“The pleasure was all mine.” She had no idea. After getting to his feet, he put a couple of bills on the table to pay for their meal. “See you guys in a while.”
Ashley waved. “Bye, Jeff. Hurry back. We have more fun with you.”
Is that so? Did you hear that, Gabi?
“See ya later, alligator!” Nicky blurted his trademark response. On cue, Gabi’s lips curved into a smile.
It took a lot of self-control not to hug her. Instead Jeff patted two heads and took off with Sergei. The sooner he got his work done, the sooner he could get back to them. Later on, when Ashley went to bed, he’d get Gabi alone in the living room where they could really talk.
AN HOUR LATER, Gabi was watching the kids playing outside from the living-room window when her phone rang. She checked the caller ID and picked up immediately.
“Hello?”
“Mrs. Rafferty?”
“Yes?”
“I’m Janine, Mr. Steel’s paralegal. We’re both at the courthouse right now. He’s in a trial that will last all day, so he asked me to phone you. Could you be at his office tomorrow at ten in the morning? There’ve been some new developments in your case he needs to discuss with you.”
New developments? Panic brought her to her feet. “Could you tell me what they are?”
“I’m sorry, but I’m not at liberty to talk about your case.”
“No, of course not.” But it didn’t sound good.
“Can I tell him you’ll be there?’
“Yes.” Gabi would have to bring Ashley with her and leave her in the reception room while the meeting took place. “Thank you for calling.”
Mr. Steel’s office was near the corner of Sunset and Doheny in Los Angeles. After she hung up, she phoned several different motel chains until she found one in the area. Once she’d made a reservation for tonight—indicating they would probably arrive late—she clicked off and started packing their things.
Depending on what she learned in that meeting, she would know if it was safe to go back to their apartment in Rosemead. If not, she’d figure out something else. Jeff’s intervention had given her time to get her head on straight, but she refused to impose on his generosity another night.
The children were still outside, looking through the binoculars. It gave her time to change the sheets and write Jeff a thank-you note, which she put on the kitchen counter along with his car key and fifty dollars cash. If she gave him any more money, he wouldn’t like it.
Without the children being aware, she carried the suitcases out to her car, parked in the garage next to the Volvo. After gathering up Nicky’s games, she put them in the car and backed out of the garage next to the truck parked in the driveway. Going back inside, she shut the garage door, then left the house through the front door and locked it.
The children ran up to her. “Where are we going, Mommy?” her daughter cried.
“We have some things to do right now, honey, so we’ll run Nicky home.”
Ashley frowned. “Can’t he come with us?”
“I think his mom needs him to help her, and he has to take care of Samson. Shall we go?”
They climbed in the back. “Can he come over again later?” Ashley asked.
“We’ll see.”
“Okay.”
Gabi backed out to the street. “I’ve never been to your house, Nicky. Will you tell me where to go?”
“Sure.” Following his directions, Gabi drove down two streets, turned right and stopped where he told her.
“Don’t forget your games and binoculars.”
“I won’t.”
“We’ll wait here until you’re safely inside.”
He nodded, not at all happy. Neither was her daughter.
“Bye, Nicky,” Ashley said quietly.
“Bye.” He scrambled out of the car with his things and hurried into his house. Pretty soon his mother appeared at the door holding her baby. She was blonde like Nicky. “Thank you for bringing him home! I was just about to phone you,” she called.
“Thank you for letting him play with Ashley. We’ll have to do it again.”
“Absolutely. Next time, your daughter can come over here.”
“I’m sure she’d love that. Goodbye.”
Quiet reigned until they reached the next corner, then Ashley said, “Why couldn’t I go in his house and play?”
Here came the hard part. “Because something important has come up and we have to drive back to Los Angeles today.”
“But I want to stay here. Jeff’s coming home later.”
“I know, but we have to go.”
She burst into tears. “Jeff said we were going to do something fun after he got home from work. Sergei was going to come with us.”
“I’m sorry, honey, but while you were outside with Nicky, I received a phone call about an important meeting I have to attend in the morning. That’s why we have to get back.”
“Couldn’t I stay with Jeff? He’d let me. He told me he likes me a lot. I’d be good.”
Already he’d built such confidence in her, Ashley was a different child.
“Of course you would, and Jeff has been wonderful to both of us. But you have to remember he’s the chief steward of the park, with huge responsibilities. You couldn’t stay alone with him. If there was an emergency, he and Sergei would have to leave the house to join the other rangers, and there’d be no one to look after you.”
“Nicky’s mom would tend me.”
Good heavens. “You haven’t even met her, honey. Even if she would let you stay, our vacation is over.” Being with Jeff again had been a gift Gabi would cherish forever, but to stay any longer wasn’t possible, not with tomorrow’s meeting looming.
Gabi decided the phone call from the paralegal had come at a fortuitous moment. After watching Ashley around Jeff, it was clear she was starved for a daddy’s attention and would take all the affection Jeff was prepared to shower on her. What her daughter didn’t understand was that he was a bachelor who, except for this chance encounter, was out of reach of their world, both physically and emotionally.
The irony didn’t escape Gabi that Ashley’s biological father had shown up again like some frightening phantom who could slip past any defense because he had DNA rights.
