The Bachelor Ranger Read online

  “When I bring the kids back to Albuquerque in August, if not before, I plan to work for Hearth and Home full-time.”

  He studied her for a moment. “You sound like you mean that.”

  “I do,” she said on a sober note. “Law school isn’t for me.”

  “I think I’ve known that for a long time.” One eyebrow lifted. “Lyle Richins will be back from the military by then.”

  “I know. We stay in touch through email.” Lyle was one of the ranch hands and a rodeo champion who’d taught Alex how to ride. He was a great guy.

  “Do you think something might happen there?”

  “I suppose it’s a possibility.” She couldn’t do any better than Lyle. Alex knew that.

  He cocked his head. “Does your mother know the tribe has given its approval?”

  “I’m going in the kitchen to tell her.”

  “She’s a huge fan of your idea.”

  Alex gave him a quiet smile. “She told me it was the first positive thing I’ve done for myself in years. You know her old rant about failing to plan. I decided to adopt her wisdom and came up with the idea to give the boys this experience—it could be life changing for them. But now it has to become a reality. All I ask is that you get this application in the right basket.

  “I would have sent it through the mail, but the tribe has taken so long to make a decision, and now it’s too close to the deadline. Will you help me?” She put the résumé back in the envelope with the rest of the papers and sealed it, then wrote For the Volunteer Program on the front with a felt-tipped pen.

  “Do I have a choice?”

  “Dad—” She kissed his cheek. “Thanks for being so wonderful. You don’t know what this means to me.”

  THOUGH THE PERIODIC TRIPS to Cincinnati to be with family were always enjoyable for Ranger Calvin Hollis, he inevitably found himself itching to get back to Yosemite. For the last year they’d been begging him—especially his older brother, Jack—to give up his job and rejoin the family business, Hollis Farm Implements, in Ohio.

  They’d assumed his loneliness after losing his ranger wife in an avalanche twelve months earlier would make him receptive to the idea. But they were wrong. Six years ago he’d been transferred in from Rocky Mountain National Park and had loved Yosemite on sight.

  It was home to Cal.

  With the promise that he’d fly out to see the family in another five weeks, he’d returned to California anxious to feast his eyes on Yosemite’s unique grandeur once more. What a joke! Since his arrival yesterday afternoon it had been raining cats and dogs.

  He’d read in several journals that the idiom probably came from a British writer centuries earlier. “It was raining frogs and fish” was the more scientific expression because of actual sightings. Just the other day a woman in Australia had found fish in her yard after a heavy downpour.

  Whatever, the fact remained that Yosemite was under a mid-May deluge that would probably go on all day. You’d never know Half Dome was out there, looming over the valley. He could only hope the huge tarp he’d used to cover all his earthly possessions he’d packed in the bed of the truck was doing its job.

  His Xterra SUV was back at Wawona, his former base. He’d leave it there until he knew where he was being transferred. Chief Rossiter had sent out an email for him to report to headquarters at Yosemite Village by eight sharp Saturday morning with all his gear.

  Cal was surprised Vance could get up that early. He was a daddy for the second time, the first being when he and his wife, Rachel, had adopted Nicky, her cute, hilarious nephew.

  Rumor had it the head man wasn’t getting any sleep. All the rangers laughed because Vance went around with a dopey grin on his face, showing everyone pictures of his little boy, Parker, a dead ringer for him. Cal couldn’t imagine being that happy, not when he’d become a widower within two weeks of his marriage.

  He checked his watch. Only five more minutes to get there, but in this sodden weather, the road into Yosemite Village had to be driven with caution. Sometimes a black bear looking for cover crossed the highway at the wrong moment. In his view there were too many accidents like that.

  As for the rain, it might just have dropped a few precious frogs on the road, blown off the high alpine lakes by strong winds. They would land startled, but alive. By now most of the smaller inhabitants of the forest had gone under cover, but Cal had turned on the truck’s brights anyway.

