Ranger Daddy Page 5

  Ashley stared up at Jeff. “Does it really do that?”

  He crossed his heart. “But to catch him eating, you have to wait till it’s getting dark.”

  “Will you be able to stay till then?” Gabi’s daughter asked Nicky.

  “I think so. I’ll have to call my mom. If I can’t, do you want to come over to my house and see my new baby brother? His name is Parker.”

  “Yes, but don’t you have to ask your dad if it’s all right?”

  “Nope. He’s too busy being the chief of the whole park.”

  “Is it big?”

  “It’s huge.”

  “Tell you what, guys,” Jeff interjected. “We’re going in the house.” Gabi felt he was purposely not looking at her. “You can come inside whenever you want.”

  By tacit agreement she followed him back to the garage, and on into the house. He closed the garage door on the way into the kitchen and set her suitcases on the floor. By now he’d broken into laughter. It mingled with hers until they both had tears in their eyes.

  She couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed this hard. Maybe not since she’d last seen Jeff, who found humor in everything. “That Nicky has to be the funniest, cutest boy I ever met in my life, and I’ve taught hundreds of them.”

  Jeff’s laughter died down. He studied her intently. “What do you mean?”

  “I’m a schoolteacher in Rosemead. Third grade.”

  “I thought you wanted to go into social work.”

  “As you said earlier, life has a way of changing one’s preconceived notions. Teaching has allowed me to be with Ashley as much as possible. She’s my whole world.”

  He was so quiet, she realized there was a lot to digest. Eventually he asked, “How long have you been divorced?”

  Gabi held on to the back of one of the wooden chairs. “Close to eight years.”

  She watched his eyes darken. They only did that when emotion gripped him. “Then you were still pregnant when you separated?”

  Remembered pain stabbed her. “Yes. When I told Ryan we were expecting a baby, he told me he didn’t want children.”

  “You didn’t know that before you married him?” Jeff asked incredulously.

  “We’d planned to wait a few years before starting a family, but Ashley came along anyway. Ryan’s reaction to the pregnancy was to insist I get an abortion immediately.”

  Jeff’s lips thinned.

  “It was a nightmarish time for me.” Jeff didn’t need to hear details. She didn’t want him to know. “I told Ryan it was out of the question. Bev told me to go to the YWCA. That’s what I did. They put me in a shelter and helped me find a divorce lawyer. I filed, and it wasn’t long before Ryan was deployed to Japan. I never had contact with him again.”

  A strange sound came out of Jeff’s throat. “You mean he never made arrangements to see his own flesh and blood?”

  “No. He signed away his parental rights.”

  Jeff folded his arms as if he needed to do something with them.

  “I worked at a job until Ashley was born. Then I paid a woman to help tend her until I found an opening at an elementary school in Rosemead. After I was hired, I moved there to an apartment, put my baby in day care, and that’s been my life until two nights ago, when Ryan called Bev out of the blue. He said he was home from the military and wanted to see our child.”

  “So he’s now decided he doesn’t want to agree to the divorce stipulation.”

  “I’m afraid so. When Bev reminded him he’d given up his parental rights, he claimed his attorney would see about that. I called my old attorney. He told me to get to a safe place with Ashley until he’d had a chance to talk to Ryan’s lawyer.”

  She moistened her lips nervously. “It was a good thing I didn’t go home after we left the beach. He called Bev again with a message for me.”

  “What was that?”

  “He was hiring a private investigator to find me, and there wasn’t a thing I could do about it.”

  Jeff’s all-seeing gaze traveled over her. “You’re trembling. What did he do to you during your marriage, Gabi? Your attorney wouldn’t have told you to find a safe place unless you were in danger.”

  “Ryan didn’t beat me up, if that’s what you’re thinking.” She took a quick breath. “But he did get rough and verbally abusive when I refused to consider an abortion. It was a dark side of him that frightened me because it was so unexpected.”

  “You never saw that behavior manifested before you married him?”

  “No. Never.”

