The Forest Ranger's Promise (14 page)

“And where will you take her?”

He didn't know. He'd called Allison earlier this morn
ing, but she'd hung up on him when he suggested that she should take Shelley for the summer, just until he could defuse some of the ranchers' animosity.

He had an old aunt who lived in Arizona, but he doubted that the elderly lady would be willing or able to take care of Shelley. His only alternative was to quit his job. And then how would he earn a living? In this economy, an out-of-work forest ranger might have a tough time. Quitting went against every instinct in his body. Losing his parents and the ranch at such an early age had ingrained a stubborn determination deep within him. Walking away from his job might destroy him, but at least it would keep Melanie and their girls safe.

Their girls.
Funny how he couldn't think of them as separate anymore. They seemed to be part of one family, and yet they weren't.

But they should be.

He longed to take his relationship with Melanie to a higher level, but feared that he would only cause her more problems with the local ranchers. He had no right to step into the role of husband and father with the McAllisters. Look at how much misery he'd brought them just by being friends. If he and Melanie became romantically involved, it could prove disastrous.

“Please don't take Shelley anywhere else.” Melanie's voice cracked and so did his heart. “Sheriff Chambers ran the license plate number and found it belonged to Frank Donaldson. The sheriff is dealing with the situation. Let's just all get back to normal and move on.”

Normal? He wondered if that was even possible now.

“Okay,” he agreed against his better judgment. “But as soon as we can, we're driving into Evanston and I'm getting you a satellite phone. I want you to be able to
reach me no matter what time of day, no matter where you are.”

“No, Scott. I can't accept that—”

He held up a hand and locked his jaw. “You're caring for my daughter, Melanie. I insist that you accept the phone. I'll feel better if you can reach me at all times.”

She didn't argue and he breathed a sigh of relief.

She stood watching him as he climbed into his truck and drove back to town. Looking in his rearview mirror, he saw her pick up the bucket to continue her cleaning. She was a compassionate, strong and independent woman, but she wasn't invincible. The thought of someone hurting her made his insides clench. He wished he could stay with her all day, just to make sure she and their girls were safe. He loved working at Opal Ranch. Loved being part of the McAllisters' life.

Maybe it was time he asked God for help one more time.

 

“Kick the ball, Shelley. Kick it!” Anne yelled at the other girl as they raced down the soccer field at the only elementary school in town.

Melanie watched from the sidelines, cheering the girls on. Nina Donaldson sat on the opposite side of the field. Melanie thought about approaching the woman to talk about what her sons had done, but decided to let the sheriff handle it instead. Then Melanie wouldn't be tempted to say things she might regret later on.

Shelley and Anne looked so cute in their red-and-white uniforms and knee-high socks. When they'd driven into town for practice, Anne had explained the rules of the game in great detail. Although she was timid about stealing the ball, Shelley was fast and she raced ahead, even surpassing the boys in an attempt to make a goal. She had
her father's natural grace. Now if she could just overcome her apprehension and get more aggressive.

Drawing back her leg, Shelley prepared to kick the ball. Bart Donaldson came out of nowhere, ramming her with his shoulder and knocking her down hard.

Melanie gasped and came up from her seat on the bleachers. Coach Allen blew the whistle and the game stopped. The players milled around.

“Get out of the way, Smelly Shelley.” Bart smirked as he strolled away, but Shelley didn't get up. She lay in the grass, her shoulders quivering as she cried softly.

Melanie hopped down from the bleachers and raced onto the field, followed by other parents, including Nina Donaldson.

“Shelley, are you okay?” Melanie knelt over the girl, who lay clutching her left knee to her chest. She grimaced in pain and gasped for breath.

“It's her leg,” someone said.

“Is she okay?” another person asked.

“You did that on purpose.” Anne pushed Bart, her face looking fierce as she held up her fists, ready for a fight.

“I was just trying to get the ball away,” Bart claimed in an innocent tone.

“No, you weren't. You tried to hurt Shelley on purpose.”

“Stop fighting,” Coach Allen ordered.

Melanie glanced up and saw Nina step near, placing her large frame between Anne and her son.

“I… I'm okay. It just hurts.” Shelley panted.

“Just lay still for a few minutes.” Melanie caressed the girl's face and pressed her hand against her shoulder, giving Shelley a few moments to let the pain subside. She hoped the injury wasn't serious. She could just
imagine explaining to Scott why she had to make another emergency trip to the hospital in Evanston.

When Shelley sat up, Melanie exhaled an anxious breath. The girl finally stood with help and tested her leg gingerly. She could stand, but the knee looked swollen.

Anne glared at Bart. “Don't you dare touch her ever again.”

