Love Inspired February 2014 - Bundle 1 of 2: The Cowboy's Reunited FamilyThe Forest Ranger's ReturnMommy Wanted

by Brenda Minton

  Owen jutted his chin toward Dal. “Let’s speak plain, Miss Granger. I can see how you have a soft spot for those kids, you being a woman and all.”

  Julie’s eyes narrowed, her spine stiffening like a board. “Yes, let’s speak plainly, Mr. Watson. Those children have a right to use Gilway Trail. Your words are offensive. And if you can’t speak more civilly, then I’ll be forced to call an end to this meeting right now.”

  What a woman. Dal relaxed back in his seat, confident that Julie could handle this situation. He smiled, thinking she was the most remarkable person in the world.

  She looked around the room. Numerous ranchers and a couple of other townsfolk sat on the hard metal chairs, listening intently. And Billie Shining Elk, one of the Toyakoi Shoshone tribal leaders. A man who carried a particular dislike for Cade Baldwin. Dal didn’t know all the details, but it had something to do with a past familial dispute that happened long before Cade was even born. But that didn’t seem to matter to Billie. He still held a forty-year-old grudge. Sitting two rows over, the Native American had twin streaks of gray marring his otherwise jet-black hair. He wore a denim shirt accented by a turquoise bolo tie, his long hair ornamented by a single white-and-gray feather. Dal knew Billie’s presence at this meeting didn’t bode well for Julie or Sunrise Ranch.

  “Are there any more rude comments? If so, you can keep them to yourselves.” Julie looked at each person in turn. She ignored Billie’s piercing stare, almost daring him to make a derogatory remark.

  Dal bit his tongue. An explosion of words swirled around inside his mind. He’d promised Julie to hear everyone out. To listen to their comments with respect and let her handle this meeting. But Owen had crossed the line ten minutes earlier.

  Owen sat back in his chair and wrapped his beefy hands across his middle. Nudging Harley Bennett, the rancher sitting next to him, he mumbled something about city folks and how the whole world was falling to pieces.

  “Are there any legitimate questions or concerns about the proposed alterations?” Julie gestured to the front of the room where she’d set up a map of the area, diagrams and large pictures she’d had blown up especially for this meeting.

  Owen shot his hand into the air. “I’ve got one. Ain’t it true that you’ve been working out at Sunrise Ranch?”

  Julie gave a sharp nod. “Yes, I work there voluntarily in the evenings.”

  “That’s a conflict of interest, ma’am. You work for the Forest Service, yet you’re out there working with them cripples.”

  An audible gasp swept the room and Dal came out of his seat so fast, he even startled himself.

  Julie lifted a hand of caution, and Dal bit his tongue before sitting back down. He locked his jaw, forcing himself to shut up and maintain control. But it wasn’t easy. Right now, Dal felt like pounding something. And Owen Watson’s face would suit that purpose just fine. But he realized that responding to bigotry with violence wouldn’t accomplish anything worthwhile.

  “You’re obviously biased,” Owen said.

  Julie shook her head. “I’m not biased in the least. In fact, I would suggest that you’re the one who is biased. What I do on my own time is my personal business, Mr. Watson.”

  “Well, you’re obviously a cripple lover.”

  Her eyes widened, her mouth tight. “Excuse me?”

  “You heard me. I didn’t stutter.” He snorted and waved his hand in the air.

  Julie’s eyes shot daggers, and she sucked in a deep breath. “Mr. Watson, you have made it clear how you feel about this project. Now, let me be perfectly clear. I’ve studied this proposal at great length and see no reason not to move forward with the alterations. Your complaints are groundless and based on nothing more than personal prejudice. I’m going to proceed with this project. If you do anything to impede the work, I’ll call in the sheriff so fast it’ll make your head spin. Do I make myself clear?”

  Owen growled a slur beneath his breath, but loud enough that everyone in the room heard him plain enough. A horrible, crude name that should never be spoken out loud. Julie inhaled a sharp breath of offense.

