The Forest Ranger's Promise (11 page)

Melanie purposefully neglected to tell Scott that most of the kids refused to use the pencils because they might
be “contaminated” by the Forest Service since Shelley had touched them first.

“I helped a little,” Anne chimed in.

Melanie wrapped her arm around her daughter. “Yes, you did. I was lucky to have such good helpers today.”

Both girls beamed at the praise, then moved off together, chasing after a butterfly.

Scott took a step nearer to Melanie. “Thanks for that. I appreciate your looking out for Shelley.”

“It was my pleasure.” And she meant it. “I can't help being surprised that you came to church today. It was great to see you and Shelley walk through the door. You must have had a change of heart.”

Okay, hopeful thinking. She awaited his response, not sure why it meant so much to her that he give up his grudge against God.

“I did it for Shelley.” His voice sounded flat. “She needs to make friends and I thought maybe the kids would go easier on her here at church.”

“Then you didn't come because—”

He shook his head. “I don't need God in my life, Melanie. But I do need Shelley. She's all I have left and I want her to be happy.”

A lump formed in Melanie's throat. She didn't like the way this conversation was going, but she should have known his motives couldn't be simple. “But I already offered to pick Shelley up and bring her to church with Anne and me. Why did you bring her if you don't want to be here?”

He brushed a hand against his face and looked away, his eyes filled with a bit of guilt. “I figured some of the ranchers might change their view of me if they saw me in church. It couldn't hurt.”

Something cold gripped Melanie's heart. “So you're using God to get in good with the ranchers?”

He met her gaze without flinching, the guilt gone, his beautiful blue eyes chilling her to the core. “That's right. I don't need God for anything else. If it softens my relationship with the local ranchers, I'll take all the help I can get.”

Melanie frowned. “Scott, that just seems so…”

“What?”

“Dishonest,” she said.

“Dishonest to use God?”

“Yes.” A sick feeling settled in her stomach. She didn't know why she bothered discussing this topic with him. His well-being and relationship with God weren't her business. And yet she couldn't let it go. Caring for him felt like water running through her fingers. She couldn't get a grip on it. Why did she like this man so much?

He flashed a smile. “I also figure if God's looking for me, this is a good place to be.”

That sounded promising. “I've found that God's always there for us. It's we who stop looking for Him, not the other way around. But I also think the Lord pulls back and waits for us to realize that we need Him, just as any loving parent waits for his child to learn lessons and figure things out on his own.”

Scott took a deep breath before letting it go. “There was a time when I sought out God, but He turned His back on me.”

At least Scott hadn't said he didn't believe in God. They could work with that. She was certain Scott just needed time to heal and forgive himself and his former wife for divorcing him. In time, Scott would come to realize that the Lord hadn't abandoned him. “Are you sure
the Lord turned his back on you, or just didn't give you the answer you wanted to hear?”

He didn't respond, but his gaze darkened.

“The Lord gives us free agency to choose our own actions. He won't interfere if we make up our minds, and He won't take away our free agency to choose.” She smiled gently at Scott. “God allows us to learn from our own mistakes, but He's still there to help soften the blows.”

Scott's brow furrowed and he shrugged. “It doesn't matter anymore. Would you rather I was a hypocrite and said I wanted God in my life when I really don't?”

That stopped her. Wasn't everyone a hypocrite to some extent? Including her. “I think we all need repentance. No one is perfect, Scott. We all make mistakes. But it isn't our place to judge others. We each have trials and obstacles we are fighting to overcome. Our progression of faith is personal, between us and God. I just hate to see you like this. You're a good man and yet you could be so much more if you'd let the Lord help you.”

A flash of pain filled his eyes, then was gone, but not before she realized that she'd hurt him with her words. He drew away, looking for Shelley.

Melanie had been the bully this time. That water had run through her fingers and splattered on her toes. While she meant to share her own heartfelt love of the Lord with Scott, and open his heart as well, she never wanted to make him feel unworthy or inadequate. She couldn't forget Scott's gentleness with animals and his attempts at kindness to Anne, but she liked being single. Liked being free of contention in her home. To make her own choices without fear of reprisal from a domineering man. Scott was a strong, determined man. She could never have a permanent relationship with him. Her heart couldn't take it when he finally left Snyderville.

“Nice talking to you, Mrs. McAllister. Shelley, let's go,” he called before glancing back at Melanie. “I won't be dropping Shelley off at your place tomorrow. I'm going up on the mountain and thought I'd take her with me.”

