The Forest Ranger's Promise. Leigh Bale

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СКАЧАТЬ before clasping Scott’s hand. “Howdy.”

      Melanie fidgeted with a bridle hanging on a hook by the stall gate. “Umm, Mr. Ennison’s the new ranger in town.”

      “That so?” Pete let go of Scott’s hand a bit too abruptly and narrowed his gray eyes. He studied Scott for several moments before he turned and spat into the dirt. And just like that, Pete dismissed him.

      The shaggy man didn’t say another word as he went back to his work on the horse, but his actions spoke volumes. Scott knew the drill and had become inured to this attitude. Pete didn’t respect him simply because he was the forest ranger. He’d find another opportunity to chat with the man later, but right now, he wanted to talk to Melanie.

      “What did you want?” she asked.

      Shelley peered around his back and Scott pulled his daughter forward. “I never really got to say thank you last night, so Shelley and I made cookies for you.”

      Melanie crinkled her brow in confusion. Shelley held out the plate, a shy look on her face. Melanie flashed such a bright smile that Scott sucked back a startled breath and stared. Melanie bent slightly at the waist so she could look Shelley in the eye. “You made these cookies?”

      “Yeah, Dad and me.” Shelley tossed a sheepish smile at her father as Melanie took the plate. He hoped that this was a step in the right direction. If Shelley saw how their offering pleased Melanie, perhaps she might learn something about service to others. Normally Scott would have settled for store-bought cookies, but he was trying to be both a mother and father to his daughter. Though Melanie seemed to hold animosity toward him, Scott felt relieved that she treated his daughter with kindness.

      He noticed Pete casting speculative glances his way. In return, Melanie shifted her weight to block Pete’s view.

      Scott could take a hint. Neither Melanie nor Pete wanted him here, but Scott had been selected for this job for a good reason. It’d take time, but he was determined to work with these ranchers and clean up the problems his predecessor had left in his wake.

      “Thank you. I’m sure Anne will gobble them down. I’d better hide them until after dinner,” Melanie said.

      “Who’s Anne?” Shelley asked.

      “My daughter. She’s out in the sheds feeding the lambs. She’s just about your age.”

      “I’m almost eleven.”

      “Your dad told me. Anne just turned eleven last week.” Melanie pointed at the door. “You can go see the lambs if you like. They’re awfully sweet.”

      Shelley’s face lit up with eagerness. “Can I, Dad?”

      Thank goodness. He’d begun to wonder if she’d ever find anything pleasant about Snyderville.

      “Sure, honey. Just be careful.”

      Shelley trotted off, excited to play with the lambs. It’d be great if she made a new friend and took some interest in their new life here. Scott watched her go with mixed feelings. He hadn’t seen her this animated since they’d moved to Snyderville three weeks earlier. He’d never expected her to find such pleasure at the McAllister ranch. Considering how she could have reacted, Melanie had been surprisingly civil to his daughter and Scott appreciated it more than he could say.

      “So did you need anything else?” Melanie asked, urging him toward the barn door.

      Scott would have left, but he also had a job to do. He wasn’t about to let this woman rancher with a kind heart chase him off. Not until he won her over and found a way to help her with her grazing permits.

      “Actually, I wanted to ask you something.”

      They stepped outside and he enjoyed a breeze that cooled the sweat on his brow and neck. He felt incredibly lucky to be alive. Because of Melanie, he had a second chance at happiness. His experience with the grizzly had changed him somehow, renewing his appreciation for life. He didn’t want to take anything for granted, especially Shelley.

      “What’s up?” Melanie asked, resting her hands on her slim hips. Sunlight glinted off her hair, showing deep highlights of brown, red and gold. Like fire on the mountain. He almost reached out to touch it.

      “I’d like to make a personal business arrangement with you.”

      Her eyes narrowed with suspicion. “What kind of business arrangement?”

      He indicated the picket fence with his chin. “I can see you need some help around this place and I need summer child care. How would you feel about watching Shelley for me during the weekdays and in return I’ll work for you on the weekends and some evenings?”

      As he expected, her mouth dropped open and she stared as if he’d gone daft. She cleared her throat and studied the barn, thinking things over.

      “Shelley’s a good girl,” he hurried on. “She wouldn’t be much trouble. In fact, she can help you with chores. And I’ve taught her to ride. She’d do fine, if you gave her a gentle horse.”

      He was talking fast now, hoping she’d agree. Hoping she’d look past his position as the forest ranger and see that they could help each other out.

      Melanie whirled around and looked him in the eye. “Why would you ask me to do this? I’m basically a stranger. You don’t really know me, yet you’re willing to leave your child with me?”

      He nodded. “Karen told me you’re a good, hardworking woman. She said you’d take care of Shelley, but keep her busy so she didn’t have time to whine about how much she hates leaving her old friends.” He smiled. “Besides, any woman who would help me the way you did last night couldn’t be bad. I already feel as if I’ve known you for years.”

      Maybe he shouldn’t have said that, but it was true. He felt more comfortable around Mel McAllister than around any woman he’d ever met. She wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty and she didn’t worry about mussing her long hair.

      Karen had also told him that Melanie’s husband had been an alcoholic, which was one reason Opal Ranch wasn’t doing so well. When Scott heard this, he understood why Melanie didn’t mingle with the townsfolk much. When your husband was a drunk, you didn’t have many friends. Having grown up with an alcoholic father, Scott would never forget the drunken rages, financial destitution, teasing from other kids and feelings of fear and abandonment. Melanie had a good reason not to trust others.

      Melanie chuckled, a low, raspy sound. “I take it Shelley’s not too pleased that her dad dragged her here to Snyderville?”

      “Nope. Not pleased at all.” He smiled, feeling oddly happy to be talking to this woman. Being near her was the highlight of his day.

      “Well, a friend might do my Anne some good, and I could sure use your help around this place.” She hesitated, wrapping her arms around her waist. The action made her seem vulnerable and he was struck by a sudden desire to protect her.

      “So it’s a deal?” he urged.

      “Okay, we’ll try it for one week. If the girls don’t get along or it’s not working out, you’ll have to take Shelley somewhere else. Agreed?”

      “Agreed.”

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