Page 15 of Rescued By the Ranger

“Everything okay?” I ask, standing up and closing the fort entrance. It was nice and warm and comfy in there. He did a good job.

He shakes off a dusting of snow on his shoulders.

“I got a call from Shane.”

“And?” her voice is soft and almost a whisper.

“There’s a security system and he’s going to review it and then call the sheriff, but there’s another problem?”

“Oh, God, what now?”

He steps close, lowering his already deep voice. “Hey, it’s okay.”

I calm myself. Maybe I am as dramatic as my sisters.

No, I’ve just been conditioned to react by Creepy Cary.

“Okay, and we need a gun for?”

“When I was on the front porch, I heard rustling in the trees. I don’t know what it was, my flashlight died, but it sounded big.” He holds up the gun. “Tranquillizer gun for animals, but it’s equally as effective on humans.”

“It won’t kill anyone?”

He sighs. “I can’t promise, but if it comes down to you and Jazzy versus whatever is out there—I want you to understand that there’s no choice. I will protect you.”

I move in close, my breath brushing his face. “I don’t know what I would do, if you weren’t here.”

He places the holster strap over his shoulder and to his back. “I’m happy that you’re here, Leesa.”

“Now?”

He chuckles and I stop the sound by pressing my lips to his. It’s not smart. When you get emotionally involved, it’s hard to keep a clear mind, but at this moment, I can’t help myself. His lips feel like coming home to a different kind of hope.

A different choice.

His tongue darts out to tease the split of my lips and I open and as soon as our tongues start tumbling, I taste…

Chocolate.

I pull back giggling and trying to hold in an all-out laugh.

“How many chocolate chip cookies have you had?”

He chuckles softly. “A lot, but it’ll never be enough, Leesa.”

I stop giggling. “How can this be happening?”

“What?”

“Us. I feel comfortable with you and like there’s a reason you’re here.”

“Well, honestly, I don’t think us both being here is a coincidence.”

My brain doesn’t compute and then it hits me. “Oh, God, Shane. You think this is a set-up?”

He doesn’t say anything, but he doesn’t have to.

Maybe I was trying to move on too fast. Maybe I seem desperate. And maybe I’ve misread the room.

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