Page 4 of Longing for the Ranger

I inhale sharply at his admission. The understanding now makes sense. “You were lucky you had someone who filled that hole for you.”

He nods, his lips tipping up, “I absolutely was. He is the reason I’m the reasonably well-adjusted guy I am today.”

“Unfortunately, my boys are not as lucky. They just have me.”

“Hey, they are lucky to have you. Look at what you’re doing for them. You’re helping them make memories even if it’s not all you imagined it would be. They’ll remember this and one day you will all laugh about it. Those are some of the best memories.”

I consider his words. “I suppose, maybe. But still, it’s not the same.”

“Sadly, it never will be. We can only do the best we can with what we have. And I’d say you’re doing your best. I’ll tell you what though, if you want I have the day off tomorrow. I could come back and help you take them fishing.”

My head is shaking before he finishes. “I couldn’t ask you to do that and on your day off.”

“You’re not asking, I’m offering. It would be my pleasure. Fishing is something I enjoy and I would be happy to share the experience with you and the boys. Something tells me you could use a break in life and I'm happy to help.”

My lips roll into my mouth as I study him. He seems completely sincere. It would be nice to have some help and for the boys to maybe have some success fishing. It’s just that accepting help, especially from a stranger, goes against everything in me. But this is for the boys, and Shawn is being so nice. Like right now, he is fixing the tent, leaving me to my warring thoughts without hesitation. No pressure at all.

Finally, after several minutes of contemplation, I nod. “Alright. If you’re sure you don’t mind. It would be great to have some help. I really appreciate the offer.”

The smile he gives me has tingles shooting through me I haven’t felt in a long time. Crap on a cracker, the man is good looking, but when he smiles with just a hint of a dimple and crinkles around his eyes, he’s a heartthrob.

I can only wonder, what have I gotten myself into now?

Chapter Four

Shawn

Dropping the tailgate of my truck, I double pat the metal surface. “Missy, load up.”

The three-year-old yellow lab leaps into the bed of the truck as if she has wings. There’re times I’m not so sure she doesn’t. I’ve never seen a dog fly through the air as effortlessly as she does.

It’s been a year and a half since I found her abandoned at a trailhead. People can be real assholes, leaving a domesticated dog to fend for its self in the wild. I’m sure they couldn’t handle her excitable personality.

The plan had been to take her to the animal shelter, but after having her follow me around the rest of the day, I couldn’t do it. I hated the thought of leaving her at home alone when I was working though. It turns out my neighbor works from home and has a golden retriever. She lets Missy come over to play while I’m gone. It has worked out great.

I probably should’ve asked Izzy if it was okay that I bring her fishing too, but it slipped my mind. Hopefully, she’ll be a fun surprise for the boys. She’s good with kids and loves the water. I think they’ll get a kick out of her.

Opening the backdoor of the truck I load my fishing pole and tackle just in case I need spares for fishing with the boys today. I want everything to go well, not just for the boy’s sakes, but Izzy as well.

My heart skipped a beat or two in my chest when she explained what she was trying to do for her kids. I can understand better than most what they are going through. My dad died in a car accident when I was a few years older than them. My mom’s brother, my Uncle Roy, didn’t hesitate to step in and take me camping and fishing every chance he got.

It seems Izzy doesn’t have anyone to help her like my mom did. I admire the shit out of her for trying to do it herself when she was clearly out of her element. It was why I was offering to take them all fishing before I could consider what I was doing.

Rylan didn’t stop giving me shit about it all the way back to the office. It is completely out of character for me, but it was something I felt drawn to do. Offering a helping hand to the single mom, like Uncle Roy did for mine.

It has absolutely nothing to do with the fact the woman could stop traffic with her soft, thick curves and pouty lips, or that I itched to pull those curls from the pile on top of her head and see how far down they fall. Nope, didn’t notice any of that at all, but my dick certainly sat up and took note.

Shifting in my seat at the direction my thoughts have gone. I search through the radio stations to find something to take my mind off of the sexy single mom who needs help, not a pounding.

Settling on a classic rock station, the corner of my mouth tips up when Missy barks at dogs we pass alongside the road.

When I pull up to the campsite, Izzy’s playing frisbee with the boys or at least attempting to, it doesn’t look to be going well. No one can get the thing to fly further than a few feet.

The poor woman just cannot catch a break. I can’t help but admire her tenacity in continuing to try doing things with her boys, even if she is not adept at them.

I hope she knows how lucky those boys are to have her, though, even if things don’t go as she wants. One day they will be thankful for all she is doing, when they realize how much she went out of her way for them.

Missy barks exuberantly, bouncing in the bed as I climb out of the rig. I grin ruffling her scruff, knowing she’s dying to play catch with the frisbee and boys.

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