Page 4 of Longing for the Ranger (Shadow Mountain Forest Rangers #2)
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.
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.