Page 5 of Longing for the Ranger

The boys come running up and jump around me, just as excited as Missy.

“You have a dog!” One of them, Jake maybe, yells. I need to figure out how to tell them apart.

“Can we play with her?” The other yells just as loud.

Pursing my lips to the side, I pretend to think hard about the question. “I don’t know. We’ll have to ask your mom. Have you ever been around dogs before?”

“Our friend Tommy has a dog, but it’s little and doesn’t like to play. Can we play with the dog, mom? Please?” The first boy asks sugary sweet, batting his puppy dog eyes, lip sticking out a mile.

Geez, how does the woman ever say no to that? I would give the kid my wallet if he looked at me and asked like that.

“I thought you guys wanted to go fishing?” Izzy looks from Missy to me. “Is she good with kids?”

Nodding my head, I confirm, “Missy’s great with kids. I wouldn’t have brought her otherwise. I know I probably should’ve asked, but didn’t think about it yesterday when I made the offer. She can stay in the truck if it’s a problem. I just don’t like leaving her home by herself if I don’t have to.”

“No, it’s fine. As you can tell, the boys would love to play with her.”

As soon as the tailgate drops, Missy leaps down in between the boys. Her whole body wiggles as they dive on top of her, giving her pats and hugs. I swear the dog smiles at the attention. Seems as if they are a match made in heaven.

The soft smile stretching across Izzy’s face as she watches has me struggling to catch my breath. The love of a mother for her kids plain as day, but it also softens the ever present tension etched on her face, leaving a glowing presence threatening to bring me to my knees.

“She really is good with kids, huh? I wish I had the bandwidth to get them a dog, but between the two of them, I have my hands more than full already.” She reveals with a sigh.

“Well, they’re more than welcome to play with Missy any time. She loves the attention.” I offer without hesitation. I would do anything to see not only the smiles of the boys, but their mother as well.

Her startled eyes jerk to mine, brows pinched. “That’s very generous of you, but I have to ask, why are you doing all of this?”

My shoulder rises and falls. “Like I told you yesterday, I was lucky enough to have someone help fill the hole left after my dad passed. Being a single guy leaves me with quite a bit of free time.” I tip my head towards the boys. “Seeing their smiles and happiness when I know what they’re going through makes it worth my time.” Swinging my gaze to hold hers, I lay it on the line. “I know the struggles my mom went through as a single mother with just me and help from her brother. I see how hard you are working to create memories and happy times for your kids. You’re an amazing mom and deserve help and support. It’s within my power to do that. Besides, there are way worse ways to spend my days.”

She blinks briskly before shaking her head, eyes going back to the boys and Missy, who are now rolling around on the ground together. “Your mom must be so proud of the little boy she raised into such an amazing man. I’m shocked a good-looking, compassionate guy like you hasn’t been snapped up long ago.”

My chest swells at her words and I feel them all the way to the very marrow of my bones. “Maybe the right woman just hadn’t come along yet.” I mutter too softly for her to hear.

Chapter Five

Izzy

We watch the boys play with Missy for another few minutes before Shawn reminds them why he came today. “Are you two ready to go fishing now?”

They immediately scramble up from where they are rolling on the ground, getting licked by the large yellow dog. Yelling, “Yeah!” at the top of their lungs.

I shake my head at the decibel level of my children, glad we’re not indoors for once.

“Are you guys up for a bit of a hike? I know a great fishing hole where the fish jump right onto your hook, but it’s a bit of a walk to get there.” Shawn asks.

Luke’s eyes are wide as he gasps, “Really?!”

“Absolutely!” Shawn winks at me, causing a flutter in my belly I haven’t felt in years. “What do you say?”

“Yay! Let’s go!” Jake yells.

Shawn holds my gaze, waiting for confirmation the boys can handle a hike. “Just how far is it?” I ask.

“Just about a mile. I’m positive these two tornados can handle it.”

“Okay then. Let me just grab my pack and some drinks and snacks for them.” Going to the tent, I grab my purple daypack. I toss in a small first aid kit, sunscreen, wet wipes and a small towel before going to the bear box and adding snacks, juice boxes and waters. Satisfied I have everything to keep the boys from having meltdowns, I zip the pack and shrug into the straps.

When I turn, Shawn is waiting patiently with his own pack and the boy’s fishing poles plus another. “Oh, I can carry those.”

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