse.”
Rachel laughed.
“You said we could call the restaurant and have pizza sent up tonight. Can Vance stay and have some with us? That’s his favorite food, too, but he likes green peppers and mushrooms and I don’t.”
Uh-oh. “I have a better idea. Maybe we could invite him and his wife to have lunch with us tomorrow instead. It will be our way of thanking him for giving you a wonderful day to remember.”
“But Katy died in the war,” Nicky explained. “He’s all alone.”
Katy? Upon that revelation she shot the chief ranger a pained glance. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.” When she’d asked him if he had children, he’d said no without giving her any other information.
“How could you?�
� he inquired with enviable calm. Whatever his reasons for still wearing his wedding ring, they were private and had nothing to do with her. But her heart reacted, anyway.
“Can I order it?” Nicky asked before he flew into the room. A second later she could hear his whoops of excitement. “Hey, Vance—come and look at this tub! I’m going to take a bath!”
The headman’s lips twitched, adding to his appeal.
She shook her head. “You’ve been putting up with that kind of enthusiasm all day long. I’m sure you could do with a rest.”
“On the contrary. Why don’t you deal with his bath while I phone downstairs and order dinner for us. Nicky told me your preferences. He’s been counting on this,” he added in a hushed voice, to let her know it was her nephew’s idea.
Making a split-second decision, because she didn’t want the chief to leave yet, she said, “Then let’s not disappoint him. Come in.”
He followed her into the suite and put the backpack on the nearest bed. She pulled clean pajamas from the dresser drawer and headed for the bathroom. Out of the corner of her eye she saw him pick up the house phone receiver. After taking the whole day off to be with Nicky, no doubt he was ravenous, and had a ton of messages to deal with besides.
Nicky had already turned on the water and was soaping himself. “Where’s Vance?”
“He’s ordering our dinner. Come on. I’ll wash your hair. You’ve got little pieces of grass and sticks in it.”
“We had to crawl around under the trees on our tummies. He let me use his binoculars. They’re really, really powerful. You can see an eagle’s beak up close from miles away.”
“You saw an eagle?”
“Yup. A golden eagle. Vance said we were really lucky. It was huge and it had gold feathers on the back of its head. He said the bald eagles usually leave after winter.”
“How fabulous for you!”
“Yup. We ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and potato chips. I can’t wait to go with him on Saturday.”
There he went again. But Rachel didn’t want to ruin this day for him by talking about going home. Tomorrow morning would be soon enough, after he’d had a good night’s sleep.
“I can tell you had a great time.”
“Yup. Vance is funny. He taught me a song his grandpa used to sing to him.”
Rachel was fascinated by the change in Nicky. She had the chief ranger to thank for infusing her nephew with new confidence. “Can you remember it?”
“I can only sing the first part.” He puffed out his lips and made his voice sound gruff. “Oh, I live under the viaduct, down by the vinegar verks, but I’m not like those other jerks ‘cause, ‘cause …” Nicky stopped singing. “I don’t remember any more.”
Rachel couldn’t help laughing over his excellent imitation. “Maybe it’s good you don’t,” she teased. The forbidding headman had a rascal side to him. His impact on Nicky was pretty profound. Twelve hours in his company and her nephew still wanted more.
“Okay. Out you come.” She turned the handle to let the water drain, and handed him a big fluffy towel. With a hand towel she dried his hair. Soon he was sweet smelling and dressed in his favorite pajamas, printed with cars, eager to rejoin the man in the next room.
When they emerged from the bathroom she noticed the chief was still on the phone. Taking advantage of the moment, she opened Nicky’s backpack so he could clean out the papers from his candy bars. She found some lip balm.
“Vance gave that to me so my lips wouldn’t burn. It tastes like cherries.”
“That was very thoughtful of him.” The second the words came out of her mouth, they heard a rap on the door.
“I’ll get it!”
“No, Nicky!” She walked to the entry and opened it. A waiter from the dining room stood in the hall, wheeling a cart. “Hello. Come in,” she told him.
While the college-age guy moved inside, she searched for her purse to give him a tip, but Vance had already gotten off the phone. “I’ll take care of it.”
He pulled a bill out of his wallet and handed it to the waiter, who obviously recognized him. A wide smile broke out on his face. “Thanks, Chief,” he murmured before leaving the room.
Nicky’s head tipped back so he could look up at him. “You know everybody, huh.”
The ranger put his strong, suntanned hands on Nicky’s shoulders. “You have to when you’re in charge.”
Rachel moaned inwardly, remembering yet again that he’d been in charge when Nicky’s parents had died. What a terrible time that had been for him.
Nicky’s earnest hazel eyes stared hard at him. “I want to be like you someday.”
Her breath caught while she waited for the ranger’s response.
