The Chief Ranger

by Rebecca Winters

  “Rachel says it’s perfect!”

  So was she. “Tell her to take a picture of you in it and e-mail it to me.”

  “We already sent it. Vance? Thanks for the binoculars. They’re awesome! This morning I could see an ant pulling a crumb from clear across the driveway! It didn’t know I was looking.”

  While Vance was chuckling Nicky said, “When are you going on vacation?”

  The question came as a surprise. He sat forward in his swivel chair. “I’m not taking one.”

  “How come? Dr. Karsh says everyone takes a vacation.”

  It sounded as if she and Nicky had been to the doctor. Vance needed to read between the lines here, but he didn’t know exactly where this conversation was going.

  “I agree with the doctor, but summer is the busiest time at the park, so I don’t usually take one until later, when there aren’t so many tourists.”

  “That’s good, ‘cause Rachel said I could have one more vacation before school starts. Can I come and visit you again? I want to see the whole park!”

  Suddenly Vance’s pulse was racing. “There’s nothing I’d like better. When can you come?”

  “Just a minute. Rachel wants to talk to you.”

  “Put her on.” Please.

  “Hello, Vance?” Her slightly breathless voice got to him every time.

  “How are you?”

  “We’re better.” That sounded like code. It meant Nicky wasn’t quite as hysterical as the day he’d left to go back to Miami.

  “I’m glad to hear it.”

  “Your gift meant more to him than all his Christmases put together.”

  It meant more to Vance to hear that than she could possibly imagine. “I’m looking forward to seeing his picture.”

  “I’m biased, of course, but it’s so adorable he could be the Yosemite junior rangers’ poster boy.” She’d said it in a hushed tone.

  “My secretary claims there’s nothing like a male in uniform,” Vance stated.

  “Young or old, she’s right.”

  Was that also code for something? He cleared his throat. “I’m at the office now. When I go home, I’ll check my e-mail.”

  “You’re up early, aren’t you?”

  “Actually, we’ve been here all night.”

  There was a brief pause. “I’m not surprised. It’s been on the news about the you know what.” He knew what she was talking about. With Nicky being right there, she had to choose her words carefully so as not to alarm him about the fire.

  “It’ll be contained in a few days, but we’re okay. Just a lot of smoke. Thank heaven it didn’t happen while you and Nicky were here.”

  “Thank heaven,” she whispered. He felt the tremor in her voice.

  “Nicky says you’re coming out again before his school starts. The Fourth of July would be the best time for me.” He didn’t want to wait any longer to see them.

  “That’s less than two weeks away …”

  Yup. The less she saw of her ex, the better. “High season at the park. Nicky will enjoy it.”

  Vance could practically hear her mulling things over. “I’d have to hurry to make reservations for everything.”

  “You take care of your flight arrangements and I’ll provide you with a place to stay.”

  “But only if I pay for it.”

  “Agreed.” He would agree to anything to get her back here. “Your room at the Yosemite Lodge will be waiting for you. Nicky said he wanted to see the whole park. That means you need to stay a week at least.”

  Chase gave him a thumbs-up.

  “I—I’m not sure I can.” Her voice faltered.

  His jaw hardened. Was she back with her ex and didn’t want to be gone that many days? Then another thought struck him. “Have you found a new job?”

  “No. Not yet.”

  “Then there’s no problem. Plan to come on the third. I’ll pick you up at the Merced airport. Call me when you know your flight time.”

  “Vance—”

  “Sorry,” he said, purposely cutting her off. “I’ve got calls coming in on the other line. Tell Nicky I’ll see him soon.” He rang off before she could give him a reason why that date wouldn’t work.

  “I take it Rachel’s coming back with Nicky,” Chase said. “Did she mention her ex?”

  “No. When I told Rachel she and Nicky could stay at the lodge the same as before, she didn’t mention there’d be a third party with her. From what I gather, this trip is a form of therapy the psychiatrist has prescribed. I’m assuming he feels another vacation before school starts will help Nicky to settle down.”

