The Forest Ranger's Return. Leigh Bale

your experience up there. You won’t want to overdo it.”

      “We’ll keep that in mind. So what comes next?”

      She stepped back from the table. “The first thing I need to do is take a ride with you to see the layout of the trail and find out if it’s even possible for us to develop a campsite up there.”

      “A ride? With me?” His voice sounded a bit strained to his own ears. Did he look as nervous as he felt?

      “Yes, if possible. Then you can show me exactly what you have in mind. I can take my Forest Service horse. Do you have a horse you can ride?”

      His heart gave a funny leap of excitement. The thought of spending time up on the mountain with this interesting woman brought him a feeling of anticipation he couldn’t deny. “Yeah, I can do that.”

      “Good. What if I drive out to your place with my horse next week on Friday morning, about nine o’clock? I suspect our work will take the better part of the day, so we should pack lunches and plenty of water.”

      “That sounds fine to me.”

      “After I’ve inspected the area, I’ll need to perform an environmental assessment on the proposal.”

      “What’s an environmental assessment?” he asked.

      “It’s where I look at the work we need to do in altering the trail. The potential for erosion, the possible impact on the public and wildlife, the impact if we alter any vegetation and the scenery. Stuff like that. Before we build a campsite, I’ll need to also advertise this development in the newspaper and hold a public meeting for anyone who cares to attend.”

      He frowned, thinking this sounded logical, but worried about what it might mean for the project. “Do we have to hold an open meeting?”

      “Yes, why?”

      “Some local ranchers may not like this idea. They can be rather difficult at times.”

      She shrugged. “Then I’ll listen to what they have to say. It’s my job to respond to any legitimate concerns people might have. At this point, I don’t see any problems. But you never know what might crop up.”

      “How long will all of this take?”

      “Normally the entire process takes about two years.”

      His heart plummeted. “I was hoping to get everything ready so we can use the campsite by next summer.”

      The corners of her mouth creased in a smile. The expression lit up her entire face and made her soft brown eyes sparkle. Wow, she was pretty.

      “Since this is for such a good cause, I think we can expedite the process,” she said.

      A breath of relief filtered through his lungs. “Thanks, Julie. I appreciate your help. More than I can say.”

      She chuckled. “Thank me later, after I’ve performed the assessment and told you what we can and can’t do.”

      He frowned. “Should I be worried?”

      She waved a hand. “Not yet. Let’s wait and see what we’re working with. You can worry later, after we find out what it’s going to cost. Then we’ll have to decide how to get the work done.”

      He hadn’t thought about expense. “I’ve got access to some manpower, but not a lot of funds.”

      “That’s okay for now. I’ve got some ideas that should help us out in that area. Once I’ve completed the assessment, I’ll need to issue you a special-use permit. No work can be done on the trail until then. And every phase of work will need to be inspected and approved. Understood?”

      “Understood.”

      They spoke for several more minutes, confirming their meeting time and discussing the options. By the time Dal left Julie’s office, he felt confident this trail and campsite would greatly augment the program they offered amputee kids at Sunrise Ranch. He also feared this was a huge mistake.

      He couldn’t help enjoying being near Julie again. Gone was the little girl he once knew, replaced by an educated, beautiful, confident woman. But escalating his involvement with the ranger might prove deadly to his heart. He’d do it anyway, starting with his morning run. Like a freight train running out of track, he couldn’t stop now. Developing Gilway Trail would benefit the amputee kids, and jogging with Julie would help keep her safe. It would also give him an opportunity to find out about her life.

      He just hoped he didn’t regret it all later on.

      * * *

      Julie sat at her desk and jotted some notes to herself. Trying to focus on work. Trying to stop thinking about the man who had just left her office.

      Her body trembled. Several times, she’d been ready to blurt out the truth. That she remembered Dal, the plans they’d made and the hopes they’d shared. But that had all been ruined by one of her foster dads. A horrible, smelly man who had stolen her innocence and trust.

      Focus, Julie. Don’t think about the past. Just move forward. You’re safe now. You don’t need anyone but yourself.

      She tugged her thoughts back to her work. First thing, she should have Shauna draft an advertisement for an open meeting to put in the local newspaper. She could imagine some of the concerns the local people might have about Dal’s proposed project, and she planned to prepare beforehand. There was plenty of time for that. She’d know more once she viewed the trail with Dal in a few days.

      Next, she should begin a preliminary environmental assessment and consider the animals that might be impacted by this change. Desert bighorn sheep. Rocky Mountain mule deer. Canadian geese....

      She stopped writing, her hands shaking. The pen dropped to the desk. She laced her fingers together in a tight grip. Resting her elbows on top of her yellow lined notepad, she leaned her forehead against her fists and exhaled a tight breath.

      This is just work. Just a very nice, attractive man you used to know. No need to be upset. It’s just business.

      She tried to reason with herself. Tried to calm the anxious feelings rumbling around inside her mind. She’d overcome so much in her past and thought she’d learned to deal with men one-on-one. But maybe not. For some reason, Dal Savatch touched on old memories she thought were long buried. He was one of the few men who had tried to protect her from being hurt, even if he had been merely a boy at the time. So why did his presence bother her so intensely?

      She knew. She didn’t need to ask herself the question. She liked him and longed to confide in him. She wanted to be friends with him again. Maybe more than friends. But she couldn’t. Not now, not ever. So she was upset. Because of the shame and uncertainty of her past, she didn’t know how he might take the truth of what had happened to her.

      The fear.

      Pushing her chair back, she stood and slid past her desk to stand in front of the only window in her office. She used her thumb and index finger to widen the slatted blinds and peered outside at the empty parking lot. No sign of Dal’s old pickup truck. Just her compact car and a few other vehicles that belonged to her staff members. Not a single person in sight.

      Dal was fast, she’d give him that. And light on his feet. For the entire length of their meeting, she’d completely forgotten about his amputation. Until he’d left. And even then, she couldn’t believe how easily he moved. Smooth, graceful and masculine. Like he had no impediment at all.

      She had nothing to worry about. No need to feel distressed by his presence in her office. And if he finally remembered who she was, she could act surprised and brush it off. For now, she’d focus on her work, help develop the trail and campsite and nothing more. She didn’t expect anything else, and neither did Dal.

      Or did she?

      That was just the problem. In spite of her reasoning and resolve, she wanted more. For the first time in twenty years, she wished...

      No!