The Replacement

by Anne Marie Duquette

  “I didn’t forget, either, but visiting hours aren’t until ten,” Lindsey said as she checked her watch. “That gives us a few more hours. I wanted to pick her up a card and a stuffed animal, but hospital gift shop choices are usually so limited. Though I doubt any toy stores will be open. Maybe a twenty-four-hour drugstore… It’s been so long since I’ve been in this neck of the woods.”

  Eric spread the jelly on his toast. Lindsey searched through her little stash and passed him her grape.

  “Still eating strawberry, I see,” Eric said.

  “Yep. Southern California grows the world’s best strawberries. Too bad this place doesn’t have strawberry syrup, but the boysenberry’s pretty good. We grow those, too, you know.”

  “I know. You’re awfully chatty this morning,” Eric observed. “You usually don’t come alive until noon.”

  “Nothing like a near-death experience to make one appreciate every minute.” Lindsey raised her coffee cup in the air. “To the simple things in life.” She took a large slug. She’d barely set it back down on the table before their waitress refilled it.

  “Thank you,” she said, then addressed Eric. “See? Life is good.”

  “So, after you’re finished, then what?”

  “Find a drug store. I want to call home, too, before we head back to the hospital.”

  “I meant, after you finish your stint as replacement ranger.”

  “Oh.” Lindsey popped some more pancake bites into her mouth and swallowed before answering. “Well, I’ll have Ginger, so I’ll quit working the beaches, for starters. I’ll have to go back to search-and-rescue school so Ginger and I can be recertified. Make sure we both know the drill and understand each other. Then see what openings come up, I guess. No more snow country, though,” she added. “It’s too hard on dogs.”

  “And on you?”

  “Yes,” she said honestly, “and not just because of yesterday. Both of my sisters put their lives on the line every time they go to work. My mother lived the same way. I don’t want that kind of pressure. That’s why I never went into police work or Customs like they did. Search-and-rescue isn’t the kind of job where I fight to stay alive—I fight to keep others alive. But this place…” Lindsey almost shivered. “Snow country like Yosemite is too demanding. One mistake and you’re dead.”

  “You did it for a full year,” Eric reminded her.

  “I had my reasons,” she said lightly. “But I didn’t get the watch, the guy and the gold ring, the way I’d hoped. I ended up burying a partner—same as you did with Eva. That’s not the kind of environment for a woman who wants a husband and kids.”

  “You want kids?”

  Lindsey mopped up the last of her egg yolk with a half piece of toast. “Don’t sound so surprised.”

  “You never talked about it,” he said.

  “Well, you never seemed interested. But having kids has always been a given for me.” She paused. “I’ve raised dogs all my life. Loved them, taught them, disciplined them and cleaned up after them. I figure raising kids will be pretty much the same. Actually, even easier, because children can talk and let you know how they feel.”

  “Dogs and children aren’t exactly the same.”

  Lindsey shrugged. “True. Dogs do better in remote locations than children. Truly remote areas don’t have schools and churches and playgrounds and parks and other things kids need. I want my children to know my family—their aunts and grandparents. And cousins someday, too, I hope.” She finished her toast. “And I don’t want my kids worrying that their mother might be killed on the job, like I worried about my mother. And still worry about my sisters.”

  She broke off as she noticed that one of the four pay phones continuously busy with callers had become empty. “Excuse me, but I really do want to call home.” She tossed her paper napkin on her chair and hurried, glad for the opportunity in another way, as well. She had no intention of debating Eric on any serious subject over the breakfast table, especially the subject of rangers having children. Since they weren’t engaged, anyway, it was a moot point.

  Lindsey lucked out. Not only did she get to the empty phone before anyone else did, she was able to reach her older sister, Kate, in her office. Lara, the youngest, worked the police department’s swing shift, and still lived at home to help out with the kennels. Lindsey knew calling home meant talking to her parents. It was always easier to talk to her sisters, especially Kate.

  “It’s so good to hear your voice!” Lindsey sighed. She asked about her parents and Lara, then filled Kate in on everything except the avalanche.

