Falling for the Forest Ranger. Leigh Bale

sped ahead of them, hopping over clumps of grass, kicking at a rock and laughing. Having a great time.

      “I appreciate your getting those samples.” Tanner spoke beside her.

      An unexplainable irritation gnawed at her gut. “It’s my job.”

      “I know. But I didn’t even think about it, until I saw you doing it.”

      She faced him. “And why is that so surprising, Tanner?”

      “I, um... It’s not.” His face flushed with embarrassment, his hands in his pockets like a little kid who’d just been caught stealing a pack of gum.

      “It’s your strategy in dealing with the farmers I don’t agree with,” he said.

      “Is that right?” She bit back a harsher response.

      His shoulders relaxed somewhat and his gaze softened. “Look, I didn’t mean to offend you, Zoë. I don’t know many women who would tromp through a stream to gather mud samples,” he said.

      His confession left her speechless for several moments. “We definitely have different methods. I’d like to take these samples to my office now, if you don’t mind.”

      Turning, she kept walking, conscious of him following behind. Back in the truck, they didn’t speak much as Tanner drove them down the mountain and back to town. In the supervisor’s parking lot, Zoë gathered her bags and moved them over to her car.

      Before she took Jonah home, the boy looked up at Tanner with a charming smile. “Don’t forget our fishing trip next Saturday.”

      “I won’t.” Tanner spoke low.

      Zoë opened her mouth to tell Tanner that she’d changed her mind about them going, but she couldn’t stand to hurt her son that way. It wasn’t Jonah’s fault that she was having an altercation with Tanner over their methods.

      Tanner took a deep inhale of resignation. “I’ll pick you up at nine.”

      “Do you know where we live?” she asked.

      “I do. It’s a small town.”

      Right. She got it. But she still didn’t know if they should go.

      “Thanks for taking us out today.” She said the words mechanically.

      “You’re welcome. I’ve got another trip planned for us midweek, to visit one of the logging operations. I’ll call your office on Monday to give you the exact time. I’ll pick you up at your office.”

      Yeah, that would be fun. She couldn’t wait.

      She nodded, her gaze glancing off his. “Fine, I’ll let my assistant know.”

      And without another word, they parted company on that sour note.

      Chapter Five

      Midweek came much too soon for Tanner’s peace of mind. With Zoë in the passenger seat, he drove a Forest Service truck this time as they headed up the mountain. For some crazy reason, Tanner missed the incessant chatter of her son. Against his better judgment, Tanner had come to like the boy. He tried to tell himself the kid was just another coworker’s little boy, but for some reason Tanner felt different about Jonah.

      “How’s Jonah?” he couldn’t help asking Zoë.

      “Great. He can’t wait for our fishing trip on Saturday.”

      “Good.” Tanner figured if he had to go, the least he could do was make it fun for Jonah.

      Part of him wondered if he was setting himself up for more pain by letting himself care for Jonah.

      But really it wasn’t that big a deal. Taking the kid fishing didn’t mean they had to be best buddies forever. It wouldn’t hurt to be nice to a fatherless child.

      Or would it?

      As before, the road leading toward the mountains paralleled Bingham River. Willows, sedges and grass edged the riverbanks, the frothing stream splashing over smoothed boulders in its path. The water glimmered in the sunlight, like a million translucent crystals.