Page 41 of Protecting Vidalia
The haze of euphoria still held her in its grip, her lady parts aching to feel his strong fingers pleasuring her. She’d never used a toy before, but she’d give anything right now for the chance to try one out.
Groaning she turned on the cold water and splashed some on her face, then tried to smooth her hair down with trembling fingers. She was a mess. A thoroughly kissed, thoroughly turned-on mess that wanted nothing more than to pick up where they'd left off.
Quickly she got herself together and fished in her pocket for the hair tie she usually carried around with her in case she wanted to put her full, thick hair up in a ponytail or bun. She settled for a ponytail, at least it cut down on all the stray hair sticking out at odd angles. Feeling reasonably normal, she finally made her way back to the living room and spotted Jake with a man in a brown uniform with state parks insignias on it sitting at the table.
The ranger!
First impression was that he was younger than she’d thought he would be. Boyishly handsome, dirty blonde hair combed neatly in a short cut with pale blue eyes. He had muscles though, she could see that even through the uniform, although first glance would scream computer nerd.
“Did you catch the bears?” She asked breathlessly, sliding into one of the chairs at the table.
He nodded and smiled, eying her appreciatively. “You must be Vidalia.”
She nodded eagerly.
“I’m Ranger Walker, and yes, we did. They are currently in transport to a remote location nowhere near any campgrounds or people,” he said, his blue eyes twinkling. “I don’t think we’ll have any more problems with her, although bears have good memories.”
Vidalia smiled back and heaved a sigh of relief. “That’s good, I didn’t want Buttons to lose his mother.”
“Jake was telling me you’d decided on a name. I’m guessing it’s Buttons?”
Vidalia looked at Jake. “Did you show him the picture?”
Jake shook his head. “I was waiting for you.” He took the picture from his pocket that Dani’s parents had given him and handed it the ranger. Then he and Vidalia took turns explaining where the name Buttons had come from and why.
Ranger Walker took the picture and stared at it. Then he took out his wallet and slipped a small magnifying glass out of a sleeve. After holding the picture under the glass, he grinned up at them. “This is Sushi all right. I can see the place on her ear that’s torn. It was like that when we tagged her. The two sides of the ear healed by themselves and didn’t grow back together.”
Vidalia’s throat filled up. “Then...then Dani really is the first person to photograph Sushi’s first cub. That is all kinds of wonderful,” she enthused. “Her parents will be so happy.”
“She was an early bird this year,” he marveled. “Little Dani got caught in that ravine about six weeks ago, and mothers with cubs don’t usually appear that early.”
Vidalia flinched at the comment but didn’t say anything.
“Maybe something disturbed them,” Jake chimed in.
“I’m sure something did,” he agreed, “but we’ll probably never know what it was.” He stared at Vidalia’s pale face and then his eyes softened. “You were the dispatcher on that call. Your name has been familiar to me since Jake called me but I couldn’t place it until now. That’s rough. I have a sister who is a 911 dispatcher. You people do a hell of a job. She’s threatened to quit so many times. It takes a special person to live through other people’s worst moments and come out sane.”
Vidalia nodded, a lump in her throat. “We usually come out, but I don’t know how many of us are ever the same again after some of the calls we take,” she replied gruffly.
He nodded in sympathy, then held up the picture. “Do you mind if I have this picture? I’d like to make some prints of it and get her parents’ authorization to use the photograph. Both photographs will be featured in the article with the new name.”
Vidalia nodded and he stood up. “Well, I need to get going. Thanks for the calls and keeping us up to date on what’s going on with the bears when you see something. Not everyone does and sometimes it doesn’t end well for the bear.”
Vidalia and Jake stood up and walked him to the door.
“Anytime we can help, just call,” Jake said. “My parents and I both live here year-round unless there’s a major weather hiccup. Then we head for lower ground.”
“I would too if I had a cabin like this one,” he enthused.
“It’s a work in progress,” Jake replied, pleased with the compliment.
After he was gone, Jake pulled Vidalia into his arms once again. “Now, where were we?”
“Um...we got about as far as me girl, you boy, we in a relationship,” she replied with a giggle. “I don’t remember much after that.”
He shot her an aggrieved look. “I must be losing my touch if you can’t remember.”
She stood on her toes and planted a kiss on his chin. “Mostly I remember how I felt—and it was wonderful.”