What did he mean? “Scott, please don't take offense. I never meant to—”

“It's just for a day or two. I'll bring her over on Wednesday, okay?”

“Okay.” Relief flooded her and all she could do was nod. She'd really stepped in it this time, hurting him when she wanted nothing more than to encourage him to accept God in his life. So much for missionary work. She'd made a complete mess of her efforts.

“See you Wednesday,” she called and waved as he sauntered toward his truck.

Wednesday was only three days away, and yet it felt like a century. She'd gotten used to having Shelley and Scott around her place. It seemed natural, working together, fetching cold refreshments for him and the girls. The thought of not seeing him anymore left her feeling empty inside. Like her world had tilted and might never be right again.

She told herself it wasn't because she was attracted to Scott. She just felt accountable for damaging his relationship with the Lord. And Anne was so happy playing with Shelley. Even if they were two complete opposites, the girls needed each other.

As Melanie walked across the lush church lawn with Anne, she realized that she had to do something about this awkward situation. Before Scott decided she wasn't fit to watch Shelley anymore. And she had to do it fast.

T
he next morning, Scott took Shelley and drove up to the Snyder Mountains with Jim Tippet, his range assistant. Together, they unloaded their three horses from the trailer, then headed across the Three Creek allotment. They rode slow, conscious of Shelley. She'd become a good rider, but she could easily be thrown off if her horse stumbled or got spooked for some reason.

It'd been a challenge to coordinate the equipment and manpower for this project. Scott thought that was probably one reason Ben Stimpson had resisted pursuing the job.

Sitting astride his horse, Scott paused to watch the D7 work. The roar of the engine filled the air, along with dust and the buzz of chain saws as several men cleared bigger trees out of the way. He chuckled when he saw Shelley covering her ears to block out the loud racket.

The wide tracks of the D7 distributed the weight and gave the machine better traction as the driver lowered the angling blade and pushed brush and earth out of the way.

“You've done a good job coordinating this project, Jim.
We're right on schedule,” Scott yelled above the noise and smiled at his assistant.

Jim nudged Scott and pointed to the hillside as he called back. “Looks like we've got company.”

Shielding his eyes from the bright sun, Scott saw the unmistakable figure of Frank Donaldson standing on a hilltop with his two eldest sons and another man he thought was Marty Taylor. The men had several pairs of binoculars, looking down to survey the work. Knowing he was being watched, Scott smiled and waved. He reined in his horse and headed toward the hill to ride up, but the men turned and got in their truck. Being on horseback, Scott couldn't catch them. He stopped and watched as dust from their passing vehicle sifted across the road.

“Now they know I mean business,” he spoke beneath his breath.

“What?” Jim spoke above the roar of engines.

“Nothing. Let's take a ride over to the driveway.” He spoke loud, turning to smile at Shelley. “You doing okay, pumpkin?”

She heard him even with her hands crushed over her ears. “Yes, but it's too noisy here.”

“Let's go.” They rode away, speaking again once they could hear themselves think.

“I'll come up again tomorrow, just to see how the work progresses,” Jim promised.

“Good. If possible, I'd like to stay right on schedule.”

He figured Marty and the Donaldsons were just aching for him to fail. Which made him even more determined to succeed. Scott wasn't here to make friends, but he did intend to do his job. And to do it right.

When they arrived at the driveway, they stopped and ate their sack lunches. Allowing their horses to graze a short distance away, they sat on the ground and leaned
their backs against the trunk of a fallen juniper. They enjoyed the spectacular, panoramic view. Caleb Hinkle's sheep filled the meadow below, on their way up to the mountain. The main driveway to the Snyder Mountains was a grassy area leading up to the various grazing allotments. Almost all the ranchers used the through-way. Lingering here with herds of sheep or cattle only made the grazing problem worse. When Scott had told the ranchers that the Forest Service would be patrolling the area to ensure the herds kept moving, he meant it.

“Hey! There's Anne and Melanie.” Shelley pointed as Melanie parked her truck on the side of the dirt road.

An unexpected feeling of euphoria pulsed through Scott's veins. After yesterday, he thought perhaps he should put some distance between himself and the lovely widow. She loved God and he wanted nothing to do with religion. She wanted something from him that he couldn't give her.

It did no good. For some reason, he couldn't get her out of his mind. Nor could he stop thinking about what she'd said about the Lord always being there, waiting for His children to ask for His help.

