Love Inspired March 2015 - Box Set 1 of 2: A Wife for Jacob\The Forest Ranger's Rescue\Alaskan Homecoming (28 page)

“Don't take her away from me, Brent. Not yet. I really think if you'll let me work with her some more, I can help her. I just need more time.”

“But what about your mom?” He lifted a hand toward the door, feeling helpless and hopeful at the same time. He wanted to trust Jill. He really did. But what if she was wrong? What if Evie got worse? He didn't know what he'd do then.

“I can handle Mom. She's frightened and hurt. She feels threatened by you and is only trying to protect Alan, the same way you're trying to protect Evie. But she's a kind woman and she loves children.”

“She called Evie a brat.”

“She didn't mean it, Brent. She was just upset. I'm asking you to trust me.”

Trust. Something neither he nor Evie had done in a very long time.

“If you continue working with Evie, it might get rougher on you,” he said. “People in town are bound to find out you're helping me. Many of them won't like it.”

Lifting her chin, Jill folded her arms. Her amber eyes flashed with stubborn persistence. “Don't worry. I can handle them. You leave it to me.”

Footsteps sounded on the stairs outside. Anxious to see his daughter, Brent stepped out on the landing with Jill close behind. Arline stood at the bottom of the steps, watching closely as Evie climbed up and threw her arms around her father's waist.

Hugging Evie tight, Brent gazed down at Arline. For a moment, he saw compassion crinkling the woman's eyes. Then, she glanced at him and the kindness faded. She didn't huff this time, but turned around and stomped off, her shoulders slumped in defeat. Brent realized she'd been watching over his daughter. Making sure she was safe while she navigated the steep stairs. Which seemed odd after the bad things she'd said about him. Maybe Jill was right. Maybe Arline's anger wasn't directed at Evie.

“Did you have fun with Jill?” Brent drew back and gazed into his daughter's eyes, searching for the truth there.

Evie smiled and nodded. Calm as a summer's morning. Not a hint of anger, fear or worry.

“Did you read a story with Mrs. Russell?” he asked.

Another nod, and then Evie laughed, the sound low and sweet. He stared at her, shocked and delighted. Feeling so emotional that he actually felt the burn of tears. Her laughter was still new to him. He hugged her again, holding her close for several long, wonderful seconds. He longed to ask what the story was about. Obviously it had amused her. But that could wait until they were home.

Taking the girl's hand, he faced Jill. She stood apart, shifting her weight, her arms folded, her face drawn with apprehension. Anxious with fear that he might take Evie away and never return.

And then something occurred to him. Out of all the doctors and specialists he'd dragged Evie to, she'd screamed and cried with everyone. And when he'd returned to take her away from their sessions, he'd seen the relief in their eyes. They'd been glad to get rid of Evie. She was a problem child they had difficulty coping with. A nuisance they didn't want. Instead of breaking through the steel wall Evie had built around herself, they'd prescribed drugs to sedate her. To make her malleable and quiet. Several had even suggested he lock Evie in an asylum for troubled kids. Of course, Brent had refused. He would never give up on her. Not ever. And then, when she went to Mrs. Crawford's house without a problem, he started to think Evie might have a future. That she could get better.

Not one specialist had done Evie a lick of good. Jill was the first person that seemed genuinely concerned and desperate to help. Even if Arline hated him, he couldn't deny that Jill made a difference. And he wouldn't take that away from Evie. Not now. Not when they were so close to making even more breakthroughs.

“Thank you for all that you've done,” he said to Jill.

She blinked her gentle brown eyes, her forehead creased with worry. “You're welcome.”

“Evie, tell Jill thank you,” he instructed.

The girl hugged Jill, but didn't say a word. Then she took Brent's hand, ready to leave.

“If it's okay, I'll bring her over again on Wednesday evening,” he said.

Jill's face softened. When she spoke, her voice sounded breathless with relief. “That will be fine.”

Another laugh came from Evie and he whirled around to stare at the girl in amazement. Jill laughed, too, the sound infectious. For several moments, they stood there and laughed at nothing. Just enjoying the sound of their voices.

Jill gave one nod, a soft smile curving her lips. But in her eyes, he saw her understanding. She knew what this meant to him and Evie.

