Love Inspired February 2014 - Bundle 1 of 2: The Cowboy's Reunited Family\The Forest Ranger's Return\Mommy Wanted (31 page)

“Come on,” Dal said. “Let's go outside. After you apologize, I'm sure the other kids will want to do the same.”

Marcus nodded and took a step. While Julie held the boy's right hand, Dal took hold of Marcus's stump. The scarred skin felt soft and warm to his touch. Dal didn't mind. He was an amputee, too. And this was his purpose at Sunrise Ranch. To help kids like Marcus. To show them that they still had so much to offer the world.

That their scars didn't bother him at all.

As they walked outside, Dal noticed that the tall mercury lights had been turned on. He could see the flickering flames over by the fire pit and the crowd of children as they prepared their s'mores, laughed and talked about the next day's activities. And in that moment, walking side by side with Julie and Marcus, Dal felt beyond grateful that she'd been here tonight. With all the doctors, specialists and staff members here at the ranch, it had taken a tender forest ranger to finally get through to Marcus.

A feeling of relief blanketed Dal. The conviction that they'd done something good for Marcus tonight and that the boy would be all right. After all, that was what Dal was here for. To make a difference for others. To help in any way he could.

So why did he still feel empty inside? Why did he feel as though life should hold so much more for him?

Chapter Twelve

“I
vote we leave Gilway Trail just like it is. It don't need no changes, and we don't want a bunch of handicapped kids riding up there anyway.”

Dal froze in his seat. Sitting inside the civic center in town, the blast from the air conditioner did little to cool his steaming face. He was stunned and angry.

Speechless.

“We're not taking a vote, Mr. Watson. This meeting is merely to discuss the proposed changes and voice your concerns.” Julie stood before a dry-erase board at the front of the room, her eyes narrowed on Owen Watson, a grizzled old rancher. Dressed in her Forest Service uniform, she choked an eraser in her right hand, doing an admirable job of controlling her temper.

“Most of them act like retards, the way they hobble around town and such,” Owen Watson said.

Someone snickered at the back of the room. Dal jerked his head in that direction, but saw nothing except a few other ranchers wearing a variety of blue jeans, flannel shirts and stoic faces. Each one held a cowboy hat in their lap. Good old boys, with an archaic mentality to match.

“I'm sure you'd hobble, too, if you lost one of your legs. But I guarantee there is nothing wrong with their minds.” Julie's voice sounded curt.

“That trail has been there since before my grandpappy was born. It don't need to be changed now for a bunch of city kids that got no business being up there in the first place,” Owen said.

Dal grit his teeth. A barrel-chested man with a full gray beard, Owen had dominated the ranching business around Stokely for more than thirty years. Dal had tried to warn Julie about these biases, but even he hadn't expected this unreasonable argument. Not from a man who went to church every week and claimed he was a Christian.

“You're wrong, Mr. Watson.” Julie met Owen's glare with one of her own. “Every one of those kids has a right to be up on that trail, the same as you. And it's my job to enforce the law, even if I have to call in the sheriff to do so.”

Bravo! Dal wanted to stand up and cheer. He'd been worried about this meeting, with good reason. After what Lyn Baldwin had contended with back when she'd been the ranger and had to round up the wild mustangs in the area, he knew the small-town mentality was frequently difficult to deal with. But Julie seemed to be holding her own.

A swell of pride filled Dal's chest. When he considered who Julie was and where she'd come from, he couldn't help admiring her courage and professionalism.

Owen made a harrumphing sound deep in the back of his throat. His heavy jowls bunched out like a bristly porcupine. Dal couldn't believe the lack of charity in the other man. His bias aimed at the amputee kids was cruel and bigoted.

“You watch and see.” Owen's loud voice blasted the room. “Those kids will start a forest fire up there, or leave their trash all around the mountains. Right now, things is mighty nice up there when we want to go hunting, and we don't want no changes. I don't want to have to evacuate my place if those kids start a wildfire.”

A murmur of agreement filtered through the small crowd, almost devoid of women. Dal sucked back a harsh breath. He gazed at Julie, wondering what she'd say next. She didn't breathe. Didn't move a muscle for a very long time.

“You don't know that, Mr. Watson,” she said. “The kids from Sunrise Ranch have constant adult supervision. They aren't going to run around starting wildfires any more than you are. Your accusations are completely unfounded.” Her voice sounded clipped and filled with disdain.

Owen jutted his chin toward Dal. “Let's speak plain, Miss Granger. I can see how you have a soft spot for those kids, you being a woman and all.”

