The Forest Ranger's Promise (6 page)

She took a deep breath and let it go. “I'm afraid so. I just want to caution you.”

Interesting. She didn't trust him or really even like him, yet she thought enough to warn him. “What do you think I should do?”

She licked her bottom lip, thinking this over. Ah, he'd turned the tables on her, asking her advice.

“Just speak calmly no matter how much they bait you and be patient if some of the ranchers start out on the attack. And keep your promises to them. Every. Single.
One.” A stern glint shimmered in her eyes. She meant what she said.

He nodded. “Counsel taken. Don't worry. I've handled an angry crowd before. I'm a good listener and I know what I can and can't do. We'll reach some agreements and get along just fine.”

As he stepped to the door, he heard her whisper behind him. “I hope so. I really do.”

He hoped so, too.

A
fter lunch, Melanie tossed another load of laundry into the washing machine, then stepped out on the back porch and rang the bell hanging from the eaves. It kept her from straining her vocal cords when she or Anne needed to find each other around the ranch.

Anne and Shelley came running from the lambing sheds, Bob close on their heels. The old dog was one of the best sheepdogs Melanie had ever seen. He just couldn't do the work anymore, so she kept him here at the ranch instead of up on the mountain with a herder.

Melanie hid a smile. She didn't really need to ring the bell, because she knew where the girls were. They'd spent the morning rushing through their chores so they could spend more time with the dogie lambs.

They arrived at the back door, out of breath, their faces glowing with joy. Melanie reached out and smoothed the collar of Shelley's shirt into place. “You girls think you can leave those lambs long enough to make a trip into town with me? We need some supplies and I thought we'd stop at the drive-in for ice cream cones.”

“Yeah!” Anne crowed.

“For sure,” Shelley agreed.

“Let's go, then.” Carrying her purse, Melanie headed to the truck with the girls racing ahead. Rather than letting the arthritic dog jump up, Anne lifted Bob into the back, then closed the tailgate.

“Snap on your seat belts,” Melanie said as she tossed her purse onto the front seat and inserted the key into the ignition.

The girls obeyed and Anne flipped on the radio. They listened to a country-western song as they drove down the dirt lane leading to the main road. The girls sang along, their voices high and sweet. Melanie smiled, wishing it could always be like this. She feared the newness would wear off and the girls might start fighting, as most children did. She hoped they remained good friends. She didn't want to tell Scott that he'd have to find another child care provider for Shelley. For some crazy reason, she wanted this arrangement to work.

In town, she drove down Main Street and headed to Wiley's Feed and Grain. She parked out front and the girls hopped out and followed her into the store, but Bob remained in the truck, panting. Inside, the air smelled of alfalfa and leather. Melanie's booted heels clicked against the rough wood floors.

“How are the McAllisters today?” Carl Wiley greeted them, his whiskered chops plumped in a big smile. “And who's your new friend?” He held out a tub of wrapped lollipops and let each girl take one.

“Thank you.” Shelley returned his warm smile, reaching to stroke a gray cat that lay sprawled in a shady spot on the front counter.

“This is Shelley,” Anne said. “She's staying with us while her dad works.”

Carl's bushy eyebrows drew together as he set the tub
aside and crossed his arms over his gray plaid shirt. “And who's your father?”

“Scott Ennison,” Shelley responded in a shy tone, her attention focused on her lollipop and the cat. In her innocence, she missed the dark scowl that covered Carl's bearded face.

Melanie saw it and brushed past, hoping to bypass any censure. After the numerous times she'd come into town to fetch Aaron after he'd been brawling or passed out in a drunken stupor, she'd become inured to people's disapproval. This time, her efforts were wasted. Carl followed her over to the salt licks stacked on the floor.

“You're tending the ranger's kid?” he whispered rather harshly.

“That's right. She's a good friend for Anne to play with. Is there a law against it or something?” She jerked on her leather work gloves.

“No, of course not, but I never would have thought you'd let the ranger's kid play with Anne. Not after what happened to—”

“I'll need two salt licks. Can you put them in my truck?” She cut him off on purpose, wishing she could forget that terrible night when Aaron died.

Carl was right, of course. After everything Ben Stimpson had put her and Aaron through, she still couldn't believe she'd agreed to watch Shelley. And yet, in her heart, she knew it was the right thing to do.