  Chase squinted at him. “If you want my opinion, she can’t wait to come back with Nicky.”

  Vance shot out of his chair, full of too many emotions and unanswered questions to sit there any longer. “I think maybe the psychiatrist has a lot to do with this. He may be thinking Nicky needs to come back right away to find out I didn’t die like his parents.”

  In the next breath Chase stood up. Before he left the room he flashed Vance a speculative glance. “I think you’re terrified.”

  Chase knew him too well. “I am,” he admitted.

  “Think of it this way. It could be a test to see if you’ve let Katy go.” After that explosive salvo he let out a weary sigh. “Right now I’m going home to hit the sack.”

  Vance stood there in a shell-shocked daze. Damn if Chase hadn’t connected with the jugular.

  Chapter Eight

  “Do you think Vance is waiting for us?”

  Rachel clutched Nicky’s hand tighter as they walked through the airline terminal to the baggage claim. “He said he’d meet us out front in a black Mazda.”

  Her nephew looked up at her with a solemn expression. She could barely see his eyes with his ranger hat on. “What if he’s not there?”

  “Then he’ll phone us and tell us where he is.”

  “Oh, yeah.” His face brightened.

  After a few minutes Rachel saw their suitcase come up on the carousel, and she grabbed for it. “Let’s go.” She’d only brought one bag. After talking it over with her parents, she’d decided a five-day trip was all she could spare. So she hadn’t packed either of them a lot of clothes.

  Since she was still looking for work, she needed to nail down a job by the time Nicky’s school started. At this point she wasn’t even thinking career, just something to bring in a paycheck until Nicky was better equipped to handle life.

  Rachel was running on faith where Dr. Karsh’s advice was concerned. On the plane Nicky had asked her how soon they could plan their next vacation to Yosemite. She told him spring break.

  He wanted to know how many days that made. In a burst of inspiration she’d suggested they count months instead. When she added them up, he said that was a long time to wait. But at least he didn’t have hysterics. Of course, that was probably because he’d be seeing Vance within the hour.

  That was all she’d been able to think about.

  It had taken seeing Steven in her boss’s office to realize the impact Vance Rossiter had made on her. When she’d called off her engagement, she hadn’t been able to imagine caring about a man again. A year later she’d still been of the same mind. Then came the one quick trip to Yosemite for Nicky’s mental health. After meeting Vance, she’d become a different person.

  Rachel hoped enough time had passed that when she saw him in the next few minutes she’d be able to view him dispassionately—like an old family friend who was interested in Nicky’s welfare. To read anything more into it could only bring her grief.

  They headed out the sliding doors. “There’s Vance!”

  Nicky took off like a rocket. The tall, powerful-looking man waving to him stood next to his black car. He’d opened the front and back doors. Though dressed like an ordinary tourist in a pale blue sport shirt and khaki trousers, he appeared anything but. Rachel hurried forward, her heart thudding so fast she could hardly breathe.

  “Hey, sport.” After giving him a
high five, Vance plucked him from the ground. While they exchanged a long, crushing hug, Nicky’s ranger hat fell off. Rachel reached for it. As she straightened up she encountered a pair of blazing blue eyes focused on her. Their heat radiated to her core.

  When he gave Nicky one more pat on the back before lowering him to the pavement, the sun reflected off Vance’s gold wedding band. The reminder stopped her short.

  “Welcome back,” he murmured.

  “It’s wonderful to be here again,” she replied without looking at him. “Thank you for picking us up.”

  Nicky had already climbed in the back, where a new car seat had been installed. He got right in it and fastened the strap. While Vance put their suitcase in the trunk, Rachel quickly got in the front seat so he wouldn’t have to come around to help her.

  “How come you’re not wearing your uniform?” Nicky asked the second he slid behind the wheel.

  Vance turned to look at him. “Because I’m on vacation.”

  His eyes widened. “You are?”