Gabi drew in a fortifying breath. The talk she needed to have with Ashley about her father was almost upon them. Her little girl would have dozens of questions. After tomorrow’s meeting, Gabi would know how to answer them, no matter how painful. But she dreaded tomorrow because their beautiful world was going to change.
“Honey? At the first town outside the park we’ll buy you some art supplies so you can draw in the car.”
“I don’t want to draw,” Ashley said with tears in her voice.
“Think how fun it would be for Nicky if he got a few pictures you’d made for him. You’re a terrific artist. He’d love it if you drew Samson and Sergei. We could send them to his daddy at park headquarters and he’d make sure Nicky got them.”
“I’ll do a woodpecker for Jeff!”
Jeff again. “He’ll love it!”
After another minute Ashley asked, “Does he know we left?”
“Not yet, but I wrote him a letter and thanked him for everything. He’ll see it when he gets home.”
“Sergei will look for me.”
“I’m sure he will, but remember something. He’s a bear dog and has been missing his real master. Ranger Hollis will be coming back to the park at the end of the week. Think how happy Sergei will be.”
“Then Jeff will be all alone,” Ashley said in a forlorn voice.
“Honey—he likes being alone.”
“Is that why he got divorced?”
“I have no idea what happened.”
Gabi could hear the wheels turning. “Do you like being alone, Mommy?”
“I’m not alone. I have you. You’re the light of my life. I love you, darling girl.”
She heard a sniff. “I love you, too.”
No doubt Nicky was giving Ashley the grand tour of the place, as only he could do. With a smile, Jeff started to push himself away from his desk, eager to see the kids, but Nicky walked in alone. Sergei greeted him, rubbing his head against his legs.
Everyone loved the chief’s son. He was unique and funny and happy, which was why Jeff hardly recognized the downcast look on his cute face. “Hey, Nicky—why is my favorite junior ranger looking so glum? I thought you were playing with Ashley.”
“We were until her mom drove me home. I thought maybe they were here with you, but Diane said she hadn’t seen them.”
Uh-oh. “Why did Gabi do that? Did you and Ashley have an argument?”
“No. We were outside watching for the woodpecker with my binoculars when Ashley’s mom backed their car out of the garage and told us to get in because she had things to do.”
Jeff’s brows furrowed. “That was all she said?”
The boy nodded. “Mom said Ashley could sleep over at my house tonight and maybe Roberta would come, too. Dad wants to have a barbecue.”
“That sounds fun.” In fact, the plans couldn’t be more tailor-made, so Jeff could have private time with Gabi. “They’re probably shopping.”
“Could you find out?” The boy’s solemn eyes implored him.
“Sure.” Jeff needed no urging. He reached for the phone and pressed the digits to call her number. To his frustration, after two rings he was told to leave a message. “Hi, Gabi. It’s Jeff. Give me a call when you can. We’re invited over to Chief Rossiter’s for a barbecue this evening.”
When he hung up, Nicky said, “Thanks, Jeff. See ya tonight.” He ran out of the office with his usual exuberance.
Unable to concentrate, Jeff left headquarters through the back door and sprinted home, with Sergei at his side. The workout provided a needed release of excess energy. He let them in through the front door and called out. No one answered.
Sergei went in search of his water bowl. Jeff tossed his hat on a chair and followed him into the kitchen. He was about to grab a soda from the fridge when his heart plunged to his feet. Beneath the key and some money, he saw a folded note, and grabbed for it.
Dear Jeff, you’ve been the most cordial host in the world. I’ll never be able to thank you enough for showing me and Ashley such a wonderful time. While you were at work, Mr. Steel called and told me I needed to be in his office at ten tomorrow morning for a meeting. He indicated there were new developments in my case, but I don’t know what they are. Since it’s a long drive to Los Angeles, I decided to leave immediately. I washed the sheets, but didn’t have time to stay and put them in the dryer.
Good old Jeff. You were there for me when I was a teenager. You were there for me when I needed a respite from my terror. I’ll never forget. Bless you. Gabi.
Like air escaping a slit tire, he felt all the joy of being with her again rush out of him, leaving him bereft. The talk he’d wanted to have with her wasn’t destined to materialize.
Still on duty in case of an emergency, he couldn’t leave the park and go after her. He couldn’t even have a couple of beers to dull the pain. Not knowing which foot to put in front of the other, he barely managed to make it to the laundry room between the kitchen and the garage. Sure enough, he found the sheets and pillowcases and put them in the dryer, then wandered through the house to his bedroom, Sergei following him.
She’d left it and the bathroom in perfect condition. Experiencing a different kind of grief than he’d known before, he stretched out on the bed with his hands behind his head and closed his eyes. A heavy sigh escaped.
Gabi, Gabi.
What was he going to do about her?
For years he’d fought the memory of the underage girl who’d claimed his heart long before he had the legal right to do anything about it. He’d gone through one woman after another, looking for fulfillment, until he’d heard she’d married. The pain had been too much and he’d made the mistake of marrying Fran on the rebound. Since his divorce, his relationships with women had been hollow.