  His reverence for all God’s creatures, large or small, caused him to go out of his way to make sure they stayed alive, especially the frogs. Their species had been diminishing for years.

  Some experts swore the worrisome loss of the park’s amphibian population was due to cyclical fluctuation. Others believed pesticides were the culprit. There was evidence that California’s prevailing winds carried farm chemicals sprayed in the San Joaquin Valley eastward directly toward the park, permeating the skins of the frogs and preventing them from breathing.

  Those two possibilities could contribute to the decline, but Cal suspected there were others no one had figured out yet. As a park ranger, he’d come to feel that everything in nature was part of a master design. He could try to find solutions that made a difference, but that was all.

  More from instinct than actual sight, he turned onto the road leading to headquarters. Closer now, he could see there weren’t many people around. A few standard-issue government trucks, little else, which meant no tourists to speak of yet. That was a plus.

  He pulled into a parking area near the front, shutting off the headlights and the motor. Forget putting on his parka. The thing was sopping wet from all the trips he’d had to make from the cabin to the truck. His hat wouldn’t be much help, but he shoved it on anyway and made a dash for the entrance. “Hi, Cal!”

  Ranger Davis covered dispatch and reception. He turned in her direction. Couldn’t miss that Southern accent. She had a cute way about her. “Hey, Cindy…how come you don’t look like you barely survived the Yosemite monsoon?” He took his hat off to shake the water from it before putting it on again.

  “It’s called ‘rain gear,’ Ranger Hollis. Something you’ve obviously never heard of.” But she gave him a warm smile. “The big guns are in the conference room,” she informed him. “What’s going on?”

  “Heck if I know, honey,” he teased, mimicking her accent.

  “That’s bull and you know it!”

  “What kind of bull did you say that was, sugar?” Everyone liked Ranger Davis. She had an easy disposition and had been friends with both him and Leeann.

  “Oh—” Her face scrunched up. “Get out of here!”

  “I’m gettin’!” With a laugh he headed for the conference room.

  Closer to the door he spied Vance’s middle-aged secretary coming full-speed ahead. “Need some help, Beth?” She was juggling two trays of foam cups full of hot coffee.

  “I’m all right, but maybe you wouldn’t mind bringing the doughnuts and napkins. They’re sitting on my desk.”

  “Tell the boss I’m helping you, so he won’t mark me late.” Her laughter followed him as he headed down the hall for her office outside Vance’s inner sanctum. He found three cartons and a bag of napkins. Since he was starving to death, he lifted the cover on one box and stole a chocolate doughnut with chocolate frosting.

  By the time he entered the conference room, he’d devoured it. Beth took everything from him and set things out on the table against the wall. “There’s chocolate on the side of your mouth,” she muttered.

  “Which side?”

  “Try both.”

  “Am I bad?” He grabbed a napkin to dispose of the evidence. “Now how do I look?”

  “If you’re fishing for compliments again, you won’t catch any here.”

  He laughed and put his hat down on another side table. From the sound on the roof, you’d have thought it was raining nails. The room had pretty well filled up. Cal took a seat at the large, oval conference table between two of his favorite people,
Ranger Mark Sims and Ranger Chase Jarvis, assistant to the chief. Both were talking on their cell phones.

  Chase, looking dry and comfortable, glanced at Cal’s wet uniform. His eyes gleamed in amusement as he ended the call.

  “Don’t you start on me,” Cal warned.

  “I wouldn’t dream of it. I pulled all-night duty, so I haven’t had my baptism yet. How was your trip home to Ohio?”

  “The best in ages. Thanks for giving me the time off.”

  There was only one problem with going home. Life was flying by and his parents weren’t getting any younger. It played on his guilt, but if he moved back, he knew in his gut he’d be unhappy. He’d come through the worst of his pain over losing Leeann. Being out in nature, doing what he loved most—it had been helping him to heal. He didn’t want to be anywhere else.

  “I’m glad you took it,” Chase said, breaking into his thoughts. “Everyone needs a vacation now and then.”

