Page 7 of In Love with a Ranger

“Mama,” he began softly. “I’m not dead. I’m injured, lonely, and feeling a little lost. I always wanted to be a ranger – and now I’m not. I need to figure out what the next part of my life looks like for me so I can be happy.”

“You could do that from home.”

“I could,” he agreed gently. “But I’m not.”

Her weathered eyes met his, and he nodded, smiling softly.

“It’s going to be okay, and I promise to call to let you know how I’m doing. Now that I’m not going to be on missions or deployments, I’m sure things will be different. I want to breathe some fresh air, get some peace and quiet, or make some friends – who don’t jump out of planes.”

“All right,” she chuckled tearfully, patting his hand. “Stop panicking, Mama… right? You’re a big boy now?”

“I’m a big boy now,” he smirked, fighting back a laugh and waving her over, hugging her tightly. “I love you – and yes. Can you cut the corn off the cob for me?”

“Why, you ornery little booger…”

“Some things never change, do they?”

“No, they don’t,” she said.

Gideon preened innocently and batted his eyelashes impishly, knowing it would make her laugh again. He really didn’t need his corn cut off the cob, but if that would make her feel happy and needed, then he would give in. He was putting his foot down regarding Austin’s offer to fly him to Wyoming and taking this chance to get away while he could.

3

* * *

CHRISTINA

Somewhere outside of Laramie, Wyoming…

This place was heavenly and strange. It was like there was some secret being shared by the couple who greeted her at the landing strip, but how could you reject such an offer? Jill Houghton was all smiles and hugs and seemed so happy to have company staying with them. Dasher had warned her that Houghton could be a little grumpy at times but had a heart of gold. The man stubbornly only answered to his last name, except his wife called him ‘Babe.’

Yeah, the guy was not what she would call ‘babe’ by any means. He was weathered, graying, always frowning, and strangely intense. It was like if he asked a question and you didn’t answer fast enough – you were in the wrong because you dallied around, even if you were right.

“So you’ve come to spend some time?” Jill smiled, welcoming her easily. “I’m so happy to have a few new friends arriving in the next few weeks.”

“Oh?”

“You’ve got a thing about cows, huh?”

“Big nostrils, goofy eyes, gets to munch all day, and is encouraged to get fat,” Christina joked, trying to lighten the stranger’s attitude slightly and alleviate her anxiety as she got into a van with the two of them. “What’s not to love…”

“We get them fat to slaughter them,” he retorted bluntly, looking at her in the rearview mirror. Christina swallowed in the silence following his words, wondering if this would be something out of a horror movie until Jill stepped in.

“Stop it!” Jill snapped, swatting him on the shoulder, and the man actually cracked a smile at his wife. “I told you not everyone appreciates your dry sense of humor and to shave that beard. Between the two, you look like something on America’s Most Wanted.”

“Honey, I like the beard…”

“I do, too,” Jill crooned, leaning forward and scratching his chin before tugging on it. “Just trim it for me, please?”

“Anything you want.”

Christina gawked at the two of them practically melting toward each other and expected the man to start making kissy faces at any moment. Obviously, he had a soft spot the size of the Grand Canyon for this little dumpy woman who was all boobs, butt, and teeth. And as if she knew that Christina was thinking about her, Jill turned and smiled.

“Ignore my grumpy fella,” she began easily, winking at her. “He’s all bluster but a sweetheart. I can’t wait to show you the cabin and the cows. We have three, and they have the sweetest disposition, oh and two horses. Do you like horses?”

“Not nearly as much.”

“No worries. We’ll have someone else help out with those two.”

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