If Scott ever needed help, it had been during his divorce. But Melanie was right. Allison had decided to leave him and abandon their daughter for another man. God hadn't forced her to do such a thing. In fact, maybe the Lord had blessed Scott by letting him keep Shelley with him. If not for his little girl, Scott didn't know how he would have kept his sanity. She'd come to mean everything to him, teaching him that family was more important than anything else.

And maybe God had even sent the McAllisters into their lives. To help make things easier for them here in Snyderville.

That thought caused Scott to pause. Could it be that the Lord wanted him and Shelley to be with Melanie and Anne? Certainly something to think about.

Shelley hopped up and took off like a shot, waving her arms. “Anne! Anne!”

“Looks like Shelley's got herself a good friend,” Jim said.

“Yeah, the girls are almost inseparable.”

“The mother's not bad, either. A beautiful woman. And she's one of the few ranchers who seem to have accepted you.” Jim chuckled.

Yeah, Scott silently agreed. As Melanie stepped out of her truck, the breeze swept wisps of hair around her face. Remembering her yesterday in her dainty dress, he stared at her slim legs encased in faded blue jeans and marveled at how lovely she looked no matter what she wore.

“Guess I'll go have a chat with Caleb, then we can head back to town.” Jim stood and headed for his horse.

Likewise, Scott stood and brushed dust off his pants before stowing the remains of their lunch in his saddlebags. Then he walked over to meet Melanie.

“Hi there.” She sounded a bit breathless, bracing an elbow against the truck.

Pushing his hat back on his head, he couldn't help returning her bright smile. “I didn't expect to see you here on the mountain today.”

“Actually, I came looking for you. Your office said we might find you here.”

He tilted his head. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, I just wanted to give you this.” She handed him a paper. “Shelley said she wanted to play soccer with Anne. Signups are due tomorrow afternoon and since you won't be bringing Shelley over to the house until Wednesday, I was afraid that she might not be able to join in
time.” She cleared her throat. “I was hoping you would complete the form and I could turn it in for you tomorrow and then take Shelley with Anne when practice starts on Thursday.”

“Ah, I see.” He scanned the enrollment application, her consideration touching his heart. Few people in this community would have done so much for him and Shelley. Reaching into his front shirt pocket, he withdrew a pen. He laid the paper on the front fender of her truck and quickly filled out the application, but paused when he reached the part about emergency contacts. “Do you mind if I put your name here?”

She looked over his shoulder before shaking her head. “Of course not. I've taken you to the hospital before. I'm sure I could do it for Shelley, if the need arises.”

He laughed. “I think you know my insurance number better than I do.”

He reached into his back pants pocket to withdraw his checkbook, filled out a check for the required enrollment fees, signed the form and handed it all back to her. “Here you go. Thanks for coming all the way up here for this. Shelley mentioned it to me, but I forgot to ask you about it. She's very excited about playing soccer.”

“It's no problem.”

She glanced over at Caleb and Jim, who were deep in conversation as they gestured toward the mountain. When she spoke, Scott heard caution in her voice. “I passed by the Donaldsons on my way up here. Is everything okay?”

Good. News would soon spread throughout Snyderville that Scott had kept his promise. “Yep. The backhoe started digging trench over at Three Creek and they were there to watch.”

“I'm so glad.” She smiled. “Maybe that will shut them
up. I'm tired of their constant whining. Next time, they'll listen and trust you more.”

He thought the same thing, but her vote of confidence reached into his very core. Why did this woman seem to trust and support him so much? He'd only known her a handful of weeks, yet he felt closer to her than he'd ever felt to Allison. He thought he'd never meet a woman like Melanie and now he feared it was too late. They each came with too much baggage. Too much hurt and distrust. Love had passed him by a long time ago.

“I'll be a bit late tonight to do my chores at your place,” he said.

She blinked. “You're planning to come over tonight to work?”

“Sure. I owe you for child care.” He leaned nearer, catching her warm scent and thinking himself crazy for enjoying it so much.

“But I didn't think you'd be there since you didn't bring Shelley over today. You don't owe me, Scott. In fact, I owe you.”

“It was our agreement. I'd like to mow the hay in your south pasture tonight.”

She waved a hand. “I can have Ernie Murphy take care of that. He said he can come on Friday to do it.”

The thought made him feel a bit territorial. He'd moved the sprinklers and watched the hay grow. He wanted to mow it. “Nope, I promised to take care of it and I will.”