“Thanks again.” He led Evie down the stairs.

In his heart, he knew it was the right thing to bring Evie back. But a prickle of fear still nipped at his mind. At the bottom of the stairs, he looked over his shoulder. Jill stood on the top landing, watching them go. She lifted a hand and waved. Evie didn't see it, but Brent did. And he couldn't help thinking Jill was the most amazing woman he'd ever met.

Yes, Evie's drawing was nothing but angry, dark scrawls. But at least she'd told Jill what she was feeling inside. And she'd laughed not once, but twice. Jill had achieved what no one else had done, including himself and Mrs. Crawford. She'd pulled Evie out of her hard shell and gotten her to finally communicate.

Chapter Seven

“G
ood morning, Mom.” Jill stepped inside the back door of the kitchen to her mother's house. Arline sat at the table wearing her lavender bathrobe and blue fuzzy slippers. Her dark-blond hair lay in damp tendrils around her shoulders. No doubt she'd already showered and was letting it air dry.

Looking up from the morning paper, Arline didn't smile as she indicated a pitcher of orange juice sitting on the table. “Fresh squeezed. Help yourself.”

Jill retrieved a glass from the cupboard and came to sit across from her mother. Mom laid the paper on the table, watching as Jill poured half a glass of juice. She took several swallows before lowering the glass and holding it with both hands.

“Mom, we need to talk.”

Arline met her daughter's eyes. “Yes, we do. After everything we've been through, why would you help that man? Your father would turn over in his grave if he knew.”

Jill blinked, surprised by her mother's directness. But that was one of the things she loved most about her mom. Arline never pretended and always told the truth. But she also frequently said things that shouldn't be said, because they hurt too much and weren't constructive.

“I'm helping Evie, his daughter.” Jill quickly explained about Evie's mother being killed in an armed robbery a year earlier and the trauma it had caused both the ranger and his little girl.

“That's very sad. I can't imagine how horrible that must be for Evie and...and the ranger,” Mom said.

Wow! That was a huge concession for her mother to make.

“So you can see why I agreed to help. Honestly, I didn't think it mattered who Evie's father is. She needs help and that's all that's important right now,” Jill said.

“But she's the forest ranger's daughter, Jill. If she's here, he'll be here, too.”

“I understand, but I can't hold that against the little girl. I help children. It's what I'm trained to do, Mom. You know that.”

Jill braced herself for a storm, expecting tears and yelling and harsh words. But Mom surprised her when she sat back and pressed her fingers against her mouth, quietly thinking this through.

“Is Evie getting any better?” Arline asked.

Jill nodded. “Yes, I've seen some amazing progress just since I met her. I don't know why, but yesterday, she responded well to every activity I gave her. And she adores you. Brent said it was amazing that Evie let you hold her while you read her a story.”

A bit of flattery might help, but Jill wouldn't say it if it wasn't true. Evie liked Mom, that was apparent. She felt safe here. In time, Jill hoped Evie learned to trust most people again. At least enough to start speaking and have a normal, happy life.

Mom blinked and looked down, the corners of her mouth turning up in a slight smile. “I'm not surprised she's responded well to you, Jill. You always were good with kids. I always thought you'd get married and have a passel of them. Then you got divorced instead.”

“Mom, David didn't want kids. You know that. And I couldn't stay with someone that didn't love me. He was cheating on me.”

Arline's jaw hardened. “No, he never was good enough for you. I'm glad he's gone. And I'm so glad your college education has paid off. It was the right thing to get you out of this town so you could have a future. I think Evie's lucky to have my precious daughter to help her out.”

Hearing such words of praise from her mother caused a liquid warmth to suffuse Jill's chest. When she'd first left for college, Mom had fought it and asked her not to go. To stay here in town and work at the mill. But Jill had hungered for an education. She wanted a different life. To see and do new things and meet a man that wasn't from a small, backward town like Bartlett. David had been in law school when they met. He'd swept her off her feet and taken her to Europe for their honeymoon. Since the divorce, she had a different perspective—on almost everything.

Maybe living in Bartlett wasn't so bad after all.

“Do you mean that, Mom?” She quirked one brow and studied her mother's serene face.