  “My God!” Kate’s soft voice came through loud and clear on the telephone. “You’ve really had yourself a workout. That poor little girl! And you still have to go back for Naomi and Keith and that dead ranger’s dog. Ginger, right?”

  “Yeah. Beautiful golden retriever—big brain, bigger heart. I’m worried about all of them.”

  “You haven’t said much about Eric. Is he still acting like a heartless bastard?” Kate asked with a sister’s frankness.

  “That heartless bastard saved my life!” Lindsey blurted out in his defense.

  “What?”

  Lindsey rubbed her forehead in dismay. There was no avoiding the truth now, and she quickly glossed over her ordeal with the avalanche, concluding with, “You can tell Lara if you want, but you have to promise you won’t tell Mom and Dad.”

  “All right—but you know they’ll want details on Eric, especially Dad. He and Eric always hit it off.”

  “Tell them Eric’s too upset over Eva’s death and Naomi’s health to be losing sleep over lost love. Which reminds me—you’ve done your monthly self-exam, haven’t you?”

  “Yes, I have, and you sound just like Mom. Damn, there goes my pager! I’m either off to the harbor or the airport. It’s contraband time.”

  “You and your dog stay safe,” Lindsey said.

  “You, too,” Kate responded. “Will we hear from you again soon?”

  “I’ll try to reach Mom and Dad later. Lara, too. We’ll be heading back as soon as it stops snowing.”

  “Tell Eric thank-you. We’re all in his debt.”

  “Maybe later.”

  “Tell him now.”

  “All right. Love you,” Lindsey said, carrying on the family tradition. Lindsey’s mother had always said “Love you” instead of “Goodbye” when she went off to work. She knew that not all police officers came home, and refused to miss a chance to say those words to her family one last time. With Lara now working for the police, Kate with the Port Authority’s contraband squad, and Lindsey employed as a rescue ranger, the family had continued that tradition. Because of their desire to help others, the Nelson women had always lived on the edge.

  “Love you, too,” Kate said. “Gotta go.”

  “Bye.” Lindsey reluctantly hung up, vacating the spot for the next caller, and returned to the table.

  “Everything all right at home?” Eric asked.

  “Seems that way. Kate says thanks, and the family’s in your debt.”

  “I always liked your family.”

  “Yeah, they’re pretty lovable. Are you through?” Lindsey asked. Her remaining pancake had grown cold, and Eric’s plate and coffee cup were empty.

  “I am if you are.”

  “Then let’s find a drugstore and go back to the hospital,” she said. “I want to visit Pam before the snow gets any worse.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  THE SNOWPLOWS WERE BUSY on the roads by the time Eric pulled into the small hospital’s parking lot. He’d found a drugstore earlier, and Lindsey had purchased a gift for Pam and some personal items for herself. She’d also bought a “get well soon” card for Pam, the kind that had slots for quarters to be slid into, to go with the darling stuffed teddy bear in pink ballerina shoes and a frilly tutu. Eric had purchased a stuffed dog that looked amazingly like Ginger, complete with silky yellow fur and a ribbon tied in a bow around its neck. Lindsey contemplated buying the chi
ld a huge, multicolored lollipop, then decided against it in case Pam wasn’t up to solid food after yesterday’s surgery. She’d picked up some gift bags and tissue paper, and once they were back in the ranger truck, she wrapped the gifts as Eric drove.

  “It’s really coming down,” he said, shifting the vehicle into four-wheel drive at their next stoplight.

  “At least it’s not icy. We don’t need chains, yet,” Lindsey said, inwardly wincing at the thought of having to tackle that task. She still felt stiff and sore. “Think Pam’s mother will still be at the hospital?”

  “She spent the night with her daughter. Didn’t leave the room. They’re both under police protection, too. I talked to her while you were choosing the card,” Eric explained as he stopped at the light, snow crunching under their tires.

  “But police protection down here?”

  “Mrs. Wilson figures if we could ski out, then her husband could, too. So do I. Can’t say I blame her for being worried. She says he has friends who might give him a hand, too.”

  “He won’t get far in this weather.”

  “Don’t underestimate him.” Eric met her gaze. “You okay?” he asked, his eyes filled with concern.