  “He’s definitely mentally disturbed in some way.”

  She nodded. “When Mr. Steel was drawing up the final papers, Ryan agreed to give up his parental rights in exchange for my not filing abuse charges that could go on his military record. I sold the diamond ring to help pay my attorney’s expenses.”

  “How did you get the money for college?”

  “Student loans and my catering job.”

  His body tautened. “You’ve had it tough.”

  “You’re wrong, Jeff. I have a satisfying career, good friends who are colleagues and a wonderful daughter I love to death.”

  “How serious is it with Greg?”

  Nothing ever got past Jeff. “I’ve dated him a couple times.” But he’s not you, Jeff. No man is. “Everything in my life has been going fine.”

  “Until now.” His hands went to his hips in a totally masculine gesture. “Your attorney was right to tell you not to go home.”

  She lowered her head. “But I have to go at some point, and I had no right to make this your problem. My attorney should be phoning before the end of the day, and will advise me how to proceed.”

  “While you wait for his call, I’m going to run over to headquarters and get a little work done, but I’ll be back early.” He reached for a notepad and pen lying by the cordless phone on the counter.

  “I’ve put down my cell-phone number and a few others, like Nicky’s mother and the number at headquarters. Ranger Davis usually answers and will know where to find me if for some reason you can’t reach me on my cell,” Jeff said, before turning to her. “Call me if you need anything. I’ll phone you later and check to see if everything’s okay.”

  “I—I don’t know how to thank you, Jeff.” Gabi’s voice faltered. “Asking Nicky to come over was very thoughtful.”

  “We’re friends, remember?”

  Yes, she remembered, but she’d thought his feelings had run deeper than that. Evidently they hadn’t, or he wouldn’t have vanished from her life like a burning star that had all of a sudden cooled and become invisible.

  “My house is yours, Gabi. Make yourself comfortable.” He reached into a cupboard and filled the dog dish with food, then replenished the water bowl. “Sergei will eat when he’s ready. There’s food and drinks in the fridge for you and the kids.”

  “We’ll be fine.”

  “Tell me your cell number. I want to program it into my phone so we can stay in touch wherever you are.”

  She dictated it to him. He was the old Jeff, always concerned for her welfare. There was no one in the world like him. Whatever the reason for his divorce, the woman he’d married had gotten the prize of a lifetime. No matter what had caused their breakup, Gabi couldn’t imagine his ex-wife ever getting over him.

  Gabi followed him through the modest dining and living rooms to the front door. She watched him talk to the children for a minute before he climbed in his truck and drove off. Sergei seemed perfectly content to stay with Ashley. Knowing the dog was trained to chase bears away relieved her of any worry in that regard.

  “When you guys get hungry or thirsty, come on in the kitchen!”

  “Okay,” they both answered, but Ashley was having fun watching Nicky, who could make the dogs do tricks. They were so carefree, the scene caught at Gabi’s heart.

  She closed the door, leaving it unlocked, and headed for the kitchen, where she’d left her purse and the suitcases.

  The
dark blue suede easy chairs in the living room looked attractive on either side of the tan leather couch. On the walls were two large colored photographs in white frames and matting. They dominated the room, taking her breath away.

  One was of a Yosemite meadow filled with glorious spring wildflowers. The other was of a park waterfall in winter. Gabi didn’t know which one. In the foreground were small clumps of ice in the river, like a slush drink. She’d never seen anything so beautiful or unusual.

  In the bathroom he’d hung a small picture showing him and his parents out in front of their house. He must have been seventeen there, an inch taller than his dad. The photo would have been taken right before his mother was diagnosed with cancer and died. Gabi’s eyes misted over. They looked happy. Because they were… She’d always hoped to have a home like theirs one day, where everyone seemed content.

  Now that she had time to get her bearings, she discovered Jeff kept a tidy three-bedroom house. Nothing out of place. In Alhambra she’d been in his bedroom many a time. It had been messy, with clothes on the floor, a basketball in the wastebasket. She remembered lots of books lying on his unmade bed, a few posters hung haphazardly on his closet door. The only thing he’d kept neat was the top of his dresser, where he put his motorcycle helmet and leathers.