Arline nodded. “Yes, I do. I love you, Jill. And I trust you. I miss your dad more than I can say. And I may be worried about your brother and the mill, but I'm not an ogre. If your work might help Evie get better, then you should continue. And if anyone complains about it, they can come and talk to me. I'll set them straight.”

Jill stared at her mother's face in astonishment, stunned by the woman's support. “Thank you, Mom.”

Arline gave a calming sigh. “You're welcome. Children take precedence over pride. And Evie's been through enough. I know you can help her. But her father's a different matter.”

Oh, boy. Here it comes, Jill thought.

“I don't want that man inside my house. Evie's welcome here anytime. She's too young to know any better. But you keep the forest ranger outside. At least until this theft issue is resolved.”

Okay, Arline had laid down the law. But Jill didn't think her demands were so outrageous.

“Agreed. But I have my own condition. You mustn't bad-mouth Brent anymore. I don't want to take the risk that Evie might overhear.”

“All right, I've told you what I think and won't say any more,” Arline agreed.

Jill glanced at the rooster clock hanging on the wall over the stove and gasped. “Is that the time? I better get over to the mill.”

Jill stood and gave her mother a big hug, kissing her on the cheek. Mom's slightly damp hair smelled of the coconut shampoo she'd used. Her mother's support and confidence meant so much. It meant everything. But Jill wouldn't press the issue. At least not until Alan was cleared of timber theft. She could work with Evie, but Brent would need to stick to her apartment above the garage.

* * *

Two hours later, the drone of the laser printer filled Jill's ears. Sitting at the back desk in the office at the sawmill, she cross-checked the payroll to balance the books. They had just enough money to pay their bills. So far, so good.

“Um, Jill?”

She glanced up and smiled at Ida, who stood in front of her desk. “I think we're gonna make it this month.”

Ida nodded, but she didn't smile. In fact, her gray eyes crinkled with worry, her face pale. She jutted her chin toward the front door. “We've got visitors.”

Jill jerked her head toward the reception counter and peered beyond Ida's shoulder. Brent stood there watching her. He was accompanied by another man wearing a similar uniform, except that he had a gold shield pinned above the flap of his left-front shirt pocket. Without thinking, Jill's gaze automatically lowered to the stranger's waist. He wore an official black radio and baton on his left hip, and a gun holstered on his right. Jill immediately recognized him for what he was. A Forest Service law enforcement officer. LEO for short. She didn't know his name, but she knew his purpose. He was here to investigate the timber theft.

To investigate Alan.

Jill popped out of her chair, a blaze of panic rushing through her veins. Brent had told her a LEO was coming in this week to explore the theft issue. Even with that warning, she still felt blindsided to have them appear out of the blue like this.

Trying to appear casual, she walked to the front of the room, her gaze clashing, then locking with Brent's. She caught no censure there, but a bland, stoic expression that neither accused, nor apologized for this intrusion. He was the forest ranger, after all. He had a job to do. But she didn't have to like it.

Dressed in his ranger's uniform with the bronze shield, Brent looked imposing and official. Nothing at all like the gentle, worried father she'd seen at her house last night.

“Hi, Jill. I'd like to introduce you to John McLaughlin. He's with the Forest Service LEI.” Brent spoke in a congenial voice as he jerked his thumb toward the law officer.

A tall man with an angular jaw and piercing brown eyes, John reached out. She shook his hand and pasted a stiff smile on her face.

“Hello.” The glint of John's law enforcement shield caught her eye and she blinked. She refused to look down at his gun, forcing herself to instead meet his eyes.

The man didn't smile, but he spoke pleasantly enough. “I'm sorry for the imposition, but I'd like to take a look around.”

It wasn't a request. Jill knew she could refuse him, but then he'd get a court order. This situation could turn ugly if she didn't cooperate.

“Sure, I think we can accommodate you.” She tensed, wishing Alan wasn't working up on the mountain today. She'd been living in Boise for so many years, she wasn't sure where to start. The office had always been her domain. Dad and Alan always dealt with the mill.