“If you're sure. I'll call Ernie and tell him not to come. We'll see you later.” She waved to get Anne's attention.

Scott and Shelley watched as the McAllisters climbed into Melanie's truck and left, then Shelley released a long sigh. “I wish Anne was my sister and Melanie was my mom. Then we wouldn't have to leave each other all the time.”

Stunned, Scott stared at his daughter. “What about your own mom? I thought you missed her.”

She looked up at him, his gentle, sensitive daughter's eyes filled with sadness. A look that mirrored his own feelings. “I do, but I know she's never coming back, Dad. Melanie's different. She'd never leave us. And Anne's my BFF.”

“BFF?”

“Best friend forever.”

He smiled at that, thinking how wise his child had become. But making Melanie his wife and Anne his stepchild were a far stretch of the imagination. Up until this moment, he hadn't allowed himself to even think about that. But hearing his own longings voiced out loud by Shelley almost staggered his mind.

“I'm glad you and Anne love each other,” he said. “But I hope you realize there really can't be anything more between Melanie and me.”

“Why not? Karen married Mike after she divorced her first husband. They've been married for years and raised each other's kids. Why can't you do the same thing with Melanie? Then Anne and I wouldn't be half dogies anymore.”

Oh, man. Talk about a complicated question… “First, we would have to be in love. And second, Anne would need to accept me, which she doesn't. And third, my career will eventually force me to make a transfer someplace else. You'll have to go with me.” He gazed down at his daughter. “We won't be living in Snyderville forever, Shelley. I hope you realize that.”

He headed for his horse, hoping she'd drop the subject. Hoping she wouldn't say anything that made him feel worse about the situation than he already did.

“I don't want to leave Snyderville. I want to stay here. Anne just doesn't know you well enough yet.”

Yet. As if more time might turn Anne's animosity toward him into acceptance and not make him an evil forest ranger anymore. Scott couldn't allow either himself or his daughter to dwell on this topic. It would bring them nothing but pain.

“Look, honey. I don't want you to think that Melanie and I can be anything other than friends.” He finished too abruptly, as if trying to convince himself.

She frowned, not seeming to like that answer. He didn't give her the chance to question him further as he lifted her up on her pony, handed her the reins, then turned to step up on his own mount.

“It's been a long day. Let's go home.” He nudged his horse with his heels and headed off toward the Forest Service truck and horse trailer.

Once they had the horses loaded, Jim drove them back to Snyderville. Shelley sat between the two men, staring out the window as she brooded on her own thoughts. She seemed lost and so vulnerable that Scott reached over and took her hand in his, but she jerked away. That hurt.

What could he say to soften her dejection? He hoped she'd give up any ideas about him and Melanie getting hitched. Turns out they were both becoming too attached to the McAllisters. But deep inside, he couldn't help asking himself some questions that seemed to haunt him lately.

Like why did they ever have to leave? And why couldn't they stay?

 

Two hours later, Scott and Shelley arrived at Opal Ranch. He didn't wait to greet Melanie before he headed
out to the barn, forked hay to the horses and poured alfalfa pellets for the lambs. As he crossed the yard to the tractor mower, a soccer ball bounced against his foot. Looking down, he picked it up and turned. Shelley and Anne stood in the front yard watching him.

“You kicked it too hard,” Anne told Shelley before reaching her hands toward Scott. “Can we have the ball back?”

Hmm. Maybe this was a good time to be a father. The hay mowing could wait a few minutes.

He tossed the ball into the air above his head several times and caught it, testing its weight. Then he dropped it to the ground and trotted toward the girls, nudging the ball along with his booted feet.

“Who's the goalie?” he called as he reached the front lawn.

“I am,” Shelley called. “Anne's teaching me how to be a good midfielder and make a goal. The flowerbox is the goal, but try not to trample Melanie's flowers.”

He glanced at the colorful pansies, mentally warning himself to be careful. “I'll be a forward and help make a goal.”

“Yay! Dad's gonna play,” Shelley squealed. She then bent her knees, opened her arms wide and got serious. “I'm ready.”

At first, Anne's mouth dropped open in surprise. Then a determined look covered her face. “If you're gonna play, you have to pass the ball sometimes. Soccer's a team sport.”

“You got it.” Scott chuckled, soft-kicking the ball over to her. He heard the screen door clap closed and saw Melanie out of his peripheral vision as she came down off the porch. It'd been years since he'd played ball as part of a family.