  Ruth, Jeff’s mother, hadn’t been an anal housekeeper like Bev. She was easygoing. Gabi had liked spending time there, where the pace was slower. Ruth had done a lot of baking, and kept her husband and only son well fed. Gabi had liked to watch her cook, and learned a lot from her. She’d been the lucky recipient of many a delicious meal.

  But the heart of their home for the men had been the Thompson garage. Jeff’s father was in construction, and used one side of it as his workshop. The other included an enviable amount of tools, and Jeff’s prized motorcycle. Gabi doubted they’d ever parked a car in there. She’d spent so much time looking at his motorcycle magazines, stacked in one corner, that he’d brought out a beanbag chair from their family room so she’d have a place to sit while he tinkered.

  So many memories of a time that would never come again…

  On her way back to the living room, Gabi peeked inside the door of his bedroom. If he had other pictures from his past, they weren’t visible. The dark green quilt covering the queen-size bed had a fat white stripe running down it. He’d always liked green. When he rode around on his Kawasaki, he usually wore a hunter-green T-shirt. The color brought out the green flecks in his hazel eyes.

  Gabi tossed her head back as if to clear it, and walked to the front door to see how the children were doing. When she looked out, four bodies, canine and human, lay in the grass. The children were looking up at cloud formations. Ashley held the binoculars. Nicky was a sweet boy to share them with her. It was a special moment.

  Gabi ran back to the living room and pulled the cell phone from her purse. Before anyone moved, she stepped out onto the porch and took half a dozen pictures in succession.

  Not wanting to disturb them, she went back inside and phoned her attorney, unable to wait any longer. His secretary said he was with a client, but would call her back. While Gabi waited, she called her friend Shelley, who lived in a condo across the street in Rosemead. She was married and had a daughter Ashley’s age, named Jessica. They went to school together and had the same teacher.

  Gabi knew Jessica was waiting for Ashley to come home from their trip. This would be a disappointing call, but there was no help for it. In a way, she was relieved to get Shelley’s voice mail. That way she could explain they were extending their vacation a little longer, without having to answer any specific questions. She promised to be in touch later.

  If there was the slightest chance a private investigator traced Gabi to Rosemead and did question Jessica if he saw her outside, she could say she didn’t know anything.

  One more phone message to leave, telling Greg she’d be on vacation for a while longer and would let him know as soon as she got back.

  Then, feeling at loose ends, she went back to the kitchen and found a jar of decaf on the shelf. There were clean dishes in the dishwasher. She pulled out a mug and fixed herself some coffee, which she heated in the microwave. A little more rummaging produced sugar.

  She sat down at the kitchen table to drink it. Halfway through, her phone rang. Gabi checked the caller ID and clicked on. “Mr. Steel?” she said anxiously.

  “Hello, Mrs. Rafferty. I’m sorry you had to call me first this morning. I’ve just been informed your husband has hired a different attorney, named James Durham. His secretary phoned my office a little while ago.”

  Her hand tightened on the phone. “Do you know him?”

  “Yes.”

  “Is he good?”

  “Yes, but we’ve got the law on our side.” She shuddered. “He hasn’t gotten back to me yet. As you know, these things can take time. Are you in a position where you can stay away a little longer?”

  “Yes, but I’m concerned about Ryan bothering my foster mother.”

  “I’ll let his attorney know that the phone calls and personal visits have to stop or his client will be slapped with harassment charges. That would ruin his case. It shouldn’t be long now. Keep your spirits up.”

  “I will. Thank you, Mr. Steel.”

  She rang off and swallowed the rest of her coffee, shivering at the idea of some P.I. finding her apartment so Ryan could creep around.

  While there was still peace and quiet, she made half a dozen phone calls to find a place to stay in the park tonight. She finally managed to get a room at the Yosemite Lodge because of a cancellation. After one o’clock she could check in and pick up her key.