She turned and glanced into Frank Casewell's office. He was the mill manager. With his back to the door, Frank held the phone receiver to his ear and reclined in his chair, his booted feet up on his desk. No wonder the old wood was covered with deep gouges. She didn't like the way this man treated their furniture and planned to say so once they were alone. She hadn't been here when Alan had hired Frank right after Dad's death. Alan had assured her the man was experienced and came highly recommended, but she had her doubts. From what she'd witnessed during the few days she'd been back in the office, she figured Frank's work ethic left a lot to be desired.

“Frank,” she called to him, knowing he might ignore her otherwise.

His feet thudded to the floor. Without turning to acknowledge her, he gave an annoyed wave of his grimy hand. “In a minute.”

Jill gritted her teeth, feeling irritated. She didn't like the way this man diminished her by ignoring her authority. As a half owner of the mill, she had the power to fire him. But he didn't seem to care.

Swiveling on her heels, she faced Brent and the LEO, trying to smile. Trying to appear agreeable and helpful. “Frank's our mill manager. He'll be with us directly.”

Brent's eyes narrowed and she got the impression he didn't like the way Frank treated her either. Ordinarily, Jill wouldn't have noticed. But she'd been around Brent enough times that she was learning to read his moods.

“It might be easier if you just tell me what you're looking for,” she said.

John slid his left hand into his pants pocket, his intelligent gaze resting on her like a loaded cannon. “Right now, I'm not looking for anything in particular. I'd like to see your operations, nothing more. I just want to take a look around.”

Was that supposed to make her feel better? He provided no useful information. She got the impression he was playing it cool. Waiting to see if she would cooperate or if it appeared the mill was hiding something.

Frank hung up the phone and he sauntered out into the main office. A short man, with a heavy black beard and long, shaggy hair. Logging was a grubby profession, but Frank's blue jeans and shirt were splotched by grease, sawdust and ketchup. He looked like he hadn't changed his wardrobe in days.

“What's up?” He shoved his grungy hands into his pants pockets. A sullen expression pulled his bushy eyebrows down into a deep V-shape. He glanced around the room in shifty squints but never quite met anyone's eyes directly.

Jill made the introductions. “Frank can take you on a tour of the mill.”

Frank scratched his beard. “No can do. We got a band saw out of alignment right now. I got to go work on that first.”

She gaped at him, feeling confused and flustered. If a saw was giving them problems, why hadn't he already headed out to work on it pronto? With a saw out of commission, production came to a standstill. Which meant employees were standing around shooting the breeze on the company's dime.

“Why didn't you tell me about this earlier?” she asked.

He shrugged. “I told Alan.”

“Alan left to go up on the mountain over two hours ago. Why aren't you out solving the problem?”

She didn't want to have this conversation in front of Brent and John, but the words slipped out of her mouth before she could stop them.

He glared at her like she was something slimy on the bottom of his boot. “I've been on the phone, ordering a new part.”

For two hours? She couldn't believe what she was hearing, but bit her tongue. It wouldn't look good to deal with the issue now.

She glanced at Brent, conscious of Ida and Karen sitting at their desks, ducking their heads to pretend they weren't listing to every single word. For the umpteenth time that day, Jill wondered why her brother had hired Frank. She'd tried to stick to the office and let Alan run the mill, but that might need to change. The minute Alan returned, she'd have a long talk with him about this problem.

She released a short sigh. “Okay, I'll take them on a tour, but go out and repair the saw right now.”

Wanting to make her point, she sounded professional but demanding. Asking please wouldn't work in this case. Not when Frank wasn't doing his job. Not if they lost a day of production.

Frank shrugged and reached for the doorknob, seeming unconcerned. “Yeah, sure. See you later.”

He left, and Jill took a deep breath to settle her nerves. Turning toward the coat rack, she grabbed three yellow hard hats. She placed one on her head, then handed the other two to Brent and John.

“No one out in the yard without a hard hat. OSHA regulations.” Brent and John should be experienced at this job and know the drill. She was relieved when they placed their hats on their heads without comment.

This situation was new to Jill. She'd never conducted a tour of the mill for a law enforcement officer. And she'd never missed her father more than she did in that moment.

Conscious of Brent's gaze following her, she issued a few quick instructions to Ida. “I've just printed the last batch of checks. If you wouldn't mind going through them to make sure there are no mistakes, I'd appreciate it. And radio Frank in an hour to see if the saw's been fixed. Give me a call to let me know its status.”