Julie's eyes narrowed, her spine stiffening like a board. “Yes, let's speak plainly, Mr. Watson. Those children have a right to use Gilway Trail. Your words are offensive. And if you can't speak more civilly, then I'll be forced to call an end to this meeting right now.”

What a woman. Dal relaxed back in his seat, confident that Julie could handle this situation. He smiled, thinking she was the most remarkable person in the world.

She looked around the room. Numerous ranchers and a couple of other townsfolk sat on the hard metal chairs, listening intently. And Billie Shining Elk, one of the Toyakoi Shoshone tribal leaders. A man who carried a particular dislike for Cade Baldwin. Dal didn't know all the details, but it had something to do with a past familial dispute that happened long before Cade was even born. But that didn't seem to matter to Billie. He still held a forty-year-old grudge. Sitting two rows over, the Native American had twin streaks of gray marring his otherwise jet-black hair. He wore a denim shirt accented by a turquoise bolo tie, his long hair ornamented by a single white-and-gray feather. Dal knew Billie's presence at this meeting didn't bode well for Julie or Sunrise Ranch.

“Are there any more rude comments? If so, you can keep them to yourselves.” Julie looked at each person in turn. She ignored Billie's piercing stare, almost daring him to make a derogatory remark.

Dal bit his tongue. An explosion of words swirled around inside his mind. He'd promised Julie to hear everyone out. To listen to their comments with respect and let her handle this meeting. But Owen had crossed the line ten minutes earlier.

Owen sat back in his chair and wrapped his beefy hands across his middle. Nudging Harley Bennett, the rancher sitting next to him, he mumbled something about city folks and how the whole world was falling to pieces.

“Are there any legitimate questions or concerns about the proposed alterations?” Julie gestured to the front of the room where she'd set up a map of the area, diagrams and large pictures she'd had blown up especially for this meeting.

Owen shot his hand into the air. “I've got one. Ain't it true that you've been working out at Sunrise Ranch?”

Julie gave a sharp nod. “Yes, I work there voluntarily in the evenings.”

“That's a conflict of interest, ma'am. You work for the Forest Service, yet you're out there working with them cripples.”

An audible gasp swept the room and Dal came out of his seat so fast, he even startled himself.

Julie lifted a hand of caution, and Dal bit his tongue before sitting back down. He locked his jaw, forcing himself to shut up and maintain control. But it wasn't easy. Right now, Dal felt like pounding something. And Owen Watson's face would suit that purpose just fine. But he realized that responding to bigotry with violence wouldn't accomplish anything worthwhile.

“You're obviously biased,” Owen said.

Julie shook her head. “I'm not biased in the least. In fact, I would suggest that you're the one who is biased. What I do on my own time is my personal business, Mr. Watson.”

“Well, you're obviously a cripple lover.”

Her eyes widened, her mouth tight. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. I didn't stutter.” He snorted and waved his hand in the air.

Julie's eyes shot daggers, and she sucked in a deep breath. “Mr. Watson, you have made it clear how you feel about this project. Now, let me be perfectly clear. I've studied this proposal at great length and see no reason not to move forward with the alterations. Your complaints are groundless and based on nothing more than personal prejudice. I'm going to proceed with this project. If you do anything to impede the work, I'll call in the sheriff so fast it'll make your head spin. Do I make myself clear?”

Owen growled a slur beneath his breath, but loud enough that everyone in the room heard him plain enough. A horrible, crude name that should never be spoken out loud. Julie inhaled a sharp breath of offense.

That did it. Dal stood, his hands fisted by his sides. No one was going to call Julie a name like that and get away with it. Not while he had breath in his body. He leveled his glower on Owen. “Mr. Watson, you'd better apologize to Miss Granger right now.”

“Or what?” Owen sneered. “You gonna try and make me, cripple?”

“Yes, I will. I may be a cripple, but I'm still man enough to beat you to a pulp.” Dal's gaze narrowed. Anger boiled inside him like scalding water. He'd taken a lot of criticism since the war and endured a barrage of rude comments and stares over the years. His temper rarely got the better of him, but right now, he wasn't about to tolerate anyone calling Julie a filthy name.

“Gentlemen! Really? I don't think we need to resort to violence, do we?” Julie asked with incredulity.

“We do if Mr. Watson won't apologize,” Dal said.

“You'd better apologize, Owen.” Harley Bennett waved a warning at the other man. “Dal's a former marine. He knows how to fight. He got the Navy Cross for bravery during battle. You'd better apologize to the ranger, or Dal will pound you into sand.”