The boy jutted his jaw. “And what if I do? What are you gonna do about it, ranger lover?”

“I'll make you very sorry.”

“She's an outsider. She doesn't belong here,” Bart spat.

“She does, too. She's a better runner than you are.”

“Is not.”

“Stop it, you two,” Melanie said.

“Bart, that was a big foul.” Coach Allen gripped the whistle hanging on a lanyard around his neck. “If we were in a real game, you would have been benched for that. You'll have to sit on the sidelines for the rest of practice.”

“But I want to play,” Bart whined.

“Then don't do that again.” Coach turned his attention back to Shelley.

The boy sulked and griped to his mother. “Mom! I want to play. I don't have to sit out, do I?”

“You sit out or you leave the field. Your choice.” Coach stood and faced Bart and his mother.

Nina lifted her chin higher in the air and she seemed to size up the coach before speaking. She could cause trouble for the coach, but that would do no good. No one else had volunteered to coach the team and Melanie doubted Nina would like to take over the job.

“Go sit down, Bart,” Nina said.

“Ahh!” the boy groused as he stomped over to the bleachers and plopped down.

Bravo! At least someone stood up to the kid.

“What Bart did was uncalled for,” Melanie told Nina.

Melanie had put up with too much of Aaron's foul temper to let this pass without comment. She couldn't believe Bart's mother didn't reprimand him. Didn't the woman realize her silence only encouraged her son to bully other people?

She longed to tell Nina exactly what she thought of her. In light of the fact that her two eldest sons had vandalized her house last week, Melanie had difficulty biting her tongue.

“It wasn't a foul,” Nina exclaimed. “He was just protecting the goalie.”

Coach shook his head. “It was a foul, Nina. Okay, kids, let's get back to practice.”

Anne glared at Bart, her brown eyes spitting flame. Melanie feared that her daughter might attack the boy at any moment.

“Anne, leave it alone. Coach has taken care of it,” Melanie said.

The girl jogged over to join the coach, but she didn't look happy. Heaven help Bart Donaldson if he ever hurt Shelley again. That thought brought a smile to Melanie's lips. She liked the way Shelley and Anne stuck up for one another.

Melanie focused on Shelley, helping the girl limp off the field. She'd speak with her daughter later on about this matter. Right now, she understood her child's animosity toward Bart and his family. They were all fast becoming enemies and Melanie didn't like it.

“Have you got her?” Coach asked, his hand resting on Shelley's arm.

Melanie nodded. “I'll take care of her.”

“Good. Okay, clear the field.” Coach blew his whistle and the parents returned to the sidelines.

Melanie sat Shelley on the bleachers, then knelt in front of her to examine her leg. “Where were you injured, sweetheart?”

“My knee.”

Melanie pressed the injured area gently with her fingers. “I think it's a little swollen, but not too bad. Does it still hurt?”

Shelley shook her head and smiled. “Nope, it's okay now. Anne said I was bound to get hurt sometime. She said soccer's a rough sport, but if I'm tough, I can take it. I want to be strong like Anne.”

“We'll get you an ice pack when we get home. You're so brave.” Melanie patted the girl's cheek, feeling a strong maternal bond toward her. She never thought she could adore another child as much as she did her own, but she realized she'd protect Shelley at all costs. The girls were more than friends. They were more like—

Sisters.

Practice resumed, but Melanie knew the matter was anything but resolved. Now that Shelley was okay, she stepped over to chat with Nina Donaldson. Words boiled around in her mind, but she tried to remember what the Savior would do. She wondered if the Golden Rule applied when children were concerned. Right now, Melanie wanted to knock Nina Donaldson in the head.

As she approached, Nina glared at Melanie as if she was a bug under a microscope. “What do you want?”

“Don't you think this has gone far enough, Nina? What if Bart had broken Shelley's leg or hurt her seriously?”

“I don't know what you mean. My boy was just playing soccer.”

Melanie rested one hand on her hip. “It looked more like tackle football to me.”

“If the ranger's daughter can't handle the game, she should quit.”

“This isn't about handling the game. Shelley just made the past two goals. She's good. But what Bart did was just mean.”

“If you weren't so tied up with the forest ranger, you might feel differently. You used to be one of us.”

One of us? Good heavens!

“Do you know how silly you sound? This isn't an us-against-them situation. These are children playing a simple game of soccer, Nina. I've never egged your house or thrown rocks through your windows. How would you feel if I came in the middle of the night to terrorize you and your family?”

Nina stared at her. “You'd better not. There's just you and that little girl against my husband and sons.”