“I have no doubts that when you grow up, you’ll be a fine man like your daddy.”
“But he wasn’t a park ranger.”
“A businessman is important, too. I’m sure the people who knew him thought he was the greatest.”
“Yup.”
“Do you know what, sport? I can smell pizza with sausage.”
“Me, too!” Nicky cried. The serious moment had passed.
Rachel transferred everything to the table and the three of them sat down. Normally Nicky could only eat two pieces without the crusts, but tonight he managed three. While they shared a medium pizza, their guest displayed a healthy appetite, consuming his own large pizza and salad without help.
“Vance? Do lady rangers make money?”
“They make money just like the men. Why do you ask?”
“Rachel needs to make mon—”
“Nicky!” she said crossly.
“Sorry.”
The chief cast her a speculative glance. “I thought you worked for a cruise line.”
“Not anymore,” she said. “As soon as we get home, I’m going to look for a job so we can be together.”
To her relief their guest began posing questions about Nicky’s friends and his kindergarten class.
“What’s your teacher’s name again?”
“Mr. Plot.”
The chief grinned. “That’s what I thought you said.”
“He has a ponytail,” Rachel interjected.
“Yeah. Blake’s mommy doesn’t like him. She made Blake go in Mrs. Chandler’s class.”
“Is Mr. Plot a good teacher?”
Nicky nodded. “He’s been reading us The Dumb Bunnies.”
“Are they really dumb?” their guest inquired.
“Yup. They go swimming in their snowsuits and color Easter eggs for Christmas.”
“Sounds like a crazy house.”
“It is. I’ll get it.” He slid off the chair and ran over to the dresser. “Here. Rachel bought it for me. Do you want to read it?”
Chief Rossiter nodded his dark head. By the time Nicky pointed out all the funny things on the cover, the ranger was chuckling. Once he started reading aloud, Rachel listened for the moment when he would burst into laughter. She didn’t have to wait long. It was impossible to read the silly story without breaking down, and he didn’t disappoint her. Soon the three of them were laughing so hard Nicky couldn’t catch his breath.
Wiping her eyes, Rachel got up from the chair. “All right, young man. It’s time for bed. Go brush your teeth, then I’ll tuck you in.”
“I want Vance to do it.”
She frowned at him. “That’s enough!”
Her nephew looked suitably chastened.
Their guest darted her a brief glance before looking
at him. “If you do as your aunt says, I’ll stay long enough to hear your prayers.”
Given that incentive, Nicky dashed into the bathroom. For a little while Rachel had enjoyed herself so much she was disappointed the unexpected interlude had to end. Nicky was a different child.
“Chief Rossiter, before he comes back I need to apologize for the way I reacted in your office yesterday. Please forgive me. I said some unconscionable things and blamed you for something that was my broth
er’s fault. When you told Nicky what happened, I felt so ashamed.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m afraid neither of us were at our best. The guilt I’ve lived with has made me difficult to be around. Meeting you meant I had to confront my worst nightmare. I was ready for everything you had to throw at me. Too ready, in fact.”
She swallowed hard. “Under the circumstances you showed incredible self-control. I was going to make an appointment with you to apologize. Even though your appearance at dinner last evening changed everything, I want you to know I would have carried through.”
Their eyes met and held. “I believe you.”
Heavens, he was attractive!
“Thank you for your decency and for the way you talked to Nicky. Today has meant everything to him. I’m so grateful.” Her voice shook. “He—”
The little person they were talking about bounced into the room, preventing her from saying anything more. “I’m all done!”
Their guest got to his feet. “Which bed is yours?”
Nicky jumped on the one nearest the windows. Rachel turned down the covers while he scrambled to his knees and said his prayers. When she thought he was through blessing everyone he loved he said, “And please bless Vance. He’s my best friend. Amen.”
Rachel felt those precious words to the depth of her soul and knew the ranger did, too.
“Amen.” The man standing on the other side of the bed sounded equally emotional.
Nicky climbed under the covers and pulled them to his chin. “Vance? Can I come and visit you tomorrow?”
“No!” Rachel answered for him. Her nephew’s question didn’t surprise her. She’d been worrying about the moment when their guest would have to leave. “He has the park to run. Besides, we’re going horseback riding with Ranger Jarvis in the morning.”
“I don’t want to go.” There were tears in Nicky’s voice.
“We’ll talk about it later. Say good-night to Chief Rossiter.”
“Good night, Vance. Thanks for showing me the eagle.”
“You’re welcome. I had more fun than you did.” He high-fived him, then pushed the cart into the hall on his way out.
Rachel followed him into the corridor and pulled on the door until it was halfway shut. “Before you leave, there’s something I need to explain.”
The Chief Ranger Page 5
