The Forest Ranger's Child

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With her gone, Hank clasped Nate’s upper arm. “Look, Nate, I really like you, but I don’t want you to get Lily all worked up over nothing. She just got home and I don’t want to worry her. Not with a baby on the way.”

Nate nodded. “I agree, but I don’t think it’s wise to keep her in the dark, either. She has a right to know the dangers, in case she needs to get herself away from the ranch in a hurry. I wouldn’t tell you about debris torrents if I didn’t think they were something to take very seriously. Hopefully nothing will come of this, but if it does, I hope you’ll trust my judgment.”

Nate walked away, giving Hank no opportunity to argue. Nate knew what he was doing. If he didn’t go up on the mountain and then warn the ranchers of potential hazards, they could blame the Forest Service. Nate had to do everything in his power to ensure that didn’t happen. But his concern for Lily went even deeper. He’d saved her and her child’s life from a flash flood and he wasn’t about to see her harmed by something even worse.

* * *

The whir of the helicopter blades overhead stirred up a dust cloud around the tarmac at the small airport just outside of Jasper. Lily shielded her eyes against the afternoon sun and waited beside Nate while the chopper landed. She’d called the doctor the day before and he’d signed a note saying she could go up in the air if she felt well. She should avoid flying in a big airliner after eight months.

“Come on.” Nate cupped her elbow and led her out onto the blacktop. The sliding door of the chopper opened and Nate helped her step up inside before greeting the pilot.

“Howdy. I’m Eddie Slater.” The pilot reached across the seat to shake Nate’s hand.

“I’m Nate Coates and this is Lily Hansen, one of our local ranchers. Thanks for flying in to help with this project.”