Melanie couldn't believe what she heard. “What is that supposed to mean? Are you so filled with hate that you would deliberately hurt my daughter and me? You who likes to make donations to the church and claims to be so religious?” Melanie pointed a finger at her. “Maybe you should take a hard look in the mirror and really ask yourself what you and your family have become.”

The woman drew herself up to her full six feet and looked down her nose at Melanie. “At least I'm not a ranger lover.”

Something snapped inside of Melanie. “They're children, Nina. What do they have to do with grazing allotments? It's not fair to torture the children over adult issues.”

Nina brushed her off. “Why don't you go over there to the other side of the field? It's bad enough that you
pressed charges against my sons. Now they'll have a police record.”

“And that's supposed to be my fault? Believe me, I didn't ask them to vandalize my home.”

“It was just a kids' prank. No real harm was done.”

Melanie's head was reeling with anger, but she clamped an iron will on her emotions and spoke calmly and rationally. “A prank? Your older boys are grown men and should be protecting my little girl, not terrorizing her in the middle of the night. You're lucky Aaron wasn't there.”

She let that statement speak for itself. Aaron had a foul enough temper that he might have shot one of the boys first and asked questions later.

“Aaron was a drunk. He couldn't even stand up straight.”

“Yes, he was a drunk. But at least you still have your husband. Mine's gone.” Bitterness filled Melanie's voice. And deep, soul-wrenching hurt.

For the first time since Melanie had known her, Nina's eyes filled with shame and she looked away. But she didn't apologize. She didn't say one word.

Melanie gnashed her teeth, longing to say a few more choice words no good Christian woman should ever utter. Instead, she turned and walked away, fuming inside. She had tried to reason with Nina. Tried to behave as the Savior would have her do, but realized her efforts were futile. Nina was filled with so much hate that she couldn't hear anything but anger.

Sometimes it was very difficult to love your enemy.

H
e didn't want to be here. Driving through town, Scott pulled off to the side of the road and parked in the dirt near the community center. Emotions waged a war inside him as he looked at Shelley. The girl crinkled her nose, her eyes filled with resignation.

“I guess we have to do this,” she said. “Anne told me it's what communities do. They help clean up the town.”

She rubbed the elastic bandage he'd wrapped around her knee that morning. Melanie had told him what happened at soccer practice. Scott had paid a rather stilted visit to Frank Donaldson. Needless to say, it hadn't gone much better than Melanie's chat with Nina.

After cleaning the egg off their house, neither he nor Shelley wanted to help clean up trash along the outskirts of town. But they'd do it, because they wanted to be part of this community.

“We won't stay long. I don't want you walking on that knee very much.” The promise was for her as well as himself. When they'd first come to Snyderville, he'd felt so certain he could make a difference here. The community cleanup was a great idea, but Scott couldn't help feeling
angry at many of these people after all they'd put him and Shelley through.

Most of Scott's work and personal problems stemmed from the Donaldsons. He had to figure out a way to get Frank and his family to leave him and Shelley alone. But how? Scott had tried to be as considerate as possible. He'd made good on his promises, working as hard as he could.

They didn't need to be friends, but vandalism and bodily harm were not acceptable. If not for Melanie's encouragement, he might have given up and left town. He didn't want to expose his child to so much hatred. When he came to town, he didn't care what these people thought of him. That had changed somehow. He now cared about these people, and Melanie and Anne. And that bothered him. Intensely.

Caring meant he could be hurt again.

He stared out the windshield. People walked along the sides of the road, picking up old cans, paper and other trash.

We don't need to help these people! They don't want us here, so why keep trying?
He wanted to say the words out loud, but didn't. What kind of message would that send to Shelley? Life wasn't easy here in Snyderville, but if he backed down, turned tail and hid out, he'd be sending his daughter a message that she could quit whenever life got difficult. Right now, he was fighting for his career, but he was also trying to teach his child an important lesson. She'd been a meek child when they first came to this town. Now he admired her spunk and courage.

Reaching across the seat, he pulled Shelley close for a quick hug. Normally she pushed him away, but this time, she clung to his arms. Hurt and defenseless.

He rested his chin on her hair, enjoying the sweet smell
of her strawberry shampoo. “Don't be frightened, hon. I won't let anyone hurt you again.”

“You can't stop Bart from knocking me down during soccer practice,” she said.

He hated that she was right. He longed to protect her every minute of every day, but knew that wasn't possible.

“I thought you weren't going to play soccer anymore.” Half of him wished she'd quit and the other half wished she'd dig in her heels and stubbornly continue to play, just to show Bart that he couldn't frighten her off.

