Page 19 of Rescued By the Ranger

“Yes, she did.” I run a foot up Leesa’s leg and she blushes.

“I think you’ll do okay,” Jazzy says, taking the last bite of her pancake. “I’ll go get my snowsuit on!”

“Sounds good. I’ll clean up breakfast and then I’ll get mine on, too.”

“Be sure to dress warm,” she directs and I can see her mother in her.

“Understood.” I salute her like she’s a little general.

She tips her head and then salutes me back before running to the hall bath where her suitcase is. The house is lit up with light now, so the only thing we have to worry about is heat and the oven and living room fireplace are keeping it moderately warm.

“You really okay with taking her out?”

“Yeah, I’m sure that whoever or whatever was out there isn’t out there or the sheriff would have been on our doorstep. I’m sure Shane’s watching the outside constantly.”

“I’m thinking of charging my phone in my car.”

“Be glad to do that for you while we’re out there and that’s a great idea. Not sure why I didn’t think of it. Guess my head was on other things.”

“Ditto.” She pulls it out and hands over the key. “Thanks.”

There’s a little silence that feels uncomfortable.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, I’m just wondering if last night was…” she sighs. “Real?”

“Um, well, for me it was real, but maybe I’m missing your meaning.”

She takes a drink of Jazzy’s orange juice like she needs time. “Are you regretting anything?”

“Not at all. Are you?”

She swallows. “I just don’t want you to feel like you have to continue something you don’t?—”

I lean over and place my lips to hers. “It was real.”

A smile bursts under my lips and when we part, I see another smiling female behind Leesa. I clear my throat.

“You ready?” I ask Jazzy.

“Yup.” The grin on her face is adorable, but the way Leesa blushes tells me that she wasn’t thinking her daughter would know this fast. Seems fast is our way. And maybe right and real are too.

“I’m gonna take a long hot bath.” Leesa stands and puts her plate in the sink. “I’ll take care of the dishes after that.”

“Sounds good. Enjoy.”

After cleaning up,I bundle Jazzy up in her winter gear and we step outside into a winter wonderland. The fresh snow crunches beneath our boots as we make our way to the clearing near the forest edge. Jazzy’s laughter fills the crisp morning air as she twirls and dances, her joy palpable.

We start with the classic snow angels. The snow is a little deep, but it’s also thick, so she barely sinks through.

“Can we make a snow fort?”

I’ve created a fort fan. “We can start one, but probably need to go in and warm up our feet soon.”

“Yeah, my feet are cold.”

“Next time please tell me.”

---