  “Yup. For two whole days. I thought that as long as you’re on vacation, too, we’d take them together over the Fourth of July. It’s one of my favorite holidays.”

  “Hooray! Can we see the fireworks?”

  “We’re going to do it all.”

  Rachel struggled not to react in front of him. This wasn’t part of the plan she’d envisioned, but in retrospect it would probably be easier on Vance, who knew Nicky needed his whole attention. Two days without having to continually worry about park business would be less frustrating for him.

  That meant the other three days would have to be enjoyed without him at Nicky’s beck and call. A shudder rocked her as she imagined Nicky having to share his

  hero for the latter part of their trip, but she wouldn’t think about it right now.

  “How does that sound to you?”

  Feeling Vance’s gaze leveled on her, she stirred restlessly. “Fantastic. We can’t thank you enough for putting yourself out like this for us, can we, Nicky?”

  “Nope. Are we going to light sparklers at your house?”

  Vance still hadn’t turned back around. His close proximity gave her this suffocating feeling in her chest. “The park doesn’t allow fireworks of any kind because of fire danger, so we’re going to celebrate in Oakhurst.”

  “Where your parents and grandparents are buried?”

  “That’s right. There’ll be a big fireworks show tomorrow night.”

  “Goody!”

  “I’ve got a motel for us right downtown, where we can walk around and play baseball at the local park. And later there’s going to be a parade.”

  “Can we see it?” Nicky cried.

  “We’re going to be in it!”

  Rachel’s stunned gaze flew to his.

  “We are?” chirped a joyous voice from the backseat.

  “Yup. All the veterans in town will be riding on floats. You and Rachel can ride with me.”

  Her pulse sped up.

  “What’s a veteran?” Nicky asked.

  “Anyone who served in the military. And after that there’s going to be a town barbecue with all the corn on the cob and watermelon you can eat. In fact, they have a father and son contest to see which team can eat the most.”

  “I love watermelon. Can we be in it?”

  “I’m planning on it.” Vance’s eyes sought Rachel’s.

  “Does all this meet with your approval?” he asked in a quiet voice.

  He knew it did. Aside from family, who else but Vance realized just how much Nicky was missing his father? For two days he would play the part. Rachel loved him for it. “This will be a vacation he’ll never forget,” she whispered back.

  Her answer seemed to satisfy Vance. “Everyone buckle up!”

  “I already am!”

  With a chuckle, he faced forward and started the car.

  Rachel’s excitement about being with him had escalated, because they would be away from the park. For a little while he’d be out of the spotlight, removed from everyone who knew him. It would probably be a relief for him to remain anonymous. She liked that aspect of it, too.

  “Who’s hungry?”

  “I kind of am,” Nicky said.

  “Then we’ll wait till we reach Oakhurst to eat a big meal.”

  “Can we get a root beer now?”

  “That sounds good to me. How about you, Rachel?”

  “Some root beer with ice cream would be yummy.”

  Once they left the airport, it didn’t take Vance long to find a drive-through. They ended up buying root beer floats. From then on Nicky entertained them with his chatter until they reached Oakhurst.

  Vance checked them into the two-story motel on the main street near the local park. He drove them down to a unit and parked the car in front. They had rooms side by side bordering the swimming pool. Nicky was ecstatic. He ran back and forth between the sliding doors while she and Vance settled in with their luggage.

  The pool management had a selection of water toys guaranteed to keep children entertained. Since it had been a long flight from Miami, they decided to go out for a meal, then come back and play in the pool until time for bed. Tomorrow would be a big day. It was decided they all needed a good night’s sleep.

  After a quick shower, Rachel changed into a sleeveless, jewel-green blouse and white wraparound skirt that tied at the side of her waist. She’d bought the outfit and a pair of white sandals for the trip. Once she’d brushed her layered hair and put on pink frost lipstick, she was ready.