  That did it. Dal stood, his hands fisted by his sides. No one was going to call Julie a name like that and get away with it. Not while he had breath in his body. He leveled his glower on Owen. “Mr. Watson, you’d better apologize to Miss Granger right now.”

  “Or what?” Owen sneered. “You gonna try and make me, cripple?”

  “Yes, I will. I may be a cripple, but I’m still man enough to beat you to a pulp.” Dal’s gaze narrowed. Anger boiled inside him like scalding water. He’d taken a lot of criticism since the war and endured a barrage of rude comments and stares over the years. His temper rarely got the better of him, but right now, he wasn’t about to tolerate anyone calling Julie a filthy name.

  “Gentlemen! Really? I don’t think we need to resort to violence, do we?” Julie asked with incredulity.

  “We do if Mr. Watson won’t apologize,” Dal said.

  “You’d better apologize, Owen.” Harley Bennett waved a warning at the other man. “Dal’s a former marine. He knows how to fight. He got the Navy Cross for bravery during battle. You’d better apologize to the ranger, or Dal will pound you into sand.”

  “And I’m afraid I’ll be obliged to help him.”

  Everyone turned to look at Billie Shining Elk. The Shoshone chief didn’t move a muscle, but his dark eyes gleamed like black olives as he gazed steadily at Owen.

  “But Billie...” Owen sputtered.

  “Dal’s given a lot for our country, and that counts for something big in my book,” Billie said. “You’d better apologize to the ranger before we have to hurt you real bad.”

  A flash of doubt filled Owen’s eyes. Bullies usually counted on their cronies to support their abuse. But now Owen’s friends were abandoning him.

  Owen looked away, looked at the door, looked anywhere but at Dal and Julie. And that was when Dal realized there was no bite in Owen’s bark. Just a mean, cankered soul.

  With all the bad blood between Cade and Billie, Cade was not going to believe this situation when Dal told him about it later tonight. Billie had made it clear in the past that he didn’t like Cade, or Dal for that matter, but Billie respected their military service. And that meant a lot.

  “So what’s it gonna be?” Dal asked. “Are you gonna apologize to the lady, or are we gonna take this outside?”

  “I, um...”

  “Owen Arliss Watson! What in heaven’s name do you think you’re doing?”

  In unison, they all turned and looked at the door as a hefty woman with short, spiky blond hair lumbered up the aisle.

  Ah, good. Dal hid a little smile, knowing what was coming. Darlene Watson had arrived, and Dal knew she’d take care of Owen quick enough. All it took was a good woman to make a big, abusive man behave.

  * * *

  Julie didn’t know what to think. She stood her ground, wondering if everyone in the room had gone crazy. Including her and Dal. She could just imagine the forest supervisor’s expression when he found out this simple meeting had ended in a brawl out on the street. Somehow, she had to get this crowd under control. Surely someone could talk sense into Owen Watson. But she had no idea what to do about Dal.

  She stared at the large woman who’d entered the building like a blast from a grenade. Julie didn’t recognize her, but that wasn’t odd since she was still fairly new in town.

  “Uh-oh. There’s Darlene,” someone whispered.

  What did that mean? Who was Darlene? And why was everyone so afraid of her?

  Owen gave an audible groan and dropped his chin to his chest. Darlene shambled past the rows of empty chairs and stopped midway in the room, placing her hands on her ample hips. She glared a hole through the center of Owen’s head. His face flushed as red as a watermelon on the Fourth of Ju
ly and looked ready to explode.

  “Didn’t I tell you not to come here tonight?” Darlene scolded. “When I got home and found you gone, I knew just where you’d gone. How can you have so little charity toward these children? They’re just little, innocent kids. They deserve a nice place to play and have fun for a while.”

  Ah! Recognition filled Julie’s brain. Darlene must be Owen’s wife.

  “Why, um, I just thought...” Owen blustered.

  “You get out that door right now. We’re going home. And you’re not gonna say one more word about the development of Gilway Trail. You’ll leave these good folks alone. They’re doing something good for our community.” She stepped to the side and tapped her foot on the worn carpet, waiting for Owen to precede her out the door.

