Falling for the Forest Ranger. Leigh Bale

seat. As she clicked on her own seat belt, she glanced at Jonah and noticed a crumb of bread clinging to his chin. She gestured toward it and he wiped his mouth. She started the engine and put the car into gear.

      “What if he’s still sore with me about what happened?” Jonah said.

      As they backed out of the driveway and pulled into traffic, Zoë lowered her sun visor and tried to reassure her son. “Don’t worry, I think he’s gotten over that.”

      Or had he? Jonah was right. The man didn’t seem to like them very much, and she hoped he wouldn’t hold a grudge. No matter what, she had a job to do and didn’t want anything to get in the way of her work.

      When they pulled into the parking lot of the supervisor’s office thirteen minutes later, Tanner stood outside, wearing the spruce-green pants and drab olive-green shirt of a forest ranger. His bronze shield gleamed in the morning sunshine. Since it was Saturday, she was surprised to see him wearing his uniform. She’d expected casual attire like she was wearing. But then she thought better of it. They were on official business today and Tanner looked the part.

      Leaning against his truck, he folded his arms and crossed his ankles. A deep frown marred his high forehead. If not for his gruff manners, he’d be a strikingly handsome man. And she couldn’t help wondering what had made him so grouchy.

      Barring the door on that thought, Zoë parked her car next to his truck and killed the motor.

      Jonah peered out the window as he unbuckled his seat belt. “He don’t look too happy, Mom.”

      “Doesn’t look happy.” She corrected his grammar. “And his mood might have something to do with the fact that we’re almost ten minutes late.”

      “Sorry, Mom.”

      She got out and opened the back door, leaning over to press a kiss against Jonah’s warm cheek before gazing lovingly into his eyes. “Don’t worry about it, sweetheart. We’re not in a hurry today. Let’s just have fun, okay?”

      “Work can be fun?” he asked.

      “Absolutely. I have fun working all the time.” Which was true. She loved her job. Except for Jonah and the Lord, it was the most important thing in her life.

      “Then let’s go to work.” Jonah returned her smile.

      As she drew away, he zipped out of the car so fast she didn’t have time to stop him. “Jonah, wait.”

      Too late. He was gone.

      With a deep sigh, she reached for the picnic basket and another bag of towels and dry clothes she’d brought just in case she got wet taking water samples. She locked the car and followed as fast as she could.

      Like a stealth bomber, Jonah headed straight toward Tanner. Zoë hurried to follow, unsure of Tanner’s mood.

      The man unfolded his arms and stepped away from his truck. As Jonah approached, Tanner held his hands up as if to protect himself. A flash of uncertainty filled his eyes, then was gone so fast that Zoë thought she must have imagined it. Maybe Tanner wasn’t used to being around little kids. Surely he wasn’t afraid of Jonah.

      “Hi, Tanner!” Jonah called.

      “Mr. Bohlman.” Zoë corrected her son’s rudeness.

      “He can call me Tanner.” Tanner’s voice sounded low and nervous as his gaze flickered over to Zoë.

      “I’m sorry we’re late. My little sleepyhead couldn’t seem to get up this morning. But I told him you wouldn’t mind.” She ruffled her son’s hair and smiled fondly, hoping her declaration would ease Tanner’s tension just a bit.

      It didn’t work. If anything, his shoulders stiffened more.

      Jonah jutted his chin toward the ugly scratches still marring the side of Tanner’s truck. “You’re not mad at me anymore, are you?”

      Oh, the innocent sincerity of a young child.

      “No. Forget about it,” Tanner said.

      Zoë gazed at the man, trying to see the truth in his eyes. His blank expression gave her no clues. She hated playing games and decided to take Tanner at his word. If he said he wasn’t bothered by the scratches, then she shouldn’t be, either. But she sure wished he’d let her pay for the repairs.

      “Shall we go?” she asked.

      “Yeah, let me help you with that.”

      He reached to take the picnic basket and bag from her. His fingertips felt warm and roughened by calluses as they brushed against her hand. He jerked back, as though he’d been burned. She couldn’t read his expression as he turned and opened the door of his truck so she and Jonah could climb inside.

      “We’re not taking a Forest Service vehicle?” she asked as she settled into her seat.

      He shook his head, staring at the basket with pensive eyes. “No, it wouldn’t look good with Jonah along. Someone might complain that we’re using a federal vehicle for personal use.”

      Her mouth dropped open. “Why would they do that?”

      He shrugged his broad shoulders. “Beats me. One of my friends almost got fired over such a trivial thing.”

      “Because he had one of his children in a government vehicle?”

      “Yep. People don’t stop to realize the long hours a forest ranger works. Sometimes they take their family with them up into the mountains just so they can spend some time together. Since we’ll have Jonah with us today, I figure it’s best to take my own vehicle. Better safe than sorry.”

      She never knew. But then, she figured she had a lot to learn on this new assignment. She’d lived in large cities all her life, spending the majority of her time in a lab. She’d never worked out in the field with farmers, ranchers, or logging and mining operations. As long as she helped resolve some of the fishery problems, the inconvenience of moving to this tiny town would be worth it.

      “What’s this?” He gestured to the basket.

      “Our lunch. Since we’ll be gone most of the day, I thought we might get hungry.”

      He frowned. “I didn’t think about that.”

      She laughed, trying to lighten him up with a bit of humor. “You must not have any kids.”

      “Nope.” His jaw hardened as he stashed the basket in the backseat.

      Oh, dear. This wasn’t working out the way she’d hoped. Was he like this with everyone he met or just her?

      She glanced at his ring finger and found it bare. Not even a hint of a shadow. That didn’t mean he wasn’t in a relationship, but he didn’t have the manners of a married man. Maybe he just liked to keep to himself. Or maybe, from the way he kept tossing covert, grumpy looks in her direction, he just didn’t like her. She didn’t know why that would be, but maybe keeping things between them professional would be best. She didn’t want a romantic entanglement right now. She had her hands full with her job and raising her son.

      She jerked her thumb toward Jonah. “With this kid always asking for food, I learned to always have snacks on hand. Don’t worry. We have plenty for you, too.”

      He hesitated, a look of open amazement on his face. As if he couldn’t believe she’d provide for him, too. Then he rounded the truck and got into the driver’s seat before addressing her comment. “You don’t need to feed me.”

      She gave a soft laugh, wishing he wasn’t so handsome. “Don’t worry. We’re happy to share.”

      “Wait till you taste Mom’s cookies.” Jonah leaned close to Tanner’s side and shielded his mouth with one hand as he whispered loudly, “But she thinks I don’t know about them, so act surprised when she gets them out, okay?”

      Tanner laughed, a spontaneous sound that rumbled deep in his chest.