  Nicky and Vance stood outside by the car waiting for her. When she walked toward them, she felt a pair of intense blue eyes flick over her in male appreciation, but she refused to let herself read anything deeper into it. The fact that Vance hadn’t taken off his ring meant he truly was here for Nicky’s sake and no other reason. After the tragic accident that had deprived Nicky of his parents, it was his way of assuaging needless guilt.

  A secret part of her had hoped he wanted to get to know her better this trip, and might show up without it. After all, the possibility of them being together again in the future like this was pretty remote, even considering Nicky’s mental health. Yet knowing that, Vance wasn’t moved to take their relationship any further.

  Since he was prepared to play fill-in father for the next few days, she would pretend he was her long-lost brother. That way she just might make it through this torture, because there was no other adjective to describe her emotions right now.

  Maybe another woman wouldn’t let a ring deter her from pursuing the man she wanted, but Rachel’s experience with Steven had taught her not to go there. The woman he’d been involved with before Rachel had a much greater hold on him than even he had imagined. Otherwise he wouldn’t have slept with Lynette on the eve of his marriage to someone else.

  If Vance hadn’t been able to let go of Katy after five years, no woman stood a chance against her memory. Anyone who tried would be deluding herself at her own peril. But there was just one problem. Rachel had already fallen in love with Vance. Her feelings for him couldn’t be undone.

  “There’s a mall we can walk to a block from here, with all kinds of places to eat. What do you feel like?”

  “Shall we wait till we get there and then decide what Spiderman wants?” Rachel suggested, smiling at Nicky, who’d finally changed out of his ranger outfit into his Spiderman shirt and shorts.

  “I don’t think any of the restaurants serve flies,” Vance said, poker-faced.

  “Rachel!” Nicky suddenly cried. “I’ve got to go back in the room for a minute!” He broke away from them.

  “Wait …” she called after him. “Can’t we do it later?” He’d just used the bathroom.

  He flashed her a frustrated look before running back to whisper in her ear, “I want to give Vance his present.”

  Oh—the present.

  “Excuse us for a minute, Vance.” She pulled the card key from her purse to open the door. Nicky ran inside, grabb
ed the small gift-wrapped package off the dresser and dashed back out. Rachel shut the door and joined them.

  “This is for you.”

  “How come?” Vance took it from him.

  “‘Cause I wanted to.”

  “Well, that’s the best reason in the whole world to give someone a gift.” He smiled down at Nicky, who was beaming.

  “Aren’t you going to open it?”

  “Right now?”

  He nodded. Vance put it up to his ear and shook it.

  Nicky laughed. “It can’t make noise.”

  “You’re right. I didn’t hear a sound in there. Are you teasing me about something being inside?”

  “Nope.”

  In two seconds Vance had unwrapped it and opened the box. Two flies lay inside. He lifted them out. “A pale morning dun and a blue wing olive? Now these are how you catch Sierra trout! This is the best present anyone ever gave me!”

  “Grandpa helped me.”

  “Well, he surely knows his stuff. Rachel, do you mind?” He put everything in her hands before picking Nicky up to give him a huge hug. He swung him around. “We’ll have to test these out when we go hiking in a couple of days.”

  “Yeah!”

  “I’ve got the perfect fishing pole for you. My grandpa gave it to me. I’ve caught more fish on it than any other.”

  They started walking. Rachel brought up the rear. She put everything in her purse, but didn’t try to get a word in. Vance was telling Nicky an outrageous fish tale. Her nephew was taking it all in with a look of pure wonder on his precious face. The moment was so tender, she could hardly see for the moisture glazing her eyes.

  VANCE MADE CERTAIN their motel room was locked up tight before he said good-night and left for his own.

  Once Nicky had settled down and said his prayers, Vance had no more excuse to stay.

  As he put the box of flies on the dresser, his glance fell on his hand. Katy’s ring glinted up at him. There was no use fooling himself any longer. He’d wanted to remove it since the night he’d taken Rachel to his house for dinner, but the fear that she and Steven had resumed their relationship after she’d gone back to Miami prevented him from doing it.