She pulled away and smiled, rubbing his bristly chin. Her touch spoke volumes. There'd been a time in their lives not too long ago when she wouldn't come near him because she missed her mom. Since they'd moved to Snyderville, they'd drawn closer, depending on one another. At least one good thing had come out of his new assignment in this town.

And he'd met Melanie McAllister.

“I wasn't gonna play anymore, but Anne said when you get bucked off, you have to get back on the horse and ride again. I can't let Bart think I'm afraid of him or he'll just be meaner the next time. I have to show him that he can't hurt me.”

How wise. Scott felt the same way about God. Scott had been deeply hurt when his wife left him and he'd turned to the Lord for comfort. When he didn't find it, he'd abandoned prayer. Scott had been bucked off hard, but now he didn't feel quite as angry anymore. Maybe it was time to dust himself off and renew his relationship with his Heavenly Father.

“Dad…” Shelley's voice trailed off as she contemplated her hands.

“Yes?”

“Don't tell Anne, but I'm afraid of Bart. He's lots bigger than me and he can be mean. He hates me.”

How could an eleven-year-old boy hate this sweet little girl? What did these children know about love and hate? Parents needed to be careful how they spoke and acted around their children. They passed along their biases and opinions to their kids.

Scott squeezed her shoulder and smiled. “I don't think Bart hates you. He just hasn't gotten to know you yet. You'll just have to outrun him so he can't catch you.”

She giggled. “That's easy. I can outrun all the other kids.”

“Then score a lot of goals for your team, hon. And from now on, I'm going to arrange my schedule so I can be at your soccer practices. Bart won't bother you with me standing there watching—I can guarantee that.”

“It's okay, Dad. Melanie protects me. You should have heard her tell Mrs. Donaldson off after Bart knocked me down. And Coach benched Bart for hitting me so hard. Bart didn't get to play for the rest of the day.”

Thank goodness for Melanie and Coach Allen.

“I'm proud of you, Shelley. You're so grown-up. I'm glad I have you with me.” He kissed her forehead.

“I love you, Daddy.”

His heart constricted. How he loved hearing these words from his girl. “I love you too, pumpkin.”

They got out of the truck and Scott reached into the back for their gloves, rakes and plastic bags. Normally he would have taken this opportunity to mingle with the townsfolk, to chat and become friendlier. But today he just didn't feel like it. He wanted to spend time with Shelley.

When he saw Melanie, he approached her from behind, his heart pounding within his chest. He couldn't figure out why her nearness twisted him inside out.

Using a long metal bar, she tried to pry a large rock free from the path edging the road. Only this woman would endeavor such a task. Although she wasn't big or strong, nothing seemed to get in her way when she had a task to tackle. She did what she had to do.

“Hey! There's Shelley.” Anne pointed and Melanie stood straight and looked over her shoulder before wiping her face with her forearm.

“Hi! You got a problem there?” Scott asked as the girls greeted each other.

Melanie panted to catch her breath and tapped the rock with the toe of her tennis shoe. “It won't budge. Think you can get it to move?”

He jerked on his gloves and took the bar from her hands. “I can try.”

He thrust the bar hard against the side of the rock before bracing it against the dirt for leverage. With one hard shove, the rock gave way. Scott bent over and pushed the rock. It rolled out of the way into the sagebrush.

Melanie laughed, her eyes sparkling in the sunlight. “Impressive. Now people won't trip over it when they walk by.”

“I just hope my road repair project goes as well.” He leaned on the bar, resting his gloved hands on the top point. She stepped closer and he gazed into her eyes, lost in pools of emerald green.

“I heard you're closing Deer Creek Road for five days while you replace the bridge over the creek.”

“Yeah, the steep rock cliffs prohibit construction of a detour, so we'll have to close the road. It'll be worth it once the bridge is completed.”

“Is that why you don't have the pipeline finished yet?”

Scott drew back and found Frank Donaldson standing
behind him. For such a big man, Frank moved on cat's feet. That or Scott had been too occupied with Melanie to notice the other man.

“Hi, Frank. You here for the cleanup?” Scott looked for the man's tools, but saw none.

Frank's slitted eyes glimmered with distaste. “I'd like to clean out the ranger trash if I could.”

Scott refused to be baited by the man or give in to his insults. He cocked his head and put a hand to one ear. “What's that? I didn't hear you.”

Frank mumbled a sullen reply before speaking louder. “Why isn't the pipeline finished yet?”

“It just so happens that we ran into a problem several days ago. Over the night, a brown bear got into the pipe we had sitting beside the trench and chewed it up. So we've ordered more pipe. The project will take us an additional week to complete.”

“I knew it,” Frank crowed. “I knew you wouldn't keep your word.”