  Gabi looked at her watch. It was almost that time now, except that she wouldn’t be able to go over there yet. Sergei was her responsibility until Jeff got back. The dog needed to eat and so did the children.

  She got busy making peanut-butter sandwiches and apple slices before calling them in to wash their hands. All four came running. In a few minutes they were gathered around the kitchen table. Nicky kept Samson by him while Sergei went for his food.

  “Do you two want milk?”

  “Could we please have root beer?” Nicky asked. “Jeff always keeps some for me and Roberta.” That sounded like something Jeff would do.

  “After your milk, two root beers will be coming up for dessert.”

  “Who’s Roberta?” Ashley asked curiously.

  He looked at her. “She’s twelve, but she’s still my friend. She has a beagle named Snoopy.”

  “I have one, too, but he’s not real. His name is Mr. Charles.”

  Nicky laughed at the amusing name.

  “Where does she live?” Ashley asked between bites of sandwich.

  “Two blocks from here. Her dad helps my dad.”

  “Oh.”

  “What does your dad do?” Nicky took another bite of sandwich.

  “I don’t know.”

  Ashley needed some input about now. “Her father and I are divorced, Nicky. He went into the military a long time ago.”

  “My dad was a Marine in Iraq before he became the chief ranger.”

  “Oh,” Ashley said again, obviously impressed by everything Nicky told her. It was hilarious.

  “Roberta’s mother is an archaeologist who works with another archaeologist, but he got divorced in Mexico and doesn’t have any children. Are you sad your dad went away?” Nicky’s conversation traveled all over the place.

  “Sometimes.” Ashley’s comment was so unexpected, Gabi froze in place.

  “My real daddy and mommy died in a storm way up on top of El Capitan,” Nicky informed them. “You saw it when you drove into the Yosemite Valley. I was really sad until my aunt Rachel brought me to Yosemite to talk to the chief ranger about why they died.”

  “What happened to them?”

  “They got caught in a storm and died of hypothermia.”

  “Oh.” Ashley’s voice trembled. “What’s hypothermia?”

  “It’s whe
n you get too cold, but Vance said they didn’t have any pain.”

  “I bet you’re glad about that. Who’s Vance?”

  “My new dad. When we came to the park, he told me I could call him that. We all loved each other and got married and went to England on our honeymoon. Now I’m their real son and I’m not sad anymore.”

  Gabi tried to swallow, but the swelling made her throat too tight.

  Nicky drank some more milk. “Jeff’s your mommy’s old friend.”

  “I know.”

  “Maybe you’ll all love each other and get married and you can live here and go to school with Roberta and me.”

  Ashley put down her empty glass. “I don’t want my mommy to get married.”

  Help. “I’m not getting married, honey!” Gabi declared.

  “Not even to Greg?”

  “No!”

  “I’m glad.” That was no news to Gabi. Ashley had difficulty sharing her with anyone.

  “Who’s Greg?” Nicky interjected calmly.

  “A man at my mom’s school district.”

  Nicky looked at Gabi with innocent hazel eyes. “I bet Jeff’s a lot nicer than Greg, and he’s a ranger like my dad!”

  “Jeff’s very nice,” Gabi agreed, trying not to smile. The understatement of the century.

  “Dad says Jeff needs a wife instead of all those girlfriends, then he won’t be so restless. It’ll make him an even better ranger.”

  Gabi couldn’t decide whether to laugh or cry. What she did know was that this conversation had to end.

  “I have a great idea. We’ll go for a walk and buy some ice cream at Curry Village, but before we go I have to clean up the kitchen. While I’m doing that, why don’t you call your mother, Nicky? We have to make sure it’s all right with her.”

  “Okay.”

  “Here’s the phone.” She handed him the cordless. Ridiculous as it was, Nicky’s comments mouthed by his father let her know Jeff’s social life wasn’t suffering. Surely she couldn’t be jealous after all this time.

  Chapter Four