“Sure.” Carl picked up the salt licks and carried them up front, then rounded the counter. “You're playing with fire, Mrs. McAllister. After losing Aaron, I would've thought you of all people would have better sense than to—”

She met his eyes and cut him off again. “I also need two hundred pounds of texturized lamb starter. I like that
stuff with cracked and rolled grains and liquid molasses. I also need some vaccinations for clostridial disease.”

“You got some sheep with the bloat?”

“A few. Can you load everything in the truck for me?”

He pursed his lips, but turned to go outside and fill her order, muttering as he went. “Makes no never mind to me, but when folks hear about this, they won't like it.”

His voice faded. Melanie released a long sigh and looked up at the ceiling. She didn't care if people approved of her. When she'd agreed to watch Shelley, she figured people in town would hear about it sooner or later, but she didn't think she'd have to deal with it quite this soon. She couldn't very well back out now. Scott needed her help. Besides, she wasn't about to let public opinion dictate what she did or didn't do. It wasn't anyone's business who came into her home.

When Carl returned, she paid her bill with cash, called to the girls and walked out, thinking that was the end of the matter. She'd forgotten how quickly gossip traveled in this small town.

After they arrived at the general store, she shut off the truck and stared at the front window of Donaldson's General Store, unable to believe her eyes. Her fingers tightened around the steering wheel. A hot-pink sign with big black lettering read: No Service to Forest Rangers.

This just kept getting better and better.

As she got out of the truck, Melanie hoped Shelley wouldn't notice. She tried to tell herself it didn't matter to her, but she couldn't help feeling protective of the little girl and her father. Why? Why did she care about Shelley and Scott Ennison and how the townsfolk treated them?

“Mom, what—?” Anne hesitated in front of the door, reading the sign.

“Never mind. Let's just get our shopping done.”

“What does it mean?” Shelley asked.

Anne shrugged. “They don't like your dad.”

“Anne.” Melanie spoke in a disapproving tone.

“Well, it's true,” Anne said.

“Why not? What did he do to them?” Shelley asked in a hurt voice.

Anne gave an impatient huff. “I already explained this to you yesterday, remember? Your dad's a ranger and most everyone else is a rancher. Rangers and ranchers don't get along.”

“Anne, that's not true,” Melanie gently chided. “We're ranchers and we get along just fine with Scott.”

Anne sneered, but kept her silence.

“I still don't see why we can't all get along and be friends,” Shelley said plaintively.

From the mouths of babes.

Melanie was trying so hard to get along with the new ranger, but she had doubts. She just hoped he didn't let all the ranchers down.

She briefly considered having the girls wait outside in the truck. The Donaldsons were hardened ranchers who'd had several run-ins with the previous ranger. While Nina Donaldson ran the grocery store, her husband, Frank, and their three sons managed Donaldson Cattle Ranch. They had money and tended to think they owned the rest of the town, too.

Not her. Although Frank Donaldson's property bordered her own and he'd asked repeatedly for her to sell her ranch to him, Melanie refused to let him intimidate her. She always paid her grocery bill in cash, determined not to be beholden to them.

Something went cold inside Melanie. Why should Shelley be punished for her father's profession? And for
that matter, Melanie had seen every indication that Scott planned to work amicably with the ranchers in Snyderville. He hadn't done anything to hurt them. Of course, he hadn't done anything yet to win their trust, either. But he seemed so determined to do the right thing. Maybe he wasn't like the other rangers. Maybe he would make a difference.

Maybe.

As she urged the girls inside, she made a decision right then and there. For good or bad, she'd agreed to watch Scott's daughter, which meant she would protect the little girl. And she intended to do just that. Scott would have to handle the rest of his problems on his own, but she would not allow anyone to harangue or injure Shelley while the little girl was in her care.

Somehow making this inward commitment gave Melanie the courage to follow through with her plans. As expected on a Tuesday afternoon, the store had several people pushing shopping carts down the narrow aisles. Taking out her grocery list and a pen, Melanie barely spared the front cash register a glance as she headed for the canned goods.

“Afternoon, Melanie.” Nina Donaldson, a tall, large-boned woman with a long, hawkish nose, called to her. Dressed in blue jeans and wearing a long white apron, Nina stood beside a rack of magazines and holding a broom in her hands.

“Good afternoon, Nina. How's that cold you were fighting?”

