Page 63 of Capture the Moment

“Not often enough,” Coop said.

“Why do they risk poaching in a national park?”

He shrugged. “Lots of reasons. Trophy hunters want bragging rights. A living room rug or a head mounted on the wall or just a pelt. Ranchers want to get rid of anything that might threaten their livestock. Some poachers harvest body parts to sell for Asian medicines. And then there’s just stupid people, looking for a good time.”

“Wait. Back up. Did I hear you say ... a poacher will harvest body parts?”

“Yeah. Like, for a bear’s gallbladder. Apparently, it’s an ingredient for an aphrodisiac. There’s a big consumer demand in Asia.”

Kate shuddered. “Are poachers after bears, mostly?”

“Bears, yes. Especially bruins. Boys are the prettiest of all bears. It’s said they make great rugs.”

Again, Kate shuddered.

“Wolves are targeted too. But most poachers go after elk,moose, mule deer, pronghorn. They’re sought out for their antlers, or hides and meat.”

“Sounds like poaching is more common than I had realized.”

“Not rampant, but not uncommon. Even if a poacher is caught, prosecution is a challenge. They usually plead self-defense. It’s not illegal to kill an animal if it’s threatening your life, even an endangered species. Evidence to convict has to be airtight. The LE rangers do their best, but it’s a tough job.”

“What’s an LE ranger?”

“Law enforcement.” Coop turned onto Teton Park Road. It was such a scenic route by day, with wilderness on both sides and the breathtaking view of the Teton Range. Even in the darkness, Kate was aware of its silent beauty. “So ... um,” she said, breaking the quiet, “Emma Dilemma.” She cast a sideways glance at him. “Her surname isn’t really Dilemma, is it?”

Coop’s grip tightened on the steering wheel, his expression briefly clouded with uncertainty. “No. That’s just Tim’s lame humor.” Then he went quiet.

“It’s not really so lame. I can see how a little perspective in the wilderness can create relationship dilemmas. I’ve been having some serious doubts about my boyfriend.”

He gave her a sharp look, then turned his attention back to the road. “Is that who keeps texting you?”

She sighed. “Yes.” Over and over until she had to turn her phone completely off. “Something about this trip has ... opened my eyes to a few things.”

“I guess time apart can be illuminating.” Again, he went quiet.

She waited a while before adding, “So is that what happened between you? Time apart shed some light on things?” What she really wanted to ask was if Tim Rivers called her Emma Dilemma because there was unfinished business between them. Why else would it be an ongoing dilemma?

Coop looked out the window, and Kate fretted she’d gone too far. After all, she hardly knew this man. But somehow, he made her feel very safe. Seen. She was trying to decide if she should apologize for prying, when he suddenly turned to her.

“Emma is my former fiancée. We were college sweethearts. We had this plan to be schoolteachers during the year and spend our summers as seasonal rangers. But ... things didn’t work out that way.”

Kate sensed the weight behind Coop’s words, the lingering hurt and confusion. “Can I ask what happened?”

Again, Coop hesitated, but she was discovering that his hesitations were a way of gathering his thoughts.

“I thought we were on the same page, but it turns out we weren’t. She wanted one kind of life, and I wanted another. We just ... couldn’t make it work. And now she’s the vice principal at my school and engaged to the principal. They’re getting married this summer.”

“Ouch.” Kate nodded in understanding.

Coop cleared his throat. “So, how does this boyfriend feel about your interest in wildlife photography?”

She snorted. “Kinda like the other photographers. Like I’m playing at being a grown-up.”

He gave her a sharp look. “That’s not fair. It’s not easy to be a beginner, but how else do you get experience?”

“I agree,” she said, liking Coop all the more. “I’m learning that it’s important to do the difficult things.”

He nodded, slowly, not so much in agreement but as if he was listening carefully.

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