Free The Forest Ranger's Promise by Leigh Bale

dad.”
    â€œAnne.” Melanie spoke in a disapproving tone.
    â€œWell, it’s true,” Anne said.
    â€œWhy not? What did he do to them?” Shelley asked in a hurt voice.
    Anne gave an impatient huff. “I already explained this to you yesterday, remember? Your dad’s a ranger and most everyone else is a rancher. Rangers and ranchers don’t get along.”
    â€œAnne, that’s not true,” Melanie gently chided. “We’re ranchers and we get along just fine with Scott.”
    Anne sneered, but kept her silence.
    â€œI still don’t see why we can’t all get along and be friends,” Shelley said plaintively.
    From the mouths of babes.
    Melanie was trying so hard to get along with the new ranger, but she had doubts. She just hoped he didn’t let all the ranchers down.
    She briefly considered having the girls wait outside in the truck. The Donaldsons were hardened ranchers who’d had several run-ins with the previous ranger. While Nina Donaldson ran the grocery store, her husband, Frank, and their three sons managed Donaldson Cattle Ranch. They had money and tended to think they owned the rest of the town, too.
    Not her. Although Frank Donaldson’s property bordered her own and he’d asked repeatedly for her to sell her ranch to him, Melanie refused to let him intimidate her. She always paid her grocery bill in cash, determined not to be beholden to them.
    Something went cold inside Melanie. Why should Shelley be punished for her father’s profession? And forthat matter, Melanie had seen every indication that Scott planned to work amicably with the ranchers in Snyderville. He hadn’t done anything to hurt them. Of course, he hadn’t done anything yet to win their trust, either. But he seemed so determined to do the right thing. Maybe he wasn’t like the other rangers. Maybe he would make a difference.
    Maybe.
    As she urged the girls inside, she made a decision right then and there. For good or bad, she’d agreed to watch Scott’s daughter, which meant she would protect the little girl. And she intended to do just that. Scott would have to handle the rest of his problems on his own, but she would not allow anyone to harangue or injure Shelley while the little girl was in her care.
    Somehow making this inward commitment gave Melanie the courage to follow through with her plans. As expected on a Tuesday afternoon, the store had several people pushing shopping carts down the narrow aisles. Taking out her grocery list and a pen, Melanie barely spared the front cash register a glance as she headed for the canned goods.
    â€œAfternoon, Melanie.” Nina Donaldson, a tall, large-boned woman with a long, hawkish nose, called to her. Dressed in blue jeans and wearing a long white apron, Nina stood beside a rack of magazines and holding a broom in her hands.
    â€œGood afternoon, Nina. How’s that cold you were fighting?”
    â€œFine, I’m over it now.”
    â€œGood.” Melanie jerked her thumb toward the front window. “What’s with the sign?”
    Nina waved her hand. “Oh, that. We’re just hoping to let the new ranger know where he stands with us.”
    â€œYou don’t think that’s a bit childish?”
    Nina’s mouth dropped open and Melanie instantly regretted baiting the woman.
    â€œMaybe you should give him a chance, first,” Melanie hurried on.
    â€œHe’s a ranger,” Nina said, as if that settled it. “Have you met him yet?”
    â€œYes, and I found him quite amenable. I think he really wants to help us ranchers and I plan to give him a chance.” Melanie took Shelley’s hand and picked out a shopping cart, turning her back on any further comments from Nina. She pushed the cart to the back of the store, fuming with anger. Melanie had been on the receiving end of Nina’s sharp tongue often enough when Aaron was alive and she felt sympathy for