“And I'm afraid I'll be obliged to help him.”

Everyone turned to look at Billie Shining Elk. The Shoshone chief didn't move a muscle, but his dark eyes gleamed like black olives as he gazed steadily at Owen.

“But Billie...” Owen sputtered.

“Dal's given a lot for our country, and that counts for something big in my book,” Billie said. “You'd better apologize to the ranger before we have to hurt you real bad.”

A flash of doubt filled Owen's eyes. Bullies usually counted on their cronies to support their abuse. But now Owen's friends were abandoning him.

Owen looked away, looked at the door, looked anywhere but at Dal and Julie. And that was when Dal realized there was no bite in Owen's bark. Just a mean, cankered soul.

With all the bad blood between Cade and Billie, Cade was not going to believe this situation when Dal told him about it later tonight. Billie had made it clear in the past that he didn't like Cade, or Dal for that matter, but Billie respected their military service. And that meant a lot.

“So what's it gonna be?” Dal asked. “Are you gonna apologize to the lady, or are we gonna take this outside?”

“I, um...”

“Owen Arliss Watson! What in heaven's name do you think you're doing?”

In unison, they all turned and looked at the door as a hefty woman with short, spiky blond hair lumbered up the aisle.

Ah, good. Dal hid a little smile, knowing what was coming. Darlene Watson had arrived, and Dal knew she'd take care of Owen quick enough. All it took was a good woman to make a big, abusive man behave.

* * *

Julie didn't know what to think. She stood her ground, wondering if everyone in the room had gone crazy. Including her and Dal. She could just imagine the forest supervisor's expression when he found out this simple meeting had ended in a brawl out on the street. Somehow, she had to get this crowd under control. Surely someone could talk sense into Owen Watson. But she had no idea what to do about Dal.

She stared at the large woman who'd entered the building like a blast from a grenade. Julie didn't recognize her, but that wasn't odd since she was still fairly new in town.

“Uh-oh. There's Darlene,” someone whispered.

What did that mean? Who was Darlene? And why was everyone so afraid of her?

Owen gave an audible groan and dropped his chin to his chest. Darlene shambled past the rows of empty chairs and stopped midway in the room, placing her hands on her ample hips. She glared a hole through the center of Owen's head. His face flushed as red as a watermelon on the Fourth of July and looked ready to explode.

“Didn't I tell you not to come here tonight?” Darlene scolded. “When I got home and found you gone, I knew just where you'd gone. How can you have so little charity toward these children? They're just little, innocent kids. They deserve a nice place to play and have fun for a while.”

Ah! Recognition filled Julie's brain. Darlene must be Owen's wife.

“Why, um, I just thought...” Owen blustered.

“You get out that door right now. We're going home. And you're not gonna say one more word about the development of Gilway Trail. You'll leave these good folks alone. They're doing something good for our community.” She stepped to the side and tapped her foot on the worn carpet, waiting for Owen to precede her out the door.

Owen hesitated for several seconds, glancing at Harley and Billie for help. But it was false bravado. Harley looked away, offering no support. Billie just looked through the man as if he wasn't even there.

“And you just wait until you get home, Harley Bennett.” Darlene waggled a thick finger at the other man. “Your wife's looking for you, too.”

Harley's mouth dropped, his eyes flying wide-open.

“Uh-huh. I see you understand real well,” Darlene said.

Owen stood and stared straight ahead as he walked toward the door. Taking his cue, Harley stumbled to his feet and followed at a quick trot.

“Just a minute, Mr. Watson,” Dal called to Owen's retreating back. “You still owe Miss Granger an apology. Right now.”

Julie didn't move. Didn't breathe. She knew the next few moments would resolve this problem for good or bad.

Owen came to a dead halt, coughed and tugged at the buttoned collar of his flannel shirt. Glancing over his burly shoulder at Julie, he spoke very low and very fast. “I'm sorry, ma'am.”

With that, he scurried out the door. Darlene inclined her head toward Julie. “Sorry to have bothered you tonight, Ranger. I would have been here earlier, but I had to pick my daughter up from cheerleading practice. You won't have any more trouble from my husband, I can promise you that.”

Julie smiled her appreciation, grateful that Darlene had shown up when she did. The meeting had turned ugly, something she hadn't expected, in spite of Dal's warnings. But now the trouble appeared to be over.

Darlene turned and followed her husband and Harley outside, closing the door behind her with a hollow thud.

The room seemed to release a sigh of relief. As though a tornado had passed through, but the danger was now gone.