  Owen hesitated for several seconds, glancing at Harley and Billie for help. But it was false bravado. Harley looked away, offering no support. Billie just looked through the man as if he wasn’t even there.

  “And you just wait until you get home, Harley Bennett.” Darlene waggled a thick finger at the other man. “Your wife’s looking for you, too.”

  Harley’s mouth dropped, his eyes flying wide-open.

  “Uh-huh. I see you understand real well,” Darlene said.

  Owen stood and stared straight ahead as he walked toward the door. Taking his cue, Harley stumbled to his feet and followed at a quick trot.

  “Just a minute, Mr. Watson,” Dal called to Owen’s retreating back. “You still owe Miss Granger an apology. Right now.”

  Julie didn’t move. Didn’t breathe. She knew the next few moments would resolve this problem for good or bad.

  Owen came to a dead halt, coughed and tugged at the buttoned collar of his flannel shirt. Glancing over his burly shoulder at Julie, he spoke very low and very fast. “I’m sorry, ma’am.”

  With that, he scurried out the door. Darlene inclined her head toward Julie. “Sorry to have bothered you tonight, Ranger. I would have been here earlier, but I had to pick my daughter up from cheerleading practice. You won’t have any more trouble from my husband, I can promise you that.”

  Julie smiled her appreciation, grateful that Darlene had shown up when she did. The meeting had turned ugly, something she hadn’t expected, in spite of Dal’s warnings. But now the trouble appeared to be over.

  Darlene turned and followed her husband and Harley outside, closing the door behind her with a hollow thud.

  The room seemed to release a sigh of relief. As though a tornado had passed through, but the danger was now gone.

  Julie faced the rest of the group, who seemed overly quiet all of a sudden. “Are there any more questions about this project?”

  She hoped no one raised their hands. She waited, counting to three silently in her head. No one moved. No one so much as fluttered an eyelash.

  “Good. We’ll end our meeting, then. Good night.”

  Turning, she erased the board with vigorous swipes, then gathered up the maps and pictures. She tried to act normal, but her hands were trembling, her breathing shallow. She ignored it and kept moving. Eager to get out of here as fast as she could. She wanted to go home and bolt the door. To put this horrible meeting behind her.

  The room quieted after a few minutes, and she thought she was alone. Swiveling around, she reached for her purse and froze. Dal still sat in his seat, watching her with a mix of admiration and disbelief.

  “Dal. I didn’t know you were still here.”

  Putting aside her purse, she walked over to him. Sitting in a chair on the row in front of him, she turned her body so she could look at him face-to-face.

  He shrugged. “It’s dark outside, so I wanted to wait around and walk you to your car. Just to make sure you’re safe.”

  His consideration touched her heart. Especially since she was still rattled by what had occurred. She’d been railed at and called a despicable name by an angry rancher. Everything short of being threatened with bodily harm. Going outside alone in the dark after such a volatile meeting held no appeal for her. She still couldn’t believe how Dal had defended her. “Would you have really taken Mr. Watson outside and beat him up?”

  Dal nodded. “Yes, if he hadn’t apologized to you. But I would have let him take the first swing. If I’ve learned one thing in my life, it’s that once you draw the line, you’ve got to be prepared to back it up. And I wasn’t about to let him get away with offending you like that. No self-respecting man would allow that.”

  She rested a forearm against the back of her chair and considered his words. “You remember in tenth grade how you punched Greg Moulton in the nose after you found out he’d been spying on me in the girls’ locker room?”

  He lifted one brow, and his lips twitched. “Yeah, but that wasn’t an even match. The weasel only weighed ninety-five pounds soaking wet. I wanted to teach him a lesson without hurting him too badly.”

  She laughed, knowing Dal could have pummeled the other boy to bits. Then they both grew quiet, each of them lost within their own memories. She figured it wasn’t very Christian to threaten to beat someone up, but she liked that Dal had stood up for her.

  “Even back then, you always defended me,” she said. “You tried so hard to protect me after Mom and Dad were killed. I...I don’t think I ever thanked you for that, Dal. You were there for me, during those dark days following their funeral. I felt so lost, but you kept telling me everything would be okay. And though it hasn’t been easy, you were right. I survived.”