Scott tensed, unable to believe this accusation. “I've kept my word, Frank. The pipe will be one week late.”

“That's reasonable under the circumstances.” Pete Longley stood several feet away, shoving old newspaper into a plastic bag.

“How would you know?” Frank said. “You're a sheep man.”

Caleb Hinkle paused in his work and leaned on the handle of his rake. “Well, I'm a cattle man, and I'm mighty grateful the water line's almost finished. Mr. Ennison's done a good job for us.”

“You said you'd have the line finished in four weeks. Now it's taking five weeks,” Frank said.

The nerve of that man! After years of waiting for the Forest Service to act, the ranchers were finally about to
get their water line. Through no fault of Scott's, the project had been delayed one week. All the digging was finished, the cement slab had dried and the water trough had been installed.

Scott shook his head. “No matter what we do, you'll find some reason to complain. You're being unreasonable, looking for a fight where there isn't one.”

Caleb pushed his hat back and wiped his damp brow. “What's gotten into you, Frank? We're lucky to finally have a good ranger here in Snyderville. You've got a bad temper for no reason.”

Melanie folded her arms, her mouth quirked with disgust. “You used to be different, Frank. Ever since Thad died, you've been meaner than a grizzly and taking it out on anyone who crosses your path.”

Frank's face darkened and he clenched his burly hands. He took a step closer to Melanie and Scott automatically stepped in front of her. He'd protect her to the death. Frank looked mad enough to beat her to a pulp and Scott wouldn't allow him to touch her. Not ever.

“You don't know what you're talking about, Melanie,” Frank's voice rumbled deep in his chest. “This has nothing to do with my son dying.”

“Doesn't it?” She moved around Scott, standing close by his side. “We've all lost people we love, but we have no right to take our grief out on others. Think about how your actions have impacted your wife and your other sons. They used to be happy, smiling and laughing. Now they sneak around town getting into trouble all the time. And it's mostly due to your bad attitude.”

Scott flinched, wishing she'd bite her tongue. Her candor seemed to hit hard as Frank's face turned an ugly shade of beet red. Scott hadn't known Frank had lost a son and he wondered how it had happened. He'd ask Melanie
later on. Right now, antagonizing Frank wouldn't do them any good.

“Just get the pipeline finished.” Frank glared at them for several pounding moments, his big hands clenched so hard that his knuckles whitened.

“It'll be done in one more week.” Scott didn't realize he'd been holding his breath until Frank backed off and stomped away.

Caleb clapped his hand once on Scott's back. “I don't care what Donaldson says. I'm glad you're here.”

“Me, too. You've proven yourself and you're welcome here.” Tom Kinsey showed a sunburned grin.

“Thanks.” Scott had never expected this kind of support. Although there were ranchers who still hated him, he also had friends here. Knowing that lightened his heart, as nothing else could.

When they had a moment alone, Scott looked at Melanie. “Do you have a death wish, young lady?”

She shook her head, her expression sad as she watched Frank's retreating back. “No, but someone had to say it. The entire town's been taking the brunt of Frank's rage for five years now. It's time someone called him on it.”

“What happened to his son?”

She bent over and scooped up more dead leaves before stuffing them into a black plastic bag. “A truck accident. Frank was driving home from Evanston late one night and hit a deer. Thad was twenty-two years old at the time and had just graduated from the University of Wyoming. He wasn't wearing a seat belt and was killed instantly. Frank won't admit it, but I think he blames himself. He used to be a gruff, but nice, man. That all changed after Thad died. Frank hasn't stepped inside a church ever since and he became hateful to everyone.”

Then Scott and Frank had something in common. Scott
blamed himself for his divorce. Guilt weighed heavily on Scott's mind and he'd turned his back on the Lord. Seeing what had become of Frank, Scott realized that he didn't want to end up like the other man. Angry and unforgiving. Taking his rage out on everyone around him.

Knowing about Thad Donaldson's death gave Scott some insight into why Frank acted the way he did. Maybe Scott could cut the man some slack. But he still wouldn't tolerate Frank's sons vandalizing his house or threatening his girls.

His girls.
That's how Scott thought of Melanie and their two daughters. Somewhere along the line, Scott had fallen in love with them. Because he loved them, he'd assumed responsibility for them. Even with the troubles they faced, Scott considered them his. Even Anne, who had been so hurt when she lost her father. Both the girls needed a daddy and a mommy to love them. Someone to look up to and trust. Whether Melanie admitted it or not, she and Anne needed him, just as he and Shelley needed them.

Now what? He longed to tell Melanie how he felt, but he didn't dare. His profession stood between them like a great steel wall. How could he make things work between them? He didn't think he could stand to be hurt again.