Now, after appearing for an instant with her charming daughter, Gabi was gone again, to an uncertain future filled with fear, thrusting him down the same black hole he’d been trying to climb out of for years.
I can’t go through this a second time.
I won’t.
He rolled off the bed and got to his feet. Without hesitation, he pulled out his phone and called his boss. The assistant chief ranger answered on the third ring.
“Jeff? What’s going on?”
“Something personal has come up and I need time off whenever it can be arranged.”
“I’ll cover for you, and you can take it now.”
Chase was the best. Jeff’s hand tightened on the phone. “You’re sure?”
“You’re the only ranger in the park who hasn’t asked for a favor yet this season. I happen to know you wouldn’t have phoned if this wasn’t an emergency. How much time do you need?”
That was a good question. “I don’t know. A few days.” He’d insist on some plain talk with Gabi. Otherwise, his life didn’t make sense.
“Then let’s plan on you being back on duty Thursday morning. If you need more time, call me.”
“I don’t know how to thank you.”
“Forget it. What will you do with Sergei?”
“I have a couple of rangers in mind.”
“Drop him off at my house on your way out. Roberta will be thrilled to take care of him.” Her beagle had died recently and everyone knew she was still mourning it.
“Bring all the stuff he needs.”
“I owe you, Chase.”
“I’ll remember that.”
The minute they hung up, Jeff phoned the airport in Merced and booked a flight to L.A. He would leave the Volvo in the long-term parking. When he arrived in Los Angeles, he’d phone Gabi. If she didn’t answer, he’d drive to Rosemead in a rental car.
In the event he couldn’t find her there, he’d get a motel for the night and show up at her attorney’s office in the morning. A divorce lawyer with the name Henry Steel shouldn’t be too difficult to find in the L.A. area. Jeff planned to be in the reception room when Gabi got through with her meeting.
Once he’d thrown some clothes in a suitcase and locked up the house, he drove Sergei over to Chase’s place with all the doggy paraphernalia and treats. Roberta had been alerted and was waiting for him, eager to take over Sergei’s care. It was very touching how much all the children loved Cal’s dog.
With that accomplished, Jeff left Yosemite Valley. Only one more phone call to make. He pressed the digit to the Rossiter household. Rachel answered.
“Hi, Jeff. Nicky’s been waiting for you to call. How soon can Ashley come over?”
“I’m afraid there’s been a change in plans. Gabi had to drive back to Los Angeles today for an important meeting tomorrow. They’ve already left.”
“Oh, dear. Nicky’s not going to be happy with that news. He really likes her.”
“She likes him, too. Hopefully, they’ll be back to the park soon.” Jeff would do everything in his power to make it happen.
“When Vance gets home, he’ll start up the grill. If anyone can help Nicky get over his disappointment, it’s my husband.”
“You’re right. There’s no one like the chief! Tell Nicky hi from me.”
“I will. Thanks for calling, I think.”
They both hung up.
Jeff didn’t envy Rachel trying to placate Nicky. When that little guy cared about something or someone, he couldn’t let it go. After meeting Vance, he’d wanted him to be his new daddy. His love for the chief ranger had been apparent for everyone to see. Fortunately for him, Vance loved him back.
Jeff could understand the chief’s love for another man’s child. At first sight Ashley had gotten t
o Jeff because of her strong resemblance to her mother. She also had a sweet, gentle way with Sergei he’d found endearing. But when she’d kissed him on the porch last night, something else had gone on. He’d felt a powerful tug on his emotions that wasn’t about to go away.
Gabi hadn’t asked for help getting through this life. On her own she’d faced every obstacle and had overcome them with her amazing positive outlook and tenacity. She’d made it clear, by leaving his house without telling him first, that she didn’t want his help now. But she was going to get it anyway.
Chapter Six
After Jeff had been so wonderful to them over the weekend, Gabi suffered a guilty conscience for not responding to the voice mail he’d left yesterday. She’d checked the call time and noticed he’d phoned her soon after they’d left the park, leaving her a message about a barbecue at Nicky’s.
She could have phoned him back, but hadn’t wanted to get into a conversation with him while Ashley was listening, so forced herself to ignore it. By the time they’d reached the motel in L.A., he would have been home several hours and would have seen the letter she’d written to him, telling him of her plans. Ashley didn’t fall asleep until eleven, too late for Gabi to phone him.
There’d been no call from him this morning, which meant he’d understood this had to be goodbye. In her heart of hearts she would have loved to talk to him one more time and thank him, but it was much better this way. Ashley had brought up his name several times already, wishing they could still be at his house. A phone conversation with him would only raise her expectations for another visit.
Determined to put him out of her mind, Gabi concentrated on the forthcoming meeting with her attorney. She chose to wear her pale blue, two-piece cotton suit with short sleeves, and bone-colored, low-slung heels, the kind of outfit she normally wore for back-to-school night.
Ashley picked out her own clothes, pink shorts and a pink flowered top with white sandals. She brought her bag of art supplies with her and some treats. Together they got out of the car and entered the foyer of Mr. Steel’s office building, an older structure, not at all imposing. His suite was on the second floor.
Ranger Daddy Page 8