  “You’re right. I plan to take more of them so I can stay in close touch with my family.”

  “I’d say you’re lucky to have them.” Chase had been an only child and his parents were no longer alive. “Come talk to me later and we’ll work out a schedule for the rest of the year.”

  “Thanks, Chase.”

  The district rangers seated across the table grinned at Cal in his wet shirt. He smiled back, then caught sight of Ranger Thompson walking through the door. Jeff had been the first responder to reach Leeann when the avalanche struck near Tioga Pass. Cal had been in another part of the park at the time.

  His friend had worked like a madman trying to dig her out. Leeann had had avalanche training, but when they’d recovered her body, she couldn’t be revived. Jeff’s selfless sacrifice had bonded the two men, who’d already been friends.

  They exchanged silent greetings. Judging by the question in Jeff’s eyes, he was curious about this meeting, too. Something was up.

  Vance entered the room on Jeff’s heels, followed by Bill Telford. The superintendent’s presence confirmed something important was about to happen. Once everyone was seated, the Chief surveyed the group.

  “Good morning, gentlemen. Thanks for coming out in this beautiful spring weather we’re having.” Cal chuckled along with the others. “We’ve said our farewells to two veterans who are already enjoying their retirement. Now it’s time to welcome their replacements. After talking it over with Superintendent Telford, I’m pleased to announce the following promotions.

  “District Ranger Thompson, who’s been stationed at Tuolumne Meadows, will be our new Chief of Resource Stewardship, facility management, roads and trails. Jeff’s unique background and skills make him the hands-down choice for the job.”

  Cal couldn’t have been more thrilled for his friend. He clapped harder than anyone. No one deserved it more.

  “The second promotion might not come as a surprise to Ranger Hollis, who was told last evening, after returning from a trip, to vacate his cabin in Wawona so another ranger could move in.”

  Though Cal heard the Chief’s words, he couldn’t quite believe what they meant.

  “For the past seven years Cal’s been the assistant to Paul Thomas. Now that Paul has gone, the sacred job of watching over our flora and fauna falls to Calvin Hollis. I can think of no one better qualified than he is to serve as the park’s chief biologist. His views on the reasons why our bears are using Hondas and Toyotas for cookie jars will be part of the agenda for our next regularly scheduled meeting.”

  Everyone laughed and clapped.

  Vance smiled at them. “Congratulations, gentlemen. Both of you will be a welcome addition at headquarters. I don’t have to tell you what a privilege it has been for me to work with you. I anticipate a long and successful association in the future. You’re a great asset to our community here in the Valley.”

  Incredible that this promotion had come on the heels of his hard-and-fast decision to stay at the park, Cal thought. He loved his family, but being a ranger was his lifeblood.

  The Chief’s brows lifted. “Speeches can come at the dinner planned in your honor. We’ll make that on Saturday the twenty-eighth at the Ahwahnee after you’ve had a chance to absorb the headaches you’ve inherited.”

  Both Jeff and Cal groaned in amusement.

  “Once we enjoy the treats Beth has provided, Ranger Jarvis will help you make the transition here. Your offices are ready for you to clutter at will. You’re both off duty until tomorrow to get your lives in order.”

  There was no one like Vance. He always cut to the chase, short and sweet. Cal never wanted to work under anyone else.

  After a round of hand shaking, everyone helped themselves to the doughnuts. Chase slipped Cal some keys. “The one with number fifteen goes to your house, the other to your office here. I’ve already given Jeff his. We’re all going to be neighbors.” A half smile broke out on his face. “I’m warning you now. The wives are already planning to de-bachelorize you, Ranger Thompson.”

  Jeff grinned. “Not me.”

  “Tell them that.” Chase flicked Cal a private, compassionate glance. “For a long time my life looked bleak, too, then a miracle happened. You never know what new events are in store.”

  Cal watched the ranger walk out of the room.

  In Chase’s case that was true. He’d been a man with amnesia. When he recovered years later, he was united with Annie, the woman he’d loved. They had a daughter, Roberta. Life was glorious for him.