  “You bet,” she said firmly. “I’ve got all my fingers and toes, and I’m sitting in a warm truck with good company and a full stomach. What more do I need?”

  He nodded, then the light turned green. He shifted his eyes back to the road.

  “You’re a nice guy, Eric Kincaide. My family aren’t the only ones who owe you. I do, too. Big time.”

  “You don’t owe me a thing.”

  “Is this where you say just doin’ my job, ma’am?”

  “I’ve always wanted you happy and safe. Especially safe. You don’t have to go back to Yosemite, Lindsey. No one would blame you.”

  “It’s my job. No one else’s.”

  “I know you’re hurt. I can tell by the way you move.”

  “Yeah, I’m stiff, but it’s nothing serious. Certainly not enough to incapacitate me.”

  “Enough to slow you down.”

  “My ‘slow’ beats anyone else’s ‘fast’ when it comes to dogs. What if Naomi or Keith gets covered in snow? You wanna dig them out, or do you want me there to work the dog? And before you answer, think back to how long it took you to find me via beeper, and what kind of shape I was in when you did. I’ll be honest, Eric. I was out of air. You barely found me in time, despite being right on the scene. I can’t let that happen to anyone else—and I won’t, until they find a replacement for me.”

  “Dammit, Lindsey, do you have to make my life so hard?”

  “Hey, just returning the favor,” she said with a grin, some of her old spirit returning. She resettled the two large gift bags on her lap. “Come on, let’s go see Pam.”

  THE POLICE OFFICER outside Pam’s door had been told they were coming, and, after checking their IDs, waved Eric and Lindsey inside. Mrs. Wilson rose instantly to her feet as they knocked and entered. She hugged first Lindsey, then Eric, despite Eric’s arms being full. She also insisted they call her by her first name, Joyce. Pam was awake and, typical of any child who sights a gift, asked from her bed, “Are those for me?”

  “Yep,” Eric said. “If it’s okay with your mother, you can open them.”

  Joyce Wilson nodded.

  “Give her the card first,” Lindsey suggested.

  Pam quickly tore it open, squealing happily over the twelve quarters arranged in a circle around a Ferris wheel, each quarter slot cleverly designed to be a seat on the amusement ride.

  “I’m rich!” she said in an awestruck voice, opening the card to see a cheerful clown holding balloons that spelled out “Get well soon!”

  “Hey, we’re just getting started,” Eric said, then asked Lindsey, “Which one next?”

  “Save yours for last.”

  Pam instantly pulled away the tissue paper to expose the ballerina bear. She smiled and hugged it tight, then started investigating the dress and shoes. “Do the shoes come off?” she asked.

  “Oh, yes. The dress, too,” Lindsey replied.

  Pam took off one elasticized ballerina shoe, then the other, and checked out the bear’s toes. “She only has three toes on each foot. Just like me. They cut off my littlest ones yesterday.”

  Lindsey felt a moment’s horror. She hadn’t known until now how last night’s surgery had gone, and Pam’s feet, resting on a pillow, were heavily bandaged. At a loss for words, she felt tears sting her eyes, but to her relief, Eric filled in the awkward gap.

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” Eric said in a matter-of-fact voice. “But you’ll learn to compensate and your balance will be back to normal in no time.”

  “Are you sure?” Pam asked, suspicion replacing joy.

  “Positive.”

  Pam’s smile returned, and she held out her arms for the other gift. “Give it!”

  “Honey, manners!” Joyce Wilson reminded with a mother’s embarrassment.

  “Please give it,” Pam amended.

  “It’s okay, Joyce. Let’s not stand on ceremony,” Eric murmured as Pam tore into the second gift bag with as much gusto as she’d shown with the first. This time she didn’t squeal with delight, but stared with awe at the stuffed toy.

  “Is this Ginger?” Pam asked.

  Lindsey had her voice back, and she’d managed to blink away the tears. “It looks like her, doesn’t it? Eric picked it out.”

  “Thank you, Ranger Eric,” Pam said politely, remembering her manners this time. “Where’s Ginger now?” Pam toyed with the bow of the ribbon, then stroked the soft plush of the dog’s fur.

  “She’s at the cabin with Naomi and Keith.”