  He waved a dismissive hand and gave her a tight smile. “Ah, you never needed anybody. You were always so spunky. So good at everything you did.”

  She looked down, twisting her fingers in her lap. She released a shaky breath. “No matter how strong we are, I think we all need someone, Dal. I’ve been on my own for so long. And I’d forgotten how good it feels to have someone on my side. It means a lot that you stood up for me.”

  He didn’t respond for several long, pounding moments.

  “I was proud of you tonight. You really are good at your job,” he said.

  “Thank you. So are you. The work you do with the kids at Sunrise Ranch is remarkable. And we’re going to proceed with our plans for Gilway Trail. The vicious comments voiced at this meeting won’t stop our work. I just want you to know that.”

  “Good. Thank you.”

  A swelling silence followed. So much for praise and gratitude. Even sitting next to him, Julie still felt miles away from this man she couldn’t stop thinking about.

  She stood. “Well, it’s late. I ought to get home.”

  “Let me walk you out.” He joined her, grasping the handles of the two heavy bags she’d filled with pictures and maps.

  Together, they stepped outside into the moonlight. The swish of the sprinkler system filled the evening air, along with a light dusting of water.

  At her car, Dal made sure she was inside, the doors securely locked. While he watched, she started the engine and lowered her window. “Good night, Dal.”

  “Good night.” He tipped the brim of his imaginary hat and stepped away.

  As she put the car into gear and pulled out of the parking lot, she looked in her rearview mirror. He stood where she’d left him, his hands in his pants pockets. Tall and lean. And more handsome than a man had a right to be. He didn’t move as she switched on her blinker and looked both ways before turning onto the dark, abandoned road.

  As he disappeared from view, Julie felt suddenly empty inside. And during the short drive home, all she could think about was how much she missed him.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Come on, Marcus! It’s your turn.”

  Standing on a wooden elevated platform set up on the incline of McClellan Mountain, Julie reached for the zip line chair. Down below at the braking platform, children waved their arms in enco
uragement. Their laughter and squeals of excitement punctuated the air as they recounted their swift journey over the treetops below. Two kids stood beside Julie, awaiting their turn on the thirty-mile-per-hour ride—Marcus and a six-year-old girl named Penny.

  “Why don’t you go first? I can wait.” Marcus stepped back and nudged Penny forward.

  “You sure?” The girl smiled wide, showing a missing tooth in front.

  “Of course. I’ve done it zillions of times. I want you to have fun this time.”

  Julie stared at Marcus, hardly able to believe the dramatic change in him. This was a new turn of events. Marcus’s polite behavior to the other children was becoming the new normal. Since that night in Polly’s stall several weeks earlier, when he’d sobbed his grief on Julie’s shoulder, Marcus had changed. Instead of demanding constant attention, he’d started helping out at Sunrise Ranch. Doing chores with Kristen. Peeling potatoes in the kitchen with a special hand prosthesis Cade had designed. Fetching things for the other amputee kids. Encouraging them not to be nervous as they went horseback riding and flew down the zip line for the first time. Fun and outgoing. Supportive and caring. In fact, Marcus had fast become the most popular child at Sunrise Ranch.

  What had made the difference? Julie wasn’t sure, but she figured it was because he now felt wanted and needed. Two things every person craved. But she still worried about what might happen to him when he left the ranch at summer’s end.

  Over the top of Marcus’s head, Julie’s gaze locked with Dal’s. He gave her a knowing smile, then shrugged as if to say, “I don’t know, either.”

  “I—I’m kinda scared,” Penny confessed.

  The girl’s blue helmet drooped over her brows, and she pushed it back on her head. Marcus leaned over and brushed one of her long braids to the side before struggling to tighten the chin strap. He couldn’t do it with one hand, and Julie interceded. Rather than snapping at her, he accepted her help without comment. Standing back, he waited patiently for her to finish the task. Then he took Penny’s hand in his and led her over to the chair.