“Fine, I'm over it now.”

“Good.” Melanie jerked her thumb toward the front window. “What's with the sign?”

Nina waved her hand. “Oh, that. We're just hoping to let the new ranger know where he stands with us.”

“You don't think that's a bit childish?”

Nina's mouth dropped open and Melanie instantly regretted baiting the woman.

“Maybe you should give him a chance, first,” Melanie hurried on.

“He's a ranger,” Nina said, as if that settled it. “Have you met him yet?”

“Yes, and I found him quite amenable. I think he really wants to help us ranchers and I plan to give him a chance.” Melanie took Shelley's hand and picked out a shopping cart, turning her back on any further comments from Nina. She pushed the cart to the back of the store, fuming with anger. Melanie had been on the receiving end of Nina's sharp tongue often enough when Aaron was alive and she felt sympathy for Scott. He was a human being, even if he was a ranger. He needed to buy groceries and eat, just like everyone else.

Again, she tried to tell herself this wasn't her problem and she should stay out of it. What did she care if the Donaldsons refused to sell Scott any groceries? She couldn't help wondering if she'd be so quick to defend him if he wasn't so handsome and charming.

Shelley's small fingers curled around Melanie's hand, so innocent and trusting. “Melanie, what did that sign mean?”

This was one reason she cared. When adults acted up, the children often bore the brunt of their stupidity. Shelley's voice vibrated with emotion, exposing her vulnerability. She didn't deserve this treatment.

Trying not to overreact, Melanie reached for three gallons of milk. It wasn't surprising that Shelley had read the sign. Both girls were young, but they weren't stupid. “Just ignore it, sweetie. It's not your concern.”

“But it said no service to forest rangers and my dad is a ranger.”

“Your dad will deal with it,” Anne said

“But does that mean they won't let Dad buy groceries anymore?”

Melanie reached for a block of unsalted butter. “I'm not sure. He'll have to talk to them, but don't worry. Your dad will take good care of you.”

Shelley didn't look convinced. “Will they let you buy your groceries if I'm with you?”

“Yeah, Mom,” Anne piped in. “What if we can't buy food, either?”

Melanie sighed in frustration. “You're both worrying for nothing. We'll all be fine. Let's just finish buying our groceries and go get our ice cream, okay? We don't want this to ruin our day. We can talk more about it in the truck when we're alone.”

Thankfully, the girls didn't say another word as Melanie completed her shopping and wheeled her cart up front to the checkout counter.

As if understanding the volatile situation they were in, Shelley gestured to Anne. “I'm gonna wait outside.”

When Anne followed Shelley out the door, Melanie breathed a sigh of relief. What a coward she was. She'd be in a world of hurt if she had to drive all the way to Evanston to obtain supplies, but it looked like Scott would have to do just that. How unfair. And cruel.

“Who's Anne's new friend?” Nina asked as she began ringing up Melanie's purchases.

“Her name's Shelley.” She decided that less information might be better at this point.

“Is she a relative?”

Melanie could see Nina trying to act indifferent, but the woman's eagle eyes glanced over to the front door
and then back to Melanie's face. The two girls stood just outside in the shade. They weren't speaking and Melanie wondered if Shelley knew how much Anne resented Scott. Against Melanie's wishes, Aaron had poisoned Anne's head with all kinds of nonsense about evil rangers. If not for that barrier, the two girls could be best friends.

“No, just a friend staying with us for a time.” Okay, she'd told no lies. It worked.

Before Nina could ask more questions, Melanie counted out the money and slapped it down on the counter. “Thanks, Nina. See you next week.”

Trying not to move with a sense of urgency, Melanie wheeled her cart outside to her truck, stashed the plastic bags in back with Bob, then hopped inside with the girls and drove away. Nina stood at the dingy front window, watching them go. And Melanie knew without a doubt that by closing time, Nina would try to find out who Shelley was, which meant she'd discover that the girl's father was the ranger. When Melanie returned to shop on Saturday, she could very well find a sign posted on the window that read: No Service to the McAllisters.

Melanie's stomach tightened painfully. What had she gotten herself into?

“You okay, Mom?” Anne's eyes crinkled with concern.

Melanie patted the girl on the knee. “Yes, sweetheart, I'm fine. I guess I'm just not very tolerant of bigots.”