Page 66 of Capture the Moment

Coop glanced around before leaning in closer. “Thanks again for sharing those photos last night.”

“I’m glad I could help.”

He took another step closer to her, his eyes fixed on the tree line. “If you have time today, I thought I could make good on that promise to help you out.”

Kate’s heart skipped a beat. So he had decided to help her! She tried to keep her cool on, whatever Frankie’s saying meant. “Has there been a sighting of 399?”

Coop held up a hand. “Not yet. And no promises for one, either. We still don’t know if she’s made it through the winter.”

Kate nodded eagerly, barely able to contain her excitement. She loved that he called the bear aher, not anit. “I understand. Coop, thank you.”

Down the line of photographers, he squinted. “Frankie! You’re not to take food from the photographers.”

Halfway through a doughnut, Frankie frowned at him with a look on his face like,What’s the big deal?

“That kid.” He let out a weary sigh. “I’d better go. Meet me at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center at noon. Be sure you’ve had something to eat. Wear a lot of layers and good hiking boots. We’ll be going through snowy areas. And bring plenty of water.It’s a long hike.” He took a few steps, then stopped and turned around. “Maybe you should take my phone number, just in case you change your mind.”

Oh, trust me. Nothing could stop me from this mission. She pulled out her phone and handed it to him. “Enter your number and I’ll text you back so you’ll have mine.”

Coop grinned. He took her phone and typed in his contact number. “See you at noon.”

Noon. Seven hours from now. How was Kate going to wait so long?

She found herself torn between two equally exciting prospects: the chance to capture 399 in a photograph, and spending a whole afternoon with Coop. It was a surprise even to herself—she was ready to tackle a treacherous, snowy, uphill trek into the wilderness, if it meant Coop would be right by her side. This kind of bravery was new to her, but she was willing to embrace it for the sake of this adventure.

A few hours later, after a shower and shampoo, Kate gazed in the mirror one more time. She looked as if she was going out on a date. Not what she was after. She gathered her hair up and put it into a ponytail, wondering if this was what Maisie was trying to imitate. She eyed herself.Yes.Casual but serious. Relaxed but focused. Laid-back but purposeful. She checked her camera bag a second time, just to make sure all batteries were fully charged. Her phone rang and she picked it up without checking caller ID, thinking it might be Coop.

“Katie-Kat! Where have you been? I’ve been calling and texting. I’ve been worried!”

She glanced at the clock near the bed. “Oliver, I’m sorry. This isn’t a good time to talk. There’s someplace I need to be in a few minutes.”

He let out an irritated huff, loud enough for her to hear. “What about later? What time will you be back?”

She knew he was annoyed, but she was glad he didn’t pry any further. She could feel guilt creep over her. Guilt about avoiding him. Guilt about her delight in spending the afternoon with Coop. She cupped her forehead with her free hand. “I’m not exactly sure.”

“Before sunset?”

“Yeah, definitely. I would think so. I’ll be back before sunset. I’ll try and call you later.”

“Before sunset, then. For sure.”

“Gotta go.” She hung up and hurried out the door, now running late.

Coop was waiting out in front of the Jenny Lake Visitor Center. Even as rushed as she felt, she took a moment to notice how appealing he looked in his ranger uniform. No wonder there was athingabout men in uniforms. His face lit up with a smile when he saw her, and it made her feel all soft and mushy inside.

“Ready? Let’s go.” He took her backpack from her and started toward his truck. At one point, he stopped in the parking lot. “Is that the kind of car you saw last night at Willow Flats?” He pointed to a ranger’s jeep.

“I think so. I’m pretty sure. I have to admit that I didn’t pay much attention to it.”

He opened up the door to the truck for Kate, and it occurred to her that Oliver rarely displayed that kind of chivalry. It wasn’t his fault, of course. He hadn’t grown up with a father who would’ve modeled how to treat a woman.

She found herself constantly comparing the two men, although she knew that was silly. After all, she’d just met Coop. Yet he always seemed to outshine Oliver.

“So,” Kate said, “when you’re not here as a seasonal ranger, you’re a schoolteacher.”

“I am.”

“Do you like being a teacher?”

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