  Cal’s situation was entirely different. He was glad he was being moved to new housing. For the last year he and another ranger had been sharing the little cabin where he’d lived with Leeann for two short weeks. Memories lingered. He needed to make new ones. This change would help.

  Because of his promotion, he could now implement some of the programs he’d been planning. Speaking of work, he looked around. The conference room had emptied except for him and Jeff. Since the announcements had been made, it was back to business as usual.

  “Is your truck outside?”

  Jeff shook his head. “I came in early to get the key and drive over to the house. We actually have garages now. My stuff’s still waiting to be unloaded.”

  “So’s mine, but my truck’s right outside. I’ll drive you home and help you, then we’ll go to my place.”

  “I have to run by my new office first. I left my rain gear in there.”

  Cal plucked his hat from the table and followed him down one hall and around the corner to the second door on the right. When Jeff unlocked it, he made a disapproving sound in his throat before putting on his parka and hat. “Talk about empty—”

  “Don’t worry. You heard the Chief. You’ll have your signature on this place in no time.” Cal’s office was at the other end of the hall. After reporting to Paul on a regular basis from Wawona, he didn’t need to see it. Tomorrow would be soon enough.

  Chapter Two

  The parking lot was crowded when Alex pulled into the post office. Her parents’ mail was delivered to the ranch, but she had her own post office box.

  It had been close to a week since her father had returned from Yosemite. He said he’d put her envelope in the basket for the person running the volunteer program. The only thing left to do was wait for a reply. Already it felt like months.

  When she unlocked the box and found the usual bunch of travel brochures and junk mail, her heart plummeted. Discouraged, she walked over to the nearest waste receptacle to discard them and almost missed the envelope she’d been looking for. It had been sandwiched in among the pamphlets.

  National Park Service.

  Alex tossed everything else before opening the letter with trembling hands. Please, please be good news.

  Dear Ms. Harcourt,

  Thank you for your interest in becoming a volunteer for the summer at Yosemite National Park. Our office has reviewed your application. Before any decision can be made, all interested parties must meet in person with the head of the volunteer program. This screening is in plac
e to ensure this is a good fit for you and a good fit for the park.

  The following date of Monday, May 23, has been reserved for interviews. First come, first served, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Report to the Department of Stewardship and Management Facility at Headquarters in Yosemite Village.

  That was two days away! She’d barely gotten in under the wire. If she hadn’t sent the application with her dad, it would have been too late.

  Alex ran out of the building clutching the letter in her hand. She had a ton of things to do before she flew to Merced tomorrow. First on her agenda was a stop at the beauty salon in the mall.

  “All this hair?” Darlene looked aghast. “You’re joking! I thought you told Michael you’d never get it cut. If I recall, the last time he took off a quarter inch, you had a meltdown.”

  I’ve changed since then.

  “That was the old me, Darlene.” Hopefully she’d changed in a lot of other ways, too. “The new one wants to look twenty-six, not like a nineteen-year-old teenybopper. Turn me into today’s confident woman,” she teased. “Chic but feminine, with a touch of class, yet not overstated. Maybe a trifle windblown?”

  Darlene grinned. “You don’t want much, do you?” She rummaged around and found a chart with the latest short hairstyles. “Take a look at these while I get my hacking shears.”

  Alex knew the one she wanted the second she saw it. “This.” As soon as Darlene came back to the chair, Alex pointed to the midlength bob. The ends were slightly curved, with longer side-swept bangs.

  “With your oval face, that would look good on you. Your hair’s thick enough. You can wear either a zigzag or straight part.”

  “Let’s do it.”

  After years of being called Rapunzel by her friends, Alex was ready to have Darlene lop off her long mane. The stylist went to work. When she’d finished and was applying a touch of hair spray, Michael returned.

  Alex saw him in the mirror. He held up her long locks to his ears like braids. “I think I’ll use these for Mardi Gras. What do you think?” He batted his eyes.