  “Who’s taking care of them?” Pam asked.

  “They’re all taking care of one another,” Eric said.

  “Are you going back to get them?”

  “Yes, we are—both of us, just as soon as the weather clears,” Eric said, his gaze traveling from the child to Lindsey. She was cheered to hear the confidence in his voice—confidence in her.

  Joyce gathered up the discarded tissue paper and gift bags as Pam tried the slippers and skirt of the teddy bear on the stuffed dog, studied the results, then transferred the dress and shoes back to the bear. A knock on the door sounded, and as it was Pam’s doctor, the two rangers said their goodbyes to the child and left the room. Joyce went with them.

  “When will we see you again?” she asked when they were safely out of Pam’s hearing.

  “There’s too much to factor in—between how long it takes us to get in and out…the weather… I just don’t know,” Eric replied.

  Tears filled Joyce’s eyes. “I’m so sorry your ranger got shot.”

  “We’ll do our best for him, just like we did for Pam,” Lindsey reassured her.

  “Be careful around my husband,” Joyce warned. “You’ve seen how he treats his family. He’s even more dangerous around strangers. Don’t trust him. Don’t ever trust him.”

  “I appreciate your concern,” Eric said. “But for now, you just focus on your daughter.”

  Lindsey nodded her agreement, and after more thanks from Joyce, the couple left the hospital for the parking lot. It was still snowing outside.

  Back in the truck, Lindsey sat motionless.

  “I can’t start the car until your seat belt’s on,” Eric reminded her. All of the newer vehicles had a safety lock on the ignition until the belts were fastened.

  “I know.” Lindsey reached for the belt-shoulder-harness combination and began to pull it out, only to be thwarted when the tightly coiled spring yanked it out of her hand. The belt retracted. Lindsey didn’t reach for it again.

  “I’m such an idiot,” she said, her voice perilously close to breaking. “If I’d realized there were only three toes on the bear’s feet, I would never have bought Pam that stupid thing.”

  “How could you know? It’s only a toy, Lindsey. And Pam did seem to like it.”

  “I didn’t k
now what to say when she said they cut off her toes. What kind of man could be so cruel to his own wife and child? To subject them to such pain?”

  Eric threw his arm around Lindsey’s shoulders and pulled her close. “An evil man. Or a very sick one. Does it matter? We got her out, Lindsey, you and me. You were right. I couldn’t have done it without you. And we’ll do it again for Keith and Naomi and Ginger.”

  Lindsey sniffed, working very hard not to break down completely. Even being buried in snow hadn’t affected her like this. “I really, really hate my job some days.”

  “Yeah, well, you and every other hardworking American.” He gave her a squeeze and kissed her forehead. “Buckle up and I promise to buy you lunch later.”

  “Sounds good. Maybe I’ll order a beer.” Lindsey sighed. “We can drink to Pam’s recovery.”

  “Let’s settle for wine at dinner. Right now, we’ve got to get over to the Lee Vining Ranger Station and get you a purchase order for some replacement gear.”

  “About time you realized you weren’t getting rid of me. Though I’m not exactly in a shopping mood.”

  “Me, neither, but unless you plan on flapping your arms, you need skis and poles and gloves to get back. We could both use a good, long nap, too. The sooner we get this done, the sooner we can get back to the motel. I want you rested before we hike over the pass again.”

  Lindsey watched the snow continue to fall, the cars and pedestrians slipping, the snowplows fighting a losing battle. “Doesn’t look like it’s gonna be anytime soon.”

  Rangers’ winter cabin

  Day 7, afternoon

  THE LUNCH HOUR CAME and went, yet Naomi hadn’t bothered eating. Keith’s fever had increased as the infection to his shoulder grew worse. He slept fitfully. The antibiotics weren’t helping, and with no long-distance antenna for the radio, she couldn’t consult with a doctor. She suspected the bullet track’s healing had caused a pus-filled cyst somewhere, and would need drainage and new antibiotics. Drainage usually meant tubes and surgery. If worst came to worst, she could always run a probe through his shoulder in hopes of puncturing the cyst and clearing a path for drainage, but that could involve the risk of heavy bleeding.