Page 78 of Capture the Moment

Money, he guessed. She’d always been concerned about her finances. Their line of work had its perks, but striking it rich wasn’t one of them. As the saying went, park rangers were paid in sunsets.

Had Sally come to the conclusion that sunsets weren’t enough?

He recalled a conversation they’d had in April after submitting tax returns. Sally had complained bitterly about the financial strain of being a federal worker. “It’s outrageous,” she said, “to endure government shutdowns without pay, only to have the IRS come knocking for more.”

And then there was a time when Sally returned from a meeting with a financial planner in Jackson, disheartened and discouraged. “I got a cold dose of reality about what my upcoming retirement will look like. I’ll never see the Eiffel Tower or Big Ben or the Great Wall in China.”

He rubbed his face.What to do, what to do?If he went to the park superintendent with his suspicions, it would put Sally’s job at risk. All her benefits would be lost. Worse, she may face charges. He wanted to help her, not hurt her.

But if he did nothing, he couldn’t live with himself.

His eyes popped open.

He had to stop her before she went too far, that’s what.

Coop stood at Pilgrim Creek, the predawn light casting long shadows around him as he surveyed the scene. Frankie tagged along beside him. A group of discouraged photographers huddled together, their frustration palpable in the chilly morning air. “Coop, any signs?”

“I haven’t seen her,” he said truthfully. He heard murmurings among them that the bear must be dead. “Don’t give up hope yet.”

He saw Kate up ahead, so he sent Frankie back to the truck to get his coat. As soon as Frankie was on his way, he hurried up the line of photographers to join her. “Morning.”

“Morning,” she said, smiling.

Man, that smile did him in. “Spare camera?”

“Yes. Not as good as the Sony Alpha, but it’ll do.”

How to word this? “Did, uh, everything turn out for the best last night?”

“With Oliver, you mean? Yes. Let’s just say that chapter has closed.”

Awesome.Just the outcome he had hoped for. He leaned in to whisper, “I’ll go up and get your camera this morning.”

“Really?” Her eyes went wide. “Can I come?”

“To be honest,” he said, his tone apologetic, “I need to get up and down again really fast. I only have a few hours to spare. Another ranger is covering for me.”

She frowned. “And I would slow you down.”

She wasn’t wrong. Reluctantly, Coop nodded. “I’m sorry.”

“But what if I just stay in the truck?” Kate said, her eyes bright with anticipation. “The least I could do is to keep you company on the drive.”

A grin tugged at the corners of Coop’s lips. “I’ll need to leave by six a.m. If you’re at my truck at the Jackson Park Lodge parking lot, then, I ... wouldn’t mind the company.”

“I’ll be there.”

Frankie popped up between them. “Where are we going?”

The sun was barely up when Tim arrived at Sally’s office and knocked on the door. “Got a minute?” he asked, trying to keep his tone casual.

Sally glanced up from her desk, a distracted look on her face. “If it’s quick, darlin’. There’s someplace I have to be.”

He chose his words carefully. “Rangers are getting a lot of visitor complaints about the additional closures you’ve added to the list. Seems like half the park is fenced off.”

“Just temporary,” Sally said, her attention divided as she rummaged through a lower desk drawer. “Standard procedure for springtime. Sensitive habitats. Trying to minimize human-wildlife interactions.” She closed that drawer and opened another.

Tim nodded, sensing her evasiveness. “And what’